The Dragons Daughter

Chapter 24

The Vampire Kingdom, Two Days Later

Gregori cautiously approached the throne room, pushing open the massive double doors. As he approached the throne, he noticed that sunlight shown through on the entire room except the throne chair itself. That sat in darkness almost as if the sunlight couldn't penetrate the aura of shadow surrounding it. He stopped midway to the throne and dropped to a knee. "My queen," he said softly knowing she could hear him clearly, "you have visitors." It was so silent he almost wondered if she was even in the throne room, then he heard a slight shift of fabric and a sigh. "Show them in Gregori," she said softly. He bowed his head before standing and motioning for them to enter.

Garrick and Aiden walked in slowly, they both noticed that although the room was bright with sunlight the throne itself sat in shadow. The room was so silent they almost didn't believe anyone sat there. Garrick knew otherwise, he could smell her scent, it was everywhere. Her voice suddenly filled the room, "Why has the wolf king and prince graced my court with their presence?" They shared a look, her voice was different, frightening and multitoned. There was no emotion, no familiarity in that voice. It was so void of life it left a chill down their spines. Aiden stepped forward slightly, his hands out from his sides, "Darra, we've come to help." There was silence again, it was deafening. Suddenly there was a loud clicking sound as if something was tapping on the marble floor. She melted out of the shadow as if she were made of it which made her appearance all the more horrifying. Garrick, Aiden and Gregori stared in shock.

Darra's hair, skin and scales were pure white making the dress she wore stand out in stark contrast. She wore a gorgeous crimson gown that hugged every curve before flaring out in a long train from the knee. Her now pure white hair was unbound and hung limply to her waist. The fit of the dress showed just how much weight she'd lost making her look nearly skeletal. Her wings hung limply dragging the ground behind her along with her tail which seemed to have gotten longer. Even with all this it was her eyes that were the most alarming. They were pure white and it was clear that she could not see from them. "My queen," Gregori started but she held up a hand. "Silence," she said softly, "If I didn't know that this desperate act came from a place of compassion and fear for my safety, I'd have your head." He dropped his head and stood stone still. "I thought I'd made myself clear Wolf King," she said as she approached him. "Do you think I won't kill you simply because you came in peace," she circled around him, "or perhaps you're trusting that love will save the day," she sneered. Once she faced him again he could see the deep hollows beneath her eyes, the sunken gaunt appearance that made her cheekbones stand out almost unnaturally. "Darra, look at yourself. You can't go on this way," he said softly.

He wanted to reach out to her, hold her but he sensed her inner turmoil and knew touch at this moment might send her over the edge. She tilted her head almost in confusion. "And what would you have me do, good king? What's done is done. I warned you to stay away, for your protection and mine," she grumbled. Garrick growled, his control suddenly snapping. He cupped her face in his hands pressing his forehead to hers, "I have never needed your protection Darra, only you." A slow hiss escaped her before she suddenly gripped him by the throat. Her wings flared open, lifting them both high into the air. "Darra, NO," Aiden cried out. "No need of my protection? Are you sure King Garrick," she growled, "I am the only one that can protect us!" "From what," he shouted angrily, "the threat is over Darra! Your sister is gone, what do you need to protect us from?" She blinked as if the thought had never occurred to her. She floated them back down to the floor, her claws tightening around his throat before suddenly releasing him. "I am the final threat," she said softly, turning away from them she started back toward the throne. "Leave, King Garrick and this time do not ever return." Tears gathered in Aidens eyes, "This isn't who you are!" She froze before turning back toward them. In the blink of an eye she was nose to nose with him. "What," she hissed, "would you know of it child?" "Look at yourself," Aiden barked, "you took the full force of the mate bond into yourself to avoid the madness of separation but look at you! You're dying, fading. You don't even recognize me and I can't feel you in this place even with your scent everywhere." She stood to her full height suddenly as if he'd just slapped her. Darra moved so fast not even Garrick was able to anticipate the move. She grabbed one of Aidens swords and held it to his throat, the sharpness of it drawing little droplets of blood. Garrick and Gregori were frozen in place, afraid that if they moved she would indeed kill the boy. The only one that was calm was Aiden. "Would you kill now Darra," he asked quietly. "You once swore that in all the world I was the one you would never harm. Are you that far gone?" Darra gasped before dropping the sword and collapsing. Garrick slowly kneeled pulling her gently into his arms.