Chapter 6 A Surprising twist
Caspian waited at the mouth of the cavern, wringing his hands as he anxiously awaited the return of his princess. The midnight stallion both soothed and terrified him as he watched the Vampire alight from his steed with Terra in his arms.
" Your Majesty.."
" You sent my princess into a Vampire's coven alone! Are you one who wishes her harm and know that I shall know it if you lie?"
Caspian swallowed hard, his head bowed as he answered.
" Kyrian! Caspian has been like a father to me when my own was busy ruling, don't shout at him so." Caspian could only watch eyes bulging as the fearsome monster grinned down at his princess.
" You didn't answer, guard?"
" She is most precious to me, my lord, I would give my life for hers."
Kyrian glowered at the man but saw nothing but concern in Terra's eyes.
" Very well, lead on then," he snapped. She slipped her small hand in his and his dead heart fluttered.
Caspian smiled as he stole glances at them. His beauty had tamed the beast.
Well done, Princess, he thought with pride.
They hurried into the hall, surprising the besieged King.
" Sire, I present Lord Kyrian, the Vampire king."
Terra watched as dread filled her father's entire being. She let go of Kyrian only to run to her father.
" It will be alright, father, he's not as scary as people think, " she whispered, making Kyrian smile, his fangs gleaming in the night.
The queen gasped as she entered the throne room, her eldest in tow.
" What is the meaning of this, my King?"
" Lord Kyrian, may I present my queen, Arabella and our second daughter, Ariana."
The queen sneered at him as Ariana inched closer , making Terra bristle.
" The Vampire King has come to pledge his troth to our Terra."
" B-but he...she..I..."
Kyrian turned to her, his eyes turning black as he read her mind.
" Your queen sold Terra to your enemies, sire", he sneered scornfully.
" I had to do something..."
" Silence!"
Terra had never seen her father like this before. He was quite simply...livid!
" You have mistreated her and isolated her but this time you go too far."
The guards held the Pirate captain by his arms as they presented him to the king.
" Sire, what is the meaning of this?" he asked calmly. " Did not your queen arrange for me to receive my bride."
They never saw Kyrian move but suddenly he had the pirate by the throat, his feet dangling in midair in desperation.
" She Is Mine! You will not have her ."
" If I die the little princess will beg for death when my men are finished using her..."
The king glared at his meddlesome wife.
Terra ran to Kyrian's side.
" Kyrian, he has Alaina, my little sister, please..."
Her words pierced the red haze of hatred and he smiled at her before dropping the pirate who now gasped for breath like a drowning man.
Before anyone could say a word, Ulag appeared carrying a sleeping child.
" The pirates had this child, she says Lady Terra is her sister."
Terra curtsied , her hands outstretched to receive the sleeping child. Ulag bowed respectfully before taking his place beside the King, his maker.
" Terra! Lord Ulag saved me from those despicable pirates, he ate some and killed the rest," she whispered cheekily.
" Mother left me with them.." Terra frowned as the child shuddered.
" Did they hurt you?"
Ariana swiped at her wet cheek but she held her head high as she faced her mother.
" Mother was going to give Terra to this filthy pirate but I followed her and then he took me prisoner. He was planning to kill father and sell all of us except you, Terra."
" Ariana.."
" Allow the child to speak!" Kyrian growled menacingly.
" Speak, child," he soothed a now terrified Ariana.
She knew her mother would never forgive her but she couldn't let her hurt Terra.
" Lord Ulag saved me, they said they couldn't...couldn't wait to to..."
Ariana burst into tears unable to sustain the bravery that had led to her capture.