by Joanne Ellis
19
The Verdict
Nermo and Sam both invited her to dine with them but she declined them both. As much as she loved Sam it was going to take a little while to get used to his new transformation. Try as she might she couldn’t use vampire and Sam in the same sentence just yet.
It appeared as though the elders had much to discuss as she’d still not sighted her mother so Sera went to the courtyard and ordered her usual salad. As she sat playing with its contents, Tiana and Farina asked if they could join her. Surprised and curious Sera told them to pull up a chair - or bench to be precise.
“We understand the difficulties you would be facing today. I cannot imagine how I would fair without my Tanner although it does help that he is my chosen mate.”
“Thanks, Tiana, but I don’t feel that way about Sam. He’s my best friend and it’s a little strange.”
“I can cast a binding spell that will prevent your scent being appetising - for lack of better word,” Farina said.
“Thanks but it will be okay.”
“We haven’t had a chance to learn more about each other with your lessons and today ...” Farina stopped not sure how to proceed.
“No, we haven’t, maybe when Nermina is safe we could spend some time together. You may or may not have heard I like to ask questions. I’m afraid curiosity is my middle name.” She tried to smile but her heart wasn’t in it.
“We would be happy to answer any questions you have as we understand this is probably quite strange for you, right, Farina?”
“Absolutely.”
“You are probably feeling a little lost at the moment seeing you have not found your life mate yet,” Tiana said.
“Right now I don’t really know how to feel.”
“We in the circle are all here for each other, all of us. We as a group of eight are much closer than our protectors who all love to hate each other and hate to rely on each other, it is a boy thing,” Farina told her offhandedly showing her incomprehension of males.
“I have noticed they like to fire shots at each other.”
“Oh yes it is always fun to watch them during training, trying to outdo each other. It really is quite amusing.”
They chatted amicably over dinner and for the first time that day she felt light-hearted while enjoying her new friends.
Sera eventually gave up on her mother or any other longed for visitor that evening and attempt to sleep with little luck. Eventually she slept fitfully and dreamed about Sam seducing and then biting her with Keelor watching them preaching about the law and Nermo talking about destiny.
As the sunrise gave its usual wakeup call though her window, Sera woke with her head feeling thick and her eyes heavy. Rubbing them sleepily, she swung her legs around to drag herself out of bed and hit an obstacle. Keelor looking beautiful in the morning light and wearing his circle meeting attire was standing ramrod straight at the edge of her hammock bed. Startled she cried out.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked trying modestly to cloak her sleeping attire.
“I am going to escort you to the meeting of the circle.”
“Why? You could have knocked, by the way.”
“I did, you did not answer so I thought I should ensure you were in one piece.”
“You mean to ensure my best friend hadn’t drained my blood while I slept.”
“Not funny, Seraphina.”
“I wasn’t trying to be funny, it could happen.”
“Not while I am alive.”
“Oh, so you have decided you want to protect me now.”
“You are frustrating, Seraphina. I will wait for you outside while you prepare for the meeting.” His tone remained even and she wondered whether he was actually as frustrated as he said. His face showed no emotion as usual. How could he feel things and not show them? It was all or nothing for the ethereal Keelor.
“I doubt you feel anything but indifference,” she mumbled as she forced herself to leave the sanctuary of her comfortable bed.
“Hmm,” was his only response before leaving her alone to wash up and dress.
They walked in silence towards the garden, her still annoyed at him and him trying to avoid anything that could nurture his irreversible love for her. They were first to arrive and as they were both unsure of themselves and each other, Sera stood awkwardly and Keelor like a statue with an impassive expression.
“I discovered a new element to my power yesterday,” she broke through the electricity pulsing in the air.
“I was unaware humans were able to utilise their power differently.”
“Could you not be serious for one moment and perhaps for once show some sort of emotion? It is confusing.”
As he turned to her his face filled with emotion, his total turnaround and dropping of his stony facade generated the warm glow within her chest again. The feeling grew until she was consumed with it and as Nermo was he was unaffected. She contemplated what this entailed as the feeling dissolved.
“What was that?” he asked intensely.
“Did you feel it?” she whispered. “I didn’t hurt you did I?”
“On the contrary I felt ... I can’t explain ... it was ... pleasant.”
“Well it seems so far the only folk it affects badly are vampires, ironically.” She smiled without humour.
“It could be useful against our enemy. I, on the other hand, found it agreeable and made it all the more difficult to distance myself from you.”
“Don’t then. I haven’t changed my mind. I’m going to push for Sam and Angelique to be allowed to stay and for you to become my protector. Keela will not need you anymore and I do. I trust you with my life and you were born to do this, seems like everyone wins to me.”
“I believe you have too much faith in folk you do not know well. Kalar is just and fair as is Annaphina, however there are other elders who are not so liberal and will vote against the idea. All discussion pertaining to the law and a decision regarding the law is put to vote with all eight elders, princess and protectors. Majority wins.”
“I’m willing to try.”
“Your mistake to make.”
He took several steps back and his cool expression returned.
“What will you vote for Keelor?”
A moment later the remainder of the circle started to arrive and he avoided having to respond.
Kalar as usual addressed the group who had taken their spots within the circle.
“As you are all now aware Sampson, with permission from Princess Seraphina, was changed to a vampire to save his life. As this is a direct violation of law eight and as is custom we are to vote upon the decision of Angelique and Sampson’s future within the circle. It has also come to light the feelings shared before this transformation which is against law one.”
“We shall vote upon law eight and one as a whole instead of separate issues because in essence they are integrated. Princesses, you shall cast your vote first. Seraphina, do you vote to stay or for banishment?”
“I vote for them to stay.”
“Angelique, as you are involved you cannot vote. Tiana.”
“Stay.”
“Farina.”
“Stay.”
“Mimi.”
“Stay.”
“Audrey.”
“Stay.”
“Keela.”
“Stay.”
“It seems our princesses continue to vote and remain loyal to each other, this is comforting to see. Now protectors.”
“Angeles.”
“I only vote this way because it will cause me to stay so, banish.”
“Angeles,” Angelique turned to him in confusion.
“I’m sorry. I have to look out for myself now. If you are banished I will stay with the new princess.” She glared at him as Kalar moved on.
“Tanner.”
“Stay.’
“Malena.”
“Stay.”
“Masseno.”
“Banish.”
>
“Andre.”
“Banish.”
“Nermo, your vote counts as Nermina’s as well so think carefully about what you would both decide.” Without hesitation he answered.
“Banish.”
“Nermina would agree with us,” Tiana informed him.
“Nermina believes in the law as vehemently as I do.”
“Keelor.”
Seraphina watched him without turning her head and knew exactly how he would vote.
“Banish.”
She looked at him now aghast as he was fully aware how much this would hurt her.
“The vote is nine stay, six banish, now to the Elders.”
The vampire and Anna voted stay whilst the witch, pixie, fairy, nymph and hazer all voted for banish. The count was now eleven for each decision the final vote from Kalar would be the decider. Sera held her breath and turned to look at Sam who, even though he was no longer human and her protector, still stood behind her. She held her hand back for him to take it and waited impatiently for Kalar’s decision.
“The law was broken before Sampson was bitten which we have concluded from Angelique’s declaration of her love. This law is intolerable and should never be broken. I believe law eight was violated as a means to an end and we are grateful that Sampson is still with us. Under these circumstances I believe law eight was not violated, nevertheless law one was, so my vote, with a heavy heart, is for banishment.”
Sera inhaled loudly in shock as she truly believed the vote would go in Sampson and Angelique’s favour. Sensing Sera’s mood and possible reaction Sam squeezed her hand harder than he intended and Keelor whispered her name as a warning under his breath. Seraphina being who she was paid no heed.
“With all due respect, Elder Kalar but if Sampson is banished then I will give up my place in the circle or quit or whatever it is that princesses do in this situation. Sampson is a loyal and kind man and deserves to stay. If he can’t continue to be my protector, I believe he should stay as Audrey’s. The only mistake they made was falling in love and while Sam was still human they did little to cause any sort of problem as far as mixed folk are concerned. Now they are both vampires it is not forbidden and if Angelique hadn’t declared her love he wouldn’t be still be staying with us.”
“Seraphina, you cannot leave your chosen position.”
“What if I refuse to help? Without me you cannot save Nermina.”
Guilt racked her body as Sera knew it was a harsh ultimatum. In her heart she would never do anything to risk the life of Nermina, even if she wasn’t acquainted with her but only two people present would know that being Sam and Anna and neither denied otherwise.
“It is your duty to uphold your position within the circle.”
“I’ll break the law and you will have no alternative but to banish me too.”
“Sera,” Anna’s voice held a warning tone for she knew once the flood gates opened anything could spill forth.
“Seraphina,” Kalar’s voice too now held an unyielding tone. “If you choose to break the law it is your decision and you will be punished accordingly.”
Two sets of eyes implored her to stop one from the rear and her mother’s from the front.
“Please don’t do this,” whispered Sam and because he asked her too she dropped her argument, for the moment anyway.
“Angelique, Sampson you are to leave immediately. Where you choose to reside is of no consequence however you are never to return unless invited.” They were dismissed. Sera turned to Sam with tear filled eyes.
“I will come and find you when this is over,” she promised. “I’m going to miss seeing you every day.”
“I will too.”
When she pulled him in for a hug, he returned it but at a distance fighting the urge to taste her sweet blood in agony. He determined this was for the best, keeping his distance from temptation was better for them all. Once he controlled his thirst he would be able to see her without the pain.
Pulling back Sam kissed her lightly on the cheek and just like that, they were gone. Sam in a flash, an instant, gone from her life indefinitely. Sera, stubborn to the end, turned defiantly back to the circle and awaited the next judgement to be passed.
“We now need to decide who will take Sampson’s place with Seraphina. The next human in line is far from ready and very inexperienced, more so than Seraphina. As she needs continued guidance until she has completed her training I am open to suggestions as to what our course of action should be. We have discussed it and were at a loss as to the best course. Please put forth your suggestions.”
Deciding now was as good a time as any to declare her aspirations of Keelor becoming her protector, she took a deep breath. As she opened her mouth to speak, Keelor cleared his throat and she wasn’t sure if it was a warning or an endorsement. Sera didn’t care, this was what she wanted.
“Can I be the first, Elder Kalar to put forth my preference?” Sera asked.
“Yes, it affects you more than anyone else. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.”
“I thought seeing Keela has chosen Calzu this leaves Keelor free to pursue a position as commander of the army or whatever he so chooses, is this correct?”
“Yes,” Kalar answered in a curious tone.
“I believe he wouldn’t be happy in a position other than the current one he is in.”
“I am sure this to be true, however Keela has chosen and he must step down.”
“Why can’t he take Sam’s place?”
“As your protector?”
“Yes.”
“This is unheard of.”
“I know but I think it’s the best option. He is experienced and best served as a protector. He would be wasting his gift in the army.”
Kalar considered for a moment. “The elders will discuss the issue as this situation is far from the usual and mixed folk partnerships have never occurred. There are many things to consider. It would be against the law for you to marry yet he is the wisest choice. There are many arguments for and against. We will reconvene in an hour.”
20
Mixed Partnerships
With conflicting emotions, Keelor left the meeting abruptly so as to sort out the plethora of emotions surging through him. Uplifted at the thought of spending all his time with Seraphina, also, for this very same reason, he was feeling desolate. How would he be able to protect her adequately when she muddled his mind and sent his senses reeling? He was purposely evading her as much as possible because while in her presence, he was not capable of performing to his usual capacity. What if his love for her became so distracting he would fail to shield her from danger?
Keelor believed the forces they’d faced the previous day was merely the beginning. How could he be in her presence constantly and control his desire to kiss her? He’d failed thus far to maintain control. She occupied his thoughts far too much already, being partnered together would be torture. His only hope was the elders electing it as an unwise decision or the vote went against it.
His vote would be against and knew this would cause her further pain however he resolved it was better than the constant torment of loving each other and being forbidden to act upon it. This was the best decision or so he tried to convince himself. He sat pensively by the river. The same river which once brought him relief now brought added additional suffering. As he sat and stared at the indigo water, his belief for the law, for the first time in his life, was wavering.
Sera became encircled by the remaining princesses and taken to the nymph forest for lunch. Malena also joined them and the party of seven gossiped like high school girls in an attempt to lift the tension and sadness at the loss of their friends Angelique and Sampson. All six girls were aware of exactly how greatly Sera would miss her best friend and rallied together to offer their support.
Sera was grateful for many reasons as the mood over lunch took away her troubled thoughts, at least for the hour anyway. For the first time in her life she’d found friends - aside
from Sam - where she felt comfortable and a sense of belonging, one Sera never felt in the human world and now she understood why. She pondered sharing her new ability with the others but decided it could wait. There were two very important concerns right now; who was going to be her protector and Nermina’s safety along with the worrisome threat of Mecaldorf.
Sera considering talking further with Keelor about his thoughts regarding the decision and knew he would probably be found by the river but she thought it best to allow him time to think. She wondered how he would feel if that were to be the outcome.
When the long mystic hour was finally up, they walked together towards the garden to find out Sera and Nermina’s fate. They arrived to find the elders and protectors already in place and Sera stood tentatively at her place.
“We have decided once more to proceed with a vote. The elders are tied at four for and four against. We will now consult the princesses and protectors. Seraphina, I believe we are aware of your vote.” Kalar offered her a slight smile. Although Kalar should remain impassive and uphold the law, Seraphina’s bravery and conviction were commendable to Kalar.
They proceeded around the circle of the princesses. Tiana and Farina voted for and Mimi, Audrey and Keela voted against.
When it came time for the protectors to vote Sera held her breath, the tally was still even. Longing to know exactly how Keelor would vote, as it may be the decider as he would go last; Sera peered at him over her shoulder to find his face a mask. Had she expected any different? She groaned silently with frustration.
As they proceeded around once more Angeles, Tanner and Malena all were for the concept however Masseno, Andre and Nermo with two votes were against - which was of no surprise to Sera. Nermo would vote this way because of his ridiculous vision. Now as it stood currently, an against vote would result in this outcome and a for vote would cause a tie. As Keelor stepped forward to put forward his decision a voice called out ‘for’ from the forest and was followed by a pale skinned girl who Sera could only guess was the new vampire princess.