Bloodbourne

by Sasha Pruett

  “Yeah, but remember the age thing Delphine. You have to be of age to be able to marry.”

  “Then that means she has her choice between Rais and Drakon then doesn’t she?”

  “Oh, what a choice. Calynn I’d go with Drakon, he already seems quite taken with you.” She sing-songed the last part and fluttered her eyelashes.

  “Am I interrupting anything dear sisters?”

  “Oh absolutely Drakon, you always seem to pop up nowadays. Ever since Calynn came here that is. Is there something we should know?” Delphine gave him a not-so-sly smile and turned back to her designs assured her designated work was done for the day.

  “Calynn I thought we could go for a walk if you’ve had enough of Tweedledee and Tweedledum here. It’s very nice outside today. We may not have too many pleasant days left before the weather turns.”

  “That sounds like a good idea, unless I’m needed here?”

  “Oh no, I think we’re all through here. What do you think Delphine? Are we through?” Lizzy smirked and wagged her eyebrows.

  “I think that should about cover it. We got everything we need; the measurements and such that is.”

  He draped a jacket around her shoulders and offered his arm, then as they got around the corner he took her hand in his and kissed it, fighting the urge to kiss her fully the entire time. He had a lot to tell her and now was not the time. He quickly guided her to yet another spot in the woods making her wonder just how expansive their estate was and how many ‘secret’ spots he had.

  “Well, that’s that. I don’t think I could have missed the hint if I were unconscious. Should I throw myself at you now and beg you to marry me or should we wait for an audience later tonight?”

  “And deny them the pleasure of listening in to the culmination of all of their conniving and planning these past few weeks? Do you even have to ask?”

  “Tonight it is, then.” She inhaled deeply, this was it.

  “It’s a date. Calynn, I need to tell you something. One of Dr. Edme’s assistants was nosing around the library archives last night. Now, the histories are still in my possession, but this may mean the doctor is shifting his focus and could discover the truth.”

  “Then you need to tell your father.”

  “That’s what I was planning right after our walk, I only wanted to let you know first. We’re in this together, right?”

  “Right, so what happens now, after I pop the question that is? Do we go to your father or do you tell him or what?”

  “I will need to inform him first, though he’ll already have been told by his resident spy. Afterwards you’ll need to go to him and state your request for siring rights. Don’t worry I won’t be far and I’ll be listening the entire time.”

  “You know this is kind of backwards from the way it’s supposed to be. Traditionally it’s the man that’s supposed to go to the girl’s father and ask for his blessing.”

  He could tell she was nervous. The last time she’d stood before his father she was seconds from having the life slowly drained from her body. He stepped beside her and wrapped her in his arms.

  “It’s okay to be scared.”

  “Scared? Who’s scared? I didn’t say anything about being scared, but if you’re getting cold feet now’s the time to tell me.”

  “Calynn.”

  “Okay okay, maybe the idea of walking into that room with your father is a little… unsettling. He was about to serve me up for lunch before deciding I’d make good daughter-in-law material. Boy, talk about your hot and cold mood swings. He could use some serious Xanax.”

  “If you want I can go in with you, be there the entire time right by your side.”

  She had to admit she was more nervous than she thought she’d be, but it was almost over. If this was what it was going to take to be free then she’d just have to face her demon. After all, she isn’t the first person to think her in-laws were monsters and she wouldn’t be the last, she just had the unfortunate instance to be right.

  “Thanks Drakon, but I’d better do it alone. It might send the wrong message if we walk in there together, you’re not exactly supposed to be happy about taking a human wife.”

  “Alright, but remember I’m close by if you need me.”

  “Anything else I should know?”

  “Not really, I’ll go over it with you tonight. It’ll be more natural that way anyway. Come on, I’ll take you back.”

  “Not to Delphine’s studio I hope. I don’t think I can handle trying to concentrate on them and everything else too, especially knowing that you’ll be telling your father about me, my bloodline anyway. How do you think he’ll react? It won’t make things worse will it?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but it will definitely shift the focus of his plans and his research?”

  “Plans?” Now what?

  “I’m not certain, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t been searching for other ways to benefit from the situation. Just your existence opens the possibility that there are more like you out there or at least could be if the right conditions are met. Right now he has an advantage with you, but if that could be duplicated in another clan, then…”

  “His advantage is out the window. That makes sense, he must be on edge waiting for some answers.”

  “He is. More than one servant has been injured with his tirades of late because of it. My father is not used to being left waiting and he enjoys it even less.”

  “Then he must be over the moon about us.”

  “Not as much as you’re thinking. With you he has a definite plan that is currently under way. He gets regular updates, and is able to witness the progress. Of which I’d better get to.”

  “Okay you can take me back, but you’d better not keep me waiting long tonight.”

  “Never my dear.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Drakon entered his father’s study, his arms filled with scrolls and books.

  “Drakon good, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been informed our dear girl has been apprised of our marriage laws, has anything developed?”

  “Not yet father, it seems she needs privacy to process the idea and its implications, but we anticipated that. I’m giving it some time and I’ll be visiting her tonight to ‘seal the deal’ as they say. At present, I have a more pressing matter to discuss with you if you’re available?”

  “Go on.”

  Drakon opened one of the scrolls and placed it before his father on the desk.

  “It will come as no surprise to you, but I too have been looking into the reason behind the girl’s conceptive ability. I hope you don’t mind my intrusion into this matter, but my faith in the good doctor is limited. If he has, in effect, discovered anything pertinent than I will gladly apologize.” He waited for his father to correct him, though he knew he wouldn’t.

  “I figured he would be concentrating on the girl, so I focused on our kind; our history actually. I’ve been studying them and I believe I’ve discovered something of interest as you can see here.” He spent the next fifteen minutes going over his theory with Sir Drake. Then sat in silence while his father read over the documents he’d provided pondering the possibility.

  “Very interesting Drakon.”

  “It may help direct your testing in the future thereby eliminating needless experiments and wasted time.”

  “Yes, it would.” His voice was deep and rough, a sure sign of his volcanic temper. Drakon could only hope it would be directed at the doctor’s failures and single-mindedness then at his own intrusion into their research.

  “Shall I leave so that you can discuss this with Dr. Edme?”

  “No, I don’t think that will be necessary Drakon. You’ve more than proven your value in this matter, I believe it will be quite advantageous to have you present.” He placed a call to the doctor requesting his immediate presence. Or as Calynn would put it, ‘get his butt there pronto’.

  *****

  “Dr. Edme, so good of you to join us. Please
have a seat. Tell me doctor, has there been any developments with your research?”

  “No Sir Drake. I regret that I have yet to isolate the factor behind the girl’s ability to conceive.”

  “Well then you should pay attention. Drakon here has developed a theory that could answer a few questions. Test the girl’s samples for genetic markers from our kind. She may have a heritage that reaches back before the mandatory sterilization of servants.”

  The doctor glanced at the papers on the desk and a hint of anger flared. So that’s where those documents were. It should have been him making the discovery and earning the master’s admiration. Now he would have to work even harder for that distinction.

  “Absolutely sir. I’ll start analyzing all her samples immediately. Is there anything else I can do for you sir?”

  “No. I think you know where to go from here and how significant this is. You may go.”

  Once they were alone, the conversation continued.

  “I believe you have angered Dr. Edme with your little stunt here Drakon.”

  “I find I do not care about the doctor’s opinion of me. I have my own interests to consider here, her ability to produce future offspring and any impact it could have on me.”

  “Agreed. When will you be visiting the girl?”

  “When we’re through. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to return this evening to give you an update on my efforts though father.”

  “Yes, I understand, but I will expect you tomorrow. We are too close now for you to be lax in keeping me informed. Is there anything you need?”

  “No.” and he stood up to leave, but turned as he reached the door, “… but I would like to request that I be kept informed of the doctor’s progress. If you think I have earned it that is. I may have to alter my behavior accordingly.”

  Sir Drake stared at him hard, “You will indeed.”

  “Then I’ll bid you goodnight father.”

  “Happy hunting Drakon.”

  Drakon nodded with a sly grin and left making his way the back way to Calynn’s room.

  *****

  She felt him the moment he was near and was more than a little glad to be getting this over with. She’d been thinking about it all afternoon and evening, pacing her rooms; almost obsessing at times. She had to remind herself that it wasn’t real it was all just an act, but it was one her life depended on. No, it was an act that all three of their lives depended on. What if she messed up? Said the wrong thing, too much, not enough; it was all parading around in her head like a headache that wouldn’t go away, and then he was there. This was it; show time. Calynn had no idea how many in the house would be listening in, but the list no doubt included his sisters, Millie, Lady Anula’s personal maid if not the great lady herself and very possibly the old man Drake as well. Funny she’d never wanted to be an actress before. That’s when she noticed Drakon turning to leave.

  “Drakon, wait where are you going?”

  “Calynn I’m sorry. I thought I could do this but, I shouldn’t have come. I just wanted to see you one last time.”

  “Last time, what do you mean ‘last time’?”

  Boy she catches on quick, yet another one of the many things he was growing to…, “Calynn I can’t do this anymore. I’m putting you in danger just by being here.”

  “Big deal, do I look like I care? Drakon you’re the one good thing I have in this place you can’t leave!”

  “Calynn you don’t understand. If they find out I…”

  “That you what? What Drakon? What could be so bad?”

  “That I’ve fallen for you Calynn.” He went to her, caressing her cheek with the back of his fingers, brushing his thumb back and forth across her bottom lip. “Hopelessly and totally.”

  “Isn’t that a reason to stay, to stay with me?”

  “You’re very precious to this family Calynn, to my father and the idea that I’ve been growing close to you, that I could cause any deviation from his plan. If it was just me I’d burn that bridge, because you’re worth any suffering that he’d could inflict, but I couldn’t bare it if he took it out on you somehow.”

  “He’d do that?”

  “I don’t know. My father is not used to being disobeyed and he gave strict orders that you were off limits to all his son’s, even me. We’ve gotten away with it so far, but my father is a very intelligent man that no one in this house would dare defy; well almost no one. My sisters already suspect. It won’t take him long to discover this, to discover us.” His voice lowered as if he was speaking more to himself than to her.

  “So what if he does?”

  “Calynn you’re carrying a child of the house of Drake and that makes you beyond special. The way he sees it I could very well be corrupting you, or cause a danger to the child. He won’t take that lightly. Don’t you see, I have to go? It’s the only way that I can protect you.” Then he kissed her. A kiss full of longing and sorrow as if he were really saying goodbye and she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

  “There has to be another way Drakon. I can’t lose you.”

  “There is no other way, believe me if there were I’d hold on and never let go.” Then he gently kissed her temple and turned to leave.

  “Wait, Drakon wait! You said I was important to your father, right?”

  “More than you realize.”

  “Then wouldn’t he rather keep me around, keep me tied to the family?”

  “What are talking about Calynn?”

  “What about paternal siring rights? Your sisters were talking about how in your clans or whatever if a guy gets a girl pregnant she can demand a marriage. Could I do that? Do you think he’d accept it?”

  “I…, I don’t know, but you don’t know who to ask for. I mean no one knows who the father is.”

  “Does it matter, in this case I mean? If what your sisters said is true then only you and your brother Rais are old enough to marry and your father would never allow the future head of the family to marry a human. That leaves you. Would you… I mean if he agreed, would you… be okay with it?” She wrung her hands nervously just in case someone was watching as well as listening.

  Drakon appeared in front of her before she could blink lifting her in the air and spinning her around then held her in close as if he’d hadn’t seen her in months. “Calynn you’re a genius! Of course, of course I’ll marry you.”

  “And you don’t mind, about the baby?”

  “The instant my father settles the match that child is mine, no matter what anyone says or thinks.”

  “Do you think he’d do it, approve the marriage since I’m human?”

  “Normally never, but like I said you’re very special to him and I think he’ll see the wisdom in it. It’ll tie you to the family for life are you okay with that?”

  “Why not, I’m going to be part of it one way or another, and they’re not so bad once you get to know them.”

  He held her tighter, “Oh Calynn you won’t regret this, I’ll be with you forever I promise.” They stood there holding onto each other as if they’d really just decided to wed. Neither one wanting to break the moment and each thinking it was good in case someone was watching. Drakon pushed her hair back a few times kissing her forehead and Calynn clung to his clothing like it was a life vest before finally taking her cue to continue with the charade.

  “Okay Drakon, how do I do this? Tell me what I need to do to get your father’s permission?” He led her to the bed and they sat face to face for a serious discussion.

  “Tomorrow you’ll need to go to my father, he’ll be in his study, that’s where he spends most of his time here at home. You’ll need to be firm and tell him that you want the protection of the family. That there’s no life for you outside these walls anymore and that since it is his duty to provide for you because you’re carrying a child of the House of Drake you are requesting siring rights for the responsible person. He’ll probably be stern and abrasive, but don’t back down it’s just his way of dominating the
exchange. He’ll bring me up as your only option, sort of a take it or leave it.”

  “Where will you be?”

  “I’ll be close by don’t worry. He’ll call for me to discuss the options. I won’t be able to let on about us so I’ll have to be stand offish, but in the end, I won’t disobey him. I can’t really tell you beyond that.”

  “Should I go first thing in the morning?”

  He thought about it and came up with a plan, “No, I’ll already be up and get a feel for how the mood is in the house. We don’t want to catch him in a bad temper. If the time is right I’ll send you a message. Then you’ll tell Millie that you want to see my father Sir Drake, always refer to him as Sir Drake or my lord or some other form of respect.”

  “Don’t worry I don’t dare get on his bad side, not now anyway. What about after the engagement, will we be able to spend more time together? Out in the open?”

  “I would like to think so, but it depends on how my father wants things to go. If he thinks I’m too willing he’ll know something’s up. We may have to take it slow at first, but I’ll see what I can do. It may work out in our favor, if he’s enthusiastic about the idea he may order me to be prince charming.”

  “And what do I need with a prince charming when I have you?”

  She leaned in and kissed him, her hand on his chest bundling his shirt in her first. When she pulled back by less than an inch she could hear him barely whisper, “This could be dangerous.”

  “Isn’t it always?”

  He cleared his throat to regain his composure, “I should go.”

  But she grabbed his arm and pulled him back toward her, “No, stay with me tonight Drakon. Please, I don’t want to be alone. Be here when I wake up?”

  He could see the longing in her eyes. Maybe not the same as what he was feeling, but just as she said she didn’t want to be left alone tonight and he wouldn’t deny her. Without a word, he slid into her bed wrapping his arms around her.