Chapter 9

Achilles carried Seraphina through the Palace in his arms despite her protests that she can walk, after a short while, they reached a grand golden archway in the left wing of the Palace. Achilles nudged the door open with his foot and stepped inside still carrying Seraphina. Seraphina was surprised to see Bethel, Rose and Melanie seated there. They had changed clothes and were dressed in beautiful, modest gowns. A far cry from the ugly servants' uniforms they had spent their lives wearing. What was even more surprising was, they were all sat drinking tea and laughing with the King and Queen!

Achilles walked to the table and gently sat Seraphina down in a tall, ornate chair. He took the seat next to her and nodded to Bethel, Rose and Melanie. The three of them stood and bowed in return, “No need for formalities ladies, we are practically family now” Achilles said to them. The Queen raised an eyebrow at her son, “I’m surprised we’re seeing you Achilles, I expected you and Seraphina wouldn’t be leaving your quarters for a few days at least.” Seraphina blushed deeply and looked down and began to fidget her hands. Achilles reached over and grabbed her hand pulling it onto his lap and laughed loudly, the melodic sounds bounding off of the dining room walls. “Mother, do not make such crude assumptions, you raised me to be a gentleman after all did you not?” The Queen chuckled and shook her head in response.

The Queens gaze turned to rest on Seraphina, “Don’t you look beautiful Seraphina, so much like your mother... How are you feeling my child?” Seraphina was surprised to hear the Queen speak directly to her, she paused before speaking “Thank you your Highness” She answered bowing her head “I am feeling very well actually, better than I have ever felt before your Highness” Seraphina turned to smile at her Prince. “Well, I am overjoyed to hear you are well, you don’t know how much it means to us to finally have you here where you belong. And Child?”, “Yes your Highness” answered Seraphina. “You are to be my daughter, please call me Ethena or Mother” She smiled warmly at Seraphina and took her hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze. The King who had remained silent throughout their discussions finally spoke up “And you shall call me the Great Puma or father, whichever is best to your liking”. Ethena and Achilles erupted in laughter confusing Seraphina “No child, you shall call him a fool” laughed Ethena. Seraphina quickly understood that the King was pushing for her to call him Father, this warmed her heart to know they had truly opened their hearts and their home to her.

Just then, the doors to the dining hall opened and Princess Aurelia entered, covered in blood and flanked by two Royal Guards “Apologies for my tardiness, I was...preoccupied.” The smell of blood radiated strongly through the hall. “By the God’s, Aurelia! Couldn’t you have at least changed first” yelled Ethena, clearly irritated by her daughters gory and dishevelled appearance. “Mother, I have waited 18 years to see my fated sister again, I will not wait another moment” the Princess walked over to Seraphina and placed a kiss on each of her cheeks. “You don’t remember me but, I remember you, I could never forget your beautiful eyes. I am so happy to finally have you returned to us” the Princess gushed. She directed her attention back to her Mother “Besides, at least she can be rest assured now that the vermin that enslaved her are now well and truly disposed of, the House De-Vandor is no more.” And on that final note, she seated herself opposite Seraphina and sipped her tea as though nothing had happened.

The King Narcissus gestured to one of the servants and immediately, platters of food were brought out and placed on the table and servants began to pour what looked to be wine for everyone. “I take it your sisters and your brother are not joining us?” asked Narcissus. “Drusilla and Antoinette are out hunting and Credence has taken a flight” answered the Princess “they will join us for breakfast tomorrow.”

Achilles filled Seraphina’s plate with an array of meats, fruits, cheese and small cakes. Once everyone had a plate full, Ethena stood and raised her glass “A toast to our long lost Princess and Dragon, Seraphina... We may never be able to erase the scars of your past, but we can ensure your future will be a bright and prosperous one. We are overjoyed to have you home.” As Ethena finished her speech, Narcissus stood “And also to Bethel, Rose and Melanie, you cared for our Princess for years and no doubt have been the only light in her life up until now, we thank you for keeping our Princess strong and resilient.” Bethel wiped a tear from her eye and everyone brought their drink to their lips.

Seraphina grimaced when she smelled the blood in her cup. “Is something wrong?” asked Princess Aurelia. The Prince looked over into her cup and gave her a small smile, “Seraphina has never drank blood before” answered the Prince. Ethena’s eyebrows rose at hearing this “So you are yet to meet your Dragon? Hmm.. Now that would be a site to behold.. Drink only when you feel ready to Seraphina, you have waited this long, it matters not either way.” Seraphina looked a Bethel who gave a smiled and gave a small nod. Seraphina grimaced again and brought the cup to her lips, everyone in the room held their breath. She took a small sip and as the blood passed over her tongue, she was surprised that it had a sweet and slightly spiced taste, almost similar to cinnamon. As she swallowed, the blood left a tingling coppery aftertaste in her mouth. Her eyes widened in response and she took another drink, only a long gulp this time. As she lowered her cup back to the table, she realised all eyes were on her. She understood that they were waiting for a reaction, she didn’t feel any different. Should she? A pit of worry formed in her stomach. “Do not worry child, it may take a while for your Dragon to introduce herself, she has been sleeping for a very long time, she will greet you when she is ready” Ethena said softly, calming some of Seraphina’s worry.

The afternoon tea was very enjoyable, the table exchanged light chat, mostly surrounding places Bethel, Rose and Melanie would like to visit. Melanie joked about her intrigue to meet Prince Credence and was immediately embarrassed and disappointed to learn he was only 15. Rose joked that 3 years isn’t a long time to wait for a Prince and the 2 began bickering about whom was more likely to become a spinster. It was warming to see them so relaxed and content, able to laugh and joke. There was no more mention of the House De-Vandor and for that, she was immensely grateful. Seraphina knew that she couldn’t change her past and her heart would always carry sorrow for her time spent there but, she did not wish to live in the past anymore. In the space of a few hours, her life had changed drastically and she was filled with love and happiness, two feelings she had never known prior to that day.

Ethena briefly spoke of Seraphina’s parents. She learned that her father was human, as expected, and of course her mother a vampire. Her father had directly saved Narcissus’s life many years ago in a battle and was awarded a title and many lands as a thank you. Her father had actually tried to refuse the honour multiple times but, when he met Seraphina’s mother at a Winter Ball, he decided to accept the honour so that he could raise his station enough to wed Seraphina’s mother. She was grateful that Ethena didn’t indulge too much about her parents, she was mesmerised to learn about them but, it was still a sore subject and an open wound after learning of her parents' tragic demise. She had also learned more about Princess Aurelia, who has also insisted she address her as Aurelia or Sister, Aurelia was still unmarried as she was yet to ‘find a man than is strong and secure enough to handle a woman like her’ as she put it herself.

It was understood that Prince’s marry for the strength of the family but, Princesses were free to marry whom they fall in love with or not at all if they do not wish to. She came to understand that Aurelia, like her brother the Prince, Achilles was also a very strong warrior, often accompanying her brother into battle at the front lines and had earned the nickname ‘Azreal’ after the angel of death whilst her brother, Achilles was named ‘Hades’, the God of Death and King of the Underworld. Princess Aurelia was truly a remarkably strong woman.