Of Lords and Commoners: Book 1 (Lords and Commoners Series)

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  Aaron studied us for a moment. “So that is why you were not interested in Riddick?”

  I did not know what he meant until I saw that he was staring at Elijah’s hand in mine. I did not think twice about it before but now I felt uneasy, so I quickly dropped Elijah’s hand. “We are not together.”

  Sonia and Aaron looked at each other with raised eyebrows — clearly not believing me.

  “Who is Riddick?” Elijah’s voice was deeper than usual. Something flashed through his pale blue eyes — anger, perhaps.

  “Oh no. I should not have mentioned it,” Aaron said under his breath.

  I turned to face Elijah. “I have so much to tell you but let’s get them settled in first.” There I was, back in another tangle, with someone I did not love bidding for my affections. I trusted Elijah and cared for him. Yet I did not love him as I did Teller. Will I ever be able to love again? I had to remind myself that, although it felt like a long time ago, it had only been a hair over two months since I’d lost Teller. I need more time.

  Elijah gave us a brief tour of some of the main rooms. The Great Hall was breathtaking and the library — spectacular. This palace put the mansion in Ludus and Ramdasha’s quarters to shame.

  He showed Sonia and Aaron to adjacent rooms. They seemed pleased with the place and content to retire to their new rooms. Elijah showed me to a room one floor up from theirs.

  “Where is your room?” I asked.

  He pointed to the door across from us.

  Of course, I thought. “Where are your father’s quarters?” I wanted to avoid Lord Chastellain for as long as possible.

  “Down the corridor on the right.” Elijah gestured. “I will let you get settled in. I need to inform Father that I am back and that you are here.”

  “Settled in — that won’t take long. I brought nothing and have nothing.” I had not even returned for my precious cloak for daytime walking. “Elijah, I have so much to tell you about Ramdasha’s plans.”

  “Good. Let me ease Father’s mind that we are well, then I will return.”

  I was glad he was not taking me to his father right away. The thought of seeing the lord again was unsettling, to say the least. I hated him for what he had done to me — what he had taken from me — which was everything. I nodded to Elijah and retired to my third new room in under three months. Is this what being a vampire is like, always on the move? I hope not.

  It was not a room; a chamber might be a better word for it. It was huge, with high ceilings and a large four-poster bed. The bed had its own canopy and silk curtains draped elegantly down to the floor. High windows with heavy curtains lined the far wall — to keep out the sunlight, no doubt. Amongst the windows were tall elegantly carved wooden doors leading out onto a large balcony.

  The view was wondrous. To the west, pristine faraway lakes glistened in the moonlight and not far off, lanterns in the city could be seen shining brightly. Fall was already coming to an end this far north. Some of the trees had already lost their brightly colored leaves.

  To the east of the city there was nothing but water, a seemingly endless ocean. It reminded me of the waters to the south of Constantinople. I could smell the sweet seawater from here.

  The sky in the east was growing brighter. Soon the sun would be up and I did not have a cloak to help protect my eyes. To have to leave the balcony and the beautiful views would be difficult. Yet I would soon have to retire inside. I was still on the balcony when a slight swish of air moved across me and Elijah appeared at my side.

  “What do you think? I hope you will like it here.” His voice was low and soft.

  “It is beautiful. The palace, the view, everything — it is too much. You are very gracious to allow us in your home. Thank you.”

  “The Oresund. Magnificent, isn’t it?” Elijah had been looking out over the vast waters to the east

  “And the city, is that Copenhagen?” I asked.

  “Aye, a wonderful place.” We studied the scene a bit longer before he continued, “I had this room prepared for you. I’d hoped it would be yours someday.”

  “You are too kind and generous.” The guilt was difficult to contend with. I did not deserve all this. The previous day and night came flooding into my memory. Where should I start?

  “Two nights ago when you found me, I had been attending a banquet that Ramdasha held for Lord Mendoza of Portugal and Lord Belleaire of France. Ramdasha is trying to gain supporters so he will be powerful enough to challenge the High Court of Elders. Riddick said that the Portuguese and French Lords were joining Ramdasha. Ramdasha toasted them, calling them ‘comrades.’”

  Elijah’s brow furrowed. “This is not good news. To lose the support of Portugal and France brings us one step closer to war. How many others have pledged their support to Ramdasha?”

  “Riddick said that his only other supporters were in Macedonia and a small coven of vampires in Bulgaria. He also informed me that Hungary is reluctant to defy the Elders at this point. Ramdasha is still trying to convince their leaders to join him.”

  “How many are in Ramdasha’s coven in Constantinople?”

  “Twenty, now that we left.”

  A warm smile came over Elijah’s face. “We must arrange a meeting with the Elders straightaway. It may have been fortuitous that you wandered into Constantinople after all.”

  The thought of seeing Lord Chastellain again made my stomach turn. It was difficult to fully grasp the idea that he was on the right side. He was fighting to keep vampires a secret and protecting humans as much as possible but in my mind he was still the enemy. I could never forgive him. “I don’t want to see your father.”

  “I understand. My father has done horrible things. He wanted me to be happy, that is why he turned you. He …” Elijah trailed off. “It is complicated.”

  I nodded; I would have to put my personal feelings aside. It was more important that the lord and the rest of the Elders knew Ramdasha’s plans.

  “Who is this … Riddick?” Elijah frowned.

  “He is Ramdasha’s right-hand man, a skilled warrior and he is training Ramdasha’s coven to fight. He is a henchman, of sorts. He cares only about personal gain and status. I started training with him and avoided his advances. As I learned more about Ramdasha’s aspirations, it dawned on me that I could use him to gain information — the information I just revealed to you.”

  Elijah’s expression remained stern. “He was enamored with you and he told you all this?”

  I nodded.

  “How far did you have to … take this relationship?” The hardness was back in his voice.

  “I did not sleep with him, if that is what you are asking. Though it is none of your business!” I headed inside; the new day’s sun was stinging my eyes.

  Elijah followed. “I’m sorry; you are right. You are not promised to me but you know how I feel about you.”

  I sat down on the edge of the bed. Elijah sat beside me. He gently rubbed a hand down my hair.

  I grabbed his hand to stop him. I had to deal with this sooner rather than later. “You know how much I loved Teller. It has been under three months since I lost him. Since I lost everything. I need … time.”

  Elijah’s stormy eyes were raging. He nodded. “I have waited hundreds of years to find someone whom I wanted to be with for an eternity. I can wait another hundred years if I must.” He gave the slightest smile. “Though I pray it does not take that long.”

  He was wonderful. I don’t deserve a man like Elijah anyway, I thought. I resisted the urge to lay my head on his shoulder — to be comforted by him. I made myself move to the window instead. I peered out at the breathtaking view of the sun rising from the ocean.

  “I have news of my own.” He hesitated. “Our fathers have been writing to each other.”

  I could not believe it. News from home! My heart leapt into my throat. I turned to Elijah with wide expectant eyes.

  “Your father’s letters say that, while he is respecting your wish to be le
ft alone, Teller never believed for an instant that you joined a convent.” Elijah chuckled, apparently amused by my lie. “Teller has searched several convents around Ludus. He has made his way as far as Targoviste, so I hear. Since he has not found you, obviously, his suspicions that you ran off with me are becoming more predominant. Father assured Adam that we had not seen you since we left town — which was true at the time.”

  Of course. We all left town at the same time. It would make sense that I had disappeared with the Chastellains.

  “I would not be surprised to find Teller at our doorstep someday,” Elijah continued. “Some of the townspeople blame us for the murders and your kidnapping. Some even suspect us of being monsters. Others think we are innocent — two lovers who ran off together.”

  I sat down hard on the bed. “It would be dangerous for Teller to come here, wouldn’t it?”

  “I would say so. There is an average of thirty vampires who come and go from here. One lone human would be in trouble if any of them were hungry.”

  I shivered at the thought. “Will I ever be able to go home … even for a visit?”

  “Perhaps, someday. I will help you learn to control your thirst and perhaps not to kill your prey. I’ve been working on it and I’m getting better.”

  Could that be possible? Could I learn to feed without killing? That would be inconceivably wonderful. Excitement rushed through my veins. Father’s warning came to mind, if something is too good to be true then it usually is. Don’t get your hopes up, I told myself. “You are toying with me?”

  Elijah laughed. “No, I would not joke about this. It has taken me a long time but I have done it. Hopefully, you will be able to do the same, in due time. For now, I must organize a meeting of the Elders. We will call for you soon.” He turned in the doorway on his way out. “You know, I did try to stop you from feeding.”

  I smiled. “I know.” He was a true friend. He respected my choices. He also let me go when I needed to be alone. That was why I trusted him and could not stay angry with him. His father was another matter entirely.

  Chapter 35 Copenhagen 1260 A.D

  It was indeed soon when the High Court of Elders called for me. By nightfall, a knock came at the door. I expected Elijah but instead it was a vaguely familiar vampire — judging by his scent. This was no place for humans anyway.

  “Good evening, My Lady. The lord has requested your presence. Please follow me.”

  I eyed him intently. “Don’t I know you?”

  “Yes, My Lady. I have seen you before.”

  “I remember. You came to lunch to deliver a message to Lord Chastellain back in Ludus,” I said.

  “That is right. It is good to see you again, My Lady. Welcome to the family.”

  Family? I thought as we walked down the hall. Is this a family? I was skeptical.

  “I don’t even know your name,” I said.

  “My name is John. I have been with Lord Chastellain for roughly seven hundred years.”

  “You are the one who raised Elijah … while his father was … away?” I was not sure I should be discussing the past so openly.

  “That is correct. Elijah is like a son to me. I am grateful for the immortal life the lord gave me. I do anything and everything the family requires.” John spoke with pride and confidence.

  This was fascinating. It was as if John lived to serve Chastellain. He actually felt blessed to have been turned into a vampire. I clearly did not share this feeling, nor did I understand John’s intense loyalty to Chastellain.

  John walked me to Aaron’s and Sonia’s rooms and requested that they attend the emergency meeting of the High Court of Elders. They agreed to follow but glanced at one another with worried expressions.

  “All will be well,” I tried to reassure them. Yet because of my own trepidation at seeing Chastellain again, I was not entirely sure my attempt to comfort them was convincing. “How are you liking it here so far?” I changed the subject.

  “This place is spectacular,” Sonia whispered.

  “I will tell you after this meeting.” Aaron gave me a nervous smile.

  I tried to put them at ease with a smile of my own. I hoped it helped.

  The Great Hall was sparsely decorated, with plenty of open floor space. The floor was the same glassy marble as the Hagia Sophia but much more colorful. Large squares of marble were placed in a white, dark green and black pattern. The ceilings were wondrously high and there was a dais that held a long row of chairs — or thrones, rather. In the center was the most elaborately decorated throne. It was made of intricately molded gold with bright red cushions. On it sat the figure of a man I had hoped never to see again — Lord Chastellain.

  Elijah was seated to the right of his father. To the right of Elijah was Samuel. I quickly counted twelve Elders of the Court and there were another dozen vampires standing or sitting about the room. Many of the others looked like guards or servants. Lord Chastellain stood as we approached.

  Here we go. Control your temper. Remember, he is not all bad, I tried to encourage myself.

  “Welcome to Denmark, My Lady.” Lord Chastellain’s smile could be perceived as being warm or mocking.

  How does he do that? Both pleasant and evil at the same time. I thought. My jaw tightened.

  “I told my son not to fear, that we would see you again soon. I am impressed you made it out there on your own for as long as you did.” Lord Chastellain kissed my hand.

  I gave the slightest bow, trying my hardest to be respectful, as heat rushed to my cheeks. Was he antagonizing me — taunting me, even? If that was the case, he was succeeding. I said nothing out of fear that, if I spoke, it would be an insult. We stared at each other for a tense moment and after getting no response from me, he moved on to Aaron.

  “My Lord.” Aaron bowed deeply. “I am Aaron of Constantinople and this is Sonia.” He gestured to the little girl, who was — ironically — older than I.

  Lord Chastellain eyed Aaron for quite some time. It was as if he could see into Aaron’s soul. Finally, the lord smiled. “Welcome, Aaron of Constantinople. Are you comfortable here thus far?”

  “Yes, My Lord, thank you,” Aaron said.

  “Do let us know if there is anything you need.” Chastellain moved to greet Sonia.

  Aaron stepped closer to Sonia as well. I realized he was positioning himself to protect her if needed.

  “My dear.” He gently took Sonia’s hands in his. “So young. Who would turn such a beautiful, innocent maiden into one of us?”

  “It was …” Sonia’s voice was barely audible. “I was turned by Lord Ramdasha,” she managed to get out.

  Chastellain watched her patiently with a gentleness that I had never seen in him before.

  Sonia went on, “He thought that young humans who were turned into vampires would be more easily led … meaning, they would be more likely to follow him without question. He created a number of us.”

  Slowly, so as not to startle the young girl, the lord raised his hand to her cheek. “My sweet dear. But his plan did not work, now, did it? You were not willing to follow him blindly, as you are here.” He spoke with the compassion of a loving father.

  Sonia leaned her cheek into his hand, as if gaining comfort from it. “Yes, My Lord.” Her voice was more confident.

  Aaron gave me a questioning look. I shrugged in response, as I had never seen this side of the lord. He seemed sincere but this was not the man I remembered and hated.

  I thought of my first meeting with Ramdasha. He had been so blatantly cold and calculating that, thankfully, I had told him nothing but lies. Lord Chastellain was able to win Sonia over with a few kind words. She was openly willing to tell him the truth about how she had been turned. He even appeared to gain her allegiance, something Ramdasha had failed to do with either of us. I had a feeling that Chastellain had compassion for the young-looking girl but even if it was feigned, I could not help admiring his approach.

  Perhaps he is indeed a good leader maybe even a
great one. This thought filled me with hope. I was remined of something I had read while in Constantinople. If leaders inspired allegiance with love and compassion, then their armies would be stronger than any commanded with fear. An army driven by loyalty and respect for their leader would best an army driven by a lust for power and the fear of their leader.

  “I welcome all three of you into the Court as allies. These are the Elders,” Chastellain gestured toward the long row of twelve chairs. “They are the leaders, or the respective ambassadors from our allies in the North.”

  Samuel stepped forward. He took my hand and kissed it. “It is a great pleasure to see you again, My Lady.”

  I smiled and bowed slightly in response.

  The lord had returned to his throne. “You have news for us from Ramdasha’s coven?”

  I recounted everything to the Elders. They seemed displeased with the news of losing France and Portugal’s support.

  Aaron confirmed my story, as he had listened to Ramdasha and Riddick, as best he could at the banquet. Aaron added that he had overheard two of Ramdasha’s guards saying that they would be escorting Ramdasha to Hungary within the next couple of days. “I can only assume that it is to try to persuade the Hungarian coven to join his cause,” Aaron finished.

  “We must send liaisons to Hungary at once,” one of the Elders said. I recognized him as Lord Alexandru from the Chastellains’ ball in Ludus.

  “Perhaps I myself should go,” Lord Chastellain said. “We can’t afford to lose Hungary.”

  I had to agree; if anyone could convince the leaders in Hungary to remain loyal to the Elders, it was Lord Chastellain. “My son and I will leave at once,” the lord finished.

  My stomach dropped. “Aaron,” I whispered, “was Riddick one of the guards accompanying Ramdasha?”

  “Of course, why?”

  “My Lord, if I may.” I ventured to take a step toward Chastellain. “I do not think it wise that Elijah accompany you.”

  The lord raised an eyebrow.

  Oh no, how do I explain? “You see, one of the guards who will be protecting Ramdasha does not care for … your son, not for political reasons but for …” How do I say it? “He views Elijah as a romantic rival, so to speak. Elijah’s presence would only infuriate him. He may even challenge Elijah. Elijah would be a distraction from peaceful negotiations.”