Her Eyes Burn Red (INCOMPLETE PROJECT)

Chapter 9

Vlad

I slipped away in the night, leaving Solin to sleep, to see the sorceress. Meddling with magic and otherworldly powers was not a good thing to hang under my belt, last I meddled I was turned into what I am now and any move I made now was important for my family's sake.

I came upon the door, marked with impressive sigils, from blood or paint I couldn't tell. I knocked, hoping I wouldn't be greeted with silence. A woman answered the door, she had green eyes and very light blonde hair.

"Your majesty," He bowed and let me in. "I am surprised you've come here. Many do not think it is wise to be around a witch."

"Witch or sorceress?" I asked, taking a look around the small home she had. Though filled with books, herbs and oddities it seemed almost appropriate given the way she spoke and the mannerisms she carried.

"What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping that you could brew this concoction for me." I held out a fold of paper, she took it quickly and examined the writing.

"Would this be for you or her majesty?" She asked, stepping over a sleeping dog to a table of bottles and powders.

"My wife." I lied, "She suffers terrible headaches when exposed to the light. I cannot figure what she has and neither can our healers."

"Hmm. A peculiar request." She glanced over her shoulder a moment and then set the paper aside. Her hands picked up several bottles, pouring each into another. "This is not a permanent spell, but it will last a long while. I should be able to make another in a months time, well before the effects here wear away."

"Thank you-"

"Keeva, your Majesty." She turned and held out a vial to me.

"Thank you, Keeva." I took the vial and held out a pouch of coins to pay her. "You will be greatly paid more if this proves to be successful."

She looked at the vial and took it back, turning back to the table and adding a few more powders to it. "Add a pinch to her drink before anything else in the morning. It will help." Keeva gave it back and I pulled out another pouch of coins and gave it to her.

"Thank you." I went for the door.

"Congratulations on your son, your majesty. I pray he's healthy." She said before I could even take a single step out.

"He is." I smiled and left. Escaping into the night, hurrying back.

When I returned to the palace Solin was wide awake, trying to lull Luscious to sleep. She was singing to him, walking back and forth from the bassinet to the window.

"Shh, my boy." She smiled down at him, not yet realizing that I was watching her. "Oh what are you fussing about?" She stopped and hummed a moment, allowing him time to stop his crying.

"It's rude to stare." Solin said, turning to look at me. I smiled.

"How can I not stare?" I approached slowly, taking her in. She'd taken on a warm glow, radiant skin, glittering eyes, like nothing bad had ever touched her. "How is the little prince?"

"Quite fussy, honestly. I haven't the slightest idea what could be troubling him. Maybe he's hungry again." Solin spun around and sat on the end of the bed, exposing her breast for Luscious to latch on, it took a quiet moment but eventually he suckled. "There we are."

"And how are you, my love?"

"I'm just as well as I can be, my king." She smiled up at me, her eyes following as I sat beside her, holding her close to my side, stroking the tuft of red hair on Luscious small head. It had been too long since I felt this excited or filled with joy; I had a son, a beautiful wife, and a mountain of opportunities to build for my family and people.