Further Insight

The waves crash upon the multi-colored beaches. Smoothened pebbles of blues, greens, reds, yellows, browns, and transparent whites shift with each pull of the sea.

I stare off into the distance as I await the white sails surrendering themselves to ME. A ship slowly approaches.

"Mother." I Breathe, inhaling the salted fresh air. Hunger pangs divert MY attention back to The Palace. It has Been three days since Selene's last report and the supply is running thin. I turn back towards MY Private Villa in Hopes of appeasing the dull ache. "I would kill for a fresh crate.." I Hear MY SELF Say.

***

Back in the Villa, I am met with three bottles - one of which is half-filled.

"Fuck.." I groan ravished as I nurse the open bottle, elongating each sip. Hours pass. Only one bottle left.

Avery enters. "Xavier." He bows. "Forgive Me the intrusion, but I have another crate."

"Give it here, Avery." I beckon Him forward, downing the rest of the bottle in MY hand. He obliges, Concern marring His face.

"She will not fail, KING Brother." He half-heartedly states. "I expect a report today."

"How long before She docks?" I ignore His gaze.

"She is here." He replies. "This is why I came. Finish those bottles and I will bring Her to wherever YOU Need Her to Be."

"Here." I Answer, face hallowed, MY eyes pitch black.

"Yes, My KING." He bows before exiting.

Moments pass before a knock resounds.

"Enter." I growl.

My Mother and Avery step into the Grand Hall. Her face drops within seconds of seeing MY current Appearance.

"This is worse than anything I could have ever Envisioned!" She Exclaims, rushing toward ME.

"A fate worse than damnation I Believe is what YOU would call it?" I jeer.

She slowly swallows.

"What do You SEE, Prophetess?" I Demand of Her.

"Xavier.." She quietly answers.

"Dammit, Woman! What do You fucking SEE?!" I rage.

Hands trembling, She reaches out for ME, placing Her forefinger upon MY bridge.

***

"Xavier." SHE Whispers, caught up in HER personal Ecstasy.

I drag MY fangs across HER inner thigh, sinking into HER warm skin.

"Ohh!" SHE moans in the midst of this sensation, HER breathing shallow.

A rush of sweet, Fragrant liquid greets MY tongue. Gently, I suck - Mindful not to take more than SHE is capable of Giving.

She Sighs contently.

"So sweet, MY QUEEN." I groan in Appreciation. "Liquid honey." I lick MY lips and raise MY head to meet HER gaze. Molten eyes burn Deep into MINE.

SHE jerks, wrapping HER arms around HER abdomen Protectively. "The BABY!" HER eyes go wide. "HE is Coming!"

***

"What Did YOU See, Xavier?" Avery questions urgently.

Disoriented, I grab MY head. MY Vision continues to spin.

"Give HIM a Moment, My Son." I Hear MY Mother say.

Slowly, I Come to. "Honey." I Whisper.

Avery's eyes go blank. "Honey?"

"SHE tastes like honey." I clarify with a subtle grin.

"And this piece of information helps Us how?" Avery stares at The Prophetess in confusion.

She sighs before reluctantly providing the most obvious answer. "If Xavier Begins mixing HIS fluids with a small vial of liquidated honey, HE should Be able to keep the hunger at bay."

"How?" Avery Answers.

"HE has not TRULY tasted HER." SHE Reveals. "Though a VISION is REAL, The FUTURE can still Be altered. Therefore, HE has only tasted HER in theory."

"And Should HE actually taste this.. QUEEN?" Avery continues. "What of HIM then?"

SHE turns and looks ME square in the eye. "There will Be no Satiating YOUR hunger."

"SHE will survive." I casually toss.

"YOU have Seen it?" Avery responds in Awe.

"SHE will bear HIM a SON." The Prophetess's tone drops.

Avery's jaw drops.

"And Sacrifice HIM for The Greater GOOD." I Finish.

"Fuck.." He Breathes.

I nod, rubbing the back of MY neck. "I am parched, Avery."

He bows His head and disappears. My Mother turns towards ME. "Now YOU SEE." She whispers. "YOU cannot kill HER."

"I will not Be able to stop MYSELF from draining HER."

"Do not Go to HER." She implores ME.

"It is too late." I Answer.

The Prophetess hangs Her head. "Is it?"

"I am already addicted." I Say.

"YOU have an alternative, Xavier."

"It is inevitable."

"It is not."

"I am at war, Mother." I growl. "Despite Your BEST Efforts as a fucking LIGHT SEEKER, The Northern King has every intent to Rule The South."

She sucks in a sharp breath.

"SHE will bear MY CHILD." I firmly state.

"Prolong it." She answers.

"You would rather HER Be forced and seduced." I Answer rhetorically. "Tsk. Tsk. How.. dark." MY eyes flash with menace.

She shudders. "I did not consider.."

"Did not consider what MY Dear Prophetess?" I slowly grin.

My Mother remains Silent, Her thoughts guarded.

"There are consequences." I Remind Her. "It is Better for HER to end up in MY bed than His."

"If YOU LOVE HER." She cuts in.

I roll MY eyes and groan. "You and these insufferable notions."

Avery returns - another crate and several small vials in hand. "Here, KING Brother." He offers ME a vial. "Take this."

He uncorks a bottle, and I pour the contents in. He swirls the mixture. "Drink up." Avery grins.

Downing the liquid, a warm sensation spreads. I Sigh with relief as the pain finally eases. Avery hands ME another bottle, and I Do it again. The hunger entirely disappearing.

"YOUR color has returned." Avery smiles.

"GOOD." I Breathe. "That was fucking miserable."

"Thank You for the Solution, Mother." He says.

"I will never get used to this." She Motions towards the crate of bottles. "But I will continue to Help My Sons where I am able to Be of Assistance." She smiles a soft smile.

"Tell ME why SHE came to You." I Command.

"Xavier.." She protests.

"Tell ME WHY SHE came to YOU." I Repeat.

"SHE has.. Dreams." She answers hesitantly.

I wait Patiently for Her to continue.

"Dreams that provide HER a glimpse into the Potential of HER FUTURE." She finishes.

"Per HER current trajectory." I presume.

"Yes." The Prophetess bows Her head.

"I See.." I Rise and walk Toward the Veranda. Seagulls call out from a distance, waves wash ashore, and the warm Sea Breeze Envelops MY Senses. I Inhale Deeply, and turn toward Them. "SHE will Enjoy it Here."

"Xavier.. YOU cannot Be Serious.." MY Mother interjects. "SHE has a QUEENDOM to RULE."

"How quaint." I cock a wicked half-smile. "I Imagine HER Rise to POWER will suffice for THE DOM."

"YOU would Allow HER to RULE By YOUR Side?" Avery blinks, shocked.

"SHE will Be Carrying MY SON." I casually State.

"And after HE is born?" MY Mother questions.

"HE is WHY I Need HER here."

"SHE has no Interest in POWER." The Prophetess replies.

"And what of LOVE?" I evilly sneer.

"SHE has a LOVE for HER People." Her eyes fill with Sentimental Pride. "I cannot Envision HER placing HER Own Desires above those of theirs."

"You discredit ME, Mother." MY eyes flash. "Or have YOU forgotten?" I pause. "I can Be quite.. persuasive." MY grin widens, exposing MY fangs.

A knock echoes.

"Enter." I Respond.

Peysley opens the door and steps inside the room. "My KING." He bows. He holds a small roll of parchment in his hand.

"Give it here, Peysley." I beckon him forward."

He hands ME the scroll and waits.

Unrolling it, I read silently.

'Secured. Pointing North.'

"My KING?" Avery questions.

I turn to The Prophetess. "This has Been a lovely Visit, Mother."

"I take it I am Being excused?" She fires back.

"You have Chosen to remove Yourself from Your previous Status." I remind Her.

"Understood." She replies gently. "Until next."

"So it would seem." I Agree. "Peysley, escort The Prophetess until departure."

"Yes, My KING." He bows his head before turning and exiting the Grand Hall with MY Mother in tow.

"Has she Secured her position?" Avery Asks ME as soon as the doors have closed.

"She has." I respond. "Though We have a slight issue." I continue, handing Him the scroll.

He reads it, brows furrowed. "Pointing North? Does SHE Believe it?"

"It is unclear." I Answer before smiling darkly. "It would Appear Our QUEEN Requires a bit of Guidance."

"Shall I have Peysley ready YOUR ship?"

"No, Brother." I respond. "I will Be handling this Mission on MY OWN."