I yet again found myself wandering through the corridors; lost in my own thoughts. Flashes of my conversation with Lauriel replayed over and over in my head. Who knows? Oh I think she does... I rolled my eyes, maybe she would just forget about it completely and never, ever, ever, ever...bring the subject up again. I smiled at that thought but then dismissed it as an option, even though I was seeing the new side of Lauriel it didn’t mean she didn’t have a plan already.
Feeling curious, I opened a window and looked out; Keilor was out training the men again. Gosh, what was new? Them learning ballet? I couldn’t help that I was literally bored out of my mind. What was I suppose to do? Join the men and roll around in dirt under the sun? Or sip tea and listen to gossip all day?
What I needed was a hobby. Something to keep myself pre-occupied...otherwise I was sure I was going to go mental in this place. That’s when it hit me. I laughed freely skipping down to the training grounds.
As I stepped out into the training ground area, I looked around and saw Keilor move so quickly I thought he was a cheetah. He took down 10 men in the time it took me to take a breath. That was scary. I shook my head as I slowly walked over to him.
“That’s not good enough. How will you ever be warriors if you can’t use teamwork?” Keilor asked, his hands on his hips in an authoritive manner. I stood in the shade not to far away listening for a moment. It was the first time I’d seen him train or teach. It was kind of aweing. Just like that, men charged at Keilor once more and in an instant...they were taken down and Keilor looked disappointed. “Take a break. Come back when you learn teamwork.” He sighed, dismissing him. He mumbled to himself as he walked over to the fountain, scooping water into his hands he splashed his face. I walked over to him holding a towel.
“Here.” I said, he took it and wiped his face clean dry.
“What are you doing here?” He asked curiously.
“What? Am I that good of a spy? You didn’t notice me watching in the shade?” I asked curiously. He chuckled and only shrugged his shoulders, taking a long sip of water from his cup.
“I was...thinking of going to the Market Gatherings.” I blurted out and Keilor spat out the water and wiped the dripplets from his chin with the back of his hand.
“You were...what? After what happened to you last time? You would sti-” He flamed furious and in the heat of the sun even I couldn’t handle it.
“I hurt those men. Did I kill them?” I asked, it had been on my mind but when was the right time to bring it up? What if I was a killer? I didn’t even remember it. I mean, what if this had happened back on Earth? I’d be in jail for being a murderer.
Murderer.
The word whispered into my mind and I felt guilty instantly, I mean I would say I’m sorry. But what could I say sorry for? Sorry I think I almost killed you but I don’t remember anything?
“They deserved what they recieved for harming you.” Keilor said, his eyes narrowing as he twirled his cup within his fingers.
“What...if I lose control here in the castle? I could really hurt someone...” I whispered. Images of dead bodies laying before me entered my mind making me shudder, was I really capable of doing something so evil and so horrible? It was like I could see myself in black and white covered in blood, murderer whispering over and over again in my mind.
“You won’t April. Don’t think about it.” He said shaking his head, he stood up and stretched his arms. “I have to get back to training my men.” He said, I nodded my head and began to take my leave. “But April...” He called just before I left. I turned around.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“If you ever feel like you’re in trouble or you’re going to lose control. Call me and I will come. I will let nothing harm you. Even yourself.” He smiled. I smiled back, feeling a little more relived. He walked away towards the men that awaited him; I watched his students for a moment. Their eyes were filled with respect and honour, it made me smile, they all respected Keilor.
“Hey, wait! Can I go or not?” I called towards Keilor, he didn’t even turn around but I could tell he was smirking.
“No.” He called back, I stuck my tongue out at him like a child even though he couldn’t see. He let out a laugh and I blushed walking away stubbornly.
~~
Tonight would be Xavious’ last meal with us. He was needed back at his own Kingdom and had to take his leave. I checked my reflection in the mirror; I was going to just wear track pants and a tank top as I usually did but I thought since it was a somewhat occasion I should at least make an effort so much as to not look like a hobo. Not just because Lauriel told me I should dress nice. She had an announcement to make.
I was wearing a white laced dress, the straps were made of rose lace which overlapped my dress, the sash was made of sky blue silk and fell just before my knees. I twisted my hair up and into a bun and I put on a necklace. I slipped on a pair of white wedge shoes and I felt the look was complete. Anda growled in affection before jumping up and sitting on my shoulder, I smiled at him; he only licked my neck making me giggle.
There was a calm knock at my door and I walked over to it, opening it. No one stood there, I blinked serveral times...I was pretty sure someone knocked on my door...I poked my head out and saw no one.
“Anyone there?” I called unsure. No one replied me and I felt a chill run up and down my spine. It seemed like a bad omen of some kind.
“Expecting me to show up?” I turned to the left to see Keilor standing there in his usual royal uniform with his hands in his pocket cooly.
“Haha.” I said dryly rolling my eyes. “That wasn’t a funny joke. You almost scared me.” I said touching my heart for a moment before closing my door behind me without looking back.
“What joke?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. I narrowed my eyes at him and puffed my cheeks for a moment.
“You knocked on my door just now right? Before you ‘just showed up.’” I said using air quotes and he shook his head.
“Your room is on the way to the dining hall. I was just walking past on my way there. I assure you dear princess, I did not knock on your door. I saw you already looking into the corridor as I came.” He said. I stared at him for a moment...he didn’t seem to be lying. Then who knocked on my door? A shudder ran up my spine...a ghost? A monster? I shook my head. Forget it! I’ll just scare myself!
I won’t admit it to anyone but I was a big scaredy cat. The orphanage had alot of scary sounds; the tree branches used to hit my window making that odd and scary screetchy sound and I swear I could feel someone watching me.
Keilor opened the door for me and I entered into the dining hall, everyone already there as usual and I took my seat across from Keilor with Lauriel on my left and Jasa on my right.
“You look stunning.” Jasa whispered to me, making me blush, I wasn’t used to sibling compliments but it was nice. Dinner was as usual the time, with polite conversation; but with the unusual soft giggles from Lauriel. I smiled, she was finally happy and I liked the calm quiet side of her. It was a nice relax from her over the top wanting to control everyone personality. It also stopped her from needlessly flirting with Keilo- I choked on my water as I thought of this making me cough several times.
“Sister dear, are you alright?” Jasa asked concerned I patted my chest for a moment let out a big sigh.
“I’m okay.” I said with a sheepish smile.
“Oh, yes. That does remind me April.” Lauriel said excitedly as she turned to me. She was smiling at me with enlightenment which scared me slightly but I smiled back at her. We were over the games and lies, we were friends now. “Now, the announcement I wanted to make tonight was about the bet we made.” She said seriously this time. I looked around the table where everyone was staring.
“What bet?” Seth asked curiously; he stared at me with a curious twinkle in his eye.
“Ar-are you sure...you want to tell me this now?” I stuttered; I felt embarrassed that I had one; lost and two; she was announcing here! Where everyone was listening and witnessing it.
“Well, yes. That’s the whole point. The truth is only as strong as those who witness it.” She said staring deep into my eyes and all I could do was nod. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
OH BOY. OH BOY. OH BOY O BOY O BOY O BOY O!!!!!!
“Maybe we should do this later.” I said trying to avoid the subject by stabbing a green vegetable and stuffing it into my mouth. The crunch of it was loud as everyone was silent waiting for Lauriel to continue.
“Anyway, originally when I thought about winning this bet I was going to have you court Lorbo.” She giggled.
“Who is Lorbo?” I asked.
“Oh, he is the town drunk, idiot and homeless man.” She finished and I stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Originally! Originally! Now...Things have changed. We have done -what I thought was impossible...we have become friends,” She smiled at me for a moment as I slowly chewed my vegetable. “and as your friend, there is no way I would let you court Lorbo. Instead, upon our chat the other day I come up with something even greater.” She said with a little squeal. I swallowed my vegetable but it wouldn’t go down so I quickly gulped my water. “The man that you will court will be the man you kiss.” She said with a wink. I stared at her with my mouth open.
“The man I kiss?” I asked. She was joking right?
“The man you kiss, or if he kisses you...and you feel the feeling here.” She touched the place her heart was. “That will be the man you court.”
Her words seemed to not only echo though my mind but through the walls of the dining hall. I sat there comtemplating for a moment, the table was silent as I twirled a spoon in my fingers. Feeling it in my heart? What did that even mean? I noticed the silence began to drag out and I snapped out of it feeling the awkwardness.
CHANGE OF SUBJECT NOW!
“Hey Jasa, can I go to the Market Gathering?” I asked tugging on the sleeve of her dress like a little child, she stared at me and I realized I liked having a family. Jasa had a mothering quality that made me feel like I’d been part of it all along.
“I already said no. It’s too dangerous.” Keilor said butting in and I glared at him. Jasa looked at Marath for a moment before his eyes twinkled.
“How am I going to learn about this world if I don’t actually get to see more of it? I can’t read what I see from books.” I said with a frown. That, and I need to get out of the castle for a while...
“This time of year is more dangerous April.” Jasa said. Uh oh. She called me by my actual name...it means she’s serious.
“What’s so dangerous about it?” I asked, it was no big deal. It was probably just because I was asking...
“It’s almost time for our feeding season.” Knight D said cutting his steak he brought it to his mouth and thats when I saw the little pointy fangs beginning to grow longer.
“Feeding season?” I asked running my hand through my hair. Everyone was silent for a moment.
“Vampires have seasons where they seek blood. We don’t feast every day or night. This season lasts for a week and in that time we lose sight and control over our instincts.” Keilor said, I stared at him for a moment my hand unconsciously touching the nape of my neck where his fang marks had just disappeared. I remembered the sensation and the feeling, it was painful.
“The week leading up to our feeding season; we are weaker than normal. We’re vulnerable at this time of year and it is the only time we are vulnerable.” Marath said his eyes narrowing in on the wood of the table.
A memory flashed in my mind causing me to laugh until I clunched my stomach in pain as everyone watched curiously; by now I think they were used to my random bursts of emotion.
“Oh my tummy!” I groaned. “Keilor, do you remember when we first met?” I chuckled, he smirked at me.
“How could I forget? You insisted that I was going to eat you!” He chuckled, it made everyone laugh along as well.
“So...what kind of blood is it that feast on?” I asked curiously.
“Animal.” Seth said so fast it was almost as if he was hiding something. I only nodded my head.
“Ah...” Was all I really had to say.
“I believe it is time we retired for the night.” Jasa said standing, everyone rose off their seats and began to leave. I took this as my leave as well and left; returning to my room. I kicked off my shoes and put them away changing into a pair of silk shorts and one of Matt’s old t shirts I still had. It still smelled like him; but I didn’t miss him. Not after what he’d done to me-or tried to do to me.
I combed my hair and turned off the lights slipping into bed; I couldn’t help but feel like something or someone was watching me. I felt the shudders run up and down my spine and I snuggled deeper into the covers but it wasn’t working. I felt too scared to sleep on my own. I slipped on my slippers and opened the door to my room and slipped down the corridor without anyone noticing.
I paced outside Keilor’s door for a moment the light was still on which means he had to be awake right? Com on April! Have some courage! I growled at myself and timidly knocked on the door; then I proceeded to stand there like an idiot for a moment as only silence stood next to me. Then the door opened slowly and Keilor stood there his hair dripping wet and he only had a towel wrapped around his waist loosely.
So loosely...
I couldn’t help but just take in the sight for a moment, it was a god made sight. Keilor smirked and I stubbornly refused to let my eyes drift anymore.
“Can I assist you in any way April?” He asked leaning down to me. I shyly looked away for a moment.
“Can...I maybe stay here for a while?” I whispered, I snuck a peek at Keilor’s expression and he only smiled at me letting me in.
“Not in that shirt. I don’t like that smell." He said throwing me a loose white silk shirt, I turned my back and replaced Matt’s old t shirt with his then took a seat on his bed while he walked back into his bathroom. I stared at the huge wooden rectangular box with a strange symbol drawn on it in the middle of his room. If I recall this wasn’t here before... Keilor came out wearing a pair of black silk pants and that was it. His hair was still dripping from his shower.
“Like what you see?” He asked with a smirk and I rolled my eyes at him making a gagging sound.
“You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry your hair.” I muttered.
“April, love. I’m a vampire I don’t catch colds. I catch princesses instead.” He joked sitting down on the bed next to me. I rolled my eyes grabbing a towel, I put it over his head and began to towel dry his hair for him.
“ALL BETTER!” I said, taking the towel away to see his hair had become knotted and messy. He raised his eyebrow at me before running his fingers through it to smooth it out.
“So what brings you here at this time of night? Afraid of monsters in your room? Or is the mysterious knock, knocking on your door again?” He mocked.
“It feels like someone watching me. I don’t like it.” I said, Keilor was silent for a moment. I was expecting him to comment on how childish I must have sounded. “So,” I said breaking the silence. “What’s with the big box?” I asked with a tilt of my head.
“A week leading into the feeding season we sleep in those boxes.” He explained leaning against the walll.
“Why?” I asked him curiously. I wanted to take my mind off the feeling I was being watched.
“Protection.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Mighty Keilor needs protection?” I mocked gasped.
“You do. Protection from us.”
“Hah! You know you’re talking to The Empress of Lightning!” I said.
“Yes I do realize I am talking to her.” He chuckled.
“I know, I’ll protect you tonight.” I said. “I’ll sleep in the bed you sleep in the box and that way nothing will happen to you.” I joked and he only smiled at me.
“You have yourself a deal.” He said.
We talked for a little while until it became late and I figured it was a good time to go to sleep. But first I wanted a drink, I told Keilor to go to sleep first I just wanted a drink. I walked to the dining hall kitchen and poured myself a drink and sat down at the counter for a moment. Feel it here...I touched my heart thinking about it. Was it even possible? It was a kiss...just a simple kiss.
“My, can’t sleep?” I looked up to see Xavious sitting across from me on the bench.
“Thirsty. You?” I asked, his eyes were glowing in the dark.
“Hungry.” He said making me tense slightly.
“Right. Are you taking Lauriel with you back to the Northern Lands?” I asked.
“No, she will stay and complete her Ledettship, then I will come back for her. She’ll become my queen.” He said staring out the window for a moment.
“I’m happy she found happiness.” I said with a smile curling to my lips.
“There is something I’d like to tell you before I leave. I believe everyone may have neglected to mention it to you.” He said.
“Which is?” I asked.
“Becareful whom you kiss.” He said his face frowning.
“What...do you mean?” I asked, his eyes were glowing seriously in the Night Moon’s light.
“Lightning is not a Vampire element. It’s a Kiarian element. We share this world with them, the world is split. There are reasons why we hate Kiarians, why we are at war with them.” Xavious said, I was silent for a moment.
“I don’t understand what that has to do with me.” I whispered.
“The Vampire Elements; the ones we can control are: fire, water, shadow and earth. The Kiarian Elements; the ones they control are: ice, wind, light and lightning. You inherited this gift of lightning. You propose threats to us because of your element. More importantly and specific to you; you have an ability to attract. You draw the vampires closer to you. You must be careful to think whether the man is in love with you or just attracted to you.” He said. He took my hand and I felt the static as we touched.
“See? The feeling, you create that.” I was silent, so everything may have been a lie. I thought of Knight D, Seth and Keilor. Did they love me or were they just attracted to me?
“One more thing I should warn you of.” He paused to stand up to take his leave. “During feeding season; some instincts are so strong they resemble other people. Remember that.” I wanted to ask him what he meant but he left straight away. I sat there for another minute or two contemplating.
What was it really? Real? Or fake? I clenched my fist feeling the tingling errupt all over my skin.
I dismissed the thoughts away and returned to Keilor’s room the light was still on as I entered but Keilor was not in sight, instead a little alarm clock sat ontop of the wooden box. I turned off the light and jumped into Keilor’s bed.
“Goodnight Keilor.” I said to the box that lay in the Moon’s light.
“Night princess, be ready for an early morning awake.” He called from the box. I turned over to stare at the closed lid.
“For what?” I asked.
“We’re going to the market gathering.” He said. I smiled at the closed lid of the box. Then I frowned, how do you feel about me Keilor?
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Yes, I know I haven't been updating in a while! But - I've finished writing all the chapters to this story, so unfortunately or fortunately it will end soon. In 3 more chapters...so BE PREPARED! (: