Entranced (Brides of the Kindred Fanfiction 2) - On HIATUS

Chapter 23: The Past and the Present

Andi:

Everything has changed.

The Royal Gates opened towards the expanse of beautiful gardens and statues with their curving arches. The buildings that held kitchens, training centers, and the servant's quarters, in contrast, were in disarray. I noticed that the servants who greeted us were now dressed in black and they looked withdrawn and quiet.

Then I shivered as I saw a few Skeldoram hunters skulking around the gardens and the path towards the Palace, their snouts up in the air smelling for any intruders and their wicked claws were displayed to instil fear into anyone who dares to defy the usurper.

"Relax, talana. Those scum can smell fear. Siria assured me that the scent displacing perfume she placed on you would help fool them."

"Oh yeah. Let's see then, shall we?" I said even as we walked past a Skedoram who merely growled softly at the guests but it did not move. "Well hell, it does work."

"Told you." he smiled at me.

"Focus children. We are almost there." My mother who was dressed more sedately and veiled since she was the lady in waiting admonished us.

"This is cool." Al'rik's head swivelled around the place in wonder. " Cannot believe Tia used to live here."

"Sssssshhh. Don't blow our cover, youngling." Karyn ruffled the boy's head as he shifted around and frowned. "But the " no weapons" rule does put us at a disadvantage."

"Do you have the "thing" I gave you under your skin graft?" I turned to the Beast Kindred and he nodded. "They will help in case we get into a skirmish. Just say the code word if you need it as a last resort. Any questions? Ask Al'rik; the boy memorized the whole manual."

He looked at me, confused but he just nodded since talking too much might raise suspicions.

We reached the front entrance of the huge palace doors where two guards and a palace official are checking the invitations as we waited in line till it was our turn.

"Good evening. Invitation" the official looked at us and raised an eyebrow. " Ah. You must be the Kindred diplomat Captain Asher sent in his place. Mr. Clau is it?"

"Yes. I am here because I was on a business trip to the Kishin Mountain in the East Area of here. This is my partner's daughter Lady Anais." Krei assumed a cultured voice and handed over his invitation with a graceful movement.

"Hmmm, Lady Anais? Yes...I can see that she has a nice purple tint in her skin color. light and creamy..." the official's lascivious gaze went to Andi's face and hair. "Have her cloak taken off. Palace rules and all."

He had one guard come forward but Krei raised a hand to stop them, his eyes turning cold at the thought of another male touching me.

"She is rather shy. Let me do that for you." 

I shivered but kept my head down as the cloak slid off my body and I endure the male gazes on my gown. I saw the official smile from my periphery as the guards searched mother, Karyn, and Al'rik for weapons and found none.

"Welcome, Mr. Claus and Lady Anais as well as your charming entourage. His Majesty King Kloan would be pleased that you would join him and his concubine as they "celebrate". This way please."

The official had one servant girl guide us to the throne room.

A steady stream of people also made their way to the celebration and I noticed how the simple pale stone walls were now gilded in Aureum, a metal similar to gold. The extravagance of it was opulent and it was unnecessary.

When father was king. The pale stone walls streaked with lilac and gold veins were unassuming and simple but it was a pretty sight at night when the veins glow like little stars and galaxies. Now the walls with their huge intricate banners and gaudy decorations sicken my eyes.

My heart aches as flashes of my childhood flashed before my eyes with every step I take through the Palace floors. Everything looked strange like it was a mix of the past and the present but at the same time, it was a rude wake-up call to the years of change that has taken over. It was the result of my absence as the daughter of the true king.

My eyes misted over as I saw servants being bullied by my Uncle's rich cronies as I passed by. In the past, Royal Servants were respected and paid well for their work but now they were treated like dirt. All because they chose to side with us and a few braver ones helped us escape.

"Hey can you walk any slower!" a man dressed in a blue robe and silver cloak kicked the servant girl guiding them. "I want to get a good glimpse of the King and his concubine during the opening toast! Hurry up, you stupid mewling worm!"

"Ye-yes sir.." the girl got up with trembling legs and limped as she walked faster, pain evident in her pale eyes.

My hand clenched but my mate held my waist to keep me from kicking the noble's fat ass. His blue eyes were also dangerously 

"I know you are angry...let me do it."

I nodded as he strode over and blocked the fat ass man's foot from delivering another kick with his own.

I was a bit far away but upon hearing Krei's words, the noble paled beneath his purple skin and nodded as he was about to piss in his pants before he gave a command to the limping servant who bowed and left to scurry off.

Left with no escort, the noble looked embarrassed but continued to walk towards the Throne Room.

And I was greeted by the sudden blaring of music and the heavy fumes of some sort of strong perfume that made me uncomfortable.

The once glorious throne room of the House Norvak....looked different. The vivid purple-coloured drapes were replaced by silken red drapes and gaudy statuettes and other costly items lined the side of the balustrade and pillars as if to boast of the owner's opulence. The walls were lined with the same offensive gold material I saw outside and...

The whole place was dimmed by the banners covering the windows as naked ladies of the night danced about to the music on top of raised stages to arouse a male's sexual appetite. Their see-through gowns are even sheerer than mine that when they raised their legs, I could see their shaved pussies.

"Oh my god." My mother's scandalized gasp made me look in the direction where her eyes were.

I saw one of the male guests climb on one of the raised stages where he pulled away his robes to reveal his engorged shaft which was studded with metal bumps as he growled lustfully as the dancer laughed her leg was lifted she was penetrated, her breasts bouncing as she held on to the pole while being fucked.

I noticed how Al'rik's gaze was covered by my mother but I think the damage is done. I am sure I will get a huge scolding by Mira for letting their impressionable son see such nudity and debauchery.

I felt myself stiffen as my gaze went to more acts of debauchery happening around us. As soon as the guests arrived they partook of any entertainment that caught their eye.

Whether it be having a threesome by a hidden corner or making out inside of the small tents set up by the walls or fucking the dancers.

It made me uncomfortable that the fumes made my head dizzy.

But I felt someone's heated stare trained on me and I flinched when I saw who it was although it was just a glance.

It was my Uncle Kloan, who was seated on a new throne he must have had built after he destroyed the original. His once gentle visage was now older and the shallow tint of his skin shows how depraved he has become from his toxic lifestyle.

He had semi-naked women slaves serving him on the pedestal. One such female was actually under a blanket he draped around his lap but I have a feeling that she was sucking his cock from the way he groaned and licked his lips as he thrust forward.

Bastard....

I felt my blood boil and my heart sink. The loving and kind uncle who used to give me piggyback rides and read books with me by the gardens....was gone.

And in its place was someone I don't know....