Blood Of Redemption

Calantha's point of view:

"I, king Tharius of Eldrador, hereby announce the engagement of my daughter, Calantha, to Arin Valois, crown prince of Valotoria."

The grand hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on me making my heart sink in my chest. I feel like a trapped animal as my father's words echoed in my mind. I thought back to the days I strived so hard just to escape my ex-fiancé Lyrien.

He was a cheat, but at least, I know him. The devil I have known for years is better than an angel I just met. But now I am nothing but a pawn on my father's chess board, the board serving as father's political game and I'm about to be discarded. My life is a mess.

I remembered the long night I spent pleading to father, begging him to reconsider the betrothal, to show mercy upon me but to no avail.

A part of me thinks he will agree since I am his only female child. But it is a far-fetched dream, his selfish desires and the kingdom's is more important than mine, than my freedom. He saw me as a tool, a means to secure an alliance with Valotoria. My protest fell on deaf ears, and now I stood before the entire court, forced to accept this fate.

"If only I had known, if only I had known it would end like this," I whispered to myself, "I would have followed Lyrien, no matter how treacherous he was, even if he is just a son of a Viscount."

Hot tears threatened to escape my eye as I gazed at the end of the wall where father sat on his humongous throne.

Arin, the stranger I was about to marry, standing a few feet at the side of the throne platform. His piercing onyx eyes seem to bore into my soul and maybe it's just my imagination but there's no warmth or kindness there. Just a calculated gaze, assessing me like a prized possession.

The agreement between Eldrador and Valotoria was clear; I was to be traded for a steady supply of human slaves. My father's words still haunted me.

"You are just a useless weak daughter." And he's right because I'm aware ... .I'm weak when compared to other female vampires and he's right for the second time because my only value lay in my ability to secure an alliance.

And as the court erupted into loud cheers and congratulations, I felt the last support holding my crumbling world crack.

Now, I'm trapped, bound to a fate I never wanted, but a part of me already knew it's inevitable. Arin's gaze on me never wavered. I wonder if he felt the same sense of obligation I felt or if he has ever felt trapped.

The ceremony moved in a blur with father's voice booming in the hall at regular intervals, outlining the terms of the agreement and conversing with his ministers.

I was to leave for Valotoria immediately, to begin my new life as Arin's bride. I know other girls would have been happy and grateful for getting engaged to a crown prince but I don't want to end up in a loveless marriage like father and mother but a part of me knows it's inevitable. The thought sent shivers and a feeling of dread down my spine.

Arin's grip on my arm was firm but soft as we exchanged vows, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt like a prisoner shackled to this stranger, this fate.

The cheers and applause faded into the background as I whispered my consent,my heart heavy with resignation.

The moment the ceremony ended, Arin released my hand, and I felt a fleeting sense of freedom but it was short-lived as he turned to me and said:

"We depart for Valotoria at dawn. Be prepared.....Calantha."

The last straw holding me together finally snapped and I stared at my father who was seated on his throne talking with a man whose beard almost reached the floor with a hateful gaze.

My eyes shifted to the second throne beside father's throne on which mother is seated, her skin as pale as snow; father had sucked her almost dry again. My fingers clenched my gown tightly.

I can't blame her, she has no power over it, she's also a pawn. I exhaled as Arin walked away, making me face the crowd alone.

I forced a smile on my face, pretending to be the obedient daughter I've always been, the willing bride I'm about to pretend to be, but inside, I'm screaming.

My heart rebelling against this fate, this life I never chose and everything as I finally moved, my head raised high and my back straight.

Calantha's point of view:

The dawn sky was a deep shade of indigo as I boarded the carriage, my heart heavy with resignation. I was grateful when father allowed me to bring Lyra, my closest handmaiden, with me on this journey. Her almond green eyes, a constant reminder of my own, offered me a sense of comfort in this uncertain time.

As we moved towards the carriage to set off, the carriage wheels groaned and creaked like the back of an old man rising from slumber as they drew it to where I'm standing. The wind hitting my face, a constant reminder that everything that had happened is not a dream, that I am indeed leaving behind everything, everything that I have grown to love and cherish, the little pond in my courtyard, my bed, the Royal library, everything...

I was surprised to find out that Arin wouldn't be joining us in the carriage. A small mercy on my path, I thought as I gazed back at the huge castle I've lived for the little years of my life according to the vampiric setting, the castle's walls which had become weathered due to the passage of time but continues to stand strong.

With a sigh, I lifted my heavy cream colored skirt which billowed around me like a waterfall and held the hand of the coachman and boarded the opulent carriage. I settled on its plush velvet cushion, a relieved sigh escaping my lips as we set off.

Apart from the occasional creaking of wheels and the neighing of horses, the silence in the carriage was almost peaceful and I just allowed my thoughts to wander.

My mind was a whirlwind of emotions - defeat, sadness and a sense of being trapped. And to be very honest, I still feel like a prisoner bound to fate. Lyra tried to break the silence by engaging me in a conversation but I couldn't muster the energy to respond.

The only sound in the carriage is the rustling of Lyra's dress, the creaking of the carriage's wheels and the occasional snort from horses. I parted the curtains a little and watched as trees and forests flew by us.

However, Our journey was interrupted by the loud neighing from horses and men shouting. The carriage came to an abrupt stop, throwing us both forward. Soon enough, Arin appeared at my window with a stern expression, his eyes blazing.

"Don't come outside." He warned with a low but urgent voice. "We are under attack." After that, he pulled the curtain, cutting my view from the outside world.

'This is just the start.' I thought. That's how I will be cut off from the world as soon as I step foot into Valotoria.

My life has never been in serious danger and today, I feel fear. But I sat, holding my breath as the furious clashing of swords, sounds of spells and the eerie cackle of witches sounded outside the carriage.

And without being told, I know we are under attack, an attack orchestrated by witches. Lyra grasped my hand, her face calm but showing a little fear.

Witches are banned from the whole of Westeria and are forced into hiding after almost causing the extinction of a country filled with a generous number of full blooded and first generation vampires some centuries ago.

Some powerful witches that prove themselves useful are being used by vampires but others are forced into hiding and some keep disturbing the peace of humans and vampires; the widely accepted race with vampires topping the food chain and preying on the blood of both humans and witches.

I'm an exception and I'm aware that it's because of me being weak. I only need to consume blood at least once in two weeks and I don't go crazy whenever I fail to consume it. Sometimes, I can go longer without consuming it.

I've always been weak. Father found out after telling me to use mental command on a slave and the slave didn't bend to my wishes, the red glow of my eyes when using my vampiric powers isn't pronounced and I wasn't able to enjoy the privileges of being a vampire. I feel embarrassed and ashamed even though I'm stronger than the average human.

The commotion and sound of swords clashing seemed to last for an eternity before finally subsiding and after a while, we continued on our way. Lyra and I exchanged a nervous glance but neither of us spoke. The silence is oppressive. After a while, I hesitantly part the curtain to continue gazing outside at the passing scene.

We passed through the main gates of the kingdom of Valotoria with relative ease, and without stopping, continued to what I think will be the capital where the royal castle will be located and I am right.

As we approached the capital gates, I put my face outside the window, letting the evening breeze hit my face, and I smiled but it was soon wiped off by my thoughts.

A wave of despair washed over me as I remembered that I'm now one step closer to my new life as a stranger's bride. And it looks like a game, a game where the rules are constantly changing.

Lyra, as if sensing my distress, took my hand in hers and squeezed it gently. I forced out a smile. My poor and futile attempt to reassure her when I'm not assured, to tell her that I'm okay, that everything will be fine. But deep down, I know it's a big lie conjured by my mind and that nothing will ever be alright again.

Calantha's Point of view:

Two months later

I stood In front of a large window overlooking a large orchid garden from my room. It has been two months since I arrived in Valotoria ...as Arin's bride and to be very honest, it isn't as bad as I thought .... like, it's not bad.

I find myself lost in thought, recalling the mix of emotions that swirled inside me as I stepped out of the carriage and into the castle's ground. Fear, uncertainty, dread.... that's all I felt. Arin held my hand and led me to his parents immediately and the process was smooth. I was surprised that the queen welcomed me with open arms.

The nuptial ceremony and betrothal rite proceedings started immediately on the second day after we've taken a good rest.

The opposite for me, because I was barely able to sleep.

The ceremony went in a blur and I remembered feeling fear. As a weak vampire, I was nearly feasted upon, others lust after my blood since I am defenseless. However, my father, the king, made a rule against it but he made sure he fed me well, took care of me and only beat me with words. He fed me like when feeding a cow that is meant to be slaughtered.

So the only thing I have as a female when entering the kingdom of Valotoria is my dignity as a female and my untainted blood. And I am aware that that is also going to change on the night of my nuptial ceremony.

Two months had passed since my nuptial ceremony, and yet, the memory of that night still lingered vividly on my mind. I remembered preparing myself for the inevitable, steeling my heart for the loss of my virginity. But as I sat beside Arin as a nervous wreck who laid on his back on the huge bed. His words took me by surprise:

"Calantha, I want you to know that I will not take you tonight," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Not because I don't desire you, but there's no love between us. And I will only share my bed with you or drink from you, if you love me in return."

I was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. I had assumed that our union would be like any other arranged marriage, a mere formality. But Arin's words sparked a glimmer of hope within me.

Maybe.... Just maybe, this marriage wouldn't be a loveless arrangement as I had feared.

And that night, I felt happy. And as I drifted to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.

The sound of glass shattering brought me back to reality. I had placed my palm against it while...Reminiscing. I don't know, but glass shattering against my palm has been a frequent experience in my life since I entered Valotoria. And, since I don't know the cause, I shrugged it off... again.

The door soon opened and in came Lyra with another maid who held a broom.

Lyra had been with me since I entered Valotoria and she had been supporting me emotionally. I was glad when the queen mother made her the chief maid of my chamber so we have the opportunity to be together without people gossiping.

I couldn't help but overhear the maids talking among themselves about a maid who'd cleaned Arin's bed chamber on the night of our nuptial ceremony not seeing any blood, but I couldn't care less.

They didn't say it to my face so I let it slide.

I made my way towards another window but this time, I didn't place my hand on it and I just stared at the little reflection of me that I can see since the glass is transparent.

Golden hair, green eyes, rosy plump lips, and glowing skin. I'm happier with Arin in Valotoria than with my parents in Eldrador.

Thinking about Arin, I lightly placed my hand on my wildly beating chest. I don't even know the reason, but in this last month, my heart always beats fast just by thinking of him or when near him.

And I know that he's aware due to his vampiric hearing. I remembered reading it in a human book that it occurs when someone falls in love or something but for vampires who have a slower and more silent heart beat, I wonder if it is the same.

The sound of footsteps behind me alerted me that someone was moving closer to where I stood.

"Lyra, do you mind-"

The person soon engulfed me in a hug from behind and I inhaled the familiar smell of musky and woody scent.

I drew in a sharp breath and turned to bury my face in his chest.

His scent makes me weak in the knees.

"You look lost in thought, my dear. Is everything okay?" He said in a deep alluring voice. His chest rumbled deeply near my ears since my face was placed on his chest.

I let out a small sigh.

"Nothing at all, just looking at the orchid garden." I turned, looking at the garden again.

"It is due for harvesting."

"It is."

"Mother said you should come have afternoon tea."

He said, slightly pulling me forward. I gazed up at his onyx eyes that looked like a bottomless pit. The bottomless pit that I fell into and he kept passing me the shovel to continue digging further.

Must he be so nice?! Can't he show me a reason not to love him?!

Like he knows what I'm thinking, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead. Another sigh escaped my lips. Him placing kisses on my forehead has been another regular occurrence. He'd never kissed me before -- on the lips - or down there.

Reading too much human-written romance novels is actually detrimental to me

I mentally facepalmed myself. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I allowed myself to be pushed forward by him.