Red Rivers and Nightmares

1. A Call to Arms

I yawn as I stretch my arms behind my back. I smirk as it pushes my breasts out just as I hear Lyssa's familiar knock. I briefly consider staying in this inviting position, knowing Lyssa would feel obligated to tell my mother how she found me.

However, in the end, I let my arms fall forward and get up from my bed with the intentions of covering myself with my silk robe that is partially draped across my full length mirror. As my nude body appears in the mirror I take a second to appreciate my slightly toned stomach. It is not vanity that has me lingering, but pride. I am not some lily-fingered noble lady that is content to have others protect me, no. I have practiced and trained hard, very hard to get my body in fighting shape and I had to work harder than my brothers to look this way.

Another knock has me turning from my mirror as I slide my robe on. I tie it closed as I sit in the padded chair in my mirror, "Come in, Lyssa." I call out as I lean my head all the way back.

Lyssa makes sure the door is closed before she speaks, "I thought I was going to find you in some lecherous position."

I smirk and lift my head to look her in the eye, "I thought about it."

Lyssa shakes her head and makes her way to my armoire, "You should stop trying to provoke Lady Harisa, my lady."

This time I smile as sweetly as I can at my long time maid, "I would only be acting as a proper vampire lady would."

Lyssa laughs and her whole form shakes with it as her plain brown eyes shine with it. Her response causes me to laugh myself. Finally, she calms enough to speak, "That is what worries Lady Harisa since you were born mortal."

My smile drops and I play with the tie on my robe. For a few moments all there is is the sound of shifting cloth as Lyssa looks to pick my clothes for the day. When she approaches me with clothes in hand I peek up at her through my bangs, "She does not need to worry. A Life Mage told me that I would only be as fertile as Sini with the one my soul is tied to."

Lyssa gapes at my proclamation and grips my clothes harder. I smile wryly before I slowly stand and shed my robe. Her mouth closes and she looks to the ground as I stand in front of her as bare as the day I was born. She does not let my nudity deter her, "When did you see a Life Mage?"

As I move to my armoire to grab a breast band and loincloth I allow my honey brown hair, as long as my mother's, to cover my butt. I hear it as Lyssa sits down in the chair I recently vacated.

It is with little emotion when I respond, "The last time a traveling caravan came through I saw one and asked since everybody was only whispering about my possible fertility or lack thereof. I told Papa so he has made it that Mother cannot outright marry me to a stranger."

The only reason I smirk is because I know Lyssa cannot see it. I won something, at least. Papa does say the one who I am meant to be with probably will not be scared away by my games, which is upsetting. The only unmarried men who listen to Mother's call are idiots. I go back to Lyssa with my intimate parts covered.

Lyssa looks almost grateful as she looks up at me, "I never knew..."

I shrug as I hold my arms out and let her dress me, "I only ever told Papa. He was bothered by her words."

Lyssa nods as she tightens the cloth belt around my waist over the dark blue tunic she chose for today. Always blue, she says it is because it looks best for my eyes but I cannot help but feel like it is so others will not forget what I am.

She is contemplative as she continues, "It makes sense. That Life Mage hinted to more than just a Mate or Partner, more like a real soulmate. Our Creator doesn't give those, that's by the Fabric's design."