Vampire Diaries 22: I Can't Breathe

Long walks, noisy field and night is a good catch. I never knew that walking for a moment will take my doubts away.

"You look uncomfortable. Do you want to go back and take some rest?"

Mother asks me as if I am older than her.

Instead of answering, I glance at her and gives my mother the warmest smile. "I... I can't still believe that Jack wants to marry me. He knows that we are not as powerful as his family!"

"You're right. I've been telling your father about the possibilities. I... I know Lord Voltaire will not accept you as the King's wife!"

I stare at her unfortunate expression. I can feel that she truly cares for Thalia, and I must do the same.

Protecting and ensuring my love one's life is the only vision that I have.

"Mother,"

I call her as I take a deep breath and said, "What will you do if I won't marry him? What if I run away during our wedding?"

She looks away from my gaze and reaches of hands. "If you run away during your wedding, Lord Voltaire will be the first man who will laugh at your father. He will be grateful if things happen according to his plans."

Suddenly, I feel nervous and think about Lord Voltaire.

Mother and Emilia tell me the same things about him.

Should I fear Lord Voltaire? Or should I praise and fall into my knees upon seeing him for the first time?

"I'm sorry. I... I know it is difficult for you too."

"Do not be sorry, my dear. But when you meet the man who will protect and love you eternally, I will be the happiest mother in the world."

Looking at my mother's eyes makes me feel weak and vulnerable.

Thalia is endowed with a kind and beautiful mother which I never had.

Instead of answering her, we continue walking until the mother saw Thea from afar.

She said, "Thea? Is that you?"

"Don't come closer to her, mother! She's drunk!"

I block the way to my twin sister which makes Thea grin at me widely.

"Thalia, why are you preventing OUR mother to run towards and embrace me?" She tells me, smirking and looking at my serious face. "Don't tell me, you're afraid that I might hurt her. Do you?"

"Leave her alone, Thea! You are drunk!"

Abruptly, I raise my voice on her. I know it's not the right thing to do but I failed to control my emotions.

It seems like Thea is a twin sister of danger and chaos. "Mother, why don't you tell your favourite daughter that I'm not drunk! That she was the reason why I turned like this!"

I don't understand. What is she's telling about? "Mother, what is she's talking about?"

She breaths heavily and look into my eyes with tolerance and fear.

"You don't know still the truth, Thalia? You are such a weak vampire!"

"Stop!"

"You are weak and you are the reason behind all of this chaos! You do not belong in here!"

Anger and hatred urge me to clench my fists and clamour. "I said stop!"

However, she walks closer to me as she whispers into my ears.

I want to push her away but there are a lot of vampires sauntering around. I don't want to start a fight with an immature and a drunk woman.

Thea bites her lower lip and said, "You are nothing, but an ambitious yet worthless vampire. And you think that the Vampire King will be devoted to your marriage. Ha ha ha ha! Don't be naive this time, Thalia. Do not let the history repeat itself or it would be the end of your life."

"What do you mean?! Why are you telling me all of these things?!"

Mother can't say a word. She looks tired and drowsy yet, she keeps on watching us.

Thea didn't reply.

Instead, she walks towards our mother and combs her hair with her fingers. She's smiling genuinely as she murmurs, "Sooner or later, you will have me. And your beloved Thalia will have vanished like ashes."

"You are my daughter too! But, why are you doing this to your sister?"

I am surprised by her sudden question. I thought she will remain speechless and silent until Thea disappears.

Thea turns her back and burst into laughter.

She looks miserable and hopeless.

Until she pushes her mother with all the strength she has. "Ahhh!"

"Mother!"

I exclaimed upon seeing her on the ground. She's closing her eyes as if there's something painful and severe wound.

"Thal...Thalia! My leg! I... I can't move my leg!"

Mother cries out of the pain she's trying to endure. She can't stand and move her leg that makes me mad and angry.

"No, Thalia! Don't fight with her!"

"No! She's hurting you and I should give her a lesson and a warning."

I can't bear to see her crying. Even though she's not my biological mother, still I am hurt and my heart was stabbed by a million times when Thea pushes her.

But, before I get even with my cruel sister. I called the two vampires sauntering nearby.

"Get my mother and bring her to the royal physician!"

"Aye!"

They bow their head as if I am their Queen. However, mother touches my arm as she tries to stop me.

I don't want to hurt her too but hurting my mother– our mother is not an exemption.

"Why are you angry at me?"

"Because you stole the spotlight that I have before!"

Thea blame me for something that I didn't know. "Spotlight? Grow up, Thea! I am not a thief like what you think!"

I tell her.

I try to explain my side and opinions but still, she looks away and turn her back.

I thought she will going to walk away and leave me alone. But, Thea walks into the centre of the field while clapping her hands.

She looks confident and cheerful especially when she catches everyone's attention.

"Everyone, let us give her a round of applause."

"What are you doing, Thea?!"

Asking her is the best way to stop her. She stops clapping her hands and looks around the entire field.

Hundreds of vampires are gathered and most of them are celebrating. But because of Thea's loud voice, she gets all of their attention."

"Good evening, everyone! Let us all welcome the future Queen of the Vampire's Empire, Thalia Hackensen!"

All of them clamps their hands while others shouted my name.

"Hail our future Queen, Thalia!"

"Hail our future Queen, Thalia!"

My name is adored, admired and praised. But why is it too hard for me to smile and show my heartfelt gratitude to all of them?

I thought Thea is done with her game. Suddenly, she appears in front of me.

Choking and wrecking my neck with her bare, cold hand. "No one will love you! No one will praise! No one will, never and forever!"

Thea clenches her jaw and tightens it. I... I can't breathe...

"I... can't... I can't breathe! I can't bre–breath anymore!" I tell her while doing nothing.