The Queen Of Nightmares

The Vampires had made their way to the hall as they waited for their Queen. Nico had taken Soleil back to her room. The girl had at first fought to tug her hand away when Nico grabbed her but once the Vampire had explained it was for her safety she gave in.

Nico had told her to wait in her room, no matter how boring it was until dinner. She knew that it was going to be a painful wait so she tried to test her luck. Except she ran into Nico one her door opened. She had no idea why it didn't occur to her before and took so long for her to realise that maybe Nico did guard her even outside of when she was roaming around the Palace. Face palming her forehead Soleil grumbled and jumped onto her bed. It took a few seconds for her to get comfy but eventually she snuggled up and watched as the sun began it's agonising slow descent.

Artemis urged Fenrir to walk at a faster pace. It had been at least three days since she had left the Palace, and she'd spent almost two days without rest trying to stop the battle at Eldara. The location had no significance to the Vampires anymore, the land was just like any other amount of territory she held within her grasp. Because the mine was dry. The vein of regolith had ended. The metal Lunaragimat had only been found in that mine. And the amount that made Artemis's sword was the last of the metal on earth. The mine had no more use since the vein had run dry over hundreds of years ago. Artemis would have normally fought for the land within her territory against her enemy's but the Human's weren't going to hold on to the land for long. Her other enimies would be quick to attack the weak point within her borders.

Besides, the Human's had little chance of surviving in this version of what this world has become. Maybe they could make their new homes within the mine.....

"Am I becoming soft?" Artemis suddenly thought. "Since when have I thought about the humans wellbeing?"

A picture of Soleil appeared in her mind and everything made sense. Soleil had showed her that not everything might be her enemy, that maybe kindness is needed within this world. As her horse continued to lead the army behind her along the road back to the Palace her mind wondered off to what Soleil would do when she saw her for the first time in a few days. She hopped that the girl was not waiting for her atop the stairs because her armour was covered in dried blood and grime. It made her look like the monster people made her out to be.

Her officers rode closely behind her and behind them was the horses that Soleil's friends where tethered to. Being lead by another horse with a soldeir mounted nearby. The rope was long enough to put distance between the two riders and horses but short enough to not cause delay when comands were given.

Artemis couldn't help but smirk as she overheard the two girls converse about the last few hours of their lives. Both girls would whisper to one another about why they were being taken hostage and not killed on the battle field. That perhaps the Vampires wanted them as pets for spoils of war. Artemis felt slightly angry at the two Humans when they did not think that they might be going to the same place that Soleil now resided since the Queen was present and or because they were 'spoils of war'.

And technically, they were.

Her body had taken a toll over the last few days as she used a lot of energy to keep herself from being injured and being able to fight for almost two days straight. She had barely slept and her body was on the brink of exhaustion. But thanks to some miracle her body always seemed to be regaining it's strength slowly. She was thankful for the mysterious boost of energy, but she couldn't help wonder where it was coming from.

Pushing her horse into a trot, the army behind her copying her moves. The sound of a thousand horses hooves striking the ground gave the impression that millions of soldiers were behind her and thunder was raging above. The Palace was a few kilometers away now. If it wasn't for the tired horse she sat on and the army behind her she would have made a break for the Palace a while ago. Artemis had never been this impatient in her life. Even to see someone.

And yet she would never give up the feeling if she always felt it when Soleil was the cause of it.

At last the army reached the grounds of the Palace and Artemis instructed Fenrir to sprint for the stables. She only wanted to see Soleil and no one else. The battle and journey had taken everything out of her, she just wanted to rest and Soleil within her embrace undisturbed.

Although as she opened the doors to the Palace she did not expect for the council members to greet her. She eyed them with annoyance and anger when they followed her as she marched through the halls of her Palace.

"My Queen. You should host a party for your victory over the latest Werewolves attack!" one of the councilors spoke.

A party was the last thing on her mind. But it would bring relief to her soldiers and other Vampires, especially if they could have one night without the fear of being attacked and it would boost her moral within her subjects.

"Fine." She growled, hopping they would finally leave her alone.

They didn't.

"Why did you let the Humans claim victory at Eldara?"

The council members were seriously getting on her nerves. "That's because their humans. No matter if they win or not, another one of my enemy's are going to try and take that land from me. At least with the Humans holding that piece of land their not attacking my cities and neither are my enemies. They are busy fighting for the weak link in my border. The Humans are weak compared to any other Supernatural race. They won't be able to hold that land for long. Plus, the mine has been useless for centuries now."

"That was a smart decision, Your Majesty." the same Vampire that asked the question responded.

"Now. Leave me!" she ordered.

Artemis stormed to her room and stripped off her armour and out out of her dirty clothes before changing and heading to the one place she knew she would be able to be alone and have peace.

Soleil was asleep when her door opened. The feeling of a new weight on her bed and a gentle hand placing feather light stokes along her cheek awoke her fully. Her eyes snapped open to discover the Queen sitting next to her on her bed. Without hesitation Soleil launched herself at the Queen, feeling her arms wrapping around her and the familiar sensations coming to life. Her body melted into the Queens embrace as a wave of energy hit her exhausted body.

"Well, aren't you eager." Artemis chuckled.

"I've been exhausted while you've been gone..."Soleil muttered.

Artemis shuffled further onto the bed so she could lay down and brushed a lock of Soleil's hair out of her face.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked in a whisper as she played with Soleil's curls.

"Ever since you left I've been barely able to stand on my feet and I'm always out of energy despite sleeping for the whole night." Soleil revealed, snuggling closer to Artemis.

Suddenly it struck Artemis. She knew where the random bursts of energy was coming from now. Soleil shouldn't be feeling the bond this strongly....

She wasn't a Vampire.

Unless. Could have Soleil have?

Could Soleil have fallen in love with her already?