Embrace of the Lycan - Chapter 13

Chapter 13
As soon as Lucian and Sabas returned, they sent the word around for everyone to gather in the centre of the village – Lucian only wanted to have to go through this story once. He told them that the Vampires had returned and that they were trying to consolidate their position. He explained that he believed the Duke to be newly turned. This drew gasps of surprise from some of the men. In a matter of days he could potentially turn the whole of the castle.

‘We have to kill the Vampires, and the gods willing, rescue Krisztina,’ he instructed.

János and Sabas were instructed to go back to Viktor’s stronghold. They were to track down Kristo and the men that stayed there with him, and have them come back here within two days.

Raze was despatched to the cave to bring back the hoard of weapons that he had been stockpiling these last few months. They would have plenty of blades and in two days time, the moon would be full. The newly turned would be able to change into their Lycan forms, and those elder Lycan would experience so much more power.

Two days later, and it was the morning of Krisztina’s wedding to Tibor. Kristina was vaguely aware that there was a lot of activity in preparation of the nuptials, but she had not been witness to any of it. She had remained alone in her quarters, wallowing in her self pity and hoping that Lucian would change his mind and come to her rescue. She had come to realise now, that it was not going to happen. There was some regret that she had been too hard on him when she saw him last, but she felt he had let her down. Her feelings towards him had moved from disappointment, to anger. If only he had given in to her demands, made her immortal and then the two of them could have been happy together, she was convinced of it.

Every time that Tibor touched her, she blamed Lucian. Every time she walked past some sniggering guards, she blamed Lucian. Every time she was ignored and looked down upon by the other ladies at the castle, she blamed Lucian.

She had only a few more hours before the wedding at sundown and the servants would be arriving shortly to prepare her bath and assist her in readying for the big event. The ceremony would be performed by the Duke’s own priest and the Duke himself would be giving her away in the absence of a father. Tibor had told her this with great pride. She had not seen much of the Duke since the dinner the other night. When she had been introduced to him she had felt that there was something distinctly odd about him. He had taken her hand as Tibor was explaining her family history to him. He pressed her fingers to her lips for what seemed longer than was seemly. For several hours after, she could feel the coldness of his flesh against her skin. When his lips had touched her hand she could have sworn that he grazed her with his teeth.

The Duke’s guest was equally sinister. He had left the day before and had spent the whole of his short visit in consultation with the Duke.

She put the thoughts of the wedding from her mind for the moment, and went to her chest. She pulled out the herbs that she had brought with her and proceeded to crush them on the stone windowsill with a spoon she had smuggled from the dinner table. Once the herbs were finely crushed, she added them to the decanter of wine that had been brought in earlier. She figured that after the ceremony Tibor would be desperate to consummate the marriage and she would offer a toast to their future. Neither of them would see the dawn.

As she was swilling the herbs into the wine bottle, she heard a crisp knock on the door. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the next few hours. The servants came with a wooden tub for her to bath in. They did not speak to her, as she subjected herself to their ministrations. She was grateful of this as she was not in a mood for idle chit chat.

After an hour or two, the Duke’s wife came to her room. Krisztina was sat ready on the bed waiting for someone to fetch her. The Duchess looked at her with some sympathy. She sat next to Krisztina on the bed and stroked her back.

‘I have been married to the Duke for over 20 years, but the first time I met him was on my wedding day. I had no idea what the future held for me. I cannot say it is the life I would have chosen for myself, but I have learned to make the best of it. You will do too,’ she said soothingly.

‘No... I will not.’ Krisztina responded in such a cold and dead tone, the Duchess was slightly taken aback.

‘You are young and fit. Bare your husband the heir he wishes and then you will be free from any conjugal obligations. From my experience, our husbands would much rather get the gratification from whores or from the stable boys. I have not had my husband in my bedchamber for these five years past, but there has always been a willing guard, or visiting dignitary to satisfy my needs.’

Krisztina looked at the woman with horror, not quite believing what she was hearing. If this was the future on offer to her now, she would be content to take the poisoned wine.

The Duchess laughed bitterly. ‘I see the way you are looking at me with no small amount of disgust, but believe me, you will learn to accept your lot and make the most of it.’ With this she stood up and told Krisztina to follow her, it was time.

They headed out into the courtyard and crossed towards the chapel. The sun had just gone down and there was very little light left in the sky. Krisztina had thought to question the lateness of the hour but decided to hold her tongue as she thought it would give Lucian more time to come to her rescue. This was a futile dream she knew now. All she had to get through was the next few hours, and then sweet oblivion would be hers.

The Duke was waiting for her in the foyer. Eszter curtsied. ‘Your Grace,’ and then she headed into the chapel.

‘Come my dear,’ he said. ‘Take my arm.’ He offered Krisztina his arm, and so she dutifully took it. Touching him was like touching cold marble, and a small amount of bile rose in her throat. He proceeded to walk her into the chapel and at the front, her husband to be waited. He turned as she approached and she was quite surprised to notice that he looked relieved and also a bit nervous. Had he thought she would not show?

The ceremony was blissfully short, and soon the happy couple were being congratulated and everyone left to go to the great hall where there was a celebration dinner being held. Tibor accepted all the congratulations proudly, while Krisztina just stood by him in silent misery.

Soon Tibor escorted his new bride out of the hall to whoops and cheers from some of the other soldiers. They went up to their apartment and Tibor did seem almost nervous. Once alone, he confessed to her that he thought she looked very nice.

‘I also want to compliment you on your behaviour over the last few days. You have been a credit to me, and long may it continue.’

Was this Tibor trying to be nice? She was completely repulsed by the idea, even more so than if he had been his usual arrogant and conceited self.

‘Let us toast to our future wedded bliss,’ she said with a forced smile. She passed him two goblets and then turned to fetch the wine. She sent a silent curse to Lucian before turning back with a large fake smile. He happily held out the goblets. Just before they drank their wine however, the door to their apartment opened.

‘Your Grace!’ Tibor spluttered with great surprise. ‘This is an honour.’