Disclaimer: Unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own. All copyrights belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball.
A/N: So, yeah, I don't really have any excuses as to why it took so long to update except for being real busy. Oh, and now being the proud parent of two happy, healthy, girls; My 3 year old and our newest addition that is almost 7 weeks old.
Chapter 17
KRISTINA'S POV:
(Night of the Kingdom Ball)
I wake up feeling groggy. I know why I don't go clubbing with Hayden often. We didn't get home until around 4:30 AM. I had had way to much blood and alcohol.
You see, 'Bite' not only serves the best drinks, but they also serve human blood. They have a mass of donors who supply the bar with real blood. Kind of like a blood bank. The humans don't know about it of course, but that's why it's a 'Supes Only' club.
Aderyn, my Lady's Maid, can sense my discomfort so she makes me some herbal 'hangover' tea and suggest I take a bath before getting ready for tonight. Now that sounds like a lovely idea, and I tell her so.
While she gets my bath ready, I drink my tea. I then slip out of bed. Apparently, I was more tired than I thought last night. It seems that I just took my shoes and dress off. My hair is still up in its braid and I am only wearing my panties.
I slowly walk into the bathroom, not bothering with a robe. I have no problem with nudity, especially with those that are bound to me.
After slipping my thong off, I gingerly step into my wonderful tub letting the hot water relax me. Ryn kneels beside the tub and starts undoing my braid for me. Once finished, I thank her and she exits the bathroom.
Parts of last night are starting to come back to me. I remember killing that traitor for Hayden and I remember getting to the club.
I think Vlad, Hay, and I all danced together, but I'm not entirely sure. When I am with the two of them is the only time that I allow myself to let go.
After soaking in the tub for awhile, I summon my cell phone to me to check the time. I have a text from Hay that is a picture of the three of us.
Well I look sober enough in the picture and the time stamp shows that it was taken right before we left, so I shouldn't have much to worry about.
I notice that it is now just after 8 PM. I definitely slept the day away. Luckily, with it being summer, the sunset is late. Therefore, the ball starts late. It starts at midnight so I still have plenty of time to get ready.
I start to work on washing my hair. That itself takes awhile, with it being long and quite thick. I then scrub my body clean from any remnants of last night.
After I am all cleaned, I get out of the tub and lather up my skin with some lotion from Faerun. Stepping into my room in my towel, I walk to my closet and throw on a bra and panties, then my robe. No point in getting dressed yet.
Ryn's tea seems to have helped quite a bit, but I still need to get some nourishment into my body.
I make my way to the kitchen still a little hung over.
Once I get to the kitchen, I see that my godfather is already here. He hands me the bottle of blood that he had just pulled out of the microwave. I mumble a grateful 'thanks' before downing it. I see him put two more bottles into the microwave with a slight shake of his head and a chuckle.
If I wasn't so hungry, I would slap him. I wish they had to suffer with me, but the only way for a Vampire to get drunk is off of pure Faery blood.
Alcohol has no affect on me, but Human blood does. I normally drink bottled blood. Royalty and Royalty Blended are made with human blood, but still have some preservatives. Perfect, which is what I usually drink, is a variety of Supe blood without any preservatives. I usually drink Elf or Pixie, Vlad tends to stick with Witch.
I summon up some eggs, bacon, and sausage along with some orange juice. We finish our 'breakfast' in a comfortable silence before separating to go get ready.
I summon Ryn to me to help me get ready. Within the next few hours, I am primped and pampered and ready to go to the Ball. I 'POP' downstairs to where I sense Vlad waiting for me.
VLAD'S POV:
I find it absolutely hilarious that Kristina has a hangover. The sad thing is it isn't from alcohol. It was from all the human blood she drank.
She normally only drinks a bottle or two a night, but she drank at least 6 pints last night. The only time Fae drink that much would be during battle and their adrenaline would burn it off fast, plus during battle it would be Supe blood of some form.
After our meal, I leave to go get dressed. Keeping it simple, I put on a black on black tux with no tie.
Knowing that Kristina will be awhile, I decide to finalize our travel arrangements and check my emails.
It's now 11:30 and I am waiting patiently in the entry way for Kristina. This will be the first Ball I take her too. Until now, she has only attended Balls in Faerun, and then only because she had to.
When Kristina teleports to me, I can't believe how grown up she looks. She may be 21, but she stopped aging at 16. So she usually looks like a teenager, but not in this dress. Vivi did a great job.
She's wearing a red satin floor length gown that has a front thigh high slit and a Cathedral Train in the back. It has an embellished V neck.
When she turns around, I see that the straps cross in the back somewhat high, with more beaded embellishments, so most of the middle of her back is bare.
She has paired it with some silver strappy heels, a silver clutch, and Diamond & Ruby tear drop earrings. She has done her hair in an elaborate half updo style, with several loose pieces of hair left out framing her face. She looks beautiful and I tell her so, which causes her to blush.
With that, we decide it is time to leave. Since Kristina is attending as the Princess that she is, her personal guard is coming with us along with another of her Royal Guards.
Preston is ok, for a Faery, but he desires Kristina and everyone knows it. If he wasn't bound to her, her father would have replaced him by now. Probably with the other guard that is with us, Derek.
We all get into my SUV, with Derek driving, Preston riding shotgun, and Kristina and myself in the back.
Once on our way, Kristina informs her guards that while she is mingling, they will be flanking her and while on the dance floor they are to separate, but keep her in their sights. The rest of our short trip we all fall in to a comfortable silence.
It is a short drive from my estate to the palace, taking less than 15 minutes. Turning the last corner, we see a line of cars awaiting entrance through the front gate. I tell Derek to drive past the main entrance to the second, private entrance so that we are not a waiting target.
After announcing ourselves to Hayden's personal guards, we are granted immediate entrance and make our way up to the palace.
Upon stopping in front of the entrance to the palace, Preston is instantly out to get Kristina's door and help her out of the vehicle before the valet have a chance.
Kristina shoots him a warning glare that only he and I can see. Like I said, he has a thing for her and is usually repulsed by others, especially Vampires, touching her. Kristina, being the independent woman that she is, likes to remind him that she has never and will never be his.
I intercept by taking Kristina's hand and leading her to the open double doors, after all I am her escort.
KRISTINA'S POV:
Why does he have to do this every time? It is like he is trying to stake a claim on me. As if; I am a Goddess, plus I am destined for someone else.
Thankfully, I have asked Vlad to be my escort and he saves the night, as usual, by taking my hand and leading me inside.
My guards do their jobs and flank us until we reach the staircase that will grant us entrance into the underground Ballroom. Preston stays behind us while Derek moves down the side stairs to wait for us at the bottom.
"Names and titles, please", asks the Herald?
"Princess Kristina Brigant, being escorted by Elder Vlad Dracul", Vlad answers him.
He instantly recognizes both of our names and finally looks up, before bowing his head to both of us. Good, last night's display was effective.
"Her Royal Highness, Kristina Brigant, Princess and Heir to Faerun, and her escort, Elder Vlad Dracul", the Herald proclaims.
I will kill Hayden. We had agreed that I would simply be announced as Princess Brigant and that he would advise the Herald to not announce it loudly.
I know that he purposely told the Herald to do it this way, because I can read it from the Daemon Herald, plus I see the amused look on Hayden's face. What an asshole!
We make it down the stairs, where my guards reunite, to see everyone staring at me.
Preston can sense my irritation from his act earlier and from my announcement, and is smart enough to be on his best behavior. He knows that I will not tolerate him being out of line in public.
Steeling myself, I put a pleasant smile on my face and act like everything is normal. It takes at least ten minutes, but people start to go back to their previous conversations. Although, many of the kings and regents keep eyeing me like dinner. This is why I brought Vlad as my escort.
Hayden will definitely be getting a piece of my mind once everyone is gone. Or maybe, I will let him think that he got away with it, then when he is least expecting it, I will get my retribution. Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea.
After a couple of dances with Vlad and one of Hayden's Sheriff's, I decide to 'read' the room, just to make sure that moron Sheriff of Northern Ireland isn't as stupid as he looks.
"Man I can't wait to get out of these heels."
"Where the hell is Faerun, and why does anyone care?"
"I wonder if he has this Kingdom ball just to show everyone how much backing he has. It is a smart idea, actually."
"I wonder what her bride price is. She would make a great new toy to add to my collection. Maybe even get a Fae alliance out of it."
"Why does everyone keep looking at her? What makes her so special to be with an ancient Vampire? I don't see any bite marks, so that means she isn't feeding him. That Bitch, I will take care of all his needs, I just need to show him that I am better."
It went on and on, plus more random questions. Most of the thoughts of the companions involved sex, whereas most of the thoughts of the Supes, involved power. But I still hadn't heard anything malicious.
"He thinks he is so powerful. We will see once his maker is gone, plus that Faery; Although, I will need to find a way to get her. She will be some fun. A Faery Virgin, plus she is Heir to the throne. I could kidnap her, then bond, then force a marriage, which will create an alliance. That would give me enough backing to keep this kingdom and gain many more. I should call in my backup and execute the takeover now while everyone is here and in one place. Even with Vlad, he is only one Vampire." I hear after a few minutes.
I instantly find my way to Vlad, send Derek to get Hayden, and head to Hayden's office.
"What is so important that you had to send a Faery to come get me? You can't be that pissed about your announcement, can you?" Hayden asks as soon as he is in the room.
"Shut up for two seconds and listen, Victor is getting ready to call in his reinforcements and plans on executing the takeover now. He is cocky and thinks that they have enough people to take out Vlad. Then he is going to take me and force a marriage and bond in hopes of getting the Fae backing."
"So, let them come. We can protect ourselves Kristina, have no fear little one. No one will take you." Hayden tells me.
"I don't worry about myself you moron. I am strong enough to take on any of them. But, I have a better solution that won't involve any innocent bloodshed."
CLEO'S POV:
I came in just in time to see Hayden leaving the Ballroom with some Faery. That's odd, but whatever.
Within a few minutes, I see Hayden and Vlad coming back into the ballroom. I thought Vlad was escorting Kristina, but I haven't seen her anywhere. Maybe she didn't come after all.
A half hour of Bull-Shit passes, when suddenly a group of 100 or so Vampires, 20-30 Weres, and a dozen Daemons enter the room, armed for battle.
"What is the meaning of this? You dare disrupt the peace of this Ball? Whose orders are you on?" Hayden states, authority in his voice and rage in his eyes.
"They are here on my orders Hayden. Your rule is over, no more hiding behind your maker. This kingdom deserves a Great King, which you are not." Victor, the Sheriff of Northern Ireland states, while moving towards the group.
As soon as their group starts to disperse, I see Kristina up on the balcony with glowing eyes. This is about to get nasty and fast.
I see her lips moving, but she is speaking so softly and is too far away for me to hear what she is saying. Then suddenly, the large group starts to cry out in agony, before they all turn to dust, even the Weres. The only one left standing is Victor.
Kristina floats down from the balcony and moves behind Hayden, next to Vlad, while they start stalking towards Victor. Kristina materializes a sword and hands it to Hayden. Within the time it takes to blink, Ireland had one less Sheriff and his ashes joined the rest.
Hayden orders someone to clean the mess, while Kristina moves towards me.
"Well, things are never boring around you, are they?" I tell her, which just causes her to roll her eyes.
"May I have a moment alone with you Cleo?" She asks, somewhat cheerfully.
"Of course," and with that, we walk up the stairs and out into the gardens. Kristina orders her guards to give us some space, which they reluctantly do.
"It is good to see you again Cleo, but I will be blunt as I am getting tired. I am the Last Goddess, the one of the Prophecy. Council will be reformed in the next couple of months, before the Supernatural Summit in America. I will be the head of it. I have named Vlad as Emperor of Europe. Now, if you are willing, I would like to offer you the position of Emperor of Asia. What say you?" She wasn't joking about being blunt, was she?
I have heard the stories of the Great Vampire Emperors. From my Sire, Paris, and my Grandsire, Vlad. It is not a position that you can apply for, it is destined. You either accept it or not.
"I graciously accept, My Lady." A Goddess, a fucking Goddess?
"Good, now I will be in touch soon to let you know when Council will meet. The New Council members will be announced on Fall Equinox at the Summit in America." She looks so relieved; did she think I would turn her down?
After some mindless chit chat, she excuses herself. I can tell she is exhausted. I think that magic she used drained her more than she is letting on.
Before she left to find Vlad, Kristina told me that she would be stopping in Louisiana before going to Texas to find her mate and the other Emperor. I think it is time to check on her informant.
"Hello?" He asks after picking up the phone.
"Is that any way to treat me? Remember that human saying, 'I brought you into this world and I can take you out of it'." He knows I am only joking, I didn't expect him to know who it was, hence the point of disposable, untraceable phones.
"Mistress, I am sorry. I was unaware it was you. What can I do for you this evening?" He is always so respectful. Honestly, he is the perfect child and I couldn't be more proud. Well, unless he didn't work for her.
"I was just giving you a heads up. Things are starting to fall into place. Kristina will be in Shreveport sometime next week. I am sure she will be putting an end to the whole Sookie/Sophie drama. Please stay safe." I really worry about him. You never know what a crazy monarch is capable of.
"Of course, I will keep an ear out for more information and will keep Kristina informed. What do you mean, 'things are starting to fall into place'?" I knew he would catch that. Luckily, Kristina told me to tell him, she thought he needed to know, plus it is a bonus for him being her informant.
"Kristina has just transitioned into the Last Goddess, the one of the Ancient Prophecy. She has named Vlad Emperor of Europe and me Emperor of Asia. New Council will be announced at the Summit over Fall Equinox."
"Wow, well like I said, I will keep an eye out down here and inform her of my findings. Things will definitely be more interesting from now until Summit."
With that, we say our goodbyes and plan to meet at the Summit. Tonight have been quite long already, and it is only 2 AM.