Zenobia

"Goddesses Are Loved... Are They not?"

Edited - 11/4/21

"How many blood drinkers are in Kreta? Brother?" I asked yawning.

We both laid near the fire pit of our home. A lightweight blanket covering my small body. My brother faced away from me. He stared solemnly into the frenzied fire. I placed my hands on his back to get his attention.

My brother spoke honestly, "Just one."

I already might have known, "Father?"

Atekhre turned to face me, He informed, "Islands are not a favored place for vampires whom prefer to stay close to their meals... The humans here have had passing encounters with those like father... But never harboured one until now... What you will see here tomorrow is the product of vampire kin's absence."

"Oh."

Shortly after I fell asleep snuggled up beside Atekhre. Throughout my childhood I always slept beside my brother. He was my protective layer from all the monsters whom stalked the wilds of the night. The monster I should've feared was my lunatic of a father (And in many ways Atekhre whom was father's co-conspirator). Withal I still was a girl who wanted a father figure despite all the warnings. Spiridon was the only father I would ever have. In many ways he would also take up the role as mother.

The next morning I woke in my father's cold lap. My brother was no where in sight nor in our home. He brushed my messy onyx curls away from my face proceeding to kiss my forehead. I smiled hugging him tightly around the neck.

"Father!"

"My beloved Zenobia, You will accompany me today, into the night and tomorrow."

I obeyed, "Yes, Father."

"Very good."

I asked, "What happened to my mother?"

My father was reluctant to answer, "I do not expect a toddler like you to understand... But you do display above average intellect...for a child."

"I hurt mother!" I hid my face in his blood smelling hair.

His rouge eyes narrowed, he answered seriously, rubbing my back, "Your mother died horribly bringing our daughter, you, into this world. Your flesh and blood is Ione's which she gave to you... Don't blame yourself, Your mother would not want you to..."

"Do you miss her?"

My father smiled, Indulging in a half-lie, He may have believed, "There will be a time where I will meet her again... In her next life."

I nodded, "Did she love me?"

"She thought you would be a goddess." Father asked, "Goddesses are loved? Are they not?"

I remembered the muffled sound of my mother's voice. Everything my father claims she had said was true. I shook my head, "I'm not a goddess... I'm a..."

"No, You are Zenobia... My beautiful daughter..." He spoke wisdom, "You are who you wish to be... Remember that."

I laid my head on my father's chest, "But... Atekhre said..."

He kissed my head, "You may have been born as a hybrid... But it doesn't define whom you are inside your heart."

Recalling my own heartbeat, I requested, "My heart beats faster than the humans...'

"Yes, It was the same with your brother... Over time your heart will begin to slow down..."

"Will I die?" I asked frowning.

"I am unsure... However, Your brother Atekhre is over two thousand years old... His heart beat is almost nonexistent... You will go though the same."

I claimed, "You have no heartbeat."