Sun’s rays shown behind the castle tips shinning brightly basking it as an unearthly place. The beauty made C. J. stop looking in awe of the heavenly sight. I stared at it with all of the disgust that ran through my body for the master. Willow kept walking, completely unfazed by any of it. The walk had been hard yet this morning’s walk took more of a toll on my heart. Seeing the entrance made my blood grow cold. Distance left to walk will take no more then an hour leave only a few before sun set.
The hour took it’s time to past as our steps continued to forge us through it all. Darkness shadowed the castle the closure we got. Walking all morning in silence was taking it’s toll on our minds. As much as I expected it, the sight of the gate door raise was an eerie feeling. Willow kept close to C. J. as we nearer the entrance. No sight of a movement of a being could be seen as the silence of nature grew.
“Willow, I do not know what may happen while we are here. Stay with C. J. at all times and make sure he can make it out alive. If something goes wrong and I do not make it out, never leave his side. C. J. do not stay to find me if something goes wrong and even if I am not with you, Willow will kill you if you harm the innocent.” My words sounded glum even to me as I spoke never taking my eyes off the sight in front of me. Willow nodded as we continued walking. C. J. looked like something may be trying to exit his mouth but it stayed close.
The moment the image appeared in front of us was the step I made through the gate. A malicious smile drawn on his face turned my stomach. “My angel, you finally came home to me,” his arms wide in a welcome manner. “I have no idea why you choose to bring in trash but my lovely, I will welcome you all as my guest.” He steps towards me with a slow movement as I stayed in the last patch of the sun before the castle. Willow next to C. J. who stayed behind me by a step. Looking at C. J. shaking, the Emperor smirks with a stratifying stare. “Please some to me my dear,” he says while waving his hand. I stayed put. “Fine, I will come to you then. Since you did walk so far to me.” The moment his foot stepped in the light a solid form stood in front of me. Raising his hands he starts to wrap me in an embrace.
“Do not touch me,” I growled out.
“Oh, dear me. I was not aware you dislike physical touch so much,” the words sounded more of an unspoken threat then anything.
“I have nothing against physical touch to one that deserves to touch me,” my words caused his eyes to harden but his smile never faulted.
“Then I guess it can not be helped,” he announced before whispering; “yet.”
“I do not mean to disrespect you, but I can not allow unworthy people to try and harm my person.”
“I clearly said that it was fine dear. However, your statement brings hope to my heart that you care concerned over me. Please follow me, angel.” He says extending his left hand, “if I may?”
“Sorry, as I just said so I will stay close to you as you lead from ahead.”
“Then please walk by my side,” positioning himself on my right side. Wrapping an arm around my back causing both Willow and C. J. to growl. Shooting a death glare to the two, “I will not touch her. Simply I have an arm behind her to insure she does not l lose the stepping along the way.”
“Thank you for your concern,” I spat with a grin. Trying to link to Willow as we walk through the court yard and main door. “Keep calm you two.”
“Why are we playing around? My head hurts.” the voice was C. J. as Willow grunted.
“Child, if you want to fight you can but I can kill both of you with in minutes so please refrain from upsetting me.” A smile so fake grew on the emperor's face as his words sound in our heads. Looking at him in wonder C. J.’s mouth fell open. Willow again remainder uninterested.
“So, I see you can enter any mind?” I sneered.
“Oh, how embarrassing. I forgot to mention, any one on my grounds who mind link will go through myself. So, do not mind me continue to talk to each other.”
“You will just listen in,” I state sarcastically.
“My angel, you must not feel that I eavesdrop. These are just charms to ensure my lands will not be in any danger.”
“I am sure it is,” I spoke while smiling as sweetly as I possibly could manage. Arriving to a set of large doors that opening in front of us. A table as long as the room with hundreds of vampires standing along two edges. One side filled with females, while the left side filled with males. Two seats left empty as the emperor nodded as a signal for them. One seat was on the left side far from the head seat and the other across from the other. Walking still with a hand behind me the emperor guided me to the head seat. C. J. and Willow started to follow only to be stopped by some guards that redirected them to the other side. C. J. sat at the end of the table on the left, leaving the right side for me. Willow hide under the table, I assume by C. J.’s feet.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to my feast for my honored guest. Many of you may not know this but this lovely lady beside me is a guest that traveled far. I know you all have dressed very fancy for the anticipation of this food. However, I do ask you all to refrain from looking down on my friend’s jean appearance.” Looking to his left he stared at the elegant man sitting in the seat. “Sir Henry, I appreciate all your hard work you have given me, my assistant. Yet, you are in the seat for my lovely friend here.” Looking appalled at the only seat left he stood quickly and bowed low.
“I apologize your grace for forgetting myself,” turning quickly to get to his seat with a face of displeasure.
Turning to me the emperor smiled, “your seat my angel.” Pulling back the chair the man just left he guided me to his side. After sitting himself he nodded towards the maids and butlers. “Please enjoy this feast.” Butlers quickly placed dishes for the left and maids followed with the right side of the table. Leaning towards me with a whispering voice, “Do not worry my dear, for I ensured this food would be one with out any ‘innocents’ being harmed.”
“Of course,” I mumbled as the whispers of the women blurred with the music playing softly. Smelling deeply not gathering any scent of human remains I carefully place the food from my fork to my tongue. The eyes of the women bore holes into me as I kept my sight low. Only getting glimpse of rusty brown eyes watching my movements closely.
“I am so pleased that you trusted my words enough to enjoy this food,” the emperor's voice rang proudly next to me. Keeping my muscles tight not to roll my eyes at his piercing auburn stare.
“How could I possibly think the kindness of your grace would ever lie to me.”
“That is very kind of you my dear.”
Tasting the food that seemed boiled made me wish for a camp fire meal. As the soup of a watery broth was taken and replaces by a meat of question mixed with some kind of greens and black potatoes. When I ate as much as I could stomach, the mess was replaced with a vinegar soaked salad. When the emperor finished the wilted leafs the plates were removed. When a mushy brown gelatin was placed before me I fought my stomach to not cover the table. Taking a spoon and digging into the dish I prayed as I wrapped my lips around the pudding only to find lumps inside. Removing some of the wiggling substance with what looked to be raspberries. Slowly taking a bite the sensation stung my sweet taste buds.
“How do you like the chocolate covered raspberries fudge?” the emperor asked while tilting his face.
“It is very sweet, thank you.” My voice was soft as I tried to swallow the ‘food’.
“Of course, as you know we vampires have a very large sweet tooth. That is the draw to blood is it not? Well plus the iron taste gives a nice tang.”
“Yes, of course;” I gag out.
When the butlers finally removed the ‘fudge’ I needed to find a bathroom soon in hopes to expel what I forced inside. All the guest looked towards the emperor once the table became clear. The room was silent waiting to be dismissed. Once the maids and butlers left the room and the guards entered the door ways the emperor stood.
“I thank you all for coming for the food today. Let us retire for tonight’s festivities. I will take my leave first.” Turning towards me he extended his hand to me, “my lady please follow me.” Knowing that I would not take his hand he guided me the way we came in. Two guards went over to Willow and C. J. leading them to where I was. Once they joined me the guards fell behind where we walked. When we cleared the frame the doors were closed and the guards fell to the sides standing beside the walls. “My angel, I have place a few outfits for you in your room. Some maids will be in to help you bathe, dress, and get ready. When you need more clothes the maids will give you them. The room that is yours is of course next to mine.”
“Of course.”
“There is a personal guard room next to yours so I am placing your friend there. It is conjoined to your living room.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. Just be careful for the door that connects to my room, angel.”
“And where is that door located?”
“If you wish to see me all you need to do is walk into your bedroom next to your bed. Where else would you place a grooms door?”
“Grooms door?”
“Oh look here we are.” The doors open to a sitting room. “Behind that door is your friends room,” he says pointing to a small door in the corner. Standing still he looked at C. J. and Willow. Willow turned to that direction with out delay. C. J. stood looking at us with no intention of moving. “My dear do you not think that your friend is tired? He must be, do you not think?”
Acknowledging his meaning I look to C. J., “I am sure he is. C. J. why not go get a rest for now?” With out moving a muscle C. J. continued to stare at the emperor.
“Oh, he must think I did not give any clothes to him. They are already in his room. However, I can not allow the tour continue with a man since we will be in a lady’s room.”
“Go rest,” I commanded softly. Taking these words to heart he turned and disappeared with Willow through the door.
“Great, now shall we continue our walk?” the man said with that never ending smile. As we walked through another door way into a room with a vanity seat, a platform, and a chair. “This is your dressing room. Through that door,” he pointed to a near invisible outline; “is where your clothes will be.” Turning back forward we went through massive double doors. “This my lovely is your room. If there is something that is not satisfactory please let me know at any time.”
The room was covered with red drapes while the walls were pure white. In front of the door way was a couch and two seats in red. Behind the seating area are two curtains that fluttered in the wind from the walk out doors. As the curtain opened a balcony came into view. There were no dressers nor closets. There was an open bathroom door showing the same coloring. Opposite of the bath sat a bed the size of two kings side by side. Red covered every piece of fabric on the bed, including the floor length canopy surrounding the bed. Directly next to the bed was a door. The emperor started to move us towards this plain white door. Opening it he ushered us into a dark room.
Lighting flicked on as he started to walk revealing a bed room exactly like mine but reversed. The only main difference was the walls were dark black. Moving around me he walks to the main doors opening them to revel an office. Watching him walk out of sight I take this chance to make my leave. As I approach the adjoining door I start opening it. SLAM! A heavy hand shoves the door shut giving me a shock as he presses his body up to my back.
Twisting to look at the body pressing against me I turn while stepping away. The usual smile he wears is gone and replaced with a predator. The red in his eyes on the forefront as his eyes squint. Taking his right hand he brings it to my face without touching me in the slightest. Lowering his head he leans in next to my ear.
“Now my angel what are you doing,” the emperor’s whispers cause my stomach to drop.
“I was going back to my room,” I stated calmly.
“I never gave permission to do so. I have waited for you for many years. Now you show up to my door with not only your dog but a mutt as well. How little you think of me. The only male allowed in your room is of course me.” Stepping back he looks into my eyes as he places his usual smile on. “By chance I heard some wonderful news. Is it accurate that you killed to leader of mutts?”
“Yes,” saying this while crossing my arms across my chest. My skin tingles as his eyes rake over me.
“That is why you are my little angel of death is that not right?”
“You have always called me that.”
“Because my lovely has always been. Now I know you came to see me finally, but I get this deep feeling you came for the wrong motives.”
“Killing you was never the wrong motive.”
“Yet you are not able to kill me, you know this. That must be why you brought your two mongrels with you. But I have many surprises for you. One of which you have already agreed to so I am excited you have came.” Knock, Knock, Knock. “It seems it is time for my lovely to go get changed. Thank you for accompanying me.” Speaking he opens the door I was previously tried to escape from.
‘I never agreed to anything with him,’ I think to myself as I walk into my room. Knock, Knock, Knock. The sound was coming from my main entrance to the room. Walking to it, I open to find two maid keeping their sights on the floor.
“How can I help you?” I asked annoyed.
“We are here to help you change,” one said as the other disappeared into the bathroom running water.
“No, I can do it myself thank you.”
“Sorry we are not allowed to let you lift a finger.” Saying this she quickly pushes me into the bath filling with warm water with petals floating.