I know that it has been way too long since I posted last. There are not any excuses that could make it ok. I am very sorry. I am hoping to keep a tight leash on V so that we can keep this story going. Keeping this short so you can get to the chapter. Enjoy!
Unfortunately, I do not own BDB, only my few characters and interpretations. Please enjoy!
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Staring out her window, Reigne kept replaying everything that had happened over the past couple weeks and sighed in frustration. Why did she have to be born into this mess? What was so special about her that she had to suffer for the past three hundred years only to learn that her suffering was no where near to being done. All she wanted to do was to go find her warrior and lose herself in the comfort that only he could provide. Even with that wish, she knew that she couldn't let that happen. Having her around would only make things worse for her brother as well as the brotherhood, but especially for Vishous. Remembering her dream only helped to solidify her resolve to stay away from him. Then she thought of the journal she read and then was right back to square one of feeling confused and unworthy of her warrior. Thinking about him made her remember what happened just a couple weeks ago when she found herself face to face with the mother of their race…and to the warrior she wanted to call hers.
Two weeks prior
Reigne opened her eyes, but quickly closed them against the bright light surrounding her. Not understanding what had happened, she calmed her racing heart and focused on her surroundings. She found that she was laying on something hard, yet it was warm underneath her back. Listening, she could tell that she was in a building and yet there was the distinctive sound of birds chirping not too far away. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the bright light before fully opening them.
She was not expecting to see the beauty that was around her. Beneath her was a bench made of green marble that matched the flooring. Sitting up, Reigne looked around her and saw a tree just behind her filled with beautiful birds that were singing to each other. The birds' song was very peaceful and it helped her to calm her thoughts enough to think straight. The last thing that she remembered was being in her warrior's arms, listening to him fight with her brother again, over her. Pain flared in her heart as she thought about the strife her presence was causing between the two males. Maybe going to search out her brother had been the wrong idea.
"Do not doubt yourself, daughter."
Reigne's head snapped up at the soft yet commanding voice that floated over to her. Looking towards a set of double doors, she saw a slight figure covered from head to toe in a hooded robe. As she saw the faint glow below the robe, she knew instantly who she was looking at. Sitting up straighter, she bowed her head in reverence. "It is an honor to be in your presence, my lady."
"It is an honor for me, daughter, as you are the one who survived."
Reigned kept her head bowed. "I do not understand how I came to be here, I do not mean to intrude in your home."
A soft chuckle floated across the room. "You called out to me in prayer, my daughter, and I could not ignore the plea. So here you are and I know you have questions."
"No, my lady, I know not to ask questions." Reigne whispered, reaching back to the times her mother had spoken to her and her sister about the mother of the race. Never before had she heard of anyone alive having met the Scribe Virgin and she immediately worried that she had actually died in Vishous' arms.
"Even after all of your hardships you still have your manners. Your aunt raised you well, my daughter." The Scribe Virgin moved across the floor as if she were floating and stopped in front of the tree of birds. "Their song is quite peaceful is it not?"
"Yes, my lady." Reigne kept her eyes downcast in respect, but she couldn't deny that she did have questions. They were eating away at her soul, but she would not utter a single one as she was well taught by her aunt as well as her mother. The Scribe Virgin was not one to suffer fools and that was exactly what you were if you dared to ask her questions.
"I did not grant you access to my precense so that you could act out of your normal character. I expected to find the female that had captured my son's heart, not a meek female."
Reigne's head jerked up in surprise and confusion, her mouth opened before she caught herself. "Who is your son?"
A light chuckle floated across the space between them.
Reigne gasped, shocked at her outburst. "Please forgive me, my lady. I was caught by surprise, I did not mean to disrespect your rules."
"My daughter, I told you that I know you have questions for me. I give you leave to ask your questions, but I will only answer what I can." The Scribe Virgin floated over to the bench that Reigne was sitting on and perched on the end. As the silence continue, a huff was heard. "I may be lenient with you right now, but do not test my patience."
"My apologies, my lady." Reigne took a deep breath, wanting to do as the Scribe Virgin ordered, but not asking questions of her was an ingrained rule in her soul. "Who is your son?"
"I thought that would be your first question. I am not surprised that he has not told you himself. He seems to be quite ashamed of his parentage. It was due to my lack of intervention that he has the markings he does on his body and his mistrust of others."
Reigne blinked, there was only one male that fit that description. "Vishous? He is your son?"
"Yes. I knew once you made it to the brotherhood that you and Vishous were meant for each other. You are the only female out there that would be worthy of my son and in turn you can show him that he is worthy of you as well."
This was nothing like what Reigne had ever envisioned talking with the Scribe Virgin would be like. It almost seemed like a dream and yet she knew that this was all too real. "It is I that is unworthy of your son, my lady. My uncle saw to that himself."
"In that you are wrong, Reigne. With what your uncle did to you, he made you more worthy of Vishous than any other female out there. You two have such similar experiences that only your understanding will be able to bring out the side of him that he hides and will probably hide from everyone but you. In turn, he will help heal your emotional and mental wounds that were inflicted upon you at the hands of your uncle and the death of your sister."
"I don't understand any of this." Reigne allowed her head to drop, her chin resting on her chest. "I have spent so long dreaming, wishing for the day where I would be able to escape my uncle and to find my brother. I thought that would end all of my problems as I knew that Wrath would protect me. I never once thought that I would ever be worthy of a male, let alone a warrior. Somehow I feel like there is more to this than I know, something else playing out in the background that is only going to make things worse. I may not understand what is going on, but am I correct, my lady?"
"My daughter, you are more perceptive than we give you credit for. Look at me." The Scribe Virgin waited as Reigne did as requested, then slowly lifted her hands to lower the hood covering her face. She ignored the gasp that escaped Reigne and adjusted the hood of the robe so it sat just behind her ears, showing the midnight black hair that was so like her son's. "I will help you to understand if you will let me and there is much to explain. Give me your hands."
Reigne glanced at the face now bared to her sight before looking at the hands that were waiting for her to place her own in. This added to her confusion as everything she had been taught about the Scribe Virgin now seemed to be the opposite of what she was experiencing. No questions, no touching, always covered by her robe and definitely not the sense of comfort that she was feeling now. Steeling herself against the nervousness suddenly engulfing her, she reached out with both of her hands and gently placed them in the palms before her. She gasped over the warmth that flowed through her and her eyes flew up to be captured by the cobalt blue orbs looking back at her.
Closing her hands around Reigne's, the Scribe Virgin let out a sigh of relief. "Even though this connection is for your benefit, my daughter, I do this also for myself. Your gift allows me to touch you thus and protects you from my power as it does with my son."
"Pardon me, my lady, but what gift and why do you keep calling me your daughter?"
The Scribe Virgin chuckled softly. "I call you that as I know that one day you will be my daughter as my son's shellan. I know only that you two belong together and I can only be thankful that you were resilient enough to escape your uncle and make your way to your brother and my son."
Reigne was shocked yet again by her candor. Deciding that she would think about that response later, she looked down at their hands and noticed a golden glow starting with their joined hands and working their way up Reigne's arms. As the glow intensified a warmth flowed up her arms as well that turned into a feeling kin to multiple needles poking into her skin along the inside of her arms between her wrists and elbows.
"My daughter, I am giving you back something I took from both you and your sister upon your birth. I was aware of what your parents were trying to do due to the prophecy and they had prayed for my assistance. Still keeping to the rules set for us, I could not favor one twin over the other so I did my part. I hid your natural born markings, not unlike your brother's yet yours were not actually applied with ink. You and your sister bore the royal family markings like Wrath does now. The only differences are that his are actual tattoos where as yours are not and you also have the additional markings of the prophecy."
Reigne looked down and gasped as she watched the markings appear on her arms, ones just like what she had seen on Wrath's arms. These were the markings of the royal family, but only the males ever had them. It was a sign of the right of ascension. Only the first born son ever bore the markings of ascension. So why did she have the markings? What was the last part that on her right arm? It wound its way from the bottom of the standard royal tattoo and covered her right hand. Looking at it closely it reminded her of the tattoo on Vishous' hand. Both held a warning. She looked at the Scribe Virgin in confusion.
"I know and I will do my best to help you understand." The Scribe Virgin shifted minutely in her spot on the bench. "I need to ask you if you know anything about the prophecy of the royal twins."
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Vishous couldn't understand what had happened, Reigne was in his arms one minute and disappeared into thin air in the next. He was barely paying attention to Wrath as he kept going on about something not happening again. "Wrath, get everyone to search the grounds now!"
He didn't bother waiting for Wrath to acknowledge his demand before he stormed out of the office. Running back down the hallway towards her room, he yelled for her. "Reigne!"
Vishous stormed into her room and searched for her even though he knew she wasn't anywhere in the building. He growled as he tore through her room.
"Vishous?"
He stopped in his tracks as he turned towards the door and yelled. "What!?"
Butch threw his hands up as he stepped closer to the crazed vampire before him. "Calm down, V, and tell me why you are yelling in here?"
"She's gone, that's why I'm yelling." Vishous shouted at Butch as he continued to search the room, already knowing he wouldn't find her. With a pain filled roar, he pushed passed Butch in the doorway and continued out into the hallway yelling. "Reigne!"
Butch stood in shocked silence for a long as it took V to get passed him and then he darted out into the hallway, grabbing V's shoulder to stop him. "What do you mean gone?"
Vishous stopped at the question and clenched his fists. "We were in Wrath's study and Reigne got upset. I was trying to calm her down, but Wrath kept getting in my face. I tried to ignore him, failing miserably, and then she disappeared from my arms."
"Fuck." Butch hissed. "How long has she been gone?"
Vishous watched as Butch fell back into cop mode and heaved a sigh. He knew that Butch's support was freely given, but his cop thinking wasn't going to help much in their world. "About five minutes. Listen, cop, she disappeared, not got up and walked away. This isn't something that your cop skills are gonna be able to fix."
Butch clasped a hand to his chest. "I'm wounded, V, really. I understand the difference between disappearing and walking away, you ass. I can promise though that some of my cop skills will be able to help. Did she say anything before she vanished?"
Suddenly losing all strength, V leaned up against the wall and slid to the floor. Closing his eyes, he thought back over those last few minutes and realized that there was only one place that she could have gone to, only one place that would allow for her to dematerialize from the compound as the walls were reinforced to keep that very thing from happening. "Fuck."
Looking down at his friend, Butch suddenly got even more worried than he had been before. The look on V's face told him all he needed to know and it wasn't good. "V, man, talk to me."
Slowly pushing himself off of the floor, V headed straight for Wrath's study. He was aware that Butch was following him silently, but he was too focused on his goal. Not bothering to knock, he slammed the door open and found the room empty. With a growl, he headed for the stairs down to the foyer, Butch hot on his heels.
"V? What's going on?" Butch asked as he kept pace with the angry vampire in front of him. He wanted to grab him and pull him to a halt, but he knew if he even tried that he would lose his arm. "Where are we going?"
"Wrath." Was all that Vishous was able to get out of his mouth. His jaw was so tightly clenched that he was afraid he would break his teeth any moment. He didn't know how Wrath did it, but he knew that he was behind Reigne's disappearance. She knew she was safe with him, so there was no way that she would have willingly left his arms, which left only Wrath as the culprit.
'Oh shit.' Butch thought to himself as he felt the pure fury that was flowing from Vishous and it only intensified when he uttered Wrath's name. he knew that somehow the shit was about to hit the fan whenever V was able to find Wrath and he needed to be there to keep V from doing some serious harm to their king. "Talk to me man."
Vishous heard Butch, but was so lost in his worry over Reigne and his fury of finding out just what Wrath thought of him, he was unable to answer him. As he reached the foyer, he heard voices coming from the billiards room. Quickly darting in, he found the rest of the brothers tense as Wrath spoke.
"I know most of you have not had a chance to meet Reigne as of yet and that is mostly my fault. Let me give you the quick back story." Wrath paused as he felt Vishous enter the room, but at a squeeze from Beth he continued. "She came here looking for me under the belief that we were cousins. Thanks to some meddling on Havers' part, we learned that she is actually my sister."
Another pause from Wrath as the brothers all gasped in shock. Tohr spoke up. "Your sister?"
"Yes, I wont go into her background as that is for her to share if she so chooses. Right now, I need everyone to search the compound top to bottom. She disappeared from my study about ten minutes ago and she as scared." Wrath turned in V's direction. "If you find her, let V or myself know immediately, but do not approach her. Reigne's background makes it hard for her to be touched."
All the brothers moved to leave, sensing the dismissal. They found V and Butch blocking the door.
"Vishous, my man, you need to move or your lady will stay missing." Rhage joked as he tried to push the brother aside.
"There is no point in searching the compound for her." Vishous growled, his anger clear in his voice. "Isn't that right, Wrath?"
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Reigne looked at the Scribe Virgin as what she asked triggered something in her memory. Closing her eyes, she tried to follow the thread to its source and gasped, her eyes flying open. "My uncle used to ask me about it. I truly had no answer for him and he beat me for it."
"I know, my daughter, and for that I am greatly sorry that you had to suffer at his hands for so long." The Scribe Virgin paused as she knew what she was going to tell this young female would cause deep hurt within her. "What I am about to say will not be easy for you to hear. The prophecy was stated quite simply.
'Twins of royal blood shall be born; If both survive our world be torn.
Female shall the gender be, Light and Dark their affinity.
If both reach the age of maturity; The unbinding will start of divinity.
While two yet live, only one shall survive; When one dies the other shall thrive.
They cannot live a life of ease; Until one twin doth rest in peace.
The one who survives will then be known; She will be salvation or a kingdom overthrown.
While war rages in the kingdom over light and dark; The female who survives shall bring the end with what's in her heart.
Shall the wrong one prevail; The kingdom is guaranteed to fail.'"
Reigne looked on as the words flowed through her mind on a repeated loop. She wasn't sure what to believe and yet she knew that the Scribe Virgin was not being dishonest with her. Her uncle had never spoken about the prophecy itself, he just wanted to know what she knew about it. She gasped as she realized that neither of them were meant to live with the other. One of them was always meant to die. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she mourned the loss of her twin. "Why us?"
"I do not have an answer for that. There is no way for anyone to fathom what you have lived through and what you have yet to live. As with my son, I was very aware of everything that happened to you and your sister and as with my son, I was unable to intervene. There are rules that even I have to abide by." There was sadness in her voice.
Reigne covered her face with her hands, trying to hide from what she was hearing. "How are we to know if the correct twin survived? How are we to know that I…"
"Don't, daughter, don't do that to yourself."
"How are we to know that I am not the twin with the dark affinity? I caused the death of my twin, so how can anyone believe that I am anything other than evil?" Reigne barely got the questions out as her crying intensified. She hurt so much for her sister as well as the pain that she could end up causing, doubling over she tried to close herself off to anymore pain.
Reaching out, the Scribe Virgin placed her hand on Reigne's back. Her heart broke for this female that didn't deserve to have any of this placed upon her shoulders. "Even being the mother of the race, I cannot tell you which twin has which affinity. I can tell you that there was a part of the prophecy that was never made public knowledge. Would you like me to tell you? It might help ease your worry."
Reigne lifted her head enough to glance over her shoulder. "I am at your mercy, my lady. Please tell only what you deem me worthy of."
"Oh my daughter, now is not the time for self-doubt. Listen closely and you will understand why I answered your prayer as well as stating that you are worthy of my son.
'If the twin of light enters into the fight; She will find the other half of the soul of light.
A true warrior shall give her his heart; Never again shall they ever be apart.
Once the female and her warrior meld; Only then shall the salvation be held.
If the twin of dark enters into the fight; Never again shall we walk in the light.
Cursed to forever walk alone; She will make darkness her throne.
Enemies of light shall all be drawn; The end shall begin with the rising of the dawn.'"
Reigne took a deep breath, trying to calm down. If she understood the second part correctly, then if she was truly the dark as mentioned, then she really would be alone. It made too much sense that she would be the wrong one to survive. After everything she suffered at the hands of her uncle, there was no way that she was the one to look to as the salvation of the race. She snorted in a very un lady like manner.
"What is running through your mind, daughter?"
Without looking at her, Reigne spoke quietly. "It all makes sense except for why you would allow me to venture into your home as well as enjoy the company of your son. Unless you are just doing this to get me to feel safe before you take me out of the picture. Which I completely understand why it would be done. Without me there is no threat to the kingdom, our race."
Shaking her head, the Scribe Virgin hid her smile. "If that were true, how do you feel about it?"
"It hurts, if I were being honest. I just gained my freedom and now I shall lose everything once again. I had hoped once I found Wrath that losing my parents as well as my sister would be enough." Reigne stopped as she was choked by a sob. "How is one person supposed to survive this much pain?"
"I understand that it hurts and as callous as this may sound, I am glad that it does." She paused as Reigne sat up and looked at her with anger in her eyes. "Let me explain. After going through the loss of family and the torture that your uncle put you through, if you did not feel any pain then I would know just which twin sat in my home. Those of the dark thrive on the suffering of others and even themselves. A being of the light feels the pain of those who suffer more so than their own suffering. We live our lives to make sure those we care for are taken care of. Reigne, I knew before you made it to the brothers that you were our salvation and not the end."
"How can you say such things? I am the reason that my parents died as well as my aunt and uncle. My sister died because of me. Everywhere I go I bring death. Even your son." Reigne clutched at her chest remembering the sight of Vishous on the operating table. "He almost died due to his distraction with me. All of this just proves that I am unworthy of any male, especially your son."
"Charis, come here." The Scribe Virgin called out after heaving a sigh.
A young female appeared as commanded. "Yes, Scribe Virgin?"
"Go to the Hall of Records and bring me the journal please."
"As you wish, Scribe Virgin." Charis curtsied before leaving to do as commanded.
Reigne was lost in thought as she contemplated the turn of events and what she was going to do with her life from here on out. She wouldn't be able to go back to Vishous or her brother. She would only cause them pain and that was not what she wanted to do. 'Why was it I that survived?' she thought to herself, feeling the pain again of losing her sister.
"Reigne, stop it." The Scribe Virgin snapped. "I am tired of your self-doubt. I understand why you would think the way you do, but I can tell you that those thoughts are in error. Look at me."
Reigne looked up into the eyes of the mother of the race and felt a sense of calmness wash over her. It almost felt like it did when she was with Vishous. "I beg your forgiveness, my lady. This is all so overwhelming to me."
"I understand. Let me take your mind off of this while we wait for Charis to return." She said as she turned to face Reigne again. "Let me explain your gift. Give me your hands."
Confused, Reigned turned to face her and did as requested. "My gift?"
"Yes, daughter, your gift. You see, some of our race are born with gifts that they acquire upon their transition and some are cursed with their gifts. My son was born with his as he is my son and shares my gift to a point. His gift can help certain others but is more of use in the battles he fights in every day. Rhage, whom I know you have met, was originally cursed with his gift. It was a punishment that I gave him which as he matured he learned to use it in his battles and decided to keep it. You may ask him for the whole story, but it is his to tell."
Reigne looked at their joined hands and saw again the soft glow encompassing them. "And what of my gift? Is it one that just makes it to where I am immune to others' gifts?"
"Quite the contrary, my daughter. Your gift is that of a mirror. When you are around one who is gifted and have had contact with them, you are able to use their gift as well. The more contact you have the more you will soak up their gift to where you would technically have that gift as well. That would only happen well over time." She paused to smile at Reigne, she knew the next part may help her overcome her doubts. "The main component of your gift is quite simple. As you well know, everyone was created with a true mate, one that completes them, correct?"
Reigne nodded, not sure where she was going with this.
"Your gift is to share that of your mate and would not become active until you met your mate." She looked into Reigne's eyes and saw the confusion mixed with hope. "You need to understand that by this knowledge alone, you are not going to be bring the end to anyone. Your gift became active when you touched my son as he was healing his brother. Your gift became active after you touched your mate. He is the warrior that will go with you into battle and you could have no finer hellren. Please believe me when I say that you were the one that was meant to survive. Your sister saved herself from darkness by sacrificing herself to save you. Do not tarnish her last act with your self-doubt."
Reigne sat in silence, hoping that what she was hearing was in fact true. What was said about her gift seemed to fit. She knew if she had her gift while with her uncle, she would have destroyed him and had her freedom long ago. Her heart told her that it was all true and that she was meant to find her warrior, but even now she still felt unworthy. How could he accept her after everything her uncle did?
"Now I told you to stop with the self-doubts." The Scribe Virgin admonished. "As you have witnessed, you have the same gift as my son, which means you have part of my gift as well. There is a part that I am going to give to you that will help you in the coming days. I have not done this before so I cannot advise if it will hurt."
Reigne nodded as she was at a loss for words. This whole experience had been beyond surreal and she wasn't sure how much more she could take. A gasp escaped her as her attention was brought back to a new glow focused on the joined hands before her. The glow moved from her hands to cover her arms and a tingling sensation followed in its wake. A warmth suffused her whole body as the glow moved to encompass both women. As the glow faded, she took a deep breath. "What… what did you do to me?"
"I gave you an ability that complements your normal powers of being of pure blood. This gives you more control over the elements than even the king has. The use will be instinctual, but I have the feeling you will be wanting your privacy when you return to your new home. All you have to do is will it and you will have the privacy you desire." She smiled at the female before her knowingly.
"I do not know what to say." Reigne bowed her head. "Thank you, my lady. I shall endeavor to be the female you think I am."
They were interrupted as the Chosen Charis returned with a book in her hands. Stopping before them, she curtsied as she offered the book to the Scribe Virgin. "As requested, here is the journal, my lady."
"Thank you, Charis." The Scribe Virgin replied in dismissal. Running her hands over the leather bound journal, she hoped that this would provide the comfort that Reigne was needing. "This journal belonged to your mother. I have been waiting for the right time to give it to you and I believe that time is now. I personally have not read it, but I do know that it goes into detail the agreement between your parents and your aunt and uncle. It also goes into detail regarding the prophecy and how she thought it applied to you and your sister."
Reigne stared in shock as the journal was placed in her hands. It felt stranger to her to be holding something of her mahmen's even though she never knew her. Unsure how to respond to the gift, she bowed her head to the female before her. "Thank you, my lady, I shall treasure this always."
Laughter trickled out of the hood as she stood from her seat on the bench. "Come, daughter, let me take you home. I have a few words I need to share with your brother and my son."
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Wrath heard the accusation in Vishous' voice and he pushed himself from the counter to address it. His temper already riled, he barely kept from yelling. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Vishous couldn't stand the act. "You know exactly where she is. Why are you hiding it? There is only one place she could be and only you have access."
Beth stood next to Wrath, watching as the two males went at each other yet again. With a sigh and a prayer sent to whatever deity decided to listen, she stepped in to stop them for the second time that day. "Would you two stop it! I don't know what is wrong with you today, but you need to just give it a rest. Reigne is missing and that is what we need to be focusing on, not trying to get the other to throw the first punch. Now, Vishous, I think you need to explain what you were talking about."
"Ever the level headed one, Beth." V tipped his head in her direction, remembering she had been on his side earlier in regards to Reigne. "I know Wrath heard what Reigne was saying before she disappeared and somehow he managed to send her to the Scribe Virgin. There is no other way she could have dematerialized out of the compound and I can't feel her anywhere."
"I was just as much involved as you were." Wrath shouted, tired from the stress Reigne had placed on him since her arrival. "I think she's here somewhere and has found a way to block you. She was terrified of you before she vanished."
V grit his teeth to keep from screaming his frustration. "My lord," he ground out on a growl, "I think we already established that I'm the one male in this damn place she isn't afraid of and that includes you. She isn't here and the quicker you accept that, the quicker we can get her back."
"Why you arrogant bastard." Wrath snarled. "What right do you have to stand there and accuse me of sending my sister away and how dare you claim that she's afraid of me, her brother. She has more reason to fear you than me."
"I may just keep her indefinitely with how you two are behaving."
All eyes turned to the robed figure now standing in the room with them. As one they all bowed to the Scribe Virgin and failed to notice the figure standing behind her. Both figures watched them in irritated amusement.
"The female is safe." The Scribe Virgin gracefully snapped. "There is no need to search for what is not lost. All of you are dismissed save for two and you both know who you are."
Vishous sighed as he moved further into the room to allow the other brothers to file passed him, all giving him sheepish grins as they left. Leaning against the wall, he looked anywhere but at Wrath or the female at the other end of the room.
Beth reached up to place a kiss on Wrath's chin. "You behave while I'm gone."
The Scribe Virgin sighed as Beth left the room and she willed the doors closed after the female cleared them. "Would one of you two idiotic males care to explain why this female prayed to me to take her away earlier?"
Reigne watched as both Wrath and Vishous finally noticed that she was standing in the room. Not wanting to make either mad at the other, she stayed where she was, but smiled when she caught her warrior's eyes staring at her. She disliked the discord that she had caused between V and Wrath.
"I do not understand, Scribe Virgin." Wrath responded. "We were not aware of where Reigne was until your arrival."
"Finally you are learning respect, Wrath. Although, based upon what I was hearing, at least one of you was fully aware of where she was." She sighed. "My son, how is it that you knew where she was and your king did not?"
Not taking his eyes from Reigne, he snorted. "I was the only one paying attention to her apparently. I heard her words before she vanished. I panicked when I couldn't find her, but it took one question from Butch and I realized she was with you and I confronted Wrath with the knowledge hoping he would man up and admit to somehow sending her to you."
If her face could have been seen, the shock on the Scribe Virgin's face would have been quite the sight to see. As it was, her shock went unnoticed other than through her silence until she heard a soft chuckle behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she waited for the female to calm herself.
Reigne stepped up next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, ignoring the gasps from both males in the room. "My lady, may I?"
"If you wish, daughter."
"Warrior." Reigne started without removing her hand as the touch gave her the comfort to address the situation. "Other than his arguing with you, Wrath had nothing to do with my leaving. You understand my actions and reactions to situations, but Wrath does not. You, my warrior, experienced but a fraction of what I went through where he has experienced none of it. I know you tried to explain it to him, but I already know that my brother is stubborn."
Vishous knew what she was saying was true, but he couldn't get passed the anger he felt towards Wrath. A normal male would go about trying to prove themselves where he fully believed he had already done that time and time again. With a sigh he took a step towards her. "For my part in your discomfort, I am truly sorry, leelan."
Wrath grunted at the endearment. "Do not call her that!"
Vishous turned on Wrath, ignoring the audience. "I do not take orders from you, your highness, unless it pertains to my part in the brotherhood. You cannot tell me what I can and cannot say."
"You ungrateful…" Wrath snarled. "She is my sister and as such it is my place to protect her from males like you."
"Like me?" Vishous laughed darkly. "Do you mean as a member of the brotherhood or as a male with my background and parentage?"
"Your interests and your curse make you unworthy of my sister." Wrath growled, taking a few steps towards him, but was pulled up short when Reigne interrupted.
"Curse?" Reigne snapped. "Can you really say that when his mahmen is standing right here?"
Both males turned to look at her shock on their faces.
"Well, brother," she growled, "I'm glad I learned your thoughts on that now. If Vishous isn't worthy of me then I guess I am no longer worthy of you."
"Reigne, what are you talking about?" Wrath asked, sensing her anger and hurt as it hit him in waves. "You are…"
"This." Reigne interrupted him as she held out her right hand, letting it slowly start to glow as his eyes wouldn't be able to pick up on the markings from where he stood. "Per your own words, I have my own curse that makes me unworthy."
Vishous had wanted to ask her about how he could touch her without harming her and by the show she was giving Wrath, he figured she now had the answer. "Leelan?"
"Not now, my son." The Scribe Virgin interrupted. "There will be time later for questions."
"Reigne, you are my sister and cannot be cursed." Wrath spoke softly, worried over the soft glow that he saw by her. "There is nothing that has happened to you in your life that would make you unworthy of me or anyone. I already told you that."
Reigne groaned as she grew more and more angry with her brother. How could she survive so many years upon years of torture just to find a different family member that would look down on her? Was all of this some form of punishment for what she was born into?
With a sigh, a robed arm reach out so she could rest her palm on the female's cheek. Ignoring the gasp from her son, she spoke to the one who needed her most. "My daughter, do not concern yourself right now with the two males before you. You need to spend time adjusting to all you have learned, read the journal. Once you have accepted what is to be, only then will you be able to address the issues with the stubborn males of your world. Just remember if you need me, while I may not always answer your questions, I am but a prayer away."
Closing her eyes, Reigne took a deep breath as she leaned into the hand on her cheek. "I will do as you say, my lady. I do not understand yet the faith that you have in me, but I shall do everything I can to live up to your expectations of me."
"Just remember, daughter, no matter how difficult you find the coming days I know that everything will go the way it is supposed to and you have my blessing. Always believe in that and trust in the words written in the journal. I may not have read it myself, but it will ease your worries." The Scribe Virgin turned to glare at the king. "You may share the journal with your brother if he earns the privelage."
With a frown, Reigne looked to her brother and thought that if she went based on what happened just that day, she would not be sharing those private words with Wrath. She was torn between wanting to be alone and wanting to have Vishous hold her. "As you command, my lady."
With a shake of her head, the Scribe Virgin pushed on Reigne's shoulder, angling her towards the door. "Go and take care of yourself for once, daughter, you deserve it."
Reigne nodded as she moved towards the door. She smiled at Vishous as he opened the door for her, but she just didn't have it in her to talk to him right then. Straightening her shoulders, she left the room and went upstairs to her room. Before she closed her door, she could hear the guys being chastised and it caused her to laugh. Closing the door behind her, she restd her hand on the wood and sealed it against uninvited visitors. If she was going to get through this, she was going to do it her way.
Present
A knock at the door brought her back from her thoughts and she turned to look at the door.
"My lady, I have your dinner." Fritz called through the door.
It had been two weeks since she had her breakdown and locked herself away in her room. Two weeks of only allowing Fritz to enter to bring her food as well as the new clothes that had been ordered for her. She knew everyone was worried about her, but she couldn't bring herself to talk to anyone yet. Getting up from her seat by the window, she went to the door and removed the seal. Opening the door, she allowed Fritz to enter, noticing the figure resting against the wall on the other side of the hall from her door before she closed it. "Thank you, Fritz."
"It is my pleasure, my lady." Fritz placed the tray of food on a side table and fidgeted before turning to face her. "I know its not my place to say this and I am unaware of what is going on, but that male out there has not moved from that spot since you denied him access to you. I take care of those males as if they were my own and I do not enjoy seeing any of them in the pain he is in now or yourself, my lady. It has been two weeks now and even if you need two more, tell him something that might ease his worry."
Reigne stood there, shocked that the doggen had the audacity to speak to her thus and then she remembered how times have changed. Thinking back, she did remember that the doggen did tend to take care of the families they worked for as if they were their own. There were a few times she remembered going to one of them when she got hurt and needed someone to take care of her. Looking back at the door as if she could see through it, she wondered if what he said was true, had Vishous really sat out there the whole time she had stayed locked away in her room?
"My lady, please." Fritz moved to stand before her as he begged. "The king is worried about you as well as the male outside your door. You have been here such a short time and yet neither of them is able to function for their worry over you. I know you will do the right thing."
Reigne was lost in thought and didn't notice that Fritz had left. She knew she had caused her warrior pain when he had come up to her room and she refused to let him in. He never expressed it but she could feel it as if it were her own. She expected that he had felt her emotions as well. She had run the gambit of emotions as she allowed herself to think and feel finally. The first week had been more than she could bear and if she hadn't been too weak in her depression, she most likely would have given in and let Vishous in.
Once she thought she got a handle on her emotions, she focused on understanding and accepting everything that had happened to her in her long life. Why she had been sequestered with her sister out in the country and why she had been raised not by her parents but by her aunt and uncle. Even knowing that didn't lessen the pain of losing them. Then she worked through the time with her uncle. She accepted everything that had been done to her and vowed that if she ever came across him again she would make sure to make him pay. Reigne thought of Killigan and spent time remembering and mourning the loss of her sister. No matter what she read, no one was going to make her believe that Killigan had been the evil sister, she was too selfless to not be the good one.
Reading the journal hadn't made her feel any better either. Her birth mother had gone into great detail about the prophecy as well as the curse of the twins. She had written that there was no way that either of her daughters was evil and that maybe, just maybe they were not the twins of prophecy. There was a detailed section about the agreement for her husbands sister to raise the twins until they reached transition and then they would figure out where to go from there. That had made Reigne angry knowing that neither set of parents had any real plan on how to reintegrate the twins back into the royal family. Were they forever to be segregated from their birth family? Were they to never know their brother or their birth parents? These were the kinds of questions that plagued her and kept her from sleeping at night.
None of that would have been any easier to deal with if she had let Vishous into her room. It would have been more difficult as she would have had to explain everything before she was ready. Turning, she looked at the door knowing he sat just outside waiting for her to let him in. All she wanted was for him to hold her, but there would be questions. Maybe if he agreed wouldn't ask her for answers until she was ready.
"Warrior?"
Vishous sat in the hallway, leaned up against the wall across from Reigne's door, like he had for the past two weeks. All he could do was watch as she let Fritz enter her room and then close the door after making eye contact with him. He learned the first day that if she didn't want him in her room, then there was no way he was getting in. Somehow she was able to block him from her room, well block everyone actually. Wrath had tried a few times and even went so far as trying to beat down the door only to be denied access. V knew that everyone was worried about Reigne as no one had any idea what happened to her between the time she had disappeared from his arms and when she had returned with his mahmen.
He sighed as he thought back to the awkward scene. Throughout the whole time they had been in there, he could only stand in silent shock as he watched his female interact with his mahmen. Having her appear like that with Reigne in tow had proved that he knew where Reigne had gone, but he still didn't understand how or why. Two weeks later and still he didn't think he would be getting a response from either female any time soon. It was damn near impossible to hide his shock when he heard Reigne being referred to as her daughter and then receiving her blessing. Blessing for what though?
Staring at the closed door before him, he hoped that she wouldn't keep him out for much longer. He understood that they weren't together, but he understood what happened to her more than anyone else would. Sighing, he leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes as he was beyond tired of staring at the damn door in front of him. The first few days she had locked herself in her room, he hadn't moved; not to eat, sleep or shower. He just sat there hoping she would let him in. It took Butch yelling in his face to get him to go shower and change into clean clothes. Once he was done, he was back in front of her door knocking and asking her to let him in. He knew she heard him, but after the first time she told him to leave her alone she didn't speak to him again.
Vishous knew he was acting out of character and it would have driven him nuts if he wasn't focused on Reigne. That female had turned his world upside down and sitting here he wasn't all that sure he was happy about it. Just as he was thinking about that, Fritz opened the door and he opened his eyes catching a glimpse of Reigne as she stood lost in thought.
Fritz pulled the door closed behind him and sighed when he saw the warrior sitting on the floor. "Give her time and she will come to you."
Vishous nodded although he didn't fully believe the doggen. He wondered if she was ever going to come out of her room again. She wasn't eating and from what he could sense, she wasn't sleeping that much either. There was no way that she would be able to carry on like this for much longer and he didn't want it to go that far. She may be older than he was, but he knew that with the stress she was going through and still emotionally recovering from the hell her uncle put her through, she was going to need to feed soon and he would be damned if she took another male's vein. She was his female and he was going to make her understand that.
"Warrior."
Vishous looked up at the door, not sure that he had actually heard her call to him or if it was just his wishful thinking. Deciding not to chance it, he got up and moved to the door. Taking a deep breath, he turned the nob and pushed on the door fully expecting it not to move. As the door opened, he sighed as he looked at her from across the room. Stepping into the room, he closed the door behind him in case she changed her mind about letting him in. He stayed where he was, not sure what she wanted from him.
Reigne turned to look at Vishous as he stood by the door staring at her. She knew that she had hurt him by locking him out and the guilt she felt over that was immense. "Warrior, I am…"
"Female." Vishous interrupted, taking a few steps towards her. "I know you have been through a hell of a lot since you showed up here. You need to understand that I'm here for you in whatever way that you need me to be. You don't have to tell me anything until you are ready."
She closed her eyes trying to keep her tears at bay. "I am sorry that I shut you out. I have had so much happen that I needed to process it all. When I got here, I thought that the most I would have to deal with was getting Wrath to believe we were family and getting over the hell I went through over the past few centuries. Isn't that enough for one person to have to deal with?"
He understood that the question wasn't asked for him to answer, but he could sense that she was close to breaking down. He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. His heart broke as he felt her lean into him as she fisted her hands in his shirt. "Oh, leelan."
"I…" She sobbed into his chest. She hadn't planned on talking about any of this when she called to him, but seeing him seemed to break the dam of her emotions. "I'm not strong enough to handle all of this. I cannot handle the pressure of everything your mahmen told me. I just cannot do it. Killigan should have survived as she would not have any issues with what has been placed on my shoulders. It should have been me that died and not her."
Vishous tightened his hold on her the more she talked and couldn't contain the growl at the thought of her being taken from him. "You listen to me. I do not want to hear you talk like that anymore. Do not take anything away from the sacrifice that your sister made to save your life. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for and if you ever find yourself feeling like you cant handle something, lean on me. I told you, leelan, that I have never felt the way you make me feel and I have no plans on leaving you. I am here for you no matter what."
Reigne pulled back far enough to look into his eyes and she saw the truth of his words. "I…"
"Shh, lets save the rest of this conversation for later. Right now I just want to lay down and hold you in my arms. I need to know that you are here with me and safe." He placed a kiss on her forehead before turning them towards the bed. Pulling back the covers, he helped her lay down and quickly followed her after he took off his boots. Laying on his back, he pulled her over to him to curl around his side with his arm resting over her waist. Pulling the covers up over them, he sighed as he felt her place her head on his chest and hold him tightly to her. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank you." Reigne whispered as she closed her eyes. For the first time in two weeks she felt safe and she never wanted to lose that feeling again. As she felt herself drift off to sleep, she hoped that he would be able to keep her nightmares at bay.
Vishous stared at the ceiling as he felt her relax against him. A smile curved his lips as he heard her breathing deepen as she fell asleep. As he closed his eyes to follow her in sleep, he made a mental note to make her promise to never keep him away from her again. With a sigh, he willed the lights off and locked his arms around her, holding her to him. "I love you , leelan."
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I hope that the ending to this chapter partially makes up for me leaving you guys for so long after a cliffie. I don't really have any explanation other than RL really got in the way and hopefully it will settle down so that we can get back into the swing of things. I have started the next chapter already and I have the next few planned out. So we will see how things go. As always, let me know what you guys think. Thanks again for sticking around and hopefully you've enjoyed the read.