A Hymn of Snakes

EIGHT

     Nerves rolled off the sides of my arms as I chew down on my cheek, we walked in unison to the consul chambers. I tried to shake the feeling off but it suffocated me slowly until I wasn't breathing anymore. Anxiety taking hold of my every bone, I hated being presented in the public. I hated show casing and I hated being in a room full of Vampires who possibly wanted to kill me. However, that last part seemed to become an everyday occurrence. Holstien didn't help as usual, we stood before the doorway with my hands sliding down my jacket."Are you ready?" He asked and I shook my head at him.

"Notice how every time you ask that I'm usually not." He laughed at me, I moved my hand to the side of my hip and touched the sword that was fastened there. My only relief, I knew I couldn't draw it without the Queen's say but if she gave me the opportunity- I would take it.

Holstien slapped my shoulder, I would be lying if I said him and I have gotten closer. He's my friend now, as much as we act like we don't get along. I spend most of my days around him, arguing or laughing. "Court moves fast, you'll get used to it." He warned but I don't think I ever would, for immortal Vampires where time means nothing... they were truly in a rush to get things done. As if time meant anything to them at all. "As an advisor all you have to do is stand next to me and wait until the Queen asks you to speak, if she doesn't then you slide by with a breeze." That didn't help knowing I would be a stranded deer in front of headlights.

He opened the door for me and I turned to look at him, curiosity crossed on his face. "Holstien, I can't believe I'm saying this but you are the best non brother I could ever ask for." He rolled his eyes and I laughed, stalking into the room.

"Don't get soft on me now." Holstien remarked but I didn't respond to him. I answered in my head, knowing I would never change. Or so I hoped, but I wouldn't jinx it still. I didn't want to sign my soul away to the devil before I even got started.

When the room opened up, my breath was taken away. Not by the extravagant decorum or the seating of the room. I forgotten how intoxicating the Queen's presence was, all consuming. I knew she was using her pheromones to control the room, for the other Vampires it was controlling. For me, it just smothered me until it was all I could feel.

The Queen sat up at the edge of the rectangular table, her chair was decorated in purple and gold. It rose higher than everyone else. She wore a traditional golden down with a drip stone crown over her white blonde hair. She smiled at me but her fangs crept past her teeth. "Thank you for joining us Cordelia, how have you been enjoying court so far. Has my court been treating you well?" She opened her palms to me, then my eyes turned to the empty seat next to the Queen. Where Alex should be, I wondered where he was.

Other advisors walked into the room, their eyes drained on me as I walked to the Queen's side. A forced a smile to curl at the edges of my lips. "May the run rise, court has been amazing your majesty. Thank you for allowing me to stay on your estate." Holstien picked a seat in the center of the table, my eyes traced him and he nodded. I was to remain where I stood, by the Queen's side.

The hair on the back of my neck rose as I blinked, the energy iced off of the Prince's body as he stood next to me. I moved over, "Good evening mother, I've noticed that Miss Delia's room is right across from mine. That wouldn't happen to be your doing?" He asked straight and blunt, Alex pulled the chair next to the Queen. His eyes draining into me as he looked straight through me, the Prince undressed me with his eyes and I shuttered.

"Yes, I thought it would be fitting." The Queen said, a genuine smile on her face as she looked up at me.

His arm was inches from me as he sat down, drawing his body closer to the table. I chewed on my lip as a familiar face walked through the door. A mocking resemblance to Crina, this had to be Ambassador Teodorescu. He watched me until he sat in the farthest chair from me. "Thank you mother." He grinned from ear to ear and I forced myself to turn away from him, Ithe was in my ear laughing at my boldness even though she was the partial reasoning. Alex enjoyed every part of my embarrassment as his grin has risen to meet the light of his eyes. My breathing hiked, I completely had forgotten about the rumors about the flirtatious Prince.