We spent a long while there before heading back home. It was late. I was thankful we would have a chance to sleep in the next day before heading to HQ. Well, Morgyn and I would anyway. Caleb didn’t sleep unless his vampire energy was low. That didn’t happen very often, so I had never seen him sleep.
As we walked, I took Caleb’s hand. He smiled at me, but stopped walking. He turned to face me.
“What’s gotten into you anyway?” He smiled a little.
“Hm?” I asked.
His smile stayed on his face. “You seem happier, but I can’t place why.”
I grinned playfully. “Because we finally had a night alone. It was much needed.”
He laughed. “Yes, it was.” His face turned serious. “But it feels like you have something you want to tell me.”
“No,” I shook my head and continued walking. “I’m just tired.”
Caleb nodded slowly, as if he didn’t believe me. I wasn’t a very good liar. “Well, you know if there is ever anything, you can tell me.”
I smiled. “I know.” I felt guilty acting so chipper about lying to him, but I didn’t have a choice right now.
We headed back to the apartment, and I hugged Caleb before going to bed. Lying there, I stared at the ceiling, recalling the night’s events. My expression tilted in an unsure expression. Was I doing the right thing? How long could I keep it a secret? I didn’t know how long I could keep it quiet before saying something to him. Eventually, my thoughts faded as I drifted off to sleep. I would figure it out the next day.
I found myself in another dream. I was lying beside Caleb, drawing little shapes on his chest with my fingertips as we talked quietly. The room was bright, with sunlight shining through the sheer curtains, washing over us.
I sighed deeply, closing my eyes. Caleb started to stroke my hair. “Something on your mind?”
I smiled. “Just you.” I looked up at him. He was the way I knew him. Pale skin and dark gray eyes. This was after our turnings. We were both vampires. I looked down at my hand and saw a diamond ring. So we were engaged at this point as well. “And us.”
He pulled me up toward him, kissing me slowly and deeply. “What about us?”
“I’m happy and excited for our wedding,” I gazed at him happily.
He nodded and smiled brightly. “Me too. More than anything.”
I sat up a bit, pulling the blanket up with me to cover myself. I took Caleb’s hand. “We should really prepare and set a date,” I blushed. “I can’t wait.”
He laughed a little and placed his finger on my lips. “Patience,” he said. “The wait will be worth it.”
I nodded, still blushing. I grinned. “I’m sure it will, but I just can’t wait another minute.”
He laughed again at my excitement. “Then let’s start planning.” He took my hand again and got out of bed, helping me up with him. I giggled and followed. I didn’t expect him to take my urgency and run with it, but I was happy he did.
I woke up earlier than I wanted to, but it was alright. I wasn’t too tired. The strange thing was, I woke up before my alarm. I didn’t normally do that. As I wiped the sleep from my eyes, I heard loud banging noises coming from the HQ. I sat up straight, rubbernecking to look out the window. As I did, my eyes widened.
I jumped up, got dressed and ran out the door.
“Hey, wh-” Morgyn tried to talk to me, but I bolted past him. He and Caleb followed close behind me, trying to ask me what was going on. We ran all the way to the main island. We all stood, wide eyed, staring at the building that once was the HQ.
“Wh-what happened?” Morgyn asked, devastated. I know he wasn’t really asking us. None of us knew what happened. We were all just as dumbfounded.
Marco stepped out. “Ah, yes, my three favorite people,” he smiled at us.
I looked at him, still terrified. “What happened here?”
Marco nodded. “Remodeling, my dear!” He smiled. “But, you and I, we need to talk. Come with me.”
My heart dropped. Did he know about the device? I didn’t get a chance to say anything before he took my hand and led me away from Caleb and Morgyn. He led me up to the gardens.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, obediently.
He smiled and approached me. I stepped back until I was pressed against the greenhouse wall.
“I need a queen,” he said.
I smiled. “I’ll find you a queen.” Saying the words made me want to vomit. He was asking me to arrange a marriage. But. as a member of the High Court, obliging these types of orders was in my job description.
He let out a roar of laughter, shaking me to my core. “That’s not what I’m asking you.”
I broke out into the cold sweat again.
“Effective immediately, you’re the queen.” He leaned in.
I nodded in agreement, not wanting to defy his orders. “Yes.” I looked down to hide the tears in my eyes. “I need to go tell Morgyn and Caleb.”
Marco smiled. “Yes,” he said. “Just remember, I hear everything.”
I smiled warmly. “I know.”
We headed to HQ, where the spellcasters were hard at work, using magic to reconstruct the building as a castle. This is for the Greater Good.
I ran over to Morgyn and Caleb.
“Is everything alright?” Morgyn asked.
I sighed. “Morgyn, Caleb, I’m sorry, but I have been offered the opportunity to be queen. I couldn’t pass it up, so I’m sorry, but this is for the Greater Good.”
They nodded and in unison said “I understand.” I knew they didn’t like it, especially Caleb, who had an expression I’d never seen on him before. It was like he wanted to tell me something but thought better of it, and it angered him. Yeah, I could relate.
I smiled sadly at them and walked away to go to Marco.
Sitting down, I looked at him, curious. “Why did you choose me?”
Marco smiled menacingly. “So I can have a constant eye on you.”
I looked down. “Because I’ve spoken out against you, and now I’m a liar when I say it won’t happen again?”
He grabbed my arm tightly. “Is this really how you want to start this off?”
I stood up to face him. “Do you blame me for being upset? I’ve had a happy life, and just like that,” I snapped my fingers, “you think I can just be uprooted for your own sadistic pleasure?”
“You’re in a place of higher power!” He argued. “Who wouldn’t want this opportunity?”
“I would rather be powerless with people I love than powerful with nothing,” I spoke quietly, but loud enough for him to hear me.
He lunged at me. “You’re calling me nothing?”
I stepped back, losing my footing and started to fall backwards. Caleb caught me. I smiled at him briefly, thanking him, then looked back at Marco and shrugged. “I’m a liar.”
Marco growled and walked away. When he returned, he held his hand out to me. I reluctantly took it and stood up to face him. He kissed me forcefully, but I didn’t fight against it. I knew better.
As he stepped away from me, I suddenly felt very different about him. Like I wanted to be with him and not reluctant. Like I was happy that he chose me. He had put me under a spell that caused him to be alluring to me. I couldn’t control it. He kissed me again, and I followed, kissing him back, happily. From the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb look away in sadness. There was nothing I could do to try to control this. I just hoped he didn’t think I meant it.
As the day progressed, the spell didn’t dissipate at all. I was caught feeling a way I didn’t want to feel, and I had to watch Caleb’s painful expressions every time Marco decided to be romantic with me. I decided to distract Marco.
“I think we need to repair the portal,” I said.
He looked at me, unsure of my intentions. “Why?”
“You’re trying to build a kingdom,” I said. “You can’t build a kingdom with only fifteen people other than the High Court.”
Marco pondered this idea. “I will consider it,” he said. He smiled at me. It was the most genuine smile I had ever seen from him. “Good thinking.”
I caught Caleb looking at me, and I looked at him and smiled. He looked away. I also looked away, feeling bad for him. I knew this had to hurt, but what choice did I have? Marco had chosen his queen. I should be honored to have this opportunity.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.