Eternal Nights

A final goodbye

Roxanna began to stir once more. She sat up, sheepishly rubbing her eyes with her fingertips brushing her jaw and neck. To her surprise the wounds on her neck seemed to have been patched up. She was still groggy, but gazed around the room for her captor. She let out a sigh of relief upon realizing that she was alone. Then she realized that she hadn’t gotten a good look at the bedchamber earlier.

The bed itself was massive and far more comfortable than her bed at home. It was fitted with a deep red and gold quilt and matching pillows. Though she had never seen one before, she could only guess that this must have been a king sized bed. The floors were made of some sort of dark wood and based on the smell of the chamber the wood itself was very recently cut and stained to nearly black in color. Her eyes traced her way forward seeing the doorway to the bathroom and the similar red hue on the walls. Her eyes moved to the left where she saw a black desk with golden designs with a pile of papers and a book on it. Roxanna climbed off the bed to investigate feelings of a plush red and gold rug below her feet. As she approached she noticed the papers were blank music sheets and the book was a very ornate notebook with what appeared to be a quill made with the feather of a raven. The desk appeared to sit in front of a window covered by black velvet curtains. She continued on in her exploration and reached a doorway. She opened it revealing a balcony.

She moved to the edge, peering out, seeing a few lights from Wolfborough in the distance. She looked down, and though it was dark, it was obvious that she had to be in one of the high towers of the castle. She knew that it must’ve been at least a 100 ft drop to the ground. He put me here deliberately, she thought. She turned back towards the room, taking notice of the two stone benches on either side of the doorway. As she walked in she looked to her right, continuing her circle around the room and saw a dressing area fitted with two black and gold wardrobes, a small dresser with a pile of gift boxes, a triple mirror, a dressing screen, a vanity and chair, all sharing a similar coloration to the wardrobes and a red circular rug on the floor.

She investigated the gifts, finding a note, “Enjoy your gifts my dear. Everything In this chamber is yours. Fill your role to me and you can expect more. For the time being I find myself preoccupied, but I should not be long after you wake. Until then, do as you wish but remain within. Your Master, King Raforian D’Lucien Von Esteré”

Roxanna felt her stomach churn reading the words. She took an uncomfortable breath as she opened one of the boxes revealing what could only be described as a gown fit for royalty. The gown very much fit the aesthetic of the room she was in. It had a velvet red waist and skirt that flared out at the hips, both lined with a black lacy ribbon, down the torso was some sort of white fabric with golden flowers, the same fabric also appearing on the underskirt; the collar was squared off with a fabric red rose in the center. It was a bit over the top, but it was pretty. Roxanna put on the dress, not bothering to look in any other boxes.

Her eyes continued their path seeing the bed once again and noticing the chandelier above. Past the bed seemed to be some sort of reading nook complete with a bookshelf and two marble fireplaces with a red chaise couch positioned in between. Then she noticed a small hallway leading to a door. There was a note that read, “I expect you to stay in here for now. I should return for you around 5 pm to give you a tour of your new home and for you to dine with me. If you need anything in the meantime, feel free to call for me, but you are not permitted to wander on your own. Behave yourself little songbird. Your Master, King Raforian D’Lucien Von Esteré”. Roxanna removed the note and opened the door to discover a staircase leading down. She took one apprehensive moment, debating on if she should take the risk to try to escape. She took one glance back at the gothic chamber and made her choice.

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Raforian’s POV

The day was already frustrating. I only had an hour's rest after leaving my pet to sleep before my day as the king of Wolfborough began. Every day had practically been the same after the people here realized that there was no one to come save them from me. Most people who came to the castle were those who had failed to pay for their lives, some came willingly in hopes they could plead for their pitiful lives, meanwhile the rest were dragged screaming and crying through the doors by my minions. Occasionally I would get a few people who came to beg for help for something like helping a sick family member or pleading for time after wolves killed their herds. These were my favorite type of visitors, as they were always willing to agree to whatever I asked in exchange, no matter the cost. It also ensured that the people had just enough hope to not attempt a coup and force me to s*******r all of them.

Though I don’t care much for the humans, I liked my position. It was ideal. I had an army of spawn who obeyed my every command and acted as my eyes and ears. The humans here had the perfect amount of self preservation, making them far too easy to control. I had the perfect ordinance that provided just enough hope and fear that no one resisted the consequences and allowed me to create human farms with endless supplies of blood. To my surprise, the resources of the lands were quite profitable, leading me to sending spawn to sell materials to the main continent every month. I have everything. Power. Money. A kingdom that solely belongs to me. And now, I had Roxanna, a girl that while I was alive, I would have desired more than anything; she was beautiful, she had a sense of purity and innocence to her, she had a charm that was completely irresistible. As a vampire she was equally desired. Her blood was unlike anything I’ve had before, addictive and delicious, the fragrance of her driving me wild; it took nearly everything I had to avoid bleeding her dry. She resisted me just enough where she was the ideal play thing, teasing my predator instincts by trying to run and fight against my strength, but becoming completely obedient and docile upon realizing her place.

“Forgive me my King, but it is urgent,” a voice pulling me from my thoughts spoke. I have no idea what he asked me, nor did I really care.

I was about to dismiss the individual when I began hearing running footsteps from above, much too loud to belong to a vampire. I began pinching my brow in frustration, didn’t she see my notes?

“Master, it seems the girl’s father has discovered that she’s here. What shall I do,” a vampire spawn whispered to me. I continued hearing her running around the halls, opening various doors. It shouldn’t take too long before she finds her way to the throne room. Then my solution to my problem hit me.

“Slow him until she makes it to the second floor. Ensure that she finds her way here but no one is to harm her. I will handle it once they both arrive,” I whispered back to the spawn. I then stood to my full height and sauntered towards the human now cowering before me. “Well, well. It looks like it’s your lucky day. Tell me once more what you asked for,” I said, staring down at the human.

“My wife is very ill. We need medicine but we are rather poor. If I don’t get her help she will die. Please my King, we need your help. Please help my wife,” the human fell to his knees.

Pathetic, I thought. “Very well, considering the aid you need granted. I will allow one year for you to repay this generosity. If you fail to do so both you and your wife will find yourselves paying your debts with your blood until my underlings have bled you dry. Are we clear?” I asked as I made my way back to my throne.

There was a moment's hesitation before the human solemnly replied, “yes my King. Thank you.”

“I’m done for today. Dismiss all but my expected guest,” I said, taking my place on my throne, “if anyone besides Donovitch tries to force their way here, kill them.” I then propped my leg up and rested my elbow on my knee as I began my wait for my guests to arrive.

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Roxanna’s pov

The halls and doors felt endless. As I open each door I never know what to expect. Some rooms seem like they have been untouched since King Raforian took over Wolfborough, featuring dust and cobwebs. Others were like a time capsule, coated with blood stains from the s*******r that took place here years ago. Occasionally I would find a room that seemed to have been repurposed or at least used in some way. I guess a vampire wouldn’t have a used for a room like this, I thought as I closed yet another bedroom door. I somehow managed to find my way down three floors since leaving the bedchamber I woke up in. From my memory of what the castle looked like from the outside I remember there being at least five floors. This place is massive, I thought. I couldn’t have checked less than 50 rooms, but felt like I was getting nowhere. Every corridor I turned I expected to come face to face with my death. My heart was racing and I was certain that I would be caught any moment now, but I kept going.

After another ten minutes or so I discover a spiral staircase going down. I take a breath before continuing my descent. To my surprise this staircase seemed to continue down to the first floor. But my moment of bliss quickly ended when I began to hear blood curdling screams from below. I stopped on the steps debating about what to do. If I continued downward I would make it to the bottom floor but I didn’t want to find out what was happening. I saw the doorway leading to the halls of the second floor, if I took that way I wouldn’t know what to expect. The screams began to grow louder. I took an uncomfortable breath and went to the doorway.

I was met with two splitting hallways. One led straight ahead the other to the right with mass. This doesn’t feel right, I thought as this hallway felt far too quiet. I tried recalling the layout from the outside. On the second floor there was a balcony that encased the rest of the castle. It would be a 20 foot drop at most if I tried climbing down from there. The grand hall, which resided in the center of the castle, had a staircase leading directly up to the king’s throne. With double doors like those, the throne room was the only place those doors could lead. I weighed the options in my mind. On one hand I would be risking hurting myself and preventing myself from being able to run, on the other I would be potentially walking straight into the wolves den.

I began walking towards the balcony. I turned the doorknob and pushed but the door wouldn’t budge. I began putting all my strength into the door but it felt like it was barred from the outside. Shit.. I thought, maybe I can find my way back to that room and he won’t find out? I ran back to the door that led to the stairwell only to discover that it was sealed shut as well. I felt my stomach drop. He knows, I began trembling. I looked up at the double doors. It was obvious that those doors were the only place that I would be allowed to go. I shakily reached for the door handle and pushed.

“I see you deliberately disobeyed me,” the vampire king said, almost posing in his throne as he glared at me. He began beckoning me with his finger and I began walking towards him, residing to my fate.

“Xanna!” My eyes snapped to the bottom of the staircase below, only to see my father being restrained as he called for me.

I began to move quickly towards the stairs, ”dadd-“ my words were immediately cut off as King Raforian’s hand clamped over my mouth. I felt his other arm wrap around me, holding me in place.

“I’m pleased that both of you could find your way here,” he spoke as I fought to attempt to free myself and my father kept calling for me, “I believe that we need to discuss the terms of Roxanna’s servitude to me. These terms are non negotiable,” he continued as my father and I continued our resistance, “but before that, I suggest you both stop this futile resistance before I lose my temper,” I began feeling his claws digging into my cheek. He then leaned down and spoke quietly in my ear, “you are not permitted to speak until Donovitch has left. You are to kneel beside my throne and if you attempt to go to or speak with him I will kill him in front of you while forcing you to watch. Am I clear?”

Tears began falling down my cheeks, but I nodded in response. He released my face and grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the throne and forcing me down onto the cold stone next to it. I lowered my head, terrified of what would happen if I saw my father now.

King Raforian moved to stand at the top of the stairs. “If you value your daughter you will do exactly as I say. You will ascend the stairs and kneel before me and I will tell you the terms of what will be our agreement. If you attempt to get too close to her, I will force you to watch as I feed upon her. I have informed her of the consequences if she attempts to speak. After I am finished speaking I will allow you to say your goodbyes but she is not permitted to do so,” he turned and sat upon his throne, “now then, you may approach.”

The room was silent except for my father’s footsteps. It was agonizing hearing him crawl up the stairs. I felt like I was going to be sick. Then after what felt like eternity I heard the sound of my father slightly groaning as he got down on his bad knees.

“Firstly, I don’t much like the idea of you attempting to rescue her. From now on I will consider any attempts to take her from me an act of treason, however she will be the one paying the price for your actions. You can rest assured that I will not kill her, but I will make her wish that I would if you continue to be a nuisance. Along those lines, in the unlikely scenario where she does escape these walls I will kill anyone who attempts to aid her, you being the only exception to that, and then I will show no restraint in punishing her,” the vampire king spoke with a deadly venom in his voice. I was trembling uncontrollably. I heard him let out a single chuckle before he continued, “second, I want you both to understand that Roxanna is mine to do as I please with. I say this with the understanding that this little human is now in my care. In exception to her freedom, I intend to ensure that she never wants for anything, provided that she behaves. As for you, Donovitch, I understand what I am taking from you. From now on, consider yourself a noble. You no longer have to pay for your life or Roxanna’s. In fact, you can expect to never have to work again with the reimbursements I shall provide to you.”

“You can’t honestly believe that I would accept something like that!” My father snapped.

“Mind your tongue, human,” King Raforian growled at my father. I winced at his booming voice. Then I suddenly felt myself being pulled closer to the throne. I looked up at the vampire who was staring down my father. I was about to beg him for mercy for my father, but then I remembered his warning. There was nothing I could do, I felt completely powerless. “Your options are to accept those terms and escape with your pathetic life, or I can kill you now and she will be mine regardless. If you both cooperate I may consider allowing some communication, however I am not against cutting you off all together. The choice is yours, Donovitch. Accept my offer to you or face my wrath.”

“I’ll never give up on her,” my father cried out. His voice sounded like it was going to break. It was desperate to soothe me but full of false hope.

“That’s fine, as I stated, she will suffer the consequences of your actions,” the king said as he tightened his grip on me. Everything felt hopeless. I desperately wanted to run to my father. I couldn’t see because of how much I was crying. I wanted to beg my father not to leave me here but I held my tongue. “Now then, that is all I have to say to you. I suggest you say your goodbyes and leave before I change my mind,” his words came off as a threat.

I heard my father stand up. “I won’t ever give up on you Xanna. Do you hear me? I’ll find a way. You’re all I have left in this world. I love you my sweet girl. I will be back for you!” As he spoke, vampire spawn began dragging him away. His words were cut off but the doors to the castle were slammed behind him.

The chamber fell silent, the only noise coming from me as I choked on my tears.

“Stop your tears now. Be grateful that I allowed you to see I’m one last time especially after you disregarded the notes I left for you,” King Raforian’s words were cold and cruel. He stood over me and extended his hand to me, “now then, I had a special meal prepared for you. Join me for dinner then I will give you a proper tour of your new home. You can either join me willingly or by force. The choice is yours, songbird.”

I took a deep breath and attempted to clean my face. I didn’t know how much more cruelty I could take today, so I reached out my hand to him, and began my living nightmare with this entity of death.