chapter two - HERA'S POV

A family affair

I stood impatiIently waiting at the entrance of the tunnel for my twin brother, Lucian and his lover to finish whatever it is they were doing.

I was worried for my twin. I have been watching him for weeks now, and I knew he would soon be in deep shit, what the shit would be, I do not know yet.

Lucian has been sneaking out of the castle for a dangerous meeting with the daughter of our father's oldest enemy, Maugrim at her father's castle.

While I was not one to discourage a tryst, as I was a believer in dangerous excitements myself, I wouldn't encourage one with the daughter of the feared Maugrim.

I have no idea why Lucian would choose to play with his life like this.

I fear for him, I could see that he was falling in love with her, and I knew that it could not end well.

I would have told my mother if not for the fact that Lucian made me swear on my life that I would not breathe a word of it out to anyone.

And what choice do I have? I was the keeper of his secrets, and he, mine.

We never kept anything away from each other.

our bond has been strong since birth, yet we still compete with each other.

When we were younger, we would climb trees to see who could climb faster, swim rivers to know who can swim faster, and test whose vampire abilities are defter.

Lucian's power of shapeshifting is more powerful, but my senses are sharper than his, I could hear words from miles away on a silent night, and smell things faster than him, I also inherited the gift of healing from my mother.

My mother said Lucian came to the world first, but I had held one of his legs in my struggle to come out first. That was when our competitiveness started.

He had been the first to know when I started my blood flow and when I lost my virginity to a gorgeous castle guard, he had wanted to rip the vampire apart if not that I threatened to never speak to him if he did. Safe to say, I never told him about all the other guys I fucked after that. I will not be responsible for severed heads on pikes.

He had told me about his love for Kimi, Maugrim's daughter even before I could find out myself, and I had pleaded with him that nothing could come out of it, my plea had fallen on deaf ears, of course.

This night, he had told me to follow him to their secret place of meeting, I had first refused to have anything to do with it, but I had later conceded finally.

We had met her at one of the secret tunnels my brother had discovered. Seeing her, I understood the reason my brother was so smitten with her and was willing to damn the consequences.

Kimi was very beautiful. She had beautiful blonde hair, blue eyes, pert nose and full pink lips. She was petite with beautiful curves and full breasts. She was soft-spoken, and gentle.

On seeing her, she had hugged me like a long lost sister. I liked her, but I wished their love wasn't so doomed.

I was to guard the entrance of the tunnel in case any of my father's guards decides to come in.

I would distract him and alert the lovers. Nobody had come to disturb but I was tired of standing guard for hours. I called out.

"Lucian" I got no answer, so I entered into the tunnel. I met them fucking! ohmygod!!

I ran out in embarrassment and decided to wait a little longer and hoped they would finish fast. Moments later, they were out. "Thank you Hera, for keeping watch" Kimi said, gave me a light kiss on my cheek and disappeared into thin air.

"You could have warned me that you would be balls deep in her tonight, I would have been saved that disgusting sight" I said to my brother hotly.

his cheeks got red "were you spying on us, Herr?" he asked jokingly

I rolled my eyes "you wish" I scoffed.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this, sis" he said in mellowed tones.

"don't worry, it's okay" I soothed him.

We walked towards home, both of us in deep thoughts, we got back home and heaved a sigh a relief, nobody had noticed we were gone.

The next night was one of the nights when my father hosted council meetings with some vampire lords in the state.

They usually sit in the great Hall presiding over matters of the realm.

My three elder brothers, Arrax, Fyr, and Theo sat on the council meetings with my father. Lucian was expected to sit too, but he was nowhere to be found. I was not allowed to sit though because I was a woman.

I am very bitter about this, I mean, I'm just as skilled a strategist and a fighter as my brothers but I'm not allowed to do certain things just because my dad insists on seeing me as his weak beautiful baby girl.

Before leaving for the meeting an hour ago, my father, Amarog had badgered me about Lucian's whereabouts, I had told him I had no idea of where he was... I couldn't of course tell him that he was chilling with the daughter of his greatest enemy, he would have a fit or worse, order that Lucian be punished severely.

He had left with my brothers, and I was now in my room, worried sick.

My mother regally swept into my room, then proceeded to put things in order as she normally did when she visited my room

"Mother, please leave my shoes exactly where they are" I entreated

"Hera, you live in a pig sty, why don't you clean up once in a while" my mother replied sarcastically, being already tired of my aversion to tidiness.

I rolled my beautiful green eyes to heaven. Mothers! will they never give it a rest?

"you can roll your eyes all you want honey, but I will always tell you the truth, you know that"

"I know mum" I sighed

"what is it, baby? you seem worried"

"nothing"

"that's not true, something is obviously wrong with you, have you fed tonight?" my mother was referring to the blood satchel she usually keeps for me in the kitchen.

I had drunk it earlier, it had tasted like the blood of a rodent, I would have preferred that of a human, but my mum and Lucian have a strict policy against that so I had managed to drink it and it had filled me. I wasn't hungry.

"yes mum, I've fed...I'm just worried about Lucian" I said

"Stop worrying about that, he's probably with one of the kitchen maids, on her bed precisely" my mother laughed

I nodded non-committally.

A moment later, we felt Lucian's presence in the room. He probably transformed into an inanimate object in the room and overheard our conversation. what a bastard! I thought fondly

"where the fuck have you been?" I asked him

"calm down sis, I was with a buxom maid and she was a hard one to leave, that Linda was" he said, winking at me for the benefit of our mother, but I noticed his voice was laced with worry. my fears had just been confirmed.

"I told you darling" my mother laughed "do not let your brother's silly antics turn your hair grey"

Saying this, she left, shaking her head, probably thinking that her son had gone on a stupid sexual escapade and her daughter was being unnecessarily worried for nothing.

I wished it was so, if my mother had known the 'maid' whose bed Lucian was on, she would have fainted.

"where the fuck were you, Lucian? Father has asked of your whereabouts more times than I could count"

"I'm sorry, Herr, I had to stay a little bit longer, Kimi was in a distraught state"

"What happened?'"

"she told me that her father has discovered our secret"

"what! how come?"

"her guard was told to tail her, and he reported to her father. Hera, I need to tell father. Kimi told me that her father plans to invade the castle in a fortnight"

"How was she able to tell you this?"

"she said she made her maid take her place in her room, everyone thinks she was sleeping"

"fuck! you need to tell father about this right away, Lu"

"I know...I will tell him after the council meeting"

"No! you need to tell him now, he needs the support of the other lords if he is going to defeat Maugrim, and you know another council meeting will not hold until next moon"

"that's true...You are a good strategist, Hera. Father needs you on his council seats" Lucian said with admiration

"well, it's a pity I'm a girl then, that would be too manly for his little princess now, wouldn't it" I sarcastically replied, drawing a chuckle from Lucian.

I was really pained about my father's aversion to treat me like a capable and competent person. I was his beautiful little baby girl and nothing more. And here was Lucian throwing away his chance which was my own dream. I sighed with discontent.

Remembering the matter at hand, we both sobered up. we knew telling our father won't be easy and we feared his judgment.

"well, then....let's go" I broke the silence

we both hurried to the direction of the great hall, and on reaching there, we saw that the entrance had been blocked, not by a physical door, but by a supernatural obstruction.

It was done by our mother, one of her powers is being able to magically block access to an entrance.

That's why our castle has never been breached by an external force.

I cast a spell by waving my palms in the air and saying some words of magic, the entrance was breached. Yes, I also inherited my mother's sorcery power. Tough luck!

We hurried into the Hall.

The meeting was still in process. When we were noticed, all talk ceased.

"Lucian, what is the meaning of this?" boomed my father

"father we have something important to discuss with you" replied Lucian

"Can it not wait? you know better than to barge into the meeting like this."

"no it can't" I replied with growing impatience, disregarding the law that states that a woman must not talk in the council, except one that has achieved very high vampire status, like my mother. My father casted a steely gaze upon my disrespect.

"Hera, you can't be here, I've told you this several times" my father said in vexation.

"yes father, but it's very important" I replied determinedly.

He sighed "okay" he said and ordered us to take our seats.

we both did and then Lucian narrated his ordeal. He told them of his love for Kimi, his secret meetings with her, and her father's intentions.

I could feel maddening anger emanating from my father, his eyes were blazing red. My elder brothers stared in shocking disbelief at us. I could see they were also angered by this news.

"Hera, since when have you known about this?" asked Arrax.

I felt my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, I knew the right thing to have done was report my brother after finding out instead of putting the realm in danger like I did, but how could I have? Lucian was my twin and he would have done the same for me, I thought.

"Since the beginning of the affair" I whispered weakly, ashamed of myself.

"what the fuck, Hera, you could have prevented this" shouted Fyr

"I could not betray Lucian's trust, I swore I wouldn't" I replied hotly, angry that they were putting the entire blame on me.

"Do not blame her, she has nothing to do with this" Lucian replied more hotly.

"of course she hadn't, you manipulated her to keep silent,you coward" Arrax hissed ferociously.

"Silence!" our father commanded. Everyone stopped talking at once.

"I will not tolerate any insolence in this hall! Theo, get your mother" Theo left at once.

"my Lords" he turned to the Lords seated, "what do you think we should do about this?" he asked them

Lord Petyr, my father's best friend suggested that spies should be planted to infiltrate Maugrim's army, so they can know what to expect of his strength and weakness.

The other lords agreed that this was a smart plan.

"Arrax, go and start preparing your men" my father ordered Arrax, who was the commander of our army. Arrax left promptly.

"my Lords, should I be expecting your support in the coming war?" my father asked

"yes, Amarog, we are solely behind you" they all echoed.

Amarog nodded his thanks and called the meeting to an end. Immediately, the servants of the Lords appeared from the shadows to help their Masters leave.

As the last person left, my mother came in with Theo. From her looks, it was obvious that she had heard the news. She looked distraught. She and Theo took their seat

" Lucian" Amarog began "you have soiled the name of the family and put the family at risk. You have dragged my name in the mud for your selfish interest. Maugrim and I have had our differences over the years..." I thought that was an understatement, everyone knows the hard wars that have been fought between the two for reasons that were still a mystery. "...with this stupid escapade of yours, you have given Maugrim cause to wage war, and I can't blame him, I would do the same if some fucking guy defiles my daughter too" Amarog said angrily, his eyes were red now.

"I did not defile her, father. I love her and intend to marry her" Lucian replied

"you will hold your tongue while I still speak, boy, or I will cut it out for you"

I knew what was coming next even before my father said it. my father was not one to forgive disrespect easily. Lucian had made a grave mistake!

my father said in a soft voice that betrayed the anger he felt "At dawn, you will leave the castle and never come back" We all gasped in shock.

"Amarog!" my mother shouted. Her hands were shaking, her face was whiter than normal, she stood up, and almost fell but she was caught by Fyr. "you can not banish your son...our son...just...just because he loved, you cannot" she pleaded brokenly.

"I can, Kasla and I will...what he did was treason and it's punishable by death. You know it, I'm being lenient"

"No! you are not! you are being selfish and your ego is blinding your judgment" she countered harshly, fueled by anger.

"I'm sorry, darling, but I have no choice" he replied regretfully.

Kasla furiously left the hall.

"I'm sorry father, for causing so much trouble for everyone but I am not sorry for being in love with Kimi. I will leave by dawn" Lucian said and then took his leave.

Fyr and Theo followed.

I was heartbroken by this turn of events, I looked at my father and felt sorry for him, he must be under a lot of strain "heavy lies the head that wears the crown" I thought. I also felt furious with him for not being a bit more lenient with my twin. The punishment was too harsh for such an offense.

I wanted to go to my father and comfort him and probably punch him too.

"Father... I'm-" I began

"not now, Hera. I want to be left alone"

"Okay..." I nodded and went to my room.

I was bone tired from all the back and forth and couldn't sleep. I thought about Lucian. I wondered about how he must be feeling at the moment. He was probably already packing his bag. I wanted to go and see him, but I just couldn't find the strength to.

I wasn't sure he could survive in the outside world on his own.

He was too romantic and soft for the harsh realities of life. Maybe I could follow him, I thought. After all, I would never be happy without him in this castle.

I wouldn't be able to train with the warriors now, the only reason my father allowed me to train was because he thought I was just doing it to compete with Lucian.

He didn't know I was serious about joining the ranks. He would not hear of his precious daughter doing something as gruesome as fighting.

He wanted me to marry one of the sons of the Lords of the vampire realm. In fact two weeks ago, I had heard from a servant that, plans were being made to marry me to Lord Petyr's stupid son.

I wanted more than just being the wife of some man.

I had met several of these sons of Lords and I had hated their dumbness and their arrogance and the way they treated me like a china plate that must be handled with care.

If I don't leave, my fate will be marrying one of them and I would rather die!

All I need to do is to convince Lucian. it would be hard convincing him but he would have no choice.

I wasn't going to take no for an answer

I stood up and went to knock on the door of his room. He opened the door and I went in.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I don't know...angry I guess. Father made me a pawn in whatever game he is playing with Maugrim, and I hate him for that" he answered bitterly.

I nodded understandingly.

"I am going with you"

He was so shocked into speechlessness that his mouth hung open for some seconds.

"Lucian, I won't take no for an answer...I am going with you and that's that, you were the one who dragged me into this in the first place, now you have to do what I want" I said trying to send him on a guilt trip. I am manipulative, I know.

"I'm sorry" he replied, pushing his hands into wavy brown hair "I take it no matter what I say to persuade you not to come with me would sway you"

"it won't work" I agreed

He sighed.

"why do you want to leave Hera? you think I can't survive on my own?" he asked me, frowning seriously.

"of course not! what's the point of staying here if I have to end up the wife of one of those stupid men? I want to see the world, Lu. I want the promise of adventure this brings. I am too liberal for a place like this, you know this" I explained passionately

"you should let mother know, she won't like it...it will break her, losing one of her twins is one thing, losing both is another"

"I can't tell her, Lu, she would make sure I don't go!"

"That's true, she would probably cast a spell on you to forget me" he chuckled

"She might, you know" I replied, trying to sway him further.

"Okay, let's meet at the grove at dawn," he said

My heart skipped a beat with delirious happiness

"see you at dawn" I said happily and went

back to my room to prepare for my journey to my destiny.