The Vampire's Rose

Chapter 12: Leeches, Wolves, and Tadpoles

Calithea awoke the following morning surrounded by warmth and tangible light. She had been dreaming of her mother's hidden herb garden with the flowers swaying in the breeze as she lay in the tall grasses soaking up the warmth of the summer sun.

When she was pulled into consciousness, she sat up in surprise.

The bed she was perched on was covered by rich velvets and soft satin in colors of black and gold, an additional blanket of white fox fur covered the duvet for extra warmth. Multiple pillows soft as feathers perched behind Calithea and around her, having moved likely during her tossing and turning overnight. The tall four posters at each corner of the bed rose above, creating a canopy that hosted heavy curtains the color of heavy cream - pulled back and tied to each pole. Next to the bed on either side was a set of matching tables - small and square with a drawer for personal possessions - and a candle stand at the top of both. A glass of water was on the one closest to hers, making Calithea realize how parched she was.

As she took a sip of the cool drink, she took in the remainder of her surroundings.

The room she found herself in was painted in a soft cloud gray with gold and cream trims - the bed seemingly to match and blend into the room entirely. The ceramic tile flooring was covered by rugs from Oria - the ornate designs similar to the ones she had seen from traders and merchants that passed through the city on their travels back from the Merchant's City. A black leather couch sat a few strides away from the bed, a long ornate cream-colored tea table in front of it and a chair similar to the couch sat beside it. A dark oakwood wardrobe sat a little ways away, near a set of windows with heavy drapes pulled to the side, allowing the warmth of the autumn sunlight to pour into the room. Fire from the hearth at the furthest corner of the room crackled, the smell of burning wood a source of comfort before reality set in.

'Where am I?' Calithea turned to the window, 'Please don't tell me that I was taken from Kallistar Court or brought to the Wilder estate!'

It was unlikely the first scenario, but quite possibly the second - the grand duke would never allow sunlight to enter into the manor due to his allergy to it, thus Calithea feared that she was trapped in an unknown place with little to no means for escape. She decided the best course of action was to see exactly where she was, then she could make a plan.

Before she could even push the blankets aside, a firm familiar voice spoke from the shadows of the room, "Don't you dare think about leaving that bed."

Calithea's head whipped upward as her eyes connected with a familiar set of rubies that peered out from the darkness, the figure of the Grand Duke slowly appearing as he leaned against the hearth. He lacked his vest and heavy coat, wearing only a shirt, trousers, and his familiar black boots. His features were stern, but she could sense relief rolling off of him as well as anger - lips in a firm line and eyes narrowed as he regarded her.

He did not move towards her, only spoke from his spot, "You contracted a sickness and were asleep for two days-"

"TWO DAYS?!" Calithea's eyes widened in shock.

"Calithea!" the duke's tone turned menacing before he reigned himself in, "Please, listen to me."

The alchemist fell silent as he continued.

"You were asleep for two days, yes - my personal doctor examined you and claimed you contracted a minor fever. You were also suffering from lack of sleep and nutrition. Care to explain to me why you have been refusing your meals? Is it because of what happened with the sun cream I had asked you to make? Or is it something else?"

Calithea squeezed the blankets in her hands, "I-I really don't have an excuse, your grace..."

"Drystan."