When the group finally reached the outer edge of Prislan they were ready for a bath and rest.
Panars weren't allowed in Prislan proper but Dylan had stables here on the outskirts.
Elsbeth dismounted and looked up at the blue green pool and shuddered.
"We will leave the panars here at the stables."
"If you like I can have my people take yours to my estates after they have properly rested."
Praticia shook her head. "For me that is not necessary. I would only need mine if I return, and that is not my plan."
She looked to her family. "Would you like your panars brought to the estates."
One of the younger ones, Mia, raised her hand as she responded timidly.
"I would please. "Caring for her and riding her is my hobby."
Suzan smiled and walked to her. She rubbed her hand along the panar's long muzzle.
"You two are great friends." She looked to Dylan. "I didn't think to ask. Will she need a glamor as well?"
Dylan looked at quizzically
The panar gave a neigh that sounded like a laugh.
"They can not see what that is. Their eyes are dull"
The panar again gave another laugh like neigh even though Suzan was sure that the voice was in her head.
She did not turn but her body stiffened.
"You need to learn how to hide your emotions and reactions little one. It has been so long since I last saw you. You have love for an Ancient vamp prince."
The voice laughed inside her mind.
"I will always be here to protect you little one. Call me and I will be at your side."
"Why would she need a glamor?"
Dylan's voice made her frown. Had time stopped for them or had she slipped through time.
She looked at Mia's panar.
"Do you need me to strengthen your glamor?"
The panar shook its black and brown head.
Suzan nodded. She looked at Mia. "You need to become stronger so that she can change her form."
Mia's eyes widened as she began to gently stroke the panar. Suzan could hear their telepathic conversation.
Dylan walked to her and stood quietly behind her. His voice fluttered across her mind.
"You have seen something that I can not see?"
"Yes. And heard someone I think you did not hear. I never realized that my power was so immense. It is rather disconcerting."
She felt a weave they had created together silently wrap around her like a quiet warm hug. She fought not to close her eyes in comfort and relief. It felt like they had not been alone in a very long time. She seemed to sink into the weave and her consciousness touched his.
The sensation plumed and flooded both their hearts.
He gave her a soft mental kiss that sent a slow rumbling flutter through her being.
"Everything will be alright. It's true that your abilities are beyond me but you will be my wife and you will have access to all that you need."
The thought was filled with intent. Intent to protector her. Intent to always love her. Intent to never fail her and more. She almost swooned and this made her remember where she was. She almost physically pushed him and had to fight to not show any large reactions.
"Do not do that in public! It is too intense for me."
He smiled at her and inside her. "Your greater power makes everything seem more intense."
He kissed her mentally and she actually hit him. Dylan, Patricia, and Elsbeth laughed. Marlon closed his eyes and shook his head. He quickly turned and followed behind Suzan.
Patricia went to Mia's panar. She stood before it scrutinizing it for a long moment and it suddenly winked. Patricia's head moved back in confusion and then she smiled.
"My family is more interesting than I have ever known." She looked to Mia with a smile. "I feel We have a lot to learn together."
In order to go up to the city they had to ride up in a large hover car that moved up levels and shifted from right to left as needed. The trip up was not in a straight line. It had to zig-zag from left to right to avoid pressurization issues.
They waited at a large wide gate made of a flowing turquoise liquid. Suzan was still a bit annoyed with Dylan and she stood, just short of crossing her arms over her chest, a bit away from the others.
"There are top many humans here these days."
"Sh! If you have problems with the people coming to Prislan you need to give up gambling and stay away."
"Hmph! He could always gamble in the east. Isn't Aquarian supposed to be just as extravagant as Prislan?"
"And why should I be run off from my ancestral home!?"
"Please stop this. You are always like this with a little ferment. Why do not just consume fresh? You can handle anything fermented."
"Are you judging me?!"
No one responded but he completely understood the meanings behind all of his friends' eye rolls.
This ancient vampire huffed and looked directly at Suzan. Suddenly he mad that this human was so beautiful. He wondered how she could possibly be so beautiful. 'She must have stolen magics from an ancient vampire. His eyes widened. She must be one of those vile fools calling themselves true vampires'
Suzan looked up in puzzlement, trying to figure out who was feeling animosity towards her. She had been absent-mindedly listening to the ancient vampire's ranting so when she saw him looking at her and begin to storm over she frowned.
Before anyone could react someone was standing before her. Suzan knew instantly that the woman before her was an ancient vampire, even though her back was to her.
For Suzan ancient vampires were vastly different from humans. She always saw in auras but it was not the aura that was different between the two. It was the way that magic flowed through the body that was different.
She was not sure if everyone knew that all living things had traces of magic within them. But she understood this from me very young age. For humans it flows through them like a second circulatory system while ancient vampires looked like walking forms of magic.
Magic flowed throughout their bodies and resided in their tissues. Some of them even had sheer clouds of magic surrounding them.
This female had a dense cloud of magic surrounding her and some areas of her skin were damaged and unable to hold the magic some couldn't even take in magic so magic seeped from her and their were patches of skin empty of magic.
Still she was the strongest vampire Suzan had ever seen.
"Listen to me young one. This young lady is my ward and unless you want me to remove your ability to drain you will treat her and her family with respect." The lady leaned in. "Do we understand each other?"
The ancient vampire's eyes widened and his mouth opened and closed several times. Then his eyes widened even more and his trembling head slowly nodded.
The group of ancient vampires quickly entered a hover car and left. Suzan heard them berating the cowed ancient vampire. She heard the term "elder" and her eyes widened.
Had an ancient vampire elder protected her?
The female ancient vampire turned to her with a smile. Suzan saw her face and suddenly realized that she had recognized her voice. This ancient vampire was the disembodied voice that spoke to her about Mia's panar.
Suzan was mesmerized by her face. It was scared along with much of her flesh. They were burns, but magical burns. She could see that this burned flesh could not hold any magic.
She smiled and grabbed Dylan as he neared. A smile spread across the woman's lips.
"Thank you so much. Can my friend here please heal your burns as a way of thanks?"
The woman's eyes widened then she frowned and finally she was curious. She looked at Dylan amused.
"If prince Dylanase feels he can help me than how can I say no?"
They heard quiet gasps at the mention of Dylan's name and title.
Dylan felt the warmth of Suzan's magic running through him and he knew that he would be able to do as she said. Her voice entered his mind.
"Just touch her and I will direct the magic."
Dylan stepped forward and he felt Suzan enter his being. He felt her warmth, her compassion, her intent. It was the most intimate feeling he had ever felt.
Then she stirred the magic she had given him and it flowed forward into the female ancient vampire elder before him.
He watched her eyes just before her burned skin began to soften and then smooth. As the process neared its end her black hair and dark eyes turned vibrant shades of purple.
Suzan understood that her hair had turned black because her magics had become "dirty" and impurities had settled into her most magical features.
When she was fully healed Suzan's magic swirled throughout his body like a warm tonic and he felt her, not leave his being, but step to the side as if she did not want to be seen or bother but, at the same time, didn't want to leave.
The female ancient vampire bowed respectfully to Dylan. "Thank you young prince. This reward is far more than I ever expected or thought was possible."
She quickly glanced at Suzan and then back to Dylan.
"My name is Terese and I promise to be available to you whenever you need me."
Both Dylan and Suzan knew she was speaking to Suzan with this final statement. And they both knew who Terese was.
'It is very nice to meet you Elder Terese.'
'You never need to be that formal with me little one. Whatever you need I am here for you. Once you are on the young prince's estates I will begin training you.'
"Do not worry about this Elder Terese. You owe me nothing. I will forever be grateful to you for protecting my friend here."
"I thank you as well Elder Terese. Suzan is my precious granddaughter and you protected her without any hesitation. "
Suzan saw the change in Terese when she knew Patricia was her grandmother.
She bowed deeply to Patricia. "It is an honor to be of service. May I know your name?"
Patricia was taken aback for a short moment. But she instantly bowed and answered.
"I am Patricia of Attia."
Terese nodded as if confirming something she already knew.