Devil’s Royalty

Ancient History

I walked out of the bathroom

my hair was bound up in a towel and another wrapped around my body. "You know Nikola, they were there for the dagger too." I ran my hand up the back of my neck dropping my damp golden hair. I slowly started to pat it dry. I felt him watching me again like hungry predator he was. I turned, his hands clenched the side of the bed ever so gently.

"I know darling, its not like it was public knowledge either look what they did to Edna. " He he bit his bottom lip and tugged on his cuffs. "So that limits our choices as to who was moving in on our collections." He stretched back on the bed running his hands down his vest straightening it out. I had found some pajamas to put on and gingerly perched near him.

"I dont like those odds Nikola. That means it's someone we know." I reached over and brushed his hair from his face. He caught my hand and kissed it. The barest pressure of his fangs brushed the back of my hand.

"Though it is pressing, that is not what is on my mind darling. I have yet to have my drink tonight, and the dagger is safely locked up." he playfully perked his brow at me as he rolled over. " You, me and this tee shirt need to have a talk." He had managed to nestle himself between my breasts and the soft white material.I rolled my eyes and reached over to the night stand, and handed him his goblet of wine. He pouted and took the cup, "thats not what i mean and you know it. " he took a sip as I pulled away. Standing up, my massive blonde damp ringlets hid most of me. "You are absolutely stunning my darling, no wonder I've started wars for you." I couldn't help but smile as i reached for my hair ties.

"And how many of them have i ended so you could get your way Niki," I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked deep into those green eyes of his. He sipped his wine before placing it back down on the night stand. He wrapped his arms around my waist and gently nuzzled into my shirt. His hands traced down the curve of my butt stopping at the edge of my shorts. He was almost panting with anticipation. I ran my hands along his shoulders and pushed him back on the bed. He smiled and chuckled with anticipation putting his hands behind his head. I trailed my hands down his chest opening his dress shirt, opening his vest and then crawled up on the bed next to him. I leaned over and kissed him again getting him to close his eyes. I took my chance and within seconds i had pushed him off the bed. The look on his face was priceless. I sat up and looked at him tilting my head, "are you joining me?" He rolled his eyes and started to undress. I smiled as i pulled and twisted my hair up for the night. He took his off his vest and set it on the vanity chair. I settled back in bed and clicked on the tv as he continued to strip down. He was down to his tanktop and boxers. He looked at me and dropped down slowly kissing up my legs. He crawled up next to me in bed slowly wrapping his arms around my waist. He gently drummed his fingers along my arm. It was a beat i knew all to well.. he was worried but didnt want me to tell me. The TV flashed a news bulletin about the robbery.

" Oh look honey our collection at museum had been attempted to be stolen, but it had be thwarted leaving three men in critical condition. " he kissed my shoulder " only critical my darling i would have thought dead for assaulting the dogs. " he kissed my shoulder again. There was a gentle snore as he realized I had already fallen asleep in his arms. ' i guess we will talk about it in the morning my warrior." He sighed softly and danced his hand along my cheek and kissed my forehead. He held me tightly to him as i slipped off to dreamland, " Kar, please shut the lights off and check the dagger downstairs for inspection. " A little shimmering black demon the size of child came up to the bed and nods softly " As master wishes,"

" Would you be so kind as to send a dog down to Edna's. " He wrapped his arms around me and settled down in bed. The demon nodded

"Will see you in the morning."

The primal drums of war beat in the distance, matching the hammering of my heart. We moved like a shadow through the dark veins of the forest, as long bony branches ripped into our flanks, like skeletal hands. Pushing past the gripping brush we stumbled upon the stark, lifeless, plains of our borders. Behind me, silent snaps of limbs and trees were a constant reminder of the advancing forces at my command. I stopped my approach and scented the air, our smell hanging heavily. The damp earth masked the bitter sweet odor of fresh blood not far ahead. I, alone was not the only one affected by what laid beyond the tree line. From all angles behind me, the invigorating aroma caused the hunger to echo. A low guttural growl passed by my side, a reassurance from my confidant, as he alone would keep our men at bay. I surveyed the edge of our sacred forest for anything that would hinder our attack. My warriors, never wavering from my lead, awaited for the key note to leave my lips. My second in command, Wrean, returned from scouting with no news of movement. He took his post and awaited my decision. I had but only one order, a long mournful howl, that echoed through out the silent wood. The enemy was completely oblivious to the footfalls encircling them. Pushing, fighting, and clawing through their first feeble attempt of defense, I lifted my voice sending another order. The rabid attacks of many answered my call with sounds of groaning, twisting, and tearing of armor. The enemy, covered from head to toe in a silvery metal shell, were unable to keep up with our speeded attacks. Wrean stood by my side on a hill watching. He shifted his weight back and forth, impatiently waiting for another command. A gentle breeze blew softly from behind us rustling the leaves of the forest. I moved forward as the wind breathed through my bristles. I threw my head back in compliance, letting another howl echo and the wind responded accordingly. The battlefield was now electrified with the sounds of war. We initiated our decent down hill, head on into battle. Our wolves recognized the movement and joined in the storm. As the wind strengthened and gained force it rattled surrounding trees and howled onto the battlefield. The Einherjar, our fallen brethren, charged with vengeance to fight along side us once again. They empowered our fighting and brought along with them pertinent information, murmured warnings of an enemy hidden downwind to the south of us. I turned and looked at Wrean, he had recognized the scent, but the mixture of the fresh blood and wet dirt masked it. He threw his head back and took command, leading the onslaught without me. Unwavering faith that Wrean would not fail me, I jarred off course to follow the unknown stench. The smell worsened as I shifted through the dark woods. Merging with the shadows, I stalked low to the ground, unseen, as I neared the source. A close snap of a stick startled me, and I lost my footing. One of my hind legs became entangled in the grasp of a branch. The entanglement held tight as I dangled over a small ravine. I tried to inch back to loosen the hold when a sharp crack broke the silence. Suddenly the offshoots gave way and I tumbled head first down into the ravine. Luckily the gully, full of freshly fallen leaves, softened my fall. The branch shook for only a second, immediately silenced by my quarry whom stood before me, my prey, a vampire. A high ranking one at that, far beyond the safety lines of his kind, hiding deep in my territory. He surveyed the area, focusing his attention in my direction. Remaining low to the ground, I crept towards him. In the distance I heard Wrean affirming his orders. The high pitched scrape of claws on metal screamed through the forest, and sparks lit the night. I took a chance and slowly crawled up from the gully while the vampire was distracted. I circled back around him trying to stay down wind. Now hidden behind him I saw the scope of the siege. Engaged in battle were the glints of swords and claws grinding red hot against each other. Metal tearing and groaning, and pained primordial howling would have enchanted any observer. I could feel the grotesque play pull me and slowly I started to drop my guard. His scream broke the spell from the hypnotic symphony of battle. I arched my body for an attack, my form tensed as I plastered my ears back to my skull. I patiently awaited his next move, but he did nothing. His face, wary, as he stood there watching over the battle. He turned slowly and started down towards the siege. I pulled my lips back and bared my teeth letting out a low growl. I leapt from my position, tackling him from behind. Startled, he fell forward, me landing on top of him. My claws clicked against his chest plate slightly tearing it open. The silver burned my pads, but not enough to stop me. Within seconds I sliced through his shoulder pieces, my claws sinking back into the chest plate. My vicious attacks left him stunned and unable to push me away. I placed my massive paws on his shoulders firmly holding him in place. He did not beg for his life or fight against my suppression and I wanted to know why. Slowly my bloodied white fur receded, like a wave, leaving me completely defenseless in my human form. Coated in his blood and naked I forced myself away. Slowly circling him, I recognized something in his eyes. It was a glimmer of hope and of a much darker, almost sinister want. He tried to stand, to lessen the gap between us, but to my surprise, he reached out for my hand. I leaned in close and tore the cloak from his shoulders. Wrapping it around me, he fell to the ground with a sickening thump. Simultaneously a long, loud howl filled the air followed by hundreds more. I knew the enemy had retreated, and we had triumphed. I glanced back at my fallen adversary, now hunched over holding his bleeding shoulder. His face though cut and bloodied, was defiant, as if carved from white marble and unable to change. He had to have known the battle was over. “ You were the monster they foretold? A Valkyrie. A powerful warrior with battle following in her wake? Yes, but a monster? No. At least they were wrong about that,” he laughed, “It is certain now one of us will survive,” he chuckled laying down in the dirt. I stood there staring at him, a twinge of regret faltered my stance. Immobilized in a pool of blood, I had reduced him to nothing. His huge body laying like a wounded animal rested on a patch of dried grass. His fire red hair was twisted with debris and wrapped about his face. An alabaster statue, with splashes of blood giving the illusion of life. His eyes, a forest emerald, held such promise of vitality, but the fire had begun to extinguish.

I awoke from the dream covered in sweat. I got up from the bed walking towards the window. I pressed my forehead to the cool window and gently trailed my fingers along the leaded glass. It had been along time since I had had this dream, what is causing it. I took a deep breath and moved silently back to the bed. I curled up along his back, i needed to touch him.

He stirred softly at my touch, and in his sleep rolled over to face me. His face looked pained and i held him tightly.

I leaned heavily against a support wall as I clutched my shoulder. My mind was racing miles away back to her. The air heavy with the scent of fresh blood and the musk of wolf. An unrest crept up between my shoulder blades, like the ache of a wound long forgotten. I surveyed my camp. In every which direction, my warriors lay hidden in the dark. Their cries echoed in my ears as I tried to heal my own wounds. The Nobles of the Bloodlace Nation numbered in the thousands. All at my command and all wounded and bleeding because of those monsters. The Wolf Queen’s almost flawless attack replayed over and over again in my mind. Now thinking back, I know that the wolves weren’t the creatures responsible for what happened. She just had protected what was hers. Any other leader would have reveled in what she had done, but she had cost me more than she would ever know. My men started to question my orders, and I in turn questioned my faith. I believed my gods warnings to what avail? They told me she would have killed me tonight if the choice arose. Yet here I am still alive though I faced her. The army was like nothing I had ever seen. It was like they moved as one wolf, following her orders without ever saying a word. It made me want to know how much more they had lied about. How could she control such an army and be nothing more then a crazed animal? So fluid, so in tuned to what she wanted from them, and here I was the one attacking with savagery. Forcing my men like a rabid beast unable to retreat. I looked to the sky and sighed.

“The Elementals running late Milord?” a soft whisper of a voice questioned. With in moments my second placed himself in front of me. Though battered and bleeding he took up his axe and stood on the defensive.

“Who is it that dare try to speak to the king without my knowledge?” he held his wounded arm to his body still wielding his weapon. I reached up and placed my hand on his good shoulder.

“It is alright Iroek, tend your wound. I can handle her. Come here Malrissa.” He fell back to the wall unwilling to leave me with her. From the shadows emerged a small woman. Her raven black hair pulled back to expose her fragile features. Eyes a soft lilac color encased in black lace lashes. A dress the color of the shadows, she emerged from wrapped around her. She closed the distance between us and whispered.

“Why my king, do you stay and fight this war? Our people do not need a warmonger to lead them, nor do I need a warlord for my husband. We are the royalty of the Vampire World my love, not the ones to be wagging war with the wolves. You know as well as I, you should be in the Grand Hall residing over the court with me by your side.” She leaned in closer and kissed my cheek. I remained unmoved by her touch and her words fell upon deaf ears.

“You know why I must remain here, Malrissa. For you to ask me that question in this place, and after our last parting debate. With our friends wounded and even my second and myself bleeding. Reminds me that you do not know what it is to rule.” I pushed my long hair back, not noticing the debris that fell, and tired of hiding my face from her. The mood swiftly changed when what she did had no effect on me.

“Just because the were-wench attacked us, does not mean you must sacrifice our people because of her. The Elementals have told you how to end this insane endeavor. Yet you refuse to listen to their insight. It’s like you wish to seek her and her warrior army. Do you really desire to lose all to that dog?” It took everything in me not to backhand Malrissa. How dare she speak of the wolf queen in that manner. When all she has ever done is feed off of me like the leech she was. Without warning I grabbed her hands pulling her so close that our faces touched.

“Have you ever fought a real Werewolf Malrissa? Have you seen what they are capable of even when they are not in battle?” I shoved her to the wall, and grabbed her chin. “Look at me when I talk to you.” She tried to bite my hand and when that failed she pushed me away. “ No you have never been on the battlefield. You wait in the castle while we try to defend what is ours. You sit there night after night with the servants, those humans, you begged me to keep. I want to be able to have the Wolf Queen, and her army and the only way to do that my darling is to take her.” Her face was burned into my mind. Every time I closed my eyes I could see her running to the front line. Her mate on her heels obeying her like she was his every thought. The both of them leading their army on to the fronts of the Bloodlace. I longed to have that kind of power. The ability to have my men so honed that all I would have to do was move my hand and they obey. I let out a long tried sigh and pulled away from her. “ You Malrissa could never do what I have seen her do, and you do not even understand why I fight. She knows why I take up my blades, and why I had to fight her. I tire of your ignorance, go back to your servants in your castle. For that my dear is all that you know how to rule, and before you ask. I will not be joining you until I can no longer fight or have been defeated.” I turned my back to her.

“How dare you turn on me, your own kind, and your mate. The Elementals created us for each other, we are meant to be together. Yet night after night you push me away from you and your bed. You would rather obsess about the Weres and their w***e Queen.” Her fangs extended and came at me arms swinging.

“They may have made us for each other but you are not what I desire.” I caught her attack and looked down at the worthless creature I had been given. I wanted nothing to do with this monster. What cruel masters the Elementals have become. Plaguing my mind like pox ridden rats. How dare they match me with her. She could not defend herself is she tried. I had to get away from her. “Return to the castle Malrissa, that is not a plea but an order from your King.” She stood up to her full height and refused to move. “Wife leave now of your own free will or I will have one of the men carry you back.” She smashed into me with all her might. I could taste the sweet copper blood at the corner of my mouth and laughed slightly.

I was the first one up. All those many years ago, and it still replayed like it was yesterday. I sat on the side of the bed. My hand instinctively reaching for his. He was sound asleep. Good, i hated facing him after the war memory. I turned to look at him, gently brushed his sleep tussled hair out of his face and softly tugged on his beard. He stirred slightly and rolled away from me. His muscular frame was mostly hidden under the sheets but I knew the line of his body, like him, I too, had wagged wars for him. I streched one final time before getting up and out of bed. I opened the french doors, out to our wrap around stone balcony. Our room was the centeral highest point of the mansion. I could see the lush greenery of the grounds, and could see bigger waves forming on the lake. The closest neighbor was a mile away in the gated community that had we had built. I unrolled the orientatal rug and sat to watch the early morning storms roll in. The roiling and twisting clouds, the soft roar of thunder in the distance and the sounds of waves crashing on the beach filled the air. I closed my eyes finding the sounds relaxing and meditating.

"Sorry to bother you Mrs," the child sized minion approached."But i had seen the news this morning and figured you needed this." he handed me a drink.

"Good morning Kar, thankyou so much for this." I took a long sip, it was just perfection, hot chocolate with melted vanilla ice cream and cinnamon. I smiled against the mug and crossed my legs looking at him. " I think it takes more energy to not change fully then to just slip skins and be over with it." The little minion nodded his head whipping his tail back and forth.

"The master had me place the new piece in containment and it awaits him in the lab, the museum called this morning to inform you there was a robbery last night, and per master's request i sent a Kar to watch over Edna." I took a sip and raised my eyebrows

"ah yes the museum, we should definitely try to stop in there today and put some pressure on them for another artifact after last night, and im glad he remembered." I set my drink down and closed my eyes listening to the sounds of the coming storms.