Her memories had as of recently begun taking their toll on her. It seemed every time she blinked, a memory containing Eric and herself flashed before her eyes, subtely reminding her that what she was doing was rash.

It had been a week since they had returned from Dallas and a week since she realized her life was a shit storm of crazy. She had needed time to herself, to be able to hear herself think as she tried coming to terms with everything that had happened recently. She had forgiven Eric for what he had done but she found that the trust she had finally given to him had once again been tested. They seemed to be back at square one.

After she left, she had traveled anywhere she could…taking in the night sky and the pureness of nature as she allowed the silence and calmness of the world around her to ease her mind, to allow her to think with a clear and un-heavy head as she attempted to regain her own inner sanctity.

Her feet grew still as the memories of Eric's face rushed through her mind. She'd never forget or forgive herself for the pain and sadness she had caused him.

"I need time to myself." she told him calmly

"For what! This is insanity-"

"My whole life has been a ball of insanity Eric! I haven't had a moments peace in so long that I forget what it is to be sane! My head is spinning and I can't stop it, everything is making me insane right now and I can't focus on anything! I'm trying to make this work but there is too much for me to handle at once, I can't do that, that's not who I am." she cried, blood tears streaming down her face as the stress finally broke. "I need time to myself…..I need the silence so that I can try and work all of this out."

"Is this about the room?" asked Eric, trying very hard to understand her. "It's yours, all you have to do is ask-"

"Eric-" she sighed, looking at him painfully. "This isn't about that. I need to do this….for myself."

"I won't allow it." he ordered. "You aren't thinking clearly-"

"I know that I'm not thinking clearly! I can't…not with everything that is going on around me, within me. It's too loud…I need silence, I need to be able to hear myself think and I can't do that….not here." she cried.

"I can't allow it." he whispered.

"Please." she begged. "After everything…everything you have done to me, for once….let me have this? It's killing me….being here, constantly reminded of what happened."

"I said I was sorry." he said.

"Words can't mend a broken heart." she cried, walking up to him. "Please, for the love I know that you have for me…..for us…..please let me go. Only for a little while, I promise. I promise….but I can't be here right now. The scars are too fresh."

"Running will never solve anything." he said, squeezing her hands in his.

"Running signifies me leaving and never returning….think of this as a sabbatical." she said, watching him scoff. "I'm leaving Eric….and I will be back. That is a promise that I intend to keep. That is a promise that you can trust."

She cusped his face in her hands and kissed him on the lips, a drop of blood falling to her cheek as her eyes took in his own blood filled ones. She gently wiped away his tears as she herself fought to keep back her own. She kissed his lips once more before walking to the front door.

"I love you, Eric, and I will always come back to you" she paused in the doorway. "Oavsett vad."

She felt Eric's eyes flash to hers as she stepped through the doorway. The door clicked shut as a fresh set of tears fell from her eyes. The night had been dreary and humid as she left the only real home she had ever felt safe in, left the only man she had ever really and truly loved.

She hadn't thought about it until then, but she had actually spoken Swedish. It had come so naturally to her. She thought she had said it just because it had always been Eric's thing…that annoying phrase that somehow made her feel safe and loved.

"Mitt namn är Aurea." she said, testing her theory out.

The words fell from her lips as she paused in the woods. She thought of more things to say and laughed as they elegantly flowed from her mouth.

"Herrejävlar." she laughed. (Holy shit)

A noise from the woods caught her hearing as her head snapped to her right. As if on cue, a nasty disturbing scent floated through the air, her nose lifting towards the air to try and place it. It wasn't anything she'd smelt before, but if she could guess. Her eyes narrowed on the speck of wood that caught her attention, her body in attack stance, her hands at the ready.

A small rabbit jumped from the brush, the anxiety that had built within her causing her to accidentally shoot fire from her hand, the bunny turning into nothing more than a crispy critter. She watched in shame as the little bunny moved no more.

"That's quiet the parlor trick."

Aurea turned quickly to the voice behind her, her eyes glowing and her fangs baring down as the man in front of her just smiled. His own eyes glowed as he hissed back at her before laughing.

"Who the hell are you." she said, her palm itching with the need to react.

"The better question is who the fuck are you?" asked the man. "You're not from around here…..I can smell it on ya."

"The only thing I can smell is your need for a bath…..pronto." she said, standing with her shoulders square, her fangs still on display.

"You're a sassy little thing." sneered the man, his eyes roaming over her body from head to toe. "But unfortunately I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."

"And why would I go with a sniveling little ferret like you?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

"You haven't introduced yourself to the King," he said, noticing her twitch. "Am I right?"

She mentally kicked herself as the fuck up she frequently knew herself to be had again….fucked up. She had forgotten about all of the political bullshit while she had been burying herself in her own misery. She felt her lips curl in disgust as she retracted her fangs, her palm feeling less itchy as she straightened herself out.

"As much as I hate to admit this to such a douche…..I must agree with you." she said, the words leaving a bad taste in her mouth.

"I thought you'd say somethin' cute like that." he said, walking up to her and grabbing her arm. "Come along darlin'."

She fought to rip her arm from his hold…but the man had a grip like a vice. He was human…she could smell that much, but the hideous dog smell that reminded her of the lab she had as a little girl gave her what she needed, and judging by his eyes earlier….

"So you're a werewolf." she stated, allowing him to drag her through the woods.

"Took you long enough, princess." he laughed. "Thought you were smarter than that….guess not."

"Your extreme odor blocked your natural douchebag of an animal scent." she said. "Tell me….why would a werewolf do the bidding of a vampire?"

"Aren't we inquisitive?" he asked, placing his face within her hair and taking a deep breath. "Mmm you smell absolutely delicious. You aren't entirely vampire are you?"

"Fuck off."

He growled when she pushed him away causing her nails to slice into his skin. She went to run off into the woods but a set of strong arms grabbed her around her waist, holding her in place as the werewolf in front of her remained still. She struggled as the grip around her waist tightened and began dragging her away. Her eyes widened as the clearing to the woods showcased the most beautiful home she had ever seen.

She was set on her own two feet while six big and burly vampires encircled her, leading her up to the house. She could smell the nasty werewolf striding with them as her eyes quickly took in everything around her. The grounds, the house….everything.

The wide expansive front doors opened as she stepped onto the porch. The inside of the house marveled that of her own. Elegance was the only name for it. A spiraling staircase led up to the second floor as the marble flooring beneath her feet allowed her to see her reflection.

"And what do we have here?"

Aurea turned her eyes upward to land on a short Grecian looking man. His eyes trailed hers as her own followed suit.

"Found her trespassing on the property." sniveled the werewolf.

"You are not from Mississippi….are you darling?" asked the Grecian, stepping closer to her so that he could get a better look at her.

"Unfortunately, no." she said, her southern charm coming to play. "I must say though that your area is quite beautiful."

"You are a lovely little thing." cooed the Grecian. "My name is Talbot, royal consort."

Aurea bowed her head graciously as she slowly took in the room around her. She tried checking for any chances of escape, but the strength of the gorillas behind her told her that escape would be futile, especially with werewolves doing the bidding of vampires.

"Lovely to meet you." she replied, sticking out her hand. "Aurea."

"Well….Aurea." smiled Talbot. "Please, join me. I have someone you should meet."

Talbot took her hand in his and kissed it gently before leading her through the foyer. He led her through a pair of double doors that opened into a rather large parlor, a fire burning heavily in the fire place. On the wall hung a painting of what looked to be this Talbot character standing behind another vampire, the vampire who happened to be sitting in the chair directly in front of her.

"And what have you brought me this evening, Talbot?" asked the man.

"She is not for you, Russell." chided Talbot before turning to Aurea. "He is a greedy little thing."

Aurea let her eyes fall onto Russell….a rather old looking vampire who she no doubt knew to be the King of Mississippi, if his aura was anything to go by. She stepped forward and bent down onto her knee, bowing her head before him as she introduced herself.

Russell leaned forward and lifted her head ever so gently so that her eyes were looking into his own. His brow furrowed in curiosity as he studied her.

"And why have you come to my area?" he asked her, his head cocking to the side.

"Change of scenery, I suppose." she replied. "I made the mistake of not realizing when I had passed into your territory. I apologize for not making myself known."

"Nonsense, princess." he replied, a smirk on his lips. "We all make mistakes."

The doors behind them opened causing all heads to turn. The bodyguard nodded his head towards Russell, giving way to a silent understanding. Russell nodded back and turned back to Aurea, helping her off of the floor.

"For the moment, I must see to some business. Talbot, darling…would you mind escorting our lovely princess to the next room? I will be with her shortly." smiled Russell, never taking his eyes off of Aurea.

"Of course." smiled Talbot, taking Aurea's hand and guiding her to the room next door.

Aurea couldn't shake the feeling from her soul that Russell knew something she didn't. It had been minut, but the way that he had looked at her made her bones shiver in fear. Her eyes fell onto the room before her as Talbot led her inside.

"He will be with you, momentarily. Please….take a look around." smiled Talbot. "Lots of history in this room."

She watched him leave the room as the doors clicked shut…..the sudden silence enveloping her senses. She slowly began to feel the fear and loss of control welling within her. She was out of her depth here, not smart enough to understand the politics, the constant moving pieces going on around her. Something was happening, and it included herself in a way she feared she'd come to regret. She never wanted Eric more than she did now.

She fiddled her hands next to her sides as she turned her attention to the room she was put into. What really caught her attention was the golden cage on the back wall. Inside the doors held shelves littered with several small artifacts from different centuries. Curiosity getting the better of her, mixed with her own love of history, she opened the doors, her eyes drifting over every little piece.

Swords, pistols, and daggers littered the walls of the cage as she gently fingered the artifacts. They were beautiful….each one holding substantial amounts of history. Her body seemed to freeze in time as her eyes fell onto a crown.

Her mind seemed to quiver as she felt a sudden connection to the piece of metal. Her body began to tremble as her fingers reached out shakily. As soon as she touched the familiar cold metal, everything seemed to fall into place as her memory went haywire.

Screaming….fire…..burning…..pain….cold lifeless eyes as the cold hand of death wrapped around her neck. The smell of him wafting through her nose as she tried in vain to escape. The calls of her husband….the dark laugh of the man in front of her as his lips descended to her ear.

"Jag ska hitta dig igen. En dag, prinsessa." (I will find you again. One day, princess.)

Aurea gasped for air as she returned from her mind, her hand ripping away from the crown as if it had burnt her. Everything quickly fell into place for her as the sudden reality of where she was hit straight to her womb.

"I told you I'd find you again." said a cold voice as it creeped through the air. "Princess."