Synucian: Hey reader! I have a very important announcement to make. From this point on, I will no longer be working on the fanfic due to personal reasons. I've got a lot on my plate right now, and I just have no time for the fan fiction anymore. I really enjoyed writing it, and I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the story. I'm thankful for all the nice comments and likes that you gave us. Thank you for reading I hope you enjoy the rest of it.
Laura stood in the middle of a forest, small beams of sunlight seeped through the canopy of the trees, hitting her skin. The warmth of the sun felt wonderful. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a twig snapping. She whirled around to see that boy once again. The boy with the bicolored eyes. He was staring at her as if asking her to follow him. "Who are you-" She began but he immediately began to run. "Wait!" Laura called out as she began to chase after him, trying to avoid tripping over her skirt. "I just want to know who you are! Please wait!" She ran after the little boy who was far too quick for her. Finally, he stopped at the edge of the forest. Laura slowed down and slowly walked beside him, hoping he wouldn't take off again. At the edge of the forest was a large lake that was the color of blood. Around the lake were scattered pieces of bodies and bones. Laura gasped and covered her mouth, trying to avoid throwing up. The smell was horrid, and flies could be heard buzzing around the rotting flesh. "You can't stop it. You will bring death to your people." Laura's eyes widened. "What do you mean I will? What are you saying?" He looked up at her, his pupils looked almost cat like. "You can't stop it. Blood will be shed… and you won't be able to stop it."
Then she woke up.
Laura bolted upwards in bed panting, sweat running down her forehead. Carmilla rolled over onto her side and looked up at the Queen. "What's wrong, Laura?"
"I had another nightmare… it was the same one again." Ever since they had been engaged, Laura had been having the same nightmare almost constantly. "Again? It's been a whole moon now." Carmilla sat up and stroked the Queen's hair, causing her to close her eyes. "It's just a dream though."
"I don't know about that. If you've had the same dream for a moon, I think it means something." Laura frowned. "That I'll be the cause of death to my people? I would hope-" Laura covered her mouth as she felt sudden nausea wave over her. She quickly jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom, throwing up into the chamberpot. Carmilla followed after her with a concerned look on her face. "Laura, are you ill?" She looked up at Carmilla, her eyes wide as if she had realized something terrible. "Carmilla… I think I may be pregnant." Carmilla's eyes widened as well. Of course the possibility of Laura being pregnant was pretty high. The two of them had been intimate very frequently since the engagement. Carmilla refused to believe she was pregnant, to believe that she could one day be a mother. "Maybe you're just sick. Maybe it's all the stress-"
"Carmilla, I've already been pregnant once… I know what the morning sickness is like." Laura suddenly covered her mouth again before throwing up into the chamber pot once more. "We-we're not even married yet. What are we suppose to do if anyone finds out? They'll deem the child illegitimate-"
"Carmilla," Laura said softly as she reached out and placed a hand on her arm. "We're getting married in a few days. I'm sure no one will even notice." Carmilla held her head. Preparing to be future king was difficult. Having to listen to people's complaints, decide what to do with accused parties, and crushing people's dreams by turning down funding was extremely stressful. Everyone was watching her even closer now, waiting for her to fail. The people of Silas weren't exactly pleased with Laura's decision. After the engagement was announced, many people showed their disdain towards Carmilla. Because Carmilla wasn't part of a royal bloodline and didn't contribute land or armies to the kingdom, many saw her as a bad choice. Laura argued though, saying Carmilla was wealthy for a knight and provided the kingdom with great military strategy. A part of Carmilla couldn't believe how calm Laura was when she was named Queen of Silas.
Carmilla was even more nervous about introducing an heir so early to the kingdom. She'd be a new "King" and a new parent. The responsibilities were almost too much for Carmilla to bear.
"Carmilla?" Laura asked, breaking her from her trance. "What? Oh, sorry. It's just… so much to take in."
"I know, Carm." Laura rubbed her arm, trying to calm her down. "But don't worry. I'm here to help you." Carmilla only nodded before she reached down and helped Laura up. "Are you well enough to get ready for the day or should I have Perry bring your breakfast up here?" The Queen walked into her bedroom and sat down onto the bed. "I can get ready, just give me a few minutes." Again, Carmilla nodded. She walked over to the wardrobe that her and Laura now shared and grabbed a pair of grey trousers and a white cotton shirt that fit her body well.
Not being able to wear her armor had Carmilla's nerves on edge. She felt as though she could no longer serve as the human shield for Laura that she had imagined herself to be. If someone put the Queen in danger, Carmilla would no longer be able to pull Laura behind her and be confident that whatever danger was there wouldn't be able to get through two layers of steel and a vampire. Now all there was to protect Laura was her body and sword.
She was glad that council allowed her to keep her sword though. The sword was an extension of her, and as she clipped it into place around her waist, she felt safer. She stood in front of the mirror and frowned at her appearance. Carmilla was by no means scrawny, but she wasn't as built as she thought she should be now that her armor had been taken from her. She lifted an arm and flexed her bicep, scoffing when she saw barely anything there. Most of her strength came with being a vampire and not from actual effort.
While Carmilla had been brooding in her own little world, Laura watched as she dressed herself. She watched as the former knight grabbed her sword with care and as she frowned at herself in the mirror.
This is the woman I am to marry. Laura thought with a smile. She subconsciously placed her hand on her stomach. Could I really be carrying her child? Our child. She frowned slightly. Not because she was upset at the prospect of having children with Carmilla because the idea had crossed her mind a few times. It was because of what Carmilla is. She's a vampire, and Laura can't help but wonder what sort of child she'd be carrying. It would be half Laura and half Carmilla. Reasoning would lead one to believe that the child would be half human and half vampire. Is that even possible? Carmilla was a human at birth and cursed with vampirism. A curse that made her seem like she was a walking corpse. Would it be possible for her to even reproduce? Laura knew Carmilla wouldn't have a clue either. She was the only one of her kind. Well, that she knew of.
Carmilla turned around and looked Laura over, then focused her hearing in on the woman's stomach. She held in an unnecessary breath and prepared for what she'd possibly hear. As if on cue a heartbeat could be heard coming from Laura's stomach, and if she broadened her hearings focus rang… Ah there it is. The comforting sound of Laura's strong heart beat just above the smaller one. "You are pregnant." She spoke with an even voice. Laura glanced up at her with a bewildered look. "And how do you know for certain?" Carmilla walked over to Laura and lowered herself onto her knees directly in front of the Queen. "I can hear a small heartbeat." Laura placed her hands on Carmilla's cheeks and tilted the former knight's head upward so she could see into her eyes. "You really can?" Carmilla nodded between Laura's palms. "Is it weak?" Laura asked with a voice that completely gave away fear.
Carmilla reasoned that Laura was probably terrified that this pregnancy would end up like that last. The last pregnancy would have gone smoothly had it not been for me, Carmilla thought to herself. She made up her mind in that instant to be incredibly protective of her soon-to-be wife and unborn child. As if she wasn't already protective enough, now she was going to triple that. Starting with having a chat with Kirsch.
"It's one of the strongest heartbeats I've ever heard." She finally said to Laura, who was beginning to panic at Carmilla's silence. Laura sighed with relief and removed a hand from Carmilla's face and placed it on her stomach. The former knight covered Laura's hand with her own and smiled up at her. "We're having a child." She spoke softly to the Queen. She stood up bringing Laura with her. "A child!" She exclaimed as she lifted Laura into the air and spun her around carefully. Laura let her head fall back with a laugh that was filled with love and happiness. Carmilla placed her on the ground and kissed her lips tenderly. "Our child."
Laura nodded and rested her head on Carmilla's collar bone. "He or she will be loved so much." Carmilla nodded. "So much." She repeated. Any fear that the two had earlier was extinguished by the sheer excitement of having a baby. This isn't something Carmilla knew she ever wanted until Laura threw up this morning, gross as that may sound.
Later that afternoon Carmilla stood with Kirsch and Laura on the balcony that overlooked the Royal Gardens. Laura was leaning up against the vampire's chest, her arms wrapped protectively around the Queen's waist and Laura's hands resting on top of hers.
"Kirsch I need you to promise me that you will look out for Laura, and no matter what you will protect her. Even if that means giving your own life." The boy nodded his head with vigor. "Of course Charles. She's my number one priority." Carmilla shook her head at that. "No, she's mine. And that's why I'm trusting you and only you to be her personal guard." Laura turned her head and gave the side of Carmilla's face a curious look. "You were granted permission to be my protector Charles." The former knight nodded once. "Yes and I always will be, but I am about to be named King. Certain things will call to my attention and I need to know that in the event that I am not able to, Kirsch here would be willing to step in."
"Which I am." He interjected quickly. "You have looked out for me so much Queen Laura." He said this as he lifted his new arm and gave his fingers a slight wiggle. "The least I can do is give you protection in return. I would die for you." He said this as he knelt down in front of her. Laura blushed and tapped his shoulder. "Okay, come on tough guy stand up. There's no need for any of that." Carmilla smiled at the blood that pumped in the Queen's cheeks, and while her vampire nature was aroused by it, she was just pleased. Pleased with her surroundings, pleased with the woman she was to marry, and pleased that somehow in all the mess that was her existence she was able to create another life. A life that was directly beneath both her and Laura's hands, growing.
Kirsch stood, he and Laura continuing on with conversation while Carmilla just smiled. Occasionally she would lay a sweet kiss to either Laura's temple or cheek, whichever suited her more in the moment.
Just as things seemed to be going incredibly right, of course something had to go wrong. LaFontaine came running onto the balcony with a sheepish grin and a black dust covering their entire face. "I may need some assistance from more capable men such as yourselves." They emphasized that last part so Carmilla would get the hint. "What happened LaF?" Kirsch asked.
"Yes do tell us why you're covered in soot?" Carmilla drawled.
"The stove sort of… blew up." Carmilla rolled her eyes and finally released Laura, gesturing for LaFontaine to show them the way. She turned to Laura and gave her a wink before leaving, Kirsch smiled at the Queen and followed right after. Laura smiled to herself and leaned her hands on the balcony, watching as the sun began to set over the gardens. She was aware that she was alone, but with a few Queen's guard men standing just a few hundred paces away near the lip of the garden, she knew she was safe.
She began to think about her upcoming wedding, and she couldn't help the excited grin that spread across her face. Just as soon as the grin came, it left. What if my dress doesn't fit because I'm pregnant? The panic began to set in, and she was off in an instant to find Perry.
CarmillaIsLifee: Hey guys! So I know that this is a very short chapter after such a long wait, but I will be making up for that. As you know Synucian will no longer be taking part in writing this fic. I am very sad to see them go, and will be forever grateful for the help they gave me while writing this. As they said personal issues got in the way, and that is true also for the two of us left here at 'Iris HQ'. Nonetheless Tortaplz will still be editing, and I will still be writing! Expect another chapter in the next 10 days, one much longer than this one I assure you!
Leave me a review/comment and tell me what you think? Thanks!