A Dawn So Dark (Blood Bound #1)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Aurora Artorias

O ver the span of the following week, I hardly saw Daemon. He no longer requested I show up for meals after a few nights. Arden had passed me exactly three times in the hall, but I hadn't seen him otherwise. He would wink, compliment my dress, and vanish down a dark corridor.

Noa brought me a blessing of a distraction by dragging me to meetings as her aide. I took notes for her and learned the ways of Darkspires court. It was all fascinating. I was learning about their thriving trading business, the larger trading companies assumed they were trading with small human farming villages. The humans who lived here ensured that. I had briefly learned of their vast army that had greatly grown since the last war. And furthermore, I had learned that I quite enjoyed Vampire Court. A tradesmen spoke out of turn, making a vulgar comment towards Noa, and she ripped his throat from his body. He was a Vampire, so it would simply regenerate eventually, but gods was it a sight to behold. This morning I was sure to be ready before Noa could show up.

She arrived with the rising of the sun to get us ahead of the rest of court , so today I rose two hours before daylight. I stepped into the brisk hall, leaving the comfort of the warm hearth in my chambers. The guard assigned to me rotated daily between three men. Today was the most enjoyable of the bunch. Tall and broad, usually chatty with any maids we passed. He had a groomed beard tinged with flecks of red, jovial brown eyes. “You're Tomas?” I inquire quietly, closing the door behind me. He nodded, surprised I had spoken to him at all. “Yes, Your Highness. Tomas Decleave.” Smiling at his surprise, I wave off his formality with a laugh “I am quite sure I am no longer considered a Princess in the eyes of the crown. Please, call me Aurora.” Tomas laughed in response, slapping a gloved hand against his armor. I had never had such an experience with a guard, it was refreshing to feel at ease in the presence of someone meant to protect me. Or rather, detain me .

“The General warned us you were … spirited .” Tomas chortled, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Where are we headed to this morning?” I pushed the thoughts of training aside and quickly reentered my room to grab a book. “How would you feel about a restful morning reading by the river?” His smile was all the answer I needed.

I recalled my readings from the texts, tales of the origins of Vampires and how they originated as a Matriarch until Daemon's great-great-grandfather only had sons. Since then there have only been eldest sons. Thousands of years of kings had led back to a traditional regency. As I continued, a recent passage appeared, far more informal than the rest. Recent as in twenty or so years. I was twenty-three years old. This passage regarded the war my father waged. The Monster Campaign. He had slaughtered entire species with the sole desire of eliminating Vampires. ‘ King Arthur of Camelot was once an ally of Darkspire, having conducted commerce with our people. Arthur and Prince Damon were once dear friends and allies, as our Prince had helped him ward off an opposing kingdom that dwelled to the west of Camelot. As Spring fell that year, Arthur struck with the full power of his army, and the armies of twelve other cities. King Agemon hurried to the front lines where he was struck down by Excalibur .’

My finger stilled on the page. My father had killed King Agemon. Damon's father. I felt lightheaded, nauseous. My father had killed a man that aided him in a time of need.

I slammed the book shut, setting it aside as I slouched back against the tree. My mind reeled. My father was a terror, I always knew that. But this was unfathomable. He had killed the father of a once dear friend. And here I now sat, in his kingdom, reading a book just off of his terrace without a care in the world. Damon had told me they were allies. They were friends. Close enough for Vampires to aid humans. I could feel the sun rising, warming the goosebumps that trailed across my skin. It was brisk this morning, the first bites of winter revealing itself. I had likely been sitting here for three hours and it would seem it was all I would get undisturbed. Tomas sat a few trees over, quietly enjoying the view. “You are an hour late with your meeting with your ladies in waiting.” My gaze snapped up to a cross looking Noa, who had materialized out of thin air. Something I had learned Vampires do. They move with such speed, the human eye cannot perceive it. She stood above me with a regality that I could only dream of possessing. I intended to apologize for missing whatever she had said I missed but my mind was aflame with rage against my father. I wanted to ask her if my fathers had killed Daemons, but I knew she would not reveal her King's business and there was no way I could face Daemon. “Come along then, I need to fix you before you meet them. Why on earth are you sitting in the dirt? I swear you came here to terrorize me.”

We went inside and went to my chambers to dress me in a far fancier dress than I had dressed myself in for the day. I had chosen a deep emerald gown with a scooping neckline hemmed with a black trim, long sleeves to keep me warm. Noa had gone a different route. This dress was made of a light blue silk, lined with a simple lace. The bodice was tight and pushed my breasts up, similar to Noas blood red gown. “Why exactly am I receiving ladies in waiting ? I am a prisoner.” When I looked in the mirror I winced. The gown was stunning, a dream fit for a Princess. But the body inside was another story. Along my chest was a healing gash from my escape. On my forearms, that were now visible in this gown, were the scars from my years in the tower I spent chained to the wall. The fresh wounds that I had ensured from my escape were also prominently on display. “You are a political guest , Princess.” She emphasized the word guest in such an annoyed manner it made me grit my teeth. “There are expectations to uphold in the eyes of our law.” Another maid came in, alerting Noa that we were indeed ridiculously late. I frowned. I had no desire to meet my ladies in waiting. My past one knew of what happened to me, how I was treated. She often said ‘ It could be worse .’ or ‘ If you would marry, this would not happen. No one wants to marry a troubled girl .’ Despite my internal grudge, I followed Noa out of the room. She walked with poise and dignity while I still limped from my injuries. She looked regal. I felt like a child in leading strings. Shame shot through me when we entered the sitting room. Before me sat two women, likely no older than I was, or at least looked no older than I was. They both looked as breathtaking as Noa. Otherworldly. One, the seemingly older of the two, sat in a deep red gown with white trim. Her light brown hair pinned up in an intricate updo to show off her high cheekbones, walnut skin, rosy cheeks and full cherry lips. Her pale blue, near silver eyes were striking, though her look was soft and warm. The other woman sat in a blush pink gown with flowers beaded along the bosom. Her white hair was fashioned into a braid that fell down her shoulder, skin nearly transparent, and eyes that matched the night sky. Her rosy cheeks were adorned with freckles that moved with her warm smile as the both of them rose to their feet and curtsied.

“Princess Aurora, I would like to introduce you to Lady Alys of Riveroak,” Noa gestured to the woman in blue who curtsied again. “And Lady Willa of Astyrn.” The red haired woman. I smiled even though my chest burned in discomfort. It felt as if each and everyone of my wounds had reopened. The feeling of inadequacy that often came to me when I was with the ladies of the Camelot courts came rushing back. “They will be your ladies in waiting. They will be in charge of your ladies maids and ensure that they are seeing to their duties. They will also escort you to court, join you for social events, and assist you with any other needs you may have.” All eyes were on me. Swallowing my shame, I forced a smile at the women who would be involved with the majority of my days here. “Lady Alys, Lady Willa, a true pleasure. Do tell me of your homes, your families.” I took a seat on the couch and accepted the cup of tea presented to me. Willa grinned widely, her braid bouncing as she sat. “Astyrn is west of here Your Highness. It is a mountain city surrounded by a great wall and fortress. It was once a battle keep for the great wars. Most of the families there are the relatives of warriors in the King's army. My father was once a General. My brother is General Arden.” I fought against glancing at Noa. I wondered if this was the King's choice, or if she had done it for Arden. I did not want to consider that I was receiving additional supervision due to my explosive and violent tendencies.

I smiled over the rim of my tea cup. “You must take great pride in him.” She nodded, looking at Noa before returning her gaze to me “He is a great man.” Alys spoke next, her voice was feminine and melodic. “Riveroak is just west of here. We house our peoples artifacts, our historical volumes. It is quite serine and grows the most enchanting wildlife. I know you had a traumatizing journey here, but you should truly visit one day when you are feeling up to travel.” I appreciated her sentiment, her care that I had suffered a difficult journey here. Smiling softly, I thanked her. “Thank you, it has been a strenuous journey, one I hope does not repeat itself.”

Noa glances at the clock in the corner before rising to her feet. “I am due for another meeting, but Alys and Willa will be here to keep you on schedule. I wish you ladies luck. The Princess is blind to the constructs of time, as well as an escape artist.” If only I had been awarded that title during my days in Camelot. Noa begins to make her way out of the room, pausing at the door. She spoke one sentence that I had wished not to hear before vanishing. “The King has summoned you.” The door closed behind her, leaving me to sit with my anger. The King had chosen to summon me after I met my ladies maids so I could not decline his request. The prick . Alys spoke first, clearing her throat before asking “Should we make our way to the training grounds, Princess?”

Hearing my formal title pulled me from my thoughts of annoyance. Another reminder that I was a stranger here, a prisoner. I nodded, unsure of what he would need to discuss with me after I had ignored him all week. “The training grounds?” Is that where Noa was headed in such a hurry? I had spent many days of my training for Knighthood in the training yard. Being a Princess did not protect a woman from the harshness that occurred in the training yards. “I imagine the King is there to speak with Arden. If you are ever unable to find them, one is likely there.” Alys explained as they ushered me through the castle. Willa nodded, an amused smile creeping onto her lips. “I heard that you gave Arden quite the runabout after he found you in the woods. Is it true you… that you uh… attacked the King?” Alys scolded Willa with a harsh whisper, eyes wide with disbelief that she had asked such a question. We made our way through the throne room towards the neig hboring courtyard where I assumed the training yard was. Before the guards opened the doors for us I replied proudly, enjoying the guards reaction “I struck the King in the cock… and then headbutted the General...” Willa giggled freely while Alys chuckled behind her hand. We stepped out onto a balcony that overlooked a training grounds that put Camelots and the Round Table to shame. Rows of soldiers, hundreds of soldiers, completed combat drills, sparred, and moved with a swift elegance that made me envious of the inhuman skills Vampires possessed. I saw Arden in the distance overseeing a group of clearly less experienced soldiers, so I shifted my efforts to locating the King. My gaze finally fixated on him and I nearly collapsed to my knees at the sight.

The King was without a shirt, a longsword planted firmly in his strong grip. The very grip I had felt pin me against the wall of that alleyway. A grip I had been longing to feel again. The sword moved with him as if it were an extension of his body, clashing with a guards sword with a violent grace that rendered me speechless. Sweat dripped from his hairline, leaving him looking disheveled rather than the poised and devastatingly calculated man I had seen up until now. What I saw before me was hell unleashed. The Lord of the Seven Hells himself. I swallowed hard as he struck the guard down, his sword embedded through the man's torso. Blood sprayed the King as he pulled the sword from his body, his features stoic, eyes filled with a steely rage. His gaze moved from the man at his feet to me. I gripped the banister to stabilize myself, trying to maintain a shred of dignity. A smirk grew on his lips, likely noting how his display had affected me. He handed the sword off and made his way towards me, the warriors in the yard parting to make a path for their King. He made no move to dress or wipe himself free of the blood that dripped down his bare torso. Daemon's gaze remained locked with mine until he reached the top stair, mere feet from where I now stood.

Alys and Willa stood behind me, giving me a soft nudge forward in an effort to tell me to bow. I curtsied, maintaining eye contact with him the whole time. The smirk and bing gaze did not fade as he broke eye contact to take in my ladies maids. “I hope the Princess has not caused too much trouble. She tends to run away quite often.” I hold in a huff of annoyance, though I am sure my expression conveys my feelings clearly. Holding his eyes I cross my arms over my chest, irritated that I had been summoned only to be ignored. “You summoned me, Your Majesty?”

Daemon's stormy gray gaze flitted back to me. Goddesses above, if this man did not put a shirt on and soon, I would need medical attention. I was nearly a swooning puddle . “Willa, Alys, the Princess and I require a moment.” They bowed and hurried away, leaving me in the wolf's den. Though I imagine this was futile, as Vampires they would be able to hear every word uttered between the King and myself. Daemon tilted his head, encouraging me to follow him. I followed quietly, unsure of what else to do. I studied the ridges of his back muscles and the tattoos laced around them. Thorn covered vines wound up his spine, up towards the back of his neck. I had seen plenty of men with tattoos, but none this achingly beautiful.

“Done gawking, Princess?” Daemon smirked, pulling my attention from his back to where he looked over his broad shoulder at me. I swallowed my embarrassment and rolled my eyes. “Just surprised that Vampires bleed…” it wasn’t a lie. I had always been told Vampires desired blood because they had none of their own. I had since learned that was false.

“Princess, if you wish to see me covered in blood for you , I shall gladly bleed.” He all but held out a blade in offering. “My blood is yours to claim.”

I swallowed, heat consumed my skin like an unkempt flame devouring everything in its path. “What did you need to see me about?” I looked around the secluded grove where he had led us. It was a private training yard, I imagine reserved for the King to work unbothered. A wall of weapons stood twenty yards opposite of a wall of targets, fighting dummies, training swords, and a sparring mat littered the space. His dilated gaze trailed across the exposed neckline my gown displayed, a blaze of heat following in their wake. I cleared my throat, eyeing him in annoyance “Your Majesty.” Daemon quickly recovered himself and crossed his arms over his expansive chest. “Do your ladies' in waiting suit you? ”

My mouth fell open. Of course he had arranged for Ardens sister to be one of my ladies in waiting. He wanted to pull me further into his circle, by any means. Though I was unsure if this was a good or bad thing. “Indeed, Your Majesty. Rather fascinating that such esteemed ladies of the court were chosen to be my guides. I did not realize you treated your prisoners so kindly.” Daemon smirked, the faintest flash of his fangs appearing. I wondered what being bit by him felt like. Surely it had to be painful. They had fed on humans for thousands of years, surely it was not wretched as some were documented to enjoy it. “I am sure Lady Willa and Lady Alys will be more than agreeable to assist you as you navigate Darkspire.” The King's amorous voice pulled me from my spiral of thoughts. I flushed, feeling as if I had been caught doing something wrong. “Come, allow me to show you our Knights .” The tone in which said Knights held a disdain held in regard to my father and the glory he bestowed upon the title. A title I had craved my whole life. I nodded, following alongside him as he began to move through the swarms of men engaged in hand to hand combat. They parted, making way for us as he led me towards the center of the sparring area. The soldiers, even the ones amidst bloodshed, fell to their knees as their king made his way through the crowd. My father held no such power over his men. Perhaps a raised drink in his direction, but nothing like this. I studied how he carried himself with pride through the crowd, how his power radiated over the courtyard, demanding the attention and respect of everyone in eyeshot. When we reached the center where several training masters stood shouting instructions, the King offered me a hand to help me step up onto the small platform. I placed my hand in his outstretched palm and felt all of the air exit my lungs as his grip hoisted me up. My skin burned, a blush dancing across my skin as his fingers enveloped mine. I ignored the heat flaming in my chest and turned my gaze to the hordes of men fighting. “I must say, Your Majesty,” I admitted, gauging this must be around twenty percent of his forces if he followed basic training procedure, his army was more than sufficient to challenge Camelot. “Color me impressed.”

A laugh, a pure, amused, joyous laugh escapes the king as he joins me. “I am thrilled to have impressed you, Princess. Tell me, what do you see that impresses you?” My eyes scan the vigorously training men and something instantly strikes me. “Your men rotate through hand to hand, weapons training, and strategy sessions… you're preparing them for each sequence of the fight.” Each sequence of battle had been dissected and was being taught in sections, ensuring the preparation of each individual soldier. It was beautiful.

“I tried to get your father to train the Knights this way. He did not take my suggestion, I assume.” Daemons heat radiated as he stood behind me, his lips lowered to my ear as his words caressed my skin.

“Why?” I breathed, unsure as to why he was showing me this. He should have kept me far from this, far from the inner workings of his kingdom. Instead, he continued to pull me deeper into the fold. His voice reverberated where his chest meets my back “I wanted to show you our power. My power, little Princess. I want you to know that Arthur may have won once… but he stands no chance this time.” I looked over my shoulder to meet his gaze and found myself in awe of the man before me. Compelling gray eyes, his firm features somehow still stoic as he grinned devilishly. “Are you… are you telling me that you plan to strike against my father?”

I felt as if the air had been struck from my lungs when he cupped my chin tenderly, turning my body to him. His skin was cool to the touch and I felt as if my heart turned over in my chest. His gaze assessed me, his thumb brushing across my lower lip. My skin lit ablaze with the familiar burn that ignited when I was in Daemons or Ardens presence. His darkness crowded me against his firm, towering hold. “I plan to give you your revenge, Princess. By any means necessary.”