These Streaks of Blood

Epilogue

Cecille doesn't know how much longer she can stand to be here.

She is attending one of the biggest events the vampire world has seen, at least in a very long time: Galador's funeral. But no - that's not all.  

It is a joined funeral, as the vampires are laying both Sir Galador and his true, lost love to their final rests at the same time. Cecille had not bothered shutting the affair down after thousands of vampires had come from all over the world to pay their respects to their Head, and to the woman he always yearned for, the beautiful and highly esteemed Lady Nelye.

The councilmen had had no choice but to announce her, Cecille, the new Head of the council. Technically, she and Galador were still married when he passed on, so the burden came to rest on her shoulders.

Of course, she wants it there. She had only really married him for his power, anyway. There was a time where she felt that they could have established more, but quickly realized that Nelye was the only woman he would ever be interested in. It is prudent that their graves are next to each other, that their bodies are to be lowered into the ground at the same time, that they will descend into their own personal hells knowing that they have a neighbor to share the experience with.

However, all of the talk surrounding her is really starting to grate on Cecille's nerves. She has remained frozen to one spot, letting her eyes focus in and out as she watched the proceedings. She listened to the speaker with her blood boiling, all of this nonsense about how the two lovers died holding hands, that they decided it was time to move on to the next world, hoping that it would be a better place for them to be together.  

She had thought that everyone in the crowd would realize that this was complete nonsense, but as conversing vampires continued to walk past her in pairs, in groups, it became clear that she was wrong.

"What a tragic love story," one woman commented to her husband, resting her sorrowful head on his shoulder as they walked. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close as Cecille glared.

"I heard that he thought that she was dead, so he killed himself. When Nelye found out, she took the stake upon herself. She knew she wouldn't be able to live without him. It's the sweetest thing I've ever heard, but just so terrible... a tragic misunderstanding, but at least they're together now," one old woman whispered to her equally aged friend conspiratorially. Cecille was so aggravated that she thought her eyes must have been burning a hole in the woman's face, but the latter never even turned, never even noticed the hostility that was being directed at her.

Cecille crosses her arms and lets her chest rise and fall with a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. It's almost over. These people will all be gone. Soon, this whole affair will be nothing but talk. It's already just rumors.  

And now, they will all have to listen to her. She is in charge.

As the dirt is quickly shoveled over the coffins, calling an abrupt end to the ceremonies for everyone but the closest friends and relatives, Cecille strides forward. She stops in front of Galador's gravestone, trying to hold back a snort as she reads what is written there.

Sir Galador Vyncent Eber (unknown-2013)
Head of the vampiric council (1753-2013)
Vampire, of power and dignity
Leader, of stature and prowess
Man of iron with a heart of gold
He will be missed.

She stands there for a few minutes longer, pretending to grieve for her lost husband. Then she turns toward the twin grave, and people scatter in the face of her wrath.  

She killed both of them, yes. And she doesn't regret it. But hearing the rumors people are beginning to spread is annoying her more than she thought it would. Things like: "You know, he gave the Lady Nelye the key to this kingdom. In his will, that is. If she hadn't killed herself, she would have been the new Head." It makes Cecille's skin itch with rage. Why? Is it because of the comment itself?