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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

(Southern Svetyland)

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

YEAR 1850

A beautiful lady in a red ball gown, sat staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror. A frown outlined her features, as her eyes travelled from her face to her left hand. The hand was as useless as useless can be. It dangled now, and she barely knew what to do with it.

She could remember begging her lover, Elbert to free her from this, and cut the whole thing off from its roots, so she would come to terms with the fact that she had no left arm, but he had refused vehemently. The man was so stubborn most of the time.

And, worse, out of touch with reality. Who brought a strapless dress for his woman, knowing fully well she had a useless arm. At this point, she concluded, he was making a mockery of her.

“My love,” a husky voice sounded with such intensity.

Using the mirror as a guide, she saw Elbert grinning at her with pride evident in his eyes. When he noted how forlorn she obviously was, the smile dropped from his face.

“Whatever is the matter, Camille Rosé?” He asked softly.

Camille got up from her chair with an effortless grace she had always been known with. “Why do you care?” She scoffed.

She would not look at him, as she went to her bed. She wished she could sleep for a time. Being a vampire now wasn’t as good as she always thought, but she had hung in there for the sake of her love. But, doubt was creeping steadily into her mind.

She used her right hand to grab the shawl, then placed it between her teeth. The corset she wore made it more difficult to manoeuvre the whole thing. As she was about to curse from the frustration she was feeling, Elbert placed his hand on hers, taking the shawl deftly from hers.

She stood still. He wrapped the shawl around her, protecting prying eyes from seeing how much damage has been done to her arm. Or, maybe to his ego.

“I want to introduce you to my people officially as my lover. You’re not going to be a servant or slave anymore to them, so it’s very important to me, and our relationship.” He stated.

Out of habit, Camille breathed in deeply, but as a vampire it was so fruitless. She was more anxious, and she turned to him in that state, her eyes going deep red in a switch.

“I understand all you’ve been saying, but I can’t shake off the feeling of dread I’m feeling Elbert. I don’t even know if you love me anymore, when I look at the mirror, I hate what I see. I hate it.”

Elbert pulled her face in his hands, his eyes sparkling red, emulating her red eyes. He groaned lowly, fangs out and lips retreated in anger. Camille looked at him with pure desire. When he was like this, it literally messed with her head.

“Camille, there would be no other woman for me in a million years. I know that my father did this to you, but it won’t change how I feel for you. I love you, Camille. I love you flaws, strength, and everything that you represent. Don’t give in to such depressing thoughts,” he said fiercely.

Camille closed her eyes slightly. This was the Elbert she had fallen in love with. It was so annoying that she would think that he didn’t care for her after all this time. It was beyond ridiculous even.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

Elbert pulled her closer, nudging her head upwards, as his lips descended on hers. She saw stars at that very moment.

•T–––M–––V–––P–––L•

The cart pulled to a stop in front of the marque mansion. Elbert stepped out of the first, and then rounded the corner to get to her. He pulled the cotton that separated her from the outside world, and slowly outstretched his hands to bring her out.

Everything heightened as she sensuously infused her palm in his. Tonight was going to be the night everything would change for the duo, and they were eager to grasp the turn of events.

Elbert helped her down, and used another hand to hold her on the waist, as he brought her down the brick floor. Her good arm held onto his shoulder. He resisted the urge to kiss her once more, she was stunning. And, her bodice was impeccable. He couldn’t wait to show her off to his people. They will be stunned by her beauty.

“I wish to kiss you,” he said fervently.

Her laugh made it all better. He removed the slight curl, that escaped her hairstyle. She closed her eyes slightly, savouring the feels he ignited in her. Elbert surely knew how to care for her.

“I wish to, too. But, it’s not the norm, we must do things according to our culture now.” She said wisely.

He pouted sweetly. “Alright, but I must surely kiss you before the night is over, when I inform them of our union,” He said with a wink.

Elizabeth lowered her lashes, and since he turned her, he suddenly wished she was human. She would have gone scarlet under such shameless praise. It always gave him joy when things happened that way.

Her hand retreated from his shoulder coyly, and he tried to take it back, but she easily escaped his hold. Her smile playful and teasing.

“Alright, it’s time for the ball. I’m in the mood of some dancing. Let’s do it,” she hyped.

Elbert shook his head at how down to earth she was. He knew she was nervous, but despite this, she still wanted him to be happy and filled. He walked over to her, and she didn’t leave. He offered his left hand, and she held on to him.

“Let’s light that room on fire!” He said with the same energy.

They both walked into the room, and the scent of musk and vanilla, with lavender hung in the air like a seaweed. The women were all in bonnets, but Elizabeth didn’t follow the norm. She looked refreshingly different without those things stopping her glow. Elbert was proud of her, and the men were shamelessly gawking at her.

He leaned closer to her ear, his lips slightly touching her earlobe. “Relax.”

She leaned back, and he led her to the top of the chain were the master vampire, Lord Edgar was sharing human blood with his wife. Lady Elaine was giggling sheepishly at the wanton display of affection his father was exhibiting.

“Father,” Elbert said respectfully.

The man turned to him, a smile on his lips, but soon dissolved when he noticed who was hanging on his son’s arm.

“Why is she here?” Lord Edgar asked in a dangerously low voice.

Elbert smiled coldly, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Beside him, Camille was struggling to control the pain she was feeling at the Master’s disgust of having her here.

Elbert watched as his mother looked at him in disappointment, yet spoke to his father to calm down, so they would avoid making a scene. I could literally see how upset she was about the whole thing.

“I’m asking you a question, right?” He snapped.

Elbert nodded in respect. “Yes, you are. I wanted to officially introduce you to your daughter-in-law. I believe it’s time you both have a conversation. It’s long overdue,” He informed his father.

Lord Edgar scoffed. “Daughter-in-law? You’re daydreaming Elbert. She can never be a part of my clan. She was a human slave, and no matter what you’ve done to her, she will always be a human slave in my eyes. Nothing more.”

Elbert tried to top his fangs from showing itself at that very moment. He was aware of how restless Camille was beside him. It hurt so much. He took a look at Camille, and pulled her to the dance floor.

His hands held her waist in a caress, and then, he guided her through the salsa going her. His hands propelling her in various directions they went. Yet, no matter how fast he went, the vampires around didn’t take their eyes off them.

“Elbert,” Camille whispered.

He shook his head, for her not to say a word. He would prove to his father that he didn’t make a mistake. His nose, lips were grazing hers softly, and it was almost as if they might kiss.

“Wow! Isn’t she the human slave we all drank her blood. Disgusting,” Demon, his uncle, who was his father’s brother taunted out loud.

Elbert eyes turned red. He turned, but instead of looking right at his uncle, his gaze was on his father. The man was fuming in rage, and he could feel from where he stood. It was electrifying.

“Elbert, this…” Camille tried to say, as she struggled to escape Elbert’s arms. But, the man wouldn’t let go.

Elbert didn’t respond. He watched as his father ascended the master podium. Lord Edgar flicked his wrist, and everyone switched their attention from Elbert to Lord Edgar, the master vampire, and one of the oldest vampires, despite his youthful looks.

The silence was palpable, and Lord Edgar made it worse by the expression on his face. Then, finally, a cold smile touched his lips, and he looked directly to Elbert.

“As you know that girl is a toy to Elbert,” he started off, making Elbert fume. “We used it her to get your attention. My son, Elbert, the promising heir to all I have and will have in the future is going to be Selena, daughter of the Elder, Idris Venom on the 7th of November 1850.” He announced.

The hall was quiet, and suddenly claps and shouts of excitement took over. Elbert was stiff as ice as he watched them all. He wondered how his father could do this to him. It was like he died at that moment. He left Elizabeth’s hand and raced towards Camille.

Elizabeth stared at the hand which had left has. She couldn’t believe that this was happening to her! Tears dropped from eyes, as she looked towards Elbert who was running towards his fiancé.

Elbert pulled Selena aside, from the women who were telling her congratulations. She beamed at him, already playing the role of a fiancé.

“Oh, Elbert! I can’t believe that this would happen with us. Do you? I’ve literally watched you all my life, but I never imagined that all these would happen. Our…”

Elbert groaned. “We can’t work, Selena,” 1he interrupted her.

The beauty who looked like she had been carved in a stone, looked at him in disdain. “What do you mean by that, Elbert?” She snapped.

Elbert rose his hands in front of him. “Please, we were never in a relationship, or do we have any feelings for each other, so don’t act like I hurt your sensibilities,” he said coolly.

Susan gave a soft laugh. “Yes, you’re right. But, master announced his decision in front of everyone. I can’t afford to go against him,” she said stiffly.

While he was still trying to make Selena see reasons, he caught the ball gown of Elizabeth’s dress as it swooshed out of. Elbert turned immediately, and watched her make a run for it. He followed her immediately, calling out her name, but she would not stop.

He followed her to the streets, calling her name. She took a dive, and came towards the beach that danced in the night like a living thing.

“Elizabeth, please listen to me,” he cried.

She removed the bobby pins that held her hair in place. Beautiful wild hair fell across her shoulders, it could barely be tamed.

“Go away,” she said quietly.

He picked her words, despite the fact that she was at a distance. “I know this is a whole mess. I didn’t plan for this to happen Elizabeth. I can’t see myself with another woman,” he cried.

She laughed insanely, kicking off her ankle boots, and her leg sinking into the sandy soil. Elbert felt like his heart would burst out of pain. This was so unfair.

“Really? After all these? Ok, fine!” She said in rage. “I agree you love me, but can’t you see that there is no way I can be your woman? Your parents can’t stand me. They announced your marriage at my expense. So, what exactly are we fighting for?” She asked in rage.

Elbert moved towards her, but she took a step back. “Don’t come close. Make this easy, Elbert. There is no us anymore. It’s just death and hell I deserve at this point,” she said sadly.

He moved so fast, but then stepped as a look of pure horror grazed his face. His father had Elizabeth’s heart in his hands. It dripped of nothing, because it was literally lifeless for a long time now.

His eyes touched the open quickly decomposing body that used to belong to Camille in shock. He was finding it difficult to comprehend that she was gone, and that too, forever.

“Finally, that stinking slave have left my son,” Lord Edgar said in disgust.

“What did you do?” Elbert screamed.

Lord Edgar looked at him, slightly taking aback by his son’s outburst. “Son, Selena is the one for you. You need to understand this,” he said.

Elbert looked at him mother who was as shocked as he was, but he knew she didn’t care about his feelings or how this might be for him, and that made it worse for him.

“You both did this!” He screamed, and then with an inhuman speed scratched his neckline.

His speed threw Lord Edgar off balance. He moved towards the left to prevent his son from finishing him off.

“Don’t,” he cried, but his moment of weakness was enough for Elbert to strike. He dug his hands into his chest, and brought his father’s heart out, tossing it aside like a piece of fletch.

The old man’s hands clawed down Elbert’s hand. Elbert looked at his father’s lifeless eyes. He pushed him away into the death, but it wasn’t enough for him, as he hit his body countless times.

His mother was weeping behind them. She couldn’t believe what just happened. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that her son will kill his father in such a way. Now, he was the new master vampire. She wondered if it was too late to run now.

Elbert was mad in pain, he turned towards his love, but she was simply ashes. Her red dress lay like a lump on the ground. He ran towards it, holding it in his arms.

“This is not what you promised, Camille,” he said sadly. “Come back! Tell me that all these is a joke, and you’re not gone! I can’t live without you. I don’t wish to.” He cried.

But, there was nothing but the wind to prove that this would never happen.