A Walk With the Emperor

*Ilyria’s POV*

I linked my arm in his, cautiously looking around for any servants. There wasn’t a single one.

*’I **really** don't want to be alone with him right now.’* I thought as my heart rate jumped.

I couldn’t keep from fidgeting my fingertips, nervous that he may bite me again. *’Will he hurt me?’* I thought, glancing at him.

“It’s okay Princess. I won’t hurt you.” He patted my hand gently, stiffly smiling towards me. My face flushed red as my eyes grew wide, giving away my thoughts without words. Or so I assumed.

“I-I… didn’t think you would, your Majesty.” I lied, wiping the flush away from my cheeks and glancing around at the daisies. He chuckled and raised an eyebrow at me, “Well, I am relieved to hear that then. Though your thoughts are… obvious and silly.”

“Shall we?” He gently tugged me forward, beginning our walk along the gardens. “Of course.” I followed his steps with small clicks of my heel. “I apologize Princess, I have been quite busy with all the post-war efforts. I know this meeting was long awaited.” He sighed, guiding our bodies forward.

He was a large man, now that I could see him closer, he was at least a foot and a half taller than me. His arms seemed tense and muscular under his robes, from what I could feel. And although he was greying and wrinkled in some places, he still seemed to look…youthful.

“We vampires *do* tend to look quite young. It's in our blood I suppose.” He looks down at me once more, as if he could hear my thoughts.

Wait. *’Can he… **hear** my thoughts?’* my heart stopped.

“Yes, Princess. I can. I can also hear your heartbeat, which gives away your fear.” He chuckled again, this time more heartily. “It was my gift, once I was re-born.”

I reddened again, attempting to keep my surprise to a minimum this time. “A-Ah…” was all I managed to mutter. This became very awkward for me, quite suddenly. I am human, and basically walking prey to the man I was currently next to.

*’What does he mean when he was… **re-born**?* I was confused by his words. My confusion was obvious on my face, as he glanced away towards the path of roses coming to an end in front of us.

“You will understand with time. We pureblood vampires were once human too. But purebloods aren't turned, or rather *re-born*, the same way typical vampires of legend are.” He stopped at the edge of the path where the stone met with grass and vines, now far from all the buildings, and turned to me.

I stopped too, letting go of his arm and putting a cautious distance between us. I kept my wandering thoughts to myself.

He looks up at me, joining his hands behind his back and sighing softly.

“What is your given name, Princess?” His tone came off gentle, but I didn’t want to fall for any false kindness. Do I tell him the truth? What are his motives? Can I even trust this man, this *monster*, standing in front of me?

It took all the energy in my soul not to leap forward and strangle this man, for all that was done. Though it was probably suicide if I did, I almost didn’t care. I hesitated to answer his question, watching him stare at me silently.

“Ilyria.. M-my family n-name is C-cassion.” I began to stutter worse than before, drowning in an immense sense of stress and fear. Like prey awaiting death.

“O-oh… but you k-knew that…'' My shoulders suddenly felt heavy, reminding myself once more that this man was responsible for the wars that tore my life apart. It made sense that I am afraid of him.

“A beautiful, and fitting name… for my future daughter-in-law.” He continued looking forward, as if silently reading my next reaction. *’Daughter-in-law? He **must** be joking! I would **NEVER** marry a vampire!!*’ My face steamed, as red as blood.

Attempting to ignore his strange comment and moving the conversation forward I spoke, “Er-… okay....”

He grew silent for a moment, it seemed as if he were pondering something internally.

“That's Quite the stutter you seem to have, my little flower.” He bent down slowly, plucking a small white daisy from the earth. He placed it behind my ear, among my wild rosey curls as they blew through the gentle breeze.

“A-ah… well I-I only s-sound this w-way when I a-am flustered.” I turned away from him, attempting to hide my fuming red face. I could no longer tell if I was angry or scared or… even both?

“Nothing that won’t be fixed with time.” He continued to speak, “I’m sure you requested to meet me because you wish to know why you are here. Am I correct, Princess Illyria?” He clasped his hands over one another in front of him, as if he were taunting me.

“Ah.. yes your Majesty. I was curious… why *am* I here?” I voiced calmly, using my last ounce of sanity to contain my anger. *’I am in the presence of a **royal VAMPIRE**. I must control myself.’* I speculated internally, still battling myself about my own will.

“You are quite thoughtful, aren't you little flower?” He cackled, avoiding giving me an answer. I became silent, *’He's avoiding giving me an answer!!’* I began to fume worse at the thought of being ignored, it was as if smoke poured from my ears. Nobody has ever avoided me, or avoided answering my questions before.

“Let us continue as we walk back to the Castle grounds.” He reaches to link arms, but this time I reject his offer and begin walking without being escorted.

I scoffed, *’How frustrating and childish.’* rolling my eyes.

“Excuse me if I seem disrespectful your *Imperial Majesty*, but my patience **is running thin.** Please, answer my question. **Why am I here?**” I snapped, waving my hand in a circle in reference to the castle.

“I apologize for making you feel as if I was.. avoiding your question.” We continue to walk slowly next to each other along the path back towards the dark castle ahead.

“To put it simply, it seems you are.. someone we were in dire need of.” He sighs. “You are, our *Vestal*.” He turns facing me and bows deeply. I froze, not immediatley understanding what he meant.

“A *Vestal*?” I asked confused, “l-like… a v-virgin tribute?” My face went pale, white with horror. *’Are they planning to torture me? Drain my blood from my body?! **WILL HE RAPE ME?!**’*

All of the worst case scenarios ran through my already exhausted mind, making me feel faint. My heart pounded, Almost ripping itself from my chest. The pain in my head and neck slowly beggining to come back, torturing my heart even further.

“If I may explain, Illyria… It is not as it seems. Though I'm sure it sounds terrifying for you as a *human.*” He ushers me to begin walking forward again as he explains, “In the vampire culture, the Female leads and decides upon the relationship. She chooses whom to mate, and once the two have soul bonded.. it is … permanent.”

He pauses for a moment, and takes a deep breath allowing me to process.

“Why do I need to know this? What does this have to do with my presence?” I question, becoming more and more anxious.

“Well, in the royal vampire family… we have a tradition.” He looks me dead on as our feet clack with the stones below us, now shifting his tone to a more serious aura.

“Every Blood moon, roughly every 400ish years, a *’Vestal’* is chosen as the new Empress. It’s usually based on her.. blood-scent. She is meant to choose one of the imperial princes, to be the next Heir of the empire and…to become her mate.”

*’It doesn't seem as if he's lying…’* I think quietly. He continues to speak, being a little physically expressive in between his words. “Once you have chosen, the final step of the tradition will begin. ” He fingers his beard, scratching his chin nervously once more.

“W-what is the f-final step?” I questioned, wrapping my arms around myself nervously. I took a deep breath, attempting to prepare myself for the worst possible answer.

“Well, you will drink the blood of your pureblood mate… and begin to be **‘Re-born’.**”

Utterly confused, and unsure what to say next, I stop walking and stare at him with my jaw slightly agape.