Enchantress

Chapter XXI

Thelus caught me as I stumbled from exhaustion into the castle. I was covered from head to toe in blood, a common occurrence, since I first attacked the vampire base. The days and weeks mended together, and time passed with me curled up with Xion's body or when I am out hunting the enemy.

Occasionally, the servants were able to wring some joy from my mangled heart... I found myself bonding with the young girl I had saved that night, Charlie. She was only a baby; her fangs had barely grown out. The orphaned child reminded me of myself. She was hungry for revenge. Charlie struggled to keep hold of memories of her parents. Despite whatever was happening behind her red eyes, she took to me. Clung to me at every chance and was fiercely protective of me.

That's why I vowed to myself to never let her see me like this. This battle is not for her to fight...

"The rebellion is getting larger. There're more bases than usual and they're expecting me now."

"Your majesty, let us --."

"No. You have to train. This isn't just a coup. It's war. We have to be ready." If Xion refused to wake up, then I would train and lead these soldiers into war myself. I never thought I'd see the day when I would have to fight to protect vampires. However, in my heart it was already decided. Ava, her unborn child and Charlie... they were all precious to me. Vampires ruined my life. They took and took from me; I've hated them my entire life until now... and it's all his fault. In such a short time he has turned my mind upside down. He has made me think only of him, constantly. The people I care for are here. I won't let them be taken too.

Thelus helped me up to my room, he opened the door for me and lead me inside. With the time that has passed with Xion asleep, Thelus had gained my trust, every night he waited for my return sometimes with his wife, sometimes without her, he stood by, helped me up if I fell from exhaustion, which was most if not every night. He never once asked a question. Apart of me knew he already knew the answer.

"Thank you." I whispered as I began to shed my clothes.
"Yes, your majesty," he held his head down as he left me.

It became routine, I came back, took a shower then curled against my vampire in our bed.
"How long are you going to sleep, vampire? " I whispered as I rested my head against his chest. Nightly, I found myself talking to him, about my childhood, about Ceres. If there was a thunderstorm, I'd cry and scream into his chest. When it got impossibly colder outside, I wrapped myself around him.

He never moved though, not even slightly. 

****

"Okay Kids! Move! Move! Move! Attack your comrade like he is the enemy. I don't care if you see him as your brother! The opponent we are facing is your own. That's it! They won't see you as their fellow vampires. Destroy them before they destroy you!" I yelled at the training soldiers.
"We will be out here for the rest of the night if you don't attack like it's a life-or-death situation!"

Thelus turned to me, "Your majesty, they'll be run into the ground. They can barely stand."

"I'd think you'd know better Thelus, Wars don't last for five minutes. They take hours which means these soldiers need to know how to last for hours. Even if you've been beaten black and blue. Even if you are missing a limb, you stand and you fight for your king!" I snapped at him before turning back to the soldiers.

"These people had decided your king was not worthy of his throne, they put him in a coma when he tried to protect his people. Avenge him! Show them that we are not to be toyed with! Show them that we bring death to traitors. Do not let your king down!" I encouraged.
The soldiers' voices rose in agreement, and they were filled once again with a new energy.

"I said more! Are you soldiers or teddy bears? I've seen better from the humans on TV!"

Then soldiers roared louder as they charged ateach other. The sound of swords clashing, and armor clanking made my heartpound.
We would train like this for 2 more months before anything happened.