THE BEGINNING
RIVENSPIRE; home of the Vampires.
Centuries ago, a spell was cast over the skies to keep the sun from rising. And for centuries, the spell worked wonders, protecting the people of Rivenspire from the curse of the sun. But slowly, in more recent years, the spell began to dispel and doom came upon the people of Rivenspire.
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Sarah hummed a joyful tune as she trudged up the hills to The Keep as the little basket of wild flowers around her arm and her skirt danced to the tune of the wind. A gust of wind hit her, causing her hair to fall to her face. She gave out a light yelp, chuckled and continued on her way up the hill.
There was an easier and safer way to the Seafarers' Keep, of course, but seeing that she had no carriage of her own or enough coins to pay for one, she resorted to climbing the hill. A route she'd grown accustomed to. The normal route would have her arriving at The Keep days after the ceremony and she couldn't have that.
But it didn't matter the dangerous and tiresome journey, Sarah was happy taking it so long as it brought her to her lover.
Her lover, Edmund Cedric de Montclair, the Blood Prince and heir of the Kingdom.
They have been together in a loving relationship for five years. Sarah, who was working as a maid in the palace caught his eyes, Edmund approached her and eight months later, he claimed her as his. Secretly. Never in public.
Sarah was lowly a person to be seen with the heir to the throne. A mere palace maid with the Prince? It would never work, but it didn't matter, Edward had promised her, he would rewrite the rules once he became king.
Love wasn't meant to be statutory! And their love would no longer be kept a secret.
Today, the first of the month, the day proposed for Edmund to be crowned King and ruler of the kingdom, Edmund would claim her publicly and announce her as his wife and queen!
The joyful brunette let out giggles as a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttered past her, she stood for a moment to watch the butterflies fly away. Once they were out of sight, Sarah shook her head and took the last step bringing herself to the top of the hill.
The Seafarers' Keep stood tall in its dark glory, so tall that the roof disappeared into the sky, its dark and polished stones faintly giving out the reflection of the sun.
Sarah took in a deep breath and exhaled with a sigh. The keep, though eerie, always held this welcoming sense that Sarah found comfort in. The Keep has been there for her long before she found comfort in the Prince.
The Prince! Her feet began moving towards the main entrance Keep at the thought of him but she quickly stopped in her tracks and dashed towards the back entrance of the hall. People had already began flooding the main entrance and the last thing she needed was to risk exposure especially since the Prince had told her countless times not to show her face to anyone on his coronation.
Also, she knew she was at risk was her sister to see her.
Tugging down her scarf over her face, Sarah dashed to the back of the hall and slipped in through the back door. The floorboards creaked under her feet as she walked, the large glass windows that fell from ceiling to floor, singing whispers of the memories she had of The Keep.
Her, pressed against the window, the Prince punishing her from behind.
The Prince on the floor, her, on top of him while marking her territory all over his body.
Chuckling again, she slipped into the small room by her right. That was where they usually met and she was certain he would be there.
And he was. Edmund was in front of the dressing mirror fixing himself up. Sneaking up on him, she tapped his shoulders causing him to startle.
"Oh," his brows narrowed as he turned to face her. "Sarah. What are you doing here? I thought I asked you not to come."
A bright smile stretched across her face, "Oh, Edmund, you really thought I would miss such an important day for you? I promised I would always be here for you, so you better don't expect me to start backing out when you're about to take the throne.
Edmund turned back to the mirror as his eyes hardened on Sarah's reflection in the mirror. "It is Your Majesty' to you, Sarah. I am about to be crowned King, you would address me as that. And you really shouldn't have come here today. I think you should leave."
Sarah stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist but Edmund grabbed her wrists and shrugged her away from him. "Do you not listen?" He asked as he turned to her. "You are still here after I asked you not to come, after I have asked you to leave, isn't that enough clue that I don't want you here?"
Taken aback, Sarah looked up at him with furrowed brows but they quickly softened as a bright smile took over her face. "You are just nervous, Edmund. Here," she reached for her basket and picked up the bouquet she had curated on her way to The Keep. "I made you a bouquet of all your favorite flowers. See the hyacinths and the lilies?"
Edmund quickly snatched the bouquet from Sarah, tossed it to the floor and squashed it under his foot.
"Edmund!" Sarah gasped as she fell to the floor to gather the remainder of the bouquet.
"You know, I've always wondered why people like you don't listen and I never seem to understand. You always go where you are not wanted, doing things you've clearly been asked not to do. Do you have no shame or regard for yourself?"
Tears clouded Sarah eyes as she looked up at Edmund. She could see the spite and anger in his eyes. She didn't understand it. Just yesterday, Sarah and Edmund spent the morning in his chambers, feet tangled in the sheets as they whispered sweet words into each other's ears and made love.
Why then was he acting like this? She thought.
"What is the problem, Edmund? Have I done something wrong. Why are you saying all these?"
"Call me by my name one more time and I will have your head on a spike by morning, by the gods, I swear it."
Sarah gasped and clutched her chest. "Why? Why don't you want me here? What about us, you said you would claim me as your wife in front of the people today. Our people."
"Do you not think, Sarah! How would I have claimed you if you were not here? I asked you not to come!" Exhaling deeply, he reached for her basket and threw it at her. "Your time is up. Leave."
Tears ran down Sarah's eyes as she watched the man she had known for many years transform to a stranger before her eyes. They didn't have any issues of recent, she was certain, as at yesterday they made love and plans for their future together, so why was he saying all these.
Sniffling, she raised her head in defiance as all traces of tears disappeared from her eyes. "You don't mean that. You don't want me to go."
Huffing out a breath, Edmund grabbed Sarah's arm and began dragging her on the floor to the door. Just then the door burst open as a guard walked in.
"Your Majesty-"
Edmund threw Sarah at him cutting him short. "Take her away from here this minute! And keep her out of this ceremony!" Turning to Sarah, with anger written all over his face. "I don't want to see you here again or anywhere near me, ever!"