Chapter 2
The next morning Fritz was waiting by the mansion's front double doors before the magnificent tree carved into the floor beneath his feet. Only a few people had yet to arrive: Qhuinn and Blaylock, the two who seemed to be spending an increasing amount of time together due to their recent mating; Layla, the Chosen who he could now see coming down the stairs as gracefully as she could (as was the custom for a Chosen, as was her status) while holding a delicate hand over her swollen abdomen-Fritz was sad that he wouldn't see the result of such a swelling; and his beautiful Mistress, Beth. As shown over the past few days she had been struggling to help Fritz, making him uncomfortable and nervous as per usual for a doggen who was being helped. His poor Mistress had done everything in her power to try and make him feel safe and to make certain that the journey to the Fade as easy as could be.
But alas, 'twas not easy.
'Master Wrath, I would wonder where Mistress Beth was, were it my place, as I do not wish for any who need not waste their time, to do so on my account.' Fritz stumbled over the words, knowing they would be a few of the last he would speak to the residents of this noble and beautiful house which he had upheld for many a year.
'Stop worrying, Fritz. My shellan will be here soon, she's just praying to The Scribe Virgin. And all who are present are so of their own free will.' Wrath replied in a royal tone.
'Not all of us…Ow!' Phury jumped and ripped his arm away from his mate's, Cormia's, pinching fingers. Fritz looked over at Cormia, then immediately regretted it; she had that look on her face…again. The one that said 'Shut up, or die. I don't care who you are'.
'Sorry I'm late,' everyone turned to see Beth running down the stairs, red eyed wide and still tearing. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, wiped her eyes and spoke.
'Um, I've got a little speech to, um, commemorate your leaving us,' she appeared to take a deep breath. 'Dear Fritz, I think I speak for everyone when I say "I'll miss you". I'll miss you efficiency, your focus, your panicked expression whenever I try to help with anything and your almost always calm way of dealing with things. You were my first doggen and I am both happy and sad that I can't say you're the last. Happy because it means I'm not dead yet, and sad because it's not you who's going to be cleaning the sheets of my deathbed, whenever that time comes. But most of all, I'm sad that you won't be around to see my child when he or she arrives in a year. Goodbye, Fritz.'
At the end of the speech, her tears ran anew, but most of the people gathered didn't react to the sudden waterfall. They just stood stock still, staring at their queen.
Wrath was the only one who moved in the next second, and that was only to encircle his mate in a consuming embrace and to stare at her unseeingly.
'You are with child?' He asked, dazed.
She could only nod through her tears. Strangely enough, he laughed. Fritz started to pick up his bags and slowly shuffle away from the suddenly cramped foyer.
'Fritz, wait!'
He froze at the queen's call.
'Can I hug you?'
Warily, he nodded. The next thing he knew, he was being crushed by his queen, his bones becoming a liquid thanks to her enhanced vampiric strength. After a few moments, he gently pulled her away from him. Even an old doggen needed to breathe.
'I thank you, Mistress Beth, and now I must take my leave. I bid you farewell, lords, ladies, King and Queen, may we not meet for years to come in the Fade, I pray I will meet your deceased loved ones there, including Wellesandra, her son and mine own, well-beloved Master Darius, known and loved by all. Goodbye.'
And, with that, he picked up his bags and left the Black Dagger Brotherhood mansion, never to return.
And as the door shut behind him, there was nothing but silence…
