To say I was confused at being called queen would have been the understatement of the century. Though as the vampire who had found me lost and frightened in the graveyard explained it was a great honor. Judging from the constant grin he had I doubted very much that it would end well for me though with no visible escape from possibly hundreds of vampires I decided to wait and plan my escape.
"So now that I've explained just what is expected of you what would you like to do first?" He said as he guided me towards a massive oak table where multiple vampires sat, each watching me with tiny smiles that made their canines stand out. Fighting back a shiver I started to head for a chair as far away as possible from all the watching eyes until I felt a hard tug on my hand. Turning my head I see Kelan slowly shaking his head at me, one of his hands clutching my own in a vice-like grip.
I want to tug my hand free but when I try he tightens his grip, his fingers cold against my own warm ones and I briefly growl at him. "Will you unhand me?"
"Not until you take your place at the head of the table." Kelan laughed and I roll my eyes at him nearly falling when he tugged me towards the very end of the table. Not so gently he pushed me into a large seat shaped like a throne and I can't help blinking as he released my hand stepping back with one hand on his chin. "You look so funny sitting there." He teased, chuckling softly when I narrow my eyes at him.
Still chuckling he moved to the table and before my eyes he climbed onto it, casually leaning back until he's looking over his shoulder at me. When I blinked at him my eyes wide he just sniggered. "Manners are for mortals." He laughed and I can't help a tiny smile as several vampires start whispering among themselves, pointing to Kelan with eyes narrowed.
"So I can see...Kelan." I admiitted and he actually gives me a big smile, his fangs visible and looking extremely white from where I'm standing. "So what do I do?"
"Just give an order, Nerra." Kelan explained and I nod, gesturing towards him and he scrambled over the table to where I'm sitting. The voices in the room grew louder and I giggled when Kelan turned his head, sticking out his tongue at an elderly vampire couple who stared at him, the man muttering something I couldn't hear at his wife who shook her head at Kelan.
"Well I could use something to eat." I finally admitted only to stare as four vampires, all attractive males some of them shirtless I might add left the table. I raised an eyebrow at Kelan who just grinned at me chuckling when I jumped as the male vampires returned holding several trays containing more food than I had ever seen in one place.
"Everything's fresh and hot. Just like you, my queen." One of the vampires' commented and I couldn't help giggling especially when Kelan raised an eyebrow at him causing the vampire to grin even more boldly at me. "Just making an observation, Kelan." He added and Kelan rolled his eyes as the vampire stepped back to allow me access to the food he and his fellow vampires had brought back from the kitchens.
"Now that you're done what Queen Nerra you can leave, Arledo." Kelan growled so with a shrug and a bow, plus a big smile that showed me all of his teeth, Arledo and his friends left the table though I noticed that as soon as they were out of sight Kelan relaxed.
"Someone's a little jealous." I commented as I reached for a leg of lamb and he snorted, crossing his arms as I bit into the meat. Sighing at the taste I started to eat not even looking up when Kelan continued to stare at me, his eyes slowly taking in every detail. I finished the first leg and as I reached for another piece of meat I caught a glimpse of Kelan, his fingers entertwined and resting under his chin as he stared into the distance.
I barely even glanced at him too busy eating what might have been my last meal. Eventually I couldn't eat anything more or I knew I would be sick so I pushed the tray away noting that Kelan's attention had moved back to me.
Once he saw the tray shift away from me he gave me a grin, straightening. "So you're all done?" He asked and I gave him a nod, my hand quickly moving to my mouth to muffle a loud burp. That made Kelan laugh and I blushed, climbing from the table with some difficultly making me realize that I should have stopped eating sooner.
Shaking his head at me Kelan jumped off the table, landing perfectly before he moved to my side as I started to wander away. In a flash he was standing in front of me and when I smacked into him he grinned, grabbing my right hand when I started to fall backwards.
"Here, take my hand." Kelan said and I blinked as he gently pulled me back to my feet. With my feet now firmly under me I let out a breath and he smiled at me, tugging me towards a set of doors that made everything else in the room seem tiny in comparison.
I let him lead me through the doors and even when I leant heavily on his shoulder, feeling a little sluggish he never complained just waiting patiently for me to catch my breath. As we moved through the mansion I looked around forgetting all about my aching stomach as I stared up at the painting lining the hallway.
Seeing me staring at one featuring a woman who seemed to be floating in midair Kelan smiled at me, pausing to allow me time to study it.
"That's Olivia Voldern. Owner of this castle and sire to most of us." Kelan explained as I stared up at the painting, my eyes on the beautiful vampire.
"She's stunning." I whispered and he sniggered, gently tugging on my hand again. "So where are you taking me?" I asked as I allowed Kelan to finish leading me deeper into the castle. When we reached a large oak door Kelan released my hand and I watched as he produced a small black key, fitting into a tiny lock. After a few seconds I heard a click and he pocketed the key, pushing on the door and as it creaked open he turned to me.
"This is your room for the duration of your stay, Queen Nerra. Would you like to check out your room?" Kelan asked and I quickly nodded heading inside. Shaking his head Kelan followed as I reached the desk first, finding a full-length mirror which caused me to stare at it. Finding an expertly craved chair in front of it I sat, glancing at Kelan who I noticed could clearly be seen just behind me.
"I thought vampires couldn't see their reflections." I pointed out as Kelan who snorted, covering his mouth with a smirk on his lips and I rolled my eyes. "So someone lied to me."
"Of course we can, Nerra. Otherwise how could I tell how dashing I look every night I wake?" Kelan teased and I stuck out my tongue, checking out my own reflection only to sigh at the dirt on my face and the twigs tangled in my long hair.
"You could have at least told me how terrible I look." I sighed as I gently reached up, lifting the crown I'd been given and after I set it down on the desk I started to untangle my hair. Or I tried to until Kelan handed me a comb from inside the drawer. "Thank you."
"Anytime, my queen." Kelan said with a tiny bow and I grinned, returning my attention to my hair. It took me a while but I managed to brush the knots and twigs out of my hair, setting down the brush before I gave my hair a good shake. "That does look better. Long hair suits you." He pointed out and I nodded, wiping at my cheeks to remove the dirt.
Now feeling better I climbed from the chair and as I moved to the bed I paused, trying to work out how they managed to fit this bed through the door. "Wow. Is this mine?" I breathed and Kelan nodded, chuckling as I climbed onto it to test how comfortable it was. Very as it turns out and I sighed, lying back before I wrapped a purple silk blanket around me.
"Do you need anything?" Kelan asked and I motioned him over to my side. Curious he wandered over and when he saw me staring up at the ceiling far above me he tilted his head to one side. "Is something the matter, my queen?"
"What happens to be once my reign is over?" I whispered and Kelan climbed onto the bed kneeling beside me as I continued to stare upwards. "Something bad?"
"You shouldn't look so worried. It's a great honor to be chosen as queen." Kelan insisted and I just sighed, unsure until he leant over me. "I noticed that Arledo was checking you out." He added, hoping that a change of subject would make me stop asking question. I immediately blushed remembering how handsome that other vampire looked and Kelan sniggered at the color of my cheeks.
"How about how jealous you were when Arledo started flirting with me? Explain that." I shot back and he showed his fangs, snorting and I giggled as he crossed his arms. "Thought so. You were so mad that he had my attention and not yours."
"I was not jealous." Kelan grumbled and I just giggled, rolling around on the blanket until he growled at me. "Oh you be quiet." He snapped as I sat, panting a little from laughing so hard.
"I'm sure you could get any woman you wanted." I replied and he raised an eyebrow at me when I shifted nearer. "So why did you get jealous when Arledo paid attention to me? It's only because I'm the queen right now."
"You are very pretty. I'm surprised you haven't even noticed that." Kelan responded as I stared right at him, chewing my lip as I did. "Now what are you staring at?"
"You could just control my mind like you did in the graveyard and make me pay attention to you only, Kelan." I told him and he just shrugged, unable to tear his gaze away from me as I watched him with a faint smile.
"If another vampire wants to give you his attention or affection I will not stand in his way. Besides I am forbidden to use my powers on the queen unless she orders me to." Kelan finally admitted and I grinned at him.
"So if I wanted you to use your mind control powers on me I could order you to?" I asked and he nodded, blinking when I smiled at him. "Hmm...that's kind of interesting."
"Why in Avacyn's name would you want me to control your mind?" Kelan enquired as I continued to stare at him. Then it hit him and he slowly blinked, his lips curling into a smile. "You are a curious human. No human I've ever met would willingly allow me to use my powers on them. Especially not being mind-controlled."
"It all depends on how you use your powers, Kelan." I muttered and he chuckled as I lay back amongst the blankets marvelling at how soft they felt.
"Once again I am very glad that I found you wandering that graveyard. Despite my earlier observation that you were terrified of us and of me you are growing more and more comfortable around my kind." Kelan commented and I sighed, closing my eyes so I didn't see his eyes glowing. Patient, Kelan waiting until he could hear my steady breathing and once he was sure that the newest queen of the vampires had fallen asleep he leant in, lightly kissing her cheek.
I wonder if I will get a chance to use my mind powers again? Then you will really understand that I can make you do whatever pops into that intreing mind of yours, Nerra.
Shaking his head, Kelan left the room silently closing the door as quietly as it would allow.