Chapter 4 The Cost Was Freedom

• She was use to wearing leather armor or leather clothes rather than anything as extravagant as this. The ladies were fast with their fingers, they too were vampires, but they were one of the best seamstress from what she could see. It was a few hours later when she could look at herself. Her bodice lace was the color of night only with shades of crimson blood intertwined, her skirt was long, a very beautful ball gown that took her breath away. Her neckline was heart-shaped revealing cleavage she had never exposed before until tonight. Her shoulders and upper back were exposed as well. Her hair which was normally was either put up or kept braided behind her neck was now fixed with cascading waves of creamy brown hair. She really did feel like royalty even though she was far from it. She normally did carry her weapons but tonight her only weapons were some exposure of her body giving some room for imagination. She put on a choker with a small pendant nestle between her cleavage. The sleeves of the dress was only to her elbow, but the material flowing and blending in so very well with the rest of her ball gown. Jett who was laying on the bed watching Isadora turning around a few more times then she turned back to Jett, "How do I look?"
• Her lynx who was laying down blinked her eyes a few times, not much expression but Jett did make a sound before closing her eyes again.
• "Thanks for your boost of confidence."
• Isadora turning back to the mirror, her face was painted and though she felt divine, she also felt so out of place, as well. Through the hall she moved as best she could though she didn't stumble or trip she was anything but graceful. At least in her eyes that was, then came the ultimate test which was to walk down the stairs without breaking her neck. She had been in many battles, and fought in combat, but to die because of a dress was more like insult to injury. She moved down the stairs and when she felt the last step she was happy that it was over, the guests were already arriving, many of which were royals of other covens and those who were humans were also escorted in case there was trouble. She reminded herself to breath even though the corset was as tight as it could be, she still managed to get some air. There were plenty of on lookers some wasn't looking at her instead some of the men there had gotten smacked for looking a little too much.
• Caelan was dressed in his uniform, these events all guards and soldiers were to be in their dress uniform, as others talked he was looking around for it was his job to maintain security in these types of events. However, his mind wasn't exactly on the job looking for a certain vixen who could be alluring when she wanted to be and at the same time frustrating other times. It wasn't that she was a complicated, she was like an endlessly pool of mystery blended with excitement and thrills, but her true nature he wanted to know more of because there were moments where she had let her guard down but then she quickly put her mask back on. Then he saw her, even her dress she wore was a mirror of her soul. Beautiful and dark, divine and thrilling, not complicated just an intoxication combination that still there was more to uncover. He walked towards her though there were many suitors who wanted to dance with her, she smiled politely to decline for she was here for one thing and that was to get this over with so that she could get the hell out of here.
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• The music being played as drinks were being passed around almost made her forget why she was even here until she a shadow passed her, she turned to see Caelan, though he had pissed her off earlier, he didn't look bad at all in uniform. Though she wasn't going to tell him that, she felt his eyes scanning her, his brown eyes glowing green for a moment, letting her know that he had her on his mind.
• "Milady, you look very ravishing." He held out his hand for her to take though this was her moment turn from him and walk away she didn't refuse him either. He led her on the dance floor and though he towered over her, he wasn't clumsy on the floor like she felt. He was light on his feet a leader on the dance floor though no words were spoken, she didn't want to look down though she was happy enough her dress covered her feet, so if she messed up on the steps no one would see. He had dipped her a few times, her scent was wrapping him around her fingers and he knew it. Dancing was very much like sex, keeping in rhythm and when the music had gotten faster she didn't back away but accepted the challenge until the song was over. Of course when the song ended he had her leaning back, his hand holding her letting her know he had her. Her heart racing but when she was standing upright again, she knew that being here was a mistake. This wasn't her scene, she was here to do a job, not allow her body to get aroused. She backed away from him and quickly moved away so that no one else would get the idea she was here for fun and games.
• It wasn't going to be easy for her to make her way out when the Master of the castle who had watched her dance with Caelan, they were lost in their own world. Then she walked away, Dagen had seen the whole thing but Caelan didn't follow her out. He allowed her to leave him though he could see that Caelan was also in competition for the same creature. Neither of them was getting anywhere, for she gave very little and then snapped it away. It wasn't that she was playing hard to get, she wasn't toying with them, but it was her way to keep everyone at a distance. Her own way of keeping herself safe. Isadora going outside where she could get a breath of fresh air, she didn't know what was wrong with her? How could she allow herself to get close to anyone when everyone eventually leaves or dies. No, she reminded herself that it was dangerous to get close to anyone. How many of friends she made during battle die in her arms and how many died because she had gotten attached? Never again, she reminded herself, she would be approaching her hundrenth birthday soon, even though it was still a ways away. She knew she was immortal doomed to walk eternity alone. She had already embraced that, accepted her fate. If she was going to leave this would be the perfect time, but looking back for a moment she saw a face staring at her, then a series of flashes made her struggle to stand up. She found the bench by the pool of water and she thought maybe her corset was cutting off her air supply again the flashes came again, in clusters. She didn't realize her nose was bleeding while she gripped her head with her hands. She fell to her knees while her hands clawed the ground, she had never felt like this before even when she morphed it didn't hurt like this. Jett came out of hiding nudged Isadora till the flashing stopped and the pain drifted away. It was as though Jett had taken the pain away or brought her clarity, either way she was grateful the pain stopped. On the ground the blood that had dripped from her had formed a sign, something that had never happened before. It was symbol one that she had learned from Eruielle had drawn for her when she was a child. It was symbol for a curse, Eruielle use to tell her stories of those who had been cursed and what to look for. She always thought that curses were not real and that her elderly mother was telling those stories just to scare her. Seeing the symbol in front of her and then looking back at the castle she saw another flash only this time there was no pain but she saw the cursed symbol blaring where they had Yvette kept. She knew already there was something but seeing the signs she realized that one of her abilities were to see those who were cursed and possessed. She knew about creatures but never encountered angels or demons, and now she knew what would happen if she encountered evil. The evil amd/or the cursed would reveal itself to her, why she had gotten sick earlier and why she had those flashes. She walked over to the pool and cleaned herself up, she didn't feel like going back in but already she heard screams and cries coming from the castle.
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• Isadora rushing back in to see that there chaos erupting at the party many were trying to keep the beast from clawing at them. It was Yvette, her possession had reached another level, it was at a point that the Strega was taken over completely. Yvette had yet to find a cure and her time was running out, already she had tried many things to prevent the change from happening, prolonging the inenvitable. The monster she had become stood well over seven feet tall and it's tail was that of giant rat, it was her form she had taken. No longer a great beauty instead she was like combination of a rat but the face was mangled her teeth looked more like serrated, razor-edged blades. Her claws were needle-like but razor-sharp. The many arrows shot at the creature didn't even penetrate her harden flesh. Dagen knowing that his sister was beyond help for now he knew why his sister had requested for Isadora to be brought here, she was the only who would be able to kill the Strega for not even he would able to take down the beast. Isadora already out of her dress and back in her tunic and leather pants, she didn't have time to put on her armor just her blade as she came running out of the shadows crashing into the Strega. The strega wailed and lashed out at Isadora but Isadora sword clashed against the claws of the beast, she used her head and slammed her forehead against the strega taking the creature by surprise. Dagen ordered everyone out of the room already there had been at least three of the soldiers slain and four guest greatly injured by the strega. One of the guards collasped for he had lost too much blood as his guts had spilled out, he was the first to get attacked and the strega had torn out his heart. Caelan and others were blocking the door so that Yvette couldn't get out without going against them first. Dagen knew that he was going to loose his sister, for he understood his sister already accepting her fate by having Isadora coming her. He raised his hands and around the two was a circle of flames. This was his promised to his sister, the last family member he had. Isadora striking the strega through the heart and for a moment it was as though she didn't do anything but then Yvette for a moment her voice came through Isadora's mind telling her how to slay the beast so that she could be set free. Isadora taking the blade out of the strega who was trying to recover but Isadora speaking with compassion, "I am sorry Yvette." With dexterity of her hands gripping the blade she severed the head from the neck, the body of teh strega began to tremble and shake as the body of Yvette came through but then melted with the rest. Isadora knelt down for she was still surrounded by the fire, she watched as every bit of Yvette was gone that there was nothing left. On the ground she saw the blood forming the symbol of the cursed before it too had went away. She thought she was brought here to find a cure but with Yvette last words reverbrating through her mind, this was the only cure that would free her from this nightmare. Isadora remained in the circle of flames not knowing if Dagen was going to burn her for killing his sister or not. When the flames finally stopped they all seen Isadora kneeling by Dagen's sister's remains. There was only ashes, he said nothing for he knew that he was not to show emotions. She got up and knew it was best not to say a word for this regardless was his sister, and she was now his sister's murderer. She didn't go to her room, instead she went down into the cells where the jail was. She wasn't escorted there or ordered, but for the moment she felt that it was best she stayed out of everyone's way.
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• Dagen and others that knew Yvette were paying their last respect, those she had befriended not to mention those who knew the family. She had no body to be buried and whatever was left were tainted by the creature that had possessed her. No one had seen Isadora though Dagen at the moment hadn't said much of anything for he didn't show his emotions but everyone knew it was best to keep their distance. Into the skies, many arrows lit up with flames and the sound playing could be heard for miles. Isadora still in the cell hadn't came out not even to eat for she kept replaying over and over the message that Yvette had told her. Isadora looking at her sword which had been used to set Yvette free, was a reminder of what it meant to do the hardest thing anyone could do. She had came here for her own gain and now realizing that Yvette had seen her own fate and still wanted to help Isadora find her past. Watching over and over the last minutes of Yvette before she turned to ash and everything else had melted away. She knew what she had to do, but it would also meanfor Isadora giving up her freedom. When she accepted to end Yvette's suffering she accepted what was to come afterward. Three days in total had passed before she was summoned to Dagen's chambers. She had washed herself from head to toe and afterward putting on a gown that had been selected for her. Caelan and Keane came to collect her, as Keane held the sword that was used to behead the princess. Caelan kept his face like stone, though he didn't want to look at Isadora for he knew she would never be his, and everything he felt he knew had to die. In the chamber she stood awaiting for whatever came her way when Keane handed the prince the blade that was used on his sister. Isadora knelt down and closed her eyes for that was the only thing that had been done to try to kill her was chopping off her head. Instead she felt the blade resting between her neck and shoulder and the words from the Master was her sentence. His voice wasn't compassionate and there was no weakness but only ice. Her fate was finally revealed, she was to confined here as his pet. She who only knew freedom and having no one to order her around, not caring where her loyalty lied. Now she was to be ensalved, her will no longer her own. She knew coming here learning about who she was, it came with a price. The price was her freedom, as she swore to uphold the laws of this kingdom and repeating the oath to the Master. She stood up as the ring and enslavement was placed on her hand and the clasp of the bracelet was locked into place. He now had his pet, she the only one of kind who was skilled killer and proven she was stronger than most was now under his control. Around her neck was a choker for she was now his warrior or whatever else he needed. Everyone leaving the room, leaving Isadora alone with Dagen von Draak, the room was quiet so silent that anyone else would be loosing their nerves. She stood her ground for he was going to kill he would have done it, being that she was alive and not being tortured or finding out how immortal she was, meant he had other plans. Though he was silent, he indeed grieved the lost of his sister. He understood that what was done was the only way. Though part of him would have fought to save her, he knew if it wasn't Isadora then it would have been someone else.
• He hadn't fed on anyone since his sister's death, and at the moment, he was pouring dark wine for himself then some for her. He took a drink from both to assure her that neither goblets were tainted with anything.
• "My sister must have spoke to you before you killed her?"
• "Yes." She didn't look down but rather she kept her eyes on his, for there was no since of being ashamed for something that needed to be done. She didn't want it to be that way, but even his sister had accepted her fate.
• "You appear to be indifferent but your scent says otherwise, you didn't know my sister why should you feel anything at all?"
• "I am sadden about the situation not because it had to be done but because I thought I was sent here to find a cure not to be the cure. I don't like taking a life, except for those who have earned it. Your sister didn't deserve to be curse, no one does."
• "You say she was cursed; what gives you that idea?"
• "It was revealed to me before she had gotten freed and while we were surrounded by flames."
• "You must wonder how long you are to be my thrall?"
• "I haven't, I figured it is what it is."
• "I want you to find who it was that put the curse on her, to begin with."
• "I can do that, but I could have done that without being dominated. And because you didn't say that would end my captivity, that isn't it, is it?"
• "You my dear are far vauable than you know. I do not fear anything in this world, you on the otherhand was able to kill a Strega that could have injured you severly and yet you were able to fight one. Vampires are not immune to the Strega, she had killed many some were my men and others citizens in this kingdom."
• "This is your way of keeping my alligeance to you and you alone then?"
• "If tables were turned?"
• "I would make sure my foes didn't have an advantage over me."
• "You are accepting of this fate, you're not one to be submissive."
• "Your sister's death regardless of why she had to be killed, her blood is on my hands. If it had been my sister, I would want retribution. Considering this is the lesser of the evils. You could try to find ways to kill me but you won't because that would appear as weakness. The choice was given to me by your sister, she even told me I could walk away and she would find another. I decided to act instead of allowing her to suffer more."
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• "You consider this punishment?"
• "What would call it?"
• She had yet to drink her wine, but she downed the wine with one gulp then setting the goblet back on the table. It was where the other wines and goblets were set though he had taken a seat back though he said nothing else but his eyes darkened and she awaited for his orders or demands. The way he looked at her resemble much like a wolf contemplating how he was going to attack.
• "Earlier you said you and I were poison together, yet our kiss weakened you. You dance with Caelan but you are attracted to him, you run from him but you stand your ground with me. What does that tell you?"
• "I know what to expect with you, where as with him it's unknown."
• "So you know what to expect from me, how so then?"
• "You said so yourself, we are the same. I am a killer, a heart of ice. The perfect execuitioner for criminals and assassins for others; you said so yourself."
• "You think that is all you have to offer?"
• "That is what I am good at."
• "Again, are you saying that I am predictable?"
• "Not predictable, but you are known for being cruel and callous, but it's not without cause. Defending what is important and making an example of your enemies by doing what must be done to protect them that rely on you, it's required."
• He finished his wine but turned away from her for brief moment but just as quickly with his vampire speed she was against the wall, his body pressed against her this time their kiss wasn't short. He could hear her heart, it was calm and steady but now it was rapid, thrilling. Though she tried to resist, his hand with one quick swipe her dress fell to the floor. He was provoking her to see if she would fight him and resist or would she submit to his will. Her eyes were defiant and fiery, but her heart stil racing. Her lips still tasting him again he kissed her almost like earlier though she didn't want this to happen not because she didn't want it. She didn't want the aftermath of what comes later. She quickly turned her face aside but that didn't stop him from his advances. She felt his fangs grazing her neck taking her by surprise though she had never been bitten by another creature, his fangs were doing things that she didn't know she would enjoy. Much like a snake releasing his toxins into her streams he began taking a drink of her saquine, seeing her memories through her blood and though he had stopped she on the otherhand was trying to resist the emotions but already he knew she wanted him even though she wouldn't admit what she was feeling. It wasn't love, but pure animalistic yearning of what the other had. His clothes were off with a blink of an eye, she felt his hand moving all over her body without reservation, even when she felt his fingers sliding against her lips before entering her, her breath catdching in her throat, with his other hand he had pinner her wrists above her head, her back pressing against the heavy door that didn't waver under pressure. She quivered as he continued to fondle her in her most initimate part that was being toyed with, teased as her felt another wave flooding her sense though she had yet to gush, he was up for the challenge. He hoisted her up, though her back was pressed against the door, when he penetrated her. Her gasp feeling every innch of him as her body jolted of his thrust. The momentum of his forward movements were overwhelming. The sounds escaping her lips with every plunge though he hadn't even started for there was more he wanted to do and slowing down for this was going to be a, very long night.
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• It had been late into the night when he walked out of his chamber, for on his bed Isadora was asleep, sprawled out on his bed though she was covered up to her waist, her back exposed where even he could see her battle scars, the marks of what appeared to be lashings of a whip mulitple times. He had put on his royal clothes, for it had been too long since he had fed, which was another need to be taken care of.
• Caelan was on duty, he volunteered to stay far away the Master's chamber knowing what was going on in his master chambers. He saw his master walking to where the humans who were up for the nightly feedings for those in the house. Caelan knew he had sworn an oath to fight beside and even lay down his life for his master. Although at the moment, he resented Dagen for taking something he knew he didn't love but now owned. Caelan knew that Isadora felt something for him, when she ran from him he knew then that had a fear and now she was no longer within his reach. She was now the pet of the master, his prized treasure. Finally, Dagen came out he had his fill and the human was sent to recover. Human's couldn't be turn like the myth stated, feeding on them was something different than turning one into the undead. Dagen stopped right in front of Caelan, "I know you loved her Caelan, there will be others."
• Caelan said nothing and keeping his thoughts cleared for he knew the difference in love and lust, what he felt for her wasn't lust but something real. Something that Dagen should know about, when he had lost his first wife. She was killed by his enemies, and now he refused to be attached to anyone. Which was why Isadora was the perfect candidate, she had no interest in being claimed. Though he would never have the chance to show her what could be gained from having someone to give something that couldn't be bought.
• "Yes, your highness."
• Dagen could see that Caelan wasn't accepting of this, but still he held onto his honor. It was his job to serve and protect, and regardless of his emotions he knew his honor wasn't easily traded. There were many things that Caelan wanted to say but he kept his lips sealed for his master was not one to speak against. He remembered seeing those giving lashes for trying to argue with their master, and for those who failed they were impaled for weeks, though for vampires healed. They still however felt the pain from the pole being driven into them. Caelan kept his thoughts hidden and locked away, for he would have to accept what has happened. Though in his mind he wondered if this was what she really wanted, but remembering the night they dance he could see in her eyes she wanted him not his master but the death of the master's sister bound Isadora to being ensalved. That was the cost for setting Yvette free, a soul for a soul. He only hoped that he could be strong enough to resist whenever he would see Isadora. Reminding himself that she was no longer free to choose of her own free will. The binding of the bracelet meant that she was forever to be Master Dagen pet, whatever he desired she would have to submit. For only he could be the one to set Isadora free, and Caelan knew that was a risk that Prince Dagen would take. Caelan should have known this, and yet he had forgotten his own oath to Dagen. This was his life and now he would live knowing his soulmate was forever out of reach.