"Have I mentioned I hate crossing water?" Kira mentioned staring at the creek waters as Eona casually trekked through.

Eona stopped halfway across and turned to Kira with a disbelieving look, "You've attacked and killed people when you were eight and you don't like crossing a shallow creek?"

The human huffed, slapping her sides with annoyance, "Yeah and I don't like thunder either."

"That, I did know." Eona laughed coming back to Kira's side.

She handed Kira the fishing rods, living her into her arms, cradling her arms as she jumped across, showing off her superior abilities. Dramatically Kira leaned back, her hand over her forehead.

"Oh my hero!" Exasperated the human, "You saved me from the cruel fate of a watery grave!"

Eona rose a brow, "You just don't like getting your feet wet."

"That too." Kira smirked patting Eona's chest and hoping out of her arms.

"Good to see some things don't change." Rolled the eyes of Eona as she took the bait box from Kira and they continued down.

"Now you can't make fun of me, I haven't done this in years." Kira pointed her finger at the other woman as she began setting up their spot for the morning and afternoon.

"I can make fun of you all I want, you're the one who became all prim and proper." Eona laughed setting her bait on the hook.

Kira shrugged, "And prim and proper here can still nail you between the eyes thirty yards away with an arrow."

"Now, now, doll don't tempt me with a good time." Eona whinked in response.

"Won't be such a good him if it's between the ass cheeks hm?"

"Hey!" Eona straightened, her hand on her butt, "That-that is a one way ally missy, don't even think about it."

Innocently Kira swayed toward her chair to set up her hook, "Hey don't knock it till you try it."

For a second Eona stopped what she was doing, but continued, shaking her head at the thought. After casting their lines, a bobber attached to Kira's, it was not long before Eona got a bite. She reeled them in one after the next, bringing in half a dozen on her own, while Kira only caught something barely the size of a frog. Eona laughed so hard she fell over on the ground, having a laughing episode over five minutes. The other's pride was slightly hurt at her horrible fishing stills.

"Tell you what, we can go squirrel hunting tomorrow." Eona smirked over the pan of cooking fish, "Maybe you can recover some of your wounded pride."

She looked up to seeing the bird flipped in her direction, "Wounded pride my ass..." Kira grumbled curling into a blanket with coffee in her hands, "Hundred bucks says I could beat you in another way."

"You're extremely competitive today." Eona chuckled in amusement, pushing the fish onto a plate, "And apparently confident enough to bet a hundred dollars." She set the pans in the sink, leaning on her elbows smirking at Kira who peered over the couch with a devilish grin.

Kira turned back over to face the fire with a smug attitude, "I'd even make it two hundred..."

Weight pushed down on the back of the couch, making Kira sink in a little. She looked up, Eona's face was hovering over hers. The vampire's red eyes were soft, not as intense as crimson, but scarlet in tone. They were warm, welcoming, like a blanket to wrap around Kira's entire self in protection...but there was more than that. You still love Eona. Emily's voice echoed in the mortal woman's mind. She saw it in this woman's eyes, an unchanged, unwavering love directed to her present ever since they were young, now fully matured and yet the same. It was not a phase, it was not a crush, it was true, it was love and it was real.

Years had passed since they had been alone like this, the only people in the world was the two of them. Now they were face to face, thousands of miles from the Game, from the weight and pressure of society. Here they were not human and vampire, slave and overlord, they were two women, whose feelings had not changed. Time nor distance had made these feelings waiver, no matter what was done to suppress and deny their existence.

Kira's lips parted slightly, her resolve and confidence that led her to tease her friend turned against her. Her eyes wandered to Eona's hair, how those locks would feel tangles around her fingers. She thought of how soft her skin would feel, how electrifying it would be to touch, wondering if she would remember or if it would be different than before. Kira then thought of her lips, how sweet they would taste pressed against her own. Suddenly, the sitting woman realized she was not teasing Eona as a friend, not thinking of her as one, but how Carmilla would arouse her sexual desires before they slept with another. For a moment Kira hesitated, a moment enough for Eona to notice. Eona withdrew and Kira barely held back a whine of protest. She went back to the kitchen, grabbing their plates. Kira stood quickly, realizing where these thoughts were leading her, what she was about to do.

Outside she felt her throat dry, desperate for a cool refreshment to quench it. She knew this thirst, knew what it desired, the wetness between her legs made her weak at her knees. When she came to this point, there was always a bed nearby, her mouth and hands were always occupied and her need rapidly heated from below her waist until consuming her entire self. She knew this feeling, but right now it was different than hot passion, than the ecstasy she felt when being dominated by the alpha-personality that was Carmilla. With Eona, Kira was about to pull her over the couch and push her underneath. She has never had that initiative, that will to take the lead, but with Eona...she wanted to, she wanted to be in control; she had the confidence and will with Eona.

Carmilla had told Kira she was becoming more outgoing and outspoken an effect she believed to be from Eona's presence in her life again. She spoke about the masks they wear in face of the Game, masks Eona refused to wear. Was the Princesses's presence having such an effect on them? The longer Kira was near Eona the more of her mask seemed to be removed, but who was underneath now? Who was left to be exposed, naked and unprotected to the world? The innocent child, whose entire existence became ruled by hatred...or a stranger?

This confidence, this aggression; a need to control, where did it come from? Never in a million years did she consider such actions, to take rather than submit, but these thoughts persisted. Was being away from the Game, from the fear of death allowing her true self to come out? How was this happening? It was not the first time these feelings have appeared, ever since Eona returned Kira's emotional self control has progressively deteriorated. She has attributed these flares and episodes as symptoms of the Stigma, but still there was no answer to why this was occuring.

Outside the cold fall night air felt good, it helped clear her head and calm her. That was too close, she nearly acted without thinking, she was about to undo years of training, of survival and what frighten her the most: she did not care. What am I doing? Kira asked herself, wondering why? Not knowing was the hardest part, she felt she could tell Eona anything, that she could trust her with her life, her body, mind, even her very soul. This is wrong. It was natural to be with Eona, but logically it was a death sentence, it was the death of not only her life, but the memory of her family, of her humanity. She should care about that more than life, above anyone; no life was valued more than her own.

"Kira?" Eona asked softly from the back door.

Kira clenched her eyes shut. Was this acting out now because of jealousy? Was it the Stigma? Could it be their past she has been unable to fully being let go? Her hands held the railing of the patio tightly, wood stressed beneath her grip, threatening to snap if she squeezed any harder. I don't know what to do. She clenched the railing harder. Survive. I have to survive, no matter what.

Eona walked closer, "Hey."

She could not love them, either of them. To love them was to betray her people, her family. She could not love the very ones who murdered them, who slaughtered millions of innocent people. A slave was all she was to them, not a person, not a lover, she could not feel for them and they do not give a passing thought to food. Why? The railing snapped. Why won't it go away? She gritted her sharpening teeth. Why do I have hope? Eona touched the back of her arm. That a happy future exists for me? Kira spun around grabbed the vampiress by her collars and pulled her in.

Together their lips crashed together, Kira went into Eona not caring how out of breath she had become. Eona broke contact first, but the mortal was the one left panting and conflicted.

"Sorry-" Kira apologized, but her regret did not lightened her grip, "I-" She did not think, only acted, "I just-"

Eona smiled kindly, "We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes, but right here, right now, is just us." She said weaving her fingers with Kira's.

Gently she cupped the side of Kira's face, bringing their lips together for soft kiss. Kira firmly gripped Eona's sides, flexing her fingers as though she were a predator holding onto her prey. She did not care, she wanted to let go, to allow these feelings to take over and stop thinking of the end. With Eona she felt free, she felt the possibilities were endless. Here, in this cabin, they would not be found, there was no witnesses, a secret only they two would know. Kira stepped into Eona, but the immortal was faster, she lifted the younger into her arms, cradling her like a bride on their honeymoon.

The wind picked up, shutting the door gently behind as they entered. Into the master bedroom Eona set Kira down, but that was the extent of her lead. Kira kissed her partner, her hands slowly pulling Eona's shirt until it was untucked. She unbuttoned the flannel next, taking her time, savoring every moment a button came undone. With each came the opening of Eona's shirt, revealing just a few more inches of the soft skin Kira yearned to touch. Her belly was toned and muscular, displaying the finished product of years of hard work. Kira traced the lines of Eona's abs, working her way up to her bra, snaking her hands beneath the liner of the sport's bra until her finger touched a hardened nipple.

Eona inhaled sharply at the sensual grazing of her breasts, then a moan escaped her mouth when Kira grabbed one with greater force. The smaller woman hooked her arm behind the other's back, dragging her nails down it, sending electrifying pleasure throughout the immortal's body. With their bodies pressed together, Kira could feel Eona's excitement, it made her want more. She eased down the flannel shirt, allowing it to drop on the floor. Eona removed the sports bra, but not without distraction. Kira kissed her, on her lips, her neck, her collarbone, between her breasts; all the while grabbing her firmly on the ass.

"If you keep this up, I won't be able to keep my hands off you." Eona chuckled, tugging on Kira's jeans.

Kira leaned in, whispering into Eona's ear, "Who says I don't want your hands on me?"

She found her back on the bed, Eona's speed impossible to follow in route, but not in bed. Taking her time, she moved on top of Kira, kissing her, slipping her hands beneath Kira's shirt, pushing it until the fabric rested over her breasts. With quick work of her bra, Kira's ice-cutting nipples were exposed for her pleasure. She took one into her mouth, a hand played with the other, sucking, flicking with her tongue until the woman squirmed beneath her.

"Where's all the confidence g-"

Eona felt Kira wrap her legs around her, grabbing her waist she rapidly changed their positions. Below Kira now, Eona was straddled, watching as she removed her shirt and cast it aside, laying bare her chest. Unable to bear the distance, Eona sat up, Kira met her halfway, cupping her face as the two locked lips. Holding Kira close, Eona's fingers traced over the aged scars on the lower of her back. She hesitated for a moment, drawing back, though her remained still.

"That's right...you've never seen them." Kira said quietly as Eona silent nodded her head.

Kira moved her hair out to one side, the tattoo on the side of her neck was fully visible, "The one's on my back don't hurt."

Reaching up, Eona's hand cupped over the tattoo, her fingers ran over the length of the artery the Stigma inked over. She stared at it for a long time, there was sadness in her eyes; grief; remorse. Kira had seen those eyes everytime she looked at her neck, but it seemed to come and go just as quickly, the brief moment was enough though.

"And this one?" Eona asked quietly, cautiously.

Kira held her hand over Eona's and smiled lightly, leaning forward she kissed her again. Forgetting the question she asked, Eona's felt a hand between her thighs, slipping to the wet place at the very top. Naturally the vampire's fangs showed themselves, her desire to have Kira, to mark her as her own, as her mate a primal instinct within her immortal blood. The mortal knew this, knew that familiar grumble, though Eona did her best to hide and muffle it. She did not mind it, it was not something she was unused to, nor was it painful to her, in fact she rather enjoyed it.

Eona refused. Not here, not right now, she did not want Kira for her blood, she wanted Kira for Kira. The mortal smiled, unbuckling Eona's belt, she pulled her jeans off, exposing her soaked boxers. She could not wait any longer, discarding the boxers to the side, Kira lowered herself further and further until she was off Eona and on the side of the bed. Dropping onto her knees she pulled the older woman until she was sitting on the edge. Diving between her legs, Kira devoured her meal, savoring the taste, her tone assaulting between Eona's lips, alternating between sucking her clit, and sending a finger inside.

Eona figited, her body squeezing her finger the deeper she went and longer she allow her tongue to work. Wet enough, Kira inserted a second finger, nearlying making Eona cum in that instant. She stopping eating her meal, slowly withdrawing her fingers to postpone Eona's climate. Eona refused to allow that, she grabbed Kira's head, pulling her in, begging her now to stop. A small grin came across the mortal's face as she thrust her fingers harder, deeper, faster. Eona's moans grew louder, her voice filled Kira's ears making her own excitement wet her panties.

A few more thrusts, deeper, harder and Eona was nearly there, Kira withdrew her fingers, adjusting, her tongue penetrating inside. Eona gripped Kira's hair, her orgasm rocking her body, shaking her from her clit to her core. The mortal sat up, but she would not allow Eona to walk away, she kissed up the immortal's flawless body, inserting her fingers again, a gasp escaped. Kira silenced it with a wet kiss, making Eona taste herself on her partner's lips. One thrust after the next Eona's entire body clenched around Kira's fingers, threatening to devour them. She was tight, making it difficult to wiggle her finger, but not impossible.

"Kira..." Eona moaned, gripping the dominating back, her fingers tracing the marks on the woman's lower back and upper shoulder.

Eona was propped on her elbow, tracing the scars on Kira's exposed back. It was the first time she had ever seen them healed and guilt ate at her for the pain she must have been. Like a lion gripping their prey before tearing into its jugular, these marks would likely stay with her for the rest of her life. She hated that, for all this woman has suffered it seems like it never ends in the Palace. Eona thought of what was to come after this, how to keep Kira beside her and away from Carmilla.

She would not leave her aunt because she was afraid and a human has every reason to be. There maybe a way out of this though, if the two of them were to go to her aunt and be honest, she would see reason. Though Carmilla could be cruel to her enemies neither Eona nor Kira were that, she and her aunt were family after all and now Eona is the only family Carmilla has left. Regardless of her possessiveness of Kira, there had to be a way to allow them to be together, away from the Game, away from the Palace.

Though Kira maybe human, Eona loves her and does not want to give up on the life they could have together. It may only be a few decades, the lifespan of a human is short, but she would use every waking moment to make Kira happy. That alone was enough to make Eona content. She never wanted anything to do with the Game, it was nothing, but lies and illusions, false promises; there was no true loyalty in it. How can vampires trust one another if they cannot even trust them enough not to constantly make a ploy to usurp the other? Were they not suppose to be wiser, more honorable than mankind? If they were playing politics for publicity sake, then vampires are no better than the humans they claim to be above and thus lose their claim to reign supreme on this world.

With flaws like this, it is no wonder such a vast number of humans have joined the rebellion. Eona wondered if Kira had similar thoughts: running away and joining the LSA, to achieve revenge against those who murdered her family. She has told Eona her past and yet has not revealed her true name. There was trust enough for her to admit last night she still held Eona in her heart. Eona was patient, she had time and was certainly not going to go anywhere. What of Kira? What would she do if Carmilla reacted poorly to her admitting her feelings for Eona? She was frightened of the Empress, frightened of losing her life, of her family being forgotten, but with Eona she has broken every single rule she set for herself to survive. Maybe, for the time being, some of those rules should not be broken again.

Perhaps they could keep this relationship a secret again, from everyone, but one another. Eona hates to obscure the truth, but if it were to make Kira feel better, to keep her safe then obscurance maybe the best chance. One thing is certain: Carmilla's initial reaction to the two of them together again will not be received well. For as many years as Eona has been gone, she remains in the dark about just how attached to Kira her aunt is. As a child she had no recollection of her having any long-term relationships, nevertheless ones that exceeded the physical domain. What she has had with Kira is different than those before. If Carmilla cares for Kira as Eona does, then separating her from her aunt will be far more challenging than anticipated.

I just want her to be happy. Eona thought, recoiling her hand from the scars. But I can't build happiness on a lie. She clenched her fist. How do I tell her the truth though...I can't while we're here. She has enough on her mind. Looking at the portion of the tattoo visible, it did not go unnoticed of how Kira ignored the question about her neck. The symptoms she experiences, they have seemed to follow with significant discomfort or pain in the neck. Eona frowned. I should have protected her. She thought with guilt.

If all things went well, if they were able to leave the Palace together, how long would they really be peaceful together? How long before Kira would feel drawn to her people as conflicts grow? With the Reign's increase in power, it was only a matter of time before vampires engaged in a civil war drawing in humans either as soldiers, or simply as collateral damage. No doubt the LSA would take the chance in the conflict to secure humanity's freedom, alliances would be forged, bargains struck; war would reach the two of them in this cabin, just as it did her family.

Eona did not think she could fully abandon her aunt in such a way, not as a duty to her people, but love of family.

Standing still, she looked up at the clear night sky, the moon's light gleaming on her. It was silent, such that not even a heartbeat of her own chest sounded, for a moment she believed this to be what death was like. She knew better though, knew this was not death, but a dream, for now Kira could still tell the difference between reality and illusion. Looking around she saw there were ruins on the water's surface she stood on, as though a building had once stood here and had either been ripped off by some great unseen force or had sunk beneath the surface. Either way, she did not know where this was.

She walked to the foundation's edge, peering into the blackened waters. Her reflection was obscured, unrecognizable though the water's surface was undisturbed. Her eyes dropped with sadness weighing down on them, yet understanding as to what the meaning behind this dream: she was forgetting. The waters rippled from behind, Kira turned, seeing a child on a checkered floor, their knees brought to their chest as they wept. She was in another place now, a room decorated as though a cubicle game of chess. How ironic to her life this was: just as in the waking world, here she too was apart of a larger Game, a pawn to be used and sacrificed.

Kira looked beyond the child, to the chess pieces behind them. Wolfgang stood as a knight, Emily was as rook, Jake a Bishop and the queen? Eona and Carmilla each sat on a throne of their own style, but it could not be told who was the 'King' or 'Queen'. They all stood, staring at the dreamer and yet did not speak, nor move of their own accord. Who was their opponent Kira wondered, looking behind her: the Reign or the Last Stand? Who was the greater threat? Who would make the first move and just which side...did Kira belong to?

The child was standing now, their short raven hair was covering their face as they lifted a finger and pointed at Kira. The dreamer looked to either side of her, the child was now on the opposite side as well, pointing their fingers at her. Every one of them pointed at Kira, their judgement onto her for her action and inaction.

A woman stood in front of the dreamer, smirking displaying features unlike that of who she appeared as. Nearly a mirror image of the mortal, there was one distinct detail that separated them: the one in front of her had crimson red eyes, seeped deep in hatred. They made a shiver run down Kira's spine. It was painful, suffocating, as though her throat had caught fire and scorched her from speaking. She dropped to her knees clenched her neck, clawing at it, dragging her nails into the Stigma until it bleed.

"This pain is what has made you strong, embrace it now as you did as a child." Instructed the crimson-eyed twin walking to Kira, lowering herself to the other's level.

Kira's eyes asked the question in the absence of words.

"You don't remember, but I do, for the both of us-they took our choice away. Made us their play things just to discard when they have drained us dry."

As though the words were coming from her own mouth, Kira was no longer in pain, but remained speechless. She had these thoughts often when she was younger, but buried them deep because they would have gotten her killed had they remained. Locking them deep within her, these thoughts, the pain that caused them was rooted in the past she feared forgetting. Kira stood, gripping her neck, the blood on her hands not of her own, but of the bodies at her feet. She lept back taken by surprise, the mangled bodies of Carmilla, Eona, Jake, Wolfgang and many other vampires in a sea of crimson flowers.

"Beautiful isn't it?" The vampiric twin of Kira asked, her own body equally stained with the blood of her victims, "A world free of these beasts, a world where we humans can choose our own fates-"

"You're not human." Kira frowned, finally able to speak, "A human-I wouldn't do this-not to them!"

The bodies in the fields of red flowers blew away as ash in the wind.

The woman shook her head smirking, "I was you." She said appearing behind Kira wrapping her arms around her, locking her in place, "I was the one who loved my family more than life itself, I was the one who swore to slaughter every vampire until they were wiped off the face of the Earth." She shoved Kira forward, appearing again in front of her.

Kira swung, punching the woman in the face, but her hand hit nothing, the woman was gone.

"They're not our family, they murdered our family. That truth is not a dream." Said a young girl's voice.

Spinning around Kira found a child behind her: who she was.

"Hey, do you remember?"

Kira froze mid-swing.

"When we were kids, when we had a family?"

Beside them, a broken image of four people sitting at a table together eating, laughing; happy. Kira could not recognize the faces of her mother and father, she knew it was them by their shapes, but their faces and voices were obscured; like a broken cassette tape. Their mother left, coming back with a cake, wishing the two sisters a happy birthday. They did everything together, ate, slept, played; they even shared the same bed until one was left this world first.

"We were happy, even in the cabin."

Kira clenched her jaw.

"We promised dad we would practice everyday until he came home, we promised we wouldn't face the vampire, that we would only ever rely on family and never help others." The child tilted her head looking at Kira, "We broke every single rule-"

"Shut up."

"And they died because of it."

Kira wrapped her hand around the neck of the crimson-eyed child, "We're alive." She growled, "We're alive because we broke those rules."

The child smirked, "And so are the vampire."