I awoke to a jab to my neck and started awake to the twins laughing at me. I looked to my left to discern what it was when I saw the Princess latched onto my neck by her teeth. When she saw me she detached and stared at me like I was a phantom, before turning dazed to the twins. Their laughter was silenced instantly as they scrambled to the cupboard and handed her a wine glass of blood. She drank voraciously and in the daze of sleep I was still rather unsure what was happening. When the glass was empty she turned to me. "Sorry, I woke up and was hungry, so I latched onto the closest neck I could find. Don't worry, I didn't drink anything." I looked down and saw two small beads of blood form on the surface of my skin. I wiped then off on a napkin and turned back to the twins, still in the slightly dazed calmness of sleep.
"Is everyone awake?" asked Diamond, appearing in the door. "Shall I start into Caedis, your majesty?" He asked, seeing us awake.
"Yes," The Princess said, finally drawing the curtains completely back. Diamond took his seat and we started off again, and I could not help but notice the enormous difference. The new light blinded me for a while, but when I was adjusted I could see that we were traversing a winding mountain road, that curved around the edge of the enormous mountain, dropping off on the side to a steep cliff. The valleys and mountain sides were coated with thick green foliage and small waterfalls carved their ways down to exposed gray rock in streams. The carriage grew in speed and we seemed to shoot down the road with a little too much confidence for my comfort.
I was so focused on the mountains I didn't notice the bustling behind me until a large dress was thrown onto me. I turned to find quite a different world to that I saw last. The twins were still in their soldier-like uniforms but the Princess had changed into a large deep red dress of ribbon. It crisscrossed in x's around her neck and arms, and then flowed out from the neck into a large flowing red skirt that turned to lace at the base. When she turned to adjust something I saw the back was tied up in crisscrossed ribbon as well, and showed the depths of her sculpted and pale back. Ilustra was surely a well fitting name for her.
I turned back to the dress that had been thrown upon me. It was a blue short one that fell in a flared skirt to my knees and at the top was cut off straight below my shoulders, with sleeves that went just past my elbows. The sleeves and top were of lace while the dress faded into smooth satin, and paired with black flats and high white socks. I thought it pretty on me, although there was no mirror to see. My chain hung down the front and now didn't seem heavy as long as I didn't try to lift it. "Gold, get her a chain necklace with no pendant and a host of sapphire rings,"commanded the Princess when she saw me, she seemed to focus her gaze on the ring upon my pinky.
The twins quickly delivered the items asked for and went to work arranging the rings upon my fingers. "Take off her pinky ring and put it on that chain so it falls under the dress." Master said calmly, "And then pull up my hair." All was taken care of with utmost efficiency, and as the twins were focused upon braiding the Princess's hair into a loose bun, I realized that the two bite marks from this morning were entirely visible because of the shoulder-less dress.
"Is it alright that people can see the bite marks?" I asked, craning my head to see the two small red puncture wounds.
"It's great," The Princess replied, plopping down on her seat and turning to the window. The road seemed to be leveling out a little. "It's the mark of a slave, be worrying if you didn't have one," she replied, "every slave of a vampire has one." She pointed to the twins who displaced their suits to display two gray pairs of dots on the base of their necks.
"It's a mark of loyalty," They replied in unison, and I wondered when I might be able to hear them speak separately again.
"When we arrive, there will be a procession leading us to the Queen, and you must bow on your knees when we get there, as you'll do to me on all occasions." She said, "and you must also reply only to me, and no one else is able to command you unless I tell you so." she continued, and I felt the carriage slow to a halt. We were at a turn in the road where the ground was level, and in front of us was a steep cliff wall of gray rock. I watched as Diamond climbed down from his spot on the driver's seat and approached the wall of the cliff. He seemed to insert some sort of key into the stone, because the stone suddenly shifted back into an arched indent and drew back in a whole piece, before splitting down the middle and disappearing into the walls of a long and smooth arched stone tunnel.
Diamond rushed back to his seat and called the wolves to drive on and we shot into the tunnel with all the enthusiasm of a people about to return home. I watched the light from behind dim as the stone door shut behind us as we shot forward towards the small bright light at the end of the tunnel. "Princess Of Caedis, Ilustra Caedis returning," I heard Diamond call loudly, the words echoed down the tunnel and seemed to merge with each other, creating a loud boom of sound. I watched as the gates in the growing archway of light swung back and we shot out into the light. I could say now anyone who saw this kingdom, would have not even have been able to describe it as prosperous, as prosperous didn't seemed to give it any justice.
The large blue stone street lay out in slabs before us, and at the sides gathered a long line of soldiers, all in white and red uniforms with gold buttons and black caps and boots. The carriage slowed as we passed by, and over the heads of the soldiers was a giant mass of people dressed in their best attire, cheering for our return. It was still early morning, and I could see the sun just rounding the mountains peaks that surrounded the valley, spreading a rosy light through the blue sky and dying the fluffy clouds pink. Green was everywhere the gray of stone was not, and all along the expansive mountain sides was carved small narrow paths and round tower-like houses that rose up of the sides of cliffs with their white walls, light gray stone foundations, and deep brown wood beams.
Rivers ran blue and we slowly trotted through it all, the wolves out front seeming reluctant to continue, and instead seemed to wish to stop and breath in the cool morning air. Hosts of vibrant flowers gathered in patched all around and in the more level areas were giant buildings like cathedrals and meadows. I didn't know what to think of it all. This was the land of murder, a country named for blood, who welcomed the monarch who guzzled down their lives like America does Diet Cola with cheering applauses and who's houses look like pure white towers, and land looked like it had never been touched by the staining hands of boorish death. Ravens and bats sat on the beams of closer houses like pigeons do phone lines in the cities and I could see at every section of roof there seemed to be a string of lanterns waiting to be lit to illuminate the night.
I could see them craning to see both me, and the Princess who was now waving through the opened windows. I copied the twins and looked ahead, staring down the winding stone path, that looked to be created of large stone slabs placed in the ground so they lay as level and low as possible on the lay of the land. The valley was very large and I could see from tunnels into the mountains that there was a collection of valleys that made us the kingdom, although I couldn't see how many or how big any were. We rounded the corner slowly and into view came a large castle. I gasped when I saw it, as it spanned the entirety of the valley floor, and flooded out onto the mountain-sides like liquor as it refuses to release from the sides of a glass, forming an indent that rises to it's corners.
But that was not what I found most impressive about it, what I saw most clearly was that the entire palace was made of marble, gold, and silver. The railings and window bindings were gold, the door held in a silver frame, and the gate a wiry combination of both silver and gold, formed into elaborate rope-like pillars to create an arched gateway. The walls were entirely marble, and through the glass windows I could see vibrant red curtains hung from each opening. The Caedis family seemed to have some obsession with red, and I could see why with their glorious image, their bloodied name, and their insatiable ways, there was no question why they seemed to include red in all they did.
The gate was pulled back by horses as we approached, and swung back with almost an eerie silence as the cries of the crowd were dimmed out behind us. I saw a curtain pulled closed in the large window of the huge central tower as we puled to a haut in front of the giant doors. They, cast in silver, seemed to be made out of some sort of black petrified wood, that was pulled back to reveal a large hall lined with servants, dressed in typical black and white uniforms. We stepped down from the carriage and watched as the pack of wolves, kneeled and seemed to smudge like water was it runs down a painting, and slowly reappeared from their respective blurs into a cast of kneeling men and woman, their hair and faces gray and their looks disheveled and solemn.
We followed the Princess in a sort of semi circle down the grand hallway, which I could see three thrones at the end of. The center was the largest and the only one occupied. All the thrones were gold with embellished rubies and a long strip of vibrant blue fabric for sitting. As we approached I could see the figure in the chair. She had long black hair like silk that seemed to splay out over her shoulders like a cloak over her clothing. She wore a glorious black suit with a vest and a cravat, fastened with large rubies. But what was most striking was the pure red eyes that adorn her face. They were malevolent orbs, framed in a murderous and wicked sort of lash that seemed looking straight at it might kill you before she even laid hands upon your bosom.
In the forlorn rooms of castle Dracula, where the ghoulish vampiric woman prayed on poor babies, was the only place I could imagine her malice would fit. We approached and got on our knees, bowing to the marble floors like stepping stones in a river. The twins were behind, Diamond to her left, and I to his right, and this position was only risen to be on one knee before we seemed to cease moving. I copied Diamond's movements and froze like a statue, seated on my left foot so that my right knee pointed upward and acted as a pedestal for my hands, clasped neatly before me.
"Mother," The Princess exclaimed, starting up the staircase to the throne. "How have you been, well I trust."
"Most excellent," She replied, and her voice seemed to how some malignant sort of seductively dominant quality to it, as though no one might have the willpower to disobey it. "How have your travels been my child? I trust the world is still as oblivious and entertaining as ever."
"Aw yes, they still consider seven million a fortune," She laughed, "They warned me I would go bankrupt." And they both laughed at this, the sound pouring off the walls like blood does a wound.
"My, I wonder why it is you bother with their stupidity."
"It's just so enjoyable to see how little lying and forethought can create an entirely new character for myself. Idiots is too gracious a title for the likes of them now." I felt like I was watching a completely different person than before, and wondered for a moment if either of the people I saw before me were real, as surely my mother wouldn't stand betrothal to this lady, even if it was her only way to live beyond thirty.
"Well sweetheart, if you've nothing of importance to tell me I should like to be laid to rest now."
"So soon after my return?" The Princess asked. Good riddens.
"As soon as I meet that new pet you got on your time away," She said motioning with her hand to me.
"Sapphire, come," The Princess called, her voice soft compared to the harsh and cold one of the Queen. I rose from my kneeling position and approached slowly, standing a step behind the Princess to her side. I felt my skin bristled as the Queen's cold gaze fell upon my, but kept my emotion blank.
"It's not human, right?" She asked.
"No," The Princess replied, "I found the little wretch's blunder."
"Which one," The Queen asked, laughing horridly.
"It is the Clementia's family error Mother," She said, "Eleutheria Clementia, the child of liberation has been returned to her place, under the foot of her rightful owners." I saw the Queen's eyes widen at my name, but then sink back into their cold, emotionless state.
"I thought I saw it in eyes." She replied, "Well keep her from me or I shall sicken myself gorging on the likes of that critter." She said cooly, turning back to the Princess after giving me one last sweep of the eyes. "Now I would like some rest, my child." She commanded harshly.
"When shall you be awoken?" Master asked.
"Ten years should be plenty, but if nothing is interesting by then, wait as long as you please." As she spoke she pulled her cravat off and threw it to a small child at the side of the thrones, who was so short I had hardly even seen her previously. She wore a giant white dress like a wedding dress, and her bobbed hair looked like a cap around her little face.
"Your slaves?" The Princess asked, stepping closer to the throne.
"Keep them as you will," The Queen responded, "Eleven needs food, the others should be content on their own." her voice a little impatient. I watched as the Queen pulled back the edge of her shirt to reveal two marks on her neck, of which the Princess approached and bit down on. The Queen's eyes closed slowly as her daughter drank, and I barely resisted the urge to look away as they fed. The red blood dripped down Master's chin from the corners of her mouth, and traced her neck as she gulped down blood. Finally I saw the Queen go limp and she released her hold, letting the dead being fall from her grasp into the chair. The Princess held out her hand expectingly, and the child rushed forward to hand over the cravat, which was retied.
The Princess turned swiftly and started down the staircase, not caring to look back. The blood drops were smeared on her face as she walked up to the twins, who carefully wiped off her chin and neck before falling back behind her as the rest of us did. I snuck a glance backward at the corpse, expecting to see it emaciated and hollow, but to my astonishment, it looked like a beautiful sleeping woman, awaiting a kiss from her love to awaken her. She had now none of the evil and horrors of living death about her, but only the beauty of a peace. And in that moment, I felt an urge to run back to her, and let her take all she might from me.
I shook it off and followed suit behind the Princess, making sure I didn't look back again and the frightful desire behind me. "Set her up in her coffin," The Princess called to no one in particular, "And if you dare succumb to your desire and wake her, I'll personally keep you in the dungeon for the rest of eternity, I can promise you just as much and more." I shivered at the thought and realized the pull the Queen had exerted on me was not my own, but one that pressed on everyone. Her death looked so beautiful because that beauty and sleep-like facade was what would would bring her the meal that would awaken her. It was frightful to think of, so I focused on my surroundings instead. We were approaching a large double door that Diamond ran forward to open, displaying a large homely parlor.
"We're home," The princess sighed out, falling down limply onto a large couch near the center of the room. The twins seemed to glow with joy, and Diamond seemed less stiff and more at ease when the door was shut tight and the curtains draw back to let the sun shine on that marble floor that wasn't coated with carpet. "And good riddens with that dreadful woman dead for a while, nobody better wake her up again, or I'll have a fit. Tastes horrible." She said, reaching over to ring a little golden bell on the table. She struck it three times and then waited a moment, before raising it again to strike it six times. In a moment I watched with amazement as a large black cat, with bright yellow eyes run lightly down the large extravagant staircase at the back of the room, and trod silently save the chain on it's back legs to the sofa.
Behind it trailed a much more clanky and less graceful affair. It was two shiny silver haired twins, chained at the wrist, they wore pajamas like the rest of us, and they, despite their short hair, were both quite girly when you saw their hips and slender bodies. They differed only in the faces, one of which was girl-like and the other slightly boyish. The panther like cat leaped up on the coach and poured itself over into the Princess's arms, like a big house cat. "Ebony off, and get in your human form," Master said coldly, clearly not appreciating the welcome. The cat sat back and slipped off the couch with it's tail between it's legs, before blurring like I had seen done by the wolves at the carriage, and seemed to recollect itself into a tall tower, and eventually formed into a bowing figure before us.
The cat was quite different in human form. She had long straight black hair that poured over her slender figure and fell to the back of her knees. Her light tan skin and slender yellow eyes seemed to glow, and I realized to late that she was stark naked save a small pair of black lace underwear. When she turned to look at me I saw in surprise that the right half of her torso was a large gray scar, running in blotchy streaks from just below her shoulder to her hips. She had one breast, which was half enveloped in her long hair, and a pair of thin round wire glasses were balanced upon her small nose.
"Are you the new Sapphire?" She asked brightly, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. "Oh how much to learn, how exiting, I remember my first day here, oh it was so much fun even if it was so long ago," She rambled on, talking almost so quickly I had to struggle to catch hold of her words before they were replaced by the next. But in a moment she had abandoned me entirely to thrown herself head long onto Diamond. "Diamond," She called out as she fell into his arms, "Oh how I've missed you, tell me everything about your trip, did you keep a diary for me this time about?" She asked, the questions spilling from her mouth before the other had any chance to speak.
Diamond turned to the Princess expectingly before saying anything, at which Master waved him off, calling "take care of that kitten will you?" They stumbled through a servant's door and their voices died away behind us. "I swear she means well," The Princess said, reaching out and pulling me forward by my chain so suddenly I had no time to stifle the squeak of surprise that escaped me. I was pulled into her lap before I had a chance to do anything, not that I was strong enough to resist her anyway. "Silver," she said, lifting my arm to examine it, "Can you fix this?" She asked. They gather around cautiously and examined the joint between where my shoulder stopped and my mechanical arm began.
I turned around in disbelief at this seemingly ridiculous question. After the lost of my arm and my mother, I had had not alternative but to sign myself into slavery to pay for a prosthetic, as I couldn't do as I pleased without one, and had little else to live for at that stage in life. Slaves with custom prosthetics are seen as luxury because the art of the metal is expensive and adds to the visual value, so as an amputee I was half expected to do so. Never in my life since had I considered I might be able to get my arm back.
"Can you detach it?" The twins asked in unison.
"Yes," I replied, slipping my fingers into the catch at the elbow so it fell off, severing my feeling with some strange and painless sword. The remainder was the stump of my arm.
"We can fix it," They said to the Princess, "But it shall take us two days at least."
"Have three," She replied, pushing me up off her lap so hard I almost fell into the twin's arms. "Take her to her room and begin at once, I shall call on you in three days time, and make sure you fit her needs. Now gold," She said, pulling herself up off the couch, but I never heard the rest as we were already through the door. They led me through the hall by my live hand, leaving the metal arm on the couch, I stared back at it in shock. I had signed away my liberty to pay for it, and yet now I had neither my liberty nor it, but was about to have my real arm. I felt conflicted, at giving up what I worked so hard for to receive a comparatively better situation, it seemed so unreal.
I was pulled past a cracked door of flooded and exited talking by the cheerful voice of Ebony and into one just before it with the name, Sapphire, embellished upon the door. I was pulled into the room. It was a simple but cozy place, bookshelf sat empty save the top shelf, two bedside tables hosted drawers, and there was a closet door, a bathroom door, and a desk, along with a soft chair in the corner. I was thrown onto the soft light blue bed and examined the soft white wallpaper above. The room was carpeted and rather empty, so I supposed there might be some degree of freedom when it came to their inhabitation.
"human or otherwise," The twins asked in unison.
"rauzire," I replied after a moments pause, wishing greatly that they might not be so formal, but not daring to say so. They disappeared from the room and returned with a small bottle labeled sleeping arsenic and handed it to me.
I took a couple sips and savored the nostalgic taste before dozing off completely.