The Vampire & Her Witch Chapter 4 4: Blood Bound
Previously on The Vampire & Her Witch...
Dark shadows writhed and danced across Nyrielle's slender frame, cast by the solitary lantern within the carriage. These shifting shadows deepened her already otherworldly aura, making her appear even less human than when she had revealed her fangs.
Upon exiting the carriage, Ashlynn had been convinced that the tales she'd encountered concerning the Demon Lady of the Vale could not possibly describe the celestial beauty who emerged from the obscurity as if she were a beacon of salvation.
Yet, as Ashlynn now gazed into the star-dusted depths of the other woman's eyes, her form seeming to merge with the surrounding darkness, a chilling realization gripped Ashlynn's heart. Despite Nyrielle's refined elegance and graceful demeanor, she was undeniably not human.
"Vampire," Ashlynn breathed the word. Though weariness fogged her mind, the glimpse of fangs and Nyrielle's earlier mention of a 'blood pact' were enough to connect the dots with the legends of immortal beings who sustained themselves on the life essence of the living.
"You intend to transform me, don't you?" Ashlynn voiced, seeking confirmation rather than asking a genuine question. "Like Thane," she suddenly understood, the pieces clicking into place. It explained why they differed so starkly from the monstrous demons of her reading. They were once humans, turned into vampires.
"Turn you into a vampire?" Nyrielle responded with a melodious chuckle. "My dearest Ashlynn," she purred, her finger gently tilting Ashlynn's chin upwards, subtly drawing attention to the delicate curve of her neck. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of intense longing crossed Nyrielle's features before she firmly suppressed her primal urge to claim the captivating beauty before her.
The state of Ashlynn, bruised and weary, did nothing to diminish her allure in the eyes of the Eldritch Lady. On the contrary, the proximity of her blood, so close to the surface, rendered her an almost irresistible temptation that Nyrielle fought to resist.
"As utterly enticing as the prospect of draining your very last drop of blood may be," Nyrielle stated after a moment, her composure fully restored, her face once again a placid mask. "I would never stoop to such a crude method of destruction."
"You underestimate your own significance," Nyrielle continued, her fingers moving from Ashlynn's chin to brush a wayward strand of hair from her forehead. "To transform you into a vampire, like Thane, would be to extinguish the very magic that makes you so uniquely extraordinary."
"You possess a rare gift, Ashlynn," Nyrielle whispered, her proximity sending a faint tremor through the fine hairs on Ashlynn's neck. "It deserves careful cultivation and protection, allowing both you and your gift to reach their full potential. Thane wields a power beyond mortal comprehension, but even he pales in comparison to what you could achieve."
"Is... is it truly that significant? I always believed this power was a curse," Ashlynn murmured, her voice tinged with bitterness as she struggled to reconcile Nyrielle's words with her lifelong beliefs. She had been taught to conceal her unique mark, to shun the abilities of demonic entities, to accept her cursed fate, and to strive twice as hard for the Holy Lord of Light's redemption.
Now, Nyrielle spoke of it as a gift, of her needing to be cherished. The contrast was so stark that Ashlynn harbored a suspicion that Nyrielle had ulterior motives for her generous offer.
"If your intention is not to make me into someone like Thane," Ashlynn began, faltering slightly as she recollected that Thane was not the mindless fiend of her indoctrination but a person who had once been human. "Then what do you plan to do with me? And what is it you stand to gain from this?"
"I gain you," Nyrielle replied, as if this explanation should be self-evident. Perceiving Ashlynn's continued uncertainty, she paused, seeking the most effective way to convey her meaning. Ashlynn's limited knowledge created significant gaps, rendering concepts that were common sense to Nyrielle entirely alien.
"A vampire transcends the limitations of death," Nyrielle explained after a thoughtful pause. "However, a Child of the Earth channels the very essence of life's magic. Should you become my progeny, akin to Thane, you would perish and forfeit your connection to that life-giving magic." Observing a glimmer of understanding dawn in Ashlynn's emerald eyes, she continued her explanation.
"If I were merely like Thane, a descendant of another vampire, there would be no alternative path to preserve your existence," Nyrielle elaborated. "You would lose your magic but endure to pursue your vengeance. Yet, Ashlynn, you are far too precious to be diminished in such a manner when a superior alternative exists."
"Enter into a Pact of Blood with me," she whispered, her fingers gracefully tracing the line of Ashlynn's neck before coming to rest upon the gentle swell of her chest, just above her heart. "Become my Seneschal, the foremost among all who serve me."
My power will be yours to command if you do this, allowing you to mend your own injuries yourself." "And by agreeing to this, I will also gain a measure of your power? The power of life itself?" Ashlynn inquired, her cheeks flushing from the intimate manner of Nyrielle's touch. "A portion of it, yes," the vampire replied smoothly. "This pact will benefit us both. As long as you remain loyal to me, you shall attain all you desire without sacrificing what makes you unique." "Such an offer can only come from Vampire Royalty," Nyrielle added, her hand slipping beneath the cloak to gently encircle Ashlynn's waist. "We are permitted to bind only one individual as our Seneschal for our entire existence. I cannot conceive of anyone more deserving than you." "I cannot compel you," Nyrielle whispered, her lips grazing Ashlynn's as she spoke. "However, I give you my solemn promise: you will never regret entrusting me with your complete devotion." Within Nyrielle's embrace, Ashlynn trembled, her mind struggling to process the deluge of soft words and gentle touches that overwhelmed her senses. Merely half a day prior, the feeling of Owain's arms around her during his public kiss at their wedding seemed unparalleled. Yet now, her heart softened as Nyrielle repeatedly affirmed her uniqueness, specialness, and inherent worthiness of being treasured. Owain had pledged to protect her, to be her shield and armor against any harm. Nyrielle, on the other hand, vowed she would never allow Ashlynn to regret binding herself to the formidable vampire. Owain had praised her beauty and assured her she would be a wonderful mother to his children. In correspondence, when she shared her passion for her studies and readings, he had written that he would liberate her from such pursuits, allowing her to enjoy leisure with the ladies of the march. Nyrielle, however, spoke of cherishing and nurturing her, guiding her in mastering her innate gift. She promised mutual growth in strength. While the ancient texts often spoke of demons seeking ever-greater power, Nyrielle's mention of growing together resonated deeply with Ashlynn. Ashlynn realized that Owain offered protection but not nurturing. The diligent study she had undertaken in governance and the administration of a lord's fiefdom were tasks he viewed as burdens to be lifted from her shoulders. Though she might one day attain the title of Marquess, the skills she had honed to assist her husband in ruling his domain would ultimately be for naught. "You will allow me to assist you?" Ashlynn asked, her voice filled with a desperate hope for the affirmation she craved. "I will depend on you," the vampire declared. "Just as you will depend on me." Nyrielle's words brought tears to Ashlynn's eyes, blurring her vision. A moment of hesitation washed over her. Everything she had yearned for when she left home to marry Owain was now presented to her, not just readily, but with added benefits. If she accepted Nyrielle's proposal, she wouldn't need to conceal her power; instead, she would learn to wield it. The steep price, however, was an eternal bond with a vampire, the renunciation of her homeland, and perhaps even her humanity, serving Nyrielle for untold centuries. Even if her family had not betrayed her, they would never accept the person she had become. Her own father might even lead the charge to hunt her down, seeking to restore honor to their name in the eyes of the king and the Church. But what other path remained? She could feel her physical strength waning. Though Nyrielle's magic shielded her from the agony of her wounds, she remained precariously balanced on the precipice between life and death. Should she fail to make a choice swiftly, the opportunity might vanish forever, succumbing to the dark void of oblivion that awaited all who strayed from the graces of the Holy Lord of Light. Drawing a deep, fortifying breath, she made the decision that would irrevocably alter the trajectory of her life. "Then I shall become your Seneschal," Ashlynn declared with newfound resolve. "For as long as we both shall live."