A beautiful, yet, unique name.

~Tegan.~

*October 19th.

It’s been three months since my last breakout. So far, I have not felt the surge of emotions which builds inside me before I become the beast everyone fears. I will have called it progress, but I have lasted longer before, for so far the longest I have gone is six months without changing.

The cause of my appetite still unknown to me, as the only thing I can tell for certain is that my mind is not mine, minutes before I transform, as the surge that passes through me during those times feels foreign. It beats me, that upon decades of being changing to a foreign form, I only know little about it, despite’s years of research and experiments.

Nevertheless, I made contact with a vampire whom seems to know much about the blood rage, bearing the name Gregory Rivers about my predicament, hopefully he will have answers and possibly, a cure. Now all I have to do is have hope, for it is the only thing I have left, since the final warning from my father.

I closed my diary shut, while I got up from the leather chair in my study, and as usual, I wore my black coat and left to see father whom had requested my presence. The relationship father and I have had the past three months had been curt, for each of our conversations had become minimalistic, which no one took responsibility for, as even if father refused to have spoken it, we both know I was living on borrowed time, for my blood rage could kick in at any time.

From where I stood, I sighted father at the training field, while he watched the morning training from our warriors. “Father,” I called out his name as I reached behind him and made my presence known.

“Do you know what I enjoy doing the most Tegan?” Father asked me, as he paid no attention to turn his gaze to me, but had it fixed at the ongoing training with a smile on his lips.

“Throwing a party?” I answered father as that got him to turn his gaze to me, along with a laughter which escaped his lips, whereas my own lips smiled back on reflex.

“Oh yes, I see you all know me well.” Father chuckled even more. “But that isn’t all,” Father added, while his chuckle began to die down. “What do you see when you stare at those warriors training?” Father questioned, as my gaze went back to stare from the mind bending, to speed training and combat training which took place in front of us.

“I see our people training to defend our kingdom.” I answered.

“Do you know what it means to defend something Tegan?” Father inquired further, as i couldn’t quite place where his words went to.

“It means you are ready to do anything to defend it.” I replied with my gaze on him.

“That is exactly what it means to be king. To defend at all cost, and paying whatever price that comes with it.” Father told me. “To tell you the truth, I never wanted to be king, but being a king found me.” Father revealed. “Which I expect your question should be, why did I accept to rule?” Father turned to me squarely. “Because Tegan, I am good at it.” He answered the question himself. “Now, what I am passing to you is, the heavens may have decided what could be of you, but you get to make that choice that affects yourself and the lives around you.” Realization began to hit me at the end of father’s words, that he had indirectly told me to hold onto myself and defend myself. “Do you understand me Tegan?” Father questioned with a raised brow.

“Clearly, my King.” I nodded my head positively, and even if father and I hadn’t spoken intently in months, I realized my thoughts filled his mind in concern.

“Good.” Father turned his gaze back to the field. “Now for the main reason which I called you.” My attention perked once more at Father’s words. “I have selected feeders whom will serve each of you personally for the royal family, just like I informed you all. Yours has also been delivered to your quarters.” Father informed me.

“Very well father.” I nodded my head. “Is that all?” I inquired to have taken my leave.

“One more thing,” Father spoke with his gaze on me, while a smile made its way to his lips. “I do hope you and your brothers are prepared, for we will be holding the decade ceremonial party this time.” Father said, as the smile which laid on his lips also reflected on mine.

“Always ready Father.”

——————-

I stood in my usual spot, behind the umbrella tree which shaded my presence, while I stared at the scene in front of me. One which relaxed me and brought me to peace upon seen. My lips curved into a smile, as I watched her play with the children she taught. Her eyes bright and innocent, one full of life that I did wonder how she coped in a world such as this and still managed to keep her innocence. And I would know for she is one whom I have watched for the past five years.

The wind blew her blonde locks gently, as they moved away from her face, and showcased every detail of her facial features. Her lips plump pink which corresponded with her toned fair skin, as for a vampire she looked neither like one. When she smiled, I found myself having smiled at the same time, and when she looked my way, I found myself gone to hiding as not to be exposed and those little gestures could not have gone far without coming to realization, that I do fancy that woman.

A sigh escaped my lips with realization that all I could do was to watch from afar and never approached her, which of course made me turn my back to begun my leave.

“Wait.” My legs stopped in their tracks, as the familiar voice which I had only heard giggles of, spoke behind me. “Are you leaving already?” Her voice came again which took my heart to begun beating faster than I expected.

“Yes.” Was all I responded to her without having turned my face to her.

“May I at least know your name?” She asked, while my brows furrowed at her courage.

“You do not know me, why ask for my name?” I asked her.

“Indeed I don’t. But I have seen you come here at this exact place, a couple of times.” She revealed, and I closed my eyes shut if having been caught, despite my carefulness. “I’m Ithline by the way.” At the sound of her name, so does the environment around me went silent, as only her name played and rang in my head delicately.

Ithline.

What a beautiful name, I thought.

“You have such a wonderful name.” I confessed.

“Thank you.” She responded, for even if my back remained turned to her, I seemed to have caught the change in her voice which blushed. “May I know your name, even if you can’t let me see you properly?” Ithline asked, as I began to wonder if it was wise to speak my name to her or leave at the instant.

“Tegan.” I eventually spoke, as I watch her go silent.

“A beautiful, yet unique name.” Ithline responded, as it did get me to smile lightly. “Will I see you again, Tegan?” The manner at which my name draped from her lips excited my body, that everything in me wanted to turn and gaze at her vividly, yet, I couldn’t, for all she saw now was just a facade and if she got to know that I am indeed the beast of Genevia, her words will be the most to come my way.

“Perhaps.” I spoke. “I must take my leave now. Goodbye Ithline.” I wasted no second for Ithline to have uttered another word, as I took to my heels and arrived back at the palace. I walked back to my chambers, having remembered that Father did inform me of my personal feeder to be awaiting my presence. I opened the large doors to my quarters as the first thing, rather person I sighted had their back faced to me.

“You must be my feeder.” I spoke to the woman whose back faced me, whereas her black curly locks are the only thing I could tell about her, along with a familiar scent I smelled before. That is, until she turned to face me and my gaze went wide, with my jaws clenched together. “What are you doing here?” My gaze stern as possible, I stared back at the woman from that night, three months ago. The same woman whom I saw, before my blood rage.