Chapter Six
Lilith
I made my way to the tranquil spot in the kingdom where my beloved sister Cass lay at rest. This was a serene, secluded corner of a well-tended garden within the castle grounds. The tombstone that marked Cass’ final resting place was small and ornate, made of polished marble. It gleamed softly in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the surrounding trees.
The tombstone bore Cass’ name, and its surface held a heartfelt inscription that spoke of her joyful spirit and the love she had brought into our lives. I had chosen it carefully to honor her memory. Around the grave, there lay a colorful array of wildflowers and delicate petals, scattered like tokens of love. They were a symbol of the vibrant, spirited child that Cass had been. To me, they seemed to whisper stories of laughter and the shared moments we had once cherished.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the nearby trees, creating a soothing, melodic backdrop to the peaceful scene. The air was filled with the fragrance of the garden, and the warmth of the sun touched the tombstone like a gentle, comforting hand.
I knelt down, with a heart filled with love, as I placed a vibrant bouquet of fresh flowers on her grave. The flowers, a mixture of brilliant reds, sunny yellows and delicate purples formed a radiant tribute to her spirit. Their petals whispered a silent promise to keep her memory alive, and the blossoms seemed to dance with the memories of our shared moments.
“I miss you so much, you know that?” I said out loud as I always did when I came here. A part of me actually believed that she could hear my words even from beyond the veil of this world. “The world just isn’t the same without you. It is a different place without your laughter, your warmth and your spirit.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I continued. “I think about all the moments we should have shared, the laughter we should have enjoyed, and the secrets we should have whispered to each other. Your absence is a constant reminder of the love we had, and I’ll cherish it for as long as I live.”
It seemed that I was more emotional than I originally thought. A breeze rustled the leaves in the nearby trees, and I felt almost as if it carried a whispered response from my sister.
“I don’t know what to do,” I told her, admitting a moment of helplessness. “That scroll is so confusing. I don’t know why Father kept it and didn’t tell us about it.”
I inhaled deeply, refusing to allow this feeling of despair to wash over me. There were so many things I couldn’t comprehend, but I was determined to find out the truth. I knew that Adrian wanted to know; he was merely afraid. It was a rare occasion to see my husband afraid. He’d always been my protector, my vampire warrior.
Many times, people told me I should be wary of him, but I couldn’t imagine such a feeling. A vampire is always a vampire, no matter what side he chooses. Those were the words I heard many times, and yet, I didn’t believe them. My love had always been stronger than any seed of doubt they wanted to plant in my mind and heart.
Yes, it was true that vampires had always been known as our enemies. They attacked our villages, our kingdom. They took prisoners, they pillaged, they killed our own. But at the same time, there were vampires who chose our side, vampires who had willingly refused to accept the darkness that exists in all of us, and they chose to fight the good fight.
However, that was an inner struggle I, as a human, would probably never be able to understand. That pull of the night, of the animal inside. I had no animal to keep under control. Adrian did. He made sure never to allow me to see that animal, unless it was to protect me. There had only been a handful of times when he relinquished his human side in favor of the animal, and it had always protected us. It kept us safe. Now, I wondered if he was afraid of it, more than before.
The knowledge that he could be in some way related to Constantine probably stirred unwanted thoughts and feelings inside of him. I was certain that he wanted to find out the truth, but I couldn’t understand why he refused to come with me to see the witch.
The witch. Even after all this time, it was strange to say her name. Lorna. It’s not a witchy name at all. She laughed when I told her that the first time she revealed her name. Although a different witch betrayed us at a time when we trusted her, Lorna proved to be our true friend. Well, she was my friend when I needed her, when I couldn’t understand why my husband was acting differently towards me. She helped me find out the truth, that the creature I had in my marital bed was not my husband at all, but rather his doppelganger, while my husband was kidnapped by none other than Constantine, who could have killed him a million times during Adrian’s captivity. Yet, he didn’t. That had to mean something. Maybe he knew the truth, but he didn’t want to tell Adrian yet.
“I wish you were here to hear me out, to help me,” I whispered to Cass again.
The wind started to blow a little harder, and I pulled my sweater closer, buttoning it up. I decided it was time to head back to the castle. As I made my way back, my heart still heavy with the emotions stirred by my visit to Cass’ grave as well as the mysterious scroll, I noticed a sight that took me by surprise.
There were two horse-drawn carriages parked near the castle gates. They were exquisitely crafted with fine attention to detail. Their rich, dark woodwork gleamed in the dappled sunlight, and the carvings on the exterior were very intricate. The royal insignia adorned both sides of the carriages, glistening in gold against the deep wood, proving without a shadow of a doubt that whoever rode inside was very important.
The wheels of the carriages were sturdy, ensuring a smooth journey. They had to be, for the road here was winding and with many holes. The polished brass fittings caught the light, adding a touch of luxury to the already opulent design. The carriage doors, embellished with ornate handles, were closed, hinting at the privacy and mystery that veiled the identity of the visiting royal. The windows, draped in rich, velvet curtains, concealed any glimpse of the occupants within.
As I approached, I couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship and beauty of the carriages. They were not merely modes of transportation but symbols of the power and prestige that came with royalty. Their presence near the castle gates signified an unexpected and significant development in our kingdom’s diplomatic affairs. I couldn’t remember Adrian mentioning any important meetings, so that must have meant that they had come unannounced. Any unannounced visits from royalty usually meant that there was an issue at hand.
I hurriedly made my way toward the castle, and on the path, I stumbled upon Commander Leopold, who was striding purposefully towards Adrian’s study. My curiosity got the best of me, and I stopped him, my voice filled with urgency.
“Leopold,” I asked, “who has arrived with the royal carriages? It’s not often we have such unexpected visitors.”
Leopold’s expression was grave, and he spared me a brief but knowing glance. “Three kings have arrived, Your Highness. One of them is a vampire king. It seems that Constantine has attacked once again.”
My heart sank upon hearing this. These recuring tensions were a constant source of concern, and things were not getting better. The arrival of these three kings meant that the situation was dire. With Leopold’s words echoing in my mind, I knew that Adrian would have to navigate a delicate and potentially volatile situation with skill and diplomacy.
“Is that all, Your Highness?” Leopold asked apologetically. “I am needed in His Highness’ study, but if there is anything else I can do for you…”
“Oh, of course, go, you shouldn’t let them wait for you,” I nodded quickly, to which he bowed down and disappeared down the corridor.
As I stood there, torn between the desire to join the discussions that were sure to unfold and the understanding that I had my own responsibilities, I ultimately decided against participating in the talks. Adrian, as the ruler of our kingdom, had the experience and knowledge necessary to handle such delicate negotiations, and it was his role to represent our interests.
With a heavy heart, I continued on my way to our chambers. The presence of two human kings and a vampire king added an air of uncertainty to the situation, but I had faith in Adrian’s abilities to navigate the complex diplomatic waters. I knew that, in my own way, I could support him by tending to our family and the responsibilities that awaited me.
As I made my way through the castle, my thoughts were still preoccupied with the unexpected visit of the two human kings and the vampire king. The uncertainty of the situation weighed on my mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it might bring for our kingdom.
Amidst these swirling thoughts, I reached the chambers where Cass was spending her time. I pushed open the door and was greeted by the sight of her playing with her toys on the floor. Her bright eyes and infectious laughter were a balm for my concerned heart.
Kneeling beside her, I gathered her into my arms and held her close. As I watched her play, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort in the presence of my family. No matter the challenges that lay ahead, the love and unity of our family remained a source of strength and resilience. Cass’ innocent laughter and her playful gestures served as a reminder of the simple joys of life. In the midst of uncertainty, she was a beacon of light and a testament to the love that bound us all.