As Garrick prepared for the court his mind kept replaying the events of the morning. His mate, the vampire Darra, had been enraged both at the stables and in the dining hall. But he'd seen something else in her eyes, something that breaks his heart as much as angers him. A soul deep sadness that he'd nearly forgotten was there. Wooing his mate was not going as well as he had hoped. After settling a few disputes, he made a decision. As he stood to address his people, he could feel her eyes on him. Looking around he found her, arms crossed leaning against the wall just inside the south corridor which led deeper into the castle. Standing in front of her were Raven and Aiden, heads bent towards each other as they talked quietly amongst themselves. He could also see the red glow of Phalanx's eyes about two feet above her head. He was reminded again of how large the creature was for she was not a short woman. Returning his attention to the room he spoke, "In light of the return of my son, three days from now there will be a Ball celebrating his return. As well as the succession ceremony officially naming him as my heir." The crowd cheered and whistled. Darra smiled warmly at her charge. Looking back at her he blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "You are home now Aiden. Your people long to know you, to love you. This is where you belong, a prince," she said softly with pride. He looked up at her, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, "That means you're leaving now, doesn't it?" She felt her own eyes fill with tears, "Soon our paths will separate, it's nearly time." He nodded, quiet for a moment. Then he caught her hand and held it. "Promise to stay until after the ceremony," he whispered. She smiled and pressing her free hand to her heart she bowed deeply, "it would be my absolute honor." He grinned and hugged her.
As she turned to take her place back against the wall, she saw a figure at the opposite end of the corridor. The bright red eyes gave him away, he was a vampire. And he bared his fangs in challenge. She frowned and put on a burst of speed reaching the spot where he'd been just seconds before. He was gone but in his place was a sickly-sweet smell in the air that seemed familiar, but she couldn't place it. As she turned to walk back to the other end of the corridor, she heard the soft click too late and felt three sharp stings. One in the shoulder, one in the neck and the last in the back. A low hiss escaped her as she pulled the one out of her neck. It was a dart to be sure but the scent on the end of it was escaping her. Then the pain began making her stagger. As quickly as she could she made her way back to the throne room before she collapsed. She grasped the wall edge just as Phalanx and Aiden turned to her. As the pain doubled the information she needed popped into her mind. Nightshade, the bastard had poisoned her with Nightshade. Her eyes rolled as Aiden reached out to her. "Darra, what.... what's wrong with you? What's happening to you," his voice rising with concern. She took a step, but her vision blurred, and she stumbled, falling to her knees. This action put her in the light as opposed to the shadow they'd all been lounging in. Raven gasped and Aiden stared in horror. From the pinprick at her neck, black veins, clearly visible under her skin, spread outward going all the way to her temples. She was paler than usual, her lips standing out as they were turning blue. The hollows beneath her eyes had turned blue as well, making her appear ghastly. Her eyes were what were really frightening. They swirled continuously, from green to an oily black to a crimson red to gold and back again. "Give me a moment," she coughed, blood trickling from the side of her mouth.
"FATHER," Aiden shouted. His voice echoing down the corridor andaround the throne room. There wasinstant silence, and everyone turned in the direction of that panickedshout. Garrick turned immediately as hisguards surrounded the alcove in a loose half circle. He frowned as he saw Darra on her kneescoughing up blood and Aiden trying to help her, but her arm was warding himoff. He leapt over the side of thethrone and raced towards them. As hemoved closer, she started to look worse and worse. By the time he pushed through his guardsshe'd pushed herself to her feet, panting. "Darra," he said softly, "what happened?" She bared her teeth, eyes rolling up into herhead, "Just give me a fucking minute!" He snarled gripping her upper arms. Just the feel of his skin on hers was painful, she arched her back andcried out. Blood red tears dripping fromthe corners of her eyes. "Come we do notneed an audience," he growled. In onesmooth motion he had her in his arms and was marching through the maze ofhalls. Raven, Aiden, Mathus and fiveguards were on his heels. Her shortgasps of pain pushing his anger up another notch. They finally reached his rooms after whatfelt like an eternity. He laid hergently in the middle of his bed. Theminute he put her down she started to convulse. "Air," she gasped, "I need air!" She threw out her hand, dropping the dart she'd been holding. Immediately all the balcony doors in hissuite of rooms flew open. Garrick lookedover at Aiden who looked close to tears. Tamping down his own anger he asked, "What happened son?" The boy seemed to compose himself and took adeep breath. "She'd gone down the southcorridor. I think she saw someone; Iwasn't really paying attention. When shecame back, she was like this," he said motioning to her. Looking down he noticed the dart that hadfallen from her hand. He lifted itcareful of the sharp end and sniffed. Hefrowned; he hadn't smelled this particular scent since his parents had beenalive. His eyes flickered back to her asshe violently ripped a second and third dart from her shoulder and back. Her breath was coming in short gasps whensuddenly she went completely still. Itwas like her body was frozen. Nothingmoved, her eyes wide open. Raven criedout, turning her face into Mathus' shirt. Aiden shouted, doubling over as the dam burst on his tears as they ranunchecked down his face. Garrick staredunbelievingly when his legs suddenly went out from under him. His free hand clutching his chest as if hisheart was being ripped apart. Mathus'head came up sharply as he heard what sounded like the gallop of a horse comingdown the hall. Garrick was dimly awareof the sounds of a scuffle before his door was kicked in by that damnedhorse. It brushed by everyone to get tohim. It lowered its head and sniffed thedart he was surprised to see still in his hand. Phalanx reared back and snorted for a second before going over to thebed and pressing his snout to Darra's forehead. The horse suddenly jerked back and turned its massive body back towardGarrick. He nudged him so hard Garrickfell over. With an enraged snarl heleapt up and growled at the creature. Only to be shoved again, this time towards the bed. He bared his teeth at the horse but lookedtowards the bed. As he bent over her, henoticed that the black veins were receding. The pure black that had covered her eyes was also receding.
