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Chapter Twenty-One: Origins
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2024-10-29 19:42:56After a moment's hesitation, I reached out, wrapping my fingertips around the stem and avoiding the thorns. The conviction coating Theron's words appeared genuine. I raised my eyes from the flower to meet his, noticing the petals were almost the same shade as Theron's dark crimson gaze. I couldn't detect any malice as he matched my stare, no doubt waiting for me to say something. Rather, I found the same conviction there as in his words.
"Thank you," I managed eventually, breaking our strange scrutinising and turning my attention back to the flower. "It would mean a great deal to me and Lixiss to be able to have a home and family again." That part wasn't a lie. The Circe Coven had disowned us, love turning to fear and hatred. The Crypt Clan had become more of a family to us, but that was all st
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Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty-Two: An Interruption of Theories
"So, he showed you a fancy tree planted by the gods and now there's irrefutable evidence you'll be part of the Royal Clan. Does that about sum up your date?" Lixiss smirked, before throwing another snack ball into her mouth, no doubt pilfered from the kitchens."Again, your eloquence for summarising a situation knows no bounds." I replied, "Any blood in those balls?" Lixiss shook her head. "Nope, but have one anyway. They're meaty, whatever they are." Eh, what did I have to
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty-Three: Hunters and Hunted
Popping the mountain deer snack ball into my mouth, I strode around another corner, trying in vain to project confident indifference. "Does he still follow?" The murmured words left my lips.Lixiss nodded in reply.We had been right about the elf's plans and it appeared Aldith had no intention of letting us out of his sight. He must be a fool not to realise we can sense his movements. "The Tailor is up ahead, in the dressing chamber. Stay alert." I uttered. Though safe in the knowledge that Aldith wouldn't attempt to enter the chambers (whether in person or by the arcane), I was curious as
Coffin Without Honour Prologue: The Second Age
The Hekate of the Circe Coven placed the traditional circlet of the goddess carefully on my head. As she did, the weight of the symbolism felt as if it had been transferred to my shoulders.“The Ceremony will begin soon; another will come for you when it is time." The Hekate murmured, as if I didn't already know. Every witch knew the Rite of Passage inside and out by the time they turned sixteen. It would be folly not to. She spoke the ordained enchantments and the feel of magic pulsed under my skin, the spells mingling with my own primordial power till they resonated in synchronisation. Protective blessings. I never really understood why these were needed before the rite was performed, but I wasn't about to question centuries of practice. With the magic churning in resonance, The Heakte satisfied, bowed her head and departed.A sign of respect to one who was about to ascend higher and officially be inducted into the coven. It would probably be
Coffin Without Honour Chapter One: The Third Age
The hoard of goblins hissed and spat at me, bearing their pointed jagged teeth as they chattered menacingly. Goblins were small creatures, but together they gave true meaning to the phrase strength in numbers. Their attitude changed drastically when a few of their kind came to back up a single goblin. A smirk crossed my lips at their ridiculous attempt at being threatening. It mighthave worked against a small dog, but certainly not me.The smirk angered them further and they chattered more, dancing and bobbing about withspears. I bared my teeth back at them and growled, deep and low. Their noise stopped for a split second as they realised what they were dealing with. But I was hungry and not in the least picky. A goblin hoard would suit me just fine, unfortunately for them. I charged at them, unnaturally fast, grabbing one by the neck and snapping it instantly. The goblin went limb in my grasp and greedily, I latched my
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Two: Return to the Clan
A building somewhere between a colossal fortress and opulent castle greeted us after we'd emerged from the Lipchen woodland. The structure was in the middle of nowhere, secluded from most passer-bys. Just the way we liked it. "Not like I expected a parade or anything, but someone needs to let us in." Lixiss said, after we'd been standing by the front gate for several minutes. "Give me a second, let me see if I can find a solution to our problem.” "How are you going to do that?” I grinned, flashing my fangs. "We all have impeccable hearing right? So what would happen if I do this?" Sucking in a deep breath, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Jameson! Come open the door!” Lixiss winced, clapping her hands quickly over her ears. "Subtle." She murmured sarcastically. "Effective though.” She continued, looking towards the tower gate. A deceptively decrepit man shuffled onto the lookout built into the tower. He was bald, pale and
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Three: A Little Luxury
I cracked my eyes open, the darkness of the room still present due to the closed curtains. I stretched my arms, fingertips brushing along the sheets beneath me as I did. By Nicneven, I needed that rest. A vampiress could only go so long without sleep. Though the smell of stagnant blood, earth and gore reached my senses. I peered down at my rather crusty and pungent clothes. Shit. In my eagerness to get into bed, I'd forgotten to change. Well, there was no way I could see Rhuesia looking like this. I'd rather go through the turning again than imagine what she'd say if I went before her as I was. A bath it would have to be, not like I'd been privy to one of those in a while either, unless you counted the river. Releasing my grip on the comfortable bed bar, I floated back around to a standing position, leaping off the bed and yawning my way into the bath chamber. At least I'd removed my socks and boots last night, they were probably smelling a bit fresh th
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Four: Rhuesia Absolute
I walked purposefully down the corridor after exiting my chambers. With a little magic, my hair was perfectly dry. Yira had said to look presentable. Usually, I wouldn't listen to anything Yira said, but it had been an odd tidbit to throw in. Sure, we didn't get along and I'm sure she hated everything about me from my magic right down to my fashion sense, but she had never openly said anything about it, even when I'd been meeting Rhuesia before. Her words caused curiosity and apprehension to wage war within me in equal measure. What exactly was this summons all about? Either Yira knew and wouldn't give me a heads up out of spite, or she only knew what Rhuesia had said. The sooner I arrived at the observatory the better. I passed a few other vampires, vampiress and the odd Other, shifters and such willing to help or work for the Clan. Everyone was going about their day as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Well, I supposed for them it wasn't. What
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Five: Unfair Decision
"You are joking!" I spat at Rhuesia, though despite my tone, she simply gazed at me with eyebrow raised. "I am as serious as the grave Corisande. It will be a glorious union." She stated, as though this was a fact rather than an opinion. "You do not know that." I hissed back. "And why was I not consulted about my own marriage? Surely that is something the bride of all people needs to be aware of!" I flashed my fangs as the anger poured over me like water. Who in Nicneven's name did Rhuesia think she was? I ignored the little rational voice in my head that pointed out the Clan Leader and Elder Vampiress. "You were away. A decision needed to be made and negotiations were swift." She said again in the tone of voice I hated. Again as if it was fact. A sealed bargain that no one could dispute. The one she used when her word was law. "There was no contact about this before I left." I pointed out. "Meaning the message came in and was subsequently deci
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Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty-Three: Hunters and Hunted
Popping the mountain deer snack ball into my mouth, I strode around another corner, trying in vain to project confident indifference. "Does he still follow?" The murmured words left my lips.Lixiss nodded in reply.We had been right about the elf's plans and it appeared Aldith had no intention of letting us out of his sight. He must be a fool not to realise we can sense his movements. "The Tailor is up ahead, in the dressing chamber. Stay alert." I uttered. Though safe in the knowledge that Aldith wouldn't attempt to enter the chambers (whether in person or by the arcane), I was curious as
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty-Two: An Interruption of Theories
"So, he showed you a fancy tree planted by the gods and now there's irrefutable evidence you'll be part of the Royal Clan. Does that about sum up your date?" Lixiss smirked, before throwing another snack ball into her mouth, no doubt pilfered from the kitchens."Again, your eloquence for summarising a situation knows no bounds." I replied, "Any blood in those balls?" Lixiss shook her head. "Nope, but have one anyway. They're meaty, whatever they are." Eh, what did I have to
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty-One: Origins
After a moment's hesitation, I reached out, wrapping my fingertips around the stem and avoiding the thorns. The conviction coating Theron's words appeared genuine. I raised my eyes from the flower to meet his, noticing the petals were almost the same shade as Theron's dark crimson gaze. I couldn't detect any malice as he matched my stare, no doubt waiting for me to say something. Rather, I found the same conviction there as in his words."Thank you," I managed eventually, breaking our strange scrutinising and turning my attention back to the flower. "It would mean a great deal to me and Lixiss to be able to have a home and family again." That part wasn't a lie. The Circe Coven had disowned us, love turning to fear and hatred. The Crypt Clan had become more of a family to us, but that was all st
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Twenty: Conversations in the Briars
They were still pretty far ahead, so it was doubtful they'd have seen us.From my vantage point, I watched as Aldith shook some paper in Theron's direction. "She's only been here a day and already...""We'll take care of it. I trust you with all our livesAldith. Between us, these are just empty threats." "But still..." My eyes followed as the elf mage lookedback down at the paper in his grip. "Whoever wrote this is not playingaround Theron. We should exercise caution until we know more."
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Nineteen: Date Preparation
The grin haunted my thoughts long after we’d parted. The way Theron’s fangs flashed in delight, amidst his elegant face. It was as though in that moment, all defences, pretences and any other shield of propriety had been stripped bare, allowing me to see the real him. Not the Prince of all vampire kind. Not the brutal, bloodied warrior that I’m sure he was after our trip to the dungeons. Just Theron. I shook my head, tendrils of flaming hair surrounding me as I did. I couldn’t afford to let those thoughts take root. Remember why you’re here. Defying Nicneven’s vision was all that mattered. Anything else could be dealt with if I lived. Wandering with renewed purpose across a little ornate bridge p
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Eighteen: Making an Impression
"Such an important decision and you deny us the right to offer advice in such a matter?" One head moaned with anger. The question was directed at Theron, but I couldn't have that. I was the one speaking."As my betrothed said, your connections are the more valuable asset, not your advice. I don't know how many more times that requires repeating to be quite honest
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Seventeen: Council Meeting
The door swung open as Theron removed his fingers from the material. Another device designed for the Royal Clan no doubt. Candles were scattered around and the flames sprang to life as we entered the large cell. How much here is magic, created by Aldith? The thought both fascinated and terrified me. If the eleven mage had such a stronghold of arcane creations, presumably for security purposes, would they recognise that I used to be a witch, recognise that I still possessed magic? And if so, would these devices turn on me, even if I became a part of the Royal Clan? I brushed the thoughts from my mind. They were contemplations f
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Sixteen: Mixed Messages
"Your closest friend is an eleven mage." I calmly pointed out, as I walked next to Theron through the corridors."Yes." Theron returned simply, as though he had no understanding of the history between my kind and Aldith's. "I would expect you're aware that eleven mages are famous for their hatred of witches, something me and Lixiss used to be and in fact, partially still are." I returned, a slight edge leaking into my tone. There was no way Theron could be that ignorant. A vampiress witch for a bride and eleven mage for a
Coffin Without Honour Chapter Fifteen: Security Issues
"And you are?" I growled, not in the mood to be dealing with further interruptions. "Aldith." The stranger said easily. As he stood there and my fury dampened, I noticed he was dressed differently to the others I had seen flitting about the palace. His attire resembled robes, only less flowing and sturdier in nature. His hair was so blonde it gave off a silver sheen and its length meant he'd organised it in an intricate single braid. A wisp of memory tugged at my mind, but to insubstantial to really grasp. He reminded me of something. A meeting from long ago, in another life..."Your name tells me little." I returned, noticing the defensive edge in my voice.
