New chapter! (Yay!) :D
Okay, so if everyone hasn't looked at my profile, then I'll tell you here. The squel to Dragon Princess is coming soon! Be very happy. I wouldn't have had the idea if it weren't for a close friend of mine, (you know who you are) to give me the idea.
So, for this chapter we're going to meet the Queen of Darkness on a personal level and also someone who we might not want to meet. (And it's not Atena.) So, without further ado, let us read on!
Disclaimer, I own nothing!
Vampire Queen
Chapter 9
After the practice for her crowning ceremony was over Anzu decided to go to sleep early. The practice was a lot like a wedding ceremony, somewhat. She would have to wear a traditional linen dress and a lot of makeup along with one of those wigs. When she was told of all the things she needed Atem had laughed due to the look she had made.
She spent most of her human life as a cop, and they didn't deck themselves out in makeup since no one wanted anything to deal with what happened at least once a year. One female cop and a married cop would have an affair and that would cause a shit load of problems that no one really wanted. So makeup and making yourself look pretty was a no-no basically.
Crawling under the covers, Anzu sighed and snuggled into her soft pillow. She didn't bother to pull the curtains to cover the window up since Atem would do that for her. It was seven minutes before sleep claimed her, throwing her into dreams once more.
~o~
Anzu was dreaming again, only this time she was in control of the dream, and once again, she wasn't alone. It was the strange woman again, but Anzu could see the facial features. She was dressed differently too.
At first she thought it was a simple purple dress but upon closer inspection, there was a small slit that revealed a black dress under. The woman wore a simple wrap around her midsection and then a slightly smaller one but it was decorated with tiny designs of sakura flowers. Her entire outfit was all in tones of purple with the black under-dress the only different color.
Anzu then concentrated on the facial features. Glittering blue eyes looked back into her own sapphire blue ones, it was almost the same color but the woman's eyes looked more of an icy blue. A silver band that held a glowing purple gem paired with silver hoops.
Blinking, Anzu walked closer warily. The woman smiled then. "I will not be kissing you this time." She laughed softly. "I am Nerezza, the Queen of Darkness."
Anzu froze at the declaration. "Seriously?"
Nerezza laughed again. "Yes, I speak the truth."
What was she supposed to say to that?! Here was the Mother of Vampires, if the story was true, and Anzu didn't feel the urge to get on one knee and kiss the ground this Queen walked on! "So . . . is the book, the one I read, is it . . . true?"
Understanding glittered in Nerezza's eyes. "Yes, the words within the book are very much true."
"So you're really the Mother of Vampires." Anzu said, ready to fall to her knees. Nerezza must have seen it because she stepped forward and prevented Anzu from bowing.
"No, if I wanted respect I would have told you." She said sternly. "I have come to you to help you."
"Help me? With what?" Nerezza eyed her knowingly. "Okay, okay, I see your point, but do you do this for all your Children?"
"For Atem I did, but I was merely a voice to help him along, you are the only one who will receive personal training from me."
Anzu licked her lips, not really knowing what to say. "So, can I ask you one thing?" The Dark Queen remained silent. "Will I go insane, in the future?"
"No." Nerezza said with such a firm voice that Anzu couldn't help but feel confused. "You were not born to become a vampire and then have to die because of a curse placed upon my Children by the Queen of Light. We are not that weak."
"Well that's good to . . ." she trailed off. "We?"
Nerezza smiled. "We may not share the same personalities but our soul is the same." she paused for a moment, her eyes seeing something in the distance. "You could be the only one to take back the crown as queen."
"I don't understand." Anzu said softly.
"Teana, as she was called when Atem was young, was my first attempt to be reincarnated and united with the King I had chosen, but someone got in the way." Her eyes hardened to stone. "Olympias was the second attempt, but she was human and refused to be changed since she had another child to guide. You are my third reincarnation and because of your training and abilities, I have no doubt you will take your rightful place as the Queen of all Vampires."
"Hold up," Anzu said throwing out her hands. "Slow down and back up. Who got in the way of Teana?"
Nerezza growled. "You know who."
"But I just can't go to Atem and say that, it's his sister for gods sake, not to mention he's going to ask for proof!"
"That is where I come in."
"Say what?"
"The reason why I will be in your dreams until I deem you well trained. I am going to teach you how to access your true inner powers. I am also going to tell you what you can and cannot do."
Anzu blinked. "Thank you."
"Thank me when you live and finally kill Atena." Nerezza said. She paused and smiled then. "Night approaches, so before you awaken, I will grant you your first gift. Left alone, your blood lust would control you, and with Atena plotting, I cannot have that." She said and gently grabbed Anzu's neck. Like the sudden kiss before, there was a pulse. The blood lust was now merely a dull throb, something she could easily forget. "For four weeks you can go on without blood, like Atem, but do not forget to drink. It will take time for your body to understand that you can now go on for some time without large amounts of blood. Sips of it." She said.
Anzu was about to speak when the dream started to become fuzzy.
~o~
Opening her eyes she looked over to see Atem still sleeping soundly, a rare moment. Sitting up, she stretched her arms out, her joints popping and muscles waking up. Purring, she turned to see Atem still sleeping. Usually when she woke up and he decided to sleep in with her, he wasn't far behind her in waking up. She rolled onto his chest, knowing that had to wake him up.
It didn't.
"I guess I woke up earlier." She mumbled, resting her head on his chest, enjoying the warmth he gave off. To pass the time she drew circles on his chest. A moan alerted her that he was waking up.
His eyes drifted open and almost immediately he wrapped his arms around her and pulling her close. "Morning early bird." He mumbled. "Did you have a nightmare?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because you don't wake up this early, ever."
Anzu pouted. "Is that why I wake up all alone in bed? Horrible, Atem, just horrible." He frowned and snuggled into her neck, making Anzu giggle. "Stop it, that tickles." She squealed. Now Atem was grinning widely as he tickle attacked her. When Anzu was out of breath he stopped tickling her to get up and put on his usual clothes, black jeans and a shirt. Unlike the black jeans, the shirt changed. One day it could be a black shirt, another it would have a band name on it or something else.
Anzu would have loved to watch and enjoy but she was thinking about what Nerezza said. "Hey, Atem?"
"Hmm?"
"When you were the only vampire, did you have help, of some kind?" He stopped and turned to look over at her with a startled look on his face. "Well?"
He hesitated before speaking. "I guess I did, but it was merely a voice that stayed up here." He said, tapping his head. "I thought it to be my instinct."
Anzu smiled. "Yes, I guess it was." She said. He eyed her suspiciously and that smile.
"What's to smile about?"
"Hmm? What ever do you mean?" she asked innocently. He pouted but she could feel him give up trying to question her.
"No drifting away from the palace this time. I'm going to start training you on how to be my Queen."
A brow rose. "I thought I was to provide an heir."
He turned to look at her and gave her a sly smile. "Oh, don't worry about that. You'll provide one for me eventually, but right now you need to spend your energy learning."
Anzu got up and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Can't you slim the fifty years down somewhat? I'm not that violent." She pouted. Atem chuckled and planted a tender kiss on her lips, where he lingered for a few seconds.
"It depends on several facts, my dear. I haven't even given you what all vampires are to learn." He said, thinking of the traitor Aknadin. "There are things I need to show you, and you may not like them."
"Then let's get it done with early." She said. Atem eyed her, hesitant but it did sound like a good idea.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly.
"Yes."
"Alright then, get dressed, I'll wait for you." He said.
Anzu didn't know what she was in for as Atem lead her through the halls now lit up by the torches. He held her hand tightly, as if he was afraid of something. She poked his mind carefully, trying to read his emotions but the quick tightening of the hand told her that he could feel her poking and that it was unwelcome at the moment. Her heart gave a painful thump, in reply to that he pulled her to his side so his hip was against hers. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "The man I have to show you is not something I really want to do, but it was decided long ago that with every vampire Turned I had to show them what would happen to traitors. This does not exclude you." He finished in an equally soft voice.
Anzu felt slightly insulted, but she could understand where he was coming from. "It's okay, I understand." She said. "So who's the traitor and what did he do?"
"Seto's father, Aknadin. He attempted to put Seto in my place and kill me once I Turned him, he also gave away some information to an old enemy that is long gone now. I guess he thought once he was vampire he could have a chance, but as you can see, there was no chance."
Two guards stood before them, protecting a door that was made of pure silver. Anzu gasped and clutched Atem's arm. She could feel the repulsion against her skin.
The vampire guards opened the door, with protective thick gloves over the hands. The air that hit her face was stale and it reeked of death. Her grip tightened on Atem's arm as the entered. 'It feels . . .'
'Stuffy?'
'Suffocating.'
She could still see clearly, but that didn't stop her from walking down the stairs slowly. When she came to the bottom death seemed to hover closely here.
She jumped when a scream so pure and filled with rage rang through the air. Chains rattled and the strain of pure steel and silver drifted to Anzu's ears. Torches glittered in the dark gloom, revealing a man that didn't even look like a man. His face was covered in scars and right in the middle of his torso was a massive golden stake.
"Ah, so the Great Pharaoh has Turned another." The thing hissed as it laughed at the same time. "Let me guess, he told you stories of milk and honey, tricked you to become a monster." Anzu turned away and clung to her future husband. Its voice sounded harsh to her ears, like tiny little needles poking at her ear. "You should just-"
"Shut up!" she snarled at the creature. Something curled in her stomach and a second later the creature was howling in pain. She could see a large cut on his lips, draining his body of the substance he craved even more. Anzu spun on her heel and whispered into his ear. "Take me away; I don't want to see him." Atem wrapped his arms around her and in a second they were gone, back into their room, both clinging to each other. "You took me to see a monster." She whispered.
"We are all monsters." He said. She slapped him. His eyes turned to an angry blood red as he watched her.
"You ever treat me like that, ever, and I will shred you through our link every single day." She sobbed. "Chain me in silver, bury me in the sands and forget me, but please, not that." She cried. He watched her tears slide over her cheeks, calming down his temper.
He didn't know how she would react, but the words he'd heard come from her mouth was not what he expected. "I will not do such a thing to you, for I love you too much, even if you did betray me, I will not chain you in silver because that would mar your skin, and I will not bury in the sands and forget you, because that is impossible. You will never betray me, Anzu. That is a fact." He said softly, a remarkable mix of tenderness and the cold ruthless truth.
"You won't deprive me of having your children?" she asked in a tiny voice.
He laughed. "I'm not that cruel."
Anzu sniffed in disagreement but said nothing as she hid her face in his chest. "He felt . . . wrong. He felt so wrong." She said.
"Yes, being deprived of the blood one needs to survive can do that to a vampire."
"I meant he didn't look like a vampire, he looked like something more, or less considering." She muttered. "But seriously, don't do that. I'll take a whip to the ass any day."
He smiled. "I promise, then." He said softly, brushing her hair out of her face.
There we go. So, how bout we strike up a deal. You guys review and I put up two chapters of the sequel to Dragon Princess. Of course, it is your choice if you don't want to be hey, it's still on the table.
Ten reviews for faster update. Long reviews for two special chapters.
I leave you all to decide. Have a nice day or night.