Desire of the Soul (11 page)

What was she talking about, what transformation? What was I becoming, or going to become? And why was I even going through a transformation? I couldn’t find an answer in my mind to any of those questions, so I looked pointedly at Atmaja. “What are you talking about? What transformation?” I asked, my voice sharp enough to cut through thick layers of brick.

A few people in the crowd flinched, although how my voice affected them that much I don’t know, but Atmaja’s face turned stony. “I cannot explain now, just know that it is in the prophecy.”
 

I laughed, a cruel laughter that just came out without command. “Another prophecy? How many fucking prophecy’s, can there be? It’s like every other word coming out of someone’s mouth is prophecy this, prophecy that!” I couldn’t control the tears that fell then, but felt comforted when Duke pulled me towards him.

“I know Tammy, I know that this is a lot to take in right now. And I know it makes no sense. I understand. But please, please just trust me when I say that it’ll all work itself out. And I’ll be here, beside you, every step of the way. You don’t have to face anything without me alright?” His words were soft as he held me in his arms, rubbing my back soothingly.
 

I just nodded, hearing the people get ushered out of the closet to allow me and Duke to be alone for a short time. As soon as the doors closed, sobs erupted from my mouth. He knew what to do though, and just let me cry out all my pain and worries.
 

“I love you,”
 
he whispered when I’d run out of tears to cry. “You don’t worry about a thing, I’m here to protect you. And I’ll be here to protect you, forever and always.”

“Promise?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
 

“I promise.”

The room was full when I entered, the chatter that had been easily heard from the other side of the castle immediately hushed. Everyone was dressed in their finest, hundreds of people filling up the humongous ballroom. Aness stood behind me, holding the long trail of my dress. I’d tried to convince her to just let me hold it, but she insisted that it was tradition to have the Queens Fey hold the trail for her.
 

Duke stood ahead, his head held high and a mischievous smile on his face as he stared at me.
 
’Beautiful...’
 
His words drifted softly into my mind, and a smile of my own bloomed onto my face. He looked so; well I guess you would call it handsome, in his black tux. It contrasted well with his skin, and he was just one of those guys who looked good in a tux, as if he was made to wear one.

I felt like I was a bride walking down the aisle, instead of just a girl getting crowned as Queen. I laughed silently at that, I mean just a girl? I feel like I said that as if getting crowned as Queen happened all the time.
 

Aness nudged me forward, shaking me from my thoughts, and I continued onwards toward where a man was standing beside Duke. He looked old, maybe ninety-two, and human. Definitely human. The smell of his blood from within his body stroked at the fire that had disappeared in the commotion from before, and I had to fight back the urge to bite him.
 

The only thing keeping me from running across the room to the priest, from drinking his blood until there was nothing left, was Duke as he looked at me with love shining bright in his eyes. I felt uncomfortable as I looked among the hundreds gathered; I mean some of these people looked so weird! There was one lady who would flash from one spot to another repeatedly, almost landing on top of a man, and another who looked like a statue. If I hadn’t been staring at her long enough to see her move, then I would’ve assumed she was a statue.

“We are here, all among us not of the human race. We have come to witness two people, two Amatores Sanguinis, receive the crown. The crown that shows their ruling over us all-” The priest went on, saying things about us leading our world in peace. It was pretty boring, and I mean I knew I should’ve been listening, but come on! What girl, no matter the age, wants to listen to some old man rant about said girl’s duty as Queen? Not me. I’d always fall asleep during weddings; I’d never been able to have enough patience to actually listen to what the priest said.

“Tammy?” Duke whispered, and I jerked myself out of my thoughts.
 

“Will you Tammy Maynard, an Amatores Sanguinis, honor being Queen of us all? Will you rule with patience and fairness? Will you forever stay in the light, working to better the world that we as people live in?” The priest asked, and I bit my lip. I heard whispers as I thought, people wondering why I was hesitating.

“I will,” I said, my voice firm and completely unlike the feelings of fear and nervousness that ran rampage in my body. I never understood how people did that; made themselves sound so brave when you could see that they were terrified. Now I see that it wasn’t really on purpose, it was their bodies taking over their feelings.

The priest repeated what he’d said to Duke, then opened his mouth to say the final words. The words that would place my fate into hands that didn’t belong to me. “Hail all, to our new Queen and King. May they forever reign in beautiful harmony!”
 

My smile was fake as I walked back down the aisle, Duke behind me as Aness held the train of my dress. People held out hands to touch me, a thing I definitely was not comfortable with, and yelled out my name from all sides. It was weird; I mean I’d never been this popular. I’d always wanted it, that much I knew, but now that I had it...I wasn’t sure I liked it. I wasn’t sure I’d ever like it.

“Tammy...are you okay?” Duke murmured, speeding up so he could walk beside me.
 

I didn’t know how to answer. I wasn’t okay, I just wanted a break from all this! One thing after another, I felt like I was going to die from all the pressure being put on me. I mean I know that’s a little dramatic but that’s exactly how I felt. I couldn’t tell Duke that though. I was supposed to be strong, but I wasn’t feeling so strong. I felt like a branch that was seconds from breaking.

“Yes.” My voice was emotionless as I continued walking, not wanting to worry Duke.

“Queen Tammy-” Aness started to talk, but I shook my head.

“Please...call me Tammy,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. I felt a headache start to form at my temple from the stress, and from my hunger. “Aness, can you um, grab me one of those humans you said we had on hand? I feel kind of...” The world faded from view and I felt my body slide down to the ground, people gasping and yelling as I fell.

---

My eyes opened to see only darkness, except for a familiar huddle. “It’s you again.” The huddle moved, and two gold eyes appeared.

“
Yes. It is time. The Ater Council has learned that you have been found and named Queen of the Lucis Council. They will come to you disguised, so be prepared as they have their own tests in mind.” The guys voice sent a shiver down my spine and warmth throughout my body.

“
Who are you?” I asked softly, scooting closer to the huddle that was the guy. “And please don’t give me cryptic answers this time.”

“
I cannot tell you. It is not because I do not want to, I do, but I cannot. I am losing energy just by talking to you. But I need to do this, I need to help you.” The golden glow that was his eyes disappeared for a moment, and then slowly opened again. “When this is over, I ask that you find me. That you save me. I am not dead, no matter what they say. I am in a place deep below ground, and only you can save me.” His voice started to fade, and I saw a fuzziness edging within my vision.

“
They are calling you back. I will return though, do not fear. Just look for me, and you will find me.”

I nodded, lightheaded, and then fell to the floor.

---

“Wake up damn it!” someone yelled, and my eyes snapped open. Duke was standing over me, concern for my wellbeing marring his beautiful face. He looked like a warrior, standing over me as if he was protecting me from something monstrous.
 

“I am up silly.” My voice was quiet, raspy, and talking made the fire blaze. I heard the rush of blood running through each person’s body, mixtures of enticing scents crowding my brain. Red started to creep into my vision, beautiful red, blood red, and I started to feel detached from my body.

“Should I go run and get a human?” Aness asked, sounding slightly frightened. From far away I felt myself wonder why she seemed to be afraid.
 

“No, we don’t have enough time. Her eyes are almost a full red. Get everyone out. Now.” I heard a door slam close, and people protesting loudly from behind it. A high pitched giggle escaped my throat, and a craze started to tear at my mind. “Listen Tammy, I’m gonna let you feed from me alright?” Duke said, his words sweet and cooling the burn for a short moment.
 

I heard a snap, and then the smell. It filled my senses until all I could think about was the blood. The yummy, delicious blood. I latched onto Dukes bleeding arm, the blood sliding like chocolate into my mouth. A bomb exploded within me, one that screamed Duke. I felt as if we were only one person, and I knew Duke felt the same. Our bodies rubbed against one another, creating a swarm of passionate heat. I wanted; no I needed him to be closer to me.
 

Duke. His name repeated within my head, over and over again, a beautiful song I would never tire of.
 

‘
Tammy...’
 
The voice broke through my heated thoughts, like a sharp knife to my brain.
 
’Tammy, let go of him! Now! You’ve punctured his
 
brachial
 
artery, which means that right now he’s dying. Even an Amatores Sanguinis cannot easily survive a puncture to the arteries. The blood flow is too fast for it to heal. Let go of Dukes arm, now!’
 
My head snapped off of Dukes arm, immediate coldness freezing my body.
 

Dukes eyes were extremely glazed, his arm steadily pouring blood onto what was probably a clean white carpet beforehand. He started to get up from the floor, but heavily fell back onto the carpet.
 

“Tammy,” he slurred, his hand clumsily reaching out to me. Fear raced through my body as I laced my fingers through his, still watching the blood fall from his arm.
 

“I’m right here Duke,” I murmured, feeling warmth return to me as I clasped his hand tightly. “I’m so sorry, I should’ve gotten a human before the Coronation.”
 

“Don’t be sorry, that was amazing.” Duke sighed contently, a small smile on his face as he closed his eyes tiredly.
 

‘
You have to use the Energy to help him Tammy. Right now, that’s the only way. He’s got maybe minutes left until his blood runs out.’
 
The familiar bell like voice pulled and tugged at my brain, her words repeating again and again. Minutes, he’s only got minutes!
 

‘
I want to! I want to use the Energy, but I don’t know how to!’
 
I yelled back in my head, tuning my ears to the slowly fading sound of Dukes heartbeat. Bump. Pause. Bump. Longer pause. Bump. Even longer pause. Each second his heartbeat seemed to be getting slower, and I felt more fear fill me. He looked to so peaceful, lying there with his eyes closed as if asleep, but he wasn’t asleep. He was dying.
 

Suddenly, as if called to by my thoughts, my eyes unfocused and the world came into bright focus. Energy was floating in the air, white fuzz that immediately rushed into my body as if prompted by some unknown force. I forced it all out of me and into Duke, feeling as though I weighed thousands of pounds the second it left.

“Heal him.” I said, my command a tired whisper.

It took only a minute before the Energy started to work, and Duke stopped bleeding. His arm healed, and a snore erupted from his mouth. When he awoke, he’d definitely be extremely hungry. Considering how much blood he lost...well I might have to bring him two humans.
 

I started to pick him up, then fell onto the floor beside him. Yeah, probably not the smartest idea to have given him all my energy cause now I can barely move. “Aness...” I called out, my voice still no louder than a whisper. Still though she heard me, and appeared by my side within seconds. “Aness, bring humans for when Duke wakes up...and please do something to get us on a bed.”
 

Aness nodded, and then put one arm on Duke and one on me. “Cedo,” she said, and blackness clouded my vision. When it evaporated, I was lying atop a beautiful king size bed with Duke still sleeping soundly beside me.
 

“How did you-” I started, but Aness interrupted me her eyes lit up with amusement.

“Magick.” The word sent a stirring deep within my soul that gave off waves of excitement and wonder. “You will soon learn things like that, although that was just a simple spell. It will be one of the first ones Duke will teach you. All royals are required to learn magick as part of their education. Duke will teach you everything you need to know as Queen. He’ll teach you magick, horseback riding, fighting, etiquette, and much more that I cannot get into at this time. Now sleep darling, your eyes are drooping. Next time, I suggest you keep some of the Energy for yourself.”