Forbidden Seductions

Chapter-2

As the first rays of the morning sun painted the sky, I stirred from my slumber, awakening to the delightful melody of birdsong. Drawing open the heavy curtains, I peered out the window, observing the people of my kingdom already immersed in their daily tasks. The events of the previous night swirled in my mind, leaving me pondering the perception my subjects held of me. Did they truly fear and despise their queen?

Abruptly, a forceful knock resounded, jolting me from my thoughts. "Enter," I commanded, my voice laced with authority.

Valaris, my steadfast first-in-command, strode into the room with a respectful bow. His presence exuded loyalty, and I knew I could trust him with my life. Valaris possessed an imposing figure, his strong, muscular frame accentuated by a chiseled jawline and piercing yellow eyes that seemed to penetrate through any deceit.

"Good morning, my lady," he greeted me.

"Good morning, Val," I greeted him, nodding back to him and maintaining an air of reality.

"How many times do I have to remind you that you can call me by my name in private?" I reminded him, and my lips curled into a sly smile.

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of playfulness. Yet Valaris remained undeterred in his respect for me, addressing me in a manner befitting a queen.

"But I need to tell you something very important. I'll be in the throne room; come as soon as you finish with your daily chores," he disclosed with urgency.

Determined to know the matter at hand, I pressed him for an immediate answer: "Tell me now, what is it?"

Valaris' eyes held a sense of caution as he replied, "Not here; the best place to discuss is the throne room."

My heart quickened at the enigmatic nature of his words, but I retained my composure.

"Very well, I'll be in the throne room in an hour. You may leave now," I instructed, dismissing him with a graceful gesture.

After a swift and refreshing bath, I adorned myself in a resplendent black velvet gown embroidered with pearls. The maids tended to my long, dark hair, brushing it and placing my crown on my head. As I descended into the throne room, a wave of anticipation surged through me. My gait was commanding, projecting an air of regal authority, just as I loved. As I entered the majestic chamber, the grand gates recognized my presence, opening in reverence to their sovereign. All those present, filled with respect and fear, immediately knelt before me, acknowledging my presence.

Seated upon the ornate throne, I addressed the assembly, my voice resounding with authority.

"You all may rise," I declared, my tone unwavering.

Valaris then approached with two men, and I inquired, What was so urgent that required my immediate response, Valeris?"

Valaris spoke with unwavering loyalty: "My queen, these are two of my spies I sent to the kingdom of l'Essaim. One of them was the king's personal slave; the other worked as a servant."

Their mission concerned the vampire kingdom, a realm of danger and treachery. My resolve stiffened, and my posture was unyielding. Valaris continued, "What they have heard, they will tell you themselves."

The first man, appearing no older than twenty, spoke with a quivering voice, "My queen, two full moons ago, I was cruelly beaten and thrown into the dungeon. Upon regaining consciousness, I was confronted with a haunting sight: a group of innocent faeries, bound and mercilessly slashed as if their lives held no value."

A surge of anger and indignation coursed through me, my eyes ablaze with fury. Though I was feared for my unyielding nature, I was not heartless. This kingdom was my realm to protect, and I would not tolerate such heinous acts committed against its inhabitants. My strength lay not in inflicting harm but in safeguarding the innocent from malevolence.

The man's trembling voice continued, "My queen, as my sight cleared, I beheld a woman I recognized. Though my certainty wavers, she bore a resemblance to Lady Manodia."

My heart sank at the mention of Manodia, Evan's wife and the twin's mother, who had been like a sister to me. Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of her suffering, but I concealed them beneath her regal facade.

I recall the gruesome scene of Manodia's lifeless body, which haunts me to this day. Her once radiant spirit was now extinguished most horrifyingly. The sight of her crushed head, violated body, and mutilated tongue and throat is etched into my memory like a never-fading scar. I was just a 16-year-old girl then, and my innocent mind couldn't fathom the cruelty that existed in this world. That day, my tears flowed endlessly, as if trying to cleanse the darkness that had engulfed me.

Even after five long years, the memory remains vivid, sending shivers down my spine whenever I dare to recall it. My grief, anger, and hatred toward the perpetrators consume me, but I force myself to appear composed and in control.

With eyes turned black out of rage, I faced Valaris and the spies, trying to channel my emotions into something purposeful. My voice, though calm, carried an underlying intensity.

"If what you say is true, then those leeches will pay the ultimate price. They have taken away the only family I had left, my precious childhood, and now they dare to continue destroying those I hold dear."

My heart pounded in my chest as I spoke, a mix of sorrow and fury intertwining within me. The pain of losing Manodia and the knowledge that she suffered such a gruesome fate unleashed a storm of emotions. Yet, as their queen, I knew I had to be the embodiment of strength and authority.

The darkness that had been plaguing me found a purpose. These vampires had crossed a line that demanded retribution, and I was determined to deliver it with all the power at my disposal.

"Prepare the armies," I commanded Valaris, my voice unwavering. "We will strike at the heart of l'Essaim, and they shall know the fury of the Dark Fae Queen. No one defies me and lives to tell the tale."

As I uttered those words, a newfound determination settled over me. The cold, calculating ruler within me was ready to exact justice upon those who dared to bring harm to my kingdom and my loved ones. They would learn that crossing Althea came at a deadly cost.

The atmosphere in the council chamber was tense as the second spy, respectful but concerned, addressed me, saying, "My queen, there is more that I must share. I have lived among those disgusting creatures for a century and hold valuable information."

I nodded, signaling him to continue.

"The last king, Evan, was assassinated by someone from their own royal family, though identifying the culprit remains elusive," he revealed.

My heart sank at the thought of my dear brother's tragic fate, but I composed myself and asked, "What else do you know about their actions?"

He hesitated, then continued, "They have enslaved countless slaves from neighboring kingdoms, using their seductive powers to overpower them willingly."

The seriousness of his words weighed heavily on me, and I inquired about their alliances with other supernatural beings.

"They have forged powerful connections with werewolves and witches through cunning and persuasion," he explained.

I absorbed this information, contemplating our next move. "What are our chances in a confrontation?" I asked, trying to calculate the potential risks.

"Engaging them directly might lead to unfavorable outcomes, given their formidable strength," he warned cautiously.

As I absorbed his words, the council members began to share their thoughts. Each voice brought forth a distinct perspective, and I listened intently, acknowledging their counsel. I realized the complexity of our predicament.

I declared firmly, "We shall protect our kingdom from harm and manipulation. We must find a way to strike at their hearts while safeguarding our own."

The council members nodded in agreement, understanding the weight of our decision. The spy seemed hesitant, hinting at more knowledge.

"Is there more you wish to share?" I inquired, sensing there was more to reveal.

He hesitated briefly before replying, "My queen, there are secrets, but I fear the disclosure may unleash greater complexities."

As the council session concluded, I could sense that the spy desired a private conversation. With a firm yet gracious tone, I announced, "The court is adjourned for today. Any decisions I make will be announced tomorrow. Until then, address all other matters with the members of the higher council. Avalon has always upheld its governance, even in my absence. The six council members shall deliberate and act on my behalf."

As the attendees respectfully bowed and departed, the two spies, Valaris and I, remained in the throne room. My gaze fell upon Valaris, who stood by my side as a pillar of loyalty and trust.

Addressing the spy, I gestured for him to speak his mind, saying, "What is it that you wish to bring before me?"

His demeanor was filled with a mix of nervousness and urgency, and he began, "My queen, there are matters of great concern that need your immediate attention."

I leaned forward, my eyes locking with his, encouraging him to continue. "Speak freely," I said, "for I value your insights."

He took a deep breath before revealing, "My queen, I fear there are those within the council who may not be as loyal as they appear.

Whispers of discontent have reached my ears, and I believe there may be schemes to undermine your authority."

My expression hardened as I absorbed his words, my intuition urging me to remain vigilant. "Tell me more," I urged, my voice commanding yet tinged with concern.

He hesitated for a moment before elaborating, "There have been secret meetings and coded messages exchanged among certain council members. Though I cannot ascertain their exact intentions, it is evident they seek to weaken your rule and sow seeds of discord."

Anger stirred within me, but I suppressed it, focusing on gathering all the information. "Do you have any names or evidence to substantiate these claims?" I asked, my voice steady.

The spy nodded, handing over a sealed parchment. "Here is the evidence I've gathered so far," he said. "I shall continue to monitor their activities and report back to you."

"Thank you for your diligence," I acknowledged, a sense of urgency rising within me. "We must act swiftly and decisively to preserve the stability of our kingdom."

Valaris stepped forward, his tone resolute: "I shall increase the security measures, my queen, and ensure that our borders remain impenetrable."

I nodded, appreciating his dedication. "Inform the higher council members about this potential threat," I instructed. "We must fortify our defenses and be prepared for any challenge."

The spy interjected, "My queen, I also request permission to discreetly investigate further to uncover the full extent of this conspiracy."

"You have my permission," I declared, "but be cautious and gather allies you can trust."

As the weight of the situation settled upon us, I knew that the days ahead would test us all. Emotions ran high, but our resolve was unwavering. With Valaris and the spy at my side, I was determined to safeguard my kingdom and confront any dangers that loomed in the shadows.

Everybody left the throne room, leaving me all by myself. I sat on my throne, thinking about what I could do to get what I wanted, when I suddenly felt an odd sensation enveloping me—an almost familiar ghostly presence near my armrest. A swirling darkness emerged, shrouding the staircase that led to my seat of power. Black smoke billowed, and ominous shadows loomed over me. The shadows seemed to whisper and roar with deep voices, addressing me, "We see, my lady, how even your people conspire against you, forming alliances with your enemies. But they tremble in fear of the dark magic you wield, unlike them. The spy spoke the truth. Directly attacking the leeches is not a simple option."

Interrupting their ominous message, I declared, "Save your breath, Alator. I am well aware of the situation. Tell me instead how I can exact my revenge and rescue my sister-in-law from those malevolent creatures."

Alator, the ghostly presence, chuckled softly before responding, "Patience, my queen. I am not here to add to your worries; rather, I am trying to alleviate them. I have devised a master plan, but I implore you not to render me to ashes or condemn me to death." His words evoked a mixture of curiosity and caution in me. I considered Alator's proposal, intrigued yet cautious of the dangers that lay ahead.

I replied, "Share your sly plans, Alator. I need to know every detail."

Alator, with a mysterious glint in his dark eyes, responded, "These are plans you would never have imagined, my queen."

He began to explain, with a smirk forming on his lips. "To overcome your rivals, you must exploit their weaknesses. The leeches' unending hunger for power and control blinds them, and it is within this blindness that we shall find our opportunity."

Curious, I asked, "What do you propose?"