AN:Hey guys, just letting you know I wont be able to update until Monday as I'm away for the weekend and wont be able to bring my laptop. But I promise to update first thing next week :) ...
Under a dozen soldiers, David and Victoria march into the grand entrance hall of Barthmont. They managed to rescue the last remaining spies from the mercenaries clutches with no casualties and retrieved the missing hard drive. After the mission was complete, they said their farewells to Fredrick and made their way back to the palace. Apparently the Queen is pleased with Victoria's work and wishes to see her right away, but she may just fob it off and pin it on fatigue.
"Well done over the past few days. I hope we can work together again.."
Victoria eyes David distastefully and his smile slips. Not willing to participate in pleasantries, Victoria quickly grabs her rucksack and disappears upstairs..
David knocks tentatively on the oak door of the Queens study and waits. When a muffled enter is heard, he quickly slips into the private room. The Queen turns expectantly but her smile disappears when David shuffles forward.
"Oh David, I was expecting Vairocana. Is she on her way?"
"She..She isn't your majesty.." The Queens eyes darken and his head lowers a fraction.."And I didn't think its wise to drag her here after..Well after.."
"Do not stutter David!"
"She isn't in the right mind at the moment."
The Queen paces towards him slowly, a frown creasing her features.."What is wrong with her mind? What occurred that you failed to mention during your mission?!"
"We were disposing of Will using her blood and she..She was not willing to the prospect."
"And?!"
"And after it was done she became agitated and attempted to flee from the scene." There's a pause, the built up anger in dark eyes only growing and a primal hiss has David quickly bowing his head.
"She attempted to escape?!"
"No my Queen, I believe she wished to get away from the situation is all."
"Do not be coy David! She didn't like what she did and tried to run from her duties!"
David sighs weakly, eyes closing grimly before a slender hand is quickly wrapping around his throat.
"What else haven't you told me?!"
"There was nothing more..My Queen.." His neck is released and he stumbles backwards, taking in lungfuls of air.
"Get out and resume your duty's in the morning!"
"Yes your majesty." David bows deeply before quickly slipping from the room..
Tired blue eyes stare at themselves through the reflection in the mirror. Victoria picks up the rubix cube from her desk and joins the two slaves on the floor. She fiddles with the colors, Amelia's purple eyes intrigued as the girl scoots over and lays down in her lap.
Victoria smiles as slender fingers hesitantly move to touch the cube but startles when a hand suddenly grabs her throat and wrenches her into the air. The two slaves scramble back into their cages at the furious Queens sudden arrival as Victoria is slammed against the wall. Wide blue eyes lock onto the livid woman, her hands desperately trying to relive pressure on her burning throat.
"Just when I think your stupidity knows no bounds, you attempt to escape and run back to your pathetic former family!"
"What.."
"David informed me of your attempt to flee! You thought I wouldn't find out?!"
"I wasn't.." Victoria's head is smashed against the wall and she almost sees stars.
"Lie to me again and I will have you beaten dievča!"
"Didn't want..To be there.." Victoria's thrown into the table, her body tumbling to the floor with books thumping all around her. She coughs, soothing her bruised neck and hesitantly sits up.
"You killed that traitor, you did your Queen proud but then you thought to flee like some coward!"
Victoria launches to her feet.."I didn't kill anyone! I was used like a fucking tool and I had no say in it! It doesn't matter that it hurt like hell, but the fact I was held down reminds me of my days as your fucking pet!"
The Queen launches at her, flickering white eyes burning into blue.."You are weak! I thought the mission would strengthen your resolve but you only wept and wailed when your feelings got hurt!"
"Fuck you! At least I have feelings! What do you have?! Nothing but mindless zombies ready to kiss your ass!"
A hand seals itself back around Victoria's throat and she snarls, her anger flaring and she quickly grabs the royals throat and slams the elegantly wrapped body against the wall.
"How do you like it huh?!" The Queen struggles in her crushing hold, hissing viciously as elongated fangs slide forward and white eyes roll over.."Not so good is it! You call me weak but your just like me, ran by your emotion! Now whether your willing to accept it or not is up to you, but I've had it with being punished for my humanity!"
Their breaths are heavy, snarling snapping fangs mere inches apart and Victoria's grasp gradually loosens. She feels the Queen slowly relaxing in her hold and releases the woman gently. Suddenly four inch fangs piece her neck and she screams painfully. Her arms are quickly pinned by her sides, her writhing body staggering towards the bed where she flops onto the sheets. She feels blood drain from her aching muscles and a slither of fear creeps up on her at the anger rolling from the cold monarch above. Quickly her two inch fangs puncture the Queens neck and suck frantically but the teeth in her throat only sink deeper releasing a painful tingling which she cant help crying out from. Her body becomes insensible, paralyzed and she gasps frantically for air. She thinks the woman's going to drain her dry, kill her in her bed but then fangs rip from her neck and pure white eyes hover over her dangerously.
"If you EVER lay a threatening hand on me again.." A single deadly nail slices down Victoria's cheek and neck leaving a crimson trail in its wake.."I will drag your father and sister here and rip them apart!"
The Queen stands abruptly, staring down at the paralyzed body disgusted before storming from the room with a loud bang of oak.
Victoria lays unmoving, her limbs unable to accept commands due to burning in her veins. She pants erratically, tears gently flowing down her temples at being trapped inside her own body. She tries to cry out, to shout for help, anything, but her muscles refuse to budge and shes left staring at the ceiling..
She doesn't know how long its been but fear and anxiety have never left her side. She heard a shuffling by the bed a while back and assumed it was Amelia or Ryan, her body burns, her mind fractured. Did she perhaps push the Queen too far? Maybe it was a bit foolish, no matter where she is or what shes become, the woman is still a Queen and she just attacked her..Maybe an apology is in order? She tests her body again and relief washes over her when her fingers curl and flex slowly.
After half and hour, Victoria pushes herself sluggishly onto her side a rests her damp and bloody cheek on the sheets. Purple eyes peer up at her from the bedside and she slowly slides a hand towards the girl for comfort. Tentatively, a cold palm slides on top as she watches a set of orange eyes rise above the sheets. A weak smile pulls at dry lips when a beefy hand gently lays atop Amelia's and bloodshot blue eyes blissfully slide shut...
Victoria weakly brushes the knots from tussled ebony hair, her strength zapped at the Queens recent feeding. Even with her little nap she feels tired and drained. Her shaky elbow props against the vanity in an attempt to keep her arm up and the comb brushing through her hair, but slowly it dips and she sighs, letting it clatter to the floor and her arm thumps to the vanity's wood. Gently her heavy head slumps on top and weary eyes slip shut. Maybe another nap would make her feel better. Her hair brush resumes its movements and she stiffens, eyes flying open and she bolts upright. Wide blue eyes note the royal gown reflected through the mirror and her heart races, mouth drying and fingers gripping her thighs harshly.
After a moments silence, the brush continues its work as Victoria remains weary and unresponsive at the sudden presence behind. Five minutes pass, the only sound of brushed hair ushering a sense of tranquility. The brush is placed on the vanity in front of her and she waits for something, anything to happen. Cold fingers gently smooth across her cheek, across the crusted crimson line carved down her slightly shaking jawline and neck. When dark brown eyes peer down at her through the reflection, her focus darts elsewhere and the Queen softens.
A cold palm rests over Victoria's face and blue eyes water as the back over her head is gently pushed against the shoulder behind. Lips brush against her neck and she startles, the burning in her veins still not completely gone and she jumps forward, freeing herself of the royals soft hands and shuffles to the front of her chair to put as much distance between them as possible. Her breathing's erratic, a hand shakily covering the tender skin at her neck and focus remaining away from the apprehensive Queen behind.
"I...I am sorry Victoria."
"No its fine, its my fault really I shouldn't have attacked you so I deserved it.." Grim brown eyes watch Victoria quickly wipe a tear away.."Yeah so I'm Sorry, my heads a bit thick sometimes, takes me a while to understand stuff."
Victoria chuckles unconventionally, her hands fidgeting mercilessly and the Queen frowns at the unusual behavior.
"You are not dim witted mláďa."
"Yeah well I'm sorry anyway, and I promise I wont touch you again."
The Queen gently bends at the girls side, studying ushered tears in erratic and unfamiliar eyes as she gently slides a hand over a shaking knee.."That is not what I said back when I.." Brown eyes flicker to the bloodied line trailing down Victoria's cheek and neck.."When I warned you."
"Well just to be on the safe side, you know what I'm like when I lose control. Best to be safe for everyone's sake." Victoria's voice cracks but she quickly pushes back her sobs, smiling through her ushered tears and clears her throat. The Queen stares grimly at the odd behavior, sliding a careful hand atop a flushed cheek and pulls the girls focus downwards. Frantic blue eyes continue to avoid the royal as a thumb gently smooths away a lone tear.
"What I did was savage and dishonorable. Instigating a state of paralysis is only intended for the purpose of a kill, not for discipline, and especially not to satisfy my anger."
"Its fine really, I shouldn't have.."
"No Victoria its not fine. Such actions should be punished and I would not hesitate if it were done by one of my kin."
Victoria pulls back, smiling haphazardly and staggers onto shaky legs.."Well what happened happened and we both learned from it so everything's fine now."
The Queen primly glides to her feet, approaching the skittish girl and feels Victoria flinch when she takes a trembling hand.."Tell me how to make this better, I need you to shout at me and tell me what I did wrong."
"You didn't do anything wrong, everything's fine now."
"Victoria look at me."
Blue eyes briefly flicker to Queen but are quickly cast away at the image of petrifying white eyes and fierce fangs hovering in front of her. She assumes the whole process has had an effect on her mind as well as her body and she pulls from the woman's touch.."I'm just a little tired, I'll be alright again in the morning."
"Mláďa it is already morning, it is passed your mid feeding and the sun will be setting soon."
"Oh..Well I guess another nights sleep wont do me any harm will it.." Victoria chuckles unconventionally for the second time and slides around the curious royal towards the bed.."I'll be ready for training tomorrow so just say the word and I'll be wherever you need." She begins taking off her boots as the Queen elegantly sits on the bed next to her.
"You must replenish. Afterward you will feel better."
The Queen slides closer, her neck presented but Victoria shuffles further up the bed.."No I'm fine really, not that hungry, just really tired. My internal clock is all screwy, just need to set it right with a proper bedtime."
"Victoria you must eat, I took far too much from you last night."
Slim fingers curl around Victoria's scalp, pulling her mouth towards the Queens smooth throat but she pulls away violently when red lips brush against her neck and she launches to her feet with a wobble.."I'm fine really I'm fine, just sleep and then I'll eat tomorrow.." She quickly grabs a night gown from the wardrobe, backing towards the changing screen and away from the downhearted Queen.."Well I'm sure things are falling apart without you, unless you need something else?"
Glassy brown eyes stare at the retreating girl as the Queen slowly glides towards the exit.."No, and there will be no training tomorrow."
"Okay, see you later then."
The Queen stares at the peppy mask of the girl before eyes dip to the silver band still clasped around gauntly skin. She moves forward but watches apprehension gather in bloodshot blue eyes and takes a step back.."See you soon."
And without a backwards glance, the despondent Queen slides from the room with a click. Victoria's body crumbles, her legs giving out and crunching to the marble floor behind the screen. She sobs quietly, tears leaking into the painful cut sliced down her cheek as she sits alone with her despair for a very long time..
Sleep had constantly avoided her last night, the Queens face haunting her dreams and causing her to have mild panic attacks. Perhaps its a side effect of the venom, she can still feel some of it burning inside her and wonders when it'll eventually fade completely. She degradingly crawls to her bedside, wary Purple and Orange eyes watching from within their cages as Victoria tries to haul herself onto the sheets.
After the third try she decides to keep a little dignity, slouching by the bed and stares at her idle hands. No training today so what should she do? Too weak to be walking around, too tired to be doing anything physical..
Ryan's Etch a Sketch slides into her lap with a smiley face drawn in the center and a genuine smile rolls onto chapped lips. She peers up at her two slaves kneeling in front of her and smiling weakly. Her thumb traces the picture, a tear leaking from exhausted eyes as she draws a small heart in the corner.."Thanks guys."
They shuffle in closer, Amelia laying down in her lap and Ryan warming her side with his muscly chest and arm. There's a knock at the door and the slaves startle but are quickly reassured.
"Come in!"
Victoria watches as a pensive David enters the room with several cups of blood in his hands.
"Hey, the Queen sent me because you didn't eat yesterday."
"Thanks, Just put them on the table please."
He slips the porcelain down and turns hesitantly to the girl sat on the floor. He notes Victoria's wearing the same clothes from the other night, her sickeningly pale complexion outlines hefty bags and bloodshot blue eyes peer up at him. But its the distinctive slit down her cheek and neck that has him staring grimly.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine, you?" Her peppy mask doesn't fool him and he cautiously kneels down in front of her.
"Have you been sleeping?"
"A little."
"Listen..I'm sorry I told the Queen about Boston. I didn't mean for this to happen.."
"Its fine, The Queen and I sorted it. You shouldn't keep things from her anyway and I wouldn't ask you to." Victoria smiles but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. David sighs, rising to his feet and heads for the exit.
"You should eat, it'll help you feel better, and then go get some air and a bath."
"Yeah no problem, see you later."
David glances back at her fake smile before promptly slipping from the room with a soft click and a sigh..
Moon and torchlight outline three figures strolling through a garden of bushes and exotic flowers. Victoria grabs a vibrant pink flower from the bushes and offers it to Amelia. The girl smiles, sliding the blossom into her hair and Ryan stares wanting. With a chuckle, Victoria plucks another and places it in the mans beefy hand.
"Don't want you feeling left out do we."
He smiles, tucking the flower behind his ear and they continue their stroll. Shes careful with her steps, wary of venturing too far encase she cant make it back without help. The blood she drank earlier only inflamed the burning still coursing through her veins and so, she could only manage half a bowl before she had to stop. The cut down her cheek has disappeared, her aching muscles no more but her fatigue still remains. She thinks maybe with another nights rest she'll be back to normal, but for the moment, every time shes near the Queen or even thinks about the woman, she just wants to run to the other end of the planet.
"Victoria?"
She whirls, the weak smile of Snow greeting her.."Hey, what are you doing out here?"
"Just thought Id take a stroll seen as its such a clear night, you?"
"Same, thought the fresh air would do me good."
"And has it?" Snow takes a cautious step forward.
"A little bit." The flicker of torchlight brightens the silent space before Victoria cant take the silence anymore and clears her throat.."Right well, I should leave you to it." She heads back towards the palace but is caught by a gentle hand.
"Have you replenished today?"
"Yeah I had..Some."
Snow frowns.."Some? Why only some?"
"I'm just feeling a bit funny, nothing a good nights rest cant fix."
"Child, you've been sleeping none stop for the past two days."
"Well yeah, that mission drained me so.."
"David told me what happened.." White eyes flicker to the slightly noticeable scar at the girls jawline and neck.."If something is affecting your health I must know about it."
"I'm fine really.."
"Don't lie to me Victoria!"
"Snow please leave it."
Snow gazes into haunted blue eyes and softens.."The Queen says your mental state may be damaged due to your encounter the other night."
"She sent you didn't she."
The council woman nods.."She's concerned."
"There's no need I'm fine." Victoria quickly steps around the woman and paces for the palace but Snow suddenly steps into her path.
"We wont stand by and let you shut us out again, you need to talk to one of us and get this sorted."
"We already sorted things the other night."
"No, you didn't.." Snow takes a step into Victoria's personal space but the girl finds herself avoiding eye contact with equal steps backwards.."Her majesty didn't specify your confrontation but she deeply regrets it. We're concerned for you so let us help."
"You cant.." Victoria feels all her pent up despair pushing its way forward and desperately tries to stomp it back down. Tears fill tired blue eyes, a lump forming in her throat.."No one here can."
"Yes we can, you've let us in before, so whats changed?"
"You all have..I thought.." Tears breach red rimmed eyes, rolling down gauntly cheeks and a sob rips from her throat.."..I thought I was finally building a life here, but I'm used and betrayed by friends I thought I had..You all keep tricking and hurting me.." Victoria quickly darts away from the comforting hand reaching out for her and stares down at her shaking hands.
"David thought he was doing something in your best interest, now he realizes it was in the interest of his Queen and not you. I've never hurt nor tricked you and I'm your friend.." Grim blue eyes slide to Snow, Victoria's sobs dying down.."No matter what your mind is telling you, you need to face your Queen."
"I..I cant."
"Yes you can, your not weak Victoria."
"Everyone else thinks so, including the Queen."
"And how do you know that?"
"She told me." Snow gazes at her stoically before smoothing soft hands up and down her shaky arms.
"Her majesty didn't mean it, no doubt tempers were high and things were said. You need to confront her, for your benefit and for hers.."
With a sigh and a small nod, Victoria tentatively slips from the woman's touch and heads for the palace.
"Oh and Victoria? Great work with the mission, David never would have gotten to the operatives so soon without your help."
Victoria smiles weakly before resuming her pace back to the daunting castle doors..
She was going straight to the Queens private study to confront the woman but her erratic heart and burning blood quickly diverted her route, so now shes found herself in a room full of artifacts and relics. She sent Amelia and Ryan back to her room so she could be alone for a while but its only increased her anxiety. She hopes to god these feelings go by morning, shes mentally and physically drained and wonders how shes still walking around.
Blue eyes stare through the glass box at the vintage looking book sealed inside. No doubt its priceless and a key part to vampire history. She scrutinizes the scripture but doesn't recognize the symbols and text scribbled finely on the weathered pages..Must be really old. She turns to the next item on display but jumps alarmed at the Queen suddenly stood behind her. She staggers backwards towards the priceless tome but is quickly caught by firm hands. Her mind races, the woman's strong hands pinning her arms, terrifying white eyes replacing soft brown in her mind and she cries out, pulling violently from the sturdy hold and toppling onto her backside. The Queen hovers indecisive as Victoria quickly darts back onto her wobbly legs and controls her breathing.
"Sorry I ugh..You just caught me by surprise that's all."
Brown eyes scrutinize the erratic girl, blue orbs dim and bloodshot, heavy bags outlining deathly pale skin and a subtle shaking making Victoria look smaller.."That is not the reason for your fall..Have you replenished today?"
"Yeah."
"Do not lie to me Victoria."
"I'm not, I had some earlier."
"Not even half from what I witnessed, why?"
"I..I cant.."
"You will tell me now!"
"No I mean I cant drink it..It hurts too much."
The Queen frowns.."Hurts?"
"It burns my insides...I think its because of..Because you.."
Grim brown eyes stare as Victoria places a shaky hand over the side of her neck and the royal picks out the faded scar on the girls jawline.
"Its fine though, it should be gone by morning."
The Queen closes the space between them and slides a palm against the girls cheek.
Victoria's agitation picks up and she quickly slips from the touch and heads around the downhearted Queen.."I should be getting to bed.." Suddenly shes being pulled against expensive fabric and their lips are crashing together. A hand seals itself in her hair, pushing bruising lips together but uneasy blue eyes remain focused on the desperate woman. A tongue swipes her lower lip but she quickly pulls from the Queens hold and staggers backwards.
In a flash, Victoria's against the wall as red lips suck at her throbbing pulse point. She stiffens, her blood burning, panic reaching all time heights as white eyes and fangs flash in her mind. She cries out, attempting to push the strong body away but it remains unmoving as the assault on her throat deepens. Fangs scratch at her skin as tears quickly flow down her cheeks and drip onto the Queens silk shoulder.
"Ple-Please stop...I cant go th-through that again.." The heated tongue on Victoria's throat pauses momentarily but gently resumes it movements while painful sobs rack against both bodies.
"Please forgive me..What was done to you was immoral and you will never experience such a thing again, I swear on my kin.."
A hand smooths gently at Victoria's back, another massaging her scalp as her sobs quell somewhat. The mouth at her throat pulls back tentatively, her head nestled gently against the Queens damp shoulder and body swallowed whole by fine silk.
"I am sorry I caused you so much pain, you were never deserving of such a punishment and it was wrong of me to use my power like that.."
Victoria curls into the woman, her tears marking expensive fabric and hands clinging to anything they can grasp.
"I now see the purpose of a hug and its usefulness."
Victoria hiccups, a small chuckle bursting free and the Queen smiles weakly. After a while Victoria settles, her sobs gone and tears drying up. A hand continues to smooth through her hair, gentle breaths brushing against her neck and the uncontrollable fear she experienced has faded. She remains content in the woman's arms, their chests pushing together in synchronization and air bending around them.
The Queen still feels a slight trembling as the body in her arms struggles to remain standing, so with a swirl of white smoke, they disappear.
Victoria felt the shift, time itself bending around them and reddened eyes slide away from damp fabric. They widen a fraction, Victoria's focus gliding around the Queens master bedroom, but she refuses to pull away from the comforting arms wrapped around her just yet.
"Come, you must rest, I know you have not been sleeping mláďa."
Victoria huffs, a slender hand leading her to the Queen sized bed and she slides onto the silk sheets. The Queen bends, gently slipping Victoria's boots off and removing her jacket. A hand gently pushes Victoria back to plush pillows as the monarch joins her and Victoria pushes herself into the Queens side. Covers are slid over the pair, a hesitant cold arm wrapping around a warm body.
Victoria can feel the Queen stiffen, the woman unaccustomed to such affection so she gently runs a soothing hand over the royals hip. After a few minutes, the finely wrapped body scoots a little closer and a cold cheek is pressed against Victoria's crown. There's a content hum above making Victoria smile weakly before she finds herself drifting off into darkness.
Ten minutes pass, brown eyes peering down at the slumbering mass against her side and the Queen sighs.."I am truly sorry my love. I will try to be better, try to learn and improve for you. I will not destroy what I have been seeking for a thousand years."
Red lips gently press against Victoria's forehead and then to her chapped lips...
