Thread: The Truce (Nekrosilisk88 & darkangel76)

When did you last feed, m'lady? came a voice. Male. It belonged to Claudius Florino, that silky smooth tenor that sent chills down Estella's spine as he spoke. Your cheeks. They are pale. Just then, Estella felt a cool hand brush her cheeks and she turned away from the window she was standing next to, her eyes meeting those of the vampire looming over her tiny five foot frame. She touched the velvet drapes with her delicate hands, letting her fingers slide along the lush red material as she sighed. Five days, she said softly, knowing it best not to lie. Not to one such as Claudius. Claudius was old. Nearly as old as her father, Horace, though he looked oh so much younger. Like her, he would forever appear to be not a day over twenty, though his eyes said otherwise. He'd seen the ancient of days, unlike her who'd only been alive for almost a single century. What it must've been like to have lived through so many centuries... millennia...! To have witnessed and endured more wars and blood shed than just this blood feud between vampire and lycan. To have seen all your loved ones die, never to see them again... Estella had only just recently heard word, about ten years back or so, that her mother had finally died. But she'd been separated from the woman at birth and had never really known her, just that she'd been of royal blood and that her father had loved the human. Why he'd never 'turned' her was something she'd never asked of Horace. She could see the pain hidden in his eyes where the human was concerned and thus left it alone. Five days? Claudius tsk'd. You need to feed, Estella. Especially since you are to be married soon. Estella hung her head in despair, her eyes suddenly staring at the stone floor beneath her feet. She could feel the burning lust for blood building deep within her center. She didn't need Claudius to remind her of that. It was hard enough already. As her eyes fixed themselves upon the stone, her heart began to pound while her senses heightened and the smell of blood from afar began to tickle at the back of her throat. You do not wish to marry this lycan, Claudius suddenly said, changing the topic and causing Estella to look up into his eyes, her face twisting as she stared at him. Why would you say that? Estella then asked, her need for blood rising further as the older vampire looked down upon her with an intense gaze. I need to go and prepare for the ceremony. She could feel her fangs trying to push forward, wanting to come forth and expose themselves. Suddenly, the door opened and Horace stood in the doorway. His gaze looked to Claudius and his eyes narrowed into slits. Immediately, the slightly younger vampire moved away from Estella and bowed respectfully to his elder. Estella quickly walked toward her father. Are you ready, daughter? We need to go now? Horace stated, his eyes still fixed upon Claudius. Estella nodded. I am, father, she answered, though her tone still held a darkness that she could not hide despite the fact that she tried. I'm glad to hear that. You are helping us all. For a moment, Horace turned away from Claudius and looked down into the angelic face of his daughter, his hand gently touching her cheek. He could plainly see her fears and apprehensions as any vampire of his age could. Come. They are waiting. Extending his hand, he took Estella's in his and led her out of the room, leaving Claudius by himself. Estella felt an odd weight lift from her soul as she exited the room and she knew it was because she was no longer in Claudius' presence. There was something about him that was 'off'. She'd always felt it, but this night she was feeling that bit more than usual. Maybe it was her nervousness over having her fate sealed by an unknown stranger, having to give her heart away to someone who might not accept it or care. Maybe it was because she was afraid of what she was about to do or that the delicate truce she was hoping might be forged by the union she was about to make might not last and be in vain... Or maybe it was because she was in dire need of blood. But whatever the reason, Estella knew she'd have to be wary of Claudius. Something about him was wrong. And she could tell that her father thought it as well and that alone made her even more ill at ease. She just hoped that it wouldn't spell disaster later on for vampire or lycan after the ceremony. She knew how Claudius could be at times. Then again, it was probably just paranoia over what she was about to embark. Vampires had a tendency to mistrust, it was partly why the war between their kind and lycan had lasted so long and become so brutal. Horace led Estella down a long staircase and finally to a room where three ladies in waiting were stationed to help her dress in preparation for her wedding to the unknown chosen lycan. Once dressed and ready, Horace returned and looked upon her with a smiling face. You are beautiful, my child. You do your bloodlines more than justice. And I admire you for what you are about to do for us all. Know this, daughter. Estella smiled weakly at her father. She knew the elder vampire loved her with all his heart and that he wished for the war to end. She just hoped that when all was done, the union would indeed be worth it and not in vain. As she stood there, she could still feel her need for blood rising and with the way her father looked at her, she knew he was well aware of her need. Here, Horace suddenly said. We have this for you. He stepped out for a brief moment and escorted a peasant maid into the room. The girl was young and relaxed, obviously glamored so that wouldn't be afraid. Estella nodded and walked over to the girl taking a firm hold of her arm. She brought her wrist up to her lips, her fangs suddenly protruding with a hiss. Panting slightly as she looked upon the supple flesh, she bit down and began to drink the crimson that flowed forth from the freshly opened vein.