Reckless Abandon - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles 2

13: Damian

Damian's time had been chaotic. It had been almost two days since he and the council had decided on the action they would take concerning the current attacks on humans. He had spent that time putting an army together, having them trained and making sure that there were supplies enough for a long battle. He wanted to prepare just in case they found themselves cut off from the outside world, trapped inside the clan house or needed to send extra supplies or troops to aid Ellis on the Island. He wanted to be ready for any eventuality so that no-one was caught off guard or cornered into submission.

It would be the final war he permitted between the clans.

He was already on the verge of uniting them all under one house. If any showed a sign of defiance after the upcoming war, that was exactly what he would do. He would send word out to the other clan masters in the various countries where they had found a decent living and tell them to follow his lead for their own safety. There would be one vampire house for each country. Any who wanted to function outside of that house would have to fend for themselves or die. He wasn't going to stand for any more rebellion.

Luckily with one new, brave warrior like Clarke, Damian found himself with one more man to depend upon. The only problem was that after the conscription notice had been sent to all unattached males and all fighting fit women in the house, he was informed that Clarke wished to speak with him in private. It was an unusual request, but he acquiesced and waited patiently for Clarke to arrive.

He had managed to keep the extent of his relationship with Catalina a secret since their passion had spilled over in her fathers old hunting shed. He had asked for permission to court her, but with Damian's mind elsewhere, he hadn't yet given his consent. And now Clarke was being asked to fight a war for what were now his people. He felt that it was time to confess the extent of their relationship.

When he finally arrived in Damian's study, he could immediately sense that he was going to be disappointed. He looked so rigid and formal that he had little hope for hearing good news.

"Sire, I have kept a secret from you and no longer wish to deceive you. Catalina and myself...we love each other sir. I can't spend my life without her. With your permission, I would like to take her as my wife." Clarke explained, as soon as he was before Damian. He sounded sure of his words, honest and determined in a way that made Damian sad. He would be the perfect asset to their people. He was smart and wise; he would make them proud. But he was asking to marry just hours after a conscription notice had gone out, asking all unmarried men to fight his war.

"I see. The conscription to war is what made you feel a need to confess?" Damian wondered curiously.

He hoped Clarke wasn't going to ask for permission to miss the conscription because he wanted to get married to Catalina. He was giving him the chance to redeem himself for the disheartening thoughts going through his mind. He mustn't have realized that all able married men were able to volunteer for the war. They couldn't be forced unless in times of perilous danger to their species, but they could go to war. Their people needed children and plenty of men and women able to produce them, but when the entire clan was threatened, they all knew where their duties lay.

"Yes sir. I'll go to war for you. This is my home now and I'll defend my people to death, but if I'm to leave Catalina behind, then at least let her be my widow. Allow her to be safe within this house until the war is over." Clarke knew that war was coming. It was his responsibility to stop it from reaching Catalina and the children, who couldn't defend themselves. He had been in the house long enough to know that around ten children between the ages of five and twelve were within the community and needed protected. How could he have the cheek to ask to take a wife and have children with her, if he wasn't willing to protect those already within his community?