A/N: Okay, so I know I said I would leave this story if I didn't get people telling me to continue, but I'd already written this next chapter, so I figured I'd go ahead. Thank you to 'DemonxVampirexBitch' who reviewed and favorited my story! You made my week!
Lucian woke to a weak veil of light hanging over the castle. The sun would fall under the horizon soon, and night would come, meaning the castle would wake up. He lived his entire life the way the vampires did, sleeping during daylight, waking at night, though he sometimes ached to live normally. He stood and stepped out into the light, enjoying the soft heat on his skin. It was really quite a shame that vampires could not walk in the sun. Lucian wondered if Sonja would like the sun. She would, he decided. She would probably love to lay for hours, drenched in the warm, calming light. The happy picture of a full, sun covered smile on Sonja's face brought back the memory of the night before. Sonja's tease. He wondered if she had lay awake for some time, thinking about it, like he had. Almost automatically his head snapped up to Sonja's window. The curtains were closed firmly behind the dark green stained glass, blocking out the sunlight. He wished he could be there with her. See her there, sleeping. See her face, for the first time, not plagued by some unsatisfactory emotion like anger or worry or, more commonly now, stress.
The light sunk under the cliff face and the eastern sky grew dark. Lucian retreated back to the small room he was given to do his work and watched the sky slowly fade to night. His thoughts were wrapped up in Sonja, no surprises there. He was so absorbed in imagining her that he thought he was still dreaming when the heavily cloaked but unmistakable frame of Sonja crossed the darkening courtyard towards him.
"Lady Sonja," he croaked lamely, "You're awake… early,"
Damn you and your- Lucian didn't let his evil inner monologue finish. In fact, he pulled it in a headlock and stuffed it in a sealed crate. It was distracting.
"Good night, Lucian," she said. He could hear the smile in her voice, and irritation flickered through him. He wanted to pull the hood from her face so he could see that beautiful smile.
"It's still a little light," Sonja explained, as if, again, she knew what he was thinking. He wondered if he was that easy to read, or if Sonja was just exceptionally observant of emotions. Personally he hoped for the latter, hating to think his weak point was that he gave things away easily.
"Oh, right," Lucian mumbled. Within the sealed crate, his inner monologue clapped sarcastically.
"I'm sorry if I intruded on you, I don't want to distract you. I just wondered if you might help me," Sonja said, her tone sounding formal, and slightly hurt.
Lucian paused for a second, wondering what he'd done to upset her. He wished he could explain that his pathetic lack of coherent response was due to his staggering nervousness around her.
"Anything, I'm happy to assist," Lucian said, grinning at her.
Sonja seemed to take that as an acceptable white flag, and relaxed her stance. She adjusted her hood so that her face was visible, but still shaded.
"I was hoping you would say that," she returned the friendly smile.
Lucian took a moment to note how casual and relaxed Sonja seemed, even in the presence of a Lycan.
"I need some sort of weapon. Something long range, powerful enough to knock down an enemy at least. But nothing too complicated like a bow, something light and easy to operate during a fast battle. I know it sounds impossible, but I figured if anyone could do it, you could," Sonja explained. She had a look of sheepish hope, guilty at demanding something so big. Lucian smiled again.
"Your confidence in me is unnerving. I think you're under the impression that I actually have talent," he teased.
"But you do," Sonja protested, leaning against the stone wall, her back still to the ever fading light.
Lucian shook his head, "No, I just do what everyone says. Any fool can make a sword,"
"Well I think you have a lot of talent," Sonja said firmly.
"Consider this fool awash with pride," Lucian laughed.
Sonja joined in the laughter, a beautiful sound. Lucian wanted to stop laughing, like his voice was tainting the sound of her bell-like laugh.
After a moment, Sonja spoke again, "So what do you think? Am I crazy?"
Lucian shook his head, "No, just imaginative. I'm sure I can think something up, or I will try my hardest, at the very least,"
"Thank you," Sonja said, bowing her head in gratitude, "I should probably get back inside and get ready for the day. Oh how exciting, more wandering the castle trying to drill these small minded guards on which end to hold the sword and why it's not okay to slide down hills on their shields,"
Lucian laughed again, "I'm sure they're not that bad,"
Sonja shrugged, "Well, no, but they are small minded. I wish my father would stop telling everyone there is no hope. We do have hope,"
Her voice was firm, like she was still trying to convince herself of the fact. Lucian wanted to comfort her as pain flickered through her eyes. His hand reached out, towards her face and for a brief, blissful moment his fingers connected with her cheekbone, stroking down her face. And then he pulled back, disgusted at himself for crossing that line.
"I'm sorry," he looked down as she stepped backwards, not wanting to see the furious look she would surely carry, the repulsion that a Lycan had touched her.
"I should go," she said, her soft tone catching him off guard. He permitted himself to look up for a second and caught sight of her face briefly. Her expression was nowhere near what he'd expected. She looked torn, almost pained, and wistful, but above all she looked happy. And then she was gone. The crate in Lucian's mind dissolved and evil vampire-loving monologue and regular thoughts rejoiced, alike.
Lucian didn't see Sonja that night after their secret meeting earlier. Death Dealers came and went, dropping off weapons for sharpening, and he eavesdropped in every conversation, hoping to hear something of her. Unfortunately, it seemed the topic of the day was still the oncoming battle, so nobody seemed to have noticed the princess' absence. It was around midnight when Viktor in all his arrogant glory came striding out of the castle, flagged by his historian lapdog, Tanis and a burly guard. He didn't pause to make snide comments here and there as he usually did, which caught Lucian's attention. Viktor ploughed through the crowd (the courtyard was significantly busier since nobody was allowed out) to the gate. It was still for a minute, and the it slowly started to lift. A clearing the to crowd formed quickly and Lucian pushed his way through, curious as a carriage rolled in.
It was a large, regal looking thing, dark scarlet in colour with black, labyrinth detailing. Thick curtains covered the window, and two large, black horses slowed to a halt, shuffling uncomfortably in their harnesses. Two riders on either side accompanied the carriage, three Death Dealers and Sonja. Lucian felt a brief elation of relief at seeing her safe and well aboard her fiery black steed of choice, Zephyr. The two were incredibly alike in personality, it was quite funny to watch their little wars for dominance. But right now was different, Lucian noted. Normally Sonja looked comfortable and at peace on horseback, but tonight she seemed tense, her hands clenched around the reins and her lips pursed. She eyed the carriage like it had a disease. Lucian grew anxious to know who it carried, who it was that made Sonja react this way.
"Viktor, it's marvellous to see you as usual, my old friend,"
The slimy voice sent a shiver down Lucian's spine, as the carriage door opened. Lucian could have sworn he saw Sonja pull Zephyr an inch off to the side, her lip curled in distaste. The offending creature was not quite what Lucian expected. He was short, but had the lanky build of somebody very stretched out. His skin was pale, like the vampires', but the texture was rough and the tone was almost green. He had long, dirty blonde hair that was pulled back in a little silver clip and he wore typical clothes of a royal, like Viktor. The strange man held himself like someone incredibly attractive, though he was clearly not.
"An honour," Viktor agreed in a whole hearted trusting voice. Lucian struggled to understand the concept of trust when referring to this new man. He just reeked betrayal, even murder.
"I came as swiftly as I could," the man explained, his tone hinting that Viktor owed him one, "I have heard of the oncoming threat your coven faces. I want to offer my assistance."
Viktor bowed his head respectfully, "It would be most appreciated,"
Lucian's eyes flickered up to see Sonja blanch. She was probably anticipating the second Viktor would kick the man out. Lucian wondered again why she didn't like him so much.
"Then I will get to work immediately on forming a plan of attack. I understand that you are greatly outnumbered, but these things can be worked around. I would like to see your fighting team,"
The Death Dealers in the crowd all shuffled forward, forming a long line in front of the man. Sonja and the three other horsemen flagging the carriage pulled into the line, too, as the man began to pace.
"These are my Death Dealers. Exceptional fighters, all of them," Viktor explained, "You will find they are well up to your standards, Nazar,"
Lucian took a mental note of the name as Nazar strutted up and down the line, muttering to himself. At long last he got to the end where Sonja sat aboard Zephyr. A strange instinct to protect her made Lucian's hands clench. He didn't want that man anywhere near her.
"Female fighters?"
Nazar said, his voice half mocking, half disgusted, and one eyebrow raising. There were three females in the Death Dealer army, all of which Lucian thought were incredibly capable. He now completely understood Sonja's expression of loathing toward the man.
"That is my daughter, Sonja," Viktor explained.
The corners of Nazar's lips turned up, "Well, then, I suppose we should remove her. A war like this is no place for a woman, especially not a princess, like yourself,"
Sonja's coal eyes flashed ice blue instantly, "I think not,"
"You really think you could handle yourself out there, milady?" Nazar's tone was patronizing, like he was merely humouring her. Sonja's hand fell to the hilt of her sword.
"I am certain my skills could best yours," she hissed.
"Sonja, that's enough," Viktor snapped, his eyes matching hers'.
Nazar held up one hand, and drew a sword in the other, "No, it is alright, Viktor. You think you could beat me, woman?"
Viktor opened his mouth to protest, but Sonja was already dismounted, sword out and raised menacingly.
"I know I can," she retorted.
"You underestimate me, harridan. No matter, your ignorance is curable,"
And with a last pompous flourish, he slashed his sword at her. Sonja easily blocked him, throwing in a few attacks of her own. But Nazar seemed incredibly trained, and familiar with her moves. Lucian saw a crease of frustration and concentration on Sonja's forehead as she was forced to improvise. Slimy, untrustworthy, pigheaded as this man was, he was a mean fighter. Not five minutes into the battle, Nazar had disarmed Sonja. She lurched forward to attack him, but his free hand caught her arm, twisting it around. She let out a surprised and pained cry as he slammed her roughly against the wall. If there wasn't a line of Death Dealers in front of him, Lucian would have easily broken the scum bag in two pieces. Sonja turned her head as Nazar pressed her face against the rough rock. He put his weight on her slender frame, far too close for Lucian's liking. Nor Sonja's, it seemed.
"Get you filthy hands off of me!" she spat.
Nazar chuckled for a moment, before releasing her. She turned to face him, her eyes on her blade in his hands.
"This is exactly why we should not place weapons in the hands of women. They are irrational, impatient and have no place doing a man's job." Nazar spoke loud, so the entire coven could hear.
The more pig-like members of the Death Dealers snickered at Sonja being put in her place, whilst the women around Lucian shifted angrily. Nazar threw the sword back to Sonja, who caught it easily. There was an angry looking gash down the side of her cheek, and thought it would heal swiftly it infuriated Lucian further. It took every fibre of self control not to attack.
"I will need some time to think up some strategies before I meet with the Death Dealers here tomorrow at midnight." Nazar said, then he turned to Sonja, "You are not expected."
And then he retreated, Viktor on his tail. The crowd started to disperse, muttering amongst themselves. Lucian noticed Sonja standing exactly where she had been. Something told Lucian that she would not take this defeat easily.
So, what do we all think? This chapter was somewhat longer than the last. They'll all be different lengths, depending on my mood at the time. Please review, it makes me so happy! You know what doesn't make me happy? Sexist pigs! It was so hard writing all that sexist crap, I hate Nazar already! Hahaha! Okay, hope everyone is well and happy and eating food. I like food...
EXTRA NOTE, PLEASE READ: I'm very sorry if there are any mistakes, like grammar or spelling. I'm not very good at editing, since it's kind of hard to read over what I've just written. I'm thinking of getting a beta, but I'm not really sure how that whole system works. I'll look into it anyway. So can you guys do me a favor and tell me if my spelling and grammar is that bad that I need a beta? I mean, I'm very good with spelling and grammar, it's more that I watch the keyboard when I type and sometimes hit the wrong keys and not notice. You don't need to point out every mistake, just tell me if I need help! Okay, bye!