Vow of Blood and Starlight (a Pride and Prejudice retelling)

Chapter Six

Elizabeth held her breath most of the carriage ride as anxiety swam little circles around her feet, every so often raising its head to give her a slight smile and then continue its elegant pacing. It's not as if Elizabeth does not enjoy a good ball as much as any in her family, perhaps not nearly as much as Lydia or Kitty but at least as much as Jane. It is the simple fact that this ball, unlike the others that they frequent as a family, will be hosted by vampires.

Not all vampires are alike, that is a simple fact. The ones hosting the gala this evening are some of the finest citizens in the county. Nothing like their goulash kin that dwell in the woods and dark spaces. But still, the thought of being in such a large space with so many, proper or not, had Elizabeth's hairs stand on end.

The carriage rolled to a stop some twenty minutes into their traveling and had the younger girls and Mrs. Bennet squealing in delight as they behold the massive hall. They exit the carriage in order, most excited, to least excited. Being Kitty and Lydia nearly falling out of the door in excitement and Mary declaring a sudden sickness and her desire to return home. She was talked down soon enough by a prepared Mrs. Bennet who offered to let Mary sit at whatever table she may find suitable.

Mrs. Bennet grabs a hold of Jane with a grin, "Oh, Jane, my dear. I have a feeling about tonight."

"A good one I hope mama." Giggles Jane.

"Oh yes my love, indeed." States Mrs. Bennet as she pulls Jane into the large double doors and crowd of people.

Elizabeth watches as her family, save her father who remained home, danced their way into the hall. She stops before the main steps and pulls in a deep breath of night air.

"My mind is my weapon. I shall not yield." She mumbles as a steady wind blows through the night.

What is fear but a construct? A thought that will limit the reach of your imagination by putting up blocks and convincing you that you can't. What a preposterous thing. Elizabeth, now resigned to bravery, takes her fist step up the stairs and halts as a rustling sounds from the bushes to the side. For a moment, as her sharp eyes scan the bushes and the forest not far behind, she has half a mind to pull her blade from its rest across her thigh.

"Hello?" She breaths into the night.

The rustling soon stops as a rabbit jumps its way into the grass and pauses to look at the nervous girl.

"Hello friend." Elizabeth breathes out and with a final steadying breath, ascends the stairs to the party.

She did not notice, amongst her nerves, the figure standing just inside the tree line. 

It noticed her. 

                                                                                                         *

The party is lavish, far more than any county fair or harvest gathering event the Bennet frequent in the area. No, this is grand. Elaborate table settings garnished with silver painted flowers and pearl drops. Small sandwiches and wines of every color upon request. A dance floor made of deep mahogany wood and musicians in elegant suits and gowns. On the ceiling are chandeliers that flicker candlelight in a warm glow about the space, with tulle fabrics draped from corner to corner a soft paisley. 

Amongst it all, Elizabeth glows in the darkness of her midnight blue fabric and golden brown skin. The rest of the party guests seem to match the theme of floral and soft, with most ranging from pastel pink to baby blue. Her family of chatty Bennet's look the same as any other, save the lovely Jane, who shines as a vision in white. Looking to the world like a dove in flight.

Elizabeth approaches Jane with a soft smile and stands at her side, scanning the rest of the room for her rambunctious siblings and even more so mother. Amongst the near two hundred people she finds Kitty dancing with Lydia on the floor, accompanied by two well attending young men. Mary is nowhere to be seen, most likely off in her reading corner scowling at anyone who dare come too close. Mrs. Bennet stands with a group of parents, happily sipping some wine and talking of the night and all its splendor. And Elizabeth, stands with Jane on the sidelines as they watch the party unfold in all its luminous glory.

Elizabeth leans in to bump her sister's shoulder with her own. "Oh Jane, if every man does not end the night in love with you, I have no judge of beauty." She yells above the crowd and music.

Jane giggles, "Or men."

"Ha, no, they are far too easy to judge."

Jane returns her bump, "They are not all bad you know. Some are agreeable."

Elizabeth chuckles, "Humorless statues in my limited experience. Well in my only experience."

"Just you wait Lizzie..." states Jane with a chuckle of her own, "One day someone is going to catch your eye and then you are going to have to watch your tongue."

Elizabeth scrunches up her nose at the comment as an arm is draped over her shoulder by her dearest friend Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte smiles from ear to ear as she joins the conversation with glee.

"And change as well, immortality would look good on you Lizzie."

Elizabeth laughed, "Charlotte Lucas I will never change."

"For the right man you would."

"The right man would not ask me too." Remarks Elizabeth as two gentlemen approach and ask to dance with the two Bennet sisters.

For a moment the sisters hesitate, not wanting to leave Charlotte to her sad fate on the wall. But they are saved in time by a third gentleman and they all smile and take to the floor.

                                                                                                          *

The carriage had left ten minutes before Darcy. After the encounter with the lust filled Caroline he wished to lessen their interaction in close proximity until she had some time to calm herself. Instead, he rode on horseback, taking the route through the woods.

Parties in general have never made Darcy very comfortable, even when he was a boy. One party in particular, eight years ago, has remained imprinted on his mind and often replay his struggle against the guards as they pulled him towards the Duke.

"Hold still," said his father from the side with a grin.

Darcy did not have time to think as he was thrust from the arms of the guards and pulled to the much stronger Duke.

"This will only take a moment." Said the tall man as he bit down hard on Darcy's wrists and Darcy yelped in pain.

One would think, based on legend, that it was vampire venom that turned you. In fact it was their blood. No sooner had most of his own been taken by the Duke, was he fed a dark bitter tasting liquid. He attempted to cough it back up when he was released from the grip of iron, but it was too late, the blood had taken a liking to its new host and already began the change.

Would he wish to change what he is now? Never. Does he wish every day that he had a choice? Yes. For the act of being a vampire does not stop you from aging, but slows. It comes with every advantage of strength and speed and intellect. And one notable downside, the thirst. An urge quite unavoidable at large human gatherings.

Darcy makes it to the party nearly fifteen minutes before his friends and grumbles to himself about just being brave and getting in the carriage. The people in question roll up a couple moments later, both elated beyond decorum as they jump from the carriage and onto the cobble stone path.

"Why, Mr. Darcy," giggles Caroline, "You missed a very pleasant ride."

Bingley smiles, "Indeed my dear friend, a pleasant ride indeed. The countryside is quite a diversion."

Darcy sighs, "I will take your word for it my friend."

Bingley wasted no time collecting his sisters arm in his and mounting the steps with a slight nod back to Darcy to follow. The doors open at their behest and out comes the sound of music and a thundering luster of thumping heartbeats.

Darcy steadies himself on the railing for a moment, willing his eyes back to a normal color before pushing down his feelings and following his friend.