THE VAMPIRE KING'S VALKYRIE CONCUBINE

CHAPTER 1

Kara sat on the lip of Kia mountain, thinking about this day over and over. She hated it when this day came along because even the fake people would pretend to like her. She hated it even more when they would say the words she hated the most, ‘happy birthday’. She has been held captive for all these 12 years because of the memory of her mother’s death. How could she then celebrate on a day her mother died? It’s been 12 years since her mother’s death, and she still hurts, not only from that but from the betrayal of her childhood friend Luke. She burns with vengeance, waiting for the moment to strike and hurt him like he did her. Kara could still remember the looks she received from the King and Queen of Valkyrie. She was stared down at, especially by the Queen. Kara had stood in the thorn room with her uncle, hearing him explain her history to them.

Kara had stood with newly formed wings, with a painful body from the day before transformation. Her wings were big, beautiful and black with gold strips, earning her a place as a royal guard from a young age. She could still remember all she had to go through in order for her to become who she is today. So to forget, Kara flies to her favourite spot.

Kara has long since loved to come here to the mountains, because this was the only time she had peace and time for herself in the early mornings. She always wanted to be the first to receive the sun’s embrace. If it was possible to actually have someone receive that embrace first, surely she would be the one. Kara had always loved the peace she received from this place, but all that died out when her cousin Hildr followed her here secretly. Things had never been the same, because she always had to anticipate when Hildr would come and cause trouble. Kara’s mind couldn’t travel too far, when suddenly a gush of wind from below kissed her face and loud flapping sounds were heard. There her cousin Hildr appeared.

‘Hey Kara!’ Hildr exclaimed.

‘You’re here. I thought today you would actually give me a break. I guess I was wrong’. Kara said.

‘Well, I was actually supposed to give you a break but I’m here for official business. Kara looked at Hildr and sighed because she knew all too well what business it was.

‘Let me guess, the crown Prince is looking for me?’

‘You have guessed right, dear cousin, oh! And happy birthday’. Kara looked at Hildr annoyed because she knew how much she hated hearing that from anyone.

‘You know I hate hearing that, why do you always insist?’ Kara asks Hildr.

‘It’s supposed to be a happy day, for normal people at least’. Hildr muttered the last bit underneath her breath.

‘Where is the crown prince?’ Kara asked Hildr, a question she already knew the answer too. He wanted to make this a tradition ever since he met Kara when they were younger to call her to the royal golf course, so they could meet and he would claim he wanted to go hunting and she should guard him.

‘He is on the royal golf course’. Hildr said confirming Kara’s suspicions.

‘Alright, I’ll be off’. Kara said, turning to leave, but Hildr descended on the land and held Kara’s arm.

‘Wait Kara, why have you been avoiding dad and me? He is really worried about you’. Hildr said. Kara looked at Hildr’s hold on her arm and removed it.

‘I’m fine, and I haven’t been avoiding anyone, I actually…….you know what, never mind’. Kara looked away from her cousin, really ready to leave now.

‘You what Kara? Talk to me’. Hildr pleaded with Kara.

‘It’s none of your business’. Kara regretted the moment the words left her mouth, she could almost feel her eyes turn red. She has been frustrated lately, because she hasn’t been able to practise her witchcraft. Kara walked away from Hildr and flapped her wings, quickly soaring through the sky. Looking down at where Hildr stood, she only looked like a grain on the ground.

Kara continued to zoom through the sky with her magnificent wings. She loved how the trees moved in sync with the wind, singing a song of peace in a place where all they learnt about was war and how to kill for their nation. Kara always wondered how they lived in such a beautiful place. Kara flew through the sky, until she caught sight of the golf course. Kara made a right turn and flew down with force. There Kara landed on the golf course with impact, her wings flapping wind around her. She hears clapping coming from behind her.

‘Wow, aren’t you just amazing’. The crown Prince Brynhildr said.

‘Your highness’. Kara said and knelt before him, head bowed.

‘Stand Kara, you know I hate it when you do that’.

‘It is my duty to bow before his highness’. Kara said, yet swearing internally about even being in this fool's presence.

‘Stand’. Prince Brynhildr stretches his hand to Kara so she can use it as support. Kara cusses but still takes hold of his hand.

‘Ah! If just by rising from your knees, you still look radiant’. Prince Brynhildr said, trying to smile seductively at Kara.

‘You are too kind, your highness’. Kara said, hiding her distaste behind a beautiful smile.

‘Let’s go hunting, shall we? Before I forget, happy birthday Kara’. Prince Brynhildr said this and started walking ahead of her. She frowned and was so tempted to knock him out. Unfortunately, there were other guards there, not that she could kill them, but Kara refused the trouble of having an entire army after her. So, with the little bit of patience she had, she walked towards Brynhildr.

‘Have you thought about my proposal, Kara? Prince Brynhildr asked, looking very hopeful.

‘What proposal? Your highness’. Kara pretended not to remember what he was speaking about, yet she knew very well the next words that would come out from his foul mouth.

‘My marriage proposals, of course. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about them’. Prince Brynhildr stopped in his tracks to look at Kara.

‘Your highness, with all due respect, I am not read for love, marriage. Nor do I want to love or be loved’. Kara held her breath and looked at Brynhildr’s changing face.

‘Why? Do you not dream of sitting on the throne and ruling over your subjects?’ Kara looked at Brynhildr intensely, hating how he loved calling them his subjects.

‘I don’t want to lose my wings’. Kara finally spoke up to make her point clear.

‘Oh…. Are you talking about Melanie’s wings?’

‘Yes, your highness’.

‘My sister was happy when she got her wings, but as you know, the women in the royal family can’t keep their wings. It has to be removed, so she is not mistaken for being someone she is not’. Brynhildr looked happy after his long explanation.

On the other hand, Kara did not seem happy. She did not want anyone ripping off her wings just for a throne. Kara and Brynhildr arrive at the hunting arena. Kara came well prepared with any weapons she needed. There were packs of arrows in the bag. Prince Brynhildr picked one to use, when suddenly a fire ball appeared in the sky, coming with force towards Kara and Brynhildr.

Kara thought fast as she pushed the prince on the ground, held him and covered him with her enormous wings. The fire ball landed on her wings and she felt like she was on fire. Kara screams. At this point in the arena, Brynhildr preferred being alone with Kara. She releases Brynhildr and moves in pain. Brynhildr screams for the guards to come. It’s no problem because they were already on their way because of Kara’s scream. Kara cussed from the pain and the burn.

‘Your highness let’s take you back’. One of the other guards said while lifting the Prince from his crotched position.

‘She’s right, I will check the area for signs of any further threat’. Kara said she was still in pain.

‘No, I will send others, Kara. You go and get your wings checked’. Kara looked at him and then nodded and started walking in the opposite direction, from the other guards as they quickly removed the Prince from the scene. Kara continued to cuss at how this job came with so much danger.