Darkness Embraced

by Pennington, Winter

  “I thought,” he said, swallowed, and tried again, “I didn’t know she’d maimed you.”

  “I know,” I said. “You were too late. You saved me, Vasco, but you were too late. The knife was silver.”

  Renata looked at him in one of those very slow movements. Her anger brought forth the blue topaz color in her eyes. “You never reported to me that she had been abused.”

  I wasn’t looking at him as he repeated himself, “I did not know Lucrezia had maimed her.”

  “I am not maimed,” I said, “only scarred.”

  Renata touched my cheek and I flinched.

  I will kill her.

  I gazed up at her and said, “I won’t stop you.”

  I thought I saw a small flicker of surprise flit across her features.

  “It seems you are right, Vasco. Epiphany’s power seeks and it finds.”

  “Sì,” he said.

  “It’s never been like this,” I said.

  “I know. I believe that Renata not only tasted your power, but has, ah, given it a boost of sorts.”

  “With practice would I be able to read a person’s thoughts whenever I wanted to?” I asked.

  “I am not sure, colombina. Our powers are polar opposites. Where yours absorbs, I project.”

  I nodded; it was something I already knew.

  “Some.” Renata brought my attention back to her.

  There was something in her demeanor that made me ask, “How do you know?”

  She smiled ruefully. “It seems you have gained a power more similar to my own.”

  Renata explained while deftly tying the lace at the back of my gown. “Telepathy was one of the first powers I gained,” she said. “I had no idea your empathy would be so similar.”

  “You can read minds?”

  “Better than you can,” she said, but there wasn’t any arrogance in her tone. “I have had years of practice to read the thoughts of others and to project onto them what I wish them to feel.”

  I peered at her over my shoulder. I licked lips that were dry. “Have you read mine?”

  “What do you think?”

  That was unnerving.

  I pushed the hair out of my face. “What will the challenges be like?”

  “Difficult,” she said. “I cannot make it any other way.”

  “What are they?”

  “You will see.”

  “Why can’t you tell me?”

  She touched my brow. “It would be unfair and it would displease the Elders.”

  “You are their Queen.”

  “Even a queen has rules to abide by.” Her fingers traced the line of my jaw. She stood in a fluid motion, her velvet skirts like dark water. My eyes followed the line of her body, the paleness of her shoulders beyond the sheer sleeves.

  “There is a way to avoid all of this,” she murmured thoughtfully.

  “How?”

  “Come back to me.”

  Her words pierced me.

  The proposition was sweet, so sweet, and bitter. Why did a part of me enjoy that bitterness?

  I lightly shook my head. “No,” I said, “you cast me aside. I am not your pet anymore, nor do I wish to be. I will not voluntarily remain an Underling merely to be cast aside again.”

  “You do not realize what I risk by asking you to return to me.”

  “Oh?” I said snidely, “Pray tell, what great risk are you taking?”

  “You think I simply tossed you aside, but your selfishness blinds you, Epiphany.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “No,” she said, “you do not.”

  “Then tell me.”

  “I do not comprehend it myself, my Queen,” Vasco said smoothly.

  Renata moved fast, burying her hand deep within the tresses of my hair. She pulled my head back. Her lips were dangerously close to my cheek as she said, “Have you not wondered why Lucrezia wanted to torment you?”

  “I thought she was a sadistic psychopath.”

  “There are those Elders that believe I played favorites.”

  “You are still their Queen,” I said. “Our Queen. To harm you is a death sentence.”

  “A queen is not invincible,” she said, hand traveling down the back of my neck, “just as neither you nor Vasco are invincible.”

  Her hand slid distractingly across my shoulder, fingers light and tickling. She touched my cheek again, and this time I turned my head so that my lips brushed her palm.

  “You are our creator,” I said against her skin. “You are more powerful.”

  Her thumb traced the line of my brow and I shuddered. It wasn’t a sexual gesture, but the sensuality in the way she touched me brought goose bumps to my flesh.

  I felt the loss of her.

  I had felt it since the day she cast me out.

  “Creator. Queen. Siren. I am but one vampire.”

  There was a wary knowledge in her eyes that made the breath catch in my throat, not from arousal, but fear.

  “What haven’t you told me?”

  She looked away, withdrawing her hand. “I have told you nothing that is not of your concern.”

  I moved with her as she stood, catching her wrist. “Renata.”

  “Epiphany,” she said, but she wasn’t looking at me. Her voice was soft. “Release me.”

  I didn’t and she said my name again.

  “Bellezza,” Vasco warned.

  I shook my head. “No. I have spent the last two hundred years obeying orders. I have spent the last two hundred years huddling beneath the mantle of someone else’s power, afraid that if I did not, someone would break me to their will.”

  Renata gave me a considering look. “I broke your will once.”

  I smiled sadly. “No, I gave you my will. There is a difference between what one freely offers and what is taken by force. I have huddled like a child for too long. I have been afraid to test my limits, afraid to embrace my abilities, afraid that they would not be enough. My greatest folly is that I have underestimated myself. I see that now.”

  She looked at me as if I’d sprouted a second head, not a disgusting one, but one that made her curious. “Are you sure this is not your doing, Vasco?”

  “Quite sure, my lady.”

  “If you want me,” I said to her, “then you will have to accept me as an Elder.”

  “There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, Epiphany. Tread lightly.”

  “At times, one must test that line.”

  “Be wary that the line does not break,” she said, “for if it does I will not have you at all.”

  “Are you saying that these challenges might kill me?”

  “The challenges? No. The challengers? Yes.”

  Vasco was suddenly beside me. “That is not legal,” he said. “A vampire that does such a thing forfeits their life.”

  “It is easy to forfeit that which you do not care about.”

  He opened his mouth, then closed it, opened it again. “You would let them slay Epiphany?”

  “No,” she said and touched my hair. “My punishment for such a crime would be swift, but I may not punish someone if I am unable to prove just cause.”

  “Are you saying they could make it look like an accident?”

  “Of sorts, yes. There are fates far worse than death.”

  “Tell her,” he said. “She needs to know. You need to prepare her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned with Epiphany, it is that keeping her ignorant will not protect her, Renata.”

  She gave Vasco an unfriendly look. I shuddered where her hand had stopped in my hair. “Lucrezia will be among the Elders challenging you.”

  A knot of fear wrapped itself within my throat. I swallowed past it. “She will try to kill me?”

  “After what I have seen of Vasco’s memory,” she said, “I would not put it past her.”

  “I thought you were going to kill her?” I asked.

  She wound a piece of my hair around her fingers. “You will find with your power tha
t what a person thinks and what they do are two different and often contradictory things. A thought in a moment of passion is blinded by emotion. I cannot slay her without a reason,” she said. “If I were to slay her before you face your challenges, then the Elders will believe that I am going out of my way to protect you.”

  “So?”

  “So there has been talk.”

  “Of what?” I asked.

  Her look sank into my bones. “My death, Epiphany.”

  “That is what you would not tell me?”

  She gave the slightest of nods.

  My heart gave a fierce thump against my ribcage. I would not stand idle if they tried to hurt her. Despite being cast out and despite whatever reasons she had, I could not find it in my heart to sit back and watch her be assassinated.

  “Oh, Epiphany,” she murmured, shaking her head. “You cannot protect me.”

  “No,” I said determinedly, “but I would die trying.”

  She touched my cheek again.

  “Now it is I that does not understand you. Earlier, you seethed with hatred of me. Now, you are willing to lay down your life to protect mine? Is it that you accept my reasoning at long last, or that you have forgiven me so soon?”

  When she said it like that…I didn’t understand it myself.

  “I do not know,” I said. “I only know what I feel.”

  “Emotions are misleading,” she said. “They are not a thing to die for.”

  “Love,” Vasco said, “love is a noble thing to die for.”

  “The days of poets and knights are long gone, my Silver Prince,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “Look at the woman before you and tell me you believe that.”

  She did and what she thought in that moment, I could not say.

  Chapter Five

  I was sitting on the edge of Renata’s great bed pulling my leggings back on. I didn’t know exactly how I felt about Vasco implying that I was anything like a poet or a knight. Renata had left us with instructions. She’d given Vasco permission to tell me about the challenges.

  “The challenges will take place over the course of seven nights,” he said leaning against the bedpost. He watched me slip my naked foot into the first boot.

  Thanks to Renata, I didn’t have any stockings. It unnerved me that I couldn’t remember hearing the thin material rip. I didn’t have time to go back to my room to find another pair.

  “What’s tonight?” I asked.

  “Physical,” he said. “You won’t face the more metaphysical challenges until the end of your trials. It will be the metaphysical trials you need to prove yourself impressive in.”

  “What about Lucrezia?” I tied the boot with a sharp jerk.

  He rested his head against the bedpost. “That is something I have been giving some thought to. She is powerful.” He paused and stood straight. “Did you taste her power when she…” He motioned at my back.

  I shook my head. “No. She used brute force.”

  “She is a creature of fear,” he said cryptically. “I presume she will be one of the metaphysical trials.”

  “Do you think she will try to find a way to kill me and make it look like an accident?”

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  I gave him a perplexed look.

  “Truth, or would you like me to, as the Americans say, sugar coat it?”

  “Truth,” I said. “I need truth. I’m sick of cowering like some wounded puppy dog.”

  I tied the other boot off and stood, smoothing my skirts over the leggings.

  “I agree with our Queen. I would not put it past her to try.”

  “And what happens if she tries to kill me and I kill her instead?”

  To that, all he had to offer was a shrug.

  I walked past him to the door that led back out into the hallway. He barred the way with his arm. “Colombina, you need to remember everything, absolutely everything I have taught you in the past. Tonight, you will have to duel with Gaspare. He is quick and light on his feet. Do not underestimate him or overestimate yourself. Be aware. The Elders are a tricky lot. If we can tiptoe around something, we’ll do it.”

  “It is strange to hear you count yourself as one of them,” I said.

  “I am an Elder, Epiphany. You need to remember that now more than ever.”

  I touched the silver tinsel in his long black hair. “You are one worthy of the title,” I said. “I always remember it.”

  “Good.” He grabbed the back of my head and pulled me to him. I had a moment of panic before I felt his lips press against my forehead. “Show them what you’re made of,” he whispered, “show them the thorns hidden amongst your beautiful petals, bellezza.”

  We stood there for several moments. I was about to pull away when he held my face in his feminine hands.

  I stared into those eyes and it was like gazing out over an azure ocean. Vasco bent his head, but not like he was trying to steal a kiss. He opened his mouth and breathed his power on me like some great dragon. I felt his power curling around my face like invisible smoke. I inhaled that power, drew it into my lungs, pulling its metaphysical essence up into my mind until it felt as if I would burst with it.

  I saw sunlight glinting on metal. The sounds of steel against steel rang like some heavenly song in my head. I was light on my feet, quick and agile. I was fast. Gods, so quick! My father was a great warrior and king, and few in his realm could catch me. I knew when to push forward, when to fall back. I knew how to twist my blade and how to spot the weaknesses in my opponent’s defense. It was why they called me the Silver Prince, the Sword King’s son.

  When I opened my eyes, Vasco’s grin loomed in my vision.

  I licked my lips, as if I could taste the knowledge and power lingering there.

  “What did you do?” I asked, but this time I was quite aware of myself.

  “A gift,” he said. “Tell Gaspare I send my regards.”

  He turned and offered me his arm. I slipped my hand in the crook of his elbow. “I get this feeling he’s not going to be happy.”

  He patted my hand. “He won’t be. Gaspare never could best me in a fight,” he said.

  I laughed. “I could get used to this empathy thing.”

  “Sì,” he said, “it beats the hell out of spending years trying to train you.”

  I nodded and hoped. No, I prayed. I prayed that the power Vasco had given me was enough. That I would not falter.

  I had to beat Gaspare. I had to beat the others.

  How was I supposed to defeat the others when they were all so much more powerful than me? I couldn’t absorb everyone’s power.

  I had to stand on my own two feet.

  I forced myself to focus on beating Gaspare one step at a time. If I worried about the others, especially Lucrezia and whatever mind tricks she’d pull out of her hat, I would only discourage myself.

  Thorns.

  It felt pretty much like a handful of petals to me.

  “The Silver Prince?” I broke the long silence, cocking a brow in his direction as we walked arm in arm.

  “Ah,” he said, grinning. “That was a long time ago.”

  “Promise me something, Vasco. One day, if I survive these challenges, you will tell me your story and how you came to the Rosso. In all the time that I have known you, you’ve yet to share such things with me.”

  “You will live through this, colombina, and one day, if you wish, I will tell you a very boring story.”

  I laughed. “With a title such as the Silver Prince, I highly doubt it’s boring, Vasco. It sounds a little peculiar, but somewhat adventurous.”

  “Then you’ve something to look forward to.”

  I smiled despite myself. “So it seems.”

  Chapter Six

  I dug my nails lightly into the bend of Vasco’s elbow. Two guards standing like massive statues opened the mahogany double doors as we made our approach. The torchlight flickered in the spacious room beyond. There was enough light to comp
letely illuminate the room, but even so, the shadows danced in corners like eerie specters.

  At the northern wall was a row of small thrones reserved for the twelve elders. The eleventh and twelfth chairs were empty. One, I knew was Vasco’s place. The other must’ve belonged to Gaspare.

  Renata sat in a throne made out of some type of ebony wood. It was placed higher than the others, the back was high, and the arms were intricately carved and curling. Behind the fall of her skirts she was long enough of leg that her heeled feet touched the floor.

  Vasco led me dumbly before her. He went to his knees and I followed.

  “Padrona,” he said in his court voice, a voice that was at once charming and untouchably cold. “I bring forth your scion, Epiphany.”

  “Vasco, rise and take your place,” Renata said smoothly.

  Vasco rose and only then did I take my hand from his arm. I forced myself to stare at the stone floor. If I looked at him I knew my expression would betray how I felt. I was afraid. I was nervous. I hated court politics, but if there was one thing I knew to be true, it was that you did not show weakness to those that would delight in exploiting it.

  I sensed Vasco take his seat. It left me feeling suddenly and undeniably very alone. I raised my head enough to look at Renata.

  A woman laughed and every hair on my arms stood on end. I didn’t want to look at her, didn’t want to see the face that went with that unmistakable laugh.

  I turned and met Lucrezia’s wild eyes, eyes that were the color of fresh spring grass. The bodice that cinched at her waist was a few shades darker. She smiled with lips that were as red as her flaming locks. “Greetings, Epiphany.”

  I forced myself to go completely still. I would not give her the benefit of a reaction.

  “No hello?” Her red brows arched high. The look she gave me was predatory and amused.

  I opened my mouth to follow the protocol of court etiquette when Renata’s voice flowed like something lethal into the silence. “Lucrezia.”

  Lucrezia mouthed something. I think it was, “Good luck.”

  “Epiphany.” I must’ve been staring at her because Renata’s voice called me out of my thoughts.

  I bowed my head. “Yes, my lady?”

  “Do you wish to face the challenges?”