The Prince and the Princess Part 6

3589 Words
[Many, many years ago]   There was a story about a hidden spring with magical properties in the mountains not far from my territory. I decided I wanted to see it for myself and figure out if the magical properties would have any benefit for me and my people. It would be something that would make our region notable. My servant, Alfred, and I headed out with some heavy skins and packs we’d made. It would help to keep the sun off me during the days, though it would add a burden if I made Alfred carry them. It was best that we just traveled at night.   The trek took a couple weeks, but we found the spring late one evening. The moon was full and illuminated the area. With my heightened vision, it was as bright as day. We went to the water, it was perfect, untouched. The moon reflected like a mirror off the still surface. I grinned at my servant. “We found it! Let’s get some bladders and we can head back. Staying here to test it isn’t safe.” I told him. “Yes, Mistress Phoebe.” He replied and started digging through his pack for the containers we brought. They weren’t anything fancy, but they’d hold liquid and we could stop them up so it wouldn’t pour out. It was very useful on journeys. While he filled them, I wandered around the area. There was a circle of mushrooms not far off. I remembered the stories of the little people who inhabited areas like that from my childhood. Fairies. Having met a few fae in my life, I knew they weren’t entirely different from the stories of my childhood. Nights were something to be feared as a child. They were dark and any number of creatures could be out there waiting for a little girl to go wandering. I remembered the night I’d learned exactly what could be living in the dark. My husband and children were sleeping soundly in our home. A nightmare woke me and I went to get some water from the clay pitcher. It was empty, so I took a bucket to go get some more water. Normally, I’d get my husband to do it, but it was a rough season and he had a lot of work to do in the fields. I wanted him to be well-rested. That was where Dark found me. He took me away from my family in the dead of night. When my memory came back, I hated him for it. I was so far from home. I had no idea what happened to them. Did my daughter find a good husband? Did my sons grow up strong like their father? Did he ever find another wife as loving and dedicated as me? I hoped the answers were yes, but I didn’t go try to find out. I was afraid of the answers being no. That losing me hurt them irrevocably. While I was tearfully remembering the life I left behind long ago, two small lights appeared. They danced around me. One purple and one blue. I reached out my hand to touch them and they landed on me. They were tiny people with large eyes and thin limbs. They were beautiful. I became alarmed at my urge to bite them. I’d never felt a pull like that. It wasn’t like needing to feed, it was just a feeling of possessiveness and an itch in my fangs. “Please, you have to go away. I want to bite you and I can’t stop this feeling.” I whispered to them. The confusion on their faces was plain. They didn’t seem to understand me. I started crying. They flew off my hand and suddenly appeared in front of me, in humanesque forms. Without a single word, they wrapped their arms around me. Their scent was intoxicating and I realized that my urge to bite them and my urge to protect them stemmed from the same thing. They were my Solus Amors. No one ever had two. I wondered at how I’d been so blessed by the goddess. They were even more beautiful in these new forms. I thought of the glamour fae used. They weren’t really like that. They weren’t truly human sized. The male kissed me. His lips were soft and velvety, like flower petals. I melted for the first time in centuries. When he pulled away, the female did the same. I’d kissed women before, but none made me feel as possessive and loved as this kiss did. I wanted to hide her away from the world and be the only one to ever experience her. “We needed to learn your language.” The male said. “Tell us again what you were saying.” “I feel the urge to bite you and I can’t stop. I wanted you to run away. I didn’t want to hurt you.” I told him softly. “You are our true mate. We will not leave you. If you must bite us, do.” The female said. “But this is just a glamour. You’re really very small and it could kill you.” I whispered. “I don’t want to kill you.” “All size is our size. We can even be much bigger than this. We are not young fae who can only maintain one size. This is no glamour. I am Keldan. This is Alyssa. We’re partners in this region, but I call her sister because we share the same magic.” “Will you stay with us?” Alyssa asked. “I can’t. I’m a vampire. Being out in the sun is dangerous for me.” I told them. “Will you come home with me? I have gardens.” “Go home, we will come to you soon. We must take care of a few things here, first. Do not worry, we will find you. We loved you from the moment we saw you.” Keldan said. “Before you leave, why were you crying?” Alyssa questioned. “I was missing my old life. Maybe I can have a life that doesn’t make me sad if I have you.” I replied nervously. “We will never make you sad. Only happy. Forever.” Keldan promised. I gave them my name and directions on how to get to my home, then met up with Alfred again to go home. They arrived a week after I returned. I’d had the staff clean the house and make sure the gardens were in good condition. I figured I’d hire someone to do the cooking once I figured out what they ate. From the moment they came into my life, I loved them. They stayed with me for six months before we ever went to bed together. Another two months before we marked each other. At a year and a half, I finally introduced them to my best friend, Petra, and our sire, Dark. Since vampires almost never came to my home, preferring to meet with me in their homes around my territory, I never saw their reactions to Alyssa. Dark seemed very interested in both Alyssa and Keldan, but nothing like the obsession Petra seemed to have with Alyssa. She kept pulling Alyssa away from me, asking her to take a walk in the garden or show her something Alyssa had been talking about. I didn’t see it. I didn’t see the hunger in her eyes. I thought my friend was just infatuated with my beautiful Solus Amor. One night, I was with Keldan. We were experimenting with pain and pleasure. He suddenly panicked. He couldn’t feel Alyssa nearby anymore. We dressed and went searching for her. She was gone. I didn’t know how they got her away without us knowing, but someone had taken her. I went to the originals to ask them for their help. They said I couldn’t prove it was another vampire and not the fae taking her back. Dark seemed like he was holding something back. As soon as I could get him alone, I started pushing. I needed answers. If he knew something, I needed to know. “Dark, I’m your childe. I don’t ask much from you, but you know something. I can see it in your face.” I told him. “You were always more perceptive than the rest of your broodmates. You have to understand, Phoebe. It’s not fair that the goddess gifted you with two Solus Amors while some have none. I don’t condone it and I didn’t permit it, but someone may have been jealous of your good luck and decided to take one of them for their own.” He answered. “Alyssa is mine! I marked her! You said ‘someone’ but you know who has her, don’t you?! Tell me!” I demanded. “You are in no place to be giving me orders, girl.” Dark growled. “You stole me from my husband and children. You took away my life! My good, happy, human, life! Now you’re holding back the name of the person who has my Solus Amor! How cruel can you be? I know people call us monsters, but you don’t have to prove them right!” I turned and left the room. I was halfway down the hall before his conscience made a reappearance. “Petra. Don’t kill her, Phoebe. I won’t make you give Alyssa up, but I can’t protect you if you insist on showing off your good fortune. I suggest moving your territory. Once news of this gets out, more than just Petra will be after Alyssa and Keldan.” Dark called out. He wasn’t worth stopping to talk to. It would only waste time I didn’t have. She’d been gone for two days. Goddess only knew what she was experiencing. Keldan met me outside and we started off for Petra’s territory. When dawn approached, I felt hopeless. Another day where Alyssa could be suffering any number of things. I got into a bag Keldan brought along and my head was covered. I told him what direction to go in and went to sleep for the day in the bag while he carried me. Part of being one of the original fae, he didn’t really need sleep. He did sleep, but he could go for days without if he needed to. We finally arrived in Petra’s territory. I knew where her home was and we headed straight for it. I told anyone who got in our way that they would die if they didn’t move. Some did, others didn’t. Keldan and I fought our way through every person in our path. I used my sense of smell to track Alyssa’s scent. I hadn’t expected that Petra would keep her in the basement. There was no sunlight to recharge her, no plants to nourish her. Alyssa needed all of that to thrive and be happy. Why would she take my Solus Amor if she wasn’t going to take care of her? When we descended into the dimly lit area, I found out the answer. Petra didn’t take my Solus Amor out of desire and attraction. She took Alyssa because of the magic in her blood. Several members of Petra’s newest brood were feeding on Alyssa. She was strapped down and couldn’t move. They had the same chemical in their saliva that I had. She’d been fed on repeatedly, probably since Petra brought her home. Her voice was faintly pleading with the vampires as she weakly struggled against them. Keldan and I were frozen for only a moment before our rage took over. We attacked. The fledgling vampires were too lost in the feed to fight back. We killed them easily. I couldn’t let them live after they let my sweet Alyssa beg while they sated themselves with her blood. We worked to free her. Her skin was ashy and pale. I’d never seen her anything more than vibrant. I could tell they’d mostly drained her. Was this what they were doing every night? Nearly draining her? Only a handful of creatures could live without blood. Draining an original fae completely could kill it. That just never happened because they could usually protect themselves. Alyssa had trusted my friend. She thought she was safe because I introduced her to Petra as my best friend. I never thought she’d betray me like this. “I’m so sorry, princess.” I whispered as I kissed her forehead. She didn’t say anything. Her eyes were empty, like she couldn’t see or hear me. She was dying. I looked to Keldan, but he wasn’t there. I was all alone again. I was losing everyone I loved all over again. I held Alyssa to me as I cried. I cried for the life I lost, for the love that had been taken from me, for the sweet fae who never harmed a single being, for the loss of my friend who was now my enemy. “I’m back, Phoebe. Let her go. I brought help.” Keldan said from behind me. Sitting up, I looked over at him. He was standing with a man who was completely black. The man had a sharp nose, round, black eyes, bowed lips, and the build of a man who spent his life hunting and fighting. Next to him, was a woman who was similar, in that she had a sharp nose, round eyes, and bow lips, along with the warrior/hunter build, but she was as white as fresh snow. A white even vampires seldom attained. Her hair and eyes were that same stark white. A woman stood off to the side. I could smell that the first two were fae, but she was definitely a werebear. She had dark hair and eyes. She was broadly built and tall with widely spaced eyes, a nearly flat nose, and a spray of freckles over her sun browned skin. “How can these… people, help?” I asked. “I am Noddens, of the wild hunt. This is my sister, Fiana, and my lover, Artio. We came to help our cousin. Artio is a warrior of great skill. She has expressed an interest in killing as many vampires as possible this night. Fiana will see if she can do anything to save our cousin.” The man said. “Yes, kill as many vampires in this place as you can. Make sure you do not kill the one called Petra. My sire has asked that she live. You can kill her human servant, though.” I told Artio. “As you wish.” She replied with a deadly smile. She left the room and I turned my attention back to Alyssa. Fiana was examining her with a worried expression. She looked up at me, her white eyes were a little haunting. “They drained her past what she can heal and retain her immortality. She’s not dying, and she is all at the same time. Her life energy is trying to adjust to let her survive this. I’m afraid she’ll be mortal once that happens. Her lifespan shortened to that of a human.” Fiana explained. Humans didn’t live very long. She was already thousands of years old. How much longer would I have her? I couldn’t bear the thought of living the rest of my life without part of me. Keldan put his hand on my shoulder. I loved them both so much. The idea of losing her killed me, but the idea of leaving him all alone hurt just as much. Losing her would cause a wound that could take a very long time to heal. “Is there anything I can do? This is all my fault. Can I give up my life for her?” I asked. “Phoebe, she wouldn’t want to live without you just as much as I don’t want to live without you. You can’t give up your life. I’ll give mine. I didn’t protect Alyssa. I let you and her down.” Keldan insisted. Fiana looked at the two of us. She looked down to where my hand was clasping Alyssa’s. Tears came to her eyes. “Love is a beautiful thing that should be cherished. I haven’t found my true mate and I may not have one. I lost my place in the wild hunt because of my ideals. There is nothing for me to love but my brother. I will give up my immortality for Alyssa. She deserves to have this love in her life.” Fiana said softly. “No. You can’t do that.” Noddens told her. “Brother, there is nothing for me. At least, this way, part of me will have love. It’s more than I can hope for.” She replied, then turned to me. “We need to make sure this never happens again. We need to ensure Alyssa’s safety.” She started moving her hands in an odd fashion and chanting in the language Alyssa and Keldan sometimes spoke. I stroked Alyssa’s hand while I watched Fiana. Anything to save my Solus Amor. When she was finished a crystal flower sat in her hand. I didn’t understand what it was, though it was beautiful. How could this protect Alyssa? “In this flower lives a magical pocket realm. No vampire of your sire’s line can enter it. It takes a spell to open the portal to this realm. Alyssa can live here until you find a way to keep her safe in our world. It’s always spring, berries and vegetables are always ripe, there are animals to hunt for food. It is a gentle world where she can be safe.” Fiana explained. “I can’t let her be alone, but I can never go see her. Keldan, would you go with her and live in the flower? Take care of her and keep her company until I can release you both?” I asked. “Of course, my love. I’ll watch over her. I’ll make up for not protecting her.” He said and kissed the top of my head. “Fiana. What about you? I can’t just let you die, you’re my sister.” Noddens whispered. “I will help Phoebe find a way to visit her loves, then I will create a world like this for myself. You will keep it safe until my true mate finds you. Then let me out to live with them for as long as possible. I’ll make a world where time will not pass. I will not age, that way I can have as much time as possible with my true mate. You can come visit me whenever you like.” She smiled at her brother. “Thank you. Thank you for giving up your life for her.” I said. “She is my cousin. She did nothing to deserve this fate. I’ll begin now, you’ll have a few moments to say your farewells, then I’ll take them into the flower. My brother, Artio, and I will take you back to your home and stay with you until I can work out a spell that can let you visit them.” Fiana put her hand over Alyssa’s forehead and heart, then kissed her. I didn’t feel anger or jealousy, only worry and a little bit of hope. This had to work. Life started flooding back into Alyssa’s eyes. She struggled to push Fiana away, but to no avail. I could see her starting to cry. She didn’t want this, but she couldn’t stop it either. When Fiana pulled back, Alyssa sat up. The bites on her body had scarred instead of healing. They would live on her skin as reminders forever. “How could you do that?” She asked Fiana. “I don’t deserve your life. I was stupid and trusting. I deserved to die.” “No, you don’t. You’re a spring spirit. An innocent heart. The vampire took advantage of that. I would rather you live. Your life has more meaning than mine.” Fiana told her. I pulled Alyssa into my arms and kissed her deeply. There wasn’t much time left. I put all of my emotion and my love for her into the kiss. When I pulled away, I kissed Keldan the same way. Fiana stood and held the flower near her chest. “Spirits of spring, open your walls. Let me pass by your gate. Accept my heart into your world.” She whispered. The flower glowed and a portal opened. Keldan picked Alyssa up off the bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried as he carried her through the portal. It looked like a beautiful spring day on the other side. They faded into the sunlight. I watched until the gateway closed, feeling my heart being torn in two. Even after it had disappeared, I couldn’t take my eyes off that spot. “Noddens, go help Artio. We’ll wait here.” Fiana said. “Phoebe, I’m here for you. We’ll leave once fae vengeance has been wrought.” I didn’t see him leave. I was still looking in the place where my Solus Amors had disappeared. At that moment, I vowed I would never risk their lives again. I would kill anyone who tried to take them from me. And, one day, I would have them with me in my world again.  
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