Queen of Darkness

Chapter 15 - Spring Dance

Chapter 15 - Spring Dance

The Ball was set for Saturday evening, less than a week away.

I spent the night with Robert and the next day he went to town for some last invites to the ball and a few last arrangements he wanted to take care off. It was my last opportunity to ensure I had everything in place, Robert wouldn't leave the house again.

I took a candle and candle holder from one of the guest rooms, a pan from the kitchen, a container with water and some fruit from the pantry. I didn't know how long I would be traveling and I needed to be prepared.

After placing the last items in the chest I made my way to the stables. I have been horse-riding all the time I've been here and I had a particular horse that I adored. She was a dark brown mare with a calm and gentle nature but she was fast and strong. She didn't spook easily either and she was comfortable with me riding her. I made sure she was fed and taken care off.

I made sure her saddle was ready and there was rope and a blanket ready. She could always find her way back home so I was taking comfort in the thought that once I reached the Harbor I could let her go and she would come back here without any harm coming to her.

Saturday morning, and everyone was running around preparing the great hall for the evenings dance. I didn't want to be in the way so I asked Robert if I could go to Abigail for a while and also get a dress for the dance. Of cause it was just an excuse to see Abigail for the last time. I didn't even know if I was going to say goodbye to her or leave without telling her.

On the way to Abigail I started getting cold feet, questioning my own planning and survival abilities.

Abigail and I did some Magick but my mind wasn't there, so I kept messing up. Abigail tried to cheer me up with her usual jokes but I wasn't even focusing on her, my mind was already two thousand miles away.

Eventually Abigail couldn't take it anymore: "Don't do it Aurora"

Me: "Don't do what?" I asked, quite surprised.

She took a deep breath; I could see the worried look in her face: "Don't run... Your plan is destined for failure"

Me: "Excuse me?" she couldn't possibly know... Could she? "But... How?"

Abigail :"He knows Aurora... Robert knows, he's known all along."

I looked at Abigail in disbelieve, how was this even possible? Robert knew all along, and he didn't say a word.

Abigail must have seen the shock and disbelief on my face, I couldn't utter a word. "I warned you Aurora... You underestimate Robert. He has been around for a long time, he has been a vampire for four hundred and thirty two years, and he has been a vampire king for half of that... Did you really think a child of your age could outwit him? "

Me:" But I was so sure... So careful... Why didn't he say anything? "

Abigail:" I don't know, my guess is he wanted to see how long you would keep things up... How far you would be prepared to go. Maybe he was hoping you would come to your senses by yourself, but take my word for it... Should you go ahead with your plan to run, Robert will kill you"

Me: "So he knows I'm not fully Vamparic either?"

Abigail: "Yes... He doesn't need you to be Vamparic, he just needs you to be loyal to him and safe from the council and other vampires"

Me: "Months of planning and acting like an idiot... For nothing. I don't get it, if he wants my loyalty and to be safe from the council why doesn't he just turn me, I'm sure it would be much easier... It's not as if he's short of Vamparics"