The Vampire & Her Witch Chapter 5 5: Becoming Hers (Part One)

Half an hour after the rescue of Ashlynn from the edge of the old road, the dark carriage thundered through a succession of imposing gates. These gates were set within mighty stone walls, erected to shield the inhabitants of the vale from human aggression.

"Stop here," Nyrielle commanded, her arms encircling Ashlynn as she gently lifted her from the carriage. "There is an Ancient Oak not far from this spot," she informed Thane as she exited the vehicle.

"I will take Ashlynn there; her pulse is faint, and I fear we are running short on time," she stated. "Move with haste. I require warm water and a cloth for her cleansing, along with a gown for her to wear. Select something of mine that would be suitable for her."

"Mistress," the man with amber eyes replied, kneeling at Nyrielle's feet. "Forgive my boldness, but if time is of the essence, should you not take her immediately?"

"I will not treat her in such a manner," Nyrielle declared firmly. "She is destined to become my Seneschal. This moment holds significance, and I will not humiliate her by rushing it."

"She has already endured far too much from a husband who regarded her as mere property," she added, her fingers gently stroking Ashlynn's hair. "I shall not inflict similar treatment. Go swiftly and procure what I need."

"As you command, Mistress," he responded. Then, shadows deepened around him, and he vanished into the night.

"Just a little while longer," Nyrielle murmured softly, accelerating into the night at a pace imperceptible to the human eye. Her eyes, the color of midnight blue, emitted a faint glow as she navigated the dark forest until she reached one of the most ancient trees in the vale.

Upon her arrival, the Ancient Oak loomed majestically over the two women. Standing well over a hundred feet tall, with a trunk as broad as a small cottage, the tree was perched atop a modest hill near the source of a meandering stream.

Few things in this world could make Nyrielle feel diminutive, yet the Ancient Oaks of the vale were already ancient when her grandsire first embraced vampirism. Standing beside it, beneath its sprawling canopy, she couldn't help but feel like a small child seeking refuge under the cloak of an elder.

"Ancient one," she addressed it, placing Ashlynn at the base of the tree, close to its formidable roots. "I have brought one of your kin, but she is exceedingly weak. I fear she may not survive the forming of the blood pact necessary to preserve her life," she conveyed with solemnity.

Beside her, Ashlynn observed with vision blurred, fighting the encroaching darkness as Nyrielle knelt nearby. The vampire drew a slender, silver blade from her hip, slicing deeply into her palm before clenching her fist and holding it over the tree's roots.

"Ancient One," Nyrielle stated formally. "I offer a fragment of my eternity. Grant her a measure of your strength, I implore you, so that I may shield her from the harshness she has endured."

As the blood descended onto the root, instead of scattering as expected, the droplet was directly absorbed into the venerable tree. A moment later, the leaves of the ancient tree rustled as if moved by an unseen wind, and a soft, verdant luminescence descended from its branches, enveloping Ashlynn like a comforting blanket against the chill night air.

As the ethereal energy enveloped her, Ashlynn's pulse strengthened, and her breathing grew less labored. Several of the minor cuts and abrasions she sustained during her escape from the shallow grave began to mend, leaving only faint traces of dried blood on her delicate skin.

"Thank you, Ancient One," Nyrielle whispered, redirecting her attention to Ashlynn and tenderly caressing her hair. "It will not be much longer now. Once our pact is formed, you will inherit a fraction of my regenerative ability. Your life force will become robust, and these wounds will vanish within a day or two."

"Mistress," two voices called out in unison as Thane returned, accompanied by another vampire.

"Thank you, Thane," Nyrielle acknowledged, accepting a covered bucket of hot water, soap, and a cloth from him. "Kindly survey the surroundings and ensure our undertaking remains undisturbed. Zedya can assist me with any further requirements," she instructed, turning her gaze to the other vampire.

In contrast to Thane, whose appearance was striking and possessed a predatory allure, Zedya, were it not for her flawless pale complexion and deep amethyst eyes, might have been considered ordinary or plain in any setting. Even the sophisticated gown she wore seemed out of place, giving her the air of a servant adorned in their master's attire.

"I have brought two choices, Mistress," Zedya announced, presenting a pair of elegant gowns that would have been suitable for the most opulent royal galas. Each garment shimmered with meticulously placed gemstones, catching the soft, glowing radiance emanating from the Ancient Oak. "Which would you prefer for our new Seneschal: green or lavender?"

"Allow her own decision to guide her," Nyrielle declared, her gaze fixed entirely upon Ashlynn as the cloak was drawn back, exposing the young woman's entire frame, marked by bruises and battered flesh.

Witnessing the severe degree of her wounds, Nyrielle felt a sense of awe at the young woman's tenacious grip on life. Bruises blanketed nearly every section of her torso, extending from her shapely hips and slender waist all the way to her ample bust.

From the strained manner in which her chest rose and fell with each breath, it was evident that multiple ribs had suffered fractures. Higher up, one eye was a dark purple, so swollen that it remained partially closed. Ashlynn's lips, naturally formed like a bow, had been split, presumably from a powerful impact.

"This might cause a slight discomfort," Nyrielle murmured, immersing a cloth in warm, soapy water before gently beginning to cleanse the dirt from Ashlynn's face, streaked with tears and grime. "I regret that I cannot adorn your countenance for you," she added quietly, fighting to suppress the stirrings of desire and hunger within her voice.

"Yet, even in this state, you are a vision of beauty to me," Nyrielle whispered, her voice barely audible.