The Vordalyn 1

  “Then you must wish to kill me as well, as you did my people?” She turned, facing him with her jaw clenched.

  “If we had learned what we know of your kind before the war began, we would have worshipped you, instead of trying to kill you,” Janouc said.

  Priests rushed back into the temple carrying many books, some spilling from their arms. “We brought all we could carry,” The first priest said, “We will bring more!” he started out of the temple.

  “Wait!” Venalina commanded, and all the priests froze, “I need to reverse the effects of the kiss,” she said.

  “A Kina’s kiss,” Janouc said. The priest looked Janouc, “Yes, get the book.”

  “What book?” Venalina asked then looked at Dracon and no longer cared about the book. She walked to the table and put her hand on his head. The priest returned to the temple and handed a book to Janouc, he studied it carefully until he found what he was looking for. Janouc stood across the table from Venalina, who had leaned down next to Dracon’s ear, whispering to him lovingly.

  “You can do this, my lady, you can heal him,” Janouc informed her. Venalina stood up quickly.

  “How?” she asked.

  “You can feed on others, not your mate, and share it with him. It would return him to his former self, if you gave it all to him,” Janouc said, “It would have to be someone young as he was or younger.” Venalina walked around the table to Janouc.

  “How is it done?” she asked.

  “I can guide you my lady,” Janouc smiled, “We need a source, a sacrifice, to save him, again, someone young as he, or more.”

  “A child?” Venalina asked appalled.

  “Not a child,” he chuckled, “Not for this. But first, you need to feed, you are growing weak, too weak to do this.” He said looking down at the aged Dracon.

  “What I want him to be,” She repeated, considering his words, “I will return,” Venalina whipped her hand over her head, disappearing into a black wisp. She returned to the ruins, at the fountain. Venalina looked around cautiously, expecting to see the blonde Kina waiting for her. She was nowhere to be seen, but the Gargoyles had returned to the fountain. They were again as statues, Venalina turned facing the fountain and the three Gargoyles. One stood as the centerpiece of the fountain while the other two stood at its side facing it. They all turned their heads to look at Venalina, sending a loud scraping sound of stone on stone into the air. Venalina raised her hands to demolish the creatures, her amnesia of power left her, she was once again in control of herself and her magic. The creatures loudly knelt before her, one after the other, then bowed their heads to her. They knew her power and knelt in her service. She knew their minds and held back from destroying them.

  “Where is your mistress?” Venalina asked. All three slowly raised an arm pointing to the jungle, north of them. Venalina looked at the jungle, she closed her eyes and reached out with her magic, she could see the carriages and the members of their caravan, frantically rushing about, frightened, asking soldiers for answers. She could see Orist talking to the battlemages, who explained what had happened. Orist admonished them for letting her go off alone, he told them it was an acceptable loss to lose Dracon, but not the Vordalyn queen. Venalina could not find the Kina anywhere in the vicinity. She opened her eyes at the Gargoyles still pointing north.

  “This is my caravan, do not attack it or any in it,” Venalina commanded, the Gargoyles noisily nodded their assent. Venalina walked back to camp, she could feel her hunger rising as she walked, she needed to feed. She knew another trip would severely weaken her, but she had to get back to Dracon. She entered the camp and was verbally assaulted by everyone around her as they rushed to her.

  “Where is Lord Dracon?” Durlan asked frantically, echoed by the same question from the others, Venalina looked around for the daughters of Castien, spotting their faces in the door and windows of the carriage, right where she left them.

  “We are safe!” Venalina yelled loud enough for all to hear her, “We are safe,” She said again when the crowd around her settled their voices, “Dangelo,” She called to the soldier seeing him behind the crowd, “Set up a perimeter with your men, Orist, I want our men stationed at the four corners of the camp,” Venalina raised her hands up trying to settle the servants and representatives of Qinkas, “Listen,” She said further settling them, “I understand you are afraid, you have nothing to fear, Lord Dracon as ended the creatures. He is now making sure there are no other threats remaining, you all know my lord is mighty, now,” she said having the group finally calmed, “Let’s get this camp set up, we will be here a while, we have work to do, yes?” She finished looking at the mapmaker who nodded slowly. Venalina walked to the carriage that held the daughters of Castien. Venalina waved the girls over to her carriage then entered it, she closed the carriage blinds as the girls rushed over to join her. They entered quickly and shut the door behind them, sitting across from Venalina, curious and ready to do anything she asked. Venalina looked at each of them then put her hand out to Talila who took it without pause. Venalina pulled her to her side of the carriage to sit next to her. She put her hand on her cheek and stroked her face gently, “My darling,” She said, “Would you serve and love me for the rest of your life?” She said looking into her eyes, “Love my king as your own?” She said looking over at the other girls as well, “I could show you such things, power at your fingertips, never again would you have to be ordered to serve a man’s pleasure. I promise you a life of choice,” She said. Her eyes started to water as she spoke, “I can teach you such magic, give you power and a life of luxury as my servants. I only ask that you love me and my king, and I will love you, protect you, and take you with me as I rule a kingdom and adventure the world.” Venalina looked around at the women, “Or, you can go back to your father,” She said, “Never being able to go to sleep without wondering if some stranger will be pushed upon you in the middle of the night, as is your lot in life.” Talila slipped her gown off her shoulders, dropping it to the carriage floor, then knelt before Venalina.

  “I want that life, my lady, I give you all that I am, I will love you, I will love Lord Dracon, in every way I can, I will please you my lady for the rest of my life. I will serve you.” Saida began crying and covered her face. Venalina put her hands on Talila’s shoulders then put her hand to her chin, gently making her face her.

  “We will return your love,” Venalina whispered, she snapped her fingers and Talila was dressed once again in a gown with colors that matched Venalina’s and Dracon’s, “Why do you cry?” She asked looking at Saida and the other two girls.

  “I want that life,” Kaylin dropped to her knees, followed by Alyndra, then both girls began disrobing, making Venalina chuckle. She reached down and stopped them both, smiling at them, what made them all think she needed them to strip before her. She snapped her fingers and they too were dressed to match her.

  “How can we do this? When we are done, our father will never let us go with you!” Saida cried.

  “You do not have to come with me, the choice is yours, my dear,” Venalina said.

  “But I do, your highness,” She cried and covered her face. She took a deep spasmed breath, “More than anything I’ve ever wanted, I just… father…”

  “It is not your father’s decision Saida, it is yours, yours alone.” Venalina said, the other girls were quiet waiting on their sister’s choice.

  “He sent us here,” Saida started to say then burst into tears.

  “I know full well why he sent you,” The others exchanged glances, “And I ask you despite it.”

  “Will you kill him?” Saida asked.

  “If you wish,” Venalina said, she started to feel weak with hunger, her eyes narrowed, trying to remain focused. She could feel her eyes starting to lose their color.

  “I don’t want him to die, please don’t kill him,” she fell to her knees, “He is still our father,” Saida said looking at her sisters, who seemed less interested than she, with the
ir father’s fate.

  “I will not kill him,” Venalina said, “You can return home without your sisters and live, knowing your father is safe.”

  “I do not wish to ever return to Qinkas,” Saida said, “I wish a life with you my queen.” She bowed her head. Venalina put her hand on her head, stroking her hair.

  “And you shall, we shall see such sights together,” Venalina smiled. There was a sudden knock at the door then it whipped open before Venalina could say anything. Orist popped half way in the carriage. The girls scurried back into their seats. Orist eyed them all then spoke.

  “My queen, I need to speak with you in private,” He said.

  “Come in Orist, all the way,” She snarled. The girls moved away from the door and Orist entered, sitting in the seat next to the door.

  “Move along girls,” Orist said, the girls all looked at Venalina.

  “They will remain Orist, you and I, however, will not,” Venalina said.

  “My lady?” Orist said unsure what was happening.

  “Do not let anyone in my carriage while I am gone,” Venalina turned to Talila putting her hand on her knee, “Make sure camp is set, if anyone asks, Lord Dracon has returned and is resting, once camp is set, you may return to my carriage until I have returned,” Venalina looked at Saida and smiled, “I will protect you,” She said softly.

  “My lady, I don’t understand?” Orist said as Venalina whipped her hand around her head, they were both transported back to the temple, next to the table where Dracon lay. Orist looked down at him in shock, “What happened?” he asked as Venalina, no longer able to fight her hunger, fell to the ground weakened beyond her ability to stand. Orist knelt next to her and moved her hair from her face, “It seems you have nothing to feed upon, my lady, I guess your rule will end here?” He looked up at Dracon then back at Venalina, “I can’t say I’ll miss either of you,” Janouc grabbed Orist from behind with the help of two other priests, forcing him to his knees, “What are you doing? Let go of me at once!” Janouc grabbed the back of Orist’s head forcing him down to Venalina. She leaned up grabbing Orist by the back of his neck, pulling herself up to him, her mouth opened, “No!” Orist screamed. As soon as Venalina’s mouth touched his neck, she wrapped herself around him with a supernatural strength, like a snake on a mouse. The priests released Orist, who was enveloped by Venalina. She drained him with a speed she had never drained anyone with before. Venalina refilled her strength and stood on unsteady legs, assisted by Janouc.

  “Are you better my lady?” He asked. Venalina steadied herself then looked at Janouc.

  “What now?” she asked, “What do I do?”

  “My lady, you have over done yourself today, you cannot give him Orist, you needed him for yourself,” Janouc said, Venalina snarled at him, his face turned white with fear, “My lady, we are prepared for you,” He said trying to appease her before she could lash out at him in anger, “We have a youth for you, a delicacy of your kind.” She looked around the temple. A priest and two battlemages brought in a young man, an elf. He was chained like a prisoner.

  “Who is he?” Venalina asked.

  “Does it matter, my lady?” Janouc asked, Venalina looked at him, her face softened to a smile as she contemplated his question.

  “No,” She said. The elf was young. Venalina knew of elves, they lived long lives, he would surely rejuvenate Dracon to his former self. Venalina moved to stand over Dracon, “Now, what do I do?”

  “You will feed on him, then feed on your champion,” Janouc said, “One after the other, until the elf is spent.” Venalina looked at Janouc for a long moment, then, over at the elf being led to her. He was beaten severely, making him look, less than appetizing. His eyes reflected his defiance and hate, for her, and the priests around him. Venalina wasted no time and grabbed the elf so forcefully, she jerked him free of the priests who held his arms. He tried to cry out as Venalina bent him over backwards across her lover’s chest, sucking on his neck. The elf’s face went white and his eyes rolled back in his head. Janouc tapped Venalina’s head, she popped up hissing, her face had changed and fangs sprouted in her mouth. He pointed at Dracon, “Now him, before the elf is spent my demon princess,” Janouc said. Venalina looked at Dracon, then back at the elf, then at Janouc again, she hissed again. Something was wrong with her, Janouc could sense it. She dove on Dracon, aggressively grabbing his neck with her mouth. His whole body jerked, like a large cat had grabbed him, like a deer by the throat. Dracon shook violently as she fed on him, he changed, slowly getting younger. Janouc watched as she fed, monitoring her closely. He tapped her head again when he noticed Dracon stopped getting younger and start getting older, yet again. She lifted her head, her eyes were black, even where they should be white, her mouth hand fangs like an animal, the rest of her face had returned to the woman she was. She hissed at him again, then followed Janouc’s hand with her black eyes, as he moved it to the elf. Her eyes went wide, a snarl came across her face and again she renewed her fervor, feeding aggressively on the elf. Black wings sprouted from her back.

  “What’s wrong with her?” A priest asked. Janouc raised his hand to silence the priest. They all watched on, the other priests moved closer to watch the scene that unfolded before them. Horns began to grow from Venalina’s head as she fed on the elf, whose hair started to turn white. Janouc tapped her head again, and again, she raised her head, she growled a deep growl, no longer looking at Janouc, seeming to remember to feed upon Dracon with the tap of his finger. Which she did, as if she were not trying to save him. Dracon returned to his age quickly this time. Janouc tapped her quickly, lest she reverse the effects. She didn’t raise her head very far after the tap, going directly to the elf again. Janouc waved the other priests over, “Help me, quickly!” He ordered, jerking Dracon from the table to the floor out of Venalina’s reach. She threw the elf on the table in his place, then straddled him, her face buried deep in his neck. The newly formed horns curled around like the horns of a ram, like the helmet Dracon wore. Janouc looked at the other priests smiling, “We are witnessing the true form of our Vordalyn Queen. We have been blessed, rejoice!” She sat up from the elf, that was no more than a shriveled corpse, throwing her head back, letting out a growling scream of her dominance. Her eyes were wide as she looked over at the priests, scaring them. She spotted Dracon on the floor and her growling scream slowly turned to a low moan, that came to a stop shortly after. She looked around, surveying her surroundings, slowly remembering where she was. She panted as she calmed, then climbed off the table and the dead elf. She knelt next to Dracon, grabbing his face in her hands, she smiled slowly, looking up at Janouc. He smiled back and nodded.

  “You served me well, Janouc,” Venalina said still smiling, her voice was different, it echoed, not only to their ears, but into all the minds around her, “Why did you not kill me when you had the chance? Like Orist wanted?”

  “My queen, we will never be as strong as we can be with you at our head,” Janouc said and bowed, he looked over at Orist’s body, “Orist was power hungry, he didn’t care for leading us, as much as owning us.”

  “Whenever my lord is before you, you will talk to him as your leader, never me, is that understood?” Venalina asked, Dracon began to stir.

  “Yes, as you wish my lady,” Janouc answered, she was in all their minds and knew their worship of her was pure. Janouc truly desired to serve her.

  “You are my number one behind him, you alone rule the Priest of O’on in our absence, come when I call, serve me and this will be your roll,” She looked at the other priests who bowed quickly not meeting her eyes. She knew their fear.

  “What happened?” Dracon asked blinking, looking up at Venalina.

  “Shh, my love,” She said putting a finger to his lips, “Rest.” Dracon raised his hand touching the horns on Venalina’s head.

  “My helmet,” He said, still delirious.

  “Sleep, my love,” she stroked her nails gently across his cheek, Dracon was out col
d instantly, “I feel strong?” she looked at Janouc and stood.

  “My lady, you are strong,” Janouc chuckled. Venalina touched her head, feeling the horns, all the while looking at Janouc.

  “I can’t make them go away?” She said.

  “You are your true self, dark goddess, why would you want to hide that? You are powerful and beautiful! Incomparable!” Janouc smiled.

  “I need them to go away,” Venalina said still feeling the horns on her head in their entirety, “I can’t return like this!” she started to panic.

  “My lady, you can hide them,” Janouc informed her. She moved her head around still feeling the horns, distressed. Her eyes had returned to normal, but her horns and fangs remained.

  “Why can’t I change?” she asked.

  “My lady, you have chosen to be your true self. Your mate accepts you for what you are, you reflect that,” Janouc stopped her from feeling her horns.

  “I need to change it, Janouc!” Venalina snapped, “Tell me how to change it!”

  “Ok, calm yourself, all things are possible for you,” Janouc said, “For now, you can cast a simple glamour spell, covering up the horns and fangs, making yourself look as you were, in time, you will be able to change your form again at will, this is only temporary. Elves are a delicacy to you; the effects are yet unknown to us.”

  “Then why did you feed him to me if you didn’t know what would happen?” She asked angrily.

  “I acted to give you the best chance to heal your champion, I thought a delicacy of the Vordalyn would give you the best chance at success,” He explained. Venalina calmed herself then wiped her hand in front of her face. Her horns and fangs disappeared.

  “What do you see?” She asked him.

  “Success,” Janouc said with a reassuring smile, “I will study the texts, with your permission, after all, you are the only one allowed to do so.”

  “Yes, study them, since I am unable to absorb them and remember it, I will rely on you to do it for me,” Venalina walked over to him angrily, “If I ever sense you are like him!” She pointed at Orist’s dead body, “Not only will I kill you, but I will raze the Priests of O’on to a pile of dust and you will become only a fairy tale!”