by L. N. MALONE
“Well, you are too darn stubborn to argue with, so you are right. We will talk and see each other soon enough. I doubt even the King of Darkness will want to go around with your hard head.” I say chuckling.
Her frown comes up a bit into a smirk and says, “I love you sister.”
“I love you as well.”
I look over and my father’s head is bowed and shaking no. Suddenly he stops and looks up “I cannot do this. I cannot let you go. My sweet Magi, you are too good for the Obscurite’ House. Hell. You’re too good for our House.” he looks at me with sad eyes.
“Daddy, it will be alright. It is my turn now. Let me do this. I am strong, you have trained me well.”
“I am sorry.”
I stare down at him and say “You have nothing to be sorry for father. All will be well. I will write and call soon. Please be patient with Jayson, but not lenient. He may have loved Julianna to an extent, but his soul is rotting slowly. He will need to heal it to become a better man. Take him to a healer father. Let him have one last try to make it right but always keep a watchful eye over him though. I will see you soon daddy.” I said and kissed him again and I walked with my head held high toward the gate.
Mirella was at the gate waiting in front of the limo. “Is that all you are bringing?” She asked, sounding agitated. “I only brought just enough stuff to see me through. The remaining of my things will be delivered by professionals in two days’ time.” I say with attitude. If she is going to be curt so will I. I will not bow down to those who do not know me. The driver comes over and takes my few bags and loads them into the trunk.
Just then I felt a familiar breeze that seemed to blow in a smell of pine and winter. I turn to see King Armand walking up with his head held high like he owned the world. He has a way about him. Almost as if power is seeping out of his pours. As he comes closer my head starts swimming, warmth starts to pool inside of me. As he reached me, he sniffed a bit and then went stiff. His eyes that are normally a brilliant green seem to darken and it begins to get harder to breathe as the scrutiny of his gaze seems to go deeper. Lust starts to seep out of him like before however this time he is also mixed with a deep sense of curiosity. It makes me wonder what on earth he is thinking of. The driver comes around and opens the door for us to make our way into the limo. Mirella goes in first and sits to the far right behind the driver. I am to go next and while I wait for Mirella to get settled. The driver looks me up and down and gives me a flirty smile. He is cute with his dark brown eyes and his reddish freckles; however, he cannot hold a candle to the dashing seductive looks of Armand. I smile back and he looks as though he is about to say something when I hear a menacing growl come from behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Armand with his arms crossed looking between the driver and I. “NO” he says in a commanding voice to the driver. The driver must have known what he was talking about because he simply nods and rushes me in the limo with a look of fear. OK what was that about? I ask myself as I get comfortable, and Armand gets seated. Once everyone is situated the limo starts and we are off. All I can think of now is what my future now holds.
Four
Chapter Four
Akasha
We have been driving for over an hour already and I am getting more and more antsy. I look over at the two faces in the car sitting directly in front of me. Mirella just stares at me with a bored look on her face that tells me she would rather be anywhere but here. Next to Mirella sits the Vampire King himself, in all of his glory. He is relaxed and calm giving the impression that he did not have a care in the world. He glanced up at me with those amazing green eyes and I saw a glimpse of what the others would not. I saw and felt the pain and guilt he has hidden along with the other deep-rooted emotions he keeps to himself. His feelings seem to pulsate harder in my soul than any other beings I have encountered. It feels as though bright strobe lights pulsing throughout my body allowing me to feel everything he does. He is in so much pain it physically hurts me to look at him much longer knowing there is nothing I can do to help him. I turn and look out my window and try to ignore them both the rest of the drive. Another hour passes and we finally pull up to a Dark metal gate. I roll my eye and say “Oh please don’t tell me you live like the Cliché vampires on television. With black and red everywhere in an old creepy house and coffins.” Mirella looks up at me and actually laughs. I cannot tell if she is laughing at me or at what I said she just laughs and looks out the window again. We roll past the gates and I watch yard transform from solid plain short cut grass into this massive garden that has a labyrinth on each side made from tall shrubs and vines. It is utterly amazing. The flowers are in bloom and everything is neat and tidy making the garden seem it was a museum all on its own. It was truly breathtaking. I turn to say something to Armand but stopped suddenly when I realized he was staring at me with his intense green eyes. Tingles spread yet and again this time they are not fire they are more soothing almost as if the tingles knew I would be nervous and needed a hug. His stare does not ease till we finally come to a stop and the limo door opens. My head immediately swings to the open door and breaks the spell of his gaze. What was that? I think to myself as I am helped out of the car.
“Holy butterscotch and bananas!” I say out loud as I look at the home in front of me. That is not a Castle? It is like three damn castles in one.
I heard a chuckle and looked to find Armand grinning at me with amusement in his eye. Then as soon as his eyes met mine, tingles. OK, now this must stop, I scold myself getting annoyed. I held his stare and this time I did not look away. I was going to show absolutely no fear. No one was going to intimidate me, not even the King of all Vampires. We stayed there staring at each other with an intense glare, neither of us willing to move or break first.
Finally, Mirella stepped between us and said “As fun as watching this pissing contest between the two of you. Can we please go inside?” Armand turned and walked up the steps to the massive wooden doors that opened upon his arrival. I quickly followed behind him, trying to keep my mouth from dropping to the floor. A blonde woman of about my age came in front of us and curtsied. Armand politely greeted the girl and directed her to show me to a room. She curtsied again and motioned for me to follow her. As we walked up the steps, I noticed the amazing artwork and detailed woodwork throughout the house.
It looked as though the entire house was hand carved. It was truly magnificent. She finally leads me to a room with a white door with a dove hand carved out of it with roses along the side. I walk in and I am completely paralyzed by the beauty I see before me. The room is white with hand carved roses with gold flakes brushed upon each pedal. The bed is made of thick gold wire that was strung together to make it look as though you were laying on a bed of gold vines. Everything around me was either white or gold. The vanity had gold brushes and small gold vases with rose scented perfume.
“It is truly amazing isn’t it. The King hand created this room himself. Took him 97 years to complete it just the way he wanted it. He carved everything you see here personally and painted each gold fleck with real gold one by one. The bed is also made of solid gold which he twined himself. This is one of his most prized creations.” She said looking around in awe just as I was.
Then my head snapped up and I looked at her just realizing what she said. “Wait, then why would he give me this room? Of all the rooms in this bloody castle why this one?” I say calmly. She looks at me and shrugs. “I don’t know my lady. The king has not sent anyone to this room ever before. You are the first… maybe you should ask him.” She then quickly tells me where everything is and advises me, she will come for me at five for dinner.
“Wait it is 2am now” I say with a questioning look.
“Yes, my lady. The Vampire King has his last meal at five am before dawn comes. He wants you to join him.” she says looking at me expectantly. Oh yeah, how stupid of me, vampires are night creatures. I will have to adjust my schedule I am sure. They can go out in the sun but prefer the nig
ht.
“Of course. Thank you very much.” I tell her politely before she leaves with another curtsey. I am seriously going to have to stop the curtsey stuff I think to myself. I look around and immediately fall flat on the bed thinking a nap would be good.
However, with everything going on I doubt I will sleep easy but before I know it, I am being shrugged awake by the same housemaid as earlier. “Wake up my lady! We must prepare you for dinner.” I shrug awake and begrudgingly get to my feet. I feel uneasy falling asleep so quickly and so unguarded. Which reminds me that I will have to tell the king about my magic at dinner. I think about how the discussion would go as I make my way to the bathroom. I wash my face and freshen up a bit then sit down in front of the vanity as the housemaid starts on my hair. “What is your name?” I ask her.
“Nadia”
“Nice to meet you Nadia. Thank you for your service to me.”
“You’re very welcome My lady,” she says sweetly. When she is done with my hair, she proceeds to dress me in a silver satin gown that I am sure is not going to be flattering on me with my large chest and round bottom. Dresses like these are made for the ones without curves. However, when she guides me to the mirror I am stunned. She has done my longish red hair in a braid that wraps around my head. She included diamond studs throughout the braid to make it look as though I am wearing a crown. My makeup was done in a very natural way just bringing out my natural glow. The dress is low cut, and my cleavage is unbelievably amazing. The dress skims over all of my curves making it look as though it was painted on by an artist. “WOW. You made me look beautiful and soft. Thank you. I am quite impressed Nadia.” She smiles says “My lady, thank you however, you are beautiful. I did not nothing but put you in a dress and braid your hair. Now get into your shoes and follow me.” She hands me the silver heals and I quickly put them on and race to catch up to her. We walk down a narrow corridor, down the massive staircase and to the right I see the dining room. It is well lit with candles. Roses are in the center of the table decorating it with a simple yet classic look. Plates are gold and white along with the napkins. It is unbelievably beautiful, and I am surprised at how much effort must have been put into this. Just as I was about to ask Nadia she turns away and walks out. I am now standing there alone and unsure what to do next. I start to pace. Back and Forth, back, and forth, and then back again. Finally, he walks in tall and beautifully handsome immediately making me warm. Why do I react to him this way, I think to myself. In twenty years of life, I have never been this wound up by any male. He makes me nervous and jittery with just the sight of him. He stops in front of a chair, pulls it out slightly and gestures for me to sit. I let out a sigh and I walked over and sat. He makes his way across from me, sits and just stares. Just there staring, not saying a word just that intense gaze and I finally get annoyed. “Is there a reason you keep staring?” I ask. “yes” he says firm and to the point without further explanation.
Ugh, he is exasperating, “Ok, and the reason your staring is what exactly?”
“I choose too,” he says like that explains everything. I roll my eyes and choose to try and ignore his gaze. I will not let him intimidate me even if it is unnerving to be watched like that. I feel as though he is seeing under my skin. However, every time I look away, I have to look back. His eyes are like magnets. It is unnaturally strange for me to feel this way.
“You have the same bright green in your eyes as I do mine.” I say trying to break the strange tension in the room.
“Yes. Odd isn’t it?” he says.
“Why odd?” I ask.
“Hmm… Just is.” He shrugs as he says it. Then claps his hands and our food begins to be served. Steak and salad and it are delicious. Cooked to perfection it was and I almost moaned when I took that first bite. We eat quietly without a word more to each other. Each lost in our own thoughts. I know I must tell him about my magic, but I am unsure about how to start the conversation.
As we finish up eating Armand asks politely, “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“I did thank you. It was wonderful.” I pause for a moment before continuing. “I have something I must tell you before we leave to turn in for the night.”
“Go ahead” he states straight and to the point. “I have magic” I blurted out, unable to control my nerves any longer. I feel like arms of the chair get cooler as my nerves get more out of control with anxiety.
“Please explain.”
I take a deep breath and begin. “I am not the full-blooded daughter of King Darin, as you learned at the sit down. My parents found me on their steps when I was only five days old. They took me in and raised me as their own. I was loved and treated as their first-born. However, five years ago there was an incident that allowed me to uncover some of the power within me.” I took another deep breath waiting for him to say something. He just looked at me with a blank impassive look on his face. After waiting a few seconds to see if he wanted to say anything, I went ahead and continued the quick summary of my life.
“When my parents found me on their steps there was a letter that did advise that I may have magic. They had me tested several times, all of which came out inconclusive. When they could not determine my magic abilities, they went ahead and let it drop. When my magic was exposed, they told me my story. I have been training in secret ever since.”
“I see. Well, I suppose now it makes sense as to why you chose not to take the throne. So, what powers have already manifested with in you?”
“Well, so far I know that I can turn items into ice with my hands. I can sense emotions and help calm them. I am not great at either and we know that more of my magic should manifest now that I am of magical age. I also have gained in my speed and strength. I can now run almost as fast as a young vampire.
I look up and see his eyes are now wide as saucers. It seems that may have been a surprise to him. Then, I realized he may now want to adjust his agreement with my father. My heart starts to race, and palms start to sweat as I start to worry more and more as he just sits there and stares at me. I can feel the ice on the tips of my fingers trying to come out as I sit so nervously. Finally, he takes a quick breath and stands up and moves to the seat next to me. “You do not have to worry. Please calm down. I am not angry. I am just considering how to help you. Thank you for telling me.”
“I am not always able to control the ice. I needed to make sure you were aware.” “I see. Well, we will get you a suitable magical trainer.”
“No! Please.’’ I quickly started to panic. “My father said I would be in danger if anyone knew about my magic.” I started quickly so he would understand my outburst. I am wringing my hands in my lap when he leans over and places his hand over mine. Suddenly my skin is warming, and an immediate calmness comes over me. The ice that was threating to come out has receded. It is like every nerve that was jumping in my body was immediately soothed and I felt my body relax.
“Do not worry. I have a circle of trusted knights that can help train you in a variety of studies including magic. No one other than necessary will know about your magic. However, as you know it must get under control especially now that you are twenty, for your safety as well as others within the kingdom.”
I nodded in understanding and let out a breath I did not realize I was even holding in. I look up at him and realize how close we were. His face was so close to mine and his gorgeous eyes were shining into mine making me dizzy. We were all alone and the world stopped in that moment. I glanced down at his lips and I wanted nothing more than to lean into him and feel his lips. Suddenly he moved his hand from mine and adjusted himself back into his seat allowing more space. The moment his hand left mine the nerves went back to jumping and I somehow felt empty and alone. What in the world is going on with me? It must be the long day. I thought to myself. He clears his throat which breaks me from my thoughts so I can focus back on what he is saying.
“Tomorrow evening we will discuss your position here and what all that will entail. Before bed, please
make a note of all of your attributes and hobbies and give it to Nadia to pass on to me. Tomorrow you will also meet my Circle. While we train everyone in the kingdom to fight, the members in my Circle are the elite. They will protect you with their lives. Now, with that said, do you have any questions before we call it a night?”
“No sir. I look forward to meeting with you again. Thank you for your understanding and for dinner.”
“You are welcome.”
We rise from our seats and I see Nadia enter to escort me back to my room.
“Good night Akasha. We will speak tomorrow.” he says as he bows and then turns and leaves without another word.
Five
Chapter Five
Armand
I walk away from her as fast as I can and head to my office. As I walk, I cannot help but wonder what the Hell just happened. I had to get out of there. I am too drawn to her so much, so she makes my every nerve ending tingle. Her blood and body calls to me in a way that has never before happened. I cannot shake the feeling that I am missing something important in this situation. I am always in control and I always have been. Even when the bloodlust should take me, I can always control myself. Why does this girl get to me this much? Why when no one else does? I was just trying to calm her when I touched her hand and then suddenly it was like my world stopped and all that was there was her. Her eyes, her breath, her smile. Then she looked to my lips and I could feel what it would be like to kiss her softness. I knew something strange was going on. Bloody hell what is she doing to me? I exhaled a deep breath trying to contain my emotions. I have work to do and still have calls to make before sleep. So, focus! I tell myself as I walk into my office. I sit at my desk and fire up the computer. While I wait for everything to load, I make a few calls. I am just about to make my last call when a knock at my office door comes through.
