The Vampire King's Mortal Mate

A Gathering Of Old Foes

Marcus' face clenched in pain as a loud ringing noise overtook his ears, forcing him to lift a free hand to the side of his head. It took a while for the sound to subside, and as it usually did, a rich fragrance of sandalwood and spices filled his nostrils followed by the beautiful image of a red-haired maiden at the mercy of the river. These visions had haunted him in increasing frequency ever since Aldrich, his father had gone into hibernation.

He hadn't told anyone about this, nor did he want to. The visions always ended with the river forcing him away from the maiden and consuming her, a very strange occurrence. He felt strangely connected to the girl, like he owned her, like she was his to protect.

He had never seen a red haired human in these parts nor did he understand why he felt strangely different about this particular human in his visions.

The visions had worried him to the point of asking Tobias to inspect the castle grounds for any perfumed oils or scents, none of which had been found.

The vision had ended and he felt drained but maintained his composure. He couldn't risk having one of the vampire elders seeing him in this state and smelling weakness on him. He would appear mad and unfit to rule, an event that would no doubt gladden the hearts of many a creature.

The grim shadow which these thoughts cast over his mind abated as he heard the chatter of Lilith's voice as she approached in Tobias' company. Lilith's face brightened when she saw Marcus, it has been a while since she has seen her brother dress up to entertain guests. He had the same gloomy look on his face that their father always had.

"Dear Marcus", She sang, relinquishing Tobias' hold on her slender hand and stretching her arms towards her brother. Marcus smiled at seeing his sister. She had actually dressed up for the conclave as he had requested. His mind kept wondering back to that fateful night when Lilith has joined the conclave whilst still in her hunting attire. His sister could be a headache when she wanted to.

" You look beautiful, Lilith".

"I'd have to buy Alice a present for getting a compliment out of you, Lord Marcus", she said mockingly, snaking her arm around her brother's and putting her head on his shoulder.

" If you will excuse me, my lord. I have to make arrangements for our runner", Tobias requested.

"You're quite excused, Tobias. I have no doubt the Finehairs and the Goldbanes will be happy to hear from you and your runner", laughed Marcus.

Tobias managed a difficult smile. Relations between the covens had never been a friendly affair. Perhaps it was easier before Marcus' father went into hibernation as all the vampire covens respected him deeply and dared not object to his whims.

Most of them now had reservations to being ordered around by his son. Marcus knew this and he would be damned before he let any member of the other vampire covens undermine his authority. This desire was equally shared by Tobias as Aldrich Bloodtooth, Marcus' father had charged him with ensuring his son keeps making decisions that does not weaken the family's position.

He had been Aldrich's trusted advisor and was trusted to do the same for Marcus, hence, the blood bond between them. They could speak to each other with their minds without having any other specie listen in, a bond created by Aldrich himself before going into hibernation.

Tobias left Marcus and his sister and proceeded into the hallway, intent on making the necessary arrangements for the gathering. He reached into his robe and produced a little bottle. He snapped his fingers thrice with his free hand and like clockwork, a vampire phased into his presence at unreal speed.

"You have been chosen to run a summon to the families of Albert Finehair and Gregory goldbane. Do you object?", Inquired Tobias. It was merely a formality to ask such of a runner as he wouldn't dare refuse the request.

The runner fell to his knees and lifted his gaze toward Tobias.

" What would you have me say, my lord?".

Tobias uncorked the bottle and allowed a drop of it's contents to fall on the runner's head. The bottle contained the blood of Aldrich Bloodtooth and as long as this runner had the drop on his skin, he could venture into any specie's territory and be assured of his safety. This was the magnitude of the respect commanded by Aldrich Bloodtooth.

"By the order of house Bloodtooth, you are hereby summoned to the 12th gathering of the Baldorian conclave", instructed Tobias.

"As you wish my lord", the runner replied and phased out of Tobias' presence with the same speed with which he arrived. Tobias could never stop being amazed at the enigma that was Aldrich Bloodtooth. He hoped he could help his son Marcus to achieve and attempt to surpass the huge legacy left behind by his father.

As he turned to leave, he came face to face with a figure in the hallway.

" Athan, I could smell you faintly. You seem to have gotten better at hiding your scent", observed Tobias.

Athan was Marcus' twin brother and joint heir to the bloodtooth throne. However, his father had deemed him too bloodthirsty to preside over affairs regarding the coven in his absence. Athan had been gravely angered by his father's decision that he had been alienating himself from the family for decades in his fathers' absence.

"I see the conclave is reason enough for you to want to be around your own family", continued Tobias.

" What do you know of my family's affairs?, you are but a servant who should be licking my boots in gratitude of my family's continued grace", snapped Athan.

The aggravated response drew a smile from Tobias, he knew how desperate Athan was to prove himself to everybody as being worthy of the Bloodtooth throne.

"You may throw as many tantrums as you'd like Athan but know this!, the minute you fall out of your brother's favor, your protection vanishes and I for one wouldn't hesitate to snap your bratty neck and feed you to my runners"

The bold threat to Athan's life sent shudders down his spine as he knew this to be true. Half the vampires bore one grievance or the other against his blood thirsty fangs. The only thing keeping them at bay being his bloodline and the scary thoughts of the fury of his fierce twin brother.

"You may wish to join your brother at court, my lord Athan", sneered Tobias. With that, he breezed past Athan as he made to leave the hallway. Athan had previously had to deal with thinly veiled threats but this was much worse, he had found that the animosity towards him from other vampire covens and species alike had grown immensely.

From the looks of things, it wasn't any different within the very walls of his home. He had to remain in his brother's good books at all costs until such a time that he wouldn't need his brother's protection, if it would ever come.

He left the hallway and made his way to court, he needed to pay his respects to the Bloodtooth authority before such a time that his presence would be considered rude and unwelcome.

The doors to the throne room opened to allow Athans' entry. His brother Marcus sat comfortably at the throne with his sister sitted beside him. The sight of his two siblings in such positions of power created a dull ache in his head. It has been a while since he had been in the throne room and he missed the echo of his footsteps on the marble floors.

He had practised sitting on the throne as a child as he had hoped that he would be the preferred option for his father but in reality, the reverse was the case and the harshness of the truth hurt him bitterly.

"Still envious of Marcus, I see", came Lilith's gentle voice. Since she was a child, she had witnessed the rivalry between her two brothers and she knew the darkness that resided in Athan more than Marcus, who foolishly preferred to believe that his brother needed time to adjust to the fact that their father didn't see any leadership quantities in him. She loved Marcus immeasurably, even though she seldom showed it and she was wary of Athans' scheming and how it would affect Marcus' authority.

" My lord Marcus ", Athan greeted, ignoring the scalding remark made by his sister. Marcus threw a cautionary gaze at his sister who intentionally avoided his gaze before acknowledging his brother's presence.

" It's been far too long Athan. How do you fare?", responded Marcus as he regarded his brother. He was surprisingly wise for his age and knew how exactly to deal with his scheming brother. His father had seen this attribute in him and was highly impressed by it.

"My exile has been fruitful, as I have learnt so much more than I could have hoped"

"And what have you learnt from your self imposed exile", countered Lilith, with a fierce rage in her eyes.

" Be polite, my dear Lilith", snapped Athan, finally responding to his sister's attempts to annoy him.

"That's enough! the both of you", commanded Marcus. Lilith protected him with a fierceness that reminded him of their mother but she needed to be reminded that Athan was her brother too.

"Have a seat, Athan and tell me of your travels", offered Marcus firmly. Athan knew better than to argue with his brother. His commanding tone was one similarity he had with their father. Athan felt subdued as he accepted the offer to be seated.

The court doors opened once more to let Tobias in. He strode in with a straight gait and bowed as he approached the throne. Athan regarded him with a fierce scowl on his face and turned away, sparing himself the displeasure he had at Tobias being higher placed at court than he was.

" My lord Marcus, the runner has been sent and I believe the houses of Albert Finehair and Gregory Goldbane will be with us shortly", announced Tobias.

"Thank you Tobias. And our guests?"

"I have made arrangements for their lodgings until such a time that they would be required for the conclave, my lord".

"Splendid! You may leave us", commanded Marcus.

As Tobias made to leave the throne room, he couldn't help but wonder if there was something he hadn't done yet, some placatory measures he hadn't taken. This conclave was the first since the blood wars and many conflicts had happened since then and in essence, it was to be a gathering of old foes.