Arabella
Opening my eyes, I felt the world slow down as the room was now dark. I hadn't any idea I had fallen asleep and couldn't remember what day it even was. My mind was fuzzy, as if I had too much to drink the night before. My nursemaid wasn't around and for a moment or two I was glad to be alone, alone with my thoughts.
Attempting to push myself up took a few tries and although a little breathless, I managed to sit up and the light from the moon on my balcony was enchanting, the curtains slightly blowing in the evening breeze. It was still warm. Again, using more strength, I swung my legs off the bed and with a deep breath heaved myself up, almost falling back down as I gained my balance, my legs a little wobbly as I hadn't stood all day. Desperate to use the bathroom I moved as quickly and as painlessly as I could to the room just off the side of my bedroom.
Once I had managed to do that, I needed fresh air. To feel the breeze against my skin, which felt wet from sweat, my white nightgown clinging to my body, showing off the shape of my curves. Bracing myself against the doorframe, I pushed it open a little more and slowly took a step or two out, the air hitting me gently. It felt beautiful. If this was going to be my last night in this world, I would take it. The stars were out shining beautifully, and my city was lit up in all sorts of colours as many were still awake, enjoying the night. Leaning against the balcony stone railing a little, I looked out and took it all in, everything imprinting in my mind. A permanent picture.
"You must be Empress Arabella."
The voice startled me as I didn't expect anyone to be up or around me this late at night, unless it were a guard. But this certainly wasn't a guard. Turning around swiftly and almost losing my balance, I felt an arm wrap around me and as I looked at my intruder, I saw the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He held his grip around my waist tightly before helping me stand back up but refused to let go and we locked eyes. His eyes danced like forest fires, a mixture of greens and reds, nothing I had ever seen before, his red hair looked like the reds that burst from a wild flame, I couldn't take my eyes off him.
"I suggest you remove your hands before I break them." I commanded; despite feeling like death warmed up, I would not allow anyone to get the better of me.
He chuckled a low and seductive laugh as he let go of me. Placing a hand on the balcony to support myself, I looked at him up and down. He was not a guard or anyone I've ever seen before.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" I demanded, trying to keep myself from feeling dizzy and swaying on my feet. The same nauseous feeling trying to overtake me.
"I was sent for, well, begged actually," he rolled his eyes, and I watched him lick his lips before smiling at me, looking me up and down and I realised I was very exposed right now, my sword resting in its scabbard next to my bed.
"I heard of your beauty, but to see it for myself --- breathtaking."
My breath caught at his words, the growl that hid behind his voice. He watched me as if I were his prey and I had no way of escaping.
"Who are they?" I asked, trying to cover myself up with my arms, this night grown exposing things I did not wish to show.
"Your brother being one, and some other men. I didn't care to know their names." He lent against the balcony, overlooking my Empire, his skin glowing in the moonlight. He didn't seem to be real.
"They begged me to come and save your life and I had questioned whether I should," He paused and moved closer towards me, closing the distance between us, "Are you worth saving sweet Arabella?"
My eyes widened a little as my heart thudded loudly, I liked how my name sounded on his tongue, and I had no idea why. Who was he? Was he the demon the nobles had been talking about earlier? If he were, he didn't look like a demon, he didn't have horns or wings or dark eyes like I had heard. He was something else, as if the powers at be had made him themselves or as if he had stepped out from a painting. I found myself instantly drawn to him and couldn't help taking a step to get closer to him, dropping my arms and tilting my head up towards him, his eyes drawing me closer.
"I am worth more than you can imagine." I said as I watched his eyes again look from my eyes to my lips and then down to my neck. "What would you be saving me from?"
He wrapped his arm around my waist suddenly and pulled me closer, our bodies colliding, and the air sucked out from my lungs. My blood boiled under my skin and my heart raced. My mouth watered as I looked deeper into his eyes, unable to remove myself from his grasp, I was locked in position, and I secretly adored it.
"I would be saving you from this life, this world. This illness that eats you away inside,"
He stopped, and his smile disappeared as his eyes looked straight at me, "Something tells me this is what you want, what you are longing for but should I oblige? You would be giving me more than you can imagine, I would be getting more from you than just a simple thank you."
I looked at him trying to understand his meaning, what would I be giving him in exchange? Would it be more than gold? Houses? Land? A creature like this surely wouldn't need anything like that, I had no idea how old he was, but he was sure to have a lot of those things. Taking a deep breath to study myself I shifted, and he suddenly let go of me, again taking a step back and creating the distance between me and him. He turned to look out across the city, and I watched him carefully, unsure and confused as to what had just come over me.
"Your city is beautiful, and I enjoy being here. Your men this evening came to me asking for me to save your life and that they would do anything for you. I am wondering now, if it is you they wish to save or this city. Your brother was the one who made the offer." His voice was silky and elegant, he spoke so smoothly and almost royal-like.
"And pray tell, what did he offer you?" I turned to join his eyeline and started to look out again into the night sky, "My brother would only do things he know I'd agree to, so is it something I can agree with or will I just have to come to terms with it?"
"I am not sure, only you can decide that Empress."
"Just tell me what it was so we can be done with this pretence."
"Your hand," He looked at me with the corner of his eyes and I could see a small smile appear across his lips, "They offered me you and your hand in marriage."
I took a deep breath and tried to study myself as shock entered my body. They offered me? My life for wedding vows? This made no sense as I had already spoken to my nobles and told them to forget the idea of marriage, I would find a husband one day, not soon but some day. Now I find out, my own brother offered me up as a prize in exchange for my life.
"Do you disagree?" He asked and I was unsure on how to answer.
"I don't know how to answer, I should beat Tristan over the head for promising such a thing. I had hoped one day to marry for love, not because my life depended on it."
"Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses, in my experience, very often never marry for love, more for station, for safety and for alliances. Think of it as that way, this would keep you alive and therefore safe."
"Until a war breaks out because I didn't marry the correct Emperor, King, Prince or Noble."
"Who's to say I am not one of those things?"
"Right because that would be so convenient, wouldn't it?" I scoffed as I put my head in my hands, holding back my frustration and tears, "When did they say you can claim your payment?"
"Well, I believe they wish for it to be done swiftly. However, I will not do anything against your will."
"How courteous of you, I'm sure you already know that my answer is no."
Instantly he was in front of me and leaning both his arms against the balcony, with me in between them and he leaned inwards, catching my eyes as I removed my hands and placed them down, my heart racing again.
"I only take what is given to me. Never by force. And you have my word on that." He licked his lips as he looked at my neck and then backed up at me.
"How can I begin to trust someone who hasn't even told me his name?"
"Luca." He leaned up a little but kept his arms in place. "My name is Lord Luca Ash."
"Oh, is that your real name?" I paused and watched his eyes flash redder, "How old are you?"
"Old enough. And yes, it is my real name." I narrowed my eyes and a coy smile appeared on my face.
"How old?"
"I am just about to hit my third century."
"Third century?!" I almost shouted in shock, and he laughed a little and then his face became serious once again.
"Enough of the questions, I am ready, are you taking this deal or not? You will only feel the slightest pinch and then you will feel wonderful and bliss you never knew existed." His eyes flashed a slight sparkle of red while he could only stare at my neck. He wasn't a demon but something darker than that.
"I already told you no." I spoke forcefully, snapping his eyes up to mine and he leaned forward again, a growl rumbling in his chest.
"If you do not take this offer, you will be dead by sunrise."
That stopped me for a second. I knew my death was close, I could feel it but I didn't think it would be by morning. I still had many more things to prepare, for Tristian to take over the Empire. No, I needed more time. Luca was here offering that, and would I be stupid to say no to it? Really?
"What will happen?" My cheeks flushed red, I was not experienced in any bliss, and this was truly the first time I had been near a male so closely. Not even as a young girl, I was never allowed to be left alone with one, I had shared no stolen kisses or nights away. This was all new to me.
I was bred to be the Empress, my father dying shortly after Tristain was conceived and my mother refused to have him replace my duty. I was the oldest, therefore first and for many years I'd ruled peacefully, my Empire thriving, and I was worried if I left it in the hands of Tristain, things would begin to fail.
"I will give you some of my blood, connecting us through an unbreakable bond and within a few minutes, if not seconds you will begin to feel better." He raised his wrist to his mouth and as he opened his mouth and bared his teeth, I saw two protruding fangs appear, "There is a lot more to it, but this will be the start of it all." He bit down gently on his wrist and then held it out towards me.
"Trust me Empress, you will thank me for this in the long run, I am sure of it."
"I won't become one of you, will I?" I asked, looking at his wrist I felt a twinge in my stomach.
"No, you won't, that is a different ritual. Now drink before the wound closes."
Gathering what courage I had left in me, I lifted his wrist to my mouth and before I could change my mind, I placed my lips around the wound and then began to suck. I could hear his breath catch as he then placed his other hand on my head and my eyes flung open as the crimson liquid touched my tongue. Such power began to enter my veins.
Everything felt as if it were on fire, my body screamed as the liquid moved through my body and already, I could feel a change, the pain slowly disappearing and becoming a dull ache. This was incredible and I was seeing stars. A daze came over me as if the world was spinning, I could see everything more clearly and then as soon as the feeling was there, it was gone, and he removed his wrist from my grasp. I was lost in the moment and the feeling of it all, there were no words to describe the euphoric feeling, it was something else entirely.