It was early morning. The night’s storm had brought down trees and overflowed the river, leaving behind disturbed habitats and an eerie stillness in the air. Lela trudged through the forest on her way to the castle. It had been two months since she had seen her father.
She had thought about him every day and panged to see him, throw her arms around him and yes, ask him why he hadn’t sent any of his men to look for her after she ran away to live with Eldrich. Although she was the one who left and chose not to come back, she couldn’t help feeling like an abandoned child. No matter, she pressed on and prayed the storm had passed over the castle without incident.
Oh how she missed the energy of the castle, the servants gossiping and laughing, the aroma coming from the kitchen, dogs barking, and her talks with Lady Rema, her handmaiden, the comings and goings of visitors from other kingdoms…she missed it all.
Before Eldrich had disappeared into his sleeping hiding place for the day, she had told him she was going to go back to the castle to see her father and make sure no harm had come to him or anyone else.
The storm had ripped off part of the roof from Eldrich’s house and knocked down several trees, one of which scarcely missed hitting the house. She and Eldrich had spent the night pretending not to be worried, playing cards, telling jokes and talking about their lives together and how happy they were to have found each other. He had asked her more than once yet again if she would stay with him forever. His constant need for reassurance was instilling doubt in her. She was completely in love with him and she was sure he was with her but him asking her the same question made her think he was really afraid she would leave him. She made a mental note to ask him to stop or at the very least limit his questioning to only once per week, a thought that made her chuckle. For goodness sake, here she was in love with a clingy vampire.
Last night was the first time they had gone without indulging in each other. They had never gone a single night without having sex, not even when she was bleeding. It was during her bleeding time that Eldrich indulged even more, going down on her, licking her and drinking from her as if he meant to walk into the sun at first light and cease to exist. Even now, thinking about his tongue and lips inside of her, nipping, sucking, teasing her sent a sensation through her which made her want to stop in her tracks right then and there and give herself pleasure.
Yes, it had only been one night but bloody hell, she admitted to missing his warmth, the way he spoke to her during sex, commanding her to do what he wanted, pushing the limits of their desires, but also responding to her wants, her wishes.
For the moment, just the moment, she evicted him out of her mind and concentrated on her mission.
It would take her one hour to reach the castle and that’s if she didn’t pause for food and also maintained a brisk pace. Before leaving Eldrich’s house, she had eaten her fill of fruit and bread. Ever since the night she had spent with Xavier fresh bread awaited her every morning in Eldrich’s kitchen. Although she had told Xavier and his golden-haired lover, Zel, never to cross paths with her or Eldrich again, she suspected it was one of them bringing her breakfast each morning. And she was grateful; she’d started to gain back some of the weight she had initially lost when she first came to live with Eldrich and had to rely on berries from the forest.
When Eldrich saw how much weight she was losing, he started sneaking into villages late at night to steal pieces of meat for her. She was a princess relying on a vampire and an angel to bring her food. For goodness sake, she had fallen far from the King’s crown.
Thinking of her night with Xavier made her body tingle just a little bit, maybe more than a little bit, if she were to be truly honest. She had had sex with a fallen angel, never mind that she hadn’t even known angels existed before she met Xavier. And what’s more, had she refused to have sex with him, his poor imprisoned and cursed lover would have died. Oh, yes, Lela had considered giving herself the title of Witch’s Curse Breaker.
Never mind her outlandish, yet tasty time with Xavier she centered instead on reaching the castle, a task which was beginning to become quite arduous. With so many trees down, she had to either climb over them or find another way around them.
As she climbed down from the other side of a tree, she noticed something shining through a pile of leaves. Bending, she moved the leaves aside and upon taking a closer look at the shiny material, she gasped. It couldn’t be! She was staring at gold. She stood so abruptly she fell backwards and into the fallen tree from which she had just climbed down. Pointy branches dug into her back. Using her arms to push off the tree, she yelled, “Bloody hell!”
When she was once again standing, she quickly scanned the area. Please don’t be here, please, leave me alone. She didn’t see the golden ball which gave her some comfort. Taking in a deep breath, she sped through the forest, jumping over branches and puddles and more than once nearly colliding with a fallen tree.
Ahead, the castle came into view. From what she could see so far, nothing looked out of place. She flew toward it. As she got closer, her stomach began to ache and she considered turning and running back to Eldrich’s house. No, she was not a coward. And besides, despite her apprehension, her most important concern was to know her father was safe.
Clearing her throat and swallowing, she reached the castle’s grounds. Everything appeared as she had left it. It was as if the storm had intentionally bypassed the castle. Relieved, she exhaled a deep breath and massaged her brow. Then it hit her. How did she not notice it sooner? The silence, the absence of people, the castle was deserted.
Her heart in her knees, Lela ran through the castle’s halls yelling, “Father! Father! Where are you?”
She stopped and listened. She heard nothing. Not possible. Flinging the doors open to her father’s bedroom, she yelled again, “Father! It’s Lela!”
He was not in his room. Sinking into a chair, she pleaded with her mind to bring her answers. Something awful must have happened to cause her father and the rest of the people to leave. No wonder her father hadn’t come looking for her. Whatever transpired must have occurred soon after she left, as soon as that same night. Vampires!
Blood rushed to her brain; if she had not been sitting, she would have fainted. Sitting still for a moment, she let the dizzy spell pass. Then she dashed into the hall on her way to the castle’s kitchen. She’d gather as much food as she could carry, hustle back to the house, formulize a plan and wait for Eldrich to rise from his sleep.
Scanning the kitchen, she held her nose. The smell of rotting food so strong, she nearly hurled. Flies flew about as if humans had gone extinct and it was now their time to rule the land. Barrels of rotting vegetables and fruit sat on the floor and on tables.
Quickly, she searched for any food that was still edible. Ah, yes, the cooks always kept dried salted meat and jars of preserved fruit in the pantry. She spilled a bag of grain and then used the bag to collect as much meat and preserved fruit as she could carry. Throwing the bag over her shoulder, she made for the kitchen’s exit door and then walked through the short hall which led to the animals’ pens.
But when she was outside she didn’t hear any sounds coming from the enclosures. The animals were gone, too. Madness!
If the people of the castle were in immediate danger, her father would not have ordered they also take the animals. But then she had been gone for two months and couldn’t be sure when it was that her father and the rest of the people left the castle. Nothing made sense. How was it possible that everyone, including the animals, had simply vanished?
Trying to understand what could have happened, Lela thought of the gold she had seen in the forest. Perhaps the golden ball had made it out of the sea and was now searching for her. But, if the ball was once again following her, why hadn’t the vampires come for her? Why would they have attacked her father instead? Maybe vampires had nothing to do with this. But who else could have gone after her father? Questions, nothing but questions and no bloody answers!
“Lela!” a woman screamed.
Lela turned in the direction of the voice. Coming out of the woods was a familiar face.
“Lady Rema, oh my beloved Lady Rema!” Lela yelled, setting the bag of food down and running to meet her.
Crying and disheveled, Lady Rema embraced her.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” Lady Rema said, looking her up and down.
“What happened here?” Lela asked.
“You’re so skinny,” Lady Rema said, hugging her again. “Oh Princess, I thought you were dead.”
“Focus, dear Lady Rema. Tell me what happened. Where is my father?”
Lady Rema started to cry again. “They disappeared.”
“How?” Lela asked, putting her hands on Lady Rema’s shoulders and lightly shaking her. She wouldn’t hesitate to slap her.
“The day you left…when the hours passed and you still hadn’t returned, I went looking for you. I was afraid the King would find out.”
“You went into the forest, alone?”
Lady Rema had never left the castle’s grounds. Not that Lela was aware of anyway.
“I had to bring you back. You told me the golden ball had made itself known to you. That meant vampires would be coming after you,” she said, wringing her hands.
As much as she loved Lady Rema her reason for going into the forest gave Lela doubt. She was the only one who hadn’t vanished. Why? There was something Lady Rema wasn’t telling her.
“I once asked you if you were an honest woman,” Lela said.
Nodding, Lady Rema said, “I am.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
“I couldn’t find you. I didn’t know where to look. I got lost,” she said, inhaling and exhaling. “When I found my way back to the castle everyone was gone. I swear. They were all gone.”
“You’re not telling me everything. A few weeks ago, I was a silly, naive girl. I’m no longer that same ridiculously sheltered, stupid girl who chased after a golden ball.” Lela took Lady Rema’s hand. “I will only ask you one more time. If you do not answer me with the truth, I’ll know it and you will be out of my life forever.”
Lady Rema gazed at the ground and then back at Lela. “I’ve taken care of you from the moment you were born. I swore to your mother the night she walked into the forest and gave herself to the vampires, wretched, despicable beings, that I would protect you,” she paused for a moment, “when you didn’t come back, I knew your father and everyone else here would suffer a painful death because of your decision to live with a vampire. At first, I tried to wave the thought away. You couldn’t possibly have fallen in love with one of them, not after what happened to your mother.”
“How cruel of you to say something like that to me,” Lela said, tears beginning to form.
“It’s not my intention to be cruel.”
“How did you know about Eldrich?”
“I knew something happened to you the night you spent in the forest. You came back different. Your focus on when the sun would set gave me pause. Your questions about vampires…”
“Finish your words,” Lela said, massaging her forehead.
“I did go after you. I was not lying about that. I knew exactly where he lived, the vampire with whom you had fallen in love. But I never made it to his house. Halfway there, I decided to visit my sisters instead. I flew high into the mountains, seeking their help.”
Lela tried to maintain her composure. Every part of her wanted to strangle Lady Rema.
“Are you seriously kidding me? What do you mean you flew? You’ve gone mad.”
Lady Rema cleared her throat and sighed. “You asked for the truth. Here it is. I’m a witch.”
Lela snickered and put her hands on her knees. “Oh, right, sure, of course you’re a witch. Why wouldn’t you be? After all, I’m a princess in love with a vampire. Oh, and by the way, angels exist and did you know that there was a war hundreds of years ago between vampires and angels? What else? Oh, yeah, I’m pretty sure the angels lost and now they all live in the Kingdom of the Lost and oh my, unknown Kingdoms, yeah, they also exist but then since you’re a witch you probably already know that. And lastly, please tell me you don’t actually fly on a broom? I shall fall dead.”
“This is no time for mockery and humor. I’m a witch. Of course I use a broom to fly. How else would I have reached the mountains so quickly?” Lady Rema said, blushing.
“I do apologize,” Lela said. “How very rude of me to poke fun at your revelation and your broom.” Hysterically laughing, she held her stomach. She considered picking up the bag of food and heading back to Eldrich’s house.
“Lela! Compose yourself. I have more to tell you.”
“Oh yes, by all means, please go on.”
“My plan the day you left was to bring you back, even if I had to cast a spell on you. I was afraid that once vampires learned the golden ball was hidden and that you had left the castle to go live with one of them, they’d come after your father and everyone else in the castle. Vampires are vicious, but they do respect rules. And without the golden ball, they cannot harm you nor can they attack your loved ones provided you remain in the same household. Do you understand what I’m saying?” She gritted her teeth. “You left the castle, leaving the door open for an attack. They would have killed your father and anyone else who dared cross their path. I would not have been able to stop them. They would have tortured your father, drained him slowly and then cast him into the sea where he would have endured further agony. They are despicable, soulless creatures who care nothing for humans or any other beings.”
“If what you’re saying is true, why didn’t you come after me?”
“Because of him,” she said.
“Eldrich?”
“He’s not what you think he is. I was afraid.”
“Don’t hold your tongue, now, old lady!”
“I was afraid he would rip me apart if I tried to take you. Most of our spells don’t work on vampires and the few that do require special ingredients and a wise hand. I have neither. I’ve never traveled outside of Barmoth. I’m a pathetic witch.”
“Eldrich is not like that. He would have never harmed you.”
“I know you love him, but he’s hiding something from you.”
“Enough! I want to know where my father is. I swear I’ll strangle you right here and now if you don’t tell me.”
“My sisters cast a spell on the castle, making it invisible and impenetrable. They helped me protect the people I love. But another witch, a powerful and old one, cast a different spell. She sent everyone to one of the unknown kingdoms. She hates you and Eldrich. She wants nothing more but to see you both suffer. I tried to bring them back. My sisters and I tried, but we could not break her curse.”
The same witch who turned Eldrich into a frog for not lying with her; the same witch who cast a spell on Zel sentencing her to death unless Lela lied with her lover, Xavier; the same witch who was now bent on forever hurting her and Eldrich. Curse you, witch! Curse you!
“What must I do to get them all back?” Lela asked.
“You’ll need to travel to her. She demands that you and Eldrich come to her and beg her for forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness?” Lela bit her upper lip.
“For the hurt you and Eldrich have caused her. Eldrich for not lying with her, and you for breaking the curse, and worst of all because Eldrich fell in love with you. For all of that, she demands you ask her for forgiveness.”
“And if I do that, will she return my father…everyone to the castle?”
“She has given me and my sisters her word.”
If Lela was to beg anything from anyone she needed to know that person’s name. “What’s her name?”
Lady Rema shuffled her feet. “She goes by the name of Stiltz.”
“I know that name,” Lela said. She’d heard her mother and father whisper it when they thought she wasn’t around and whenever she asked them about it, they’d shoo her away and tell her to go play and never speak of it.
“She’ll try and trick you.”
“Did my parents know her?” Lela asked, frowning.
Lady Rema covered her face with her hands. “The day after you were born she came before your mother and father to claim you. Stiltz had helped your poor mother after her father told a terrible lie to the King. He told your father that his daughter, your mother, could spin straw into gold and when your father found out that she couldn’t, he sentenced her to death. Bless your father, he is kind but he’s no one’s fool. He’ll not tolerate disrespect or treachery. Ah, but the wretched witch, Stiltz, helped your mother and in return for her help your mother offered her, her firstborn. You.”
“I have absolutely had it. How many more secrets are you keeping? And spinning straw into gold? Absurd, ludicrous! Gold has not existed in Barmoth for an eternity,” Lela said.
“When Stiltz came for you, your father and mother tried to dissuade her, offering her treasures and a noble position in the castle. She finally consented to one thing. If they could guess her name in three day’s time, she’d pardon your mother. Witches are secretive. We do not disclose much about ourselves and certainly not our real names. But Stiltz was careless. She thought she had won and so on the third night she walked through a remote village yelling her name. A villager, I’m convinced it was a fallen angel who was passing through Barmoth, traveled to the castle and told your mother and father. Stiltz swore she’d hurt you someday. She stormed out of the castle swearing she’d find a way to hurt you.”
Lela could not absorb the information she had just heard. It was all too much. She’d think about it later.
“If you have any other secrets, hold them. Tell me how to get to the witch.”
“She lives in the highest point of the tallest mountain.”
“Even with Eldrich’s speed and strength it will take us days, maybe even weeks to reach it. I’m not a climber. It’s impossible!”
“I will give you my broom. It can carry you both. Go to Eldrich and be back here at sundown.”
Lela wrapped her arms around Lady Rema. “All is not well between you and me. We will someday sit down and finish this conversation. But I know you did what you did because you wanted to protect me and my father.”
“Come back at sundown,” Lady Rema said.
“Wait for me here,” Lela said.
“Go.”
Lela made it back to the house in less than an hour. She raced up the stairs and into her room. Exhausted, her stomach full from dried, salted meat, she fell into her bed. She needed to sleep, if only for a few hours. Drifting into slumber, she prayed to the Gods to give her courage.
A whisper awakened her.
“Sweet Princess, I missed you,” Eldrich said into her ear.
Still groggy, she said, “I have so much to tell you.”
Kissing her neck, he swept his hand down her arm. “Tell me afterwards.”
His heat was driving her crazy and she felt guilty for wanting him inside of her.
His lips touched hers. She opened her mouth to him, her hand sliding down to his hard cock. She gripped its head and moved her hand up and down on it. He continued kissing her sending shivers down to her toes.
Moving her hand away from his stiffness, he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?” she asked, moaning and squirming.
“Will you do as I say?” he asked.
She’d do anything he asked. “Command me.”
“Sweet delicious, Princess, I missed being inside of you, thrusting into you.”
“Then do it, my love. Plunge into me, hurt me.”
“Not yet. First I want to show you my surprise. I think you’ll be pleased.”
“Tell me what to do. I’m yours.”
He sat up in the bed and leaned against the headboard. “I want you to play with yourself. I want to watch you touch yourself.”
He had never asked that of her. It struck her that she had never thought about putting on that kind of display for him. She suddenly felt prudish.
The sconces on the walls shimmered light into the room. She got up and glided to the end of the bed.
Grinning, he winked at her.
“Undress for me,” he said.
She let the top of her dress fall to her waist.
“Touch your breasts.”
Slowly, she fondled her breasts.
“Yes, slowly, that’s it,” he said. “Now squeeze your nipples.”
For goodness sake, what was wrong with her? She was behaving as if this was the first time she and Eldrich had had sex. As if she had never used her own hands to arouse herself. Ah, the difference was that she had yet to put on a show for Eldrich and she was suddenly terrified. What if he didn’t like what he saw?
Breathing in, she pinched her nipples.
“Are you enjoying what you’re seeing?” she asked. I’ll die if he says no.
“Love of mine, I want you to give yourself pleasure as if I weren’t here. I want to see what you do when I’m not with you.”
Ah, yes, that she could do.
“Then don’t give me anymore commands.”
He nodded.
Stepping out of her dress, she widened her legs. She then stroked her belly button and lowered her hand to her vagina. Using two fingers, she spread her vagina’s lips.
“Sweet, delicious Princess,” he said, moving his hand to his swollen cock.
“No, you’re not allowed to play, yet,” she said, winking.
“You’re mean,” he said, smirking.
“And you’re not supposed to be here, remember? I’m to do what I do when you’re not with me.”
He blew her a kiss. “Apologies.”
She slid a finger inside and threw her head back as she swirled her hips in delight.
He got up from the bed and came toward her. He was holding something in his hand.
“Are you ready for your surprise?” he asked, revealing what was in his hand.
“Oh, you’re naughty. Where did you get it?”
“From a village not too far from here.”
“What are you going to do with it?” she asked, biting her lip.
“Ah, so you’re ready?”
“Oh yes, oh yes.”
He dragged a chair to her and said, “Lean over it and open your legs as wide as you can.”
And she did.
He slapped her hard on her buttocks.
She winced.
“Do you want me to hit you again?” he asked.
“Yes, hurt me until I gush,” she said.
Smacking her again, he said, “You’ll drive me mad, I’m convinced of it.”
He then got down on his knees and bloody hell, began to swirl the cucumber around the tip of her vagina.
She screamed and then screamed louder as he inserted one end of the cucumber into her. Sweet Gods!
“Do you like what I’m doing to you?” he asked.
She liked it so much it embarrassed her. It also reminded her of her night with Xavier and the squash!
“Yes, oh yes,” she said.
He stood, spread her buttocks, and began to rub his cock on her. “Sweet Princess, you make me crazy.”
She flinched with anticipation.
“ Let me do what I want to you,” he said.
“Yes, my prince, do as you please. Have your way with me.”
“Do you like the way my cock feels against you?” he asked.
“I love it, oh, I love it.”
He reinserted the tip of the cucumber into her vagina and then he oh so gently started entering her from behind.
When she thought she would faint from the extreme pleasure she was feeling, he sank his fangs into the back of her neck sending potent shrills up and down her body. Blessed Gods! He was having his every way with her…drinking from her, using a hellish vegetable on her, and sweet Gods pleasuring her from…
“I want you to climax first,” he said to her.
“I have multiple times already.”
He pulled her hair back gently. “Are you happy? Do you want me to do anything else to you?”
Oh, he was her prince…her beautiful, forceful, yet selfless lover.
“I’m happy,” she whispered, climaxing again.
He pulled out of her and ejected his semen on her lower back. “Forgive me, love.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m yours and you’re mine.”
As Lela’s drunken, fogged mind began to clear, the reality of what she had learned earlier in the day presented itself front and center.
“Eldrich!” she said.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed putting on his trousers. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
“We need to go right now. Get up, hurry,” she said, grabbing his arm and bringing him to his feet.
Quickly, he pulled up his pants. “Where are we going?”
“A witch…the same witch who cursed you has vanished my father and everyone from the castle to an unknown kingdom. We need to meet my handmaiden, Lady Rema, at the castle. She’s a witch and she’s going to let us use her broom to fly-”
“Slow down. I don’t understand anything you’re saying,” he interrupted.
She took hold of his hand and said, “I’ll explain on the way.”
With speed, she led him out of the room and down the stairs.
“You’re not faster than me, love. I’ll carry you,” he said, lifting her into his arms. Then he took a lamp from one of the foyer’s walls, turned it on and handed it to her. “Hold it tight.”
“Fly!” she said.
Off they went. Even in near-darkness, Eldrich danced around branches and fallen trees with ease and in a few minutes, they were standing on the castle’s grounds.
“Lady Rema! Come into view,” Lela said. “I promise he won’t hurt you!” Then she whispered to Eldrich, “Please be sweet to her.”
“I’m not fond of witches but I promise I won’t hurt her,” he whispered back.
“Lady Rema, I promise I won’t drain you!” he screamed.
“Eldrich, for bloody hell’s sake, I said be sweet.”
“Oh, okay,” he grumbled. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me!” he yelled.
Lady Rema appeared holding a torch in one hand, a broom in the other.
“Come closer,” Lela said.
Lady Rema eyed Eldrich.
Lela poked him on the side of his stomach with her knuckles.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said to Lady Rema. “I’m making a rule not to hurt you. As a witch, you should know vampires respect rules.”
She took a step forward and then another until she was standing two feet from them. “Did she tell you everything?” Lady Rema asked Eldrich.
He nodded.
“Then you understand your role? You’re to plead…beg Stiltz to bring back the King and the rest of the people she sent away.”
“I will get down on my knees and weep if I have to,” he said.
“Take it,” Lady Rema said, handing Lela the broom. “It will fly you to the highest point of the highest mountain in Barmoth. It will bring you back. It will not dissuade from its mission, I promise you.”
“Thank you,” Lela said.
“Princess, remember what I said to you earlier,” Lady Rema said, giving Eldrich a brief glance.
He’s not what you think he is. Yes, Lela remembered.
“Wish us luck,” Lela said to her.
“Be on your way, child, and may the Gods be with you.”
Lela put the broom between her thighs.
“Get behind me,” Lela said to Eldrich.
He joined her and in the next moment, the broom began to ascend. Lela closed her eyes and held on tight.
“Don’t be afraid,” Eldrich said. “I’m with you.”
She opened her eyes and looked down. She couldn’t see Lady Rema. All she saw was darkness. The broom rose higher and a thought came to Lela’s mind. One she wished had stayed hidden. Xavier. She remembered feeling safe with him when he was holding her in his arms as he glided through the air when he brought her back to Barmoth from the Kingdom of the Lost. A part of her wished he was holding her, now.
Higher they rose and she thought they were going to collide with the full moon. She stared at it. So majestic and powerful, she wondered how many secrets it was keeping for people.
“We’re almost to the mountains,” Eldrich said.
“Are you scared?” she asked.
“Of a witch? No, of course not.”
He was lying. Stiltz was the witch who cursed him, turned him into a frog!
“She won’t put a spell on you, again. I’m sure of it. That would be too easy. Her intent is to cause us both pain,” Lela said.
“I never told you how many years I spent as a frog. I lived as a slimy, insect-eating close-to-the-ground frog for ten years.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. In that time, I learned a lot about the forest, humans, and I also got to feel the sun’s rays on my skin without feeling pain.”
“Do you miss the sun?” Lela asked.
“When I was a young vampire, yes, I missed it.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m with you and you’re all that matters to me.”
Ahead, Lela could see the tallest mountain. The broom ascended higher.
For an unknown reason, Lela started laughing as the broom approached the peak of the mountain.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“This is all so utterly ridiculous. If I don’t laugh, I’ll start crying and fall down into the trees.”
“How do you think I feel? Vampires despise witches. And yet, I find myself flying on a witch’s broom on my way to see another witch.”
She laughed, harder. “We’re quite the couple.”
“At least we’re not boring,” he said.
“Mind if after we get through this, we settle in for a bit of boringness?” she asked.
“Even when having sex?”
“Of course not!”
“You had me worried,” he said.
“Ah, don’t worry, my love. I have a few things planned for us,” she said.
“Do tell. More vegetables?” He laughed.
“Is that all you think I like?” she asked, snorting.
“I’m intrigued,” he said.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
They reached the top of the mountain and the broom began to descend.
“How will we know where the witch lives?” she asked.
“Something tells me she’ll come to us,” he said.
Down through the tallest trees Lela had ever seen, the broom fell.
She looked below and saw a pack of wolves, tearing a dead animal’s flesh.
“Eldrich,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” he said, jumping off the broom.
They were at least thirty feet from the ground. I’m in love with a mad vampire!
The broom halted, hovering in the air above Eldrich and the wolves.
The alpha male wolf leaped onto Eldrich. Eldrich pushed him off with his arm; the wolf landed some twenty feet away. The other wolves growled.
“Who’s next?” Eldrich asked, crossing his arms.
The alpha male regained his stance and came at Eldrich again. This time, Eldrich grabbed and twisted his neck. Upon seeing their now dead leader the other wolves retreated and disappeared into the woods.
The broom started falling again. Lela’s feet touched the earth. She sprinted into Eldrich’s arms.
Before she could contain herself, she unbuttoned his trousers, pushed down his pants and took his cock in her mouth.
Moaning, he said, “Sweetness of mine. Yes, take it in deeper. That’s it, good, very good.”
She wanted all of him in her mouth and she drew him in deeper and deeper, sucking and licking him. His fighting the wolves had aroused her beyond her control. She felt like an animal and she didn’t care. Standing, she lifted her dress and leaned against a tree.
“Come to me,” she said.
He wasted no time. “I want to devour you,” he said, sliding his fingers into her.
“No,” she whispered, moving his hand aside.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked.
“I want your cock inside of me. I want you to push into me as if today is your last day.”
He raised her arms above her head and entered her.
“Harder,” she said.
He obeyed.
She was absolutely intoxicated.
“Turn me around,” she said.
He obeyed. Powering into her again, he put his arm across her upper back and pressed her body against the tree.
“Tonight is your last night, love,” she said.
He pulled out of her and ripped her dress off. Then he grabbed her and threw her to the ground.
“My turn,” he said.
“Anything you want,” she said.
“Crawl away from me.”
The heat she was feeling was killing her. She almost felt nonhuman as if the mountain was turning her into a ravenous animal.
Crawling, she said, “Don’t hurt me.” Yes, oh, yes, hurt me.
“Smother your body with dirt,” he said.
She obeyed. Oh, yes, she did. She spread dirt on her face, her breasts and her stomach.
“Down below, too,” he said.
Gently, she smeared dirt between her thighs.
“You’re so dirty,” he said. “My sweet dirty, Princess. Now get up and run from me. Run as fast as you can.”
Blessed Gods, what has gotten into us? Whatever it is, I want more. I want him to chase me and knock me down and plunge into me…
She came to her feet and soared through the trees as if the God of Death had called her to him. The moon’s glow guided her.
Suddenly, she was no longer running. She was on her back on the ground and Eldrich, oh, sweet Gods, was plunging into her with all his strength. Wrapping her legs high around his back, she gushed and then immediately had a second orgasm followed by bloody hell, a third!
Sinking his fangs into her plump breasts, he drew her blood as if he meant to drain her.
“Love, you’re taking too much. You need to stop.”
He thrust into her one last time and then pulled his fangs from her breasts. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”
Lying on her back, staring at the moon, Lela smiled. He had stopped when she asked him. He had not taken anything too far. She loved him even more because she knew he would never, ever hurt her. She wanted to push the boundaries of their sexual escapades even more.
“You got a little overly excited. As did I. That was intense,” she said, breathing heavily.
“Maybe it’s the mountain air,” he said.
“Or the full moon,” she said.
“Whatever it was, let’s do it again,” he said, standing and offering his hand to her.
“Now?” She could hardly breathe.
“I need to regain my strength,” he said with a grin.
“You’re not the only one,” she said, taking a hold of his hand.
He pulled her up. “I’ll return in a few seconds.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get our clothes and the broom,” he said and disappeared.
Seconds later, he was back.
“Your dress is slightly ripped, forgive me,” he said, handing it to her.
“Ah, yes, I bet you’re very sorry you tore my dress,” she said with a chuckle.
Smiling, he put on his trousers and shirt.
She threw on her dress and tugged at the torn collar. “Barely noticeable.”
“It’s noticeable to me,” he said.
“Quit it. You’re not helping.”
He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the nose. “I adore you. Ripped clothes and all.”
“I’m a princess, you know,” she said. “Accustomed to only the finest of things.”
He tilted his head and then leaned in for another kiss. This time his mouth met hers.
“What a lovely couple,” a voice said.
Three men and a woman encircled them.
Eldrich got in front of Lela and extended his arms. “Why are you here, Zaul?”
The man whom Eldrich had called Zaul moved in closer. Taller than Eldrich, he had long, flowing hair which fell past his waist. His face was scarred and he wore a patch on one eye. Lela had a suspicion that the newcomers were vampires.
“So lovely, indeed,” he said, his gaze on Lela.
“Without the golden ball, you have no claim on her,” Eldrich said.
Zaul sighed and then sighed again. “Yes, yes, we know.”
“But yet, we still find ourselves wanting her. Look at her, she’s delicious,” the woman vampire said, locking hands with Zaul.
“You’re rather selfish, Eldrich,” Zaul said. “But then, you’ve always been selfish. Does she know who you really are?”
“Be on your way!” Eldrich said.
Lela bent down to pick up the broom. She considered getting on it and demanding it take her away, but she couldn’t leave Eldrich and what’s more, she wasn’t sure if the broom would obey her since they hadn’t completed their mission.
“You have a witch’s broom? Fascinating. What are you two up to?” Zaul asked.
“We ask the same of you. Why are you here?” Eldrich asked.
“Sweetheart, have you seen gold in the forest lately?” Zaul asked, staring at Lela.
Lela came from behind Eldrich. She’d not let this vampire humiliate her.
“A dusting of gold among leaves does not constitute a golden ball,” she said.
“My, my, she’s brave. Very nice,” Zaul said.
“Unless you see a golden ball here, get on your way,” Lela said and swallowed. Keep still knees, keep still.
“We may not be able to claim you yet, but don’t think the golden ball isn’t coming for you. The dusting you saw is its way of letting you know it’s finding its way back,” Zaul said.
All of the vampires then rose into the air, hovering over Lela and Eldrich.
“By the look on your face, you had no idea some vampires can fly,” Zaul said to Lela. “Oh, Eldrich, you disappoint. Have you told her nothing about our kind?”
“Let us be,” Eldrich said.
“Ah, yes, for now, only for now,” Zaul said.
“Can you fly?” Lela asked Eldrich after Zaul and the other vampires flew off.
“No,” he said, taking her hand.
“Are you keeping anything from me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She let go of his hand and locked eyes with him. “Tell me.”
“I love you. I would give my life for you.”
“And I would do the same for you. But if we’re to live together, I must know what secret you’re keeping from me.”
“I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.” He got on his knees.
Lela was tempted to tell him that whatever he was hiding from her wouldn’t make a difference. That she would stay with him no matter what he told her. But she couldn’t bring herself to say those words.
His eyes welling up, he said, “I’m the Prince of the Barmoth vampires.”
Stepping back, she said, “What? What does that mean?”
Bloody hell!
He put his face in his hands and stood. “I wanted to tell you.”
“Why didn’t you? For bloody hell, blessed Gods’ sake, you’re a prince, a real prince.” She picked up a stick and threw it against a tree.
“I was going to tell you the night I came to your room. But I just couldn’t do it. I was falling in love with you. I was afraid if I told you who I was…”
“That I would throw you out, spit in your face. Is that what you thought?”
“I needed to protect you,” he said.
Lela walked up to him and slapped him. “You disgust me.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said.
“Did you have anything to do with my mother’s disappearance? Oh, Gods, did you drink from her?” She burst into tears. Please tell me you didn’t!
“I…was the one who made the pact with your mother. She came to me and begged me to let you live. My kind wanted to kill you from the moment they discovered that the golden ball was following you.”
Coughing and gagging, Lela tried to keep from fainting. He had broken her very soul.
“You evil, despicable creature! Get away from me!
“Let me finish my words, please, Lela, you have to let me tell you everything.”
“If I had a stake, I’d pierce your heart.”
“I tried to keep my kind from trying to hurt you. I swear it. They wouldn’t listen to me.”
“You’re their bloody prince!” She gagged again.
“And the golden ball is our God. How could I ask them to ignore our God? Vampires despise who they are. We want to be human again. To fall in love. Have children. Walk in the sun. And die from old age. The golden ball chose you.”
“Oh, Gods, I can’t hear this.”
“Your mother visited me and asked me for my help. I knew that if she offered herself to my kind, they would leave you alone for a while. Her blood saved you.”
“I hate you.”
“It was either her or you. Do you understand what I’m saying? There was nothing I could do.”
“My poor mother.”
“She saved you,” he said.
“Did you drink from her?” she asked, sobbing.
“No. I swear it. I swear it on the love I have for you. I swear it on my life. May the sun come up now and strike me down. I swear I did not drink from your mother. The night she gave herself to us, I renounced my crown. I walked away from my kind. I was ashamed.”
“I can’t be with you.”
“I turned from my kind. What they did was wrong. I wish I could have prevented it,” he said.
“But you didn’t. You let it happen and then because you were ashamed, you walked away from it all. Do you think that makes you a hero?”
“My deed did not go unpunished. The same night I abandoned my kind, a witch cursed me…turned me into a frog.”
“And stupidly, I helped you break the curse and then I actually fell in love with you. Oh, hell, did you know who I was when you found me in the well?”
He raised his eyes to the moon.
“You did, didn’t you?”
“I lived in the forest, the same forest which you visited often. How could I not know who you were? Bloody hell, Lela, I was guilt-ridden. There were so many times I thought about coming up to you and telling you everything. I was a frog! What was I supposed to do? Hop over to you and start talking to you? You would have run away screaming.”
“So you waited until I fell in the well. How very sweet of you.”
“No! The golden ball decided to make itself known to you that day. I knew that vampires were going to come after you. They would not have hesitated to drain you. The ball led you to the well. It wanted you to fall in.”
“Hold your tongue!”
“Listen to me. The ball wanted to keep you trapped until sundown. It was holding you captive for vampires.”
“Luckily, you were there to help get me out,” she said.
“I don’t expect you to believe me. But I’m telling you the truth. I couldn’t let what happened to your mother happen to you,” he said.
“What about the witch’s curse?”
“It sounds absurd but it’s the truth. In order to break her curse I had to lie with a princess. I knew you would agree to anything I asked for. You were at the bottom of a well. I had to try.”
“You’re disgusting.”
I wanted to protect you. How could I defend you as a frog? I needed to redeem myself.”
“You and I are no more,” she said, hoping the earth would open below her and swallow her.
“I can’t breathe without you,” he said.
“Then you will die,” she said.
“Enough!” a woman’s voice said.
“You’re here to ask my forgiveness. I will not stand here for a second more listening to a spoiled princess and a pathetic, guilty vampire arguing about things I care not about. Now, both of you kneel in front of me.”
“Are you Stiltz,” Lela asked.
“If you say my name again, you’ll never see your father again!”
The witch was not at all how Lela imagined her. She was beautiful with long black hair, soft facial features and a curvy body.
“Forgive us, “Eldrich said, kneeling.
“Seeing you like this makes me wonder why I ever wanted to lie with you. A vampire kneeling in front of a witch. Sad, so very sad. Yet here you’re,” the witch said to Eldrich.
“Forgive us, please forgive us for hurting you,” Lela said.
“Do you have a problem following orders? You’re not a princess here. The mountains belong to witches.”
“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” Lela said, getting on her knees.
“That’s better. Now then, let’s get started,” she said.
“You’re here to beg me to return your father and the rest of your people. It’s all rather easy. I despise you both. I used to think I hated Eldrich more for rejecting me. But then, I decided that indeed, I hate you both equally. You see, although witches are secretive creatures we cannot stand rejection. It drives us mad. And when we don’t get what we want, well, someone has to suffer for it.”
“Tell us what you want from us,” Lela said, interlocking her fingers.
“Grovel. Plead with me,” she said.
“Will you then return my people?” Lela asked.
“Your people? Of whom do you speak?” she asked.
“My people…the people from the castle,” Lela said.
“And also-”
“Quiet!” She interrupted Eldrich. “You have my word,” she said to Lela.
“I beg you. Please forgive me for hurting you. You’re a merciful and beautiful witch who deserves to be treated with respect. You deserve love. Eldrich and I deserve nothing. We were wrong to have fallen in love,” Lela said.
“It was wrong of me to reject you,” Eldrich said. “Someone as beautiful as you should never have to know rejection. I beg you. Forgive me. Forgive us.”
The witch twirled around and began to dance. “Your words have made me happy. When I’m happy I dance.”
“Seeing you happy is all that matters to us,” Eldrich said.
“Dance, oh, beautiful witch,” Lela said.
The witch twirled and twirled and then bowed.
Lela and Eldrich clapped.
“Bravo,” Lela said.
“Well done,” Eldrich said.
“You may both stand,” she said.
“Are we forgiven?” Lela asked.
The witch put Lela’s hand in Eldrich’s. “I forgive you. The spell is lifted.”
“Thank you,” Lela said, kissing the witch’s hand.
“When you return to the castle, you will find your people there. I promise you,” she said.
“With the greatest respect,” Eldrich said, “may I ask you one question?”
“Yes, of course, Prince of the Barmoth Vampires. Ask me anything and I will answer with the truth.”
“Will Lela also find her father at the castle?” Eldrich asked.
The witch started to laugh. “Of course not!”
“But you said we were forgiven. You gave me your word!” Lela said.
“You’re a stupid princess. Has Eldrich taught you nothing about how things work? You wanted your people returned to the castle. Your father is the King. If you wanted the King of Barmoth returned, you should have said so.”
“You ugly, wretched witch. You tricked me.”
“I’m a witch. Did you expect anything less from a witch?”
“Give me back my father! Return the King of Barmoth, I beg you,” Lela said.
“Begging won’t work. It’s too late,” the witch said.
“Is there anything you can tell us that will help us bring back the King?” Eldrich asked.
“Oh, why yes. I can tell you where he is. I sent him to the Kingdom of the Dead. I love that kingdom. It’s one of my favorite kingdoms. It’s so dreadful and dark and full of madness.”
“What do we need to do?” Lela asked.
“You’ll need to go there and convince Godfather Death to free the King of Barmoth. It’s now out of my hands. Godfather Death is such a grumpy creature. He hates to be bothered.”
“Tell me how to get there,” Lela said.
“You ask too much of me.”
“Vanish me there, please,” Lela said.
“I’m tired. Be on your way,” the witch said. “It was fun playing with you both. But I have other pressing matters.”
Eldrich leaned in and kissed the witch on the cheek. “I was a fool to reject you.”
The witch smiled and kissed him on the mouth. She then said, “I’ll get her halfway there but the rest of the journey is hers and hers alone. She’ll have to find the Kingdom of the Dead without you,” she said to Eldrich.
He nodded.
Lela started shaking. This wasn’t happening. Eldrich had broken her heart, torn it into a million pieces and now…now he was going to lie with the witch.
“Are you ready?” the witch asked Lela.
Eldrich walked to Lela. “You’re in my heart, always and forever. I love you,” he whispered.
Tears rolling down her face, Lela said, “I will never forgive you. I’m no longer yours.”
“Come now,” the witch said, “are you ready?”
“I am,” Lela said.
“Great and powerful ancestors of mine. Hear my plea. Take this woman and deliver her halfway to the Kingdom of the Dead. This, I ask of you now,” the witch said.
In a whirlwind, Lela spun in the air, her eyes closed she prayed she’d land without injury. Her heart ached for Eldrich. And she wondered if she could ever stop loving him. Despite what she had learned about him, she still loved him. But she knew she could never forgive him for not telling her the truth. A terrible, torturous thing to still love someone you also hate.
When she opened her eyes, she was once again on the ground. Thank you, thank you, Gods, for keeping me safe. Dusting herself off, she inspected the area around her. The trees were short and thin and had no leaves. The full moon held a prominent position here for which she was glad because its brightness illuminated the entire forest.
Realizing she had no food or water, she decided to start her journey at sunrise instead of pressing ahead now. She was also exhausted and needed to find a place to sleep.
Lightheaded, she staggered through the trees. She’d have to find a place soon; her body seemed intent on shutting down.
She was alone in a strange environment but she’d not let her fear overwhelm her. If she was to succeed in saving her father, she required a strong and purposeful mind.
Stumbling, she came upon a lake. The moon shone on the water and she blinked rapidly. There, standing in front of her, was…no, she was hallucinating. Rubbing her eyes, she exhaled. He was still there.
“Is it really you?” she asked.
He came to her and hugged her tight. “It’s me.”
His warmth ran through her, comforting her. “Xavier.”
“Why are you here?” she asked him.
“I knew you were in trouble,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I won’t leave you.”
“Where is Zel?”
“She’s home. She knows I’m here. She insisted I come,” he said.
She let her grief flow. Crying on his chest, she said, “I’m broken. He broke my soul.”
“Do you still love him?” he asked.
“I hate him…”
“This will pass, I promise,” he said.
“Oh, Xavier, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I will take this journey with you, if you let me,” he said.
She lifted her head and met his eyes. “The night we spent together still haunts me. No matter how hard I try, you’re constantly on my mind.”
“You’re in my every thought,” he said.
“What about Zel?”
“She has my heart. When angels give their heart to someone, it’s forever. But, I can’t deny what I feel for you. I desire you. I think about you, the way you smell, your body, I dream of being inside of you again. When I’m with Zel, I think of you.”
“I love Eldrich,” she said, turning from him.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t pressure you,” he whispered into her ear.
“Stay with me,” she said. “Take this journey with me. I need you.”
She didn’t know what was ahead of her. She didn’t know if she would succeed in saving her father. She didn’t know if she would ever stop loving Eldrich. But she knew she wanted Xavier with her.
She took his hand and together they walked on their way to the Kingdom of the Dead; on their way to an adventure from which she knew she would not return the same.