-Bed-and-Breakfast by Hyacinth-Scarlet

Author:Hyacinth-Scarlet [OWNER]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Shielded from above by the blue dome that protected bloodkin during the day, Tachaka was the residence of the Imperator and the political center of their nation. In this very same city, their ancestors had created the Covenant and had set the basis of modern political order.

Tachaka acted as a city-state, focusing all the authority of the bloodkin into one geographical spot. Once, the bloodkin had lived exclusively there, but, in time, they had become too numerous for the area to support. At that point, the bloodkin spread around in the neighboring human countries. In the beginning, it caused mayhem and chaos, but the Imperator intervened, creating the Covenant and the institution of the Kin Lords. Now, the human nations—for example, Moss’s homeland, Kannat—went along with it, as many depended on the trade income and supplies coming from the wealthy bloodkin.

The Tachakan palace held many wonders and secrets, some of which Vane was privy to, others he’d have liked to know. Everything here struck him with memories he’d have preferred to forget. Once, he wouldn’t come here fearing Aran Bloodclaw. Then again, once, before Vane had begun his time as a Kin Lord, the dome above had shined red, not blue. But change could destroy the strongest of magicks, even the powerful ones that created the dome. And Vane was all too familiar with destruction and change.

As he entered the throne room, Vane wondered how many of these secrets would be revealed today. Thomson had been correct. The atmosphere in Tachaka teemed with a sense of anxiety and anticipation. Vane could only hope the rumors were just that, and wouldn’t amount to anything real.

Vane knelt in front of the Imperator, acutely aware of all the eyes on him. Coming to Tachaka had been necessary, but it also made him very uncomfortable. The Imperator was the one man who held control over Vane’s destiny, a fact which he’d always hated.

As if that weren’t enough, Aran changed a lot since Vane had last seen him. Physically, he seemed the same, the striking features of the imperial line built into an androgynous look, making him desirable for both males and females. He played with an ornate braid of long blond hair as he gazed at Vane from under eyelashes that could be the envy of any woman. And yet, in spite of his beauty, his black eyes were cool and his voice frigid.

Once, those same eyes held Vane’s own conviction and desire for order, but no longer. Vane hadn’t been to Tachaka in quite a while, but even so, he couldn’t understand how a bloodkin could change so much.

“I understand you requested an audience with Us, Lord Bloodmoor.” The Imperator sipped a bit of blood from his gold goblet as he spoke. A donor approached when the cup emptied and immediately carefully punctured the vein in his wrist to refill the cup. Servants of all types rushed around the bloodkin sovereign to cater to his every whim.

“Yes, Sire,” Vane replied, ignoring the blatant decadence surrounding him.

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