Chapter 74

"W-Why are they.... What is this?"

"This is the royal crypt. Every member of the August line that was not killed and burned in battle is here in something like death. We call it Eternal Sleep and it is unique to the August line."

"Eternal?"

"There are no known cases of one waking up after they have entered Eternal Sleep. They typically fall into it when it's nearing the end of a normal vampire's life or when they have taken on too much damage."

Daphne's hands trembled, "W-Will I fall into this?"

"I don't know... You are the only half-human royal vampire we know of." Nicole said, she took a deep breath. "I brought you down here to see them and to tell you the truth. This is the only place in the castle that is beyond vampire or werewolf hearing."

Daphne frowned looking at her and feeling a bit nervous about what she had to say.

"My grandfather was the brother of Queen Lily," Nicole smiled and Daphne took a sharp breath. "Making me your cousin."

"Y-You... You don't have golden eyes."

Nicole chuckled, waving a hand in front of her face. The blue vanished, revealing gold. Daphne gasped as the blue returned once she blinked.

"Easy magic," she said. "I swore an oath to ensure your return to where you belong, where your ancestors have ruled for centuries... I understand you have no reason to trust me, but I only have your interest at heart."

Daphne worried her lip, glancing at the coffins.

"I want your word that what I say will not leave this room."

"You have my word that I will never betray your confidence in word or deed."

Daphne shivered a bit at the strange feeling that rippled through the room.

"Arthur," she started. "Is my mate."

Daphne's eyes widened and she gasped.

"We are married and bonded... My rightful place is with him. Whether that means he will come here or I will return to the werewolf kingdom or somewhere in between."

Nicole swallowed. She had suspected that they were in love, but she hadn't expected that.

"Have you... swapped blood?"

Daphne frowned, "What?"

"Werewolves have mating bonds," Nicole said, "A bite and consummation. The vampire version of that is a blood swap."

Daphne's lips twitched. She was a little surprised that they had something like it, but not that it involved blood.

"He... has drank my blood."

Her eyes widened, "How did this.... Why?"

Daphne breathed out, "That's... a long conversation."

Nicole turned, gesturing further into the chamber, "Shall we sit then?"

Daphne worried her lip and followed her to the seating area. She wasn't sure if this was the best move for the werewolf kingdom, but she believed Nicole when she made the oath. Maybe she was just feeling a pull towards her because they were related, but if she was going to get back to Arthur, then she needed someone among the vampires whom she could trust.

The next day, Nicole spent the morning in repose, turning over everything Daphne told her the night before. She had promised her to ensure Daphne's happiness and well-being, even if it meant that they would not have a queen. Daphne had asked to have the day to research more about the history of the August family and try to figure out where the temple was, and Nicole promised to report to her what happened at the strategy meeting.

"Kayley," she called as the hour drew near.

"Yes, general?"

"Make yourself available to Her Majesty today in my stead."

"Of course," she said. "Is everything okay?"

Nicole smiled, patting her shoulder, "It will be."

She walked down to the meeting hall and entered, greeting everyone in turn before taking her seat. It would take some adjusting to rearrange her plans in accordance with Daphne's wishes, but she was, at the very least, adaptive to any circumstance.

"What is on the agenda for the day?"

"What of Her Majesty?" John asked.

"She has asked to take the day to learn more of her family," Nicole said primly. "I have left Kayley at her disposal."

"Good," another general said with a smile. "It's good that she is at least showing interest."

"Yes," a lord said. "I would like to eventually get her thoughts on the werewolves' strengths."

Nicole narrowed her eyes, "To what end?"

"To reclaim the border outposts, of course and the highlands," he said and gestured to the old map on the far wall. "We have lost a great deal during the war. With the queen on the throne, we have a chance to reclaim it all."

Nicole narrowed her eyes at him, sensing something behind his words.

"When my militia attacked their village closest to the border, we lost no more than ten vampires to their forces and killed most of the town," John said, haughtily. "They may have some warriors who survived the war still, but they are not as strong as they once were. I think with a larger force--"

"No," Nicole said, glaring at them. "Our demands were clear: peace in exchange for Her Majesty."

John sneered, "I think it would be Her Majesty's decision ultimately."

“Such idiocy,” Nicole tilted her head. "She came with a werewolf escort. Do you think she has ill-will towards them?"

"She's a vampire! We're natural enemies!" John hissed. "She may yet find her hatred for them."

Nicole shook her head, "You see so little for someone so old. It's disgraceful to every vampire who is contemporary with you. We are not natural enemies with werewolves. We have an enmity that has festered between our races for centuries for wrongs neither side can fully remember."

John seemed shocked, his mouth dropped open as she spoke.

"I did not bring Her Majesty here to incite war," Nicole said. "She is here as a symbol of hope and progress for out people to lead us beyond of the limitations we have allowed prejudice and hatred to erect in our path."

"A general who speaks of peace," John scoffed. "Nonsense."

"Watch your tone, Lord Whitcomb," she said. "As a lord, you should be more concerned with preserving the people within your lands and ensuring their ability to live without fear. But I would not expect you to understand your duty any more now than you did then."

He grunted and shut his mouth as she glared at him.

"I warn you: anyone who seeks war after we have agreed to seek peace and I have given my word will make an enemy of me."

John remained silent as she sat back and pulled out a piece of parchment, "We have other matters to discuss. I will make Her Majesty aware of the desire to reclaim the outposts. Given her time among them, I am certain a deal can be struck. Now, what of the levies on the coast? Have they been completed?"

The meeting lasted for several hours before they broke for lunch. Nicole didn't eat with them and John was grateful to have her gone.

"She may get to speak about peace and negotiations, but she did not lose land in the war," a lord growled. "I still believe only lords with land stakes should be generals."

John nodded, "I agree. General Steward has never had a stake in the vampire domain. She was simply appointed."

"You shut your mouth," another general said. "Who cares if she owns no land, nor governs. She was chosen by the queen and has proved her competence several times over."

John scoffed, "She may blame me for our losses at the end of the war, but where was she all that time? Disappearing from the battlefield at such a crucial moment."

"Her Majesty recalled her from the front lines," the general hissed. "Or are you suggesting that Queen Lily's judgement was compromised?"

John swallowed. He had to tread carefully. Redirecting the animosities that still lingered about the war hard when it came to Nicole's actions during the war.

"The gall you have, blaming her when she handed you the war on a platter and you fumbled it!"

John scoffed, "Hardly. What would you know about it having not been on the front lines?"

"And you would know? Having seen it from your estate far behind the front lines?"

"Do not insult my position as a general!" John hissed. "We all lost that battle, and the loss of land was not from the battle. What of the other battles that result in so much loss? The werewolves are weak. We have the numbers and the skill to overcome them and take back all that was lost, but we have to be content with a peace treaty?" He shook his head, "If the last king were on the throne, do you think there would be peace?"

The room went quiet.

"How do we know that this new king isn't plotting for war?" He lifted an eyebrow, "I'm asking us to be prepared for the inevitable. When has a werewolf ever been trustworthy?"

A murmur of agreement went around the room and he held back a smirk. It was a good first step. Now all he had to do was to figure out a way around Daphne’s infatuation with the werewolf king.