The Vampire King's Huntress

Sweet Dreams

King Alesi stumbled to his bed chambers after spending the past three hours drunkenly conversing with Queen Anastasia's portrait in the ballroom. The conversation was one-sided, of course, but King Alesi had no one else to confide in. 

Deep down, King Alesi knew if his queen was still with him that she would be hounding him to do the right thing and think about the greater good. But to him, there was no greater good than his beloved mate. Shame washed over King Alesi as he thought about how his deceased wife would feel about him laying with another. He felt unfaithful just merely considering committing such an atrocious act. 

King Alesi made a beeline to his closet, where Queen Anastasia's intricately designed garments proudly hung. After a century, King Alesi could not find it in him to part with them, but perhaps...it was time. King Alesi's fingers trailed the hand-woven material until they paused on Queen Anastasia's favorite sleeping gown. It was a sheer sleeveless knee-length gown that tied around her slim waist. Not only was it Queen Anastasia's favorite gown, but it was King Alesi's favorite as well. He loved gathering her body in his arms, not knowing if his fingertips were caressing the delicate fabric or her supple skin. He especially loved running his fingertips over her n*****s. They would pebble against the material, practically begging for the warmth of his mouth. 

King Alesi groaned and buried his nose into the fabric, tightly balled in his fists. If he tried hard enough, he could still catch her scent. Tears began to leak from his eyes. He found himself sinking to that place again, that desolate place his mind would wander, encouraging him to join his beloved in the afterlife. Maybe...maybe this time, he would listen.

**********

Two hours later, King Alesi jolted from his sleep with a loud gasp. He found himself panting, almost to the point of hyperventilating. The dream he had. It was so vivid. Almost as if his queen was in the room right next to him. King Alesi's cold fingers touched his face where she touched him in his dream. 

"Ana? Ana? Where are you?" King Alesi frantically called out, rising to his feet. It took him a full minute to realize he was alone. King Alesi was convinced Queen Anastasia visited him in a dream and provided him guidance. 

With a heavy but determined heart, King Alesi trudged toward the closet. A tear fell with each garment he removed. Queen Anastasia spoke to him, and she made it clear it was time for him to move on.

Several hours later, King Alesi found himself dragging two trunks filled with Queen Anastasia's personal effects into the courtyard. His heart constricted at the sight of flames that engulfed his precious treasures. This isn't what King Alesi wanted, but it was what she wanted. 

King Alesi continued to watch until the flames smoldered and eventually died out. "It's done," he whispered. 

King Alesi felt like an apparition as he floated down the familiar twist and turns leading to the ballroom. He gazed at Queen Anastasia's portrait and sighed at the moonlight that cast on her bewitching face. This was the last time King Alesi would longingly gaze at her portrait. 

"I-I love you, Ana, but for the kingdom, and per your request, I will let you go."

King Alesi begrudgingly left to crawl into his bed. No matter how hard he tried, King Alesi could not part with the sheer nightgown. He clutched it in his arms and allowed sleep to overcome him once again. 

**********

"Come in," King Alesi called out, welcoming the frantic knocker into his office. 

"My King," Lord Gustafson greeted with a short bow. 

"What matters do you have with me?" King Alesi asked as he absentmindedly reviewed documents regarding a shortage of willing blood donors. This would become an issue in the immediate future. Vampires can live off of their mate's blood; however, the unmated vampires rely on human blood for sustenance. Human donors receive payment in exchange for blood, which had been practiced for centuries. They never had a blood shortage issue before. Why now? King Alesi quietly wondered if the blood shortage was in direct correlation with the rise in vampire deaths.

"I passed the grand ballroom, and I noticed Queen Anastasia's portrait is missing. Is she perhaps being fitted for another frame?"

"No."

"No?"

"You heard me correctly the first time."

"Are you moving her portrait to your bed chambers?"

"No. Her portrait is going in storage," King Alesi informed, uncomfortably clearing his throat at the thought of not feasting his eyes upon her stunning face again.

"May I ask why?"

"My new queen may not approve."

"Your new queen? You're going to accept?"

"I am...for the sake of the kingdom."

"I'll be quite honest with you. I did not expect you to follow through with our suggestion, and so swiftly."

"It is what Queen Anastasia would've wanted," King Alesi sighed.

"I wholeheartedly agree. When do you have a free moment to discuss how we should move forward?"

"We should have plenty of time during our trip to Moonshire."

"You'll be joining me on my return trip?" Lord Gustafson asked in disbelief. 

"That is correct. Unless there is some reason why I shouldn't?" King Alesi curiously asked, narrowing his eyes at his advisor.

"Absolutely not. I would be honored by your presence."

"Good. Be ready to answer all my questions in regards to this little arrangement."

"I will be. Is there anything else you wish to discuss before I take my leave?"

"As a matter of fact, there is. Please be seated."

Lord Gustafson nervously took a seat in front of King Alesi. Lord Gustafson was unnerved by how calm King Alesi appeared. Was this a setup? Would guards unexpectedly burst into the room and drag him to the dungeon kicking and screaming?

"I want to discuss the blood donor shortage."

Lord Gustafson let out a subtle sigh of relief. "Right. This is purely conjecture, but we believe the donors are being convinced or coached to not participate."

King Alesi furrowed his thick eyebrows in confusion. "Expound."

"We managed to interview several of their donors regarding their reasoning, and they simply said they didn't wish to participate. We suggested pay increases, and they flat out denied it."

"That's very peculiar. These donors' livelihoods depend on payment in exchange for blood. How are they feeding their families otherwise?"

 "That is the question. This leads me to believe they are finding work elsewhere, someone is paying them to NOT donate, or we will soon be facing an uprising. Not to mention this is happening around the same time as vampire-hunter-related deaths," Lord Gustafson explained.  

"So...we have two culprits; the wolves or the hunters. Perhaps, they are working together. I look forward to our visit to Moonshire."