The room stretched out in every direction and appeared to go on indefinitely. This level was for his subjects to revel in the power and wealth of their kingdom, much like the great cathedrals of old.
Before leaving his chambers, he’d received a communiqué from the Elder. He and his entourage would arrive at dawn. The Elder rarely traveled. To have him come here, well, it did not bode well.
“Merlin, prepare accommodations for the Elder.”
“Of course,” Merlin said without emotion.
“Did you foresee this?”
“The Elder won’t stay long.”
Krieger stopped.
“And your brother arrives soon,” Merlin added.
“Henry, here?”
Merlin ran his hand down the ornate robe he wore for ceremonial occasions. “Strange, his arrival at such a time.”
“We live in strange times.”
“That we do.”
“Do my lords seem pleased with the refreshments?”
“Yes, they’ve been most demonstrative in their appreciation. The laced blood is a particular favorite.” Merlin smiled.
Vampires could not partake of recreational drugs, but they could drink the blood of one who had. The effect was much the same as with humans, a high was achieved for a short time. Tonight, he wanted his court to celebrate. It was an old custom to feast and revel at such times.
“Have my guards been briefed?”
Merlin nodded. “As have members of the household.” He lowered his voice so only Krieger could hear. “How is she? Did she take the marking well?”
“Awake.” Krieger ignored the second question and walked on until he hit the fringe of the royal throne room. His kingdom was divided into territories, each governed by a lord. As the New World became more populated, he had decided to separate the eastern, middle, and western regions. Mexico, though technically part of North America, had its own king who ruled down to South America.
The three lords of the Kingdom of North America answered to him and ruled at his discretion. The most populous territories were the eastern and western seaboards. Some vampires had chosen to live in the northernmost reaches, to take advantage of those times of year with total darkness, though most liked a more temperate climate. The middle states were sparsely populated and held little interest for their kind.
Everyone kneeled as Krieger took his place upon the raised dais. “Please rise,” he commanded. “You have been invited to celebrate the addition of a royal Sanguis Ancilla to my kingdom. Let there be no talk of business or politics this night, instead partake of the many pleasures provided, and in so doing pay tribute to my human.”
Servants quickly moved around the room with fresh glasses of blood. Each guest raised their drink and then said, as one, “To the king.”
This area of his castle was based off the temple of Bacchus, with columns around the perimeter and between which dancers now flooded into the room. They undulated around the guests, beckoning the vampires to follow them into the luxury suites. In a side room, the sound of taiko drums gave structure to the movements of their lithe bodies. Individuals chosen for their exceptional beauty mingled with his guests. The red ribbons encircling their necks marked them as blood contributors. Each one had been meticulously chosen to please a specific lord. The contributors were tranced. They would be returned to their human lives unharmed and remembering nothing.
Krieger watched as the Lord of the Western Territories, dressed in his uniform of ironed Wrangler jeans, crisp white shirt, and boots, selected two sets of twins. The royal guards had been instructed to pay particular attention to his group. He was known to have a voracious appetite. The more staid Lord of the Middle Territories, who held an uncanny resemblance to President Truman, stood back and watched.
“You surprise me, brother,” a familiar voice spoke behind Krieger.
“Henry, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” The two men grasped forearms.
“It is by accident that I arrived when I did.” They released arms. Henry grabbed a drink off a passing tray, took a sip, and gave Krieger an appreciatory nod. “Laced.” He rolled the blood around on his tongue, savoring it. “Very nice.”
“How unusual, that I was not informed of your business in my realm.” Krieger did not trust the queen Henry served, nor did he believe his brother was here by accident.
“The queen is under the false impression that I would spy for her. You know she still hasn’t forgiven you for stealing her most precious creations.”
Henry was a subject of the Russian queen, Ekaterina. Like the previous royals of that region, she was spoiled and treated her subjects badly. He hadn’t stolen her Vantors, but she didn’t see it that way.
“She also sent gifts to celebrate your human.”
“A gift, from your queen.” Krieger playfully grabbed the hilt of his sword. “An assassin is the only gift she would send.”
The two men laughed.
“She is a queen scorned.” Henry motioned with his hand. Four boys dressed in the queen’s livery struggled to carry a curtained lectica forward.
Krieger moved to stand immediately beside the conveyance and parted the curtain, keeping his body as a block to what lay inside. The queen’s taste in gifts was questionable. If he’d found a human inside it would not have come as a shock. Instead, what lay inside was a treasure trove of gem encrusted jewelry.
“For your Sanguis.” Henry bowed. “A gift from one royal to another.” Henry pulled the heavy fabric further back. The light caused the gems to sparkle.
“What does your queen want from me?”
Henry laughed. “What does she ever want?” He replaced his empty glass with a full one. “You, taking a sanguis.” He opened his eyes wide. “How shocking.”
Krieger closed the curtains.
“Are you displeased?” Henry asked. “I picked them out myself. They are priceless.”
“I’m sure they are. Did the queen truly order this?”
Henry gave him a guilty smile. “She won’t miss them. The queen has rooms full of stolen treasure. What harm can it do to give these trinkets to someone who will enjoy them?”
“Harm,” Merlin said, with contempt. “What would you know about the harm you cause?”
Henry cut his eyes towards Merlin. “Always the killjoy.” Henry raised his glass to him. “I see you haven’t changed these last two hundred years.”
Krieger warned Merlin with a look. There was bad blood between the two men, and tonight, no matter how much Henry baited him, he had to remain civil. “Take care of it.”
“Yes, Merlin.” Henry stepped to the side as Merlin walked past. “Take care of it.”
Krieger watched as Merlin led the garishly dressed boys and their burden out of the great hall. “We will speak of this later.”
“I just wanted to bring you something nice,” Henry protested.
“It’s not wise to steal from the hand that feeds you.”
“I’ve come to ask the Right of Asylum,” Henry said, very low. He was right to be cautious. The two men stared at each other. “If you want me here, that is?” Henry smiled up at Krieger.
Tonight was becoming far more complicated than Krieger had hoped. The Elder would be arriving soon, and now his brother was asking him to initiate an international scandal by giving him refuge in his kingdom. Everyone knew that Queen Ekaterina was unstable at best. She would not take well to Henry, her prize bull, being taken from her, especially by Krieger.
Krieger looked around the room and spotted Cherie, a trusted and gifted subject, who was effortlessly charming a group of men. He motioned for her to join him.
Henry eyed her as she walked towards them. “Is she your Sanguis?”
“No,” Krieger said, “far from it.” He nodded for Henry to offer his hand to her.
“Cherie, let me introduce my brother, Henry.”
“Sire, I am honored,” she said with a voice that promised fulfillment.
“I would consider it a personal favor i
f you would provide for his needs this night.” Krieger could tell by her expression that she was pleased. He also knew that he could trust Cherie. She would report any information regarding Henry’s surprise visit back to him.
Cherie slid her curves into Henry’s side as his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “I hope to please you.”
“I have no doubt.” Henry looked over her body.
“If you would excuse us for a moment, Cherie,” Krieger said, “we have a few matters to discuss.
Cherie understood, bowed and walked away, mesmerizing men, and some women, in her wake.
“She is an Ouled of great talent.” Krieger wanted his brother to know that she was a valued member of his court.
“I thought they were extinct.”
The Ouled were an ancient sect of Gypsies. The females were taught the art of seduction. For them it was a high calling, like some would consider the priesthood.
“Not extinct, just rare.” Krieger lifted his eyebrow. “Does the queen have any idea of your plans?”
“None. She’s furious that you seem to attract all the more delicious Others.” Henry nodded toward Cherie, as an example. “She sent me to find out how you lure them into your kingdom.” Henry elongated and exaggerated “lure” and “kingdom”.
“Does she think of nothing but her pleasures?”
“I can attest that she does not.” Henry laughed. “Let’s not speak of distasteful things tonight. Tell me of this vixen who has stolen your heart. After so long, you finally claim a human. I must meet this enchantress.”
“Your timing continues to be eerily precise, for she enters.” Krieger had detected her delicate scent long before he saw her walking into the hall. Liam loomed behind her small body like an avenging demon sent up from the deepest depths of Hell. He had chosen attire to accentuate his bestial side. Black leather motorcycle pants, a silver sword hanging from his waist, a fitted shirt which accentuated every muscle in his torso. Further back were two other pack members. Around the room, Krieger heard the word “Vantor” being whispered. Everyone attending tonight would speak of the ferocious guards to his Sanguis Ancilla.
“You let them near her?” Henry kept his voice soft, but he spoke with complete hatred of the Vantors.
Krieger had not seen Henry in over two centuries. The years lay hard upon his brother. There was a certain look in his eyes that had not been there before. He loved Henry, but had never been blind to his faults.
“You will show all my subjects civility.”
“Of course, my liege,” Henry said through gritted teeth.
“Stop playing the fool,” Krieger snapped.
Lily stopped at the fringe of the party. Her face was obscured by her curls, but he knew she was looking without looking. Luckily, most of the vampires had moved out of the room to more private areas, but enough still remained for her to watch. It surprised and amused him that she was making an appearance tonight.
“She is an innocent? Green fruit which needs another season on the vine to ripen.”
“Who is not an innocent to our eyes?” Krieger said matter-of-factly.
“True.”
“My Lily is older, and wiser, than the freshness of her face conveys. She is far past the age of consent.”
“Of course.” Henry stared intently at Lily. “She does have a certain quality.” He inhaled deeply. “Her sweet scent infects the room.”
Krieger saw a few dropped fangs among the younger vampires, too immature to control their body’s visceral response to Lily.
“Is it wise to leave her unmarked?” Henry was especially mesmerized, his eyes never leaving her form. “You have not bedded her, nor marked her, and yet you gave her your blood. Are you the same man whose cock cut a swath through the provinces of Rome?”
Before Krieger could respond, the most tantalizing scent he’d ever experienced enveloped the room. His fangs were halfway down before he clenched his fists and retracted them. Everyone was affected by her and working to control or hide their arousal. Henry’s body visibly shook as he regained control. Liam and his men sensed the attendees change in mood and closed ranks around their charge.
What chemical reaction had occurred to enhance her already delicious scent? Krieger did not know. He did know that Lily had passed some invisible mark, some delineation that none could see, but all had felt, and now, they were all beckoned to her side. To him, she smelled of the very essence of life, and he was both proud and unnerved by the unfolding uniqueness of his human.
“She will awaken the sleeping ones.” Henry struggled to control his fangs, which were visible above his lower lip. “What is she?” he asked, with awe in his voice.
Having no other answer, Krieger gave the one he knew. “She is my Sanguis Ancilla.” With an iron will, he managed to tear his eyes away from her and summon a royal guard. “Discreetly encourage my guests on to their private areas.”
“Will you introduce me?” Henry asked.
“Will you behave?”
Henry nodded.
“It is her decision then. She probably won’t speak with you, she hardly speaks to me.”
“Have you stolen her from the Gods? A woman as beautiful as she, and of few words. Surely something so divine was never meant to grace this earth.”
Krieger knew his brother well, but even he was unsure if he was jesting or truly meant his words. “Lily is skittish. Our world is completely new to her. I would take great offense if you frightened her.”
His brother looked at him. The emotion in his eyes was raw. “She was not meant for you.”
Probably not, and yet here she was, wearing a delicate dress with thin straps that skimmed over her shoulders. He used the power of their connected blood through his voice to encourage her to move closer. “Lily, come.”
Her body instantly responded, though she resisted for a moment, and then slowly walked towards him.
“Lily, I would like to introduce my brother, Henry. He has traveled from his home in Russia.”
Henry bowed low, swinging his arm gracefully like a courtier of old. “My lady is lovelier than I imagined.”
Krieger watched Lily quickly look at Henry, and then back down to the floor.
Henry dramatically rose up with his hand over his heart. “You honor me with your sweet smile.”
Lily’s skin tone went from porcelain to a deep crimson shade.
Krieger realized he was jealous, an emotion he was unaccustomed to feeling.
“And how brave you are to walk into a room of vampires.” Henry scanned the room and returned to Lily. “Can you see it, the look of hunger in their eyes?”
Lily moved closer to Liam.
“Enough!” Krieger grabbed his brother’s arm.
Henry tore his eyes away from Lily. “You surprise me, brother. Your female conquests have been legion yet always consistent.” He ripped his arm away from Krieger and looked toward Cherie.
“Henry.” Krieger shook his head. “I will not be baited tonight. Apologize, or leave my kingdom now.” He’d hoped his impetuous brother had changed, but clearly he had not. How he loved to toy and manipulate the people around him.
For a brief instant, Krieger saw a dangerous look in Henry’s eye. The look of a man in the heat of battle, fighting and clawing his way through anything that was between him and survival.
“I meant no disrespect. The Russian Court is lax and I have forgotten my manners. How fortunate that I have my brother, the king, to guide me.” Henry reached out his hand to Lily. “May I at least kiss the hand of my brother’s Sanguis? To know that my heartfelt apology is accepted.”
Krieger’s anger rose, he was a second away from expelling Henry.
Lily tentatively looked to Krieger. “Of course,” she whispered, and extended her hand.
Krieger took her offered hand instead.
“Ah, I see.” Henry lowered his arm. “If you will excuse me then, I am anxious to enjoy the king’s hospitality.” Henry smiled, but his eyes held no joy.
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br /> Krieger watched Henry leave, and then kissed Lily’s hand. “You have no need to be frightened.” He tried to see the attendees as she would, but it was impossible. Anxious to be alone with her, he spread his hand across her lower back and gently guided her through a great archway that led down a private hallway.
“Liam,” he said, knowing they were out of hearing range of Henry. “Henry might try and take out his anger on Cherie. I want her guarded closely. Do not hesitate to intervene if necessary.”
A tight knot of tension had formed at the base of Krieger’s skull. They continued in silence, until the wooden double doors of the map room came into view. Lily walked faster, almost rushing towards the heavily carved doors, each standing twice his height. She stopped an arm’s length from them, admiring the intricately carved oak trees on each door.
He liked the way she appreciated his home and regretted again that there was no time to properly introduce her to its charms. “The doors are from two trees that stood almost at this exact spot. They’d grown together over the years like brothers eternally standing guard.”
“Why did you cut them down?” She traced a thick limb out to the end where a mockingbird was carved.
“To make way for Stoke Castle,” he said it without the sentiment he felt for the old trees. “I honor them in this way.” Two guards pushed the massive doors open.
He smiled as Lily’s eyes took in the grandeur of the space. The room was two stories high, with maps decorating the walls and shelves full of books around the parameter. At the far end of the room, a stone fireplace held a roaring fire, illuminating the book bindings and making the vast space feel less imposing.
For many centuries Krieger had kept himself aloof from matters of the heart. Now, with this small slip of a woman, he felt the desire to understand her as well as possess her. She was a puzzle to him. She seemed contained in her own world, with not a care for him. Even now she brushed her delicate fingers over the books as if they were lovers.
“Have you read all these?”
“Yes.” Krieger looked around the room, “some more than once.” He paused, thinking of how to proceed. “You’ve had so little time to get accustomed. I had wished to show you my estate tonight. Unfortunately, there are matters that must be discussed between us.”
The Last Keeper's Daughter Page 10
