Note: I love you guys for all of your reviews! Keep em' coming! (Soldier is ALIVE).
You'll notice with the remaining chapters, I always wimp out on the intercourse. If this were an erotica, then sure; intercourse for everyone. But it's not; this is the story of Allison Lockett and her adventure to break the Lockett curse. Not the erotica of Allison Lockett and Lucas Hawthorn. I promise the steaminess will continue to... steam; but there will be no full boil! (harhar my own innuendo). I know, I'm such a tease.
I, again, apologize for the delay in updating. I also apologize for if parts of my chapters seem lazy or rushed or just plain crappy; I've been working on this for around nine months; I'm getting a little low on fuel. But the holidays are here now! It's go time for me! I'm studying for classes, finishing half-read books, and coming closer to finishing this novel! Happy Christmas everyone!
Huge thanks to brunette for helping me with the playlist! (Have song ideas for the characters? Let me know).
Chapter 23 – Facade
The night was winding down, but I was just as upset and agitated and angry as ever. First, Chairmen Coffin pissed me off thoroughly, then Luke and Taylor both revealed themselves, then Courtney showed up, the night of the party of all nights, and ruined any golden reputation I had going for me! And now that she was here, there in itself was a thousand more worries, for my friends, for my people... I didn't want anymore harm to come to them, to anyone. But tonight, she ruined nearly everything for me by killing a man on my own territory... She was not only sabotaging my country, she was sabotaging my crown. That conniving, foul, manipulating temptress...
I looked to Lucas after my angry pacing had subsided. Leaning against a table, still in the nice coat and bow-tie; he didn't look half bad. Scratch that; he looked amazing. If he looked like a god in sweat pants, seeing him all dressed up in the nice suit was like a special treat from the heavens.
If he weren't so handsome, I'd have been much angrier with him.
"Luke, you and Taylor could have completely blown your cover tonight." I began. He rolled his eyes with the 'Oh no, please spare me the lecture' look. I glared into his icy eyes, but then turned and put my hands on the frame of the door of the entertainment room. I motioned for him to undo my corset; it was sort of impossible for me to do it myself. He obliged me that. "I won't argue that being present was necessary, since she arrived." The poison that was on my tongue when I thought of her and voiced her existence was bitter enough to kill the mockingbird while it was on its branch. "But..."
"But we didn't blow our cover, now did we?" he replied with a certain smoothness and a tease that instantly stimulated my response. As his words flirted with my ear, his fingers delicately pulled on each binding of the corset of my dress until it was undone. I tried to make an angry, unsatisfied noise in response to his answer, but when his fingers caressed my slender shoulders and ran down my back so that I arched, I moaned with a hostile hint. "It appears to me that you are in need of some serious stress relief." he teased me next in that luxurious voice while drawing my dress shirt over my head. I hadn't even realized I was tense until his cold fingers pressed down and eased my shoulders.
With my submission and ease in response to his voice and touch, I moaned more softly. Still troubled, still angry and stressed beyond assistance; I knew Luke could help me. "Are you suggesting I need to blow off some steam?" I attempted to tease him in return, but it came out more of a threat. The skirt to my dress found the floor under Luke's quick sweep over my hips with his fingers.
Once the cool air touched my fully bare skin, my front roughly greeted the frame as my back reacquainted with Luke's skin. "I'm not suggesting it." he snapped darkly yet playfully, hands roaming my body, sending shivers all over. Just when did he get his shirts removed?
My mind could barely form coherent thoughts, much less conjure the hatred for a certain revenge-seeking vampire bitch with a beauty complex...
Luke nearly hissed in my ear as my body tensed with the hatred for her again. "Snap out of it, Allison." he warned, short nails dragging up along my inner thigh. He then lifted my leg so my core was forced to be more sensitive by tenfold; his lips found sweet kisses to my neck. His affection sent sensations shooting through my body just as powerful as always.
"Take me before it happens again." I retorted with a now impatient demand.
Fortunately for me, my wishes were never declined from him. My back roughly found the soft comforter of the bed in my bedroom chamber; I let out a grunt from the force but the sound was replaced by moans a moment later when he crawled along the length of my body, kissing and caressing my calves, thighs, hips, breasts; he cupped my face and claimed my lips with such a force my teeth felt pain.
Last night was about making slow, affectionate love.
Tonight was about forgetting everything except the raw passion.
"Lucas." I summoned him, sometime after our love-making and close dawn. He never slept during the night; he was simply behind me, in a swooning position on the bed, tracing delicate designs along my hip and side.
"Yes, my lovely?" he replied with a kiss on my ear.
I tried not to look too flattered. "About last night, how you and Taylor exposed yourselves..."
"I know... I'm sorry for blowing our cover. I know you didn't want us too and I did it anyway, because, well... I wanted too." He told me the truth with a chuckle and a smirk against my neck, even if his reasons were less than to my satisfaction. But that was alright. I didn't expect him- or, I didn't want him to be my little slave, obeying every command I gave him as a servant would. My only issue was not knowing which wishes of mine he would obey and which he wouldn't.
"That's fine. I'm not angry." I told him.
"Really?" His tone was true surprise; I nodded my head and looked over my shoulder at him.
"Yes; the only thing that bothers me is not knowing if you'll do it again. Break guidelines, I mean. You broke one promise..." he flinched a bit at my words. "Who's to say you won't break another? Like the one where I asked you not to feed on the innocent of my people."
"Allison." His cold hands grasped my shoulders and turned me around to face him. He wasn't smirking anymore. "Taking lives and showing up to a party are two very different things. I promise, if nothing else, that for you I will not take the life of an innocent person... within the borders of your country." He added the last bit with a small smile, though his eyes reflected the seriousness of the proclamation.
I knew I was asking much of him... he fed on live humans, after all. I was basically putting him on a sinner-only diet. Hearing him reassure his agreement to my wishes was overwhelmingly admirable. I kissed him in happiness and relief.
"Thank you." I told him.
"No, thank you, Allison." he argued against my lips. He moved over me so the kiss could deepen; so I could taste the death of his mouth, the sweet, sweet death. The cold was uninviting and dripping with danger, yet oddly enough, I loved it. I couldn't get enough of him, it seemed.
"For what?" I asked after he pulled away, after I was left with little breath.
"For being born." he replied with his fang-filled grin. After that he shifted to get up; I reached out to grab his pale wrist like it was some sort of natural instinct.
"Wait." I pleaded. I didn't want him to leave; I never did.
"I have to go. Dawn is coming." This time around, I couldn't hold in my groan. He didn't let the frown in his eyes reach his face. "You know I'll be back as soon as I can. Especially with her in the country now; you shall never be without protection during the night."
He cared, so much. I could see the intensity of it in his eyes. I knew he slept during the day to dwindle thirst; that meant less death to my people. I knew that, yet still I wanted him by my side for every minute of the day. The barrier between a mortal and a vampire was never any stronger than it was in these few minutes before dawn.
"Go back to sleep. I promise, when you wake up, you'll hold a gift from me in your hand."
With one last kiss and a gorgeous chuckle from him, I let curiosity win me over as I fell back into the land of dreams.
Or, nightmares. After Luke had left me and the pleasant images he pressed into my mind to protect me from her invasion of my sleep were no longer a luxury I had, the nightmare dealing with Courtney inevitably returned. I wouldn't deny one thing. Courtney, no matter what she was or did, was beautiful. When she appeared in my dream, in the darkness with a lone spotlight over her, I couldn't blame Luke for falling for her, for becoming so infatuated. If I'd been him, I probably would have fallen in the same trap. Especially with her sweet voice, soft, curly hair, smooth pale skin...
The dream told me all of these things and forced me to think them as true fact. I knew that I hated Courtney, hated every inch of her resemblance to me, yet the dream wouldn't allow me to be angry with her lovely image as she stood before me as if on a stage, born for admiration from others. I could do nothing but admire. The dream wouldn't allow me anything else.
Her voice was what I heard next, so sweet and tempting. Whoever hear her was like Eve to the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden; inevitably and unable to resist. She spoke to someone now, someone outside of the spotlight. Her perfect white arm stretched out to receive someone, someone I knew. Lucas' grand self appeared inside the spotlight as he joined her on the stage of admiration.
The icy blue eyes of the vampire Lucas locked with her deep blue; he slipped his fingers into hers and she embraced him and welcomed his body to hers inside the spotlight. Luke was taking the bait with no hesitation, no thought to show I was there, watching.
Yet I had to recall this was a dream, a possible manifestation of Courtney within my dreams, it couldn't be real, or based off anything that was going to happen or could happen. Luke didn't want anything to do with Courtney besides her death now...right? For the first time, I began to doubt Lucas' love for me; I felt a pang of sickness in my stomach as I watched his pale lips capture hers, his arm reached behind her to wrap around her waist and hold her against him as he did with me; he buried his other hand in her blonde hair and held her close, devouring her with passionate taste. I forced myself awake after hearing the softest moan from him.
Sure enough, when I awoke, I clasped the loveliest rose from the imperial garden in my palm, the sweetest aroma of the flower bringing a smile to my lips. How could I ever doubt him, even for an instant? I sighed, wishing the soft petals could kiss me the way that Luke did; only, in the sunlight.
I knew it was impossible.
A pretty, spring-themed sun dress hugged my body as I walked down to breakfast on this fine Sunday morn; I was not looking forward to the church service today. I don't think I ever would look forward to it for a long time, not after...
I centered my thoughts as I walked down to breakfast. Perhaps if I just concentrated on something else... Maybe I could list the top twenty American photographers, name the Lockett rulers from start to finish over the last three centuries, or count the cardinals nesting on the blossoming trees on the way to the cathedral... maybe then I could take my mind away from thinking about the cross and the crucifixion of Daniel Peterson. My hand slid delicately along the oak railing of the staircase as I descended and came near the dining room.
"She is lovely, isn't she? Just as I promised." I heard Luis' voice from the dining room. I paused before I walked in and made an appearance, eavesdropping on the conversation. I didn't hear anyone else to indicate he was talking to another person, but he kept on speaking as if in a conversation. "Yes, that was she at the food kitchen that day. Generosity has always been a strong quality in her." He paused, again. I knew he was speaking of me, and I also realized Luis was speaking on the phone. To who, was the question. "Yes, she will be at the service today. ... Alright. I'll talk to you then." The phone clicked as and call ended and Luis chuckled whole-heartedly.
I recognized Nicolas' voice now. "Who was that?" he asked his father curiously.
"Chairman Daine." Luis replied. "Has anyone woken up Allison yet? We're looking at an hour before we should go." he asked.
"Give her a break, father. After the stress she was left with after that murder... Everything would have been perfect last night if it weren't for that." He sounded frustrated. "They'd better catch the culprit soon, so we can move passed this. I know the police think that it was an affair gone wrong, but I heard from the detectives this is related to a string of serial killings that have been seen here before, related to the Lockett family curse. What the public is saying about this is not pretty, father. And blood is the last thing Al needs to have on her image right now." Luis grunted in agreement. Nicolas' voice changed to a kinder tone as he spoke to a waiter; I heard the sound of plates and silverware clashing as a waiter picked them up. "Leave one plate of food out for Allison; bag the rest of it up. She'll want to take the leftovers from the party last night for the people of the church to chew on before the service; but breakfast from this morning she'll want taken to the soup kitchen next to the church."
Nicki knew me all too well. I entered the dining room now, the shoes clicking on the maroon carpet enough to give away my appearance. Both Salvador's dark heads raised, eyes resting upon me like a bee to a flower. Luis smiled benevolently as Nicolas gawked.
"Uhm, good morning." I said to them hesitantly. I didn't want to seem too overjoyed, considering the recent events, or too morose to be a disappointment to Luis's fatherly judgment over me; or seem as if I'd heard their entire conversation.
Luis returned the greeting and went back upon his business; making notes on his electronic device's screen with a tiny stylus, leaving Nicki to recover and speak to me on his own. His dark brown eyes sparkled as his grin hooked upward. A newspaper rested in his hand "You're late. Almost missed breakfast."
"I'm still adjusting to the time change." I told him absolutely, hoping my excuse would be believed. He didn't seem convinced.
"As you probably heard before you came in..." Ah, he caught me. "The party was a success; all but the end. The Chairmen, apart from Coffin, like you and look forward to what else you have to offer this country."
I smiled, but it was somewhat uneasily. "I'm glad. But I'm worried about the public interpretation of the murder here last night. Murder is definitely not a good omen for the more superstitious of the public." I paused for a moment as I took a seat next to Nicolas.
"I just mentioned that; take a look at what the papers have printed." Nicolas set the paper he was reading in front of me, plus a couple others. The front headlines all read something along the lines of "Murder in the Palace; Queen of Blood; Royal Curse Returns with Royalty" I skimmed over the articles; more than half all attempted to imply that I, personally, had something to do with the murder. The media couldn't have been more ready to pin something on me, could they? After I was done, I pushed the newspapers away and picked at my food. I didn't need any of this stress right now... But I would deal with all, one obstacle at a time.
"Oh yes, I would like to help pay for the funeral arrangements of the man. Mrs. Rosada was the name of the man's wife?" I asked. Both of them nodded. "I can't help but feel somewhat responsible, since the tragedy took place here and Mr. Rosada was a guest of our event. Is there anyway either of you can arrange a way for me to speak with her?"
Luis spoke before Nicki could. "Consider it done, I think a private lunch date would be alright, unless she is too grieving to go anywhere besides the church service on this day."
I thanked Luis and began to eat the breakfast left for me. After a few minutes of silence from all of us and the waiters surrounding, I glanced at what Nicolas was reading. A different newspaper, not in the pile of local articles I had pushed away. "What's this?" I asked him.
"Oh yes..." he smiled guiltily, "This came for you in the mail today. A foreign newspaper from a Mr... Thomas Kent." He handed me the paper in his hand, an American paper, New York Times to be exact, with the front article being none other than the suggestion I left Tom, the writer. Me. "Runaway Heir Returns Home" by Thomas Kent. I smiled a bit and began to read over it while I ate. When I was done reading the article about me, I couldn't help but notice the one under it called "Wolf Attacks End" by Allen Yingling. The newspaper was dated for yesterday; and if the wolf attacks had stopped there, they would surely start here once the moon was the adequate fullness. Luis had excused himself in this time, becoming more engrossed with scheduling things on his little gadget. Once I was done and I set the New York Times aside, I felt I needed to rid of the silence between Nicolas and I.
"On a lighter note... Or should I say more annoying one, I saw what you meant about Chairman Coffin's daughter trying to make you two a pair. She could not take the hint and leave you alone." I started.
"I know." he replied, seemingly eager to break the silence as well, indignation seething from him about the subject. "I don't want to hurt the girl's feelings, but I do not want anything to do with her romantically."
I giggled. He was so sure. "Why, though? She's pretty, seemed not to be as clueless as she looked. I saw a few others who would have liked to have part of her night."
He sighed. "Yeah, sure, she's pretty. Just like every other woman I've ever been around and tried to be matched with. The more I'm tried to be matched with a woman, the less I want to be. I don't know what it is; I just don't click with anyone, I guess. I'm doomed to never find the one."
The one. I repeated in thought. Men could be deep... on their better days at least. I thought about my possible "one," and how we never could be the way I wished we could be. I sighed and stopped making it a goal to drive Nicki crazy this fine morning. Before the conversation could go any further, Lucy glided into the room, her blonde hair in curls again and she was in a white dress that reached her knees. Always, like an angel; she smiled as she saw me and laced her arms around me for a hug.
"This'll be the first time I actually go to church!" she told me with a mild flare of excitement. She made it a point to look her Sunday best. Or, Lucy best. She looked nice; I was sure Prime Minister Davidson would appreciate her too.
"That explains a lot." I replied with a tease. She punched me in the arm, rather hard.
Nicolas shifted in his seat and reacted instantly to her inflicting injury to me. "Hey! No hitting her majesty. I can have you arrested, you know." He warned. Lucy simply put her hands on her hips and made a half angry, half pouting face.
"Is this guy for real, Ally? Tell your dog to heel before I kick him in the muzzle." She glared at him while she spoke to me.
In response, he literally made a growling sound and stood up to tower over Lucy's shorter form. He smirked as he looked down at her now. At that, she turned around and, defeated, left the room, saying she was going to find Tony.
I gave Nicolas a look. "Is this going to become a habit, Nicki?"
"What?" he defended.
"Treating Lucy so terribly. I noticed you didn't kiss her hand once in the time of introductions. How ungentlemanly of you."
"I don't know where it's been." He retorted and crossed his arms. Sounded like a damn five year old. I rolled my eyes and finished my breakfast. He was probably just jealous that I had made new friends while I was at large and now he had to compete for my attention with someone else close to me...
Soon after the little string of excitement that morning, I was escorted to the cathedral in the backseat of a nice black vehicle; after being declined the suggestion to ride on the decorated Clydesdale. The stable-people told me the horses were not safe to ride for a few more days considering the murder they'd witnessed. I wanted to say "They're just animals" but I recalled I was back in my country in a position where I needed to be very careful for what I said, versus when I was in America where I had the "freedom of speech." I didn't want the Animal Rights crowd to be angry with the queen for one little comment.
With the royal guard Nicolas on my left and the royal guest Lucy on my right, the car's driver pulled up to the front stairs leading into the cathedral. My trio was greeted by a mob of reporters, photographers; altogether an Aldorra version of an American paparazzi. Nicolas took Lucy and I by the arm and had to beat his way through the first wave of the reporters, a few "Get out of my way"s coming out before the kinder "Her majesty has no comment at this time" came to his mind. A chaos of rapid questions being fired from the people gathered and microphones being shoved our direction and flashing lights from cameras and... I closed my eyes for a moment and let Nicolas handle getting Lucy and I through the crowd. They all were asking questions about the murder at the palace last night, "Were you involved in anyway your majesty? What are you going to do in response? Do you know who committed the crime your highness?"
I had to ignore them completely; the three of us made it to the top of the stairs where there was a chain of huge, suited body guards making a fence around the entrance of the cathedral; their job was to keep reporters out. We were joined by Luis and his guard a moment later.
"The priest does not want God's home to be turned into a celebrity hot spot." Luis told us. "Handle this, or I will use force." he warned Nicki and I now. Luis liked to make good use of the stronger men in the royal guard; he always had Nicolas try and resolve things peacefully before he used them, however.
I thought of a good threat to scare most of the reporters away. Or at least, get them off of the cathedral's doorstep. "Nicolas. Arrest anyone who dares to interrupt the service today to get a picture or a word from me, or anybody who was with me last night."
"Hear that?! Her majesty will arrest anyone who dares interrupt the service for a picture! You heard me, I will have you arrested if you enter this sacred building with a camera or a recorder. Stand back; hold your interviews for a more appropriate day than the day of the Lord. Ingrates!" Nicolas threatened them all in his authoritative tone. A tone the people had apparently heard before and minded very well. The crowd silenced, save the clicks of the camera as Nicolas stood before them. "The queen attending a religious service on the holiest day of the week is not your chance to get an interview. What is wrong with you people? Are you becoming just as absorbed and icon-impulsive as the Americans?"
Lucy would have been offended with that part, had she understood the language Nicolas was speaking. The crowd dispersed, after a few more choice words from Nicolas, and then we escorted Lucy and myself within, where several guests were waiting in the lobby for the service to begin, chewing on leftover fruit and cookies from the party at the palace last night. This was a time of catching up and meeting new people, where lots of different people with mutual friends all stood around in one gathering place. I was greeted by many familiar faces and several new, in which I was mostly hand-shaking and cheek-kissing. When it was time for the service to begin, everyone shuffled into the sanctuary.
It was tradition for the queen to sit in the very center, on the second story. Lucy sat right by my side; Nicolas and his father to my left. Most of the legislative sat up on the second story as well with their families; apart from Coffin, again, as he was down near the front row with that charming daughter of his. I didn't fail to miss when she glanced up at our level, then waved and winked at Nicolas. I felt him stiffen next to me; I touched his knee and he relaxed again. He smiled at me, his silent thank you. Luis beamed at the both of us; his expecting gaze made me fold my arms to myself.
The entire hour I was in that room; I avoided looking straight. I would look at the stained-glass, at Nicolas' or Lucy's legs, at the people below, the ceiling above... Anything but that giant, golden cross with the perfectly carved sculpture of Christ. A sculpture that gave no censor, save for the loin cloth, to his execution. Just as Courtney hadn't given Daniel any censor; Daniel's execution display was meant solely for my eyes; the red blood running down his bare chest marred with the fateful word of 'Vengeance' was my personal message from the devil's temptress. My memory re-told me the story of his deep hazel eyes dipped with a hint of green but reflected death; red tainted his chocolate curls and dripped in a puddle on the floor below his feet, running along each exposed muscle and strand of barb wire...
This horrific vision came to me when I glanced up at the crucifix, after the crowd stood and knelt for the first time. It didn't take a mentalist to figure out I was edgy and about to lose it when the vision came to me and I was trying very desperately to control the powerful emotions it invoked. It was Nicolas' turn to reach over and comfort me with a hand on my knee when he sensed my distress.
Miraculously, I made it through an hour of being forced to remember Daniel's death. I couldn't stick around to chat after the service; I had to meet Mrs. Rosada and discuss certain financial offers for her... Then afterward I had matters to attend to back at the castle.
I wanted to stray away from Nicolas and Lucy as fast as I could so I could make that lunch date with the new widow in a private section of a cafe' around the corner of the street near the cathedral. Nicolas cautioned me to take him, my royal guard, with me; but I refused and by some miracle managed to slip undetected into the public crowds. The new widow, Mrs. Rosada, was expecting me when I arrived and we conversed over a small meal.
"I appreciate this gesture, your highness. I really must thank you for trying to cheer me up on such a beautiful day..." Her tone was shaky as Mrs. Rosada told me this. Her plate was only half eaten and her tea virtually untouched; her mascara and liner had ran longer before in conversation and I handed her a napkin to wipe the black mess away from her tanned face. Black because she was currently in mourning; hopefully she had more black outfits than the button down dress shirt and skirt.
"You said you wanted to attend the funeral?" she continued after her face was clear. "The funeral is going to be held this Thursday, at a smaller church in Frank's hometown... That bastard is going to cost me six thousand dollars!" Her tone, once dipped with sadness, was now a hint of anger. I couldn't imagine to feel what she felt; she was obviously devoted to her husband but he gets killed when involved in adultery. What sort of bittersweet truth is that? I paused when I thought to myself "Courtney's sick attempt at humor." The devil's temptress was laughing at me; spilling blood on my own grounds and getting away with it. For now.
"I'm very sorry for your loss. This is really the least I can do for you." I told Mrs. Rosada after a moment.
The widow sniffed and held a handkerchief over her nose as I took out a pen and my wallet and began to scribble an amount onto a check. After I was finished I ripped the check out and handed it to her.
"I don't want you to worry about costs, or how many of what, or anything to do with money. I just want you to focus on what is most important." I told her. I meant what I said; if I'd just lost a loved one, worrying about money would just be the cherry on top of the stress plate. She didn't need to worry about that any longer with the eight grand enclosed in the check.
Her red-shot eyes drew wide for a moment as she looked at the amount. She opened her mouth to protest as her arm outstretch to hand the check back; but I refused and stood just as my cellphone beeped twice. Perfect timing for my device to remind me I had an appointment. "I am being called elsewhere right now. Keep it, it's an insult to return a gift given to you." I told her politely. She stopped trying to hand the check back and covered her nose with the handkerchief again. "Thank you for your time. I wish the best for you."
I had to excuse myself curtly for two reasons: so she could not refuse my gift, and not to intrude further into her fragile state. It had only been twelve hours ago she discovered her husband had been murdered, after all. The third reason was because I had been invited to sit and observe, silently observe, a meeting of the chairmen, the Prime Minister and Regent Luis. It was a quick, one hour meeting once a day to discuss immediate issues or short-term changes within the country and it's affairs, debate on what actions could be taken, so then when an official meeting is called with the witness of a judge, they may make rational decisions felt by the majority of the entire legislative.
Lucy would have found this so boring, I thought as I sat in a chair at the end of the long table the legislative where seated at. I was a part of it, yet so secluded. Chairman Coffin hadn't even looked at me when I walked in the door and thanked the group for allowing me the privilege to observe their activities.
Once the meeting was basically over, after several non-eventful conversations and debates, several of the chairmen wished to stay behind and make conversation with me, wanting to hear my opinions and plans for the country. The country only they had the power to put me in the position of the monarch of.
Luis only wished me luck and then abandoned me as they asked these intense questions.
In this Q&A, with questions like "What is your opinion on decreasing the amount of agriculture in this country so that more houses and businesses can be built? What would you change to improve the education system so that our literacy rates go from eighty-eight percent to the ninety's? What is your take on the French and Spanish governments bribing this country into their territory? Would you support the funding of a military organization to train soldiers?" (the country worked with a system similar to revolution minute-men; if there was ever a time to fight, all who wanted to fight would gather and serve their country. There was no preorganized military the government payed you to be a part of. Be that as it may, it meant our schools taught all graduating students military strategies as a class so that in the time of war, the country wasn't clueless when the people united); I discovered that most of the other Chairmen seemed to take a shine to me, just as Luis and Nicki promised. All but damned Coffin; the man who wanted power over the throne by marrying his pretty little daughter, Cynthia, to Nicolas. It was a despicable plot against me.
The rest of the day after that; I wanted nothing more than to rest. I would get to work tomorrow, harder than ever. But today, the day the lord intended for resting... I wanted to do just that. When nightfall fell over the beautiful sky, I followed Lucy to her room and spent time with her before I headed to mine.
"How did you like your first church service?" I asked Lucy with interest. She half shrugged, and let a small smile and blush come to her.
"Honestly? It was just a new experience, not as exciting as I thought it was going to be. I'm not about to jump on the conversion wagon to Catholicism, but I think I can get up and go every Sunday with you. I did like one part more than any other, though; here, it seemed like everybody went to the service. Everybody could catch up or meet new people, everyone was a part of it. I liked that."
I nodded my head. It was like that, wasn't it? Lucy was eying me with an odd look, however... I asked her what she was looking at.
"I think I understand now." She began. "The night that..." she paused, hesitated, then found the courage to go on, "you found Danny as he was, and then you wouldn't let me see him. I figured today it must have been related to the church, because you flinched every time you looked up at that crucifix. That's why you didn't want me to see him, wasn't it? You didn't want me to feel what you must feel, every time you're going to walk into that church..."
There was a pause where I simply looked at her, with some guilt, because she found me out, and she reminded me of that pain for a moment. I then gathered myself and attempted not to make her worry more about me. "I swear, Lucy... In another life, you must have been a psychic of some sort. Your feelings and premonitions are never wrong!" I tried to appear cheerful, because she was completely right about the why.
Lucy smiled sweetly and shrugged. "If I was a psychic, I don't have a clue!" she replied. "In another life? Just what are the Catholic beliefs, Al?"
"Ugh, don't even start calling me Al. You've been hanging out with Nicki too much." I accused. She smiled innocently. "But no, Christianity doesn't have reincarnation written down as a belief anywhere. Some people believe anyway, though, that their soul could come back for more of God's work on earth; not really the hardcore caste system reincarnation like in India. Did you know you can be a devoted Catholic without believing in God?"
"Huh? That doesn't make any sense."
"It does. Catholics have a thousand rules of their own to follow. Some people call themselves Catholics because they follow all of those rules, go to church with the family every week, but don't comment about their personal beliefs."
"Why bother being a part of religion you don't believe in, then?"
"Why? Because the cathedral is a gathering place for the community and the religion is a common ground and a circle of acceptance for the society. I am one of those devoted Catholics with no religious beliefs; I will never comment on my personal beliefs to the public, and I avoid talking about them in conversation, but I went through Confirmation and I will continue to attend the services at the cathedral for as long as I have to."
"Shouldn't the people know what their queen is into, though?"
"'A prince must appear to all who see and hear him to be completely pious, completely faithful, completely honest, completely humane and completely religious.' Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince." I quoted to her. She raised and brow at me and I smiled; I knew she didn't care for it. "I'm 'into' whatever they want me to be. If I suddenly realize I was born to be a part of a different religion, I would never express it to anybody in this predominantly Roman Catholic country simply because of simplicity. It's easier to go with the flow rather than swim against the current in the aspects of beliefs. I would rather dwell in other subjects like... increasing education, lowering taxes and things of that nature rather than wasting time and energy in expressing and fighting for my own personal aspects."
"You'd rather fight for others than yourself."
"Precisely."
She paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think you're going to make a great queen, Ally. How soon is that council going to crown you?" she teased. I shrugged and mentally crossed my fingers for it to be soon.
"For the next few weeks I'm going to be have to be appealing to everybody's better side, in reverse to if I were crowned, they'd all be appealing to me. All is fair in love and war, I suppose." I wasn't complaining; in fact, I'd already started thinking of ways to raise money for humane organizations and what I could start to help improve in the cities and villages surrounding the capitol.
My attention snapped back up to Lucy, with her dazzling blue eyes and shimmering blonde hair tucked behind her ear. "So... How are you and Henry?" Instantly a beautiful blush came to her cheeks.
"Uhm... Henry, who is that again?" She tried to play the question off as if she didn't know what I was talking about. I narrowed my eyes and saw right through her. "We're just talking, Ally. We aren't even a 'we' yet."
"Yet." I repeated with a hint. She turned a more potent shade of red, and then sighed with a frown. I think I knew what was bothering her; probably the same thing that was last night. "Cheer up, Luce. You know smiles look more beautiful on you." I told her in a soft voice. She brought the corners of her mouth up a little bit.
"I know. Thanks for everything, Ally. Bringing me here, not abandoning me, listening to my ranting..." Delicate tears threatened her eyes. I reached out to embrace her.
"I'm always happy to be here. Like I mentioned before, don't hesitate to seek me out if you need someone to console in. Not even in the next few weeks when things start to get busier." I rubbed her back and petted the blonde hair over her skull as I spoke. She nodded her head and pulled away.
"I'm tired; thanks again." she said, wiping the corner of her eye.
"Anytime. Goodnight, Lucy." I rubbed the top of her hand for comfort, before moving to leave the room and retire to my own.
When I opened the old oak door to let myself into my chambers, I was greeted by the voice of two vampire males in the wits of battle, again. This time they spoke a very rough German. I silently disapproved.
"You need to feed, Lucas. I will maintain Allison's welfare." Taylor promised, sounding very resolute.
"I'm not leaving her now that Courtney is here." Luke shot back with intensity as well as firmness.
"Then drink the last bottle." Taylor offered now. I peeked around the corner to see the green bottle with a dark liquid within; blood. Taylor's white hand was offering it to Luke and he held up a hand to refuse it.
"I can't stand that crap anymore; it's starting to make my head hurt." Luke gripped his head and made a face to show this.
"My point exactly. You feed predominantly from live victims Luke. You have for the past 480 years or so. You can't change that in one or two nights and expect to still be functioning properly. Think of Allison, how you could hurt her if you're too hungry."
Dead silence came over the room. I took a few steps forward; I knew they'd known I was there the entire time. As Luke's cold, icy blue eyes rested on me, he gave in to Taylor's wishes. "I won't be long." he told me, coming in front of me and pressing a kiss to my forehead. A certain promised sparkled in his cool eyes; I knew exactly which promise that was. "You better protect her; or you're dead." he spat at Taylor afterward. Complete with the menacing voice, glare and threatening finger point.
The window to the balcony was open; the white lace drapes around the frame wisped around as Luke exited with magnificent speed.
I watched the scene for a moment and pondered my loss; then I turned to Taylor. He stood on the other side of the room from I, staring at something on the mantle. I felt the need to press conversation between us. I rested in a chair adjacent to where he stood and touched my fingers under my chin.
"We care about my well being?" I teased Taylor coyly, simply meaning to make talk. He glanced my direction for only an instant.
"Hardly." he replied coldly, more coldly than necessary. "But Lucas does, therefore I appealed to his more influential qualities."
"And it is significant because..." I continued. I didn't miss the hostile growl that emitted from him as I continued to pry at him for an explanation. He turned in his place and took a seat across from me in the entertainment room. His eyes had a certain fire in them as he gazed upon me; I knew he was irritated just by looking at his posture, because his face reflected no emotion. He eased when his gaze shifted a bit above my head and he no longer looked directly at me.
"If your and Luke's relationship becomes any weaker, the plan will fail. When I've perfected the plan, it will take both of you and that outrageously strong bond you've formed. I need you and Lucas to keep your bond strong; if he ruins that by loosing control of his thirst and attacking you at any time... Well, we know how well your relationship would be then." he smirked; and I didn't miss a dark glint in his black eyes.
I shivered as I recalled the event in which he was referring. When he stole blood from me; and for that a certain degree of hatred and fear was permanently pitted between us.
In the silence, his eyes traveled back down to my face; then, something lower. I heard the pulse in my ears a moment later and I concluded he was staring at my neck. His coal eyes were transfixed and... had he originally been leaning forward in his seat?
"Not to be rude, but please stop staring at me like that." Like I was food. I was not, to any vampire.
He cleared his throat that did not need clearing simply to distract himself and his eyes flicked to the ground. "Forgive me." he replied politely. "I've had to share my last few bottles of blood with Lucas so neither one of us will have to feed on more of...you call them your people? Then necessary."
"I appreciate it." I retorted sharply to him, with little feeling.
"I've been limiting my intake while I wait for Julie to send a new shipment, so I am feeling slightly... parched."
"It must be difficult for you to be around me, then." I said carefully, my sapphire eyes traveling cautiously over him and his actions. Taylor was known to drink more than just the bottled blood. I knew that first hand. I was more at ease when he leaned back in his chair and folded his white hands over his chest.
"You must imagine how difficult it is for Lucas, then."
There was a pause where I simply stared at him, trying to decipher what he meant by that comment. "Difficult for what; my blood?"
He nodded. "Blood is priority to all vampires. It overshoots intimacy and, when the blood lust takes hold, common sense. For Lucas to have been with you and not drawn blood... that is quite an amazing feat. Not every vampire can control their hunger when put in an inviting situation like intercourse, when the prey is so submissive..." His voice was so nonchalant, yet so implicating at the same time.
"What are you saying...?" I demanded after a moment.
"Sex will only go so far... and while I don't doubt it's satisfying, the taking of blood tops passion and without that purely ecstatic feeling from his lover, Lucas might not feel completely fulfilled in the way you do." he spoke so calmly about such an intimate topic, as if it were an equation and not a development. "It's simply a barrier in the relationship of a human and a vampire, a barrier that can be overcome."
There was a short pause where my thoughts swam over what he was explaining, and then the core of the conversation caught up with my inner conscience. "Why the hell are we talking about this?" I stood, turning my back to him and paced several steps away to the opposite side of the room. "You're sick for thinking you had right to say that to me. Leave." I decided quickly. To my surprise, he complied and was gone before I had a chance to see him; only hear the oak door creak and click as it was opened and shut.
Not one of my brighter ideas; having Taylor leave the room. He had probably just gone back to my personal library; where he could be in a position to watch over both Lucy and myself. Though I hardly doubted either of us were his top priority at the moment.
I waited for Luke to return. I had changed into a black dress slip and settled on a couch in the entertainment room with a few of the local newspapers near me to read. I was making little notes in a yellow notebook for ideas on what I could do to help improve the country in anyway; it wasn't about impressing the legislative, no. That would come if I did my first job well; taking care of my people. If only I could have put one of Luke's vampire-proof scarfs on each and every citizen of my country, maybe then I would have been a little more at ease as I began to nod off into sleep. Knowing Courtney was out there, ready to kill any person, innocent or evil.
I closed my eyes on the couch, and opened them again in my bed chambers.
Light filtered over the fresh new deep-purple sheets I rested within; a red red rose clutched in my hand to my chest.
This ritual continued constantly for the next few weeks.
Note: My Christmas present to you is a boring update; your Christmas present to me shall be 200 reviews!