Year 1771.
a woman sat crossed legged with her eyes shut as she shook her head from one shoulder to another. Her whispered chants echoed ominously through the small, stone cave. the only source of light were the strange green flames lit in front of her casting eerie shadows over her white hair and wrinkled, old skin.
Suddenly, she went quiet and her eyes snapped open. The Princess, already spooked by the grim atmosphere, got startled when the witch grabbed her hand as her lips moved soundlessly in a rush like the wings of huming bird. Thia, her lady in waiting, grasped the princess cloak in caution, ready to drag the ostinate royal out if the stupid witch tried to do something funny yet, when she met the princess dilated pupil's her grip faltered and she swallowed audibly.
It was still hard to digest that her innocent lady who wouldn't even think about harming a fly would...
If the world got the wind of it...
she shook her head vehemently.
she didn't even want to think about it consequences!
All of a sudden, black smoke began to rise from the fire and when it turned into crisp, damp air of the cave, a tiny emerald appeared out of nowhere. the witch took it in her palm, her lips still chanting a spell and then blew over it. the stone shone a bright green, it's rays so sharp that Thia had to shield her eyes with her sleeves and then it went back to a dull emerald.
The witch handed it to princess and the movement it made contact with her skin, she felt that unusual, untameble strength ebbing away from her and she began to feel once again like a normal human. like she used to be and she sucked in a deep breath of relief.
She turned to her maid who gave her a small, encouraging smile yet, it didn't reach her eyes and her heart almost crushed with a sudden wave of sadness as she felt a little flame of fear flicker in Thia's eyes.
"This stone is a charm protected by the midnight magic. only I can undo it unless, someone gets their hands on it's spell recipe." the witch explained, her voice throaty and rough, "Remember girl, as long as you have this stone on you, no one would be ever able to unmask you and see what lays behind. Not even the Pure bloodied Lords of the Valashka." she cackled. Witches had been at odds against the vampires for centuries now...to think that a witch was capable of one upping them brought a thrill of gloating satisfaction. it made her feel as if she was one step ahead of her mortal enemy and she grinned at princess who eyed her back suspiciously.
"If this charm didn't work or you tried to play a dirty trick with me witch, I don't need to remind you that I will have this mountain flattened to ground by the next rise of the sun." she simmered as she stood up and covered her face with the good of her cloak. The old witch didnt seemed offended by her threat and she shrugged.
"I give you my word, girl. It will work." Princess Delnaey wanted to tell her that the word of witches were unholy and she didn't trust her one bit, but the continuous, tugging of her arm had her biting her tongue for the sake of Thia.
as she turned around, ready to leave this stuffy, hell hole of a cave the witch called after her.
"Wait!."
Delaney glanced at her from over her shoulder and jerked her chin to hurry.
"Dont forget the favour you promised." The witch's eyes gleamed as if Delaney's visit has somehow benefited her more than her and she tried to ignore the bout of unease that shot through her.
As long as she can hide her secret.
A few days passed by in which Princess Delnaey made the excuse of sickness to explain the sudden sacredness of her presence and luckily, no one really question her. Accept, she received hundreds of letters from the noble women from every corner of Kalash. seemed like news really travelled fast, Delaney scoffed inwardly as a maid painted her toe nails a dark shade.
It was red.
Her face fell and suddenly she seemed to be out of breath.
"Change the colour." She ordered through clenched teeth and the maid Raised her head in confusion.
"But Your Royal Highness, thats your favourite-"
"They change. favourites." the Maid didn't dare question the Princess and obediently removed the red and replaced it by a nude shade, thinking the Princess would prefer a lighter shade today and really, the Princess gave her a nod of her approval the maid bowed and scurried away in a flash and Thia arrived by the door, a smile on her ruddy cheeks.
"Did you get it?" Delaney asked to which Thia revealed a small black velvet box.
"Show me." she ordered and watched as Thia hesitated slightly before wrenching open the box. Inside lay a thin ring made from gold and if one looked close enough, they could spot that tough intricate design of royal emblem of Kalash on the band. on the centre sat a a familiar square shaped emerald adorned by three sparkly gems on either side. it was a beautiful ring. heavy and expensive like many of her jewellery. emerald was already considered a charm for good luck and many aristocrats included it in their jewellery so it was safe to say that no one sound ever suspect of it being more than an adorning of her hands. but if was the lingering fear at the back of her mind that wouldn't let rest in ease and would constantly remind her that people will find her new ring suspicious and they will ask questions , when it was nothing more than a simple ring. If one had a heavy secret weighing on their shoulders like hers, they adopt the tendencies of over paranoid.
She slipped the ring on her middle finger, immediately feeling the effects deep in her soul. Guess, the witch lucked out here!
"My Princess, are you okay?" Thia asked in a soft voice and Delaney smiled bitterly.
Was she okay?
Did she felt the disgusting blood lust to satiate her over whelming thirst?
Did she want to let those hideous canines protrude against her lips to suck the life out of Thia?
"You mean if I feel like a monster? the answer is No. I feel happy and human, again." Thia eyes widened in apology but someome knocked at the door, interrupting them.
"Come in." Delaney called and the head Chamberlain stepped in, Bowing.
"My royal princess, his royal highness the crown prince has demanded your presence in his study."
"Well, what does he want?" Delaney tone lacked any respect as she refered to the crown prince as 'he' instead of his respected title and the Chamberlain's lips thinned.
"You Wil have to find out, Princess."