by Bree De'leon
“Li—
“Do not say that name,” Anjou snapped, cutting the creature off, her body trembling with loathing. “You do not deserve to say her name.” She whispered, leaving the Oblivion.
__________
The afternoon went fast, the servants working until their fingers bleed, the guards on alert of any suspicious behaviors, and the citizens decorating and cleaning the streets awaiting the celebration.
Sebastian sat in his study, the windows closed and the curtains drawn, he sat quietly reading over the treaty of peace. His study door opened slowly, a guard announcing Dymitri. Sebastian waved his hand to allow his son to come closer.
“Sit Dymitri.” He said, pouring a glass of blood placing it in front of his son. Dymitri took the glass in his hand, sipping the substance before he spoke.
“Why have you summoned me father?” He finally asked, breaking the silence between the two vampyres.
“To discuss your behavior and actions towards your sister, and the servants. You must remember son, that the King of Kindred will be here within the week and we are to impress and enrich him with our court. We cannot do that if you are torturing the servants and openly threatening your sister.” Sebastian started, raising his hand to silence his son before he could defend his actions. “Furthermore, it is well known that you two have not gotten along, but you must repress your hatred and sibling rivalry until the soulkeeper is gone and away from our borders, do I make myself clear?” He finished.
“Yes, father.” Dymitri bit his lower lip.
“Aside from that, I am giving you Aiuelle, as a test to show you are ready to rule. There have been more uprising there than any other city, due to the fact it is the closest to the swamp region of the southern cursed lands. You will be made a duke, and we will be making arrangements for your departure as soon as the king has left.” Sebastian finished, handing his son a large ring with their symbol. “I trust you will earn our family name, Dymitri.” His eyes burrowed into his sons.
“I will not disappoint you father.” Dymitri stood, bowing.
“We will have a formal announcement this week. In the meantime, go make sure Drake is prepared, and that your sister is ready as well. She has been distraught over the events of late and the disappearance of Lucille has not made it easy to comfort her.”
“Yes father, I was meaning to ask you about that, do you think that Lucille would betray us?” Sebastian thought for a moment, setting the pen down.
“I would hope not, he made a blood oath with Morena; that in itself binds him to her and her alone. The oath is a dangerous pact between a vampyre and another creature of lower birth. It binds the blood of the two, creating a bound that neither can break, until death. It can cause the servant to go mad with a bloodlust to ravage and kill—”
“And Morena made that pact with a silver? How could she be so irresponsible and rash?” Dymitri interrupted.
“She may not have understood the consequences, being she herself as the binder will fall into a sorrow so deep that it could kill her if the bindie betrays her or her kin. I believe she did it to keep him safe.”
“Why would she do that for such a lowly creature?”
“She has a kind heart, like her mother before her,” Sebastian answered, handing Dymitri a document. “Now go, give this to Trinity and make sure everything is taken care of. You leave in the fall.” Sebastian continued, escorting his son out of his study. Dymitri could feel he was not being told the entire truth, a truth he was determined to find out.
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There was no light in the forest, Lucille had traveled north, near the borders of Kindred, his clouded-grey eyes searching keenly on vast plains of the forest. Searching for clues of the disturbances that could be stirring the silvers in Arisite. He had left the palace one month ago and still was unable to find the culprit. The trees in these lands held no life, only secrets that he could not break. The wind began to chant his name, echoing through the branches and soil.
“We welcome you Lucille.” The voice sang through the winds, its eyes appearing before the butler. Its pale blue twig like arm reaching out in greeting. Opening a path for Lucille to follow, deeper into the forest. He would return to Casai with information on what creature was behind all this chaos, that he was sure of. The forest became black, the smell of sulfur and blood filled the air, the narrow roads became tighter more condensed as he approached a cave covered in black vines and dried blood.
__________
The curtains were drawn in Victoria’s chambers, the smell of perfume and powder filled the room, the candles were lit, and Victoria was laying comfortable in her gown of pure black silk on her Charlton. Her straight chocolate brown hair falling violently down her back. Liliana sat across from her, her complexion glowing in the smoky room, her skin was flawless, like pure porcelain, her sea-green eyes intense and perfect, and her hair falling in an ash curtain of blonde over her bare shoulders. She sipped the blood out of the glass and burning incense, filling the room with the smell of burning lavender and wood.
“When do you suppose we tell his majesty, of his daughter’s powers?” Liliana asked, stretching her arms above her head.
“Soon, better my dear husband hears it from us than a casualty of that power.” Victoria slurred, the blood making her head spin, and the smoke of incense was not helping.
“My thoughts exactly cousin. However, it does concern me, that she is capable of such power for being a half breed.” Liliana agreed.
Victoria rolled her cat-like eyes, turning over onto her back, watching the chandelier above her sparkle with fairy light.
“I don’t understand how she can be so powerful? No human has possessed such power since the fall of Isadora.” Victoria questioned, furrowing her brows. “I have a feeling she is more than what we think, but I can only know that for sure if we tasted her blood.”
“Do not cross the prince, he would have no qualms killing you where you stand,” Liliana whispered, popping a grape into her mouth.
“True, perhaps there is another way to find out what she could be, after all her mother was a tavern whore.” She hissed, clenching her jaw and shattering her glass, the blood staining the cotton and creeping through the cracks of the stone. The door opened, the women turned in unison, Liliana was the first to stand, bowing in the presence of Sebastian.
“I need to speak with my wife, alone.” He demanded, holding the door for Liliana as she stepped out into the hallway. Victoria’s cat-like eyes peered through him, he was nervous, and on edge. No doubt it is due to the incident with the lycan attack. She stood elegantly, her slender legs peeking through a slit in the gown. “I have an important letter I need delivered with haste.” He was straight to the point, his words stung her, she had forgotten that he held no love for her, not anymore.
“To whom am I delivering this letter to?” She questioned, taking the letter from his hand, and examining it.
“You will be taking this to Isadora, there is a man that resides there, give this to him directly. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes milord.” Victoria bowed.
“Go tonight, I will expect you back within three days,” Sebastian demanded, turning away from his wife, leaving her alone in her room. Liliana entered shortly after the prince had left, questioning the context of the letter, Victoria, turned the envelope over, re-reading the name.
Simon.
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Rena laid in her bed, eyes red from crying, He was a lycan—wanted by the kingdom for high treason and there was nothing she could do to save him. She ran her fingers on a bronze ring, it was too large to fit her; it was the only remaining memory she had of Juda. It smelled of metal, and smoke, like the night he had forged it. A small smile crossed her lips as a servant entered her room with a tray of fruit tarts and a letter.
Dear Rena,
I made these tarts for you, I have left to search for Lucille as we had planned so we could bring him home safe. Please eat, and perhaps go atte
nd the children at the orphanage, they miss you dearly.
Your servant,
Amelia.
A tear fell from the young girl’s face, as she sat up, and took a bite from the tart. The strawberry and kiwi burst through her tongue, sending a fresh sensation through her.
“Your Highness, should I dress you today?” Asked a meek and shy servant, one Rena had never paid much attention too.
“Yes, Thank you,” Rena replied, allowing the young maid to dress her in a simple yellow gown embroidered with dark gold leaves, her hair was let down with a golden beaded headdress that dangled down. The maid finished, bowing before she left the young girl in her room. Sitting by her window, she gazed out over the sea, a beautiful sight. The stars were beginning to peek out from behind the setting sun, the sirens below sung their mystical songs, leading the sailors and merchants into the sea for the voyages, Rena picked up Amelia’s letter, tossing it into the fire before she left the palace.
The square was buzzing with excitement, the men and women of Arisite beamed with joy at the great news of the treaty. Rena approached the bakery, Felix had been working to the bone to prepare the freshest bread and cakes for the ceremony.
“Good Evening, Felix, it’s been a while?” She surprised the baker, his belly jiggling as he laughed and embraced the princess.
“Miss Rena, I have not seen you in months, where have you been?” Felix laughed, kissing her on both cheeks.
“I have been traveling.” She lied. He held her shoulders looking her up and down before his smile dropped.
“Do not lie to this old man, I see and hear more secrets and lies than you know.”
“Sorry Felix, I meant no offense. I have been ill, I thought a stroll through the town would help clear my thoughts of these melancholy things.” She replied, a weak smile crossing her lips.
“Well, Rena, it is a good thing you have risen from that state, we were all worried about you. The children especially.” He continued, as he placed a freshly baked pie in her hands, his grey beard covered in doe. The wind began to pick up, as the clouds turned black, the citizens began to shift in mood, their smiles and laughter turning to despair and terror.
Felix yanked Rena inside the bakery shop, barring the doors and windows as fast as his old arms would allow. She quickly began to help, tying her dress above her ankles and with superhuman speed, locked down the entire bakery. Felix was pale, the sweat dripping profusely down his plump red face. A sudden crack at the wood, shocked them both, Felix led the young girl to a corner. The doors and windows being bombarded by the screams and screeches of the outside.
“Hide here, until it is safe to come out, I must go fetch my wife and children,” Felix warned, the fire crackling behind him in the large open stove.
“No, Felix let me go, I can fetch them with haste and—”
“Now, it would be a shame if I allow the princess to risk her life for a lowly old baker.” His face was stern, his nose red, and his eyes swollen.
“But how did—”
“Your eyes, they are of royalty, I told you, I am no fool. Now do as I say, stay down.” He demanded, closing the hidden doors encasing her in darkness.
A small crack through the wood allowed her to see the silvers burst through the barred windows, taking the old baker by the throat and draining his life. His corpse falling to the ground near the entrance, a woman screamed at the sight of the gruesome scene. The room fell silent as the silvers twisted and broke into disfigures, their claws scratching and tearing through the bakery; it stopped at her hiding spot, its grey eyes surrounded by black, a cry in the distance—A child. Rena thought, fear striking her at her core. The orphans. Her heart began to race, the silver had shifted once more—human, but it was gone in a flash snatching up its next victim.
Rena crawled out of the secret spot, falling beside Felix corpse, mummified and ripped apart. The cry of the child brought the girl back, her eyes glowing with rage and heat as her body appeared before the silver with ungodly speed, its form more monstrous than before, its teeth razor sharp, its eyes hollow, with blood dripping from its claws and poison seeping from its jaws. It cackled opening his jaws wide exposing rows of shark teeth each spinning in a circle, the child squirming and begging.
“Release the child, now.” She warned, her hair blowing violently in the increasing wind, the sun was fully set, a purple gas resonated from her body, forming in lines around her, the silver stopped, glaring at the girl before him. Ignoring her warning he began to lower the child into its jaws. It stopped, dropping the child to the gravel—it fell to its knees. She was no longer in front of him, she had moved so fast, he could not see her behind him, her hand covered in black blood, with a still beating heart. She did not speak, dropping the heart to the ground, and lifting the child from the ground.
“Hush now, you’re alright.” Rena soothed the boy, combing his unkempt hair. He nuzzled himself closer to the girl. The crowd grew more frantic as the silvers appeared from the shadows, murdering those in sight. The night air was heavy as the silvers shouted in unison to kill the royals. Rena wrapped the boy up in her arms as she ran through the crowds, and reaching the palace gates. A Zenopia stood guard, his knees buckled and shaking uncontrollably.
“Take the child now, and warn the king his subjects are in danger.” She shouted, placing the child in the Zenopia hands. The guard began to mumble, frustrating the princess. “Do as I command. Now.” The panic rising in her chest, as she turned her attention towards the rising chaos. She left him alone, as she rushed into the crowd, saving those in sight. The city bells were ringing, and a citizen had made his way up to the top of the church to sound the horn, alerting the royals and the elite guards. The Zenopia’s were becoming overrun by the amount of silvers that had emerged from the shadows of night.
The moon was full, the howls from the forest pierced through the ears of the civilians and nobles alike, she stood in the middle of the square, the fountain now dripping with blood and limbs torn from victims. The chaos of the uprising growing more as more silvers grouped together, their teeth dripping with blood, the claws covered in bits of flesh and organs. She stood tall, the citizens running behind her, the Druids and Zenobia’s marching onto the square.
“Please, stop this madness. You are citizens of Arisite, these are your neighbors and friends. How could you turn your backs on your countrymen?” Rena shouted over the screams, the creatures turning their attention to her. One approached her, with caution before he responded.
“Why should you care if we rebel? The royals have treated us less than scum, they care not for our needs and woes. Why should we care about theirs?” He asked, his twig like fingers reaching out to grip her attempting to yank her to the ground. She braced herself quickly, her feet planted firmly to the fountain, “You are a vampyre, are you not?”
“Yes.” She replied, dodging the silvers grasp. “I want peace in this kingdom, from all who reside here.” She retorted, her eyes locking onto his. “I am Princess Morena Abigale Darkstorm, and I have represented silvers since I came of age.” She announced, standing tall her shoulders squared and her back straight.
“A royal speaking of our ills? Like you know anything of our pain?” He snarled, still holding his ground, his eyes not leaving hers.
“I can never say I will understand your pains, but I want our country to rise above and become the greatest in the lands. You are our countrymen and are our citizens, and as your princess, and as your ally will you allow me to help you?” she asked, the power within her radiating around her, the purple smoke whispering to the creatures, surrounding the silvers in an enchanted embrace. Still cautious, the silvers listened to the words whispering in their heads, a promise they were frightened of. The winds changed course, a loud shriek from the northern forest of the cursed lands, snapping the silvers back into their fit of rage once more.
The silvers in a single motion all leaped towards her, their claws scratching and scraping her skin, defending herself, she he
ld her arms in front of her face, bracing for the attacks—they stopped. Frozen in place, unable to move or speak. Rena crawled from under the army of silvers, standing up, to see what could have frozen the monsters.
The night sky was dark, the streets destroyed and the celebrity mood no longer present, when a clap was heard coming from the docks entrance.
The man stood at the gate, his emerald green eye shimmered, his sandy blonde hair kissing his broad shoulders, his arms crossed, controlling the silvers bodies and souls, turning the silvers towards him, they attempted to back away—still frozen in place. He had a smile that captivated all. She stepped forward, walking closer to the mysterious man. He was tall, much taller than her father and brother, and his eyes held secrets and mysteries that intrigued her.
“This is a woman who is needed in any kingdom.” The man shouted, calming the crowd in one swift motion, his hold over the silvers stronger as they struggled. Rena stared in awe and entrancement.
“Who are you, sir?” she asked, the smoke around her still deadly.
“I am King Alexander Lothbrok of Kindred.” His smile widened, with a wave of his hand, his elite guards had appeared, chaining the rebels where they stood frozen in place.
__________
Amelia had made it to the borders of the northern forest, the woods were blackened from the decay and curse of the lands, the monsters that crept the lands were of ancient descent; monsters that could not reform to polite society. The young maid squared her shoulders and stepped deeper into the forest. Keeping her eyes forward, each step quiet and precise, not to disturb the sleeping beasts. There were no birds, no crickets, nothing but silence and darkness. Her soul felt tight, the moon disappearing from the sky as the large trees closed in closer to each other. She moved swiftly through the branches and roots, searching for any sign of Lucille.
