Lubadus

Why did I agree to this? I can still back out. I haven't reached the palace yet, there's still time. Would it really be that bad? Our kind have been fighting them for a long time, I can order this carriage to turn around and it wouldn't matter much. What is a thousand more years of war compared to what I'm about to do? I clench the skirts of my dress until I feel the tendons in my hand moan. "I know it wouldn't be pretty but I didn't expect it to be this bad." Ceara mutteres, her hazel eyes are trained on the waste land outside our window. It has been ten days since the cease fire and the border between our two factions is silent for the first time. Although the land of Balachandra is mostly forest terrain with the tallest mountains and the most ancient trees, the border between Badar and Qamar is nothing but broken twigs and blood stained rock. Ceara's eye mets mine and she instantly perks up, "But I'm sure the palace in Badar is magnificent! We've never been this far away from Qamar, have we princess?" Every time she smiles it's too wide for her eyes to stay open. She's a shapely woman with a robust figure and perfectly curled red hair. There isn't a space on her skin that's free from freckles and her dresses always bloom out like dandelions. "That's true, we've never made it to the border before." I try to return the smile so that Ceara won't sense my uneasiness. The last thing I need right now is her worry. "I can't wait to see it! The castle in Qamar is beautiful but I hear the palace in Badar is so grand. The castle is so old and set in decor but Badar's palace is always changing. I hear they bring in fresh flowers every week from a different garden each time. Can you imagine that, Princess Imogene!? Different flowers!" "I thought you liked the roses Mother has brought in." "The Siress's roses are equal to none but you have to admit a change in flowers isn't bad." Ceara beams and the carriage hits a bump. "Oh but look at me blabbing again, we shouldn't be talking about flowers when we are only a few hours away from seeing your true love! You must be so excited princess!" Ceara presses her hands to her voluminous chest and sighs dreamily. " ... Yes." "What's with that hesitation? You should be more excited than that! After months of pleading and standing up to the most vile of evils, you are finally free to love Prince Anton- second in line to the Badar throne and werewolf general in the army! I never could have imagined how you two overcame centuries of war and brought peace to Balachandra with your love!" Ceara nearly shrieks from all her bubbling emotions. Ceara was always one for theatrics. "Breath Ceara, you'll have a stroke." I giggle. "I can't help it Princess, it's just so amazing- your love for Prince Anton has moved mountains and now there's only a mere month before your wedding, I'm so excited for you!" Ceara claps her hands over her redding cheeks and continues to squeal. She's so distracted with her fantasies I find my smile fading and staring out at the wasteland of the border. It was a year ago when I first met Anton. I was visiting a small village near the border stricken with poverty and the effects of the battles that took place near their settlement. Despite my father's protests I couldn't turn my back on the people there. The stench of blood was thick in the air, and not in a delicious way. As a vampire the blood I craved was to be willingly given, nurtured, and cared for. The blood spilt on a battlefield is always connected to the most disgusting intent. It was sickening just to breathe there. The small hut that was repurposed as a sick bay was so overlayden with the victims of the battle the day before that soldiers missing limbs, barely breathing, on the verge of death were laid askew on the streets. It wasn't the first time I had seen the conditions in the outskirts of Qamar before, but it was the first time I really felt it. I always told myself that eventually father and the king of Badar would see this as madness and negotiate for peace but it was a dream that was disappearing that day. The war was taking more lives every day and the older I got the more I couldn't ignore it any longer. My heart was breaking when I stayed there and one night I had to run, my mind couldn't stand the sight anymore. I was so sick of it, tired of saying sorry to the citizens of Qamar, of my people suffer. That was when I wondered into a werewolf scouting troop. And there he was, Anton. "We've been traveling for so many nights now." Ceara's yawn breaks my train of my thought and I sigh as she rubs her eyes, "But don't worry Princess, I have plenty of energy for the party tonight. A feast in your honor, Prince Anton sure does know how to treasure you!" "That's... one way of putting it." I try to restrain the shiver crawling up my spine at the thought of that man. "I read in a book once that feasts at the palace are always crazy, it'll be quite the new experience for us." "Why do you say that, Ceara?" "Well you know as well as I do that werewolves aren't very refined. I once read about a feast that was held at the quarter moon around a millennial ago. Apparently they partied so hard, half the palace came tumbling down after just the first night." "Is that so..." I swallow down hard, "No wonder the palace is known to look so new, those brutes must destroy it every time they take a step." "Oh Princess, you and your jokes! You don't really think Anton's a brute!" Ceara waves her hand in the air but I can tell from her tone she's asking more than suggested. I frown, I can't slip up like that again- nobody can know the truth. "Not my best joke, I admit." I blush and Ceara laughs. The rest of the ride felt like an eternity until we reached the base of Imperial Mountain, the home of the palace of Badar. "Princess, look!" Ceara pulls on the window and I hold on to her waist as she nearly throws herself out the window. "Ceara, are you crazy!?" "It's the palace! It's amazing!" The rumors of the palace are true. Carved out of the mountain side, coated in marble and granite with gold embellishments, the palace sticks out like a gody trophy. The noonday sun glints off the silver statues like crystal and the grandeur of it overpowers all sense. It truly is a home befit an arrogant and irrational race like werewolves. The carriage on the road is joined by blurs of fur and paws, no doubt Anton has sent escorts to await and accompany our arrival. They keep their distance but I can see the scornful glares of the animals from where I sit. It doesn't take much effort for me to pull Ceara inside the carriage and draw the curtains before the sun or the glares can make me lose my nerve. I feel the weight of gravity as the carriage reaches the slope up to the palace gates. The howling of wolves along with the screech of the grand gold gates opening is probably the kind of greeting royalty can expect. I shouldn't be surprised or ungrateful- I'm probably the first vampire to ever set foot in Badar in ten thousand years. "We have arrived Princess Imogene." foot man outside my door says. I recklessly reach and squeeze Ceara's hand. "Princess?" "Whatever happens Ceara, always remind me it was all worth it." "What a ridiculous thing to say moments after seeing your fiance, Princess." Ceara snorts in amusement. She tilts her head with that smile of hers that has calmed my heart for so many years. The door opens and the foot man holds out his hand to help me out of the carriage. I can get out easily on my own but etiquette demand he offer, and I oblige. With one hand I hold my parasol while slipping the other cold gloved hand into his. The warmth takes me back to that day all over again. The way Anton's brown eyes stared me down with condemnation, viewing me with utter disgust. "Imogene." It sounds like the dying embers of a fire, pretending to be tame but undertone with the threat of bursting out in wild flames once again. I take in Anton standing on the large round steps of the palace entrance. A procession of overgrown men stand around him, all outfitted in brass buttons and earthy toned uniforms. The silk ruffles of my skirt flutter in the wind of the this high altitude. Strands of my brunette hair tickle my lip and with a deep breath I step forward. His broad shoulders lift and his arms reach out for me to fall in his embrace. I can only imagine what wonderlust look is on Ceara's face because I'm buried in Anton's hot chest barely contained in the constricting uniform he wears. The uniform of a Badar general, the crest of a prince bragging on his left breast. His arms are holding me in a way that tells me he isn't crushing me because of the presence of others and it makes me want to tear myself away form his scorching touch. "It's good to see you've arrived safely." He smiles widely, one corner lifts higher than the other on his stubbled face. Anton was cocky even when he wasn't trying to convey it, his rough face is always smug. "The trip was easy, I hope." His deep eyes stare down at me in a patronizing way. I glance at his men around us, all poorly groomed and hairy. All werewolves are like this, sloppy and wild. "It wasn't bad, I was simply delighted with the beauty of Badar. It is a good choice for our wedding." I offer a smile up at him and the laughter in his eyes tell me he's a little too amused with my overly sweet tone. However I know the men around us don't find my act convincing. The odor of defensive blood is all the hint I need that these men still see me as threat. "You must be super excited." He hums. I hate the way he talks like an adolescent boy who always gets his way. In front of all these people he knows I wouldn't dare make a scene. "Of course I am, my darling." I dare to push it so far that even that arrogant smug face of his wrinkles up in near disgust. I'll have to remember that pet name for later. "Well I on the other hand can hardly wait." He leans in and I ready myself to shove him off, company or not. Instead of a kiss though he only rubs the tip of his nose against mine. My cheeks flush scarlet nevertheless because it's a tease at how inexperienced I am with intimacy. "Anton." A man only a few inches shorter than Anton clears his throat, curly hair pulled back in a ponytail down his back, his square jaw popping with tension. His skin is a few shades darker than Anton's sun kissed body. His eyes are far larger but not any less arrogant. "What's the matter Montez, can't handle a little display of affection?" "Like I care what you do with your women, I just know Chancellor Yan doesn't want either of you to be late for the feast tonight." Montez's eyes scan over me, "Especially since you two are the guests of honor." "Right, wouldn't want to get on Yan's bad side." Anton chuckles, deep and hearty, the man has no decorum. He leans on me with his arms curled around my waist, "I'll see you tonight Imogene." He whispers slyly before letting me go. I have to watch that big back as he leaves me on the entrance with a flustered Ceara, the three overgrown wolves to escort us, and the beating sun. "Come Princess, we have to get you out of this sun before you lose strength." Ceara's hand is on my arm and pulling me in. I want to dig my heels in that fancy marble and refuse to enter. The rumors of the palace are all true, this place didn't look a day over two years. The castle in Qamar was kept traditionally the same over many centuries. Mother always complained it's not in current fashion and feels more like a dungeon but at least it isn't nearly as bright or vast as this place. It seems the halls are more window than wall, each space is either empty or covered in furs. The building is obviously designed for big dogs and not people, anything resembling useful to a sensible civilization is as big as the people. It's incredibly warm and exposed, these werewolves would be better off protected in a cave than these open domes. Decorations consist of flags and weaponry. Werewolves don't fight vampires in wolf form, they want to avoid biting vampire flesh as much as possible. I could respect it if they didn't display these massive weapons like trophies of conquests and honor. The inet difference between werewolves and my kind is obvious in this respect. We didn't see battles as glorious or worth bragging about. It is a werewolf thing to do, being proud killers. "Here is where you will be staying, Princess Imogene." The words are rough, strained behind large k-nines as the wolf nods at a servant to open the door. It opens slowly to reveal an oval bed chamber. A giant bed sits in the middle in front large windows with silk curtains dancing in a soft breeze. A vanity stands to the side of a dresser, all embellished with vases of wildflowers. A mural is painted on the ceiling where a simple chandelier hangs, wolves dance around naked women in fields. I shield my face as the sun hits my eyes. Ceara moves quickly to draw the curtains but the fabric is so sheer it hardly helps. "Thank you for your hospitality, it is most impressive." I smile weakly, "Would it be possible to retrieve heavier curtains though? I'm afraid I have a weak constitution to direct sunlight." "Soulless demons." The other wolf spits under his breath and the larger snarls at him. "Show some respect for Anton's future mate." he growls. I grip my parasol tight, slightly more offended at the idea of being Anton's mate than a soulless demon. "I do apologize if it's too troublesome. It is true that as a vampire I am at a bit of a disadvantage during the day. However, I look forward to learning more of life here in Badar and what draws werewolves towards warmth." I curtsey, "Once again thank you so much for giving me the tour." I smile and nod at Ceara, who takes the sign to gracefully shoo everyone out and shut the door. As soon as I hear the thud of the door I let out a sigh of relief, leaning out of my posture and bringing the parasol almost completely down on my head, squishing the bun Ceara put my hair in that morning. "That wasn't very nice of him at all! If it weren't for Prince Anton I would have given that wolf a piece of my mind!" Ceara puts her arm around my shoulders, "How do you feel Princess? Do you need to feed?" "I don't know why I wasn't expecting this place to be so exposed." We fall on the end of the bed and Ceara unties the ribbon around her neck, "That's unnecessary Ceara, a simple sip from the wrist should be enough to get me through the afternoon." "You needn't worry about me Princess, this is my duty as an Aviaq." She gives me a thumbs up and I sigh again, "Besides you should strive to look and feel your best for your prince. I can't believe you, holding back on his appearance- trying to keep that gorgeous man all too yourself, huh?" "Please Ceara, you aren't really attracted to that?" "What can I say? I'm weak against the wild and strong type. I don't think I've ever met a human or vampire who can compare to the physique of werewolves. It isn't just Prince Anton though, all the men here seem well equipped in more ways than one!" "Ceara! That is quite inappropriate to say!" "Admit it Princess Imogene, it was those strong arms that attracted you to him!" Ceara giggles uncontrollably and hide my red face in my hands. I am most certainly not attracted to such a rugged and fit man. I couldn't care less for how solid he feels or how deep his rough voice is. All his body tells me is that he kills, and he stays the way he is to do so. Seeing him again only reminds me of the dread I felt when we first met. Black short unkempt hair, thick and windblown. A worn uniform with bloodstained cuffs, a hand still on the hilt of the sword I don't know how many lives took. "It's a vampire." The other men gasped, drawing their swords. Anton put his paw like hand on his lieutenant's hand. "That skin, it's so pale." He commented and knelt down beside where I fell on the ground, "It's far paler than any pure blood I've seen before- it's a royal." "It has a name." I spat back in his face and he c****d one eyebrow. "Princess Imogene I presume." He nearly whispered like k****e snapping underneath burning logs. "Well this is a surprise, I was wondering when I would finally get to meet you." "Princess? Are you alright?" Ceara touches my hand and I lift my lips away from her neck. She hands me her handkerchief and I wipe the blood from my lips. "I was remembering something unpleasant but I'm fine now." I smile at her, she reaches out and pulls a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I think that way sometimes too," Ceara nearly whispers, "although the war has ended I still think about those villages we visited during that time. I wonder if things are better for them now, they were suffering so terribly in those days." "That's true," I breathe in the night air, I feel more free than I have all whole day sitting there on the bed staring at the starry night. "But those days are over now Ceara. We don't have to fear for anybody anymore." "Because your love with Prince Anton has saved us all." Ceara squeezes my hand and I hold back the tears. "Exactly." "Come now, let's get ready for the feast! I brought the violet dress knowing it would be the right one for tonight! We're going to make that fiance of you wish he could marry you on the spot!" "Do what you want." I tug at my hair and let Ceara untie my corset. As she begins making preparations and I'm drawn back deep in my thoughts of my deal with Anton. "Marry you?" Bile filled my mouth with the sentence, we were alone, his men waited at the campfire they set up far from the lake's shore. "I would never- ever consider such a nightmare!" "Hear me out leech before you reject me." "How dare you!" I lifted my hand to slap him but he caught my wrist in his hand. "Think about it Princess. I'm offering to sacrifice my own freedom to save your pathetic clan from destruction. Don't you hate this war? Wouldn't you like to see it end?" Anton leaned down in my face, I stumbled back and lost my footing. Before I hit the water his arm was around my waist. "Think hypothetically for a moment Princess, if the prince of Badar and the princess of Qamar were to marry, the war would have to end." It was the first time I felt the uncomfortable heat of his body, pulling me against him like a second layer of skin. "My father would never give me to a werewolf." I whispered, unable to keep eye contact with the firelight reflected in his menacing eyes. "My old man would equally be difficult- but all good leaders listen to the people at the end of the day. I don't know how things run in Qamar with you blood suckers but in Badar if my people thought this war was keeping me from my love they wouldn't stand for it." "You have to be joking, you don't know me!" I tried to push him away but he gripped my wrist tighter and pulled me even closer. Anton grabbed my chin to force me to look him in his mad eyes. "You'd be an i***t to think I'd actually fall for a vampire, I'd only do it to end this stupid war. We tell our parents we're so in love they'll have no choice but sign a treaty of peace." "Thats- theres no way-" "Do you want it to stop?" His lips curled down in the deepest frown, "Tell me do you want this war to end?" "I-" I clenched the sleeve of his arm, realizing I was touching the uniform of a werewolf soldier, "I do." "Good," Anton's eyes fell into slights, "then fall in love with me Princess and we'll save them all." When I open my eyes I can see Ceara tying a ribbon in her orange bob, she braids the scarlet silks through her curls. I swallow, feeling myself tied to a fate as tight as the threads of her hair are to those ribbons. "I think I'm ready now," Ceara pushes me toward the mirror, "Princess you look ravishing! I knew keeping your hair down would be best with this gown." "You are truly a master Ceara, if I had to chose for myself I would probably pretend to be sick instead of trying to pick something out." I tug on the long sleeves of my dress. "Nonsense Princess," Ceara rubs my arms, "Those werewolves will soon know the kind and gentle princess I do and they will all love you instantly. We may have the wedding date set but don't forget the real battle starts tonight!" She nods and I nod back. That's right, this isn't for me. I was always aware my marriage would be for peace or power. I was always going to do whatever it took for the success and progression of Qamar. Even if I have to pretend to love a loveless monster, I will do it. For the sake of peace, I can. The grand hall is at the center of the palace, an arena like dining space filled with a mix of people and wolves. The music is a barrage of drums that never take breaks between beats, I'm guided to a pile of furs, forced to sit in my petticoats and all. I glance around me to see I'm the only one dressed for a formal event. Men and women alike take to breeches or nearly no clothes at all, flowers scatter the floor but so do crumbs of meat and food. These wolves smack their food like live kills, each platter of sustenance is thrown on the low tables on big saucers and shared communally. There is no silverware or a napkin in sight. Everything is touched by fingers and sharp teeth. I try to keep my eyes on my gloves to keep from vomiting Ceara's precious blood. "Can you not handle it Imogene?" That dreaded voice lays down next to me on the lump of pillows that is our shared seat. Anton props himself up with one arm, wearing nothing but tight breeches and a white loose shirt that shows his terribly large physique in the shades of firelight from the bonfires surrounding this barbaric event. "I can ask them to bring utensils if it's too much for you." "Don't worry about me, I prepared myself to witness the worse your species has to offer." My comeback makes Anton laugh. "Hold your judgement for when they get drunk enough and the fighting starts, the naked brawls are always the best part. First to draw blood wins." Anton twirls his finger in the air and a chalice of wine is swiftly given to him, the twist of his torso exposes half his chest and I have to return my focus to my gloves to avoid seeing more than I would like. "That is disgusting." I hiss underneath my breath. "Careful Princess," Anton speaks into his cup, "You wouldn't want to offend the Court of Badar your first night here." I can only see his eyes but I know he's smiling again behind that gaudy chalice. I want to speak when I hear a thud and snap my eyes to see one wolf sink his teeth in the neck of another, whoops and hollers erupt around the fight. I can't back out. I can't even look away or I'll see my future husband relishing in it. Can I really do this?