I scanned the crowd, noticing for the first time how very few women there were. I remembered Gavyn saying his people were dying out. I frowned. I had forgotten until now. Seth was supposed to help him bring his people back from the edge of extinction. Something must have gone wrong. The plans must have shifted out of Gavyn’s favor. If his people were dying, I could understand his desperation. All of a sudden, I didn’t feel so trapped.
“You will bathe, and then we will feast in honor of your arrival.” Gavyn’s eyes fell on me. His people’s eyes followed his gaze and I soon found myself under the scrutiny of a race of supermodels.
Uncomfortably self-conscious, I took a small step back. I looked down at the mess that covered me. Blood, dirt and bits and pieces of my enemies clung to my clothing and stuck to my skin. My hair was a long tangled mass of bloody knots. My feet were bare and battered. Basically, I looked like I’d been through hell.
Two of the women from the large group came forward to grasp Ann’s and my hands. “We will attend to your bath and provide you with fresh clothing.” They swiftly led us away with sincere smiles on their faces.
They seemed neither surprised nor bothered by the evidence of violence that covered me from top to bottom. I looked back to see if they were assisting Lucian as well. Our eyes met and I smiled, hoping to convince him to relax and not start a scene.
“This is freaking bizarre, Gracie. Have you ever seen a group of more perfect people in your life? I feel like a sideshow freak next to these gazelles.” Anne pointed to the tall slender figures who attended us. “Let’s just hope we clean up enough to be presentable. Did you see those men? I mean, whoa! Its like my own private ice cream bar.” Ann heaved a feminine sigh. I rolled my eyes. Personally, I was getting rather sick of gorgeous men.
“We need to be a hell of a lot more than presentable if we are to stand out with the women of this place.” I scoffed under my breath. We weren’t hags, but waif-thin, flawless beauties, we were not.
“This is our bathing chamber,” the brunette woman stated as we entered one of the iridescent houses. “Please, remove your clothing. We will dispose of them and provide you with suitable garments for the celebration tonight.” She smiled warmly, her eyes pausing on me for a heartbeat. Somehow, I gathered she knew who, (or should I say, what) I was.
Ann and I both nodded like a couple of bobbleheads, our eyes fixed on the huge swimming pool before us. “This is a bathtub?” Ann exclaimed, voicing my own thoughts. “It’s gigantic! Big enough for everyone at once!” She stopped short and her eyes grew huge. “I assume there is another one around here for the men, right? I’m not going to strip down to nothing and have and bunch of guys pop up, am I?”
“Do not fret. Although both men and women share this chamber, you are guests, and no one will intrude while you are bathing, or any other manner of rude behavior. Please do not worry, your man will be taken to the river to bathe. The waters there are warm. Many of our men prefer to bathe there.” She turned, grabbing a large glass vial, and began pouring some of its contents into the pool.
“This potion is of my own making. It consists of healing herbs and the purest balms. It will sooth your aches and heal your wounds.”
I watched as the bluish liquid swirled and spun in the water. She reached out a delicate hand as if testing the temperature. “I am Andrea, and this is my daughter, Misha.”
Ann and I turned to look at the other woman. She was standing by the entrance, her hands folded demurely. They looked about the same age, no older than twenty. Damn, to be part of that gene pool!
“We are very pleased to meet you both, and thank you for your hospitality,” I said, smiling. I was thinking a simple “thank you” was nowhere near adequate enough for how I felt at the prospect of being clean again.
“We will leave you now.” Andrea said, “And return shortly with your clothing.”
They left, closing the door soundlessly behind them.
I began the arduous task of peeling my blood-caked, brain-laden clothing from my body. My skin was stained pink where the blood was especially thick. The dry goop pulled at my skin, making me grimace. I pulled my panties and shredded bra off and tossed the disgusting garments into a pile by the door.
Ann’s clothing was much easier for her to remove, being as she was already half naked. Soon, we were both stepping gingerly into the soothing pool. We walked out until the water hit our shoulders. I could feel the strange liquid tingling along my skin, making me feel energized with each passing second.
“This is heaven,” Ann moaned. “Do you think they’d get offended if we stayed here all night?”
“I don’t know, and I almost don’t care.” I swam to the other end of the pool where several jars and bottles were placed. “Do you think they use regular shampoo? My hair really needs a good scrubbing.” I reached for a bottle. The contents smelled delicious. “Whatever this is, it’s fantastic.” I poured a small amount into my hand, feeling the silky consistency.
“Think it’s soap?” she asked. “We are in a bathing chamber, so I think it’s safe to assume these are here for bathing.”
That was good enough for me. I poured a larger amount into my hand and began massaging it into my hair. It felt great. My scalp tingled, feeling alive and fresh once again.
Ann swam over to the bottles and began washing her hair with the liquid as well. She grabbed a sponge from a silver basket and lathered her arms with the same bottle. Taking her lead, I did the same, and in no time we were sparkling clean and feeling wonderful.
I was floating on my back, the healing water lapping at my battered body. Ann was humming some song I couldn’t identify and sounding more like herself. Her foray into hell seemed to be working itself to the back of her injured mind.
“This is a fairyland, Gracie. I think I could live here.”
“All this from a good soak in a tub?” I was smiling at the ceiling, my ears filled with water as I turned to see her face.
“Don’t you feel it?” she asked, frowning at me from the far edge of the pool. “The draw of this place, the beauty? It’s the world I’d always imagined when I was a little girl, the beautiful fairy people, the enchanted forest, the magic. Why, I bet if I asked to go for a ride, they’d bring me a unicorn!”
“I feel it, but it’s not the same. While you’re imagining unicorns, I’m envisioning dragons. Don’t let your guard down, Annie. This is a strange world. Don’t make the assumption that these people are your friends. We don’t know them and we can’t trust them yet. Let them earn it.”
“How can you say that?” she scoffed. “They are so beautiful, so graceful. They aren’t trolls. How can they be bad? I don’t see them drinking blood or strapping us to some bed in a dungeon. They gave us a bath, they are healing our wounds, they’re going to feed us. If they’re not good people, I’ll eat Lucian’s loincloth!”
I swam to the ledge, pushing myself out of the pool and moved to the edge where Ann sat. My mind was racing, I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Beauty?” I yelled. “That’s your main argument? Are you forgetting the beauty of the vampires? They rival all of these men.” I gestured wildly around the empty room. “You of all people should know that beauty can be a disguise for the cruelest creatures of all.”
“I know, Grace, I haven’t forgotten, but they are different. I know it… I just know it.” She stood, the water sluicing off her legs to puddle on the pearl floor.
“Okay, Annie, you go ahead and believe, but don’t let fantasy get you in over your head. Be careful”
Just then, the door opened and in walked several of the village ladies, all laden with piles of clothing. Some carried small vials and bottles. One carried a wild looking headdress. Long silver strands hung like hair making it almost as tall as she was.
Andrea stood by her daughter, directing the women around the room as they arranged the items on a single long table.
Ann and I were rooted to the spot, our eyes taking in all the preparations.
We were led silently to two dainty silver chairs.
Andrea stepped close, “We have been sent to prepare you for the feast. As we speak, our people are gathering in the Hall and are most anxious to begin the negotiations.” She smiled warmly, her attractive features made even lovelier by the gesture. “We are all so very honored by your presence.”
“So,” I stammered, wide-eyed, “you are aware of who we are? And why Gavyn brought us here?”
“Why, yes, of course, we all are.” She seemed surprised, “You are our savior; you will rekindle life where there is none. You will bless the wombs of our women and save our young from falling into eternal sleep.”
I almost laughed. “But, no pressure, I wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed.” I smiled with too much teeth as I watched her process my sarcasm. A small smile played at her lips.
“You do not realize your stature,” she said patiently. “Gavyn would never have allied his people to such as where you found him. He is a great man, a noble man, but our need is greater, you must see that.”
“I’ll reserve my opinion until I see how honorable he really is. He took something of mine. I want it back, and right now that is all that matters to me.”
Her eyes went cool for an instant. Her loyalty to Gavyn was impressive.
“I noticed there aren’t many women around. This seems like a village mostly of men. I’m not complaining, mind you, but it seems that with looks like theirs, one would expect every female within a thousand miles to be galloping to this place.”
Her face fell. “You jest, but it is a sad fact. The women you see are all the women that are left of our people. We number a mere fifty and all but the youngest have wed. Most are already promised, so it makes for a hard life of frustration for most of our men.”
I glanced at Ann, whom the women were dressing. I hadn’t noticed at first, but my conversation with Andrea had prevented the women from attending to me. I still sat bare-ass naked, but the conversation was shedding some much needed light. My nudity was the least of my worries.
“No, offense and I really mean no disrespect,” I said, “but if your people have infertility problems, and you’re facing extinction, wouldn’t it be wise to try and get pregnant with as many partners as possible? I mean, what if a woman’s husband were the infertile? You could be wasting a perfectly good womb.”
My eyes searched hers to find the pain I was sure to have inflicted, but all I saw was a deep sadness.
“This too has been tried. It would seem that all but a very few of our women are barren. And of those small few, only a smaller few have had the fortune to bear a living child. It is as if a curse has been placed on our race. We seem doomed to extinction. Our men are desperate. Some have tried to breed with those closest to our species, but human women exist in a different realm than ours and do not deal well with our reality. Still, we must do all that is possible.”
I peered at Ann, whose eyes were huge and I could see the wheels turning in her head. I think Andrea’s people just found themselves a willing human broodmare. Turning back, my eyes fell on the beautiful Misha.
“You’re not barren; you have a daughter. Can’t you have anymore? You’re definitely young enough.”
She smiled again. The look on her face as she gazed at her daughter was one of love and pride. “Yes, I have a daughter, but sadly she was the only one of several births to live beyond the womb. I dare not try again. My body and my soul cannot cope with another loss.”
I flinched at her pain. Then scrambled to change gears, I asked, “Misha, are you old enough to wed?”
The young woman’s eyes lit up at my words.
“Why, yes! I am promised to be Wren on the next full moon. We will then see if I can contribute to the recovery of my people.”
“Well,” Andrea heaved a small sigh, “you are far overdue for your care. We will speak no more of these woes for now. Let us tend to you so that you may be honored at our feast.”
I was pulled to my feet and turned around by several delicate hands, each assuming a different task. My hair was brushed and styled and my face made up by fabulous, aromatic items that came from tiny silver boxes. I was dressed in a gown; or what I presumed was a gown. I couldn’t really see as my head was held in a vise-like grip while they fitted me with the huge headdress. It was fastened to several pieces of my own hair with surprisingly little discomfort.
At long last, the curtain of waifs parted and I was free to examine myself.
I lowered my head slowly, testing the weight of the enormous decoration on my head. I was surprised to find it very light, considering the size.
My eyes found Ann and I was thunderstruck. She was more beautiful than I had ever seen her before. A gown of flowing silken scarves danced around her in a rainbow of soft colors. Her legs and tummy were exposed in an artful fashion and her hair was straight. Two small strands were tied back with the same silver beads all the people wore. She looked as lovely as any of these stunning females.
“Annie, honey, I believe you got your wish. You look incredible!”
She turned her smiling face from the full-length mirror, “My God, Gracie, you are the Fairy Queen!” she sighed cheerfully.
I smiled, feeling like I just stepped out of a show in Vegas. I walked to the mirror, watching a slack-jawed look overwhelm my best friend’s face. Then I understood. The long pale blue gown I wore was very revealing. The neck plunged in a V past my navel, exposing the roundness of my breasts. It gathered just below my navel and flowed down to open again to show my legs. The sleeves were long and fell in soft, flower-like petals a few inches past my hands. Long slits revealed my arms to the wrist.
My body was clean and free from any bruising. Only the smallest scars remained from Seth’s ardor. That small reminder of him would stay with me forever. I felt so glad he was unable to change me into a vampire.
My reflection took my breath away and my wandering thoughts evaporated. The headdress was amazing. It was made of tiny silver strands, woven and interlaced throughout my thick hair, which was left down to flow in long curls against my bare back. The top of the decoration was fashioned like a crown with several needle-thin strands of silver twisted to decorate my forehead.
Vegas this was not. I almost agreed with Ann. I looked like a Fairy Queen.
“Perfect!” Misha exclaimed with a smile. “You are ready.”
Most of the ladies preceded us out of the bathing chamber. We were told to walk slowly behind the group so that we could meet with Lucian and enter the hall in unison.
Thirty-one
The walk was short and soon we were approaching what must be the Great Hall. People were milling around the entrance and I scanned the crowd, trying to find Lucian in the vast sea of men. The throng appeared to disperse as word of our arrival spread. They all began to flood en masse through the doors, leaving only a small group outside.
Lucian was there. He looked magnificent in a pale blue tunic. The square neckline revealed a modest amount of muscular chest. His soft looking pants clung in all the right places, forcing me to school my gaze. His face, as ever, was incredibly handsome and his golden skin shone healthy and vibrant. His strong jaw was set in a firm, unhappy line. He seemed ready to brawl as he surveyed the area.
Our eyes met and his mouth spread into a rare and beautiful smile. He ran to us as we approached the door.
“Grace! You look amazing.” He bent and brushed his warm lips to mine. “I’m so happy you’re alright. And Ann, how beautiful you look.” He pulled her into a tight hug, which she returned warmly, clearly happy to see him.
We stood in front of the doors, not sure what to do next when Gavyn and another man approached.
“Lucian, if you will escort our fair Grace, and Tobias, please take the arm of the fair Ann, that we may enter the hall and begin the feast.”
I placed my hand in Lucian’s warm grip and Ann linked arms with her golden escort. Her face turned a lovely pink as she gazed at her handsome companion. We followed Gavy
n, entering the room through rounded double doors. The long tables were already filled with men. I scanned the room, searching for Andrea and the other women, but they were nowhere to be found.
“Where are all of the ladies?” I whispered to Lucian. “Weren’t they invited to the feast?”
Lucian leaned a bit to my side and whispered back, “I heard some of the men say they would only join us if things went well, whatever that means.”
“I think I might have an idea what they mean,” I said quietly.
He stood straight again as we arrived at the main table, where we were led to our seats. Ann and I were offered our seats before any of the men would take theirs. The murmurs in the room died quickly as we sat.
I felt both energized and nervous. Gavyn hadn’t briefed me in the least about this meeting, but from what I learned so far, I knew they were incredibly desperate. I understood their pain and how much they believed that I was the only answer. Looking out at these beautiful people, I knew I couldn’t let them die out. I wanted to help them, I had to help.
Gavyn stood. His voice rang out across the room. “My brothers,” he began. “We have suffered many lifetimes with no hope for a solution to our dilemma. Then, out of the grim darkness came a call from the great vampire, Lord McPhee. His goal - to unite the leaders of all species under his rule - was a lofty one. He claimed to have a weapon, so powerful no being from any living realm would be able to oppose him. This was curious news indeed. For what could possibly be powerful enough to thwart the magic and command of all the great heads? Well, in his arrogance and pride, the foolish Lord McPhee revealed that his great weapon was not his at all, but belonged to the ancient Madea. Our race is an ancient people with a vast knowledge of the great Madea, so at long last we finally saw a shred of hope.”
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