In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete Third Season

by Frater, Rhiannon

  Seizing Lorelei’s head with both hands, Mirrah slammed it against the wall.

  Vanora’s boot skidded on the bloody marble, and she smacked back onto the throne, knocking the breath out of her lungs.

  Twisting about, Mirrah hissed. “You cannot escape!”

  Leaping across the length of the room, Mirrah landed unhindered on the stairs. In the blink of an eye, she was on Vanora. The gaping wound in her torso drenched Vanora in blood as she grabbed Mirrah’s shoulders in an attempt to keep the woman from ripping out her throat with her teeth.

  Gnashing her long fangs, Mirrah’s red eyes glinted with delight as she chuckled. “I am the queen,” she snarled. “Not you.”

  Through the haze of her fear, anger, and sheer exhaustion, Vanora spotted Carys standing at the base of the steps. Shocked by her mother’s abrupt appearance, she almost lost her grip on Mirrah.

  “Vanora, it’s time for the third vision,” Carys said.

  “No! Not now!” Vanora gasped. Crippling fear ripped through her as she realized she was about to lose both battles. A sob of despair filled her as her tenuous hold on herself broke and the third vision snatched her mind away…

  …and then returned to her as she sat upon her throne with Aeron at her side. Vanora drew in a sharp breath of cold air as her fingers dug into the armrests. Standing at the base of the throne were two young people that greatly resembled her and Aeron. The male was tall with the musculature of a dancer. The female was small of frame like Vanora, but nearly as tall as her brother. Both had long white hair and vivid amethyst eyes. The male was dressed in a long white leather duster and matching trousers, while his sister wore a black lace dress that touched her ankles.

  “The third vision,” Vanora whispered. “The future.”

  “This is our future. Our children,” Aeron said in agreement.

  Gazing at the two beautiful people before her, Vanora felt her connection to them, yet didn’t feel maternal love. She felt fear. There was something distinctly dangerous about the two.

  “Mother isn’t pleased,” the man said, smiling so that his sharp teeth were visible. Around his neck hung a sun pendant which glinted as he moved.

  “That’s because she doesn’t trust us.” The woman followed her brother as he ascended the stairs. A half-moon pendant was attached to a velvet band around her white throat. “Why don’t you trust us, Mother?”

  The names of the two children came easily to her tongue. “Apollos and Ariana, I don’t trust you because of what you are.”

  “Your children?” Apollos chuckled, casting a furtive look at his sister.

  Vanora dreaded their slow ascent to their parents’ thrones. A swift look at Aeron revealed his great pleasure in the presence of his children. He smiled with adoration and pride.

  “Come now, Vanora. Look at them. They’re perfection. They will be heralds of my kingdom on earth.”

  The twins were perfect, but not in the way Aeron thought. They were the epitome of the powers that had created them. They weren’t vampires or witches. They were gods.

  Sucking in a breath, Vanora whispered, “I see.”

  Ariana settled her uncanny gaze on Vanora. “You do, don’t you?”

  Though they’d been birthed from her body, they weren’t truly her children. They were constructs for the beings that had waited over a millennium to return to the earth.

  “Arianrhod,” Vanora breathed.

  Ariana exchanged looks with her brother. “It’s time to kill them.”

  Vanora attempted to launch herself off her throne while gathering her powers, but it was too late. Apollos removed his father’s head with one swipe of his hand and Ariana’s fingers burrowed into Vanora’s chest to find her heart.

  “I win,” Ariana hissed.

  And ripped out Vanora’s heart…

  The vision released her to darkness. Vanora could hear voices and feel pain, but it was difficult to focus. It was as if she was at the bottom of a well and the world was high above her through a narrow opening. With great difficulty, Vanora clawed her way up, determined to reclaim her body and stop Arianrhod once and for all.

  The White Queen laughed in triumph as Vanora’s essence vanished into the ether. Claiming Vanora’s body, the White Queen grappled with the woman who dared to believe she was queen. Mirrah’s eyes widened as the White Queen unleashed all the hidden power within Vanora. The battled immediately altered. They were not longer locked in a battle to see who could kill the other first. Mirrah was the prey, held captive in the grip of the White Queen. The second Mirrah comprehended this, terror blossomed in her eyes, and she struggled to escape.

  “This throne is mine, interloper,” the White Queen hissed.

  Her hands erupted into pure white fire and set Mirrah aflame. The vampire attempted to wrench away, but the White Queen dug her fingers into her opponent’s arms until she hit bone. She did not release Mirrah until her body fell away in ashes.

  Standing, Mirrah’s smoldering ruins slid to her feet. The White Queen drew in a deep breath and smiled with satisfaction. At last she was in control. A noise drew her attention across the throne room. Aeron stood in the doorway his expression completely unreadable.

  With a triumphant smile, the White Queen said, “I have returned.”

  Then she rushed into his arms and kissed him.

  * * *

  Something was wrong.

  Though Aeron was thrilled to finally have Vanora safely at his side, he couldn’t shake the lingering impression that all was not right. That inkling made no sense, yet was persistent. His mother’s ancient prophecy about his destiny was at last being fulfilled. All he had dreamed of for over a thousand years was coming to fruition. And yet, he instinctively knew something was amiss. He was tempted to seek out Siana, but he didn’t want to leave Vanora for even a moment.

  From his perch on the end of the bed in Vanora’s chamber, Aeron watched his beloved brush out her freshly washed hair at the vanity he had bought years before in a Paris antique shop. She hadn’t even been born yet, but he had longed to one day see her sitting before the ornately framed mirror just as she was now.

  The scene before him was almost exactly as he imagined. The long white organza gown with ruffles and delicate details perfectly suited a queen, as did the diamonds glittering on her throat, wrists, and fingers. Yet the image didn’t quite suit Vanora. It was a far different look from the one she’d sported when he’d found her bloody and triumphant in the throne room. That simple yet elegant outfit had suited the Vanora he’d grown to know and love over the years through countless updates and photos from Armando’s observations. The fluffy gown she now wore was beautiful, but somehow unbefitting. It was challenging to accept, but Vanora’s presence seemed altered. The beautiful ethereal creature excitedly attempting to affix a tiara to her hair was Vanora, yet wasn’t.

  “It’s one of the missing Romanov tiaras. I acquired it from a private collector,” Aeron said. “It’s supposed to resemble waves, but the sapphires were removed and sold to a different buyer.”

  Vanora didn’t acknowledge his comment as she gazed into the gilded mirror while positioning the tiara.

  “I bought you many things over the years,” Aeron continued.

  “Of course you did,” Vanora finally answered, but her voice didn’t sound quite right. The inflection of the words was dissimilar.

  The joy that he had felt when she’d kissed him in the throne room was slowly seeping away. Aeron loved Vanora. He knew it to the core of his being, but something was undeniably awry.

  “Tonight, when I present you to my court, it will be my proudest moment.” He needed her to understand just how important she was to him. Everything he’d fought for over the centuries was finally coming to fruition.

  At last satisfied with the placement of the tiara, Vanora began to fuss with the earring selection. “Of course it will be.”

  The flippancy of her response was wounding. He shifted on the bed, his discomfort growing. “Are y
ou almost ready?” The throne room was being cleaned in preparation for Vanora’s formal introduction. All of Aeron’s children were here to welcome her as their queen.

  “Almost. This is my formal ascension, so everything must be perfect.”

  Again, Aeron attempted to connect with Vanora in a meaningful way. “You being here is perfect. We’re together at last.”

  He hoped she’d turn to see his smile, but her attention remained focused on the variety of earrings.

  It was as if his words took time to register, but finally she said, “Yes, we are together. At last.”

  Frowning slightly, Aeron’s long fingers traced the intricate embroidery on the bed coverings. “I feared you’d come to kill me.”

  Laughing, she glanced over at him. “Don’t be foolish. You know why I’m here.”

  “To be with me?” All he wanted was to hear her say that she wanted to be with him and fulfill their destiny together in a manner that felt meaningful.

  “Of course.” She shrugged and returned to selecting a pair of earrings. “And to give birth to our children. New gods for a new world.” Vanora’s hands stilled at her earlobe and her eyes bizarrely jittered side to side.

  “Vanora?”

  Twisting about on her seat, she said in a rushed voice, “The children are your death. They’ll kill you and--” Again she quietened, her eyes going blank. After a few seconds, her smile returned. “Children will be your true legacy. The new gods.”

  “Vanora, something is wrong, isn’t it?” Aeron slid off the bed and timidly approached her.

  Ignoring him, she swiveled about and fussed with another set of earrings.

  Resting his fingers gently against her neck, Aeron could feel the throb of her pulse. It was steady. She wasn’t afraid. “Vanora?”

  “I’m just a little overwhelmed. So much has happened, and now I’m here. Finally! Fulfilling the prophecy. Your queen to rule at your side.” The words were oddly devoid of emotion. It was if she were reciting a well-rehearsed script.

  Aeron bent at the waist and kissed her cheek. Her skin smelled of soap, powder, and her sweet scent. “I have never wanted anyone more than I’ve wanted you. I have loved you more than any other woman.”

  Vanora leveled her gaze on him through her white lashes. “Really?” She sounded weirdly offended.

  “Of course,” he replied, then pressed his lips to her throat just above her diamond necklace.

  Her slender fingers sank into his hair and she cradled his head against her neck. “Aeron, please help me...”

  “Help you with what?” Even more concerned now, he pulled her about to face him. Cupping her face, he stared into her eyes. They were clear, vibrant and a beautiful shade of purple. “Vanora, what do you want me to help you with?”

  Pink lips slightly trembling, Vanora regarded him with yearning, then her eyes cooled. “How do these earrings look?”

  “Vanora...”

  Looking rather aloof, Vanora sighed. “Perhaps we should forgo my introduction to your court. Perhaps we should attempt to conceive our children.”

  Aeron wanted nothing more than to be with Vanora, to hold her, to make love with her, but nothing about this moment was how he had imagined it. The fierce passion that had existed between them before was missing from their interaction. “If that is what you want...” Perhaps once they were joined, she’d be more herself. Maybe she was just acclimating and unsure of her new life.

  “It wouldn’t take. I’m on the Pill,” she said swiftly, this time sounding much more like the young woman who’d faced him before with defiance in her eyes and voice.

  “Then why would you suggest--”

  Vanora pressed her mouth to his. Their earlier kiss in the throne room had been empty of ardor. This time her lips and tongue moved fervently against his. Clutching her close, he was drawn into her passion and lost to it. When she pulled away, he tensed for another bizarre mood swing, but her fingers dug into his neck as she pressed her forehead to his.

  “Listen to me, Aeron. I’ve seen the future your mother constructed. The spells she cast were to create me, but not for you. It’s so that our children will be born. A boy and a girl. With all our powers combined, who can walk in the day, and claim the world. A boy and a girl who will be the reincarnation of your mother and her brother. Your mother didn’t create this future for you, but for her and her brother.” Vanora’s words rushed out of her, desperate, afraid, and panicked.

  “I don’t understand. My mother prophesied my future. She didn’t create it,” Aeron protested. Then he remembered the worlds of the Oracle earlier. She’d also declared that his mother had conjured a destiny for him.

  “She did create it. You were supposed to die, but she gave you her magic, sent you away, and cheated the Fates!”

  “No, no. I can’t accept that! She told me you’re my future wife!” Aeron gripped Vanora’s arms a bit too tightly and he immediately lessened his grip when she winced.

  Vanora shivered violently. “I’m barely holding on right now. The spell is trying to destroy me... my essence... and replace it with a construct of her will because I defied her.”

  It was impossible for him to believe her. His entire life had proven the veracity of the prophecy. “My mother prophesied my future. She saw what I would become once I left home. It’s all come true. Even you.”

  “Because she made it come true. She cast a powerful spell that has created this false destiny for you.” Vanora pressed one hand to her chest. She was so afraid that Aeron could vividly hear her heartbeat.

  Her words were repellent and upsetting. Aeron simply could not accept them. “I am to bring order to this world!”

  “No. You’re to bring her and her brother back to power! That’s her plan.”

  What she was saying ran counter to everything he’d believed for so long. Aeron simply couldn’t comprehend how her assertions could be true. “Her brother? I don’t understand what my uncle has to do with this, Vanora.”

  “Not her mortal brother. You do know your mother was a goddess, don’t you?”

  Aeron had once thought his mother’s tales were nothing more than stories to amuse him, but by the time he’d departed on his journey, he’d believed her. “Her true brother that was killed by the Seven Sisters. His daughters.”

  “So you do know…”

  “I am a god, Vanora. So are you. We are the new gods. My mother and her brother are gone. Vanquished.”

  “And waiting to be reborn.” Vanora visibly shuddered. “The spell is trying to destroy me and take my body. That’s all I am. A vessel for your mother’s power.”

  “You are more than that!”

  “Not as far as the spell is concerned. It’s imbedded inside me and trying to take me over so I serve its will. I’m not the White Queen. It’s the manifestation of the spell. I realize that now. I used to think it was a part of me, but it’s not. You have to help me fight it or I’ll be lost.”

  “Vanora, I am yours, and you are mine. It’s destiny, not a spell.” Aeron could not accept her accusations against his mother.

  “We’re her pawns. You and me.”

  Miserably, Aeron shook his head. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Do you believe in me?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “If you really love me, you’ll help me.”

  Again she shuddered, her eyes losing focus for a moment. It was very evident she was struggling for control. Her odd behavior now made sense in the light of her words. A spell was trying to take her from him.

  In desperation, he shook her. “Vanora, tell me what to do. Tell me!”

  Focusing on his face, Vanora ran her hands along his shoulders. “If you love me, help me hold on.”

  “I will anchor you,” he vowed solemnly.

  “You’re my undoing, Aeron,” Vanora sobbed. “The spell is stronger when you are near. It’s taking all my strength just to keep the White Queen at bay.”

  “You’re my White Queen,” Aer
on insisted.

  “No, the spell is.”

  “Someone did this to you. Not my mother. One of my enemies perhaps.” Even has he spoke, he knew the words weren’t true. This was his mother’s work. He could sense it. “We are meant to be.”

  “Only so Arianrhod and her brother will be reborn. This is her spell! Aeron, you must believe me!”

  “I love you, Vanora, but you are asking me to disavow my very destiny. All that I have fought for!” He stared at her incredulously, but he was beginning to believe her.

  “And I love you, but I know who you are, Aeron.” Tears glimmered on her cheeks. Her expression was so sorrowful it brought tears to his eyes. “You’re death and destruction all in the name of order. You’re not cleansing the world for your new world, but your mother’s rebirth.”

  Though Aeron didn’t want to accept what she was saying, he was beginning to see it as truth. He now recognized the telltale signs of his mother’s designs peeking through. He was disgusted and appalled at the accusations, yet it made terrible sense. His entire sense of purpose had been shaped by his mother from the time he was a small boy. Everything he had done was to fulfill his destiny. A destiny Arianrhod had shaped so she could reclaim her power and life.

  “She didn’t prophecy my destiny. She made it.” It hurt to speak the words.

  Vanora nodded miserably. “Yes.”

  “So she could be reborn. With her brother. Through us.” As the sentences slipped off his tongue, they ripped away the last of his doubts.

  “Yes.”

  “But you love me and I love you.”

  “Yes, but we can’t be together, Aeron.”

  “I can’t accept that! I will find a way to undo her magic.”

  “You killed the witches, Aeron.”

  “She said that I should...” Aeron growled with fury. His mother had conspired against him. Used him.

  Vanora shuddered, her eyes rolling up.

  “Vanora!”