6 Chapter 6

I'm in the library of the palace, studying up on Vampiric custom, when a head pops from behind a bookshelf behind me. One of the Yasu Guards, who wasn't really my favorite. He was 17, and very nervous. He seemed petrified of me.

"M-Ms. A-abig-gail", he studdered out, "It is now time for your dinner rehearsal", he squeaked. I nodded at him, and he rush out. I wasn't looking forward to this dinner rehearsal, or even the dinner. This was the first dinner I was to host as Daughter-in-training. It's something that the current High Priestess says that I must do, since we host many dinner's over our lifetimes. I don't mind the dinner part, it interacting with the people.

It had been exactly 6 months since my Formation Ceremony. From that extremely hectic day, I was moved from Chamomile's home, and now reside in the Palace. This is all new to everyone. There has never been another Daughter in training. The High Priestess is the only one we've had for Millennia. I believe people just assumed we never changed High Priestess'. The High Priestess has also been extremely sick since my Formation Ceremony. She sometimes stays in bed for days on end. They wouldn't dare say it, but many people believe that it's my fault she's sick.

I slowly get up, and drag my feet to replace the book. I'm really dreading having to face the people. I continue my snail's pace throughout the castle. Despite this, I still reach the banquet hall in time. The food is being prepared and it smells delicious. Since it's only a rehearsal, were only getting samples of some of the food. I chose the menu weeks before. I stood in the doorway inhaling deeply when the Daughter's advisor appears in front of me. I pretend I don't see him, which he doesn't find amusing.

"Young Daughter, I do hope you don't plan on wearing that to the rehearsal dinner", he looks disgustedly at my clothing. I'm wearing an 'everyday gown', made of silk and other fine materials. I don't see the issue. I give him a blank stare and he rolls his eyes. "Young Daughter, you surely understand that everyday clothing are not to be worn to formal events", he said, exasperated, as we go through this often.

"Well", I begin, giving my usual response, "to me, everyday clothes are hoodies and shorts. Not silk dresses".

"Hoodies and shorts are not appropriate attire to go about the castle in while you are working. You can wear those things on your time. You get a day without having to study, which I think is too much, given our late start. We have little more than 2 years to get you prepared to be the next High Priestess. You should really be studying everyday, bit that wasn't up to me", his voice trails off and he gets lost in thought. "Let's get you into something with at least a pentagram on it", he orders, pushing me away and into my dressing room. The handmaid is there waiting expectantly. He smiles and bows graciously. I smile back. It still felt a bit weird to have a male handmaid, when I was used to being separated by gender in the Human world. Vampires didn't concern themselves much with gender roles, though we were a matriarchal society. Humans had to worry about things like rape, but we didn't entertain primal things like that. There were some that did on the other islands of vampires, but this was the most affluent. There weren't many that were like that, it was mostly on the rogue ones, which we didn't interact with much.

There are millions of vampire societies scattered about the universe. Since we have such long life spans, we've learned to adapt to many different environments. There are also a few different species of Vampire. There are us, the magical Vamps, or Witch Vamps. There are Vamps that are so close to humans that the only difference is the fact that blood is a part of their diet. There are Volcanic Vamp, or ones that live in extremely hot temperatures. They'd die in our climate without special temperature suits. We don't see them very often. There are the opposite Arctic Vamps, which I don't think I need to explain. Oceanic Vamps, who live in the ocean worlds made up entire of water. Their primary food source is mermaids. There are a few other breeds as well.

I study the dress my handmaid brings out, made of material from the Volcanic Vamp world. He tells me they gifted us a dress for the event and the rehearsal since they are the ones we are hosting tomorrow evening. It's made of Sulphur silk, which claims to be the softest and warmest material in the universe. I don't argue with that, as I can feel the heat coming from it. I shoot him an imploring look, and he looks back at me sympathetically. I have no choice. I also can't turn the air conditioner on. As he puts the dress code on, I do not how divine it feels on my skin. Like I'm being surrounded by clouds giving my a million tiny hugs. I rub the dress and note the Flame gem in the center of my waist with a pentagram etched in it. The Fame gem is a beautiful red stone that has a fire in it. The flames size grows or shrinks depending on how big the gem is. There are also Flame gems that were ground into a fine dust and sprinkled on to the dress to look like glitter. Since they're too small to see the fire inside, they themselves are in fire. So I'm essentially wearing a lightly flaming dress. But it's so beautiful and comfortable I don't mind.

He slips the Flame gem slippers on me, and ushers me out, where I meet my stylist. Keven has been the High Priestess stylist since she was a child. The High Priestess was born the Daughter. There was no one before her. He is one of the oldest Vamps still around. I liked Keven. He always did my hair beautifully and had a story to tell. He pulled me into a hug and ruffles my hair.

"Let's fix this up, shall we?", he proposes. I nod enthusiastically, and we go into his room. As he does my hair, he behind telling me of when he first met the Volcanic Vamps.

"So, the Daughter is about a couple decades old. This is after the War of Races. We're signing a treaty with the different Vamp species. They all come, but it's them Vamps in these suits that are on fire v that catches my eye. They put on big airs. I mean big ones. We do too, of course, but them, you'd think they were all the Daughter", he chuckles, then continues. "Their leader, who walks like there's something stuck up his butt, falls for the Daughter. That idiot advisor thinks this would be great for relations. I tell the Daughter that it's ridiculous. The Daughter, bless her heart, is eager to please, and agrees to date the old fire fool. So, I do her hair and she's along me for advice on what she should do. I tell her to tell him to scoot. There's nothing interesting about the man. She laughs at me, and tells me that she really wants to at least try, for the people. The Daughter is very dedicated to her people. That's one thing I hope you inherit. But I see it in you, with all your mischief. Once you get out of them jitters, you'll be as good, or maybe even better than she is", he pauses, and focuses on my hair for a moment.

"Anyways, they go on this date, which is doomed to fail, but the Daughter wants to be gracious", he shakes his head. "They go to dinner and strictly talk about business. I mean they really talk about politics. I laughed when she told me. She goes, he's a gentleman, but he dedicated himself way too much to his people. He's married to them. But get this, she admires the man for it. She aspired to be like him. So she decides she won't marry or date. She dedicated herself to the people. Which is great and all, but she should have gotten a partner. The people take a lot out of you", he sighs and sticks a pin in my hair. "I hope you at least find someone. But I'm all done". He grins and hands me a mirror.

My hair was fixed so that, while it was still a fro, it had bigger spiral curls. The right side of my hair was twisted back and fitted with a Flame gem pin. Atop my head it was the small tiara with a pentagram in the center. It was a smaller version of the crown the Daughter wore. I looked very regal, and not at all like myself. I found myself liking it. My advisor peered from behind me, also looking at my reflection. He beamed at me.

"Marvelous", he exclaimed. "Now doesn't this feel better? You look like the Daughter you were meant to be, and the one we all deserve", he added. He then whisked me away, down the corridor and into the banquet hall. It was dark and empty, save for 2 small rugs and two candles on either side of the rugs. The Lord of the Volcanic Vamps entered the room through the door on the other side of the room. We bowed to one another and took our places on our respective mats. My advisor left the room. We lit our candles and bowed our heads to the ground. We silent prayed. I personally prayed that this dinner would go well. After we finished we silently got up, blew out our candles, rolled up our carpets, and put them away. We bowed to one another again, and left, signaling dinner had begun.

I wandered to the deck as the room was set up. Octavio followed me out. We stared into the night sky for a moment. Though the way we met wasn't the most peaceful, he was one of my closest confidants.

"How are you holding up, Gabby Gal", he asked. I prefer this nickname to 'Abi', since that was one my mom used. I sigh before I respond.

"I don't know 'Tavio", I respond "I don't seem to be getting any better. I don't feel any more capable than I did 6 months ago when I started training. And I only have 2 years before I take over as the Daughter", I sigh again, then turn to him. "What am I going to do?", I ask.

"When I'm training Guards, my first order of business is to make sure they have the mental fortitude to handle the job. Gabby, you're the strongest person I know physically. But mentally, you're still 5. You're still stuck in the past, and you're never gonna move forward until you let it go", he says. I stare at him as I start tearing up.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be letting go though", I say, frustration causing my powers to stir. My advisor comes back, to alert me that dinner is ready. 'Tavio rubs my shoulder, then goes into the room. I wipe my eyes, fix my hair. Practice breathing for a bit, then go to the door. The guard standing my the door announces my arrival.

"The Young Daughter has arrived", he says. Everyone stands, and I walk into the room, the way I was taught. Back straight, head up, the usual. My seat is pulled out for me, and I sit. After I'm pushed in, everyone takes their seats. We pray, then the Volcanic Lord stands up to speak.

"Young Daughter, the Volcanic race welcomes your arrival and accepts you. We will sign the Enactment, To show that we are a part of your fold", he announces. The Enactment is one of the treaties signed after the War of Races, which shows which faction of the Vamps you serve. Ours, The Enactment, is the highest and most powerful, led by the Daughter, and rules under all of us.

Under the previous one, it encompassed the Magical, Volcanic, Oceanic, Wind, and Flora Vamps, which represent the Elements on the pentagram; Magic, Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. There are many others, and I oversee them all, but I have direct authority over these 5. It's much like a monarch whose reign reaches over many different countries. There are some she directly presides over some, and has other people do the rest for her. The Daughter is the highest power, directly below the Goddess. We are the only ones who can directly speak to the Goddess, but only if she desires it.

The purpose of this dinner is to renew the Enactment, with me as the new Daughter, though it doesn't go into effect until I turn 16. I stand up and pick up my plate. Everyone in the room follows suit.

"I accept you into my fold. As we partake in this food together, let it represent that we are one", I say the lines I had to rehearse for a week. I sit, then everyone else sits. I take a bit of my food. I chew and swallow, which signals that everyone else is allowed to begin eating. I don't eat anymore. There food is magnificent, we have the best chef we know, but I don't feel hungry.

I look around the table. Everyone is having their own conversations. It is a pretty jovial atmosphere, with people laughing and having a good time, but I don't feel it. I know I'm supposed to, but I don't. I rub my arm and stare or the window longingly. I feel like a prisoner trapped in my own body. I want to leave, but then I'd bother everyone because when I stand, no one can be sitting. Plus I'll interrupt the dinner and everyone's good time.

I clench my jaw and continue looking outside. This is still only the pre dinner, so we're going to have to do this again. The servers bring in the second course and remove the first. I thank them, then take my obligatory bite. I don't want to signal there is an issue. Octavio, who is sitting across from my smiles at me.

"Are you feeling well, Young Daughter", he asks, concern written in his face. Guilt rushes through me. I smile.

"Of course, 'Tavio. I'm just on another planet", I respond, then look back to the window. He understands my signal and leaves me alone. With a pang, I instantly regret my decision, but I say nothing. I've already made it. I try to take another bite, but I'm not hungry so it just sits in my mouth, half chewed. Dinner drags on, for days it seems, until finally all of the food has been eaten, and my advisor signals for me to wrap it up.

I quickly jump up, too fast, causing a few moments of ruckus as everyone scrambles to get up. I bow and take my leave, blushing, but thankful that it's finally over. On my way out, I hear someone whisper.

"I wonder how the Daughter is? This one is so stuffy. I used to love the dinner's thrown by the Daughter, she would bring light to the room, but this one just sits. She's a bit depressing". I gulp and put my head down racing to my room as quickly be as possible. I don't want to do this all over again tomorrow. I check the clock. Only an hour passed since dinner started. So, tomorrow's dinner will be even longer. Tonight there were only samples on the plates. The real thing is tomorrow.

I burst into my room and close the door. I lean on it, and slide down, closing my eyes. I detect movement, out of the corner of my eye. Kyoya sits up on the bed and yawns. He had been living with me since I got here, as my familiar. He didn't seem to have powers, other than to calm me, and stop my magical explosions before they happened.

He got up and walked over to me. He sat down next to me, and placed his head in my lap. I rubbed his head for a bit, comforting myself.

"You know you aren't a pet, right?", I say.

"They treat me like one", he replies

"Do I?", I ask and he sits up and looks at me.

"A little", he says with a devilish grin, teasing me. I roll my eyes and push him off me, trying to hold back a smile. He grabs my face and kisses me. I savor it, and the butterflies it gives me. Against every atom in my body, I stop before it gets further than a simple kiss. Even deepening it is risky. There's no rule against having sex or a relationship with your familiar, plenty of people have done it, I'm just not mentally ready for a relationship.

I lean my head against the door again and sigh. Kyo cocks his head to the side and looks at me.

"Rough dinner?" he asks

"No. It went well. Nothing happened", I respond

"Yes, I can tell from the fact that half the Castle hasn't been blown to another dimension", he says dryly. I frown at him. He gets up.

"Well, if you don't want to tell me, we should go to bed", he holds out his hand, and I take it. He pulls me up, and rubs my cheek affectionately. I look into his eyes and see only love. It petrifies me. I look down quickly get in bed.

He chuckles "Aren't you going to change clothes?", he asks. I roll my eyes and snap my fingers. I am now wearing different clothes. I don't understand the point of changing clothes so often. Kyo climbs into bed and snuggles up to me. We fall asleep to the sound of silence.