Valentine

Chapter Thirteen - Orion

After another series of conversations between Elizabeth’s mother and father, I was able to make a clean escape with her. The week had been uneventful back in the mountain, but we all knew that our lives waited on Elizabeth and her decision. Before it came it was just another long wait, hoping that we found our queen.

“Mother is rather ill today. She has been since your discussion.”

“Why? What’s happened?” Elizabeth asked.

“Nothing new. Her mind escapes her from time to time. This is one such time. She has no recollection of who or what the vampires around her are. She knows she’s one of us, but she has no idea on how to interact with us. I believe that she loses herself to thoughts of my siblings and father, too. They’re all dead now.”

The news dawned on Elizabeth and her face turned sullen. The struggles of family dramas were not lost on her, she certainly had experienced enough of her own and did not shy away from showing her own sympathies in whatever way she could. I’ve never called for sympathy, nor have I found it necessary. In a family garnered by traditions and instability, there was little in the way of getting the job done.

“You don’t speak about them much,” Elizabeth said, turning to face me, while we walked up the long driveway to the horses hitched at the gate.

“Who?” I replied, knowing she meant my family.

“Your siblings and father.” Elizabeth turned away to face the night’s darkness.

“We’ve not spent enough time together to get into the lengthy conversation of my relatives. They are, for lack of a better term, a troublesome topic.” I forced a smile that was lost to Elizabeth, as we continued walking.

Silence fell, the natural sounds of crickets screeching in the night and an occasional bark out in the distance, were all that gave us company. Our feet crunching the gravel beneath left an eerie displeasure to the ear. Elizabeth wanted to speak, I could tell. Words hung on her lips, held back by the fear of disappointment. Whose disappointment, I would never have guessed.

“I’m going to do it,” She finally spoke when we finally reached the end of her father’s property, “I’m going to be your queen.”

The news was a relief. Half the job was done now. The rest was simply following protocol.

And yet, I find it difficult. Elizabeth is unlike any I’ve met. Her tragedy is not new to me, but her history was. I wondered about it all, why I felt this way towards her, but came to the conclusion that it was petty insecurity. The first women I’ve rescued in years, finally shows me some true emotion and I immediately drop my guard. Years of tradition and coven preservation, all teetering on the thought that I may have shown a hint of feeling towards her.

Not that she would reciprocate any of it. She knew now, that her place was to be as queen and that meant being married off to the neighboring coven. She wouldn’t indulge my childish whims, though, she was not bathed in our heritage and culture, so she would have no reason to simply follow suit.

“ Queen Elizabeth,” A sheepish grin grew over my face, “That sounds familiar.”

Elizabeth smiled, looking over at me and our eyes met. In that moment I felt something inside I hadn’t felt since I was a child. Perhaps this was childish glee that I had, in fact, found the queen, though I it may have been something more. Elizabeth was different than many other human female’s I spent time with. Maybe one of the reasons for that was because she was so stubborn, maybe it was because she was the first I would garner to be queen. Something about her was graceful and elegant, beautiful and fantastical, there was not a normal bone in her body and I would have it no other way.

“I’m glad you’ve come to this conclusion, Elizabeth. I know my mother will be very pleased with the news.” I put my hand on her should, sliding it down her arm and into her hand for a light squeeze. This may be the first and last time I get to touch her, before and after she becomes queen.

“What’s the process from here, What do we do now?” She asked, her hand lingering in mine a moment longer than I thought it would.

“Now we prepare you.” It was my mother’s duty to do so, but in her state she wouldn’t be able to prepare a meal, let alone mould a mind. “You’re going to stay with me for the time being, as I am the closest to royalty the coven now knows. There are others that will interfere, though they only do so because of traditions and the old ways. Remember that once this is all over, this is your coven, Elizabeth. Do not let anyone sway your judgement into doing what is wrong in your eyes.” Confusion was evident on Elizabeth’s face. I pulled open the gate and gesture her out. I lock up behind then head towards my horse, and Elizabeth to hers.

“I meant what do we do from here? What’s the plan? When do I get turned. You know, that kind of stuff.” Elizabeth asked. Her confusion was evident and for a moment I had no understanding why. I was a vampire all my life, and this procedure was second nature to me and common knowledge to those around the coven. Elizabeth was blind to it all, she had no idea of what would come next, how her life would change and what she would truly be giving herself up to. This world was not her own, and sometimes I forgot we lived such separate existences.

“Yes, the turning process will be underway shortly. It’s not as hard as one may think, though there are elements to it that may prove frightening. You’re going to have to deal with changes that are not normal in the human body. You’re going to die.”

“I’m going to die?” She shouts.

“Yes. It’s the only way to be returned as a vampire. But it’s not as bad as you think. You won’t even realize you were dead in those moments.” I reply.

“When you’ve returned, you’re going to spend time with a few of the closest members to mother’s court, with myself overseeing. They’re going to teach you the rules and etiquette of our civilization. Those are the small steps and the few you should focus on. Don’t consider the rest for now, I think we should take baby steps in this endeavour.” I found the thoughts of finding a suitable mate for Elizabeth rather appalling but what am I to do? Were it up to me, I would seek to change the way our coven had run up to that point. But who wouldn’t, had they been an ambitious man hunting for power?

“And the ceremonies? What’s going to happen with all of that?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“The marriage to the coven? I’m not sure if I’m ready to take on the responsibility of putting the lives of those I don’t actually know in danger by doing something stupid.” Elizabeth was growing more into herself with these comments. She was nervous, I could tell, but there was no reason to be.

“The marriage ceremony, again, has no true bonds. It’s merely for the continuation of two bloodlines and preservation of the two nations. Do not concern yourself with that just yet. We’ll get to all of that in time, Elizabeth, for now, let’s rather spend our time focusing on bringing you into the fold.”