Revolution

“Once upon a time, many years ago, all sorts of creatures lived free in the land. The shifters ruled over their own land. The Witches ruled theirs. But the Vampires had the most land for they ruled over the humans.”

“How come the humans didn’t have their own kingdom, mommy?” The small girl, with blonde pigtail braids, looked up at her mother curiously.

“Because vampires need to drink blood to stay strong. They kept all the humans in their kingdom so they could feed.”

“So, the vampires were like Old McDonald on his farm, but instead of animals they raised humans?”

The mother laughed at her cheeky daughter. “Something like that. Now, are you going to let me finish the story or are you ready for bed?”

The girl zipped her lips with her fingers and threw the imaginary key over her head. As her mother started telling the story again, she tucked into her mother’s side and closed her eyes, picturing the vampires and the witches.

“Each of the magical groups were gifted with what was called a fated mate, someone Mother Nature created to be their matching half. Like a soul mate. When the creatures met their mates for the first time, they felt a strong pull toward them. So strong, it was nearly impossible to ignore. Once they met, they would both start falling deeply in love with the other. As time moved on, the oddest thing happened. A few started finding their fated mates in other kingdoms. Some vampires even had a human for a mate. These mated pairings were difficult for many to accept. It was becoming common for one to reject the other. It was painful to the person rejected, but if it was early enough into their meeting, they could heal.”

The mother paused, looking down to see if the girl was asleep. Her eyes opened again, wondering why her mother stopped. Seeing this, the mother smiled softly and started again.

“One day, a male vampire was roaming the edge of his land, checking their borders. There had been small skirmishes, fights, recently. It was his job to protect the kingdom. He paused, smelling something wonderful, something that took his breath away. He crept through the woods, following the enticing scent. He came upon a small lake, with water falling from the rocks behind it. And standing under that water, was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She was bathing in the water, enjoying the warm Spring day. She had beautiful black hair, and creamy skin. The vampire was entranced by her beauty. He came closer, wanting to get a better look at her. The woman sensed someone nearby and turned to look at him. When their eyes met, she felt it in her heart, that this man had been created just for her. She stayed where she was, worried he would reject her. For she was not a vampire, but a witch from the neighboring Kingdom. She need not have worried though, the vampire could not resist the pull to his mate. He moved quickly, dropping his clothes so he could swim out to her. As soon as he was close enough, he kissed her.”

The little girl giggled and said “ew.” Her mother stroked the side of her head softly, a silent reminder to settle down.

“I’ve searched high and low for you, my dear. The vampire told her. I’ve been right here, my love. Waiting for you to find me. Then bond with me that we may never be apart again. He begged her. The witch agreed and they sealed themselves to each other with both their magic. Now, they would both live, or they would both die, for their magic had forever tied their souls together. They separated, promising to meet again the next day to decide where they should live. Only, the vampire did not show the next day. Or the next. The witch grew worried. She could feel him still in her heart. She knew he was safe, but she had not yet learned to read what the other feelings were. As that is something a mate learns over time. So, the witch snuck into the vampire kingdom and followed her heart to find her mate. She was relieved to find a small home near the castle, and to feel him inside it. Wanting to surprise him, thinking this was the home he found for them, she walked inside. She loved the small cottage and decided this must have been why he had not come, because he was getting their home ready for them. She walked through the house, looking through all the rooms. In the very last one, she found her mate. Only he wasn’t alone. There was a female vampire lying with him in the bed. The witch screamed all sorts of things at her mate and ran out the door. He followed after, trying to explain. But there was no explanation for him betraying her like that. He had betrayed fate in the worst way possible.”

“When she returned to her home, the witch pulled her coven together and told them what happened. Together, they put a curse on all the Vampire Borns. They would no longer be able to give birth to female vampires, they would only have sons. Each witch cut their hand and sealed the curse with their blood. Then they cast a spell on the vampires, causing a deep sleep to fall on them. The women snuck out of their homes that night, and crept into the vampire kingdom, and cut off the head of every female vampire. The betrayed witch stood over her sleeping mate, and killed the woman in his arms, the place she was meant to be. On the dresser, she left a note.

Because of your betrayal, your kingdom will wither and die. Your females are gone, and you will have no more. The curse will be broken when the hidden vampire prince accepts his witch mate and humbles himself to her.

The only females to survive the night of slaughter were two human mates. Both had been pregnant. Both had sons, and both died in childbirth. From then on, the humans of the kingdom gave daughters to the vampires, in exchange for rewards. Sadly, most never fell pregnant, and those who did rarely survived. And only sons were born. Hundreds of years passed, the vampire’s numbers were getting lower, their kingdom getting weaker. They no longer had their mates to keep them strong. They began turning humans they deemed worthy into vampires, in order to grow their numbers again. They had hoped those females would be able to bear them a child, but they could not. Their bodies had been frozen in the state they had been in before making the change.”

“One day, the vampires had gone to a new village to collect the offerings from the people. They did this every few years and went to a different village each time. But this village did not want to give them their daughters. Many witches had found their mates inside this village and moved there to raise their families. One of the witches was even a descendant of the coven who cast the curse. The story had been passed down from generation to generation. Using their magic, the witches discovered that most of their daughters would die after the horrible treatment they would receive at the hands of the vampires. See, the vampires had told them that their daughters would be treated like royalty, spoiled, and pampered. The girls had all volunteered to go, some only because their families needed the money. But not this village, this village fought back. They killed many of the vampires. But they lost even more. Nearly the whole town had been killed. The king of the vampires had been in the village that day, his guards got him out safely, but not before the king had grabbed one of the girls off the showing stage.”

“The girl tried to kill herself many times, but then she fell pregnant. And she couldn’t help but love her baby. She was sick the whole time. Her body had not been made to carry a vampire child. Still, she knew she would live through the birth. The girl had been raised on the story of the curse. She knew the vampires would continue to use her to have more babies, a life worse than death was paved before her, if she survived the birthing process. Which she did, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, a prince. A few days later, she asked the king to walk with her in the mountains; she needed the fresh air. The king was so pleased that she survived, and that he finally had a son, that he agreed. The girl wanted to keep walking, in awe at the view below them. After the battle in the village, they had to go into hiding. All the human villages had started rising up against them, as well as all the other magical kingdoms. All this young girl had known the last few years was the inside of a cave. The King let her walk for as long as she wanted. When they reached a tall peak, she spread her arms out at the edge and laughed. He laughed with her, happy that she was happy. And then she jumped. The King tried to grab her hand, but he had been too stunned to move in time to reach her.”

“What happened to the vampires, mommy?” The girl asked sleepily.

“They are still out there, hiding, hunting, and waiting for their chance to take back the power. Which is why you must never walk in dark places. You must always stay in the light. Sleep now, my darling. You are safe with the blood of your ancestors running through you. You are doubly blessed as you have the pure blood from both your father and I.”