Wings protruded from his back and he flew up in the air with Anna cradled in his arms.
"You can just vanish like you did last time." Anna rolled her eyes.
"And miss having you in my arms? Never." Bat flew forward.
Somewhere In Castle De Caspian,
She tossed and turned uncomfortably in her sleep. Sweat gathered on her forehead and she shuddered. In her dreams, she was running - running from a monster.
She screamed but no words came out. She tripped on a stone and fell to the cold snowy floor. The monster's growl grew nearer and this time she screamed as loud as she could. The monster's face was Damian's.
"My Lady! My Lady, are you okay?" A little girl ran into the room.
Lucia startled awake. "What happened?"
"You had a nightmare again." The petite girl said with a sad expression on her face.
"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Lucia asked.
"I'm Bea, My Lady." Bea said with a low bow.
"Where's Anna?"
"Anna? Who is that, My Lady?"
Lucia looked around the room. It wasn't hers.
Bea followed her gaze. "This isn't the Von Burren estate, My Lady. We are in De Caspian."
"De Caspian? How did I get here?" Lucia palmed her forehead. Her memory was all jumbled up and she could hardly remember that Anna went to call the physician. The rest was blank.
"Oh," Bea cupped her hand over her lips to suppress a blush. "His Highness brought you here."
The I's were dotted. Of course, she remembered again. He had been in the forest with her.
"Damian." She pushed back the bedcovers and got to her feet.
"His Highness is indisposed at the moment." Bea hung her head.
"W - what do you mean by indisposed? Where is he?" Lucia felt her stomach stiffen as she asked. When Damian had come for her in the forest, he was badly wounded.
"He is in the Silver Chambers. It is a prison, My Lady." Bea replied.
"Why is he in prison?"
"I believe he is being punished by the King for breaking the Vampire's sacred rule - drinking human blood without permission." Bea explained and Lucia's eyes widened.
"Take me to him, please." Lucia's eyes filled.
"But My Lady, I can't. The King ordered no one to set foot in the Silver Chambers or even visit Lord Damian."
"Then take me to the king. Damian didn't break the rule, I made him do it."
"What?"
"Bea, help me." Lucia panicked.
"Alright, My Lady." Bea went to get her coat and draped it around her.
"It is quite cold in the castle." She said.
"Thank you."
Together, they walked the halls leading to the king's ward.
Lucia took notice of everything she came across.
The hall was long and dimly lit by candles. It was still dark outside and the wind blew chilly air through the closed window.
She could hear muffled footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The scent of warm tea filled the air and she suddenly craved to be fed.
Bea stopped right in front of a large bronze door flanked by two gentlemen dressed in dark cloaks.
"We're here." She turned to Lucia who gave her a curt nod.
Bea turned to the guards and spoke in Lycra, the vampire's tongue. "Greetings. I am here with Lady Lucia von Burren. She seeks His Majesty's audience."
"Tell her to wait in her quarters. The king and his subjects are indisposed at the moment." The taller guard sneered wickedly.
Lucia bunched up her dress by her sides. She knew they wouldn't let her in but she had no choice but to force their hand.
Taking a step forward, she spoke in fluent Lycra. "I know you don't want me here but would you dare turn your Majesty's guest away?"
Both guards had their jaws dropped in shock. Even Bea was stunned.
Lucia went on. "I need to speak with His Majesty. Tell him it is urgent. I promise he won't turn me away."
"Right away, my lady." The youngest guard bows politely and knocks on the door.
A voice willed him in and he went in.
Bea whispered to Lucia. "Where did you learn to speak like that, My Lady?"
"Well, I read alot." Lucia whispered back.
They shared a smile that turned to a laugh.
The guard stepped out and nods to Lucia.
"Okay. Be careful, My Lady." Bea stole her hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Why would you say that?" Lucia asked.
"Nothing. Just don't look in the king's eyes no matter what." Bea let go off her hand and bowed.
Lucia scrunched her brows and turned to the door.
The guard bowed his head and held the door fully opened. "Remember not to look the king in the eyes."
"How do I know the king? I haven't seen him before." Lucia confessed.
"Goodluck, My Lady." He whispered.
Lucia swallowed her nonexistent saliva and walked in. The door was shut behind her and she flinched.
"Come forward." Jarlen said. He stood next to a four postal bed with both his hands clasped behind his back.
"I see you are alive and well, Lady Lucia." A voice spoke from the bed. It was so dark Lucia couldn't see who it was. Then she recalled the guard's words. That must be the king.
She gave a curtsie. "Yes, I am well, Your Majesty. I want to thank you for your hospitality."
"You are the daughter of one of my close allies, why wouldn't I help you?" The king echoed again.
"Thank you once again." Lucia said, lifting her head.
The room was lit up by the faint glow of candles, casting shadows around the tall arched walls. The polished marble floor felt cold underneath her shoes. The smell of burning wood filled her nose and she wished she would go close to the blazing fireplace. She was freezing.
Her stomach stiffened when she heard the ruffle of material coming from the bed and she bowed her head immediately.
Heavy footsteps echoed on the floor and Lucia's breathing became fast and shallow.
A finger held her chin up but her eyes were still closed.
"I heard Damian brought you here." The king said.
"Yes, he did, Your majesty." Lucia's voice trembled. His sharp finger grazed her skin leaving behind marks.
"He also drank your blood, didn't he?"
"I made him do it, Your Majesty. Damian never wanted to. If anyone should be punished, it should be me. Let him go, please." Lucia whispered. A shiver ran down her spine when she felt cold, wrinkled hands around her waist.
"Open your eyes, Lucia." The king ordered in a calm, soothing voice.
Lucia's eyelids fluttered but did not open.
"Open them!" His voice grew harsh and she threw her eyes open.
She expected to see a hideous monster with a face riddled with age and decay but his face was like that of an angel.
She stared with her mouth agape. His eyes were so blue it reminded her of the Aegean sea. His face was the smoothest thing she had ever seen and he had strong cheekbones and chiseled features. He didn't look scary at all. If anything, he looked handsome. Even more handsome than Damian. She wondered if they were siblings and not father and son.
"Damian will serve his punishment, Lady Lucia." His Majesty said with clenched jaw.
She shook her head. "Please, he shouldn't. It's my fault. I told him to drink my blood. Please, let me take his place. Let him go."
"You want to take his place?"
Lucia swallowed hard. What would taking Damian's place mean? Terrible punishments?
"Y - Yes." She stuttered silently.
"Shall we?" The king held out his elbow and she linked hers with his.
The door creaked open and they both stepped out. Lucia looked behind her. Bea and the guards had their eyes glued to the floor. Why were they? Their king wasn't hideous.
Lucia was taken down the steps. Jarlen followed behind them. She looked down as they went further into the dark.
"Ignito." The king whispered and place was lit up by torches.
"You practice magic?" She asked.
"Yes. Are vampires not allowed to?" He gave her a stern look and she pursed her lips.
They arrived a door guarded by three gentlemen who already had their heads bowed.
"Open it." The king demanded and they opened the door with their eyes closed.
This put Lucia off. Why were they shutting their eyes?
"Damian!" The king thundered, then he winced in pain.
"Fieren!" Jarlen rushed to hold him.
Lucia gasped in shock. Was the king sick?
"I'm fine." King Fieren pushed Jarlen's hand away.
"Damian, step into the light!" Fieren ordered again.
Chains rattled followed by a malicious sneer as a figure approached the prison door.
Lucia cupped her hand over her mouth. It was indeed Damian but he was almost unrecognizable.
His upper body bled with deep wounds and cuts. His arms sizzled as he moved from side to side. With each breath he took, he winced in pain.
"You - you're killing him. That's silver!" Lucia screamed.
"He is serving his punishment!" King Feiren shot her a hostile glare.
"Now, do you mind taking his place?" He pointed at the dark, cold prison.
Lucia's heartbeat wildly in her chest. She was scared out of her wits. There was no way she would survive whatever punishment was given to Damian. But then again, he didn't deserve any of it. It was her fault he was in pain.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, a guard ran down the steps. "Your Majesty, we're under attack!"
"Attack? By whom!" Fieren barked.
"The humans! They're here with Lord van Helsing, the vampire hunter!"