Blood Life (8 page)

He worked on cleaning it until he was certain it was as good as he could get it, then dressed it with a healing salve. Alexandria stirred, opening her eyes and looking at him with a weak smile on her lips. “It really is you,” she mumbled and was asleep again within seconds.

He smiled to himself and moved the supplies to the floor so he could lie down next to his love. They would talk later; for now, she needed as much rest as she could get.

Alexandria slept for three days straight. Roman, worried for her health, took a huge chance by riding to the Royal Estate in an attempt to obtain Elizabeth’s expertise.

Luckily, she was out in the garden when he arrived. She noticed him immediately, looking around to make sure Morgan was not in sight before approaching.

“You should not come here,” she warned when she reached him. “If he sees you he will kill you.”

“Yes, I know, but it’s urgent. I need you to come with me right away.”

“Where?” she asked, worriedly. “Are you all right? You don’t look like you’ve slept in days.”

“I haven’t, really. I’ve been . . . preoccupied. I can’t discuss it here. You have to come home with me.”

She looked at him for a long moment. Wiping the loose hair from her forehead with the back of her hand, she let out a sigh. “Okay. I’ll meet you at your cottage in one hour.”

“I’ll see you there,” he said and turned to leave.

When she arrived, Roman opened the door quietly, putting his finger to his lips to indicate that she should be as silent as possible. He guided her gaze to the cot.

Elizabeth put her hands to her mouth, trembling. “How?” she whispered. “He will kill you both for this, Roman! What have you done?”

Alexandria opened her eyes. It took a few moments for the wall to come into focus. When it did, she flipped her head to lie on her opposite cheek. There she found two very concerned faces studying her.

“Hi,” she whispered. She hated sleeping on her stomach, but the injury made it mandatory. “How long was I out?”

Elizabeth fought tears. “Oh, darling, I am so happy to see you!” she said, rushing to her princess’ side.

“Tell me about it. I just arrived from hell,” Alexandria responded. “I feel better, I think. The pain is so much less.”

“Good. You had me worried there for a second,” Roman said, moving to stand beside Elizabeth by the bed.

“Pain?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes,” Roman answered. “That bastard abused her.”

“What did he do to you?” Elizabeth sat down at Alexandria’s side with a look of deep concern.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked Alexandria, who was pushing herself up slowly from her stomach.

“Yes, I think I can. Let me just get comfortable facing you.” Roman helped her get situated as comfortably as possible with her back against pillows. “How long have I been here? How did I—” She looked over at the full-length mirror in the corner of the cottage. Realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Roman followed her gaze. “You came through it,” he replied, lifting his chin toward the mirror. She nodded, her breath becoming shallow. “I felt you. It was a strong feeling.” He put a fist over his heart center. “I knew you were coming to me, though I didn’t know how. I was looking right at it when a sort of fog formed in the center, then an enormous black hole opened up and pushed you out of it.”

Elizabeth was astounded.

Alexandria looked at him. “It is all a blur,” she admitted when she collected herself. “I remember Lokee telling me you were dead. I didn’t believe him. I argued, refusing his sexual advances. He was very unhappy with what he’d gotten as a wife. He tried to kill me; I don’t think it would have been his first time taking a life. Then he suddenly decided to let me go.”

“But not before injuring you,” Roman pointed out.

“Right,” she agreed, wincing.

“Wait a minute,” Elizabeth interjected. “Lokee was a murderer?”

“Well, I’m not sure,” Alexandria replied. “He was very angry with me. So angry that it looked as if he changed form right before my eyes; he grew fangs in his mouth and spikes on his fingernails. His eyes turned black.” The memory flooded her too fast. She felt dizzy. “I can’t explain it,” she said, putting her hand to her head. “He wasn’t normal.” She paused, looking first at Roman, then Elizabeth, then the mirror. “I don’t think he is human.” She sounded insane and she knew it.

“Vampire,” whispered Elizabeth. She knelt down in front of Alexandria. “Let me see your back,” she insisted.

Alexandria sat forward and allowed Elizabeth to lift her gown for a look. She gasped at the sight of the wound.

“What is it?” asked Alexandria.

“It is the Vampire’s Mark,” Elizabeth answered quietly.

“Vampire’s Mark?” Alexandria covered her mouth. Elizabeth nodded.

“He’s an immortal beast? Morgan gave his daughter to a Vampire?” Roman yelled. “A bloodsucker?”

They watched Roman as he paced the room, ripping his hands through his thick, dark hair. “What did that bloodsucker want with my Alexandria?” Roman asked, irritated. “Why has he claimed her?”

“That I do not know, but he has,” Elizabeth replied. “He has put The Mark on her soul. He will follow her to the ends of the earth and claim her when she least expects it, in another life, perhaps, anytime he feels like it. That Mark will serve as a beacon; it will lead him to her for all time.”

Roman continued to pace the room. “I will not stand for it. We will not live in fear of him.”

Elizabeth studied Roman. He moved over to Alexandria who sat listening to their words, trying not to look as terrified as she felt. He sat down next to her on the bed, pulling her into his arms. “I will not let it happen. He will not harm you again.”

Elizabeth frowned at him, knowing the strength of the vampire extended far beyond any mortal. Roman, noticing her expression, looked away, nuzzling into Alexandria’s hair.

To herself, Alexandria whispered, “Marked.”

Nine

Cobblestone, disease-stricken streets and noisy nights were surrounding Roman and Alexandria now from being forced to travel away from Lokee and Morgan’s reach. They decided Burgundy would be fitting for them to try and forget the past while remaining anonymous. Surprisingly, Lokee never told King Morgan of their separation. Instead, he seemed to allow them to live in peace.

Devoid of control and restraint; yet, filled with insecurity, Alexandria spent her entire life under the protection of a Royal name and wealth. That shield was gone; she was willing to go through it for Roman, who she now lived with and for.

She had chosen to keep contact with Elizabeth, who would chance that break away from Morgan in order to fund and sustain Alexandria’s happiness. Usually on the days of the Sabbath, Elizabeth would manage her ride into the downtrodden areas of Burgundy unnoticed. After a year, Alexandria counted on and expected her visits. As usual, Elizabeth arrived three hours after dawn.

“Good morning, my dear, how are you feeling today?” Elizabeth sang, carrying a basket of fruits and fresh loaves of bread.

“Oh, I don’t know, really. I have had a terrible headache these last few days.” Alexandria looked pale, but her eyes were smiling. “It has been giving me horrible nightmares; nonetheless, I am quite content.” She glanced over at Roman who was sitting by a window reading.

“And how about you, Roman? Has the city-life here in Burgundy been treating you kindly?”

“Well, outside of terribly audacious poetry,” he said, indicating the book he was reading, “we’ve finally been able to buy a decent home to live in instead of staying in boarding houses, which is certainly agreeable.” He smiled playfully and winked.

Elizabeth returned the smile. “I would simply adore a cup of tea, Alexandria, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Of course not. I’ll be right back.” She kissed Roman and walked into the kitchen.

When she was out of sight, Elizabeth sat down in the chair next to Roman and leaned in toward him. “Have you heard or seen anything out of the ordinary lately?” she asked, quietly.

Roman looked up over the rim of his book at her. “You mean regarding him?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“No, nothing, but Alexandria hasn’t been feeling well, which is definitely out of the ordinary. I think maybe she’s—”

“I’m what?” Alexandria asked from the kitchen doorway.

Roman mouthed the word “pregnant” to Elizabeth who looked up sharply at Alexandria. “Is it true?”

Alexandria smiled coyly. “Well, it could be. I’ve been feeling ill in waves the last few weeks, and I haven’t had my moon cycle, which was due over six weeks ago.”

Roman, just as surprised by the admittance as Elizabeth, swiveled around in his chair and looked at her wide-eyed. “Really?”

When she nodded, he jumped up and enveloped her in his arms. Elizabeth jumped up and clapped, cooing and planning. The three celebrated a new life coming, and prayed for the happiness to be without consequence.

Though, always in the back of their minds, dread and fear fought for center stage, in the forefront, miracles took place. 

“Hope is a waking dream.”

–Aristotle

Ten

Roman drew a bath for Alexandria before preparing to go out for the evening with friends. “Are you sure you won’t come with me?” he called to her as she entered the warm water of the tub. “I would rather that you did. A man needs to watch over his beautiful wife and future child.” He peeked around the doorway of the bathroom before walking in. He reached into the water and rubbed the slight bump in her belly. “It’s so small!”

“Well, yeah, and stop calling him ‘it’, will you? He’s only three months old. What do you expect? If he were any bigger I’d be terrified.” She giggled at the thought of birthing a giant.

“He?”

“I think so,” she smiled.

His heart melted. “I don’t want to, but I better get going. Last chance to come with me,” he warned.

Alexandria paused, looking into his beautiful face. “I just want to relax and bathe, darling. I will be fine; Elizabeth has agreed to stay here with me tonight. She told father she was visiting family.”

“Alright,” he said, disappointed. “At least you won’t be alone. I’ll miss you.”

They kissed, giggling and cooing over each other, too low for Elizabeth, who lounged in the sitting room, to hear. He lingered in her love for a moment before turning to dump the last bucket of hot water into the tub. “You must have the sweetest lips in the world, woman. Maybe I should just stay here and we can send Elizabeth home instead.”

She pushed at him and giggled, embarrassed by his tone with Elizabeth so close. She blushed, spanking Roman’s behind as he danced away from her to say goodbye to Elizabeth.