Chapter 6: Consider Me Betrothed

My head remained permanently outside the wagon’s window, hoping to overhear even a whisper of a clue as to what was happening within that perimeter of torches. My father and just a handful of guards entered on horseback.

Was this a rite of passage or ascension ritual? Perhaps this was a tribal council between the various vampire factions; there were several we call allies on this side of Vymenia. Perhaps my father simply wanted to introduce me to the art of statecraft and we’re our best selves at night after all. The theories swirled inside my mind as seconds turned to minutes and minutes honestly felt like blasted centuries.

I sulked back into the wagon and tried the opposite window. A Mirewood cavalryman sat in his saddle and remained alert until I asked him, “What is happening?”

“We’ve not been told,” he shrugged and patted the horse’s neck before saying, “I swear this horse knows more than me.”

“Blood be damned, I’m about to break out of his wagon.”

“That’d be unwise,” the soldier said. His facial expressions remained hidden inside his sallet helmet but I hoped he could read the seriousness on my face.

I nearly opened the door on the right side when I heard, “Yyrdra, follow me please,” on the left. The vampire captain held out his hand but I refused the assistance as I exited. We walked through the brush and goosebumps formed from nerves dancing on the graves of caution. To the wind my trust for my father went.

The torches flickered in the moonlight. Nearby vampiric soldiers stood guard and looked as tense as my shoulders. Ahead, people conversed in the center of the charade. My father turned to me and took me under his wing as we stood face to face with humans.

“What is this?” I asked and looked around at the unfamiliar faces. “Are they converts?”

“No, my dear,” he answered and inhaled slowly before saying, “These are envoys and soldiers from the Avenadyn Duchy. I have been undergoing secret talks with them for the past year, trying to secure this meeting.”

“Greetings, Lady Yyrdra,” the human envoy said. He looked plump and ripe for the biting but alas now was not the time or place, it appeared.

I had no response yet.

“The Avenadyn Duchy commands the respect of various kingdoms and empires. Our Grand Duke is beloved and respected and believe me, we would not be here if that was not the case,” the envoy elaborated.

“We long have held treaties with the Avenadyn people. Ignoring some minor incidents, we’ve more or less cooperated and coexisted,” my father said.

“As your Patriarch Prime said, yes, we have coexisted uncomfortably. Now, we seek to push the boundaries of this partnership into something more harmonious,” the envoy said.

“You both speak in enigmas. No wonder you get along,” I mumbled.

The envoy took no offense although my father stated, “Now is no time for condescending quips.”

“It’s quite alright. I think it’s time to be forthright, now,” the envoy said and stepped closer. He cleared his throat with a fist below his mouth and said, “Our venerable Grand Duke has agreed and arranged for his son, Lord Velador, to marry the heiress of Mirewood.”

They, our nemesis to be precise, said that we didn’t have a heart, physical or otherwise. Our frosted bodies could never know the warmth of love or passion and we live off the high granted by our bloodlust. But we’re fragile and mortal, for the most part, and for us to turn away from a feeling so timeless would diminish the significance of our permanence as a species.

How am I to marry a human? That would diminish the significance of our species, permanently.

“How could you do this to me?”

“You’ve sworn your life to the posterity of our people, haven’t you, Yyrdra?” my father asked.

“Not like this!”

“I need you to believe in this, believe that this will help protect our people in the future!”

I looked around at the various onlookers. Vampire or human, they all awaited my response. I had no say in the matter, that was evident, but how I accepted the obligation could determine how history was written.

“Allow me,” the Avenadyn envoy began. “You will live in a castle, enjoy the luxuries privy to nobility and have your chambermaids. Lord Velador is a strong lad and he…”

“Lad? Am I marrying a boy?”

“No, no, I misspoke,” the envoy laughed. “He’s set to turn thirty-four soon and has already agreed to the marital arrangements.”

I mulled over his words although the age nor strength of my groom has no bearing on the matter. Being able to secure an entire human kingdom as an ally, could be beneficial to our people. I saw it then, I thought. I was not happy, but I saw it.

I nodded and my father asked, “Was that a nod?”

I sighed and responded, “So be it. Consider me betrothed.”

Without pomp for this circumstance, my father followed with, “By our agreement, you are permitted one chambermaid and your…”

“Akisma,” I interrupted.

He didn’t acknowledge my comment and continued, “And your mother has handpicked Melyiana. I believe you know her already.”

Melyiana is no chambermaid or servant girl. She’s a huntress and I’d wager the humans don’t know that. They’ll underestimate her because of her short, petite stature and treat her with the disrespect a handmaid might warrant in the eyes of royalty. I don’t know her well but he was correct, we’ve been acquainted.

She stepped out from behind a couple soldiers and smiled at me. She wore a servant girl’s dress to fit the role.

The Avenadyn envoy clapped and said, “We shouldn’t linger then. Master Patriarch, we appreciate your diplomacy in these very undiplomatic, unprecedented times.”

“See that no harm befalls my daughter,” my father said and pulled me in for an embrace. He whispered, “I hope you understand now.”

* * * * *

From there, the whirlwind took me. My father said his goodbyes, although I couldn’t process much right then. Two of the men brought over my belongings and stowed them in the Avenadyn envoy’s coach. He spoke of alliances and politics but it went uncomprehended. I had already forgotten my groom’s name. Venadon? Velagoth? I was sure someone would mention it before I actually met him.

“Then we’re prepared,” the envoy said and clapped, breaking my aversion to the situation.

I looked over my shoulder and my countrymen nearly vanished to the night as they traveled back to Mirewood where I had lived all my life. Now, to sleep with the enemy? I’m going to need a moment.

“Please, Lady Yyrdra, the coach awaits and we have a schedule to uphold,” the envoy smiled and gestured.

I nodded and climbed into the empty chamber. Blue drapes covered the glass windows and painted white trim accented the benches and doors. The envoy climbed in after me and said, “A bit cozy in here, apologies.”

“Where’s Melyiana?” I asked just as she appeared and had to reach with her shorter legs in order to enter.

“Hello, Yyrdra,” she smiled and sat next to me.

“When did you find out about this?” I asked her.

“Just a few days ago but your father never mentioned marriage,” she explained in a tone I found difficult to believe.

“Hm,” I muttered.

To change the subject, the diplomat said, “We should arrive at the citadel by tomorrow evening.”

“That long?”

A soldier shut the door and the coach began moving north before he responded, “There’s no straight road and the landscape does not cooperate with wagon wheels. It’ll give me plenty of time to verse you in the inner workings of Avenadyn.”

“That’s splendid but answer me this. What happens if this marriage fails? Has anyone contemplated that outcome?” I asked with folded arms. This gown was awfully uncomfortable and it’s not helping my stress.

“Of course that has come up in conversation,” he chuckled.

“Stake to the heart?”

“Unlikely,” he replied and reached for two pillows stowed underneath the bench. He handed them to Melyiana and I and said, “Nobody can predict the future so that is a bridge that is better crossed together than burned at separate ends.”

Past transgressions have a knack for immortality.