Princess of Darkness Read online

  The Empress’ slave girl gave her superiors a bow, dropping to her knees and pressing her head to the floor, and she then left them to attend to their own business.

  Viktor turned to look at Dominika. She was beautiful, he thought, with her dark hair loose and her face fresh of any previous make up. He placed his half-finished cup of wine down onto a table nearby and took a moment longer to drink in his wife’s appearance instead. “Are you still not afraid?” he asked her.

  Dominika approached her husband and with dainty fingers, she began to unbutton his tunic. Slowly, she freed him of his clothes. “No.” she finally whispered. “I’m happy.”

  Viktor jolted a little as his wife began to work on unlacing his breeches. Before she could open them up, the Emperor stopped her and brought her hands up to his mouth. He kissed her knuckles tenderly.

  The Empress smiled again and took hold of him by the face, her gentle hands on either cheek. She kissed her husband deeply, moaning a little when he rolled his tongue around her mouth. Then she was pulling away. Moving her hands down to the belt of her robe, Dominika untied it and let it drop to the floor behind her.

  To his own embarrassment, Viktor felt himself go hard. Dominika was his wife, why should he feel ashamed of his reaction? Should he be? Viktor didn’t know.

  Dominika approached the bed and laid down onto it, her moves graceful and patient. She didn’t look her husbands way as he finally slipped out of the last of his clothes but, she grasped the covers tightly at the sound of the bed creaking and the feel of the mattress dipping under the weight of Viktor’s body as he crawled towards her and settled himself on her.

  “Are you afraid?” Dominika whispered back to him.

  The Emperor met her gaze. “Yes, just a bit.” he replied without hesitation.

  Dominika ran her fingers across his jaw line, sending shudders down Viktor’s face. “Don’t be.” she said.

  Viktor kissed her again, this time harder and with a passion he never knew he even had.

  “No.” Dominika said, as she pulled away from him. “Don’t rush. Take your time, we have all night. This is one thing you don’t have to worry about taking too long with.”

  Viktor sat back. Running his gaze over his wife’s body, he took in the beauty and frailty of her. He hung his head low in shame. “I don’t know how to pace myself, I’m so used to being buried under deadlines and schedules and-,”

  Dominika pressed a kiss against his lips, silencing him, relaxing him. She entwined her fingers in Viktor’s and squeezed them gently.

  Viktor felt he had a purpose now, it was his turn to continue the Redbane line. He was the Emperor – he had a part to play in this war. The thought of producing an heir for Marcus Valenti to be jealous and furious about, it only made him more determined to finish off what his father hadn’t been able to.

  The Emperor ran his hand up Dominika’s thigh and held her there as he continued to move against her, with her, together. He was going to produce an heir, he was going to have sons and daughters; Princes and Princesses. Viktor was going to crush the Valentis and their blasted rebellion, and he’d know for certain, whether his father was here or not, that Hathor would be proud of him for it.

  Serendipity

  After having been convinced by Alexandria to join in the Winter Festival Banquet, Serendipity soon found herself sitting by the great Lady of Valkenn herself and before a vast array of food that reached down the whole of the banquet hall. She had never been in the Grand Dining Hall before, only the usual dining room in which she ate her daily meals with the others. However, this room was much larger than the dining room and it soon became clear why.

  The castle inhabitants had already taken their seats, the last few servants finished up with serving the food before they too sat down to enjoy the feast.

  There was more food than Serendipity could have ever imagined but, what surprised her the most was that the servants had been allowed to enjoy a meal with their superiors. It was a special occasion, after all, which only came around once a year.

  Serendipity almost felt sick at the sight of all the food. They were first served bread infused with garlic and herbs she didn't even recognise and a hot soup of sweet squash with thick cream on the side. Next she was presented with a selection of beef seasoned with mint and black pepper, along with a thick sauce made from the juice of the meat and thickened with flour; duck glazed in honey served with slices of orange, as well as a whole swan which had been roasted and glazed atop a bed of salad.

  “What happens to all the food that isn’t eaten? Does it get given to those within the village?” Serendipity asked Aderico as he sat beside her.

  The young Lord was so busy admiring a young serving girl further down the table, he hadn’t even heard her.

  “None of it goes to waste, don’t worry. There are more than enough people within the hall alone to finish it all.” Valerius replied instead, having leaned over to answer in his cousin’s stead. “No one in Valkenn goes hungry today. Enjoy the meal, Serendipity.”

  To accompany the fine meats there was also a selection of boiled and roasted potatoes; beetroots and parsnips and corn on the cob. Mushrooms the size of a dinner plate, seeping with butter and stuffed with garlic, onions and grilled chicken pieces had also found their place on the table. For those interested in a piece of fish, there was garlic encrusted cod or salmon served with fresh cream, lemon wedges and dill.

  Finally, there were the desserts. Light chocolate mousse with orange slices, jam tarts sprinkled with icing sugar and lemon nibbles; finished off with a cold berry salad swimming in juice. All of this good food was expected to be washed down with plenty of steaming cinnamon wine and hot chocolate.

  Throughout the banquet Valerius scolded the Princess for hardly having eaten anything, despite her attempt to argue that she had had her fair share of the food. “You've hardly eaten anything.” Valerius said to her, shaking his head. He smiled at the Princess and held a lemon nibble to her mouth.

  Serendipity took it, making sure her teeth lightly grazed his fingers, and the Lord pulled back quickly; almost knocking over his wine.

  “Don't bite me.” he laughed and shook his hand out.

  Serendipity smiled in victory and leaned back in her seat. Alexandria wiped her mouth carefully and raised her glass towards the Princess. “Have you tried this, Serendipity? Its cinnamon wine.” she asked and took a sip of the drink.

  Serendipity looked down at the table and found a servant filling her cup with the wine and he brought it closer to her. “No, I haven't. Thank you.” she replied and quickly took her cup. Serendipity had tried wine a few times since her arrival at the castle and she had never liked the bitter taste of it. She sipped the drink carefully, enjoying the flavours of the wine rolling on her tongue as she did. “It has a very strong cinnamon flavour. – but it’s sweet at the same time. This might be the only wine I actually like.” she replied.

  Alexandria beamed at her and raised her cup at the Princess again. It was at that point Aderico pressed a kiss against Serendipity’s cheek and rose from his seat. “I need some air. This wine is robbing me of my senses.” he said.

  Baleon didn’t fail to notice a young servant girl, whom his son had been eyeing up the entire night, slipping out after the young Lord. The rest of the hall seemed to have finished their meal and had now moved onto an entirely different activity, gift giving. There came the sounds of paper rustling, gasps of awe and exchanging of thanks.

  Serendipity couldn't help but smile at the sight. She had never seen anything like it before. “This is all very sweet. I didn't know you gave-,” she began and turned to look at Valerius.

  The young Lord held a small white box with a red ribbon in his hands and he placed it before her. “Gifts?” he finished off and sat back in his seat.

  Serendipity stared down at the box for a brief moment and then looked at Valerius. “I hadn't asked for anything.” she said shyly.

  Valerius beamed at her. “Who said y
ou had to ask?” he replied.

  Serendipity looked back at the box and slowly slid the lid off, letting out a small gasp as she did.

  Soraya clutched her hands together and put them to her heart. “What is it?” she asked excitedly.

  “I know you like wearing your hair down.” Valerius added in, this time he sounded shy.

  Serendipity lifted the gift out of the box and revealed a stunning silver headdress. It had little silver flowers, all with crystal centres scattered on the single vine which would entwine around Serendipity’s head. In between the flowers dangled a few single leaves that sparkled in the candlelight. “I-I don't know what to say.” Serendipity whispered in awe and looked at Valerius. “It's beautiful, thank you.”

  Valerius gently lifted one of the Princesses curls and held it for a moment. “It will match your wild hair.”

  Serendipity carefully placed the headdress back into the box and covered it with the lid. Placing the gift down onto the table, she leaned over the arm of her chair and kissed Valerius tenderly on the cheek; making him blush. “Thank you.” she whispered to him again and looked away before he noticed the rush of heat in her cheeks too.

  *****

  More dancing followed the sumptuous feast, back in the grand hall again. It was true when people said a castle never slept – not with inhabitants as excited as those in Valkenn. The men, being men, sat talking on their thrones about the Redbanes, Viktor’s recent engagement in particular and how his wedding had been held that week.

  “I wouldn’t have guessed Hathor to be so bold as to marry his son off to some eastern whore. His son will be spawning literal barbarians, just to water down the Redbane name even more.” Marcus spat.

  That set Serendipity off laughing and she leaned closer to where the Grand Lord sat. “Afraid of having to face a barbarian baby when it’s born too, Marcus?” she asked. To her delight, Aderico and Valerius joined in with her laughter. Both then quickly began to cough or clear their throats when Marcus glared at them.

  Aderico had returned from his meeting with the servant girl from the hall and as he now sat beside his father, the Princess could make out Baleon whispering to his son to get up and dance with his fiancée.

  The Princess rose from her seat before he even had the chance to ask her for the honour. “Excuse me.” she said and gave the Valenti family a well-trained curtsey. Only Marcus seemed to notice her mocking him with such a gesture and she was glad about it. Serendipity left them all quickly, with Marcus following in pursuit. She needed fresh air, not a confrontation.

  Once out of the hall, Marcus grabbed the Princess by her arm and pulled her back to look at him.

  “Are you here to threaten me again? Go on, I’m ready this time.” Serendipity sneered.

  “I know about Cytus teaching you politics. You really think you can get involved in this war on a political level? Do not mock me – about Viktor’s marriage, about the monstrosity his eastern wife will eventually push out – and certainly, most certainly not your own engagement to Aderico.” Marcus replied. Rather than snapping at her like he usually did, he spoke to the Princess in a tone so calm and cold it was frightening. “I’ve done you a favour, you’ve been honoured. As though you actually think you can do better. You’re a beautiful young girl, Serendipity but, I suggest you stay that way. Learn nothing further than your embroidery and literature.”

  Serendipity watched as Marcus turned and headed back in the direction of the hall. When he looked over his shoulder again, Serendipity expected some kind of witty comment or insult to come out of his mouth but, instead he simply said,

  “Don’t stay away from the festivities too long, or else everyone will wonder what has happened to you.” Serendipity swallowed hard. Only when the Grand Lord was gone did she let loose a tight breath and then went to go and get that fresh air she needed so badly.

  Viktor

  Dominika ran her dainty fingers up and down Viktor’s chest, as they both lay in bed after their consummation. It had all happened so fast that neither of them had fully comprehended that their wedding was finally over, and they were now husband and wife. It felt strange, for the both of them.

  “I want to know,” the Empress began. She propped herself up onto an elbow, her fist tucked underneath her head. With wide eyes, Dominika stared questioningly at Viktor. “Before our wedding you had told me I do not need to ask you for permission to the leave the fort, or to go about my own business unless it involved travelling back home. Why? Are women in the west always this free to do whatever they please?” she asked.

  Viktor looked at his wife and smiled. With raised brows, he shrugged. “Women are well guarded here but, yes. If you want to go out into the city for a few hours, then I don’t see what the problem would be; as long as you took a good number of guards with you, to keep you safe. I’m sure you already understand that I’ll have work to do and we won’t be able to keep each other company all the time. I wouldn’t expect you to stay locked up in the Fort all day if you didn’t want to be.” he replied.

  The Empress was pleased with his response. Already she could feel the excitement of so much freedom building up inside of her. She rolled onto Viktor and rested her chin against his chest; meeting his gaze. “And when I am eventually with child? Will you take a mistress, to make up for all those lonely nights?” she asked.

  The Emperor ran his hand through his wife’s dark locks. He eventually shook his head. “Having an affair, whether most men like to admit that’s what it really is, is not really my thing. I wouldn’t want to get some common woman pregnant and then have her use my bastard baby as some sort of leverage against me. It would all get too complicated. Anyhow, if I couldn’t make love to you then what makes you think I’d have time with any other woman?” he said.

  Dominika laughed at that. “Have you been rehearsing answers to potential questions I might ask you? Or are you being entirely honest here?”

  Viktor rolled his wife over onto the mattress, switching places with her. He pressed a kiss or two against her neck and said in between breaths. “I’m being honest. Now, are you going to just lay here interrogating me or,” he began.

  Dominika placed a hand on the back of her husband’s head as he continued to explore her with his lips. “I cannot wait to meet your brother and sister properly. Adelaide sounds like a wonderful young woman, we might even have something in common. I think we could be great friends, seeing as it can be rather lonely here. The Fort must have been quiet since your father’s death.”

  Viktor stopped at the mention of his father. When he levelled his face with the Empresses, it softened a little.

  “I am truly sorry for your loss, Viktor. One thing I have never understood about people is how they can be such beasts, taking each other’s lives the way they do. I will admit, I don’t know much about the Valentis but, I think this Marcus is probably afraid.” Dominika continued on. She had not failed to notice the change in her husband’s expression and for that, she tread carefully with her words.

  Viktor furrowed his brows. “Afraid of what?” he asked her.

  “Of you.” Dominika replied. “There is nothing more frightening than a son or daughter seeking revenge for the death of their loved ones. Make the Valentis believe they have ignited a fire in you, one which cannot be quelled. Give them hell for what they have done, Viktor, and give them reasons to believe they shouldn’t have crossed you or your family in the first place.”

  Viktor was surprised. They had only just gotten married and, already, Dominika was pushing him on in this war. He hadn’t expected the young Empress to put her faith and loyalty behind him so soon. Viktor almost felt touched by it.

  “It would certainly impress my father.” the Empress said after some time. “Even more so than he already is with you.”

  Viktor smiled at that compliment. He was clearly doing something right, if an Emperor from the east whom he had never met before had faith in him.

  “Now,” Dominika began for the last tim
e. “Do you wish to sleep? Or shall we go again?”

  Valerius

  The noise in the hall had given Valerius a headache. Whilst he hadn’t seen Serendipity return to the festivities before he himself left, he didn’t doubt she would find her own way back; if she really wanted to.

  Outside, it was quiet and cool. Just the way Valerius wanted it. All he needed was some air and time away from his family and their talk of politics. As he stood gazing over the gardens on a terrace out back, Valerius began to wonder how Viktor’s recent marriage was affecting him. He didn’t want to admit it aloud, should his father hear and rebuke him for it but, Valerius felt rather happy for the young Emperor.

  It was moments like this which made the young Lord question whose side he was really on; or what the whole point of this war really was. Hathor Redbane was dead but, his children were alive. What had his father really achieved? The Redbanes were still reigning strong, and they gave no signs of any hindrance to the extension of their empire. Hathor’s death just seemed like a waste, really.

  Lost amongst his thoughts, Valerius hadn’t even noticed Serendipity standing on the other side of the balcony; leaning against the ledge whilst she stargazed. He approached her in silence. “Was it the noise that was bothering you, or just my father?” he asked the Princess.

  Serendipity turned around to face him. She gave him a half smile. “Both. Well, mainly your father but, I suppose both.” she replied.

  Valerius laughed at that and he joined the Princess by her side. “You really do look beautiful tonight, Serendipity. I thought you should know that; if Aderico doesn’t appreciate you then perhaps you deserve appreciation elsewhere.” he said to her.

  The Princess blushed. It was true, Aderico wanted to take her to bed badly but, other than that his interest in her stretched no further. Even the thought of him having to put a child in her was a bore. Serendipity wasn’t surprised by it though, her fiancé wanted all the fun with no responsibilities. He really was a childish boy, amongst other things. “Thank you.” Serendipity replied after having found her manners.