In the heart of the Althoric Imperium, Zandicor enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh with his Vyshtani chambermaid. The sounds of their morning activities echoed throughout his chambers and out into the open courtyard below. His rhythm didn't even slow when the doors to his chambers flung open behind him to slam loudly against the walls.
"Cease with your rutting, my love," said a woman, her chopines clacking across the marble floor.
He ignored her, lost in the tempo of his own pleasure. That all came to a crashing halt, though, when the woman's Kinetic Essence slammed into him, throwing him from the bed to slam into the wall before sprawling onto the floor.
"Be a dear, Verani, and fetch us some tea," she said with a venomous tone, snapping her fingers to press the point.
Her eyes never left him as Verani quickly rose from the bed and pulled her black dress down over her split trousers.
"Yes, Divine Mother," Verani said, bowing her head low before rushing out of the room, keeping her gaze fixed on the ground.
Zandicor blew a strand of his golden locks from his face as he watched his mother strut over to tower over him.
"What is it that you want?" he asked, pushing himself up.
However, before he could, one of her legs slipped out from under her glittering red dress, and her chopine-clad foot slammed into his chest, forcing him back on the ground. Her emerald glare, full of ice, bored into his very soul as she slowly applied more pressure to his chest. His breath came in shallow gasps as the pressure mounted to a deafening roar in his ears. Only when it felt like his chest was about to cave did she relent, releasing him.
He drew in a ragged breath as she took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest, a single finger tapping impatiently.
He pushed himself upright, leaning against the wall. "Forgive me, Divine Mother. What can I do for you?"
She remained silent as she stepped up to him, hiking up her dress before straddling him. "What have I told you about blessing mortals with your seed?"
His lips curled into a twisted smile. "That they aren't deserving of such a blessing. Only you are…" he paused for a moment, pulling the woman in to whisper in her ear, "Mother."
A shuddering breath escaped her lips; however, she remained as pragmatic as ever as she rose from his lap. "Now, dear son of mine. Did you feel that pulse of energy in Lysia last night?" She asked, walking over to stare out the balcony window.
"Yes," he said, rising and walking to stand behind her. "You need not worry. I've already dispatched Perrim and his men to investigate its origins."
A lascivious grin broke across her face as she turned to face him. "Good boy, I think you deserve a reward for that."
His chest burst with pride and joy at having pleased his mother, who wrapped her arms around his neck and fell silent, pausing for a moment in contemplation. Zandicor waited in anticipation. It gnawed at him as he waited to hear his mother's decree.
She suddenly pushed him, and he fell backward onto the bed. His mind went blank as his mother strutted toward him. Elation coursed through him at his coming reward. Behind them, Verani entered the room with a tray of tea, standing by, diligently waiting, indifferent to the mother and son's daily activities.
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Yisha hummed a light tune as she went about her morning, preparing a hearty meal for the rescued prisoners June brought back from Castle Dumar. Her body flowed with energy, revitalized from having spent the night in one of the most comfortable beds she had ever slept in. She never expected to experience such pleasure in her life, yet June had gone out of his way to give it to all of them.
Draxxus bounced around chasing a flutterbug nearby, its black and orange-patterned wings keeping it just out of his reach, filled with even more energy than she had. That was something that children only ever had, energy to spare.
Quin had helped her carry Draxxus to the larger of the two dwellings, where she assisted her in picking out a bed nearest the bathrooms. She wanted to be near it in case Draxxus woke in the middle of the night needing to relieve himself. To which he had.
"Draxxus!" she called, waving him over.
He ceased his chase and immediately ran over to her, a brilliant smile on his face.
"Would you like to help Mamma prepare breakfast for everyone?" she asked.
"Yes!" Draxxus shouted, nodding vigorously before throwing his fist in the air.
A wide smile spread across her face as she pulled a stool from her spatial storage and placed it by the table. "Here, you can help me stir the batter."
He enthusiastically jumped onto the stool and accepted the spatula from her. "I've got this, Mamma!"
He swung the spatula around like a sword as if he were a knight before sticking it into the pot and stirring furiously. She shook her head, laughing, as she turned to the cutting board before her. As she did, she caught sight of June stepping out of his dwelling, hand-in-hand with someone she assumed was Lady Oltharin.
A frown temporarily overshadowed her smile as she tried to comprehend the reasoning behind his actions. After all, she was nothing more than a Vampire, a monster. So Yisha couldn't understand his familiarity with her.
But then again, her mind drifted to the Ulthari Vampire that had remained by Quin's side the night prior. Reyah was her name, she remembered. At first, she was apprehensive about having her near Draxxus. But when Reyah remained cordial, even showing her a modicum of respect, she accepted June's decision to bring them back as well. That didn't mean she was happy with the decision.
Once they had exited the dwelling, June turned and, with a single wave of his hand, it sank back into the ground as if it had never been there to begin with. She watched in amazement. His display of power and control was beyond anything she had ever witnessed.
Was he one of the Twelve? That couldn't be, though. She had never heard of his name before last night.
Besides, the tales she's heard of the Divine weren't anything like what he had displayed. He was a kind, giving man who, in her estimation, fought for the weak and defenseless. In contrast, there were the Twelve—who conquered, ruled, and punished their subjects, taking whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
She, however, didn't need tales to tell her what they were really like. Their will trickled down to the common folk. Life had doomed her from the very beginning. Born in chains, her life was nothing but scars and bending to unwanted commands in the Rashori Kingdom. Her life reflected their twisted and demented views. Even after being freed and now in the Kingdom of Lysia, those chains remained ever-present, weighing her down with every step she tried to take.
"Mamma!" Draxxus's excited voice broke her out of her contemplations. "Look! It's the nice man!"
Before she could even get a word out, he had hopped off the stool and was already halfway over to the man and Lady Oltharin. Her protective instincts kicked in at the sight of her cub running right at a Vampire, and she bolted after him. But she was too late, only catching up to him as Lady Oltharin bent over and greeted her cub.
"Hello there, little one!"
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June's True Soul flowed from him as the building he had constructed last night slipped back into the ground, reverting to the raw materials he had used to create it. He turned in the direction of Quin's True Soul and started towards it with Keyvarah following beside him, her hand still grasped in his. The familiar sensation was now foreign, something he'd have to get used to, just like the emotions swirling within him.
It was a mess. Not an unwelcome one. Just not one June had expected.
It wasn't love. He knew that because of his love for Natalie, Zach, and Sasha. It was still present even though they were no longer with him. What he felt for Keyvarah was an attraction layered with grief and responsibility. And that wasn't counting the storm roiling within him for Reyah and Yisha.
He sighed as he pushed all of that to the side. He didn't want to deal with that right now, not when he had other things, more important things to address.
As they made their way over to where Quin was, a little voice called out to him, drawing his attention. "Mister!"
He had seen the little boy, Draxxus, coming from a mile away, his Aura Sense ever active. And tailing behind him was his mother, Yisha. The fear on her face was palpable.
Keyvarah turned and bent over as the boy stopped before them, ruffling his hair. "Hello there, little one! What's your name?"
Draxxus's wide-toothy grin faltered when he looked up into Keyvarah's crimson eyes, having realized that she was a Vampire. That, and his sharp intake of breath, clued Keyvarah in to what was happening as she straightened with a wan smile.
"You have nothing to fear, little one. I won't harm a single hair on your head," Keyvarah said, focusing her attention on Yisha.
Yisha gripped her son's shoulders and pulled him close. "Of course, Lady Oltharin," she replied. "I'd never dare insinuate such a thing." Yet the terror in her eyes betrayed her words.
June stepped forward, releasing Keyvarah's hand, and knelt before Draxxus. He didn't miss the subtle relaxing of Yisha's tense body, now that he was between her son and Keyvarah.
"Hello, Draxxus. Do you remember me?" he asked.
Draxxus nodded tentatively, his eyes periodically flickering over to Keyvarah. "Yes, Mister June."
"Just June is fine," June said with a soft chuckle before motioning at Keyvarah. "And this here is my friend Keyvarah."
Draxxus's eyes followed his hand to her, only to swiftly fall to the ground.
With a confident smile, June placed a hand on Draxxus's shoulder, drawing his attention. "It's okay. Keyvarah here may be a Vampire, but that doesn't make her a monster."
Draxxus's brows furrowed in confusion. "It doesn't?"
"No," he replied with a shake of his head. "She's a person just like us, with the exception that she needs to drink blood like we need to eat food."
"So there are some good Vampires and bad Vampires?" Draxxus asked.
June nodded. "Just like us, there are good people and bad people. You just have to learn how to tell the difference."
"How?" Draxxus asked, frowning.
"Be kind," June said. "If they return your kindness, they're someone worth trusting. If they return your kindness with malice, they're not worth your time."
"But—what if they are stronger than me?" Draxxus asked.
June rose to his full height and pulled a small wooden sword from his spatial dimension. "Then you'll just have to train to become strong enough to defend yourself and protect those you love."
He swung the training sword in a quick flourish, flipped it midair, and caught it by the blade before offering it to Draxxus, handle first.
Draxxus hesitantly gripped the sword and gave it a few experimental swings, a broad grin on his face, before turning to June. "Will you help train me?"
"Absolutely," June said. "But it'll have to be after we return to Revelcroft."
"Why can't we train after breakfast or later?" Draxxus whined.
"Come now, my cub," Yisha interjected, "you wouldn't want to be a bother to June now, would you?"
"He's not a bother," June said to Yisha with a hearty laugh before turning to Draxxus. "I only said that because the trip back would be short. We can definitely train later today."
"YES!" Draxxus squealed, waving the sword in the air.
"Now, weren't you helping your mother prep breakfast? You'd best get back to it, young man," June said, ushering him back to his mother.
A shocked gasp escaped Yisha's mouth as she spun around. "Shit! The stew!"
June watched as she picked Draxxus up and hurried back to her cooking area. Of course, the food was fine. He had kept an eye on it the entire time with his Aura Sense and used his Fire Essence to dim the flames to bring the stew to a simmer.
"Thank you for that," Keyvarah said, stepping up beside him.
"Any time," June said, shoulder bumping her, but because of their height difference, he just ended up bumping her arm.
She tentatively slipped her hand into his and looked at him as if asking if it was okay. He smiled and accepted her hand with a firm yet gentle grip.
They continued on their way over to where Quin was. She had set up her own house closer to the barracks he had created. The building's style was reminiscent of Elias's cabin.
A small smile broke across his face at the sight of Quin sitting on a wooden chair on the porch. Fond memories of their time together in the Dungeon flooded into his mind, of her growing into a beautiful young woman, unlocking The System and learning to wield magic, or ascending through the Realms, and so many more.
"Hey!" Quin called out to them with a wave, although he hadn't missed the subtle look she had when she first saw them.
"Morning!" June called back, returning her wave.
Quin rose from her seat as they walked up the steps of the porch. "Good morning, Fa—"
However, Keyvarah snuffed her words out as she pulled Quin into a big embrace. "It's wonderful to see you this morning, Quin!" she said, squeezing Quin tight and lifting her off the porch.
"It's good to see you, too," Quin said, patting Keyvarah lightly on the back.
June smirked as Quin straightened her clothes after Keyvarah had set her down. Her eyes briefly flickered to Keyvarah's stomach before locking onto him. A chill ran down his spine as her golden eyes bored into him. A silent acknowledgment of the consequences of his actions passed between them.
"Am I to call her mother now?" she asked him with a poignant look.
He scratched the back of his head and looked away in embarrassment. "No, umm…"
He paused for a moment to think of the best way to explain the situation as Keyvarah's eyes darted between the two of them. He could see the apprehension and hope in them. But, at the end of the day, he didn't want to lie to either of them.
A sigh escaped him as he turned back to Quin. "It's complicated."
Keyvarah deflated a little, but an understanding look settled on her face.
"Uh-huh," Quin said, taking him at his word, but then her voice echoed in his mind.
I take it you haven't told her yet?
He sighed mentally.
No.
Will you?
His eyes darted to the sky in contemplation before he replied.
Eventually, I at least want Keyvarah to be as mentally sound as she can be before telling her.
It was her turn to think before she gave her answer.
Okay then. I'll trust you.
Their mental conversation lasted for only a few seconds as he motioned to the cabin with his chin. "Has Reyah been there all night?"
Keyvarah's body stiffened beside him as Quin tilted her head from side to side. "For the most part. She's been in there ever since…" She paused as her eyes flicked over to Keyvarah before returning to him. "Ever since we turned in for the night."
"Okay," June said, an awkward note passing between them before he continued speaking. "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, not yet," Quin said with a shake of her head, her pink locks swaying with the motion.
"Okay," he said with a nod, before getting to the main reason he wanted to speak to her this morning. "Would you mind doing something really quick for me before we grab some breakfast?"
"Anything, Father," she said with a slight bow.
"Could you scout ahead and find out where Revelcroft is?" he asked.
"Of course," she said.
But before she could leave, he caught her hand in his. "Here," he said, pulling out the pile of clothes he had made for her from his spatial dimension. "Change before you go."
Quin's face brightened at the clothes. She wrapped him in a big hug, squealing with joy before taking the clothes and running inside the cabin. A minute later, she returned and hugged him once more, kissing him on the cheek before floating up into the sky. A boom resounded as she rocketed off to the west.
Keyvarah's eyes tried to follow Quin, but quickly lost sight of her before they fell onto him. Her face scrunched up as a question was obviously on her mind, yet she remained silent.
"You don't have to be afraid. If you have a question, just ask," June said.
"Are you and Quin one of the Twelve?" she asked. Her voice was as small as the smile on her face.
The Twelve. June remembered that term from his time spent roving through the Vampires' minds, Keyvarah's included. They were the ones who ascended to the Divine Realm. From what he could tell, the general populace revered them as gods, and they ruled over their respective races as tyrants and conquerors. If he had to guess, he'd say that they were Syrova's progenitors, although he was unsure of how long ago it had been since Syrova's integration.
"No," he said hesitantly. "We're not."
"But the two of you are in the Divine Realm, are you not?" she pressed.
His jaw tightened at her question, and she noticed. "I see. You don't have to answer that question."
He sighed with relief, glad for her understanding, as a mischievous smile crossed her face. "Shall we wake Reyah for breakfast as well?"
His brow raised in question, confused as to where this sudden change in demeanor came from. Did Keyvarah want to gloat again like she had last night? But she had a point. It'd be rude to leave her out. Besides, he had promised Urzenkeil that he'd keep an eye on both of them.
"Sure," he said cautiously before pivoting. "But before that, are you hungry? Or did you have your fill last night?"
Her face flushed red as her eyes drifted to his neck before dropping to the ground. "I am a little parched," she whispered.
"Come here," he said with a chuckle, raising his wrist. Keyvarah, however, leaned in toward his neck, and he had to extend a hand to stop her.
It was his turn to blush slightly. "Nope. That's something I'd prefer doing in private."
Her lips jutted out in a pout. "Why not? You let me do it last night?"
"And we were alone then," June retorted.
"But we weren't," she said, her brows bunching together, hinting at their one-person audience.
She had him there.
"The matter still stands. I'd prefer it if you fed through my wrists when we're around others."
Her eyes narrowed to a glower, catching his non-refusal of her words. Despite that, he had firmly set his boundaries, and she nodded after a moment. "Fine," she said petulantly.
She grabbed his hand and brought it up to her lips as she bent to meet him. A light moan escaped her when her lips clasped around his wrist, and her mouth filled with his blood. Her tongue brushing against his skin reminded him of what she had done to awaken him the night before. The way she used her tongue was just—his mind drifted to more lecherous thoughts as she drank her fill. The act itself was sensual yet animalistic, a mirror of their current relationship.
She wiped the small trickle of his blood that escaped her lips after finishing and licked said finger clean, throwing him a sly smile. "Thank you for the meal."
He snorted before turning to face Quin's cabin. "Back to the topic at hand, though, let me talk to Reyah alone. I wouldn't want you riling her up."
"I wouldn't know what you're talking about," Keyvarah said, pouting once more.
He gave her a no-nonsense look for a heartbeat before she relented. "Fine," she said with a sigh, "go ahead."
Before he could even approach the door, though, a portal opened up beside them and Quin stepped through.
"Good, you're back," June said, turning from the door to face her. "I take it you found Revelcroft?"
"Yes," Quin said, pointing in the direction she had flown in. "It's about one hundred miles due west from here."
"Great," he said with a clap. "Now, Quin. Can you escort Keyvarah here and join the others for breakfast?"
"What about you?" Quin asked, moving over to stand beside Keyvarah.
"I'm gonna go get Reyah," he said, pointing over his shoulder at the cabin with both his thumbs. "I'll disassemble the cabin for you, so go on ahead."
"Got it," Quin said, throwing him a thumbs-up as she and Keyvarah made their way to the gathering of people by Yisha's campfire.
June turned and approached the door. With his Aura Sense, he could tell that Reyah had been standing behind the door, listening to the conversation the entire time, though he had attempted to remain ignorant of it. He knocked twice and waited as she glared at him through the door.
What had he done to receive such ire?
Unsurprisingly, Sarah's voice rang loud and clear in his mind, answering his rhetorical question.
Perhaps it stems from your contrasting treatment of her and Keyvarah.
Good morning to you, too, Sarah, he said sarcastically.
Yes, it has been a relatively good and productive morning for you, hasn't it, she replied, his sarcasm either flying right over her head or she had purposefully ignored it.
He mentally sighed as he watched Reyah struggle with herself on the other side of the door.
That may or may not be the case. But my question was rhetorical.
I know, she said with a harrumph. I just wanted to chime in since you've seemed to have forgotten that I even existed ever since meeting all these women.
I haven't forgotten, he said, exasperated. I've just been a little overwhelmed with everything.
Uh-huh, she said as if examining her nails, unconvinced by his explanation. You're in the Divine Realm, June. Your mind operates at a speed a hundred times faster than these mortals. You've already processed every emotion you've felt and your current reality. You've already decided how you're gonna proceed. I can see it as clear as day!
Just because I've already processed them doesn't mean I'm not allowed to live in them and experience them like any normal person would, June said with a scoff. It's what's keeping me grounded and in the present. You're entitled to your opinion, but stop telling me who I am or how I should live my life.
It was Sarah's turn to sigh in irritation. We've been through this, June.I'm just warning you about the impending reality of your situation. Once people find out who you are, they will either revere and worship you or condemn you.
He tempered his rising emotions as he listened to her. I hear you, and I'm sorry. I just don't want any part of all of that. I'm not a god. I'm just me.
I know, Sarah said, before the door creaked open and Reyah's crimson eyes peeked out through the narrow opening. "Yes?"
"Care to join us for breakfast?" June asked with a winning smile, trying to placate her already sour mood.
"Do I have a choice in the matter?" she asked, her expression deadpan.
"Unfortunately, no, not at the moment," he said, turning to look at the barracks. "I did promise Urzenkeil I'd keep an eye on you and Keyvarah—so…"
He turned back to her as she threw the door wide open, standing there with her arms crossed and her hip jutting out to one side. "I'd rather eat in private. I… I don't like it when people stare when I'm eating."
"May I come in?" he asked, taking a small step forward.
She rolled her eyes but stepped aside, letting him enter. She closed the door behind him as he turned to face her. Before he could even get a word out, she had lunged at him, mouth poised to bite his neck. But she hadn't caught him unaware, as his hand clasped around her throat and he slammed her against the door, pinning her there. Her hands fell to his hand, clasped around her throat, trying to free herself. His free hand shot out and clutched both her wrists, pulling them high above her head.
She dangled there, held aloft by him as he glared at her. "What are you doing?"
He loosened his grip on her throat enough for her to speak. "I thought you were going to offer me your blood!"
"I was," he said, his voice as cold as ice, "but you didn't have to go trying to attack me like some rabid animal."
"So what!? Only Keyvarah's allowed to feed from your neck!?" she snapped, fury, shame, hunger, a hint of jealousy, and a glimmer of arousal burning behind her glare.
He released her and stepped away. She landed with the grace of a cat and rubbed her neck and wrists. "That's… complicated."
"Well, uncomplicate it then," she said, following him.
He sighed as he sat on the couch, covering his face with both his hands. Reyah's attitude was really grating on him. That, compounded with the involuntary affection he had for her, just annoyed him even more.
"I don't think I owe you an explanation," he said, removing his hands and looking at her.
"Of course you don't," she said, the disdain clear in her voice. "It's not like you'd want used goods, anyway."
He didn't miss her jab at Keyvarah, but there was something else in her voice that told him her words went beyond just being an insult. She wasn't referring only to Keyvarah but to herself as well. She too was once a Thrall to another Vampire.
He rose from his seat and, with a gentle nudge of her chin, tilted her head up to look at him. Her defiant stare melted when her eyes met his. "You're not used goods. Neither is Keyvarah. Both of you are more than that."
Her face contorted in conflict before settling into a snarl. "Then prove it!"
He knew what she meant—it was probably a mistake—yet he relented, leaning into her. A triumphant smile crossed her face, and she tilted his head to the side before sinking her fangs into his neck. Not an ounce of pain resonated from the bite as she drank his blood. He did his best to ignore her moans of pleasure as her arms wrapped tightly around him, clinging to him like a suckling child would to its mother.
Wow! I totally misjudged her, Sarah said, with a fluttering laugh.
June groaned internally as Sarah's laughter echoed in his mind, all the while Reyah enjoyed her time feeding from him.
After roughly thirty seconds had passed, Reyah released his neck and smacked her lips in satisfaction as a drop of his blood slowly trailed down them and onto her chin.
"Satisfied?" he asked with a single eyebrow raised as his neck healed instantly.
Her eyes focused on him, finally clear of any haze that had been there, before they widened and she jumped back and away from him. When she composed herself, her mask of defiance fell once more, and she glared at him. "Yes."
A slight chuckle escaped his mouth as he tapped his chin. "You've got a little…"
She immediately wiped the blood from her chin. "Piss off."
"Sure," he said, turning to the door, "come on. They're waiting for us."
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Keyvarah followed Quin back over to the gathering of people by Yisha's campfire. Their short stroll was a silent one as she stared at Quin's pink locks that bounced with every step. Her mind couldn't help but drift to the brief exchange they had. It had been subtle, but she hadn't missed the looks June and Quin shared, the glances to her belly.
She watched in quiet reflection as Quin greeted Yisha. Their conversation faded to the background as her mind raced through the multitude of possibilities, and she always came to the same conclusion. The possibility scared her more than the thought of June abandoning her.
How could she possibly be prepared to be a mother when she couldn't even bear the thought of June leaving? They weren't even married yet. The child would be a bastard, destined for a life of ridicule and judgment. Despite that, she knew deep down in her bones that she'd love the child, because it was June's child.
Her nerves snapped to attention as the scent of June's blood wafted by. She whipped back to the dwelling in alarm, prepared to bolt back to his side. But a firm hand gripped her arm, preventing her from moving. She turned to glare at Quin, who only shook her head in return.
"You don't have to worry. My father is in no danger," Quin said.
She tried to yank her hand free but failed miserably. "Let me go," she hissed through clenched teeth.
"Only if you calm down."
She continued to struggle to no avail, and soon enough, the scent of his blood vanished. Soon after, June and Reyah appeared through the door of the dwelling before he dismantled it, as he had done to his. Only then did she calm, and Quin released her.
She watched in anticipation as he and Reyah made their way over to the large dwelling he had made for everyone else. Her eyes narrowed as they landed on Reyah. If she wanted to share June, then all she had to do was ask.
June spent a few minutes speaking to the man named Urzenkeil before he and Reyah made their way over to them.
"So, is breakfast ready?" June asked, stepping up beside her.
Her hand instinctively grabbed his as Yisha filled a bowl full of stew and handed it to him. "Here you go, June. It's not the finest food you've tasted, I'm sure, but I hope you'll enjoy it."
June accepted it graciously before conjuring up over five dozen wooden tables with two long chairs on either side. He sat down at the one before them and invited those around to sit and enjoy their meals. His frivolous display of power and non-answer to her question regarding his Realm all but confirmed that he was in the Divine Realm. Her eyes shifted over to Quin. And more likely than not, she was as well.
Everyone enjoyed a raucous morning breakfast, and after they finished, June dispelled the large dwelling as Quin opened an enormous portal. June explained they would travel through the portal, which would put them roughly ten leagues from Revelcroft, and then walk from there.
As people filed through, Keyvarah's hands subconsciously fell to her stomach. It was going to be the start of her new life with June. Apprehension and dread of the coming changes filled her as she stood before the giant portal.