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“So you never saw your family again?” I asked.
“They didn’t see me, but I visited them quite often. In a way, my mother made the right call. The chances of us surviving the war were close to zero. But since I had enough meals from the war trenches, I regained my humanity quickly. Plus being an OD made it easier to adapt. After I got a strong hold over my power, I began supplying food and money to my family. It was always during the night, so no one actually saw me for the longest time. Only one time, my mom opened the door while I was there. We looked at one another for some time without saying a word. Then suddenly, my mother hugged me and asked if I was well. I nodded. With tears in her eyes, she thanked me for saving the lives of my siblings. She and I knew well. They would’ve died without my help. Then she told me I had to leave before everyone awoke.”
“That is heart-breaking,” I said.
“I told you it wasn’t an easy story to tell. Eventually, I found out my mother told my siblings that the guardian angel with white hair who brought food and money was their older sister visiting from heaven. Her words made me very happy. Eventually, I met them in person, but now most have already perished. I visit their graves from time to time.”
“Do you regret becoming a vampire?”
“No. It was the best, though the most challenging thing I have ever done.”
“Have you ever found someone you liked in your community?”
“I did.” She giggled. “But he sees me as a friend. We’ve been through so much and fought many battles. I’m not sure if I want to ruin what we have for something more.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s His Majesty’s second-in-command.”
“No way. You like Troy? I can help you if you’d like. One call and he’ll be running to me with a bag of chips. Gabriel’s orders,” I said.
“I’d rather not,” she said. “I need some time to be ready.”
“Like in a couple of months?”
“Like in a couple of decades.”
“I forgot that when you have all the time in the world, there was no need to hurry. Well, let me know if you ever need my help.”
∞∞∞
Quietude reigned the halls of the East Wing. I refused Gabriel several times to join him on a stroll in the garden or even to go downstairs. The bedroom remained my sanctuary as the baby took most of my energy and kept me in a sleepy daze at all times.
Until one February morning when I heard a commotion behind my bedroom door. At first, I heard the steps of someone’s high heels clicking on the marbled floors. Kira preferred a more military style, opting for combat boots on a daily basis, so it couldn’t be her. Whom could that be? Then I heard Kira’s voice trying to stop the unexpected visitor, plus other voices clashing with one another.
“His Majesty ordered to restrict your presence in the East Wing,” said Kira from behind the door.
I pushed my heavy body from the bed and waddled toward the door to see what the commotion was all about. But before reaching the handle, the door swung open, and in entered a woman I’d never seen before. She was gorgeous, with blonde hair tied behind her back, blue eyes, and a tall figure. She wore a black medieval dress and a cape tied around her neck. What in the good princess gone bad was this?
“So this is the infamous Petra, the Wallachian Queen of The Other Realm,” she said as she advanced inside the bedroom.
“And who are you supposed to be?” I asked, still surprised someone called me “infamous.”
“You see?” She turned to her retinue, which comprised of two men and Smaranda. “This happens when no one deems it necessary to introduce the person who decides their fate. Thus, fear is not even an option, just ignorance festering their mind. But no need to fret, Milady, such issues are redeemable,” she said.
I believed her when she spoke about fear because once she walked closer, all I wanted to do was run for the hills. But given my precarious situation, I closed my eyes and braced for the worse. When I opened my eyes again, I saw her extending an arm for a handshake.
I shook her hand as I assessed her ethereal demeanor contrasting with her witchy garb.
“Excuse my guise. I’m returning from a mission, and I couldn’t miss the chance to meet you personally. It is nice to meet you, Petra Costin, or should I say, Petra Stoica, wife of Gabriel, the Immortal.”
“And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” I asked.
“It is Vedoma whom you are speaking to, Empress of All Other Realms, Keeper of Time,” said Smaranda of all people.
The complete terror spreading across my face satisfied her. “I see you know who I am.”
“I heard a few rumors through the grapevine, but nothing worth mentioning,” I said and crossed my arms.
