Chapter Ten......Aria POV

Aria took hold of the handle and firmly pushed it aside, the doors booming open and slamming against the walls with a resounding crash. She stepped into the dining room, her dress parting to reveal one milky white leg as she strode forward defiantly. She hated this, the dress caught at her hips, making movement feel restrictive. It hugged her body, accentuating her features that, while not self-conscious, made her more aware of the eyes locked on her every movement. To her relief she heard the door open behind her as she took her seat. She looked up and saw that it was the lord that tackled her off the edge. He walked by with powerful strides, as he took his seat beside her, his leather cuirass closefitting and formed to his body. Aria could see the definition of his chest and shoulders through the thick armor, twisting with every movement. The armor itself was lined with beasts' fur, and complimented by a deep maroon cape that was attached to its pauldrons. On his brow he wore a simple steel circlet, its band carved with intricate runes that encircled its entirety. Even though he was wearing armor it still looked formal, she was impressed. She didn't know who the other people were as they took their seats. She sat across from Rhosyn, who stared at her food with a miserable look on her face once the servers placed it in front of her. Aria looked at everyone and saw a strained, even awkward atmosphere. The only who seemingly immune was Roco, who carried the same grim facade he did when she first laid eyes on him. As the table filled up, Roco pushed the chair back and stood. As custom everyone stood up with his until he signaled for them to sit back down.

"Welcome my friends. Councilman and lords. I would like to start this feast off with a few announcements." Roco cleared his throat.

"I would like you all to welcome my nieces who have arrived today. I expect that they be treated with the utmost courtesy." Everyone could hear the underlining threat as Roco smiled at everyone.

"Secondly I would like to draw your attention to the annual Elderblood Tournaments. Preparation for the tournament is underway and it is a month ahead of schedule. Prepare the candidates accordingly. Now regarding the candidates, I have decided as guardian of Rhosyn and Aria that they are to join in on this year's tournaments." Rhosyn and Aria quickly looked at each other, Aria couldn't help but see a flash of fear cross Rhosyn's face. Why were they not told about this? Aria thought. Gale should have told her. She quickly scanned the table and noticed that Telsa and Gale were not present.

"Thirdly, our ancestor's state, that at the turning age of adulthood, all Elderblood females must be mated to a male Gwarcheidiol. It states, the guardian of the females is to find a match." Roco paused as he looked at Rhosyn and Aria. Aria felt like a lump of coal sat in her stomach. This dreaded feeling as she recited what her uncle just said. There was no way she wanted to have a mate in her life. She had to many things to worry about and to do, and having a mate was not one of them. Gale and Telsa both instructed her about this so she would know what to do when the time comes, but she laughed at them saying she would never take a mate on. Not even for true love, or chemistry she may have with someone.

"I am the guardian of them in the absence of my late brother, I have decided Graver Gwarcheidiol will be Rhosyn's mate. They fit well together and already begun to form a bond over the years." Aria looked at Graver and Rhosyn from across the table and saw they were not bothered by this. However, Rhosyn stood up and looked at Roco.

"Uncle, if I may speak." She asked politely. He nodded his approval for her to go on. "I have already married someone else." Aria looked at Roco as Rhosyn was calm. She couldn't help but stifle a laugh as a vein popped out of her uncle's head, and his face expression changed to something dangerous. Some things never changed from her uncle and her father.

"

You are already married?" He growled dangerously. Aria felt the tension rising between the two as everyone sat and watched. Graver meekly stood up and cleared his throat.

"You Majesty, remember the briefing we had, and how I had to do certain things to protect Rhosyn from being captured into the Overlord hands? Well this was one of them." Roco glanced at Graver. It must have been some glance for Graver turned pale as a sheet and sat back down.

"You are no longer married to anyone. Graver is and will be your mate for life." Roco snarled. Rhosyn ducked her head and sat back down staring at her plate mindlessly. Aria couldn't help but feel sympathy. She knew her sister was a romantic at heart. Always had been since they were little.

"Going forward." Roco took a deep breath and returned to the announcements.

"With long hard consideration, with viewing and meeting the candidates, I have decided that Lord Arkan will be Aria's mate. I believe this arrangement will suit the both of them." Aria's mind went blank. She was actually fated to mate someone. Her body began a cold sweat. How would she complete the ritual? She could not mate with someone. It was bad enough she formed a bond with Telsa, but to create a bond with a male, to have to drink from a living being and not kill them. Her heart began to race.

"Lastly, the ceremony and ball will be held in celebration of the mating's on the last day of this week. Three days from now. Enjoy the feast!" Roco sat down.

Aria felt trapped, the feeling of imprisonment burning in her mind turned swiftly to rage. Fury began to build inside as she watched everyone eating in complacency, as if the news was a small matter. She would not go down without a fight was all she could think of as her hand found the slip in her dress and pulled a small dagger up. She slammed it into the table as she stood up and looked at her uncle.

"In what right of mind, makes you decide who and who we don't mate?" She snarled. "Hell, I wasn't even aware that someone who has never been in my life could!" the worlds came out like a storm, her emotions twisted into fury. Roco's face hardened and Aria could clearly see his skin tighten in anger.

"Milady, it has always been a part of your ancestry." A husky voice stated quietly. "You should know by now that Elderblood females cannot control their abilities without grounding, it becomes unstable. The bond with a Gwarcheidiol is necessary for that reason."

She turned her head and found it came from the young Lord. "I know the history and what our ancestors created. However," she looked back at her uncle, "Nowhere in the ancestral book does it say that our caretakers have to arrange them." She knew exactly what chapter and page of the book she was referring too. Gale drilled her for years until she could recite every book, every passage and every line place before her.

"How dare you! You speak out of turn, child!" Roco smashed the table with his fists as he bolted up from his seat, his arm dashing the chair away, shattering it against the wall

Lord Arkan stood up and cleared his throat, "Your Majesty, if I may." He looked at the guests, all of them shaken from the burst of anger from the lord and were visibly relieved that he had cut in.

Roco breathed in deeply before hanging his head. "Speak."

Arkan turned to Aria, his face immobile. "Aria, it has always been a custom of your species to have arranged mating's. It started from the beginning. Have you read the book, The Beginning?" He asked cautiously, watching her expression.

She didn't answer right away as she thought hard. Did Gale have her read The Beginning?

"Not as of yet." She replied honestly. As she began to sit down in defeat, she tried her best, but she couldn't fight the truth if it was in the history.

Silence filled the hall as the feasting hall doors crashed open as they made a loud booming noise as they slammed into the wall. Everyone's attention turned to the entrance, curious and awestruck as to who would interrupt a private, formal feast. Aria noticed it was a man walking towards the table as she noted that he looked haggard and weary, she could tell his attire that he was dressed for combat, with a chain-mail cuirass and matching boots that jingled with his every step. His cloak was robe-like, hiding his arms and back with folds of shadowy cloth, the hood was drawn over face, hiding his features and a simple iron-bound sword at his waist. He felt familiar to her but shouldn't couldn't place him. Everyone watched as he walked up to Rhosyn and pulled her chair out turning her to face him. Guards started to run towards the table before Roco put his hand up to halt them. He got on his knees and took Rhosyn's hand.

"Rhosyn." His voice was rough as he addressed her. Rhosyn raised her hand and removed the hood. Gasps were let out as Aria, Graver and Rhosyn saw the sharp bone structure, and cold eyes like agates staring at Rhosyn with undisguised longing.

It was Zerith

"Zerith, you came back." Rhosyn whispered as she touched his face.

"Rhosyn, I am sorry for all of this, as your husband I should not have been away from you for so long. I should have treated you better, will you ever forgive me, and come back home?" Zerith looked Rhosyn in the eye.

"I have always understood and forgiven you Zerith, but I must obey my uncles wishes, I love you, truly but I cannot turn my back on my family." Rhosyn replied.

"Rhosyn, please come back with me." Zerith begged. His gnarled hands holding onto hers tightly, Aria stood up from her seat, her hands going to her dagger.

Roco cleared his throat, "What is the meaning of this?" Graver stepped up beside him "Your Majesty, if I may. This is the man I was informing you about in the briefing. This is who Rhosyn has married from the realm she hid in." Graver spoke softly to Roco to keep it from prying ears.

Zerith only glanced at the king before focusing back on Rhosyn.

"I am sorry, but I can't." Rhosyn pulled her hands out of Zerith's.

Aria saw Zerith's eyes harden and she felt her chest tighten. She quickly found her mental bond with Telsa and sent a message for her to grab Gale and come directly to the feasting hall. She felt a soft brush in response in her mind. She then focused on her bond with Rhosyn as she connected with it, she reached out and stroked Rhosyn's mind, asking for permission. Rhosyn didn't flinch physically as she let her mental barrier down enough to make connection with Aria. Aria could feel the confusion and love Rhosyn was feeling towards Zerith.

"I will always be here for you." Aria sent the message to Rhosyn before leaving her mind and focusing back on Zerith. Rhosyn repeated her message and Zerith's face grew stormy as a flicker of light raced under his skin. He stood up, his face split with a terrifying snarl that showed row upon row on sharpened fangs. Then, almost as if a veil fell away, angry, glowing markings appeared across his entire being. Akin to scriptures on parchment, his face and neck were riddled with scar like runes etched on his pale skin.

Zerith looked down at her, his eyes flaring with an intense glow. "You should have abided me. Now you will regret it. All of you." He turned to the rest of them, a deadly aura emanating from his entire form.

Roco waved for the guards but Zerith simply pushed his hand out, a ripple raced across the empty air, causing the guards to fly into a wall. His other arm touched Rhosyn's face and mumbled under his breath quickly and unfalteringly. Aria suddenly felt great pain through the bond and launched herself over the table, her blade aimed directly at his heart. Zerith turned quickly and his blade flew into his outstretched hand, blocking her strike as the grating sound of metal rasped between them. Aria kicked him solidly in the chest and dashed forward.

"Graver, take care of Rhosyn!" Aria shouted harshly, turning briefly to stare at the man. She struck at him again, a flurry of blows at her defenses that forced him to retreat. He staggered back and snarled as he pushed his hand forward, his fingertips burning as he gestured, creating a translucent rune in the empty air ahead of him. Suddenly, glowing ritual circles formed around the hall and gnarled husks of Jai'lan began to spawn. Someone moved to Aria's side.

"Allow me to assist." There was that husky voice she knew. She felt her chest relax slightly, knowing she had someone watching her back. Before she could say anything, Zerith's hand came up again and began to create another rune

"Oh no you don't, you bastard." She grabbed a dagger from a strap around her thigh and threw it, hitting him in the shoulder. He shouted with outrage as Jai'lans formed a line in front of him. Arkan suddenly flew forward, his blade clashing with the wall of undead.

Aria could hear a beginning of a guttural chant as Rhosyn's screams hit everyone's echoed out in pain and fear. Aria couldn't help herself as she collapsed on a knee groaning with the piercing pain from the bond. She became enraged towards Zerith, the thought of him causing her sister to be in so much pain drove her mad. She felt Rhosyn's mind on the verge of breaking, she felt her body stiffen and seize behind her as she heard the others fighting the horde of undead off Graver and Rhosyn. Lord Arkan was cutting down the Jai'lan wall, but for every undead he fell, another rose up. He backed off and saw her on her knees, clutching her head in pain. He retreated to her side, his voice falling silent as the pain intensified more and more

She began to work herself into a ball of anger. Her chest began to tighten as she gritted her teeth through the pain she was feeling through the bond. She stood up and stared at the wall of Jai'lan. Her eyes glowed a bright purple as she spread her hand out at her side and Astral Energy daggers appeared between her fingers. She threw all the daggers, each one arcing forward with impossible speed, hitting each Jai'lan in the head crumbling Zerith's line of defense. As she saw the runes he had placed behind her walls, she screamed in outrage. She knew those runes. They are the ritual symbols for necro kinesis. A spell that causes instant death to anyone in the proximity of the spell, their souls ripped away and pulled into the nether

Her anger consumed her as she released the walls containing her magic. She allowed it to come rushing out and fill her body with a hum of energy. Astral physical replicas of her began to appear around the feasting hall all facing Zerith. As Zerith was nearing the end of the spell, she let everything loose, she raised her arms, palms out, and fired a maelstrom of energy towards Zerith, the astral plane twisting the very air as they followed her every movement. The energy blast collided with Zerith, the runes shattered as he lost connection to his magic, he screamed as the energy blast overloaded his brain with energy and audible inundation. Blood began to seep from his nose and ears as the Jai'lan quickly faded away disappearing as if they were never there. He collapsed to his knees. She saw life was still in his eyes, but how? That should have killed him, she thought. She grabbed her dagger and went to teleport to give the finishing blow, to protect her family, when everything inside her clamped like a vice and she dropped to the ground, her breathing nearly impossible as her chest tightened. She was drained, she didn't have any energy left. She coughed up blood as Telsa and Gale stormed in. Telsa quickly came up behind Zerith and took the blunt end of her sword to the side of his head. He collapsed into a heap on the floor and Gale stood still as a statue as he assessed the hall. He stalked forward to Rhosyn's side, as Telsa went to go and tend to Aria. Roco used his cape to clear away the black blood on his sword, his intense gaze squarely on the comatose Zerith.

"Guardsmen!" Roco barked hoarsely "Take this filthy necromancer to the dungeon, have the keepers interrogate him until I come for him." He slowly took a knee At Rhosyn's side, holding her frail body in her arms

"Get the physician!" Gale demanded another guardsman, who smartly saluted before dashing from the hall.

"Arkan, look after Aria." Roco whispered softly. "I will be there to check on her once Rhosyn has been attended to." He gently laid her down, ripping his cloak off his armor and placing it under her head as a pillow. Arkan nodded soberly and turned to Aria and Telsa, who had propped her up to keep her from suffocating.

"Aria, you need blood." She said.

"No, I won't Telsa." Aria coughed, blood spraying from her mouth. Arkan knelt on the other side of her as her eyes began to trickle red tears.

"Aria, if you don't feed, you will die! Your body won't survive this amount of blood loss." Arkan said to her.

"I don't care, I will not drink!" She snarled at him and bared her fangs. He looked at the other girl beside Aria. They both knew Aria needed blood or she would be too weak to move. They also noted her eyes had not gone back yet. She was still fighting for control. Arkan shook his head and looked up, seeing the physician sprinting across the hall to Rhosyn's side. Roco stood up, his eyes turning to them as he marched forward, coming to Aria's side.

"What is her condition?" he ordered. Telsa shook her head. "It isn't good, her insides are all twisted, she pushed herself too hard." Roco shook his head. "She needs to feed, now. She will not survive much longer otherwise."

"She refuses to drink, my lord." Arkan said quietly.

"This isn't the time for games, Aria!" Roco shouted, losing his temper suddenly. Telsa looked up at her. "I am sorry, my lord, Aria has only fed three times since we first escaped the castle, she refuses to because the memories overwhelm her every time she did. So much, that at times, people died during the rite. At dire need she will only feed from an animal instead."

"Damn it all girl." Roco turned away, his face twisted in sudden sorrow. "Arkan, prepare her for the ceremony, we must tame this beast inside of her before it overtakes her."

"By your will, my King." He gently picked up Aria, holding her head to his as blood burst forth from her once again. Covering his cuirass armor with blood.

"No… "Aria murmured, struggling weakly. "I will… not do it" Roco turned back towards her.

"I am afraid you have left yourself with no other choice, Aria." He placed a hand on her head, as her breathing became rigid. Roco nodded to Arkan and Telsa to leave. Arkan followed Telsa down the hall where Mia was waiting for them.

"Place her on the bed." Mia instructed as she grabbed towels and a bowl of water. "She has always been stubborn." Mia chatted away as her and Telsa removed the dress from Aria's body. She kept trying to push them away, murmuring incoherently through ragged gasps and choking coughs. Arkan stood at the end of the bed watching the girls work while Telsa grabbed a knife from a drawer beside the bed and began to cut into her hand.

"Hold," Arkan stated suddenly. "Allow me to do this for her." Telsa hesitated and glanced at Aria before getting off the bed and backing away. Arkan hesitated for only a moment, his mind filled with a sudden fear that gnawed at him. He shook away the negative thoughts, sitting calmly near the head of the bed near Aria. She was pale and her breathing was shallow. He placed a hand on her face, in a soft caress. He felt his feelings for her well up in him, but he quickly cast them aside, if he were to be distracted for even a moment, it would lead to his doom.

"Bring me servants for nourishment," Lord Arkan commanded. "And be sure to blindfold them." He planned to feed her himself, but from what her servant Telsa said, those she nourishes herself on passed away, he wanted to be sure that no one would fall today. He steeled himself, pushing all doubt and concern out of himself and began to prepare for the communion.

"They are ready my lord." Mia said to him. He nodded and arranged himself behind her so her head laid against his chest. He brought his wrist up to his mouth and bit down into it. He placed his wrist on her mouth, letting his blood fall into her mouth. She latched on and started drinking. He smiled softly as she slowly drank from him, feeling his life rush from him into her. When he began to feel weaken, he brought a servant close to drain their energy into him. After a time, she finally fell into a listless sleep, her fangs receding and her grip falling away. Arkan gently laid her down again while quickly wrapping his arm in gauze, and fell into a deep sleep around Aria.

..................

Aria drifted without weight or feeling, her eyes hazy and blinded by the spinning light in her sight. Then, it began to focus, a blurred, colorless vision of her memory she did not recall. Her mind came to, suddenly aware of where she was. Did Telsa force her to feed, despite her urging not to? The sudden low feeling of being forced to comply when she could not fight back burned in her for just a moment as the vision cleared and she saw the memory in full clarity.

"Stand ready men!" A voice rang out suddenly, oddly familiar but she could not place it. "We face the godless beasts this night. Let their howls ring out as our steel rends them and brings them low."

A roaring cheer ran through the crowd, weapons held aloft and burnished steel glistened.

"Ser Tychus!" another voice bellowed as the vision blurred to focus on a grisly man riddled with angry scars. "Are your knights ready for the charge."

"They are ready to meet our foe, commander. We will bathe the land red."

The man nodded smartly "Hold the line, warriors. God watches us this day and will accept us in his arms should we fall. But should that happen, bring the beasts down with you!"

Another cheer rang through the crowd as she saw a visor clap down over her view. Through the slit she could see the men form a line and, on the horizon, she could clearly see swiftly approaching army. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the great, gnarled horns of the Tarkammon race barreling down.

"Charge!" the commander roared, his steed kicking up tufts of loam and dirt as it dashed forward. The rest of the knights followed, a wall of steel and leather riding down into a small valley to face the Tarkammon horde.

Then the vision faded, and Aria could see the sky, crows circling over the hazy view. She could clearly hear the ragged, labored breathing of whose eyes she was seeing through.

"God, help me. I am not ready to die" he said, coughing and choking on what she presumed to be his own blood.

"Nor should thee." A voice said, though quiet, commanded all who could hear to listen.

The vision blurred again and when it cleared, a hooded figure loomed over the fallen knight. Aria could clearly see violet eyes burning under its shadowed hood.

"Heed me, human, lest ye die." The figure spoke again. "I ask this, with me do treat. Thy flesh and my spirit become merged to one, life undying thine forever more."

"What do you speak of?"

"Thy ire and sorrow, their call I heed. So, I ask once more. With me do entreat."

"God, spare me, help me from this death undeserved."

The figure bent low, a hand outstretched to touch the knights face. The wind suddenly picked up and the hood pulled away, revealing a face Aria knew all too well.

"Tarquen of the old blood, have I been named. Thy plea to live, be answered."

Aria suddenly felt a rush of energy pour forth from her father hand, screams of pain and fear left the knights lips only for his vision to darken, spinning wildly into an abyss with no light to speak of.