Bound

Edward sat there thinking. I council member finally broke the silence, "Who is your parentage?" A deep rumbling could be felt under the ground of everyone's feet as my anger was turning to rage yet again. I took a few deep breathes in hopes of calming down before I answered, "I just recently became aware of what I am. Apparently, Amerilla is my mother, but as far as I am concerned Andreo is my dad. Why? Because, he is the one who was there and did eventually end up guiding me to who I am today." Seeing that I was not lying, David spoke for the first time during this interrogation. "King Father, perhaps her biological father will be revealed at the Half-breed Examination you ordered? All head families attend on Examination day. So we reveal her mother to see which vampire reacts. Or simply find true gems in the color of all our eyes and go about it that way?" He was doing it again! Why!?! "Well thought prince," praised another council member. Edward obviously did not like that this idea was brought up, but ended up agreeing. The head council member stood up and declared, "At the Half-breed Examination, the fate of the three of you will be performed.

That could have been many times worse than it was. After I was escorted back to my barrack, the head guard who was named Charles came in for a "visit" as he called it. I guess he called it that to not seem so much like a degrading talk. It was then that I was unemotionally informed that I would be allowed time in the training yard during daylight hours, but I was to be receiving no "special" treatment. Yeah that's what I call four walls with no windows. So as in other words, my " luxurious" life was like Pompeii. "I'm sorry," was said from down the hall. "For what Amerilla?" I could not help but respond in monotone. "Everything. I was honestly just trying to protect you and the one that I believed loved me. I never intended for Andreo to be branded as a traitor for his assistance either," whimpered Amerilla. Feeling like a volcano of rage was ready to erupt is the mild way of telling what i felt inside me. This was all directed towards what had just happened, however, hearing the deep concern and remorse in her voice finished off the top. Trying to comfort Andreo and Amerilla, no my mom, I said, " Nothing happens to the three of us until after my exam."

Days. Weeks. One month. Two months. Each day, I gave my everything I had into perfecting my whip-staff fighting. With each passing day, the hours seemed shorter than the previous. At first, it was only Charles that kept guard, but soon more and more appeared. More vampires, half-breeds and humans all alike seemed to enjoy watching my punishment. I did not have a care in the world how many showed, because my mind was set on being ready at the end of the given time. One day, it seemed like any other, Charles came to take me to the training ground. But instead of standing guard, he left the area. Slightly confused, I shook my head as I went to get started warming up. "Today, I am going to train with you," said an oh too familiar voice. "David. Thank you for defending me," I said after realizing I had yet to do that. " But, oh yeah, let me add harming Opal's heir to the crap list I have going. I'm pretty sure, instead of an examination, I would be attending an execution," I retorted as I had turned to face him. His expression confused the burning sunlight out of me. I turned around and started to walk to the door to inform Charles that my training would be done rather quickly today.

Just in the nick of time, I blocked a swinging sword. I whipped my head side-ways to look at David. He then proceeded to say," I have ordered everyone to be scarce today." I quickly deflected the next strike. Fine! If he was serious about this, I was gonna make him regret it. Clink, Clack. Aerial jump here, duck there. Dodge, strike. A parry here, side step there. I was unaware of how long this had gone on, but it ended in a split second. David knocked my feet out from under me and had me pinned. "Give up," he questioned. His expression seemed to be torn. Determination was in his cheeks. Across his mouth, he was withholding. The wanting in his eyes have stayed with me to this day. Almost hatefully, I asked, "What!?" He paused and grinning that grin at the moment. "What do you want David!?" I demanded. "Let me tell you what I do NOT want. . . I don't want to be Bound to anyone again as I have been before. I will only ever be mated," he calmly replied. Well now I knew he did not want me. . . My thoughts were cut short by the passion growing at my lips. Whoa, why would he do that? I was over as quickly as he began it. David leaned down to whisper something in my ear. " Thank you for showing me what I do want in my future mate."

As days went by, everyone seemed almost nice to me. Now out of nowhere, I was asked if I needed anything at least once a day. It was usually after I had finished up my training. The crowd would be back for a few days, then not there due to David making another appearance. With this pattern forming, I came to enjoy his attention. Why would I start to grin at the thought of his next appearance?... OH NO! I was starting to feel for him. After a couple of months, David himself began checking in on me in the barracks. I started telling him about my concern that I was the only one being treated like I had needs. It was not long after that talk that everyone in the barracks began returning to livable health. They were still far from there full strength though.

Finally, the time had come. "Are you ready for tomorrow," Andreo asked. " What is your plan for passing," probed Amerilla. With full determination in every word, I answered both with one statement, " Free us."

As dusk approached, the fireflies flew and crickets chirped in the distance. I was woken up by my barrack door creaking open. Slowly, a hooded figure walked in. I opened my eyes to see Vanaura standing on the opposite side of the room. " I was able to pull a few strings. I brought you a gallon of blood, your whip-staff and a change of clothes," she said in a soft voice just before heading back out. " Thank you," I sleepily returned. " You're welcome. I hope you succeed. You have always had pure intentions, which is why I chose you all those lifetimes ago." With that, she was gone. Before I began getting ready for what lay ahead, I sat there drinking on my breakfast and mentally preparing myself for the fight of my life. I knew that they were going to throw everything they could at me. They wanted to make an example of me. The difference between me and them? I was fighting for a promise. Charles appeared just after dusk. "Time to go," was the only exchange of words between us. That was the last time I would ever be those barracks.

"Tonight, we will witness a Half-breed Examination of many lifetimes. The result of failure. . . is death." At this being spoken, Amerilla and Andreo had been lowered to almost touch the ground. They were shackled in cages. Red. I began to see red. "Tonight's half-breed? No, not half-breed, but abomination is none other than Zapphire!" My name echoed eerily in the arena. I walked to the middle which was just between the two cages. I took my stance not knowing how bad this was about to become. I just knew that I was prepared to give my life for the two unable to defend their own. With one word, King Edward allowed all of the underworld to be let loose, " Begin."

This vampire was whipped. That vampire slashed. Another, I was able to knock unconscious. It did not seem to make a difference though. One after another, they just kept coming. Ten. . . Twenty? I lost both count and energy. When I finally collapsed, the bottom of the cages snapped open. I was no longer alone on the ground. At least I gave my all, right? I gathered enough strength to lift myself up to see the master knife thrower, Coco. She smiled as she threw three blades. I was sure that she was aiming at our hearts. She was known to always cut her mark. I just blinked to not see the murder. Instead, Coco was gurgling for air through the pool of blood spilling from her mouth. Shocked, I painfully turned my head to see David protecting us. An enraged Claude and Misty charged at the four of us with murder in their eyes. Something snapped deep within me. I had no idea where the fresh burst of energy came from, but I was grateful for it. I jumped to my feet exclaiming "ENOUGH!" As soon as I had finished saying the one word, the whole arena was speechless and rightfully so. An invisible something had thrown Claude, Misty and any other opponent in midair suspension. I wanted to see them all fly. Oh boy did they. Every single one of them had went into cement walls of the arena. The last thing from that day that I remember was David catching me as I saw darkness.

I awoke a few days later in a cloud like bed. I slowly sat up to find Amerilla, Andreo, Lilite, Vanaura and David standing around discussing what they might be able to do to help speed up my healing process. It was a nice sight to see them all caring so much. If you could have seen the tears of joy that appeared, you might just have cried too. When I finally felt up to answering the summons that had come, I went while wonder. I reentered the arena to witness the finishing damage done. "Zapphire, by our laws, you are considered an abomination. By nature, you are a half-breed," the council member paused. It was an obvious attempt for dramatic effect. "Today we the council along with King Edward will determine your fate. We are all in agreement that this is the best decision." As this was said, I noticed all the clans were still present. I guess my situation had become bigger than I had originally thought. "We have witnessed David willing to physically protect you. That in itself says a tremendous amount. We also experienced the protective ferociousness of a queen. We hace decided to grant you the status of full vampire. . ." The head council member was interrupted by all the cheering, applause, gasps and boos from the crowd. She coughed to regain their attention once more, " Along with the status grant, you now have a choice. You may become a member of a head family ( which means you may be mated to another vampire) of your liking or you may start your own." I was caught off guard by this. "Know that it is obvious that David and you have feeling for each other. We will bless the union if you wish." My glances started with my mom and ending on David all of whom were smiling at me. "You are correct. I do care for David. I request that two things happen no matter what I decide: Andreo is to return to Emerald as if nothing had happened ,and Amerilla is to be under my protection." All council member nodded. David had influenced my next statement. I had finally came to understand being Bound starts with a pure intention promise.

I took a deep breathe and then sighed it out. I stood up straight and confidently said, "Council members, what I choose is obvious for I am Bound. Bound by my promise to protect those who cannot fight themselves." I took a step forward. "No, I am the Queen of the Bound."

The End