Chapter 1 - Dawn Arrives
Adella:
Morning comes and with it, a brand-new day, though when I wake today, I feel incredibly lethargic and weak.
I struggle to keep my eyes open to begin with, as my body feels as if it weighs a tonne!
And it’s only when I finally manage to clamber out of bed that I realise what today is…
My heart sinks with overwhelming dread.
Today is Zain’s execution.
But I’ve made myself a silent vow.
I’ll do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening, no matter what.
I’m not afraid of Mortus… not when Zain’s life is on the line.
I’ll protect the man that I love with everything I have.
As I go to the ensuite to wash up, I hear the sound of the bedroom door opening and quickly glance out through the open doorway to see who it is.
Luckily, it’s not who I think it is, instead it’s a group of human servants who appear to be carrying several trays covered in various items and one long, fancy gown.
The gown looks incredible, I must admit.
It’s made of sheer red and black silk and has a special golden stitched embroidery running up and down the boddice and skirt in a gorgeous pattern.
From what I can see, the gown has long sleeves to it and looks more like a ballgown than any other sort of dress.
A very royal gown for a very unfortunate occasion.
I know this is Mortus’ way of rubbing Zain’s execution in my face, by dressing me up like this, but I’ll go along with it just to spite him.
Because Zain isn’t going to die today.
That’s what I’ve promised myself, anyway.
Somehow, I’ll figure out a way to help him escape.
“Your Highness, it’s time to prepare you.” one of the servants calls out to me from the bedroom and I take one last look at myself in the mirror before I finally respond to her.
“I’m coming.”
Once I’ve been bathed, dressed, my hair and makeup done and my jewellery added, my shoes are then slid onto my feet, and I’m shown out into the hallway where a royal guard stand waiting for my arrival.
There are eight of them in total… a bit of overkill if you ask me.
I’m not going anywhere if that’s what Mortus thinks.
Like I’d run away when the man that I love is to be executed.
I move out into the hallway and the four soldiers in front of me begin marching, leading me along, while the four behind me follow on in silence.
We make our way down out of the mansion and through winding pathways until we reach the main courtyard where this event is said to take place.
And upon our arrival I’m stunned to see just how many vampires have come to witness my lover’s demise.
Sure, to them Zain is a traitor to the crown, but it still hurts seeing this many of them standing around the main podium.
The massive area is wisely shaded from the direct sunlight, allowing our kind the ability to venture about freely in the courtyard and I see men, women and even children amongst the crowd.
And then everyone’s attention turns to me as I am announced.
“Her Majesty, the Queen.” someone proclaims aloud for all to hear and the royal guards in front of me begin leading me down along the long isle that’s been formed, leading up towards the main podium.
All eyes are on me, and I continue walking along down the isle with my armed guards in front and behind just in case.
I see children staring at me and wonder how long they’ve been vampires for.
‘There’s still so much about this race that I’ve yet to understand’, I realise.
We continue along the isle until we reach the main podium, where two large throne seats are positioned, with Mortus already seated on one of them.
He watches me with a sinister smirk curving the corner of his mouth upwards as I ascend the stairs onto the podium and come over to where I am to sit.
As I approach, Mortus then stands and makes his way over towards me, stopping in front of me with a brilliant smile.
I want to punch him right here and now in front of everyone, but I know that would look very bad.
Instead, I glare at him through narrowed eyes.
Mortus then offers me his hand as he speaks so that only I can hear him.
“You’re looking beautiful this morning, my dear.” he compliments, looking me up and down hungrily and it creeps me out.
“Go to hell.” I snap back at him, then reaching out and taking his hand so as to keep up appearances, what with everyone watching us right now.
Mortus merely chuckles at my harsh words and then turns, leading me over towards my seat.
As I turn to face the front and sit down on it, I watch as Mortus then returns to his own throne and sits down beside me.
He raises his hand as he gives out the command, “Bring forth the prisoner.”
I look from Mortus out across the length of the courtyard to the furthest end of the isle and notice as two soldiers emerge dragging Zain along by his upper arms.
It looks as if his hands have been bound together behind his back and he still looks worse for wear with cuts and bruises covering his face and exposed chest.
And he’s been gagged with a black piece of material tied around the back of his head.
I hate seeing him looking like this.
It hurts me deep within.
Everyone watches on as Zain is then dragged along down the centre of the isle headed towards the main podium where the execution is set to take place.
I don’t know what else I can do to help him right now as I look around for possible ways for him to escape.
Though I find nothing and become even more concerned.
‘There must be something I can do…’ I think to myself.
Before I know it, Zain has reached the podium and is led up the stairs and towards where he is then forced to kneel down before us on the podium’s floor.
He’s so close to me right now, I could almost reach out and touch him.
I need to do something.
Even with the gag in his mouth, Zain looks to me with a smile, as if to silently reassure me that things will be alright.
God, I want to believe that.
My eyes remain on him while Mortus then stands from his seat to make his big announcement to everyone in attendance.
“People of Vamperial City. We have gathered here today to punish a well-known traitor to the crown…” Mortus then pauses and points down to Zain with his extended finger.
“Zain Williams.” Mortus adds, glaring down at Zain as if to add to his little performance.
“Not only is he the leader of the rebel group who seeks to dethrone me, but he was also responsible for the recent kidnapping of my wife, the Queen.” Mortus goes on, gesturing towards me and I frown back at him.
“Will we as a race stand for this?”
The crowd answer together as one voice, “No!”
“No, we won’t.” Mortus declares boldly.
“Anyone who defies the crown will be punished to the full extent of the law. As your King, that I can promise you.”
The crowd begins clapping, cheering him on now, as if his ego needs it.
And then Mortus turns to glance at me, as if rubbing salt into the wound.
I glare back at him in defiance.
‘How the hell am I supposed to help Zain now?’ I wonder.
Mathias:
Wearing our hooded cloaks, we’ve managed to scatter ourselves throughout the massively gathered crowd here at the main outer courtyard, with the majority of us up closer towards the podium to help Zain when the time comes.
Most of us were lucky enough to sneak in our weapons during the massive wave of vampires that washed in all at once, and security didn’t manage to check all of us at the gate.
I stand up close to the podium, along with Jarred to my left and Leo to my right, spread out amongst the crowd as they cheer Mortus on like foolish sheep.
They have no idea who they’re cheering for or what he’s done.
But we’re about to show them.
We’ll expose every horrible thing that Mortus has done and fight to have the rightful heir take back his throne, no matter how hard it might be.
Because that’s what’s right.
Now, it’s simply a task of waiting for the opportune moment to arise…
