Augur 23rd, 223

Transylvania

Before the great war

Nearly a fortnight had passed before Tahmira began enacting any of the ideas that I brought to the tables. Her reason for waiting so long was because she needed to prepare for a grand appearance. At the time, I had no idea what she meant. The answer didn’t dawn on me until one day a caravan of carriages arrived with delicacies and items from all four corners of the land.

“You can’t be serious, Tahmira? A ball? You want to host a bunch of nations in our lands by inviting their populace to come dance and celebrate the day of death?” I asked in disbelief.

She sat forward on her throne and patted my face. “I am serious, pet. I'm taking your advice and opening our borders. Simultaneously, I'm bringing in all nations I wish to enter diplomatic relations with.”

“I can't condone this. It's too risky for all parties, and very few factions still celebrate the day of death. It's become more of a taboo if anything,” I said, taking a step back.

Tahmira stood and tauntingly closed the distance between us before grabbing a fist full of my hair. She pulled back, forcing me to expose my neck. Grazing her fangs along my neck, she made a trail up to my ear, gently slicing into my skin.

“Do you trust me, Silus?” she asked in a hushed tone.

I swallowed hard accepting the fact that she could easily rip my throat out, “Y-yes my queen.”

She released me before she spoke in a more joyous tone, “Good, because I’d hate to have to replace you with another. Now leave me, I need to prepare for the morrow, and ensure all things are in good order. Wouldn’t want to disappoint our guests.”

I gave a small bow before turning on my heels and swiftly making an exit. Once outside her throne room, I took refuge in one of the comfy, lavish chairs that filled the hallway. Even after all this time, I couldn’t decide when to take her at face value. One moment Tahmira would entice me, making my blood boil, and the next she’s enacting her authority over me, reminding me that I'm nothing. Do you want me or am I nothing to you? The question burned heavily in my mind.

“Oi, lad!”

I looked up to see a fiery red-haired man walking my way. He was dressed in pristine clothing, completed with a frock coat, his jawline garnished with a well-kept beard.

I stood and dusted invisible specks from my trousers. “Yes, can I help you?”

He drew up a few paces short of me and held out his hand, “Aye, perhaps you can.”

I observed his pale, freckled hand for a moment, still wary and cautious of strangers.

“Come on. I don’t bite,” he said, his voice gruff.

I put on a fake smile and shook his hand. “Where are my manners? I’m Silus Bloodcroft, advisor to the queen of Transylvania.”

“Aye, I know who you are. I’m Reece Murry.”

“Pleasure, Reece. What can I do for you?”

He turned to the side and gestured back down the hallway, “Take a walk with me, if you would?”

I gave him a firm nod before we set off together side by side. Reece stared off at nothing in particular while I observed him from the corner of my eye. Something seemed off in his presentation, however I couldn’t put my finger on it. We walked for a moment, the only sound coming from the breeze that tapped ever so gently against the blackened stone.

It wasn't until we broke way out into the courtyard that Reece grabbed my arm. He turned to face me, his emerald green eyes meeting mine.

“Now that we have some privacy. I am a diplomat for Sean Arlund, king of WesterLund and first of his name…”

I held up a hand to silence him. “If you're a diplomat you should save whatever proposal you have for the queen. I am merely an advisor.”

“Aye, such is true, but word has spread about you. You've convinced your ruler to bring about great change.” He said as he flashed me a devilish grin that revealed a set of yellow crooked teeth.

I passively removed his hand from my arm and took two steps back, “I gave Milady advice, and nothing more. Ultimately it is her hand that has brought forth change.”

He let out a hardy laugh, “Lad, you're either really stupid or extremely naive.”

My hand twitched at his insult. It took all the restraint in me not to rip his head from his shoulders and return it to his king. He noticed the slight change in my demeanor and abruptly ended his laughter.

“What I mean is, for a king or queen to follow the advice whispered into their ears means something. You have a talent, a gift.”

I rolled my eyes growing annoyed at the games. “You flatter me, Reece. Now speak your piece before your words fall on deaf ears.”

He drew close to me, lowering his voice to a mere whisper, “My lord comes offering slaves by the thousands. WesterLund will send a thousand slaves every moon cycle as a show of good will to your nation.”

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Reece now had my attention. With numbers like that, we could bolster our numbers and feed our nation liberally. The thing that held my tongue was the price owed in exchange.

Reece smiled because he knew I was listening now.

“Good, I have your attention. The price to pay is a small one in comparison.”

If it was small, why did he need me?

“So why do you need my help, then?” I asked.

“The king demands in return that your noble queen submit herself to him.”

“Submit?” I questioned, my brow furrowing.

“King Sean wishes to combine the might of WesterLund and the world of the vampires.”

He couldn't be serious. Could he?

“You want my queen to enter into the confines of matrimony?”

“Aye, lad. I need you to convince her of the promising future that awaits both sides.” He said as his face steadily grew stoic.

Fuck no! I wanted Tahmira to myself. If she were to be bound to anyone it would be me, at least that's what I dreamed of.

“What say you?” Reece asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I sighed heavily, “I will bring the matter to her, but I swear by all the hells that my soul is damned to she will refuse.”

Reece patted my shoulder and flashed me another toothy grin. “Good, lad. You can find me and my guards camped out on the north edge of the city. There I will await your answer. You have until midnight.”

Reece spun on his heels and left. I remained in place like a statue. It wasn't until something cold and wet touched my cheek that I turned my focus to the sky. It had turned dark gray, clouds blocking out the light of the sun. With a flash red lightning zipped across the darkness followed steadily by thunder. Then the rain began to fall. The sight was both beautiful and haunting and a little bit foreboding. For who? Only the gods knew.

Later that night just when the sun was close to disappearing behind the jagged mountains that separated Transylvania from kingdoms in the west, I found myself staring out a window in the queen's private chamber. The air smelled freshly of lilac and roses, and condensation began to form on the glass. A quick swishing of water told me Tahmira had moved around in her golden tub.

“Tell me what's on your mind pet? You've been so distant this evening, and I can't help but wonder if it is something I did.”

I turned to face her. She leaned against the inside of the tub, her head resting on her forearms. I took in the sight of her as I did every time I looked upon her. From the messy fixture of her hair upon her head to the water running off her smooth pale skin, I was enthralled. My gums ached as my fangs grew, and I had to fight back the urge to taste her.

“Well?” Tahmira questioned.

I cleared my throat as I prepared to tell what felt like a dirty secret, “I really don't know where to begin. Something has been placed upon me that is both great and terrible.”

Tahmira tilted her head to the side, “Aw pet. Come here and have a seat at my side, so I can make you feel all better.”

I didn't question her words. Now seated next to the golden tub with my back against the damp metal, Tahmira began running her finger through my hair.

“Now, tell me what has got you so down, so I can share your burden.”

I laid my head back and rested against the edge, allowing part of my hair to fall gently in the water. I closed my eyes and savored the feeling of her touch.

“Today after our discussion in the throne room, I was approached by a diplomat from WesterLund with a proposal.” I said as I replayed the scene in my mind.

She let out a small gasp of excitement, “Oh, do tell.”

I opened my eyes to meet hers, “They've offered to send us a thousand slaves every moon cycle.”

She sat up straight making her voluptuous breasts bounce before clapping her hands together, “Oh that's excellent news! What is that the king wants in return for such a generous offer?”

I sat up unable to look her in the eyes any further.

“Pet? What are their demands?” she asked sternly.

I sighed before I answered her question, “The King of WesterLund requested that you submit yourself to him, and bring our nations together.”

There was a loud splashing of water before Tahmira spoke, “He did what?!” Her voice was shrill and I could feel the offense in the air.

She exited the tub and moved to stand in front of me, her juicy thighs and the slit between them on full display.

“I want you to send them a message, and tell them that I will submit to no man. Much less a mortal one. How dare they approach me with such a preposterous idea!”

I had to look away from her to regather my thoughts, “O-of course my queen. I'll take my leave now.”

I pushed myself up from where I was sitting, and made my way toward the balcony doors.

I stopped in my tracks as Tahmira's voice touched my ears, “Oh and pet be fast. I don't want my bed to remain empty for long.”

“Yes my queen.” I said before stepping on the balcony and taking a plunging dive over the edge.

Midair I called upon my vampiric powers, which brought forth two large bat-like wings that sprouted from my back. I made a wide turn around the castle until I faced north. It didn't take me long to spot the small camp lurking just outside the city border. I made a dive for the ground, before doing a flip and landing gracefully on my feet.

All the men surrounding the campfire cursed as they all drew their swords ready to face the predator that just entered their camp.

“Oi, that's no way to treat the queen's advisor! Lower yer weapons now!” A voice called from within one of the tents.

Shortly after Reece exposed himself, and greeted me with a smile, “I was beginning to worry you wouldn't show.”

“Apologies for my late arrival. I have spoken with the queen, and she humbly denies your king's proposal.” I said plainly, as I bowed.

“That demonic whore thinks she can deny the king of WesterLund…” One the men that had been huddled around the fire began to say.

However he was unable to finish that statement. With impeccable speed I disappeared into the shadows and came forth behind him. With unmatched strength I slammed my fist into his back and removed his heart from where it lurked. The organ was warm and red and continued to pump as I held up to the fire light. The man's body crumpled to the dry dirt with a thud.

At this moment every sword pointed in my direction, ready to take my head off.

“You bastard. We will send that head of yours back to your wretched queen.”

I dropped the now still heart and licked the blood from my hand before I responded, “I will not tolerate disrespect to my queen from anyone. You're lucky I'm not in a foul mood or your corpses would hang in the throne room.”

“Enough, lad. All of you drop yer weapons.” Reece said calmly.

“But Reece he killed…”

Reece cut the balding man off “I know, and I said drop yer weapons. We do not wish to start a war with the vampires, and despite her refusal the king is still very fond of her.”

“What do we do about Gar?” Another asked.

Reece made eye contact with me and held it, “We will call this an unfortunate accident and return home.”

I nodded my head in response.

“Aye, we will see you soon, Silus Bloodcroft.”

I gave them a wicked grin before I disappeared back into the shadows, and made my way back to the castle.