Note: Funny stuff happening with that poll on my profile. Someone chose Courtney as their favorite character. Totally cool! I know, she's hot. But now, she's DEAD. Haha. I know the climax was predictable, perhaps too predictable, but you knew all along Courtney was going to die somehow, just like you knew all through Twilight that Victoria was going to get her ass whooped by the Cullen family. Probably shoulda made it more violent, eh? A resolution can be reached sometimes. This isn't a Shakespearian tragedy where everyone must die by the end. (Daniel's death alone almost caused my assassination).

This, my friends, is the last actual chapter. There'll be two little epilogues happening after this, but they're eh. Then...a sea-quill! So, it is my dearest pleasure to say to you all:

THANK YOU FOR READING! (May I please have a plethora of reviews for my year of work?)

Chapter 30 – Resolution

New York was the same, but I had changed more profoundly than ever.

The following day after the murderer of my family was erased from this earth, I asked Lucy to assist me on my trip to deliver the news to Daniel. Our friend, who rested in the New York soil. The city was still bustling with people, the yellow cabs were waved down the same as always, the accents of the Americans on the east coast flooded my ears just as they always would...

The world seemed different, yet it hadn't changed a wink. The globe spun at the same speed it always had, yet I felt relative time speed up to its normal pace again. Whatever that pace of life meant. Vengeance and revenge had left me completely, and I was left with this satisfaction that wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. All of that pain and torment, for what? Now that the curse had been broken, it was odd to ever say there was one in the first place. How did I go about living, now that were was no real goal? Could I still move forward, living the same as I had before the days when I knew nothing of Courtney and vampires? The whispers in the wind and rain told me that the life of ignorance was lost forever.

My angel, who was overjoyed to know I was successful in my deed and physically unharmed, walked next to me under her lilac umbrella, shielding herself from the rain. I was indifferent. The cemetery in the city, right next to the bakery and the coffee shop, was not disconnected from the rest of society like the graveyard I had entered the night before.

"I still feel remorseful, but not miserable anymore. Is it alright to feel that way without Danny?" My angel asked me. She stared at me from under the umbrella where she and her baby stood in dryness, while I chose to stand under the tears of the sky. I looked up at her from the stone before me.

"Yes." Was my simple answer. "Now that Danny's death has been avenged, I feel... lighter. His death wasn't without a cause, deep in my heart I believe his death was necessary for the destruction of his murderer. I hope that makes sense."

"It does, though I do not think I believe the same. I still wish he were here, but that's the childish side of me wishing everything would have turned out happily ever after, like in fairy tales."

"It still can." I replied with a smile. A real smile. The first smile I could remember in days. We took a moment of silence to respect our sleeping friend.

"Ally, look!" Lucy pointed to the single ray of light that had suddenly broken through the looming gray clouds crying over us. The ray lightened the scene before us; Daniel's name glinted on the marble tombstone. A moment later, the mournful rain ceased. "Well... isn't that convenient?" she asked, lowering her umbrella. She opened her mouth and let one of the final sprinkles of God's tears fall on her tongue.

Only six feet beneath our feet, Daniel's body rested. "It's done, buddy... Rest in peace, in real peace this time." I told the marble tomb before me. Water dripped from the tips of my matted hair to the grass below.

"Good bye, sweet love." Lucy bid him after me with a kiss blown across her palm. A sad, but benevolent look crossed her eyes. "Ally..." Lucy began sweetly and softly after a short pause. I looked up to her with interest arched in my brows. "I told Henry I was pregnant."

My jaw dropped, though I wasn't completely surprised. I recalled that I'd seen her talking to the man before the night I slew Courtney Vengeance. Now I knew why he had looked so shell shocked the morning after that night.

"Guess that means I need to tell Luke my secret..." I mentioned. "How did he take the news?"

"He's... still taking it." She replied in a bashful voice.

"I'm sure he'll accept and love you just fine, after the initial shock passes," I assured.

"Hope so." She added, pulling a lock of golden hair behind her ear. I put my arm around her shoulder and we took one last look at Danny, bid him goodbye in ensemble, before taking leave. The gray clouds seemed a little lighter and more joyful than before.

Fourteen hours of a plane ride to New York gave me time to ask the questions. Fourteen hours for a return allowed me contemplate answers.

Life could be happy now. Life did not having a looming cloud of blood and murder any longer. My so-called destiny to break the Lockett curse had been fulfilled. I'd avenged my mother and Danny and every other victim of Courtney... And thankfully enough, the nightmares I'd been plagued with when I started seeking answers had ceased. I slept peacefully every night so far after Courtney's execution, a serene sleep I hadn't felt in awhile. I realized that I saw the sky a little bluer, the grass a little greener; even the droplets of rain falling from the gray atmosphere seemed to be cheery. Yet I felt like something wasn't quite right. Something within me was unsure, or darkened still.

I realized what it was when Lucy and I arrived back in Aldorra. I always transported myself on horseback when I had the choice; Lucy didn't mind riding, though pregnant. Her arms were wrapped around my middle as I led us up the sunny cobblestone street toward the palace. We passed by a group of volunteer townspeople who were carrying a series of wooden coffins into the cathedral. I slowed the chestnut horse as I watched this in far-off thought.

My people must have also felt that the curse and the darkness and fear filling this land had been lifted. They were rounding up all of the dead found and still being found and praying for their passage to the resting place. Victims of Courtney should have a free card to heaven, in my opinion.

"How sad..." Lucy whispered. "At least there won't be anymore." She tried to be optimistic. My Lucy.

I frowned, however. Every person in those coffins, shuffled one by one into the cathedral to have a joint funeral; they were all murdered by the one I had murdered. Did that make me a saint? Or in the moment of killing another being, no matter what the being, was I a heartless killer as well? I knew that Courtney and I were nothing alike, and later when I would bring this up to Luke he would assure me that what I did was needed, therefore justified, just like war.

We stopped our ride and attended the joint funeral. It lasted for only hours, but if someone would have told me three days, I would have been fooled.

My angel and I were exhausted by the time we reached the palace. The tense mood I'd felt here before had relinquished. Now, everyone had been waiting for me, this time knowing I would return.

Nicolas was the first person I spoke to. I brought him to my bed chambers, it the first time I'd ever let a mortal male walk into the threshold of my quarters. I told him that I would tell him everything, and sitting on the couches in the entertainment room in the light of a late afternoon filtering through the windows, I confided everything in him. He sat opposite of me with his hands folded, his auburn hair perfect but his collar crooked. His wide, dark brown eyes never left me, hardly blinked as I started from square one.

"My mother took me from this country on September 16..." All the way to, "Lucy and I just returned from visiting Daniel's grave. His death has been avenged, he can rest peacefully. And now, whoever I marry will not be killed! A nice relief, no?" I ended on a light note, though the story was far from light.

The man was still staring in silence. I gave him time to process and waited patiently for any questions that may have arisen. Oh, and I left out every bit about having a vampire as my lover in these very bed chambers. I left that part out, not to be deceitful, but because it was entirely private. I did mentioned the time Luke and I were together in New York, but that was all Nicolas needed to know of Luke and I's relationship.

"That was... quite a tale." Nicolas finally let out. He ran a hand through his hair to let the impact of my story settle in. "I honestly never excepted all of that..."

We both laughed, I more bashfully. "Questions my sanity, but do you at least believe the vampire part?"

"Oh yeah." He answered quickly. "Yes, I've seen more than enough proof for the vampire part. She's gone you say?" I nodded. He sighed in relief and reclined in the chair. His mind was still trying to settle the anecdote in. "And there was another man. Just like I thought." Nicolas added after a few more moments of silence. I think I blushed now. I looked at his facial features and body expressions as he said this; I could not read the answer for my next question on him.

"Do you love me, Nick? Really love me." I repeated and defined love in the question. I was asking a specific answer.

The man before me rubbed his strong hand under his jaw and thought reasonably hard on the question for several seconds. His eyes avoided mine until he opened his mouth to speak, "The girl who was taken away by her mother was the one I once loved, yes. But I don't see that girl before me and I doubt I'll ever see the purity and innocence I'd fallen for before in the woman in front of me. So, no, Allison. I don't love you. I thought perhaps I did, but you've changed. You're different. Before it was in secrets, and now that I know, assuming everything you've told me is true and accurate, I can't fall for you the same way I once did when we were kids. I'm sorry." I felt tremendously relieved as I heard this.

"No apology needed, Nicki. I completely understand. I asked because I wanted to make sure. You would make me feel guilty if you loved me, because the love was not returned in a romantic way."

"Of course! Platonic love all around." He added in, feeling keen for being as blunt as he had. I appreciated it, however.

"Having discussed this, there was still something I wanted to ask. A favor."

"Anything." He replied, knowing nothing of it.

"A big favor, Nicki. Huge, really."

"I'm sure I had compensate for it."

I drew in a breath as he stared at me, waiting for me to voice it to him.

"What you told me before, about our marriage being a secure and perfect political union..." His expression hardened, but he did not seem to protest or dislike what I was getting at. "If I asked it of you, would you still be willing to marry me, politically only? It would please not only your father but the people and... I know you wish for nothing more than to become the king, even for a moment."

"I do wish that." He agreed. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought. "If I did say yes, Allison... What would we be? Married friends, procreating for the sake of loveless children? Would you take your other lover to bed after we were wed?"

"If you ever agreed to such a loveless marriage, I would never do anything to hurt you." I remarked more sharply than I meant. What he accused was preposterous. Nicholas knew me better than that, but then again, in a sense he hardly knew me at all.

"You would give up love to marry me and stay the queen?"

"I... I'm not sure. I would chose my people over one man, if I were forced to. In a heartbeat I would sacrifice my happiness for them, no matter the pain..." My chest felt heavy just thinking about saying goodbye to Luke forever. "The people in my- in our country need us. I would give up one lifetime of love if that is what they wanted."

I told Nicki this as if it were a promise. He had nothing more to say, I knew his mind swam with all of the possibilities, the pros and cons... Before when he'd brought this union up in conversation, is was all a game to him. Now that it was real and tangible, he finally weighted the seriousness of the situation.

"Please, think about it. Decide if that is what you want, and if you think it's best for the people." I rose and made a motion to dismiss him. He stood as well, hovering a few inches above me in height. I led him to the door leading out, and at the same time we told each other, "Thank you." I in English, he in Catalan. He both laughed and blushed and looked at our feet. For a moment we were kids again, innocent and playful. Then the morality of life's experiences weighted in on our eyes and engraved into our faces. We were not as we were when we were children any more, Nicki was right about that.

I didn't emerge from my quarters for dinner. I was too nervous and excited upon seeing Lucas for the first time after that night, where humanity left me for a few fleeting moments...

As soon as Luke appeared on my balcony, I ran to him and flung my arms around him. I missed him dearly, days felt like months before this moment. He kissed me passionately, passion I feared would have left after Courtney gone, but I was clearly mistaken. Luke showered me with more adornment than ever before; I didn't have a chance for real conversation because that passionate kiss turned into love, making love right there on the wall near where I had flung myself upon him.

Joy and happiness was free to flourish within me, and I truly was happy, but there was still a dark reminder that wouldn't let go of my heart. It tugged each time I saw blood red or recognized life in human kind.

"Is something troubling you, my love?" Luke asked sweetly. I did not answer, simply cupped his face and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. We rested on the sofa in the library; I frowned as he remained puzzled.

"Luke, would you show me what I looked like on the night I slew Courtney Vengeance." It was not a question. His face of curiosity turned upside down. He wanted to protest or question my motives behind the request, but he did not part his lips.

He rested my head against one of the soft throw pillows and shifted his body over mine, Then he balanced his body weight over my form and set his forehead to mine.

In a flash I was reclaimed into the night where the Lockett curse was broken. A night that rested so still and calm, it was as if every tree and animal were waiting for my deed to be fulfilled...

Darkness surrounded the setting, and in it I saw a woman, fear and confusion laced in her eyes. "Luke, she's right there!" The woman seemed half frightened in her confused state. Quickly she pieced together the deceit.

A haze of sweet words and shouts passed over my eyes, then the saw the deceived woman again. Her hair flowed in the gentle breeze as she raised her hands above her head. A sword was grasped in her fingers so tightly the whites of her knuckles shone against the stars in the black backdrop. Her face, gentle and beautiful one moment, was angry and pulsing the next.

"It ends here!" She shouted. It was a broken and mad howl, like a rabid dog crying to the moon. She screamed and tore the blade into the neck of another woman with a frenzied, carnal look in her eye. The look that was in the eyes of men in the face of war, the look that was in the eyes of a mother who strangled her own baby when it wouldn't silence; it was the dark iris that knew no law or moral code, only the sight of life fleeing from another body, whether it be in blood or color. The deranged woman hacked and hacked at the body of the yellow-haired beauty until she was a corpse of several proportions. Blood splattered in a terrific and graphic sight of pure horror and gore.

The woman was me.

In quick breaths and mild breathing, I was brought back from the scene taken straight from a horror film. I screamed out loud and rebelled against the arms that shook me. "No!" I shouted to nothing and no one over and over. Finally I calmed, Luke's strength was too great and I was too defeated. Sweat covered my form again, this time from fear.

There was no way I could remain human after that. I lost my humanity, just for a moment, when I killed in cold blood, regardless of who it was. I acted just as monstrously as she had, just for a moment...

"Oh God... Luke." I told him, my body shaking. I buried myself in him, allowed my discomfort to be his and his mine, and sobbed dry cries against him.

He calmed me with words and song, and before I knew anything different than quivering fear of what I'd been that night, I was resting in the silk sheets of my bed, Luke never leaving my side.

.x. Lucas

"Lucas, The Grand Council has officially decreed it. Allison must be abdicated. They urge you to change her, because to kill her would be fruitless and unjust. But it is also unjust for her to continue in her life, she knows and has seen far too much." Taylor warned me carefully. The entire two days Allison disappeared was spent cleaning up mess and finishing up the pesky paperwork for a hunt that had been raging for more years than it should have. This was the final decree of The Grand Council. All they had done was take back the immediate execution order and replaced it with a new, more lenient execution order. Execution order or no, I wanted to change Allison, possibly needed. Last night when I showed Allison what she looked like when she slew Courtney, well, I thought she'd looked beautiful and brave during the event. But she saw a monster, and for that, she thought she shouldn't be allowed to remain human. (Her culture told her that part). My desire and her damnation tied into each other.

The thought of Allison growing old, aged and creped and wrinkled... I couldn't allow her to ever be that way. I wouldn't let Father Time have his wicked way with her mortal body and then his partner the Grim Reaper rise from the shadows to claim her soul...

It made me sick to think of Allison as anything other than the most beautiful woman in my life. Allison deserved beauty, she deserved happiness and immortality and everything the world and heaven above had to offer to her.

What I wanted the most was for her to become my immortal bride, my companion. Or, in a more vampire slang of sayings, I wanted her as my mate. I would sire her and we would be together forever; quite literally.

I wasn't sure if I could live without her, and I wasn't curious or strong enough to find out.

I didn't have what human tradition in the western world required me to have on this occasion, but the following night after Allison confided in me and Taylor told me the final verdict, I startled Allison by grabbing her as soon as she walk into her bed chambers and placed her in the center of the room. I was a man on a mission; my heart ran with blood that wasn't there.

.x. Allison

The man startled me half to death!

There I was, minding my own business, walking, and he grabbed me and put me down in the center of my bedroom. As if I couldn't have walked there myself if he asked. I wanted to scold him but he silenced me with a single, cold finger over my lips. There was a deep sense of ambition in his eye. I immediately became curious.

"Allison..." he stared, holding my warm hands in his cold. "Mary..." My heart fluttered as he descended to one knee, still staring up at me, still holding my hands. "Lockett." My heart stopped, or started beating rapidly, I couldn't tell. My eyes never left his. "I'm in love with you, Allison. I cannot even begin to explain what that means to me, only that I feel a power in me, stronger than anything I've ever known, willing me to say these words to you. I want you; all of you. And I want you by my side forever."

I was perfectly speechless for several moments. His eyes did not blink, but mine did and my heart was beating abnormally. This was...yes, it as a vampire styled proposal. To say yes and give him my heart, oh, I wanted that very much. But my heart, it was beating right now for it's people, and I couldn't deny that to them. They'd been without their queen far too long for me to disappear again. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I saw it was either one or the other. "L-luke, you know that you're asking me to-"

"I know... I know..." he cooed and rose again. A tear slid down my cheek and he wiped it away with a gentle digit before kissing my forehead. "Please don't cry." he whispered. "It pains me to see you cry." I couldn't help it. This was... a new and bigger decision than anything.

On the one hand, I could live forever in the arms of my love, being happy with him for all time, and leave my people in the hands of the regent.

On the other, I could give back to my people the years I'd stolen from them... three years I'd waited after I was of age to take the throne... and I could sit miserable in the bed of a man I did not love, but with many heirs.

"Y-you're asking quite a bi-"

"I understand if you decline my offer, Allison. I understand completely." Oh, the sadness in his eyes as he said that to me. He was willing to sacrifice his own happiness for mine. "But I also want to let you know, I will wait. However long it takes... if you want to sit at your throne for a few years, fine, it's done. I can wait a year or two, or five, or ten, even! Though I don't know if you'd want to wait until you were thirty-three to be immortal, though I wouldn't doubt you'd still look as lovely as ever afterward..." He went babbling on and I finally pressed my finger to his lips with a soft smile.

"I have to think about it, my love. I honestly don't have an answer right now."

The ultimatum I'd seen a moment ago blended together into one hazy image. I could have Luke forever after I'd given back to my people, I could make it all work. Granted, I would have to marry and produce an heir with a man who was human, but that was just a factor I would have to initiate so my country will do well after I'm long gone. Luke would understand.

The very next day, the entire legislative and even my Prime Minster ordered that I complete my 'training' as a politically active queen by visiting several countries of our allies for one or two weeks at a time. The objective was to brush up on the several languages I'd learned and probably forgotten by now, and to observe structures of government and living in those countries so I might improve my own. I was reluctant for this trip, "I've been in America long enough to see how not to live and run a government." I joked with the legislative. Nonetheless, I was deported rather suddenly, to Italy.

In this time, Nicki had not agreed or disagreed with the marriage I wanted to arrange between us. He simply said "I do think we are right for our people," when I was about to board the plane. That was as good as a yes for me.

And of course, my vampire lover followed me to my location in Italy. I was alone in my room, but bodyguards made themselves comfortable in the Italian inn we stayed at. Lucas occupied my loneliness after the second night. I knew he must have been angry with my sudden leave, and he only found out through Taylor about it. When he arrived he'd been foul with me, but it passed and during the night hours we sometimes spent a romantic early morning together within the walls of Italy, in secret. I was glad he didn't pressure me on the question of his proposal. I was eternally so grateful that he was willing to wait for me concerning it.

On the last night of my stay in Italy, I made the suite I stayed in very lovely. Flickering candles and relaxing scents gave the room a romantic atmosphere not unlike the one Luke made in his own home so long ago. Luke appreciated the room and my choice of attire completely; a new red little pair of undergarments found my body for his eyes only. I expected him to devour me then and there, but surprisingly enough we simply rested in each others arms trapped in a sweet embrace for a few minutes, before anything was heated up, so to speak.

"Luke?" I started. He raised his head as I asked and my hands cradled his blond hair. He awaited the question and I sat up a tiny bit more on the pillows, so our blue eyes were each level with the other. "What's it like? ...To take blood, I mean."

He cocked a brow at the question and smiled in a way for me to see his fangs. "Would you like to find out?" he teased while crawling closer. The blond hair curled darkly over his icy eyes; he was frightening and irresistible in one moment.

I pulled on his hair nervously and he pulled back by an inch or two. "No! I mean... Not yet." I chose my words carefully. He tilted his head just slightly, probably wondering why I asked or what I was getting to.

"Why not tonight?" he asked. "I can't think of a better time..." His voice trailed into my neck.

"I can." I answered sharply, pulling his hair again. He made an annoyed sound and put his face inches in front of mine. "Like you said before, for us to be together, you'd have to change me eventually, and I'll be willing to accept that some other time than tonight."

He tilted his head again. "And when were you thinking was a good time, my dear?" I knew he wanted me to be willing. Well, he wanted me if I were willing or not, but it would be easier on me if I were willing for him. He made it clear he would wait for me, but I don't think he fully understood what I needed to do before the day of my turning would come.

"In a few years, my love." He opened his mouth to ask why, but I set a finger over his cold lips. "Tonight is the last night we can be together until then. I have one last goal to fulfill while I am mortal, and that is to continue the Locket line by marrying and producing an heir with a mortal man, Luke. I have already chosen someone strong enough to lead the country when I am gone, and him and I are going to be married."

Luke was rather shocked as I said this. His expression was blank as he realized, that was why I chose this suite, dressed myself up all nice and pretty and made the atmosphere as romantic as it was. Anger flared in his eyes, perhaps a bit of jealousy, but it subsided as I moved my finger and kissed him, then continued.

"After I conceive a child, I have to make sure he's going to be healthy enough and live to see twenty-one. And besides, I want to spend time with my kin before you steal me for all eternity."

He was quiet and brooded underneath his fumbling eyebrows.

"Please Luke. I have to do this." I told him inspirationally.

Still, he was silent.

"And I need you to let me."

A long, deep sigh.

"This finance of yours. What's he like? I know him?" he asked nonchalantly. I pouted and was reluctant to answer. I could feel him working into my mind; he wanted to see what all he'd missed in my life as he slept.

"Luke." I said in a warning tone. He raised his brows and appealed more calmly; his intrusion to my mind ceased. "He's...capable. I trust him with my life and country. I chose him not for love, but because he can handle the responsibilities of the throne without corruption until the child is old enough."

"The child?" he exclaimed now, eyes flying to my stomach.

"Hypothetical child!" I replied sharply. "It's already written in stone that I have to have a baby eventually. Didn't mean to give you a heart attack, so to speak..."

He nodded and sighed, calming himself again. "And this is our last night for awhile, you say?" he asked next, eyes locking with mine. I nodded my head and rested myself deeper into the pillows. "I was wondering why you were going the extra mile. It couldn't be because you love me so much and I'm absolutely irresistible." he teased. I giggled. He took both of my hands and folded them together with his. "Just promise me something."

"Anything." I vowed.

"You won't fall in love with this new man." His eyes bore into mine, total seriousness written into the soul of that icy blue.

"Never."

"Then I will come for you when you are ready to join me, forever."

"I'll be waiting."

"And-" he continued, but I laughed and cut him off.

"And you're wasting valuable time speaking when we could be love-making." I told him with a soft, fond smile.

Nothing much else was said until the end of our night together.

"How was the trip to Italy?"

It was lunchtime in the main dining room of the palace. Nicholas sat across from me, a newspaper forgotten in his hand. His soup was untouched, mine was abandoned as he spoke for the first time I'd been back, it seemed. The bed chamber seemed colder at night now that Luke and Taylor were absent for good...

"Lovely, as always. The Italians are always so romantico." I replied in almost a song. I was obviously in a good mood.

"I hope you're ready now."

"For?" I questioned, my brow raised in curt interest.

"For a king." He replied. The man stood, his dark auburn hair neat and combed just for this occasion. In a few long strides he was at my side, on one knee and presenting a little jewelery box to me.

"Please, stand. You know I'm going to say yes." I offered. "I'm relieved that you agreed to this... You're honestly the only person I would ever trust with everything. The throne, my titles, the country." He stood again with a smile and made me open the box. Inside was his grandmother's wedding ring, the one I'd put on before to symbolize our false engagement.

"I'm glad you trust me as a king, Allison. I honestly am." I knew he'd been waiting for this moment for a long time. Not marrying me per say, but a chance at becoming king. Just as little boys dream to be the president in America, the boys here dreamed of being a king or prince. Nicki's dream was coming true. "I'm also surprised you would give up love for the country... That means more to me and them then anything," he added, giving sensitive thought to my personal sacrifices on this agreement. He took the ring and placed it on my left hand. It was a perfect fit. "So, uh... Do we kiss now?" he asked, suddenly sheepish in his stance. I smiled and felt just as awkwardly. He didn't mean a show kiss to sway the masses. He meant a real kiss; the kind you give when no one is looking.

"Uhm... how about we just take it slow." I suggested. The awkward mood relaxed as he sighed.

"Sounds great. First we'll get married, then we'll go on our first date."

I laughed. "I'm yours; till death do us part." I said, knowing well what death was going to be for me.

"Till death," he replied in agreement, "which hopefully won't be for a very long time."

My frown he couldn't see as we embraced and my head was pressed against his shoulder.