Chapter Eleven
The next several days passed in a blur of excitement. Eirian showed me everything about her kingdom; secret passages into the castle, the far fields where food was grown, small exterior villages, and I even saw my first troll. That was exciting—for me, even though she called them ugly, distasteful creatures that no one should ever be excited over.
The Fae did have horses after all—fine specimens that were used in the flat lands where the food was grown. I could've spent the whole day just inspecting their stock. Eirian teased me, saying she never knew she would have to compete with a horse for my affection. I just laughed and continued looking—wondering if the king would one day allow me to work out here with them. I knew Eirian said I didn't need to work, but I wanted to. I missed it. I enjoyed it.
The only time we stopped our explorations was to eat and to make wild, passionate love together. Being so free with someone like this was invigorating and refreshing. She allowed me to feed from her often—in short delicious bursts—and on occasion she drank from me as well.
We'd been together seven days now, life was wonderful, and I couldn't be happier. Today she was showing me where the boundaries of Faery met my world and where safe passages could be found in between both places during the Midsummer's eve.
If I were being truthful, I wasn't paying much attention to the things she was telling me, instead allowing my gaze to drift over her beautiful form and the way her hair blew in the soft breeze. I knew I'd never tire of looking at her. She was the most stunning woman I'd ever seen.
She paused and turned to look at me with a smile, but I could tell it didn't reach her eyes. They looked sad, almost mournful.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
She nodded. "I'm just tired. Why don't we sit and rest for a spell under this tree?"
I placed my hand on the small of her back, helping her to sit before I joined her.
"If you're tired, let's return to the castle after you've rested. There's no need for you to show me every bit of Faery right this minute. We have a lifetime to explore together."
She looked away, but I could see the tears in her eyes. She was blinking rapidly, trying to keep them from falling over the red-rimmed edges.
"Eirian. Talk to me. Something is wrong and I need to know what it is, so I can help." I placed my finger under her chin and turned her face toward me.
Her bottom lip quivered. "Just kiss me, Bran."
I did. It was one of the easiest things for me to do. I needed her, wanted her. She was as essential to me as air. My hands tangled into her hair, pulling her closer, and she shifted so she was straddling my legs.
She broke away. The tears streamed steadily down her face and she took a big breath.
"Bran, look at me."
I locked gazes with her—unable to pull away.
"I love you. I will always love you, and on some subconscious level, I hope you will remember that. I'm setting you free, returning you to the life you had before."
I wanted to scream out and tell her to stop, but I was unable to speak.
"You don't remember, but you asked me to enchant you once more so you could live out the last days of your life happily. You made me promise I would help you do what was best. Well, this is what is best. I can't live knowing my actions would've caused your death. So I'm returning you to your people.
"You will not remember anything about your stay in Faery. You will remember nothing of me, or your child. The only memories you will retain are those regarding your condition as a Vampire. You will need to feed regularly and can do so from the blood of animals to help protect those you love. Keep drinking your honey mead. There are properties in it that will help dampen your blood cravings."
Don't do this! I shouted at her mentally. Please! Don't leave me!
If she could hear me, she made no notice.
"Be strong, Bran. You can still have that life you dreamed of with Ceridwen. You just need to stay in control of yourself."
She was sobbing, and I could tell it was hard for her to continue. I could feel my own tears leaking down my face, and I wanted to lift my hand and cover her mouth to stop her words.
"As of this moment, our bond is broken. I release you from all vows."
She took my face in her hands and kissed me, her lips trembling as she did so. I fought the sleepiness that threatened to overwhelm me, clinging to her until I couldn't resist it any longer, before finally giving in to the darkness.
Dawn was creeping over the horizon when I opened my eyes. I glanced around warily, finding that I was still leaning up against the tree in the glen. Fergus had been right. There were no such things as Fae. He would probably laugh when I told him about my wasted evening.
It hadn't truly been wasted though. I was never one to complain of spending a beautiful night outdoors. I loved sleeping under a moonlit sky.
I slid my hand up to rub the crick in my neck and paused when it came to rest against something cold and metal. Looking down, I discovered a chain hanging with a charm resting against my chest. I lifted and observed it closer, seeing it was a finely crafted ornament of the moon and stars.
A chill settled over me. This object was not mine. I'd never seen it before. My initial reaction was to cast it from me, but when I started to take it off I was suddenly loathe to do so. Instead I grasped it tightly as I glanced around the glen, scouring the tree line for any movements. I wondered if someone was playing a joke on me.
"Hello?" I called out, listening intently for any other sounds, but only the whisper of an early morning breeze greeted me.
I climbed to my feet, bracing myself against the tree as a moment of dizziness washed over me. I tried to walk away but stumbled to my right. Grabbing another tree, I paused.
Something was off. I was changed, different, only I couldn't remember what had happened, no matter how hard I tried. I studied my hands before running them over my face. I felt the same on the outside, but inside I was altered.
A small rabbit darted in front of me and froze. I could hear its pulse from where I sat. The longer I watched, the louder the sound became, until it felt like it was screaming. My mouth watered, and suddenly I was very thirsty.
The rabbit bounded away as I lunged for it, but I was faster, grabbing and bringing it to my face. I inhaled its scent and felt a strange sensation in my mouth. My teeth began to lengthen, and I bit into the animal as it squirmed, trying to escape.
I held tighter, drinking, devouring the blood that welled up and pulsed into me. It was delicious, salty, yet sweet somehow, and the more I consumed, the more power and energy I felt coursing through me. I continued to drink heartily, and I felt the life of the creature slowly begin to ebb away.
That was when the realization of what I was doing hit me. I cried out, releasing the rabbit in horror, watching as it fell lifelessly to the ground.
Vampire. I was a Vampire.
I staggered backward, glancing around. How was this even possible?
My breathing was ragged as I looked around again for any signs of life. There was no way I'd been alone last night. Someone must've taken me—changed me, but I had no memories of any such interaction.
This can't be happening. I must be dreaming, I thought. I pinched myself hard and it was very painful. I closed my eyes, breathing rapidly.
This was real.
A moment of panic overwhelmed me as I thought of my family, and how I might harm them. I felt the need to flee—to run far away and protect them. Almost instantly, a calming influence followed my panic. I didn't know where it came from, but I took a deep breath. There was no need to act rashly, I just needed to try and stay in control.
Control was the key. I took another calming breath, and observed my surroundings. I noticed how everything seemed so crisp and alive. I could see things with a sharpness I'd never experienced—pick out each individual smell from the earth and the vegetation that surrounded me. I marveled over it—amazed by the clarity—and I walked around the glen for a while, studying things in wonder.
I could faintly smell smoke in the air, and I turned toward the village assuming it was from the bonfire celebration. I was eager to make sure Ceridwen and the others were all right—that nothing had happened to them as well.
I took off running, increasing in speed as I went. The scenery whipped by me, and I could feel the wind rippling through my hair from the swiftness at which I raced. I'd never run so fast in my life, yet everything seemed to come with ease now. I tested myself, moving even faster, until the trees around me became a blur. Amazingly my senses were still acutely aware of my surroundings, knowing where every bush, stone, or log lay, and I navigated them easily. The power my body could produce was extremely invigorating, and I laughed with excitement.
A few moments later I was standing near the top of the hill where the bonfire had been earlier. It had burned down to mere embers now, and though most of the people had left the celebration, there were still a few who lingered behind. A handful of men were tending to the extinguishing of the fire, and some of the women were cleaning up the remains of the feast.
Despite all the aromas in the air, my senses clearly settled on the blood that ran inside each of the humans present. It called to me, thrummed out in an intoxicating rhythm. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, determined to stand my ground. I cared about these people. I wouldn't hurt them. Soft footsteps caused me to look again, and I saw Ceridwen approaching, her smile wide in greeting. She'd always smelled good, but now she set my senses on fire. I took a step backward, trying to blend into the tree line. I didn't want to harm her.
"There you are!" she said happily. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come back. I thought I might need to send Fergus to look for you if you didn't show up soon."
"I ... I fell asleep," I stuttered, not sure what else to say and took another step away.
She didn't appear to notice my retreat though, continuing to walk toward me. "So you didn't get to see any of your Fae then?"
"Not that I can remember if I did."
She laughed heartily. "Well, better luck next year, I guess. At least you tried."
I couldn't take my eyes off her, she was prettier than I remembered, and she moved with a natural grace I'd never noticed before. Her hair was brighter too, not just the flat honey color I'd always admired, but mixed up with darker and lighters strands that gave it subtle streaks here and there. It glistened like spun gold in the early morning sun.
"Stop," I said when she was a few steps from me. Even at this distance I could see all the flecks of color in her eyes. "Stay where you are."
She hesitated. "Are you all right, Bran? You look a little pale."
I shook my head. "No. I feel different. Something is wrong. I'm sick I think." She would never believe my preposterous story.
She came to me immediately, brushing her hands over my face, and I sucked in my breath as I fought the urge to bite her. "You don't feel feverish. In fact, you feel a little cool. Did you catch a chill last night?"
"Perhaps." I grabbed her wrists, pulling her hands down. "You should stay away. I don't want you to catch it too." I could feel her strong pulses beating under my fingers, and I wanted to let go, but I couldn't seem to make myself. I was overwhelmed with the need to kiss her—the emotion blooming deep in my chest. I felt like I hadn't seen her in a long, long, time even though it had only been a few hours. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, and ravish her in a way I never had before. I wanted to run away with her, marry her right now and make her mine before anything could ever take her from me.
Desperation coursed through me. How could I keep her and make her mine without ever hurting her? Could I protect her—keep this horrible condition of mine from her? Or would I attack her at the first available opportunity? I was too scared to risk her safety. I released her and stepped beyond her reach.
"I'm thinking maybe I should go somewhere else for a while, Ceridwen."
She looked surprised. "Go where?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe just out to see the world a little, check into other trades that are available."
A puzzled look crossed her face. "Are you sure something didn't happen to you in the woods, Bran? I've never heard you speak of leaving here before. All you've ever said is how much you love this place—how you can't wait to start our life here together."
"I do want that more than anything." I searched my mind, trying to grasp at any thought that would make sense. "What if I need more education or training? I need to be able to support you properly."
She laughed and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around my waist, leaning her head against my chest. "You're the best horseman around—even your father says so. Your knowledge has already helped provide for your family well. Trust me when I say your skills are more than adequate."
I was afraid to put my arms around her, and she noticed, slowly releasing me and stepping away.
"Is there something else you're trying to tell me, Bran? Do you not want me anymore?"
My heart broke over the sorrow on her face. I couldn't take her feeling rejected this way, curses be damned. I growled and grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her even farther into the shadows. All the sounds and scents of the forest disappeared as my lips crushed to hers, my arms pressing her curvy body against mine.
She answered with the same amount of heated passion, throwing her arms around me and kissing me back. It was always this way, like we couldn't get enough of each other—as if we would each consume the other with the flames that licked between us. I longed for her like I'd longed for no other.
I naturally moved from her mouth to bury my face against her throat, feeling her blood pounding there, calling for me to partake. I felt my teeth lengthen against her skin in anticipation of the bite. I inhaled that sweet scent, my mouth watering with longing as I kissed and licked over her skin. I was going to do it. I was going to bite her.
Drink the honey mead.
I had no idea what voice spoke into my head, but I shoved Ceridwen away, stumbling backward in my hurry to put some distance between us. I rushed to a table, grabbed a pitcher that still held mead and downed the contents before I slammed it back to the roughhewn wood. A few people milling about stared at me from their tasks.
I turned to face Ceridwen, lowering my voice. "You need to go home. Lock your door, bar it against me, even."
"What's the matter?" she asked. Her face was flushed, and her hair cascaded wildly about her. She looked wonderful and delicious.
I walked past her, not wanting her to see my fangs.
"Something did happen to me in the woods, something terrible. I don't even know how to tell you about it, because I'm not sure I understand it myself. I don't think you're safe around me. I don't think anyone is."
Her hands slid up my back before resting at my shoulders. She squeezed them slightly. "I'm not really sure what's going on, but I trust you, Bran. I've always felt safe with you. Now come with me. It's clear something is bothering you. We'll find a quiet place and you can tell me what's wrong."
She slipped her hand into mine, tugging it gently as she stepped away. I hesitated only a moment before I moved, following after her as she led me home.