Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 18

Journey into Darkness

The path before us. Dark and dangerous.

Precarious the steps that lead us closer to the precipice of hell.

*****

The small, gray donkey stood while the two packed the ass down with all the things Perdix thought they might need for their journey.

"No one is here to see us off," said Xhahari.

"They are gathered in front of the cathedral to hear the vows of the Princess."

They crossed through the castle gate and out into the broad grasslands surrounding the castle.

"How long will it take us?" the youth asked.

"Many days," said the old man. "We go on foot and lack the swiftness of the big cat and cannot soar as the Ichor."

"Why did they drown the child, Perdix?"

"I was not privy to the Queen's innermost thoughts, my lad. I can only speculate."

"Why would you guess they did it?"

"To save their skins."

*****

It had not been an easy birth. Her Majesty had been sitting upright for hours, but nothing she could do would hasten the coming of the child. The walls of the room were bare. Every tapestry had been removed. Nothing was left to chance. It would not do to let her royal eyes fall upon some evil that was woven within them.

Her many servants were busy slamming doors and chest lids and doing anything they could think of to expedite the birth.

"Augh!"

The final contraction felt as if her womb was being pulled from her with dragon's claws.

"It's a boy!"

Those were the last words the Queen heard before she was overtaken by a fainting spell.

"Bring him to me," she said, hours later.

"Oh, Mastris Queen."

It was the old doctor who had attended her these long months.

"What is it?" the Queen asked. "Do not gloss over the truth. Tell me plainly. Truthfully. Now."

"I am sorry, My Lady . . ."

"What. What. Tell me," she demanded.

"It was a monstrous birth."