I have no words to explain the emotions that poured through me when there came a knock on the door and Abigail entered.  I hadn’t realized she’d attended the ceremony.“You have more nerve than anyone I’ve ever met,” I snarled as I sat up on the edge of the bed.“It comes with age,” she said as she walked further into the room with what I detected was false bravado.“Well, if you want to keep that pretty head of yours, I’d use that wisdom you’re supposed to acquire with age and leave me.  I’m in no mood for your nonsense,” I said.“Understandable,” she said as she positioned herself in a chair on the opposite side of the room.  I was going to wait until after the ceremony to approach you, but after what happened….”“Are you here to gloat?” I said.“I have no designs on Geo,” she assured me. “It’s

After reminding me about the fact that someone from both of my kingdoms was paying a powerful wizard to kill me, Abigail suggested we go to the cottage of the witch she hired to keep tabs on Luthias.  Perhaps if the witch met me in person, she would be better able to completely solve the mystery of who the trio was, as well as tell us how to undo Accalon’s magic.I felt defeated and exhausted and could think of no better alternative, so I agreed.The witch lived high into the north mountains, away from civilization and the threat of the nuclear induced plagues of the planet.  This included The New World Order, which she considered the worst plague of all.   It took longer than it should have for us to reach her place because I had to stop often to rejuvenate my depleted energy.  I managed to magically manifest a simple shelter for the two nights we were traveling and Abigail was good enough to hunt for us so that I could have fresh blood

We entered Vampire Land with all the pomp and circumstance due a queen.  I was both surprised and touched by my reception.  An enormous banquet was held in honor of my return, during which Lord Moken gave a heartfelt speech about how proud he was to have stood in my stead, but how happy he was to be able to return the responsibility of the crown back to me.  He informed me and all in attendance that he held a new-found respect for the monarch.The castle was abuzz with conversation and laughter as I sat on my throne and my subjects stood before me, one by one, to offer their heartfelt tidings of their joy for my return.  I was grateful for Morena’s magical abilities to remove all residue of Accalon’s spell from me. My mind was sharp and alert for the first time in months. It was because I was so clear headed and observant that I noticed a small group of vampires huddled in the far corner of the reception hall; none of whom came to offer their g

The great hall filled to the point that we had to move Pierre’s trial out into the gardens to accommodate everyone.  In typical Geo fashion, he denied no one seeking the opportunity to observe.  If he was nothing else, he was a fair and just king.Pierre was dragged before the crowd and made to stand on a platform so that all could have a clear view of him.  Geo stood tall and strong at my side as he told the crowd of the wedding we almost had and the role Pierre played in not only stopping that union, but in almost killing their queen with magic. He reminded them of the other times he’d attempted to take her life, as well as when he had Gondofini create a potion to make her fertile in hopes of entrapping her with a baby so that she would marry him and put him on the throne beside her.  I sat tall and proud, but remained quiet and careful not to upstage my love.  He needed this time to regain himself. I sensed it deep inside m

We wasted no time traveling to gather up the mutant-vampires and resurrect the kingdom.  Lord Moken expressed his disappointment in not being able to go with us, but I was too concerned about keeping the peace in Vampire Land to allow him to come.  Although Pierre Blaise didn’t have a tremendous number of followers, he did have enough to make trouble for a land that was left without a leader. It was agreed that Geo and Luthias would go ahead of Abigail and me.  They doubted we’d have much cooperation if I showed up next alongside them. Since I still wasn’t sure I was ready to mingle with them, it was fine by me.We stopped off at Nikodem’s cabin. I introduced Geo to Morena. She was courteous and seemed to genuinely like him. When she was formally introduced to Luthias, I couldn’t help noticing the mischievous twinkle in her eye.  After spying on him for so long, I’m sure she knew a few things about him that