The Vampire and His Fairy

Meeting the Face of Hope

(Kataya P.O.V.)

I woke up slightly confused by my surroundings, it was not my room, yet it was. I was in a nice bed that was in a room that was not mine but I remember being in. my memories began to return slowly. I then noticed that someone was sitting on the edge of the bed, I knew the presence it was the same as from the cells, yet it was somehow different. I decided to open my eyes, I saw the visiting Lord sitting on the edge of the bed, this did not surprise me as much as it could have. His face was different than the cells there was no anger, only deep concern almost as if he cared about me. Why would he care for me, I was just a slave?

“My Lord?” I asked still in a half croak whisper.

“Kataya, how do you feel?”

It was not the Lord in my view who spoke, but a voice that I knew well, The Master. He had returned from his trip, now I was concerned Marcus was here. I turned my head with great effort and difficulty, I managed to move my head enough to see both the visiting Lord as well as The Master. I did not see Marcus in the room, nor did I smell him, Oh Thank Mother Nature, he had been dealt with. Now why was here and not in my room?

“Better, tired, My Lord.” I said.

“I am glad to hear that you are better even if it is only a little better. This Is Lord Aiden O’Flynne. He was the one who found out what Marcus had done. He has taken an interest in you.” The Master said.

“Thank you, My Lord, for your kindness.” I croaked.

I looked at O’Flynne when I said this, I saw him smile, although his eyes showed great concern about my well being. I could not fathom a reason for this concern for me. Yet it was there, I was too tried to argue, I just wanted to sleep.

“Your welcome. Are you comfortable?” O’Flynne spoke in a soft whisper.

“Yes.” I said.

A servant came up to the bed with a small bowl of broth for me to drink, O’Flynne held out his hand to take the bowl from the servant. She looked at The Master, I glanced at him he nodded his head, and she handed him the bowl. He took the bowl and looked at it as if judging how much was in the bowl. He then leaned forward and gently took my head in his free hand, slowly lifted my head so I could drink.

“Here, two sips total ,yes?” he whispered.

I took a sip, and tried to nodded my head but it was to much effort to move. When that failed I decided to voice an answer, I barely was audible:

“Yes”

“Good. I know this was a lot of interaction, after such an ordeal. After this sip we will let you rest.” O’Flynne said with a tender smile.

For reason I could not explain I was comfortable in his presence, even though I knew who he was, I had head the stories, I knew what he was capable of but something told me he was different. He offered me my second sip, I accepted it once I was finished swallowing he laid my head back down. He then made sure that everything was comfortable for me, before he and The Master left. I laid there thinking about his tenderness, and wondered why he would go through such effort for me. I fell asleep thinking about this, I woke to a servant wanting me to take sips of broth, before I fell back to sleep I noticed a familiar presence sitting at the foot of the bed. I smiled to myself, I could not help but feel safe to a degree, knowing that someone was watching over me.

As the days went by my strength began to return, soon I was able to stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time. The Master asked the old healer from town to come, I liked seeing her, I loved to hear her stories. She looked at the wounds I had on my back, she added to the ointments they were putting on them. She said they would heal better with less scaring which would be good for my wings. Something I had noticed was O’Flynne was almost always around, it was like he never left the room and if he did it was for short periods of time. The Master came to visit three or four times a day but O’Flynne was always there, I could not understand why he was so interested in my care. I was finally able to sit up if I was propped up with some pillows, I was happy with the progress I was making. The frappes had been taken down too. I could stand four or more candles being lite in the room at a time, I was also eating more normal foods.

I had lost track of how many days I had been here in the spare room being taken care, in a way I did not mind it was nice being able to sit up and eat normally again. Then one day O’Flynne sat on the foot of the bed while I was awake and spoke to me:

“Kataya, I would like to get to know you a little if you are alright with that.”

Even though my light sensitivity was better sound still bothered me quiet a bit, O’Flynne was constantly shushing the servants in the room. Especially if he noticed me wince, he was always kind, and gentle around me as if he was scared he would hurt me in some way.

“Of course my lord, what would you like to know?” I answered.

“Well, what kinds of things do you like to do?” O’Flynne asked.

“Well, My Lord, I enjoy being out doors, The Master had me working with his gardener. I love plants, I love the smell of the earth, seeing the different colors of greens, as well as the flowers. In a way it reminds me……” I trailed off.

I looked down at the bed I did not intend to bring that memory up, I did not want his pity for something that could not be changed. I never told anyone about my past, it was something that I wished I could forget. I hoped he had not noticed the sadness in my eyes. When I gathered myself again and looked up at him his eyes were fixed on me. They were the most beautiful color of gray purple, they were filled with such emotion that I was almost transfixed by them, yet I could not explain what I saw, nor could I tell what he was feeling. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, I believe it to be true, yet this Lord soul was hard to see let alone understand.

“Do you have a favorite flower?” he asked.

“Yes, My Lord, Calla Lilies, as well as Fethen. The later is hard to find during the day, it glows a beautiful iridescence at night. There is a patch on thee west side of the Castle” I answered.

He smiled gently, I could see that he was thinking he had gotten an idea, I had watched him enough to understand his action to a degree.

“Do you like to read?” he asked.

“My Lord, I do not mean this in an offensive manner, but slaves are not allowed to read. Before I was a slave I loved reading as well as learning new things.” I answered.

“I see. Did you have a favorite book before you were a slave?” he asked.

“Yes, My Lord. I had several: ‘Runes: the Making and History,’ ‘Reifor’s Journey,’ and ‘Plants for Healing.’ I know they sound rather basic in knowledge, but I enjoyed them, I always found something new when I read them.” I answered.

He again smiled he also chuckled slightly at what I said. I cold see in his eyes a kind of joy from hearing my talk, it was if he was seeing the world for the first time, or understanding for the first time. Yet he was happy in a weird way that fit him well.

“I do believe that reading out loud is perfectly alright, yes?” he said.

“My Lord, yes reading out loud is fine, there is no law, or rules in this house against that as far as I am aware.” I said.

“Good. I will read to you then. I will see if there is a copy of any the books you mentioned here in the library. Try and rest. I will return in a little while.” he said. He started to get up to leave, but I had to speak I had to know why.

“My Lord, I hope I am not being to forward….” I paused.

I was scared, what would he do, would he be anger with me for asking. Would he have me punished for asking him a question. What type of master was he going to be. I had a thousand reasons to not continue this sentence, I also had a thousand reasons to continue. How does one chose when both lines of reasoning lead to horrible outcomes. All I could do was hope that he was truly kind as he had been. I had looked away while thinking I looked back and saw him smile gently I do not know if he saw the internal battle I was having, he had moved closer to me and he spoke in a gentle tone:

“Yes, Kataya?”

“Forgive me My Lord, I just wondered why the kindness? Why me? Please, I mean no disrespect.” I said. I knew my tone was pleading.

He smiled and chuckled, I was confused by his actions but hoped for an answer he then spoke in the kindest tone:

“There is no disrespect for wanting a reason for my actions. I am sure you have heard stories of me.” he said, he paused and looked at me, I nodded my head yes. He then continued:

“With that being said I know my reputation is not the best ,one could say it is actually the worst. I had done something quite horrible, in doing so I angered the High Order. They gave me a choice death or a change of character. This change was done by magic. When I was returned I was sent to find a Fairy, with no instructions as to where or who, all I was told was: “You’ll know.” So I set out on a journey to find a Fairy, it turns out you are who I have been looking for. As to why I am sure you are the one, I do not have words exactly, but you are the only one who has stood out, in any way. The only one to invoke a response of such strength that I would do anything to make sure you were safe. Does that answer your question?” he said

“Yes, My Lord, Thank you.” I answered.

“Good. Was there anything else you would like to know?” he said

“My Lord, in a story I had heard you were a Vampire is that true?” I asked.

“Yes, it is true. He said.

“Will I be a feeder for you?”i asked.

“Only if you wish to be. At the moment you are not healed so I would not consider it.” he said.

“My Lord, thank you for the answers to my questions.” I said.

“Of course, please forgive me for not seeing if you wanted to know anything about me. I have found on this journey that I am lacking in social graces. If you want to know anymore please ask, I will answer the best I can. Now try and rest, I will return in a while.” he said.

He gently smiled and stood and left the room. I sat there I was unsure what to do with the information he gave me, but t did explain why he was different than the stories I had heard. I knew his reputation he was cruel beyond words, but his actions here was nothing like what one would expect. He was kind to all he meet. He was civil with Marcus even when he had reason to be mean. The High Order got involved, this was a rare occurrence, but when they did they had good reason, I wondered why they decided to get involved with him. I could see that he was different and that The Master was giving him a measure of trust, I knew that The Master would have double check as much as he could of O’Flynne’s story, to ensure it was true. I had slide back into bed while thinking and fell asleep, before O’Flynne had returned.

I woke up to the smell of food, and a familiar smell of Fethen, I opened my eyes I saw a pot, not a vase, of Fethen on the table next to my bed. I could hear the plant it was so confused as to why it was now indoor, I reached out my hand and touched them, I knew I had the biggest smile on my face. I was so happy to see live flowers again, they were beautiful, the flowers could sense my joy for there presence and became overjoyed, I swear they started to glow brighter. I felt better having plants near me it was as if a piece of me that was missing was found again. I looked of to the chairs and saw The Master who was watching as O’Flynne walked over and sat down on the foot of the bed, he was smiling. O’Flynne was truly happy to see me smile, The Master smiled as he watch us talk about the plants, then I ate my dinner while I ate O’Flynne read to me from ‘Reifor Journey’ he kept reading until I fell asleep.

This routine of daily read continued for sometime, O’Flynne began to help me walk around the room. I could not walk far at first but he was patent with me. Having the interactions of O’Flynne and being clean helped me get better. I found out that it had been 12 days since I was moved here, then The Master asked me to join him and O’Flynne for dinner. The Master never invited a slave to dinner unless he was going to discus a sale, I was nervous. I was helped by a servant with dressing, then O’Flynne carried my down to the Dinning Hall. I sat down at the place setting for me. The lighting was dim compared to what it normally was, I could not still handle full lighting yet. Dinner was served, iwas brought food, were as The Master and O’Flynne was served Blood, this was the first visual conformation I had that O’Flynne was Vampire. The Master was the first to speak:

“I am aware that O’Flynne, has given you an explanation as to his actions towards you, my dear. So that there is some peace of mind, he has told me the story in as much detail as he can. I have confirmed as much of the story as I can, I am satisfied with the proof of his action towards you. I am curious what you think of him?”

“My Lord, I think he is very kind, and generous, he does not fit the stories I have heard.” I said.

“Would you feel comfortable joining his household?” the master asked.

“Yes, My Lord, if that is your wish.” I answered.

“Good. That settles my last concern. O’Flynne, you may purchase Kataya. We will discuss th details later.” the Master said.

“Thank you My Lord.” O’Flynne replied.

“I am glad to hear that you are better even if it is only a little better. This Is Lord Aiden O’Flynne. He was the one who found out what Marcus had done. He has taken an interest in you.” The Master said.

“Thank you, My Lord, for your kindness.” I croaked.