The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Fifty Two - Blood

- One Week Later -

- SINDRI'S POV - 

I stood silently behind the golden throne, awaiting orders. A hand finally waved me forward. I swiftly refilled His Majesty's jeweled goblet with wine, then moved back to my original position. Upon my return, I had been amazed with High King Gallahein's appearance. When I had departed, his beard was speckled with gray and his movements were slower and less precise. Now he was alert and ready for action, his eyes twinkling with intelligence. All his hair was once again the same color. I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. It was like he was... aging backwards.

I looked over to Mason, who stood on the King's other side. I glanced at the door, then back to him. He nodded discreetly. I smiled in appreciation and moved to exit the room.

"Where do you think you're going, Princess?" High King Gallahein asked from behind me. I turned to face him directly, so as to be polite.

"To be enlightened by Sir Balt's teachings, Your Majesty. I do regret leaving a bit early, but I cannot risk being late." I explained.

"You will do as I wish. Come here, child." he demanded. I did as I was told. "Face the exit." Once again, I followed orders. I felt cold metal pressing against the back of my neck, then the sticky warmth of blood. I went rigid, blocking out the pain. Used to the process, I kneeled before my ruler without turning around. I didn't protest as the High King's lips met the wound as he drank the life-fluid, for if I did, severe punishment was bound to follow. 

Once he finished, I turned to face him. "I am honored to make this small sacrifice in order to better the kingdom." I stated in a monotone voice. Inwardly, I was filled with horror as he wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth, then licked it off his fingers. Mason's eyes betrayed him, and showed that he was as terrified as I was.

Without another word, I left, heading for the Main Hall. My hair was bound in a tight coil on the back of my head. My scarlet gown rustled softly as I opened the door and stepped inside. "You are exactly one minute and thirty-five seconds late, Princess Sindri. I am thoroughly disappointed." Sir Balt said, tucking his pocket-watch into his embroidered waistcoat. 

"I apologize, good Sir. I truly am sorry."I said quietly, trying my best to act like the pretty little wallflower I was supposed to be.

"Where exactly have you been?" my teacher demanded.

"His Majesty was... feeding." I admitted, gingerly fingering the slit I had as proof. The man rushed forward with his odd waddling gait.

"Turn around. Let me see." I did as asked. "It seems as if His Majesty is becoming greedy. This one is deeper than the others." I said nothing, for insulting the King could result in a death penalty. High King Gallahein always had a strangely accurate sense of where I was and what I was doing.

"Today we shall dance. The Autumn Festival Ball is taking place three days from now. I have until then to teach you the four necessary routines." Sir Balt said. It was then that I noticed a small group of musicians in the corner. There was two men with fiddles, a woman with harp, a boy with a lute, and a girl with an odd swirled instrument made of reeds.

Sir Balt placed a hand on my waist and another to the side. I placed a gloved right hand on his shoulder and clasped his other one in my own. I wore only one glove that went past my elbow to cover my scarred forearm. My left hand was allowed to remain bare.

"Begin!" my instructor called. The quintet began to play an upbeat tune. Sir Balt began counting under his breath, starting over every time he got to the number three. Every time his boot went back, my slipper slid forward. We spun and twirled around the room in the shape of a triangle before I stumbled and almost fell. My teacher's hand caught my bicep before I could strike the polished tile.

"Clumsy girl! Foolish youth! You need to control that limp of yours! I have told you a thousand times! Imperfection is impolite!" he cried. I restrained the urge to roll my eyes. He pulled me back to my feet. "Again." Once more we began the elaborate steps taken to master the 'physical arts'. After much head slapping, toe stomping, and slip-ups, I managed to finish the dance without so much as a hiccup. 

Sir Balt clapped his hands. His smile was a little to wide. "Perfect, Your Highness! Now we move on to the second dance!" he said excitedly. I groaned, earning myself a meaningful glare. This was going to be a long session.

*******

- PRINCE MASON'S POV -  

"What you're doing to her is wrong, Your Majesty." I said angrily. "If you keep this up, Sindri will die!"

"It is a genius plan, isn't it? If I drain my niece of her life force at her most vulnerable moments, no one will suspect a thing. Look at me, Prince Mason! I'm young again! I can stay young forever! All I have to do is drink her blood and keep the Dark Bond strong. If she perishes, so be it." High King Gallahein stated. I finally reached my boiling point.

"You are a sick and twisted man." I spat. Gallahein laughed.

"I am no longer a mere mortal." he raged with certainty. "I am a god!" I stared at him, lost for words. He had gone mad. And I was still willing to follow him.

"You are no more a god than I! May Maldein banish your corrupted soul to the pits of Hell, demon!" I yelled. My king chuckled darkly.

"You've forced my hand." he said with a shrug. He extended his palm toward me. An unseen force rocketed into my chest. It pressed me against the ground. It felt as if a boulder had been placed on top of my body. One by one, my bones snapped. I screamed. The sound echoed through the room. My neck began twisting. In no time, I would be of little more use than manure. Tears streamed down my face. I was going to die. I heard a loud pop as my spine split in two. I fell limp.

I blinked, and it was as if it had never happened. I still stood next to the High King's throne. My body was intact. Gallahein dropped his hand. I was breathing heavily and cold sweat dripped down my back. I forced myself to remember my king's power. It was one of vision. He could make one see what he wanted them to. I laughed and shook my head.

"That was unfair," I muttered with a smile. "But it never gets old."

"Neither do I, my boy." Gallagein chuckled. "Neither do I."

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Two updates in one day! Whoo-hoo! Now if only I could finish my homework that fast... Anyway, I know some of you may be ticked at me for this, but the story is coming to a close. There's going to be a sequel (I'm shooting for a trilogy) but The Blood In Our Veins is ending. Just a few more chapters, and then I'm on to book two! If you have any suggestions for the title, don't hesitate to share. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going for, but I need all the help I can get. :p

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