Chapter 15: Royalty
1882words
I stood in an antechamber, dressed in royal regalia that Adrian had commissioned—a gown of deepest crimson with the royal sigil embroidered in gold thread. My hair was elaborately styled, the royal signet ring prominent on my finger.
"Are you ready?" Adrian asked, resplendent in formal black attire that complemented my own.
I took a steadying breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Through our bond, I felt his unwavering confidence in me, his absolute certainty that I would triumph. It bolstered my own resolve.
"Remember," he said, adjusting a final detail of my appearance, "Dominic will try to provoke you, to make you appear unstable or unworthy. Don't give him the satisfaction."
I nodded, squaring my shoulders. "Let's end this."
The massive doors swung open, and we entered the assembly hall side by side. Conversation died as all eyes turned to us. I walked with measured steps, head high, channeling every lesson in royal bearing Adrian had taught me.
At the far end of the hall, upon a raised dais, sat Dominic—current leader of vampire kind. He was older than I had expected, his face bearing the weathered look of a vampire who had lived many centuries. His eyes, however, were sharp and calculating as they tracked our approach.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?" he demanded, his voice carrying through the hall. "The assembly was called to discuss matters of importance to all vampire kind, not to entertain uninvited guests."
I stopped before the dais, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I am hardly uninvited, Dominic. This assembly concerns the future of vampire leadership—a matter that directly involves me."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Dominic's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
"You know exactly who I am," I replied evenly. "Just as you knew who I was when you ordered your assassins to find and eliminate me three nights ago."
Gasps and whispers erupted at this accusation. Dominic's face remained impassive, but I caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes—surprise not at the accusation itself, but at my knowledge of his failed attempt.
"Bold claims from an unknown vampire," he said dismissively. "Perhaps you should introduce yourself properly before making such... imaginative accusations."
I smiled coldly. "I am Ella Bloodrose, last surviving heir of the royal bloodline, rightful ruler of all vampire kind."
The hall erupted in chaos. Dominic raised a hand, restoring order through sheer force of authority.
"The royal bloodline perished generations ago," he stated. "This is well known."
"Is it?" I challenged. "Or is that simply the narrative that suited those who orchestrated the coup?"
Dominic's eyes flashed with anger. "You dare accuse—"
"I dare speak the truth," I interrupted. "A truth you have worked very hard to suppress."
I turned to address the assembly directly. "For too long, our kind has been ruled by those who seized power through treachery and murder. The coup that supposedly ended the royal bloodline was built on lies—lies that have weakened our society, divided our clans, and diminished our collective power."
"Enough of this farce," Dominic snarled, rising from his seat. "Guards, remove this pretender."
Several vampires moved to obey, but Adrian stepped forward, his presence commanding. "I would reconsider that order, Dominic. Laying hands on royal blood carries severe consequences under ancient law."
"Royal blood," Dominic scoffed. "Prove it, then. If you are who you claim to be."
This was the moment we had prepared for. I stepped forward, extending my hands palm up. "Gladly."
Focusing my power, I summoned my blood. It rose from my palms, forming the royal sigil in the air before me. The crimson symbol glowed with inner light, casting its red illumination across the astonished faces of the assembly.
But I didn't stop there. Drawing on the full strength of my awakened bloodline, I expanded the demonstration. The blood sigil multiplied, forming a dozen identical symbols that floated throughout the hall, allowing every vampire present to witness the undeniable proof of my heritage.
"The Sigil Manifestation," someone whispered, the words echoing in the sudden silence. "Only royal blood can perform it."
Dominic's face had gone rigid with fury and fear. "A clever trick, nothing more."
"Is this also a trick?" I challenged, raising my hands higher.
The floating sigils transformed, merging into a swirling vortex of blood that coalesced into a three-dimensional representation of the royal family tree—the same demonstration I had performed for the Council, but on a far grander scale. At its base, my name glowed with pulsing light.
Dominic took an involuntary step back. "This proves nothing."
"Then perhaps this will," I said quietly.
With a gesture, I called the blood back to me. Instead of returning it to my body, I directed it outward, sending tiny droplets to touch the dozens of wounded vampires in the assembly—those bearing injuries from recent conflicts or training.
Gasps of astonishment filled the hall as my blood made contact with their wounds. Rather than causing harm, it sank into their injuries, healing them instantly. Vampires stared in wonder at limbs made whole, gashes sealed without scars, pain vanished in moments.
"The Healing Blood," an ancient vampire near the front exclaimed. "The most sacred power of the royal line. It is her! The princess lives!"
The assembly erupted in excitement. Vampires fell to their knees in waves, bowing toward me as the truth spread through the hall. Dominic stood alone on the dais, his authority crumbling before his eyes.
"This changes nothing," he hissed, desperation edging his voice. "I have led our kind for centuries. I have earned my position."
"Through murder and deception," I countered, ascending the steps to stand before him. "Your reign ends today, Dominic."
His control finally snapped. With a roar of rage, he lunged at me, fangs extended, claws reaching for my throat.
I didn't flinch. As his hands nearly reached me, I released a pulse of blood power that froze him in place, his body suspended in mid-air.
"You would attack your queen?" I asked softly, for his ears alone. "The very blood you sought to eradicate?"
Fear replaced rage in his eyes as he realized the extent of my power. Through our bond, I felt Adrian's concern, his readiness to intervene if necessary. But this was my battle to finish.
With deliberate movements, I approached Dominic's suspended form. "I could destroy you," I told him. "It would be justice for what you did to my family."
The assembly watched in breathless silence, waiting for the execution of the usurper.
Instead, I released him from the blood hold, allowing him to collapse to his knees before me. "But I will not begin my reign with vengeance," I announced, loud enough for all to hear. "A true ruler understands the difference between justice and revenge."
I addressed the assembly. "Dominic will face trial for his crimes, judged by a council of elders according to our ancient laws. His fate will be decided not by my personal grievance, but by the collective wisdom of our kind."
Guards moved forward to secure Dominic, who seemed to have aged centuries in moments, his power and arrogance stripped away.
I took my place on the central throne, Adrian standing proudly at my right hand. "Today marks the beginning of a new era for vampire kind," I declared. "The royal bloodline has returned, and with it, the ancient powers and traditions that once made us great."
One by one, clan leaders approached to pledge fealty. Some came eagerly, others with reluctance poorly disguised. I accepted each oath with grace, knowing that true loyalty would take time to build.
When the formal pledges were complete, Adrian stepped forward, facing me. The hall fell silent once more, sensing another significant moment approaching.
To my surprise, Adrian knelt before me, taking my hand in his. "My queen," he said, his voice carrying to every corner of the vast chamber. "My loyalty to the royal bloodline has been lifelong, but my devotion to you transcends duty."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Adrian continued. "Before these witnesses, I pledge not only my service but my heart. Will you accept both, joining our houses in marriage, our bloodlines in eternity?"
Though we had already privately agreed to marry, this public declaration—this formal proposal before all of vampire society—took my breath away. Through our bond, I felt his absolute sincerity, his complete love.
"I accept," I said, my voice clear and strong despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "With joy and gratitude, I accept."
Adrian rose and, breaking centuries of protocol, pulled me into an embrace. Our lips met in a kiss that sent ripples of shock through the traditional assembly—and waves of approval through the younger vampires present. When we parted, applause erupted, echoing off the ancient stone walls.
As the assembly transformed into an impromptu celebration, I caught sight of familiar faces from my former clan—vampires who had once mocked and shunned me, now desperately trying to catch my eye, to win a moment of royal favor. Among them stood Lina, her expression a complex mixture of disbelief and calculation.
I approached her deliberately, watching her drop into a hasty curtsy. "Your Majesty," she murmured, eyes downcast. "What an unexpected... pleasure."
"Indeed," I replied coolly. "Life takes unexpected turns, doesn't it, Lina?"
She glanced up, searching for signs of the timid, insecure vampire she had once tormented. Finding none, she attempted flattery. "You look magnificent, Your Majesty. I always knew you were special."
"Did you?" I raised an eyebrow. "As I recall, you had quite different opinions when we last met."
Lina flushed. "A misunderstanding, surely. I would be honored to serve in your court now that you've come into your rightful position."
I studied her, remembering the cruel words, the deliberate humiliations. Through our bond, I felt Adrian's curiosity about how I would handle this encounter.
"The royal court has no place for those who value status over character," I said finally. "Perhaps when you understand the difference, we can speak again."
I turned away, leaving her open-mouthed and humiliated before dozens of witnesses. It was a small satisfaction, but a necessary one—establishing that the new order would not reward those who changed allegiance with the shifting winds.
As the celebration continued, Adrian returned to my side, his hand finding mine. "Proud of you," he murmured.
I squeezed his fingers, drawing strength from his presence. "We did it."
"You did it," he corrected. "I merely stood witness to greatness."
Through our bond, I felt his absolute pride, his unwavering belief in me. It was a heady feeling—being truly seen, truly valued for exactly who I was.
The festivities were interrupted by a commotion at the entrance to the assembly hall. Guards moved to intercept a figure attempting to enter—a figure that moved with the awkward gait of advanced age, unusual among our kind.
"Let him approach," I commanded, curious.
The guards parted, revealing a stooped, elderly vampire whose face sent a shock of recognition through me. Despite the ravages of time, I would know those features anywhere.
Luke.
