by Tiana Laveen
“What about me annoyed you the most?” Venus asked with a smile.
“You had a big heart, and that irritated me to no end.”
Venus chuckled at her words. The woman placed the comb down, then began to braid her tresses, tugging here and there.
“It wasn’t funny to me, Venus. It meant that your survival could be challenged. You could be in danger.” Venus threw her a glance from over her shoulder, seeing the concern in her eyes. “Your stubbornness to release what I was certain would be your demise angered me, but then, you surprised me.” Venus turned away, her eyes fixated on the flames. How transfixing, how lovely they looked, jumping about in the hearth. “You wanted to kill the man who’d enslaved you and your family… you wanted revenge. Finally, you were coming into your own.” Venus’ eyes narrowed as she recalled that fateful night. “We’d been so many places, and when we were about to head off to Hungary, you stopped and said, ‘Madame, may I return to the plantation and give back the same pain that was brought to me?’ I didn’t hesitate… I knew you needed this. Your soul had dreamt of it from your birth.”
“My mother’s pain and death… my father’s horrible life… my grandmother’s never-ending sorrow… Someone needed to pay, and pay for everyone who was trapped in that nightmare.”
“And pay they did. We headed back and arrived in the dead of night. With your new strength and vitality, you crept inside that big white house while they were asleep, beat the Master with his own whip, then stabbed him in the chest with his own hunting knife. You strung some of his neighbors from trees, hanging them just as they’d done to others… forbidden fruit. You did the same to his wife, but before you left, you chopped his dick off and shoved it up his ass for all to see…”
Venus grinned as the horrifically beautiful memories flooded back… yes, now Master wouldn’t ever be able to rape again, not even in the afterlife. It had been a strange celebration, although to this day, she wasn’t convinced it had been enough…
“You killed everyone, with exception of the newborn baby, though you confessed you wanted to, but your heart wouldn’t allow you. I told you that child was just as guilty—alive due to pain inflicted, the sins of the father… That child would inherit the wealth made off your back but you insisted that a baby is pure, innocent. So you swaddled that baby in soft cotton cloths, placed her in a basket, and set her on the porch of a home a mile away. A part of me admired that you’d done that. You then headed off to the slave quarters, told them to run away, and set the entire plantation on fire. The rage in your eyes… I’ll never forget it! The place was ablaze. It glowed so beautifully! The flames could be seen for miles!” Geneviève laughed. “And then, you cried…” Her giggles softened, then ceased.
Venus’ smile faded.
“You looked at me and said, ‘They have nowhere to go now, Geneviève… They’ll just get caught, bought and sold again. The nightmare of slavery will continue.’ I asked you why did you care? You were finally free. You replied, ‘Because they told me about the cabin in the woods, and they’re my people. No, we’re not all related, but we’re related.’ I had to think about that for a moment, and then, I understood. So, I did what any mistress in my position would do. I went out with you into the night before the sun rose and rounded them up. I called in some help, and we got them on a boat, sent them to New York. You were happy again… It was then that I realized I had to stop trying to change you, my child. You had what you needed within you. You were a true survivor and your heart would not damage you.
“You’d managed to adjust, use it as a strength, not a weakness… you had balance. The world doesn’t care about what’s fair, but you did.” Venus met eyes with her mistress once again, while batting away blood-filled tears. Geneviève leaned in to kiss her forehead, then turned her back towards the fire.
“The flames are so pretty tonight.”
“They are you. You are the fire tonight. Your eyes are the color of those flames sometimes now, Venus.”
“Yes, I noticed that. Why?”
“Sometimes the Bridal Blood Bath has that effect when you’re fertile.” Venus swallowed. “This is why your wedding was set for today. You’re in heat, Venus.”
“In heat?” Venus rolled her eyes. Now this she simply couldn’t let go. Geneviève knew better. “I’m not an animal, mistress. And neither are you.”
“We’re all merely animals, my love. Beasts. Pretty paint on our faces and sitting down at a table with a fork and spoon doesn’t change that fact. Don’t get caught up in semantics. It’s hard to resist the lure of mating when in this state while lying next to your lover. Your will may be strong, and my son’s, too, but the heart and body want what it wants. Our true desires always eventually win. Glowing from within…”
“So now every time I’m ovulating my eyes will glow?”
“It’s a signal, like a beacon to your mate, inviting him inside. It’s not consistent… just enough to let your mate know your status, kind of like pheromones. All creatures, my dear, have the desire to procreate. While ovulating, you send a message to your mate that you can accept his seed, and if you feel threatened at any time during your ovulation period, your eyes may glow, too. Your eyes are beautiful whether they are dark brown or light amber… but perhaps, should you and Alexandre decide, tonight you will create a new generation. It’s a beautiful evening for such a thing.”
Venus sighed and realized she needed to speak to her mother-in-law candidly. The elephant in the room was overdue to be addressed.
“Mistress, I know that it is tradition to do such things on the wedding night, but along with Alexandre marrying a Turned Vamp, we would like to do things in our own time, in our own way. I also may rule a bit differently than you had.”
“How so?” Geneviève kept braiding her hair without missing a beat.
“Well, since Alexandre and I will be spending the majority of our time here in Paris, I would like to establish a museum of African, Native Indian and Asian art, for example. There would be discussions and classes on art history, a library, guided tours, things of that nature. I would own this museum and teach, too, and it would be my way of giving back to our community as well as fulfilling my passion. I’m aware that knowing how to fight is important, and I have no doubt I need to use those skills at times, but I want my legacy to be more than slaying enemies with a sword, Geneviève… How about we slay them with educating the future generations, too? I want to show our people more human artwork so that they may be better understood. You taught me, you fostered my love of such things. Let me explore. I wish for my children, and their children, to not have to live in fear—but should a situation arise, they will know how to handle it by any means necessary. Like their grandmothers, you and my mother, they will not be afraid.”
Venus was prepared to argue with the woman, perhaps even get into a physical altercation, but instead she was met with silence. Geneviève placed the comb down and made Venus face her. She looked at her a long while before she spoke.
“As Queen, that is your right to do such a thing—to make provisions and live your life as you see fit. It is a bit unconventional for a Queen of your status to be teaching to our brethren, but of course, the world is ever changing, and we must follow our passions. However, please always remember that you are an example to others, Venus, and you must carry yourself in a proper Vamp way.”
Venus nodded in understanding, pleased with how diplomatic her mother-in-law was being. And quite surprised about it, too.
“You and I may not always agree. I never believed that we would.” She picked up the golden comb and went back to work on her hair. “You are headstrong, just like me, but I know you will do the right thing according to our laws and expectations.”
“I will. I promise.” Venus turned to smile at her and rested her hands on her knees.
“I will hold you to that. We do not play by the same rules as humans, Venus. We don’t need to, we don’t want to, and we never will. Humans are hypocrites. Pretending
to be a way they are not in order to follow their religions, but they cannot follow those rules because they are unnatural. So in order to self-regulate, keep themselves in line, because they are animals, just like the rest of us, they try to control their impulses, but that only in the long run leads to perversions of what is simple and natural, meant to be. You can’t reason with someone who lies to themselves all the time. They can’t even accept their true nature how could they ever accept ours?”
“I don’t completely agree with you, Geneviève, but I appreciate your perspective. What you are saying, your views, is part of the reason I want to open the museum. I know that you were hurt by human beings, but we’ve hurt human beings, too.”
“I appreciate your viewpoint as well. My point is, do not try to force us to be anything that we are not, just as I have stopped trying to force you to forsake your birthright. We are rulers and we have a code of conduct that is to be upheld. You are now one of us, through and through. I trust you to be true to yourself, and to my son. Never forget the sacrifices made on your behalf. I know you must feel that I am old fashioned, but look where it has gotten me? I’m still here… Most everyone else in my bloodline has perished, but I am still alive, still thriving, still tasting the sweet essence of eternal life. That must mean something. My choices could not have been all bad, old fashioned or not.”
“It does say something. It says a lot. I still have a lot to learn. I will be the first to admit that. I respect you more than you realize.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Venus sighed as the woman jerked her head back and began working on a braid at her nape. “In our world, Venus, giving birth does not saddle you down. It doesn’t mean your life is limited. In fact, you gain greater respect and control. You’ve brought fresh blood into the world… that is revered. You can do many things. Humans believe in women’s limitations, but we know no boundaries, my Love… the sky is the limit.”
Venus’ entire body filled with joy. It appeared that Geneviève was open to change and learning, too.
“You do realize that this is all your fault.” Venus smirked. “Because of you, I fell in love with art.”
“Oh, trust me, I know. You were in love with museums from the moment I took you to your first one in Prague. I would buy you artbooks, and you’d sit there and doodle, paint beautiful portraits, write notes and study for hours on end. I was not surprised that when my son found you, that’s what you were doing for a living. Daughter, you have my blessing. I… I care for you deeply. There. All done.”
Venus stood to her feet and stretched, then made her way to the mirror. Her hair was done in elaborate, shiny black twists that flowed down her back. Two in the front had red ribbons wrapped in them.
Before she could express her delight, the Queen Mother approached her from behind. She gathered the twists and pinned them high, then placed a black and sapphire crown atop her head. “That’s the final touch… You look beautiful, Venus.”
“Thank you, mistress.”
“Now, go to the seamstress and get assistance with wearing your gown. I will be joining the masses, sitting up front to watch my son marry his lovely bride. Tonight is made of sweet dreams.” Geneviève ran her thumb across Venus’ cheek and smiled. “And now, those dreams are your reality…”
Alexandre glided his hand over his hair, smoothing it into place before putting on his black and red top hat.
His black high-collared robe covered his suit beneath, and both had been tailored to fit his height and build to perfection. He looked at his reflection in a silver-free mirror, and smirked.
I look like some Hollywood type Dracula.
But it was tradition, and he had no problems following protocol in this situation.
He stood outside, surrounded by hundreds of guests, not including the thirty kings and queens that had showed up to support him during his unfortunate Council meeting then stayed to attend his nuptials. As they walked past, they extended their hands or bowed before taking their seats in the underground romantic quaint village of Louche Rouge.
This place was famous as a popular site for Royal weddings. His parents had been wed here, and their parents, too. There was a fountain in the center of town, believed to have been given magical powers in affairs of the heart—a superstition vampires of Pure Breed status scoffed at. Marriages were simply alliances and you were fortunate if you liked your partner at all. The cascade from the fountain was spell-casted from a half vampire/half witch from the 15th century, who did believe in love.
If couples drank from it, it was thought their love would never die. Alexandre didn’t give that much thought, but it was an idealistic notion, he couldn’t deny. He surmised his Coven only wished to take a sip to help fortify the lineage, forsaking the true intent behind the purified waters. Shaking the idea out of his mind, he checked the time. 10:00 P.M. A full white moon glowed in the sky, just like the one on the day he and his Love were born.
It looks nice here. Queen Syà really outdid herself.
Beautiful, plush red chairs were arranged in a huge circle to accommodate everyone on the expanse of green grass, and a black path had been set up down the middle. White lights had been strewn all around, and soft music played in the background—Daniel Caesar’s, ‘Get You’ ft. Kali Uchis—creating a relaxed, lovely vibe. He took notice of the black, white, and red candles lit all around, perfuming the warm air. Bubbles moved about in the light breeze, emitted from a machine, as well as clear balloons.
I wonder what she’s doing right now? I hope she’s thinking beautiful thoughts…
He smiled, imagining his Bloodmate drinking a glass of wine, then feeling ill, but doing it anyway…
Whiskey tapped him on his shoulder, bringing him out of his deliberations. The two slapped hands and grinned at one another.
“Hey, Boss! Looks nice, right? Queen Syà did great, huh? She really came through!”
“She did… It’s amazing that a queen would volunteer to plan a wedding. She could have easily just appointed someone else, but she said she loves things like this. I’m impressed.” They kept on making small talk, enjoying the music and their surroundings. “Hey, let me ask you something, Whiskey?”
“Sure.”
“Fawn hasn’t returned my calls.” He readjusted his top hat, waved to a guest, then turned back towards his friend. “Do you have anything to do with that?”
Whiskey laughed nervously. “Yeah, maybe. A little bit…”
“No such thing as a little bit in this circumstance, ya bastard. That’s like being a little bit vampire. Either you are one or you’re not.”
“I had a little to do with it, ya know.” He shrugged. “But, uh, Venus had her day in court is all, all right? Someone had to straighten that bitch out. I was sick of ’er shit.”
“How dare you, man?” Alexandre chuckled, surprised and amused all at once. He waved at the Queen of Turkey before she took her seat. Whiskey chuckled real easy like and shrugged.
“Come on, I know you wanted revenge but think about it, Alexandre—a cat fight is the ultimate vengeance, right? Think about it from Venus’ point of view. Fawn was tryna take her man, interrupt what you two had goin’ on. In fact, she was getting materials to try and work some silly ass love spell on you. This coming from the lady who said she didn’t believe in that type of shit. You see how desperate she’d become?”
Alexandre crossed his arms, tucking his hands beneath his armpits.
“So, did my mate do what she sought out to do?”
“Yup. Came up with the plan all by herself.”
Alexandre shook his head. “Hmmm, so Venus got down and dirty?” he asked with a raised brow.
“Nope. Didn’t want to mess up all the work Syà had done, damn facials, the sacred blood bath, all that shit. No need for doing anything like that… so she got a little help… some pros at getting low ’nd grimy… the lowest on our totem pole.”
That was enough for him. He understood, got the picture. It was uncanny, really. He’
d never told anyone, not even Venus, but one of Fawn’s greatest fears was being attacked by an angry, bloodthirsting mob, torn to shreds. He’d read it on her years ago. One of her greatest desires, was to marry him…
Venus is fighting smarter, not harder.
Her training had been put to good use. He’d always told her if she didn’t have to get in the midst of it, then she shouldn’t. This was a new world order. Using one’s mind to get rid of a bastard was far more efficient, but being a lethal weapon was sometimes necessary, too.
Combat was crucial for his kind. They were warriors after all, but in this new land, the way the world had changed and evolved, there were more options now—like vampire armies focused on technology, mind over matter, and sometimes others who were more than willing to do one’s bidding… He certainly appreciated that she’d attacked her enemy with the same weaponry the adversary in question had thrust upon her. It was fitting. In fact, it was beautifully logical…
A shabby looking fellow waddled up to him, his face reddened and a look of sheer terror in his syrupy light brown eyes.
“Sir, King! Excuse me, I’m sorry, but uh, I know I don’t have the right to talk to you, to be here,” the man uttered in French, “but the Queen said she’d pay for an expensive candle I made when some lady ran off with it. It took me four days to make that candle. I used the finest ingredients!”
Whiskey looked at the guy and burst out laughing. Alexandre shook his head and grinned.
“It’s true. He’s owed money,” Whiskey explained.
“I’m sorry, young merchant. I didn’t bring my wallet but yes, we’ll take care of it.”
“Wait, I’ve got mine.” Whiskey pulled his out and removed several Euros from it. “Is this enough?”
The merchant greedily snatched the money. “Yes, that’s plenty! Thank you.”
