Ch 5: Inside the gates of Sacaris

Aribella POV

My palms would not stop sweating. I’m certain I could fill a bucket at this point, and I'd wiped them on my jeans at least twenty times during the ride.

Most of the reason was because I was heading to a meeting with Rhory Whitehall to beg him for protection and tell him that his brother was trying to kill him. The other is because there is a vampire sitting directly across from me.

Vampires were a thing of fiction in my past life. A myth that hasn’t been proven to be true or debunked yet, but plenty of horror movies depict them as blood-sucking monsters.

In this story, vampires were notably part of the Royal Guard. They were the sworn protectors of the Whitehall family and the kingdom of Sacaris. The story tells a tale that long ago, to protect their species, they signed a treaty.

The war between vampires and humans would end if they pledged their lives to the royals. The vampire race was slowly being demolished due to fear among the civilians. People came up missing, their bodies recovered void of blood, and eventually, this led to war.

The clan leader at the time insisted that it wasn’t anyone within their clan, but there had been too much bloodshed for the Whitehall’s to back down.

The treaty was quickly signed, and vampires used their speed, strength, and ability to sense danger to protect the kingdom. There were rules, of course, and the royals made their sacrifice worthwhile with blood offerings monthly and a fairly leisurely lifestyle.

The mask covers the majority of the man’s face across from me, but his eyes are a pale shade of blue that is nearly white, and his dark brown hair is cropped short.

He’s staring at me like I shouldn’t be there, and maybe I shouldn’t, but I’m not ready to die yet, so I’m not going anywhere.

“You seem nervous,” Emrys looks relaxed beside the guard member. His hands are placed behind his head, and his legs are sprawled out, taking up most of the bright red seating.

“I am.”

He arches his brow, “And yet you are the one who requested the meeting.”

“Just because I requested this meeting doesn’t make the reality any less nerve-wracking, sir.”

He lets out a chuckle, “I can see why you caused such a stir this morning. It’s rare to have a woman speak with such honesty. Many would be falling over themselves to get a chance to be in the royal presence, yet I don’t get that impression from you.”

My fingers interlock in my lap, and I stare out of the slightly parted curtains, seeing the palace grow in size.

I’ve always wondered what it would be like to step into your favorite novel. I used to love reading before Stephan, and only snuck in chances when I was sure he wasn't watching.

I’d get lost in the pages of a fantasy novel, imagining the beauty of a kingdom in my mind. I could close my eyes and picture castles, or mythical beasts.

Then there were love stories, where the man was everything I longed for in my life and so much more.

But seeing the Kingdom of Sacaris with my own eyes was a surreal experience. I scooted closer to the opening, tilting my head to get a better view.

The palace itself was a massive stone structure. The lookout points were just like you’d expect, pointed and topped with a crimson flag that flowed with the wind. The stones themselves were large and various shades of gray, giving it a medieval look, but the gates outside were what caught my eye.

Massive ebony-black iron gates surrounded the palace. Spikes stood tall from the top, and guards were posted at regular intervals around the perimeter.

“Have you never seen the kingdom?” Emrys had leaned close at some point, and his voice made me jump.

“Not up close, no.”

“It was masterfully built,” he smiled, those blue eyes dancing with excitement. “When we arrive, Reo here will show you to your quarters until I’ve spoken with Rhory.”

“Please explain to him that I need to speak with him alone.”

Emrys arched his brow, and I got the impression that it was a regular expression for him, “You know that isn’t an option.”

“You can have Reo here pat me down if you want to check for weapons,” I thumbed towards the vampire, “I simply need to discuss something with him. It shouldn’t take too much of his time.”

“You’re not making my life easy, Ms. Voss. You’re already skating on thin ice with Mael. He was quite flustered after your interaction this morning,” Emrys explained.

“If a man cannot listen to what his people have to say, what kind of King would that make him?”

“I’ll see what I can do, but I’ll make no promises,” Emrys finally leans away from me, returning to his more relaxed position.

My words seem to have pacified him, which I’m grateful for, but I don’t feel triumphant. Not yet anyway.

Reo remains in the same position, his face still as stoic as ever. We stare at one another until my nerves force my gaze away.

The gates open for our carriage and the horses drag us closer to the castle. As soon as we’ve cleared the opening, they begin to close again.

Bodies mill around the cobblestone roads as we’re pulled nearer to the castle. There are vendors selling various goods on the side of the roads and many flags bearing the royal crest.

Some patrons stop to stare at the grand carriage. Many wear looks of shock or joy, but a few faces are dripping with disdain.

“Why do some people look so disgusted?”

Before Emrys could answer, Reo spoke up, “It’s because I am vermin that should have been eradicated.” His tone was flat and void of emotion.

“The Kingdom has always been divided when it comes to utilizing vampires as protection,” Emrys sighs, shaking his head.

“Humanity’s hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me,” I glare out of the curtain. “They’d spit at your feet for being a vampire but remain hidden behind you when they’re in need of protection.”

“Not all vampires are created equally,” Emrys shrugs, taking a neutral stance.

“Neither are human beings.”

Silence settled within the cabin, and it wasn’t long before a second set of gates opened up to permit our entrance to the castle. The carriage drew to a stop, and Reo hopped out first, opening the curtain for Emrys and me.

“Reo,” Emrys spoke up, “Would you please escort Ms. Voss to the guests’ quarters?”

He nodded and began walking without another word. I followed quickly behind, trying to take in everything I could.

I’ve always been good at paying attention to my surroundings, which is precisely why I survived as long as I did with Stephan. Unfortunately, my attention to detail didn’t save my life in the end, but this time, I refused to allow anything to slip past me.

After what felt like I’d run a marathon, Reo finally stopped, opening a door, and spinning towards me, “Please stay in your room until you receive further orders.”

“Will you be posted outside the door?”

“Is that your way of telling me that I should remain posted outside your door?” Reo arches a brow, showing the most expression that I’ve seen from him since boarding the carriage.

I stifled a laugh, “No, sir. I promise I’ll be a good girl and stay in my room.”

Reo blinks, his eyes crinkling softly before saying nothing before disappearing the way that he came.

I turn around, taking in my new space. It’s tactfully decorated, with a large bed, dresser, and vanity. An attached bathroom with a clawfoot tub catches my eye, and I climb inside the tub, leaning against the cool porcelain and imagining relaxing while submerged in steaming hot water.

My eyelids flutter closed, and exhaustion consumes me.