Queen of Darkness

Chapter 25 - True love

Shadow and I were spending more and more time together. The more time I spent with him the more I realised that I did have feelings for him.

He made me smile, he made me feel comfortable and safe, I didn’t have to look over my shoulder the whole time while I was with him, I knew he would protect me with his life.

I also saw change in him, and so did the others. He actually smiled now and again. He seemed happier. He was not always serious and broody and he was actually opening up more.

We spent a lot of time taking strolls through the forest, just talking, sharing past stories and experiences.

We also spent a lot of time training together. I didn’t have to pretend to suck at fighting anymore, Shadow saw what I was capable of when I fought Wildflower, I just had to show him that I was actually good with weapons as well, especially the bow and arrow.

Our practice sessions often included sparring with each other. He enjoyed it because he didn’t have to go easy on me just because I was female, but he was always a gentleman and even though he said he wasn’t holding back, I knew he was.

I on the other hand didn’t hold back, it was something The General tought me... If you want to bring out a person’s best fighting abilities, you have to give them your best. In real combat the opponent won’t give anything less than their best so why train in half measures.

For months things were peaceful but as I've e learned, there was always a calm before a storm...One morning, on our return from a trip to town we were ambushed by a group of vampires, who were quick to state that they were sent by Robert to take out the pack that had soiled the Vampire Queen and return the Queen to the King.

Amongst all the fighting that broke out, some of the vampires made a run for it, into the forest. They were heading toward the cabin where the rest of the wolves were. Joshua and I yelled for Shadow to get to the cabin and protect the pack.

At first he didn’t want to leave us but eventually he did what was expected of the alpha to do, he took off in the direction of the cabin whilst we continued fighting the vampires that was left.

Slowly Joshua and I got separated into two groups, each fighting a group of vampires on our own. At the time I didn’t take notice, I was too busy fighting, and neither did Joshua, but the division was Intentional.

I kept fighting but after a few minutes realised, these vampires weren’t really all that into fighting or capturing me for that matter, they were just stalling for time, keeping me distracted and busy. I didn’t know why, but that’s when I noticed I had no clue as to where Joshua was.

They kept me isolated for about half an hour before they just seized fighting and fled. I thought the entire incident was very strange. I was worried about Joshua but couldn’t find him.

In the meantime Shadow had made it back to the cabin without incident, the vampires changed course and retreated, never reaching the pack... It was all a decoy but Shadow only realised that when he got back to the cabin, only to find there were no vampires in sight.

Shadow was irritated and worried, pacing up and down the outside of the cabin. He didn’t want to leave and go looking for us in fear that the vampires would pitch at the cabin.

After roughly 15 minutes of worrying and waiting, Joshua returned, only to state that he got separated from me and didn’t know my whereabouts or whether I was okay or not.

The group he was fighting with pushed him further and further away and then they suddenly took off, retreating and leaving him without doing any actual harm to him. He was unable to find me and decided it best to get back to the cabin.

Shadow was just about to come looking for me when the wolves caught a lone vampire a few yards from the cabin. He didn’t resist capture or put up a fight only requested an audience with Shadow, because he didn’t fight the wolves had no reason to attack him, instead they brought him in front of Shadow as he requested.

He introduced himself as Sloane and taunted Shadow by staying “I see you’re missing a certain vampire queen”

This infuriated Shadow. One thing that Shadow didn’t know was that Vampires are not only good at seduction, they also have a neck for playing mind games and using people’s feelings and emotions against them.

Shadow: “Where is she!?”

Sloane: “Umm... Last I saw, Robert was fucking her senseless... He hasn’t seen his Queen for so long, you know how vampires get. I don’t know if she was screaming from pleasure or torture... It’s all the same to us”

Shadow punched Sloane right in the face without hesitance, instantly breaking his nose.

But Sloane still managed to laugh while the blood gushed down his face “Hey... Don’t take it out on me, I doubt a couple of wolves could please a vampire slut like her anyway,... but don’t worry Robert is making up for all lost time. She was moaning like a bitch in heat... Excuse the pun” Sloane laughed again, mocking Shadow who then reacted with another hard punch to Sloane’s mid-section this time, knocking the wind right out of him.

Shadow hissed at him through clenched teeth “Where is she!?”

Sloane was still bent forward from the last punch, still trying to catch his breath but managed to speak “She’s dead you fool ... After Robert finished fucking her, he slit her throat. I left as she was gasping for air, choking on her own blood. The slut had it coming”

Shadow lost it, he grabbed Sloane by the throat and with one hand crushed his airway, suffocating him before ripping out the front of his throat. He then flew into the cabin, going into a rampage hell-bent on destruction.

By the time I got back to the cabin... some time later because I got a little lost, Joshua ran towards me, throwing his arms around me “Aurora You’re alive!”

I didn’t understand his reaction until he gave me a quick run-down of what happened all while pulling me towards the cabin.

As we got closer I could hear the commotion inside.

Joshua: “Shadow has lost it, two of the wolves tried to stop him just now and he almost killed them”

I ran toward the Cabin only to be grabbed by Joshua, who pulled me back “You can’t go in there, Shadow is not himself, he’s gone mad... I cannot guarantee your safety”

I gave Joshua a kiss on the cheek “I have to Josh... I have to at least try”

Joshua let go of me reluctantly and I rushed into the Cabin. The first room I entered was the kitchen dining room area. The tables and chairs were all thrown over, most of the furniture was broken into pieces.

Most of the cupboard doors were pulled from their hinges and were hanging crooked or barely hanging at all.

The next room was the lounge area which looked much the same, complete disarray and vandalized.

I ran up the stairs to find Shadow in the hallway beating his fists against the solid log wall. His fists were bleeding but he kept punching away.

Me: “Shadow!” I yelled at him to stop but he didn’t even register that I was there.

Me: “Shadow... Please stop!” Again, no reaction from him, it was as if he blocked everything out and didn’t even hear my voice.

I grabbed hold of his arm but in reflex he yanked his arm away sending me flying, colliding into the stairway railing.

Finally he stood with both hands pressed against the wall, trying to catch his breath giving me the time I required to duck underneath his arm.

I stood with my back against the wall, pinned between his arms. This was a very dangerous position to be in but I didn’t care about myself.

I took hold of his face with both my hands, gently touching him “Shadow, look at me please...”

His eyes were golden, he was looking at me but he didn’t see me, it was as if I wasn’t even there. I begged him over and over to look at me. I knew the look all too well. Shadow's body was there, his actions controlled by anger but his mind and soul was consumed by something else... An inner deamon... His darkness.

I refused to let it consume him, I had to try anything possible to get him to snap out of it. I pressed my lips against his, kissed him long and loving... eventually he blinked a couple of times, he was starting to focus again.

Me:” Shadow... Baby? Please...”

It was the first time I called him baby, the universal sign of endearment and I was hoping tenderness and coaxing him would make him snap out of it.

Shadow looked at me and actually saw me, he heard me. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me hard to him, dropping his head into my neck as he started sobbing.

I embraced him... “Shhh, it’s okay” it was a strange concept to me. Never had a man become emotional over me.

Shadow: “He said you were dead... I thought... ”

Me: “I’m fine...I'm right here ”

Suddenly Shadow pushed me back against the wall and looked at me in concern “Did Robert...did he touch you, did that bastard hurt you?

Joshua had told me what Sloane told Shadow. It bothered Shadow that Robert may have had sex with me, that he had forcefully taken me.

Me:” Robert wasn’t even here baby, he didn’t lay a finger on me... This was all a sick vampire game he planned to get inside your head and mess with you”

Shadow searched my eyes and when he was convinced I was telling the truth he pushed himself against me again and kissed me passionately. His kiss was powerful and took my breath away.

Our kiss of passion quickly turned to one filled with lust and desire as our hands were exploring and groping each other, trying to get rid of each other’s clothes as quickly as possible. As desperate as we were to take each other there and then, we knew we didn’t have much time before Joshua and the others came searching for us.

Instead of our first time being passionate and loving, it was rushed, hard and filled with lust and desperation, Shadow had pinned me against the wall, lifting me just high enough for me to wrap my legs around his waist.

Alex: “Uh-hum!”

I laughed “Oh yes... I forgot... You don’t want to hear the details of my sex life”

Alex: “Please, I’ll be writing your autobiography... Not some sleazy sex novel”

I smiled at Alex, “does that mean you will be writing it?”

Alex: “that depends... On whether you can tell me everything in the two days we have left? ”

Me: “Well in that case... Let’s get to it”

Soon enough the others came to check if Shadow had calmed down. They were confused about his complete turnaround, he went from a total mad man to calm and even... friendly.

Shadow apologised for losing control and destroying everything, he advised the pack that they should leave for the cabin just outside Rome in the morning as this home was not liveable after he destroyed it.

He promised he would fix the place up and that we would join them within two weeks, in the meantime Joshua would be in charge until Shadow and I joined up with them again.

Suspicion was evident but no one questioned it, mainly because no one wanted to alter Shadows sudden good mood. Everyone pitched in as we started cleaning up and as time went by one by one all the wolves went to bed.

Shadow and I secretly exchanged a wink or a smile here and there throughout the evening, making sure no one else noticed. We “Accidentally” kept bumping into each other or getting in each others way.

After everyone had gone to bed, we flew into each other’s arms to continue what we had to previously rushed .

When we reached Shadow’s room he surprised me with his gentleness, picking me up and carrying me to his bed, whist kissing me. He was loving and caring, sweet and tentative.

Shadow: “I want you, all of you... that includes you biting me”

Me: “I can’t do that... It’s against your rules... Think of the consequences”

Shadow: “I have... And I don’t care, I want you to be yourself when you’re with me and I want to experience that side of you... You have my permission to bite and take my blood without having to seduce me. We already established my blood won’t kill you, and without seduction I won’t become Vamparic... Not that I believe that werewolves could become Vamparic.”

I didn’t want to cross that line with Shadow, I cared for him, I was attracted to him, I liked him...a lot. I didn’t want to do anything that could hurt him or that could cause me to lose him, but he was persistent and during our night of passion I gave in to his request. Not only did I get my fill of blood but I had the most intense orgasm ever... And so did Shadow.

The next morning Joshua came running whilst yelling down the hallway “Shadow! Aurora is missing, she’s not in her room! I’ve looked everywhere but can’t.... ” as he barged into Shadow’s room he just ended his sentence with “Oh” after finding me naked in Shadows bed.

I was still asleep with my head on Shadows chest, one arm and a leg draped over Shadow. Joshua just stood in the doorway starring.

Shadow:“Shhh, You’ll wake her”

He gently touched my cheek “Isn’t she the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen?... I want to marry her, I want to make her my wife”

Joshua:“Ummm yeah but she’s kind of already married to Robert, and he won’t ever let her go”

Shadow: “They’re not married by law...it’s a stupid vampire rule, he just claimed her as his wife and she had no say in the matter.”

Josh: “So... it’s basically same with wolves...You want to do the same to her that the vampire did."

Wolves claim their partners as their mate which constitutes as marriage obviously not seen legal according to human law, because humans don't know about werewolves.

Joshua:" Are you saying that’s what you want to do Shadow, you want to claim her as your mate?”

Shadow: “That’s exactly what I want to do”

...

Rome 1920, a few things made history that year.

One: Pope Benedict XV of the Catholic Church Canonize Joan of Arc.

Two: Gelnsio Caetani was elected as the Mayor of the City of Rome.

And Three, the one that was of most importance to me, Robert became a member of the Vampire Council.

In order to become a council member, Robert had to give up his title as King which included giving up his Royal privileges, his Queen and the territory he ruled over.

But someone had to take over and who better to take rule than his Queen...well now former Queen. He was not at all pleased with this ruling but he had to accept the council’s decision or he wouldn’t become a council member.

At the end of the day Robert wanted power over anything else, he didn’t care about what he had to do to get it, or what he had to sacrifice, who he had to hurt to get to the top. Becoming a council member was one of his top priorities for years... for centuries.

The one thing that ticked him off the most was the fact that he had no more claim over me, by rule of the council. It meant I was finally free of him, I was also free to be with whomever I wanted now. I was no longer Robert’s slave or wife which in my mind was one in the same thing.

By now it was no secret that Shadow and I were together, we’ve been together for years...even the Vampire Council knew about our relationship, and even though, according to vampire law, I was Robert’s wife up until that point, I was not physically with Robert nor was I ever living within vampire territory for years, whilst with Shadow.

The council had turned a blind eye to my relationship with a werewolves... after all, for once the ongoing fights between Vampire and Werewolves had calmed down as a direct result of our union. Enen though there were ongoing concerns about how it was possible for me to have "left" Robert.

Due to our bond it wasn't possible for me to leave him, to not be by his side, to not be loyal... to love another. But Robert had his own agenda and he convinced the council that the whole thing was a strategic plan by him to ensure peace between Vampires and werewolves. He took credit for what I did. He convinced the council that I was with Shadow because he willed it and I was playing a role... Manipulating the wolves.

Being free from Robert was suppose to be a good thing but unfortunately it was not all good news for me, Robert was now a council member, and he would influence the other member’s decisions on all matters, which meant that in all likelihood I would not be able to get any more rules changed infront of the council. He also had unlimited influence now and could do pretty much as he saw fit, he would use his power to make my life hell.

As Queen of a certain region, it meant that I had to return to it, I had to return to New Orleans... leaving Rome behind, the place were I found freedom, where I found peace, where I found love with a werewolf. Châteaux Dubois no longer existed, destroyed in the war, Robert pretty much left his region in chaos. It also meant the position of King was no open and Vampires from all over would now do whatever it took to claim the position and because I didn't have a bond with them, they wouldn't need me. I was still very much in danger.

Back home I needed to set up a new home, get the kingdom back to it’s former glory, I needed businesses and money. It was evident that Robert ruined the Kingdom out of spite, intentionally setting me up for failure.

What Robert still didn’t seem to comprehend even after so many years was that I was resourceful, I have always had a good head for business, which was the one good thing that came from my days as his apprentice.

I had continued investing in various businesses, trusts, properties and ventures over the years. Most businesses I bought into taking over with money earned or profits made but there were a few businesses that I had shares in, which I obtained through Vampire benefits, like as with Andrew’s business, the logging and carpentry business that employed werewolves. At first I just fed on him and ensured he paid his employees and treated them better, but as the business grew I used my seduction to let him make me his co-partner in the business.

Of cause I kept that part a secret from the werewolves, my business ventures has always been... my own business. The less people knew about what I was involved with and where my livelihood laid, the less vulnerable and exposed to sabotage I was.

I decided to purchase an old plantation home situated on a few acres of property, the reason behind it was that most of the property was still undeveloped and bordered the woods. Close to where one of the wolf cabins were hidden.

This meant Shadow could easily move between the safety of his woods and our new home. I didn’t care what problems lied ahead with Robert or the council or the threat of power seeking vampires. I was just happy to have a life with Shadow, my true love.