He watched her with a sort of reverence reserved for the gods as she pursued her prey. He could not yet keep up with her strong strides and long bounds, so he often trailed behind.
Lotux, his creator, the one who opened his eyes to the true nature of the world, charged through the grassy plains; leaping over holes and crevices, keeping up with the sure-footed deer. Once again he wondered about her preference for wildlife when there were entire cities at her disposal, but he did not question her motives. It was not his place, after all.
Suddenly, the blonde stopped her chase, several hundred feet ahead of him. "Marcius, why are you not at my side?" Her voice was calm, and he was amazed that she was not out of breath. At the sound of his name, Marcius ran forward, though not with the same grace as Lotux. She watched him with those eyes of hers, her lips pulling up to reveal a smile. After a moment, the new-blood found his voice.
"I was simply in awe of your beauty," He answered, meeting her gaze with his own. She had taught him pretty words to say, and he would say them. Lotux smiled a coy smile, lowering her eyes like a bashful lady- although he knew that was far from the truth. This was a woman who killed without remorse, who manipulated to get her way, who toyed with the feelings of mortals to pass the time.
She truly looked beautiful then. The sun, setting behind her, gave her an otherworldly glow, and her blood was pumping wildly from the hunt. He reached out and removed her hood with shaky hands, letting her hair billow about her. Lotux watched him with an unreadable expression.
"It is time," The vampire began, turning her back to look at the sun. "For us to take our rightful place in the world."
Marcius nodded, almost eagerly. He had long awaited this day for many months, ever since she turned him. Though he knew little of her past, he had caught on that she had not seen her mother in many years, and had a score to settle with her. He wondered if he would have to assist in her death, as he was sure it would happen eventually. Marcius also wondered if he had it in him to kill the one who made the existence of his maker possible- but he quickly decided he would. Whatever she commanded, he'd obey.
The dark-haired boy took her hand, focusing his gaze on the sun. It was beautiful. He had always loved the light, the feel of the sun on his skin, even as a young boy. And as a vampire, it burned his blood, but it had not lost it's stunning brilliance.
"And how will we do that?" Marcius asked, closing his eyes. He could still see the sun burning bright from beneath his eyelids.
Lotux chuckled, a dark bell-like chime. "I will visit the castle where my wretched family resides; and see if we can't recruit my sorry excuse for a sister to our cause."
Lotux walked up the steps to her old home, wincing with distaste. With every step closer to the castle gates, she could smell the scent of the human cattle, and even worse, the scent of her sister.
Lotux had never liked Serana. She especially hated the way the girl held herself- like she was so sweet and so softspoken and oh so nice. But the blonde knew the real her, how her moods were as volatile as the weather, and that she'd rather save the world as opposed to rule it.
At first, Lord Harkon and Valercia had favored their firstborn. That is, until she began to rebel. It was many, many years before their parents took heed of Lotux's words and locked the girl away. But, once again, their true colors shone through when they put her in charge of the Elder Scroll, instead of Lotux.
Marcius cleared his throat next to her, and she inwardly sighed. Turning him had helped keep her loneliness at bay, and he was quite useful- however, there was something about him that made her skin crawl. Perhaps it was the way he looked at the sun, or how willing he was to please her, like an eager pup. She made a note in her head to choose her next companion wisely; someone with a fire in his belly and a strong will to match her.
But Lotux could not afford to lose an ally now, especially one such as he. She understood there was a power coiling inside him, bubbling beneath the surface, waiting. And she would see it through that it would come to light.
She made her way up to the keep, reaching out to caress each gargoyle as she passed. Three birds circled noisily overhead, and she resisted the urge to rip them out of the sky. Marcius seemed to sense her irritation, and plodded beside her silently.
An older vampire stood at the gate, sipping blood from a glass. For several seconds she grappled in her mind for his name, but found none. Lotux only remembered the important ones, such as her parents, sisters, and the two who plotted to overthrow the court- and her teacher. Her heart pounded in her chest as she remembered Fura Bloodmouth, the ruthless vampire who she had admired from a little girl.
"Lady Lotux has returned," he said, as Lotux rolled her eyes. He had said the same thing when Serana had arrived unexpectedly, toting some Nord at her side.
Without another word, she strode past him, pushing the door open to the castle.
It was exactly as she remembered it. Tables covered in thralls, lesser vampires feasting. She quickly noted that Serana, thank the gods, was nowhere to be seen, along with Valercia. Lord Harkon, however, was having a heated argument.
"I will have that bow!" He was repeating angrily, sitting in his throne as he spoke to one of his advisers. "And Serana's blood will taint it. It is for the good of all vampires," the dark-haired man snapped. Lotux smiled, and stepped into the light, letting her presence be known.
Silence filled the courtroom, heads turned. She knew that they were struggling to remember who she was, as it had been several hundred years.
"Ah, Lotux! It has been too long. And you look as lovely as ever, my child," Lord Harkon said, sitting up in his chair. "I am so glad you do not look like your traitor mother. It is a relief to my eyes."
Lotux smiled, stepping forward with a confidence that Dibella herself could not muster. She truly did look wonderful. As this was a memorable moment, she had taken care of her appearance, and had fed. Her tavern dress, that she had taken off one of her thralls, fit her wonderfully, the yellows and greens giving her a youthful, bright appearance, and the slit in the leg showing off her pale, luminous skin. Her hair, which thankfully needed no tending to, hung around her like liquid gold.
The two Deathhounds that often paced throughout the court came running in, stub tails wagging as they saw the source of the delightful smell. Although Lotux loved both, CuSith was her favorite. She dropped to a squat and lovingly pet the hounds, scratching them beneath the chins. The two began to fight for her attention, growling and snarling, which earned a laugh from the woman.
"Why have you decided to visit us, after all this time?" Harkon asked, sipping the blood from his chalice. She noticed, with a sense of unease, that he was taking her unannounced visit a bit too well; and she prepared herself for the inevitable temper that often followed his good moods. "And why have you brought some half-blood to our halls?"
At her side, Marcius snarled, baring his fangs. Lotux raised her hand, signalling for him to quiet down. The boy quickly became as meek as a lamb, although the anger had not faded entirely from his eyes.
"Can I not come and visit my family whenever I wish? Am I not welcome here, father?" She asked, rising to her full height and stepping forward.
Harkon seemed unconvinced, and leaned back in his chair. "You do not fool me, Lotux. While you are more welcome and more worthy than Serana, you still have your traitor mother's blood coursing through your veins. Why have you come?"
Lotux enjoyed this playful banter, but it had gone on long enough. She clapped her hands together as if she had just recieved an idea.
"I have returned to help you, father. Just like you, I seek to murder the sun, and perhaps my wretched mother along with it," she said, voice as soft as silk. She knew that he would not refuse her help, as he hated his wife almost as much as she did. And she was not wrong- Lord Harkon smiled a wide smile, eyes alight.
"I have long awaited this day. Serana has lost all favor, as I suspect she wishes to keep the bow for herself. Track her down, child, and do what you wish with her. I do not want her dead, of course, because we need her blood- but you can do what you wish, short of killing her. I would be most appreciative if you convinced her to come home."
Lotux grinned a wolfish smile, the thoughts of revenge staining her conscience.
"I will do that and more, father. That and more."
That's a wrap for this chapter. Special freakin' thanks for Little Miss Firebright, whose reviews are the best I've read. She's incredibly helpful, and you should give her stories a read if you haven't done so already.
Also, Abbs- If you're reading this, we're making Dr. Phil in Skyrim today.
Thanks!~
