Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Blood Law
King Pakal stayed with us; He knew our kingdom needed him. His warriors joined ours, standing guard at the boundaries of our kingdom. He took a room in the smaller pyramid next to ours, he and his men. Vampyrs moved more at night. Our realm came alive again, as nightly tasks became the norm once more, markets became busy again, with humans from the surrounding villages came to offer their services, eager to be accepted by one of us. All wanting immortality.
New Vampyrs from Pakal's kingdom became familiar with our own. As they joined our forces.
Though we all doubted anything or anyone would dare challenge us after Camazotz had made it clear: any threat to any of his kin would end swiftly, without mercy!
An underworld degree was put into law. No one dared to test it.
Shade watched from the shadows, his own veil shimmering over the water well that had guided us to Rryan.
He had filled it with blood-soaked, blackened oil, his own veil to see beyond what others could not. The old hag had taught him well; he had risen to his own power in the burnt valley. He raised the dead vampyrs, assembling them into dark warriors, bending them to his own will. He was their king now, dark demonic energy radiated from him, slow, methodical, unavoidable.
I stayed at Rryan’s side. Though he gave no sign of waking, only the slow, labored rhythm of his breathing, an occasional twitch. Kira and Lyra remained constant, tending him, night and day, healing hands and magical wards woven, as they monitored his progress. King Pakal had brought in his own socorer, Thorn, a Dark Fae King. He was powerful beyond anything that we had ever witnessed. He placed wards around our Kingdom and assisted Kira with healing Rryan and Danyel. We saw improvements in both of them.
I lay next to him, my hand intertwined with Rryan’s, holding onto a faint pulse of his energy, a tether that reminded me why leaving him alone, even for a moment, was unthinkable. The twins approached slowly, we held eachother tight, "He's gonna be ok.” Niklaus whispered. “He told me so.”
I knew exactly who he was referring to. I shook my head in agreement. We had brought Rryan and Danyel, both up to our bedchambers, and added a bed for King Danyel. The twins and I took turns by their bedsides, never leaving them alone. Our feeders came and went, quietly, careful not to disturb them.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting my mind relax. I lay next to him, careful not to pull his stitches. He was healing slowly, my hand in his as I drifted off to sleep, as Lydia pulled the drapes closed, when daybreak came.
Rryan’s pulse was faint but steady. Kira's watchful eyes wandered to the window, where Lydia stood guard. She was exhausted but refused to rest. Our kingdom was settling down; it was time to sleep. Doors and shutters closed quietly. As hybrids stood watch.
Thorn appeared behind Kira, “Rest, I’ve got this under control.” Her eyes took him in; she had never looked at other men like she saw him. He was the first one she’d ever met who was more powerful than she was. She smiled, something we rarely saw her do. She studied him for a moment, then decided he was right. She needed her strength if she was to help anyone more. He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it good night, as he summoned a portal to port her home. She stepped through…her cape billowed behind her. A show of the great power she held. He smiled, watching her go. His heart warmed with heavier beats, something he was becoming used to; it made him smile. King Pakal watched him, knowing what was at play. Thorn would not be returning to his kingdom; he had found home in her eyes.
The night dragged on, stretching minutes into hours. The wind whispered against the ruined stone outside of our kingdom, its sound carried faint scents of others who had escaped the battle. They camped just outside our boundaries, waiting to ask for permission to join us.
I tightened my grip on Rryan’s hand, as I warned Thorn and Lyra without speaking.
Somewhere beyond the jungle, Shade watched us all, from a Vampyr Kingdom of his own making, king in his own dark realm. He would lay low for now. But the lower valley would never be the same.
I reached out to Rryan once more, Come back to me, you're stronger than what tried to take you out. I could feel him stirring, not fully aware just yet, but he heard me; that was something.