“Leon, it’s so wonderful to see you again,” A’el says.

“It’s been too long, my dear A’el,” Leon says as they embrace each other.

“And who is this lovely creature by your side?”

“Be nice to her, A’el, she’s a friend. Her name is Monica Flaughan.”

Monica’s appearance is nothing short of breathtaking. Seeing her with Leon makes me feel like these two creatures of Kelor were meant for each other.

“It’s an honour to meet you, Princess,” Monica says as she makes a graceful curtsy.

“Oh, my dear, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I wasn’t aware that Leon had friends other than Deven and I. Leon, where have you been hiding her?”

Leon goes on to tell the story of how he went to Monica’s town and how he chose her for her prowess with a spear and knowledge of Kelor’s creatures, all the while, never taking his eyes off Monica. Monica on the other hand seems to be aware of it but doesn’t blush or give away any of her emotions apart from the appropriate smile and gentle gaze. Leon goes on to tell the story about their time around the human cities and villages, but when he gets to the part about their trip to my kind’s lands, Monica abruptly takes over.

“Leon, we don’t need to bother your friends with the boring details of our journey here.”

Did I hear that right? She called him Leon. I’m sure she was more formal with him last night.

A’el picked up on something else entirely. Giving a teasing look, she says, “And now Monica decides to speak. I wonder, what could it be that she doesn’t want to share with us, Deven. A tantalizing secret perhaps?”

“Oh, no! Nothing savoury happened I assure you.”

“If that’s true, then we should let Leon finish the story. Go ahead, my dear friend.”

Leon and Monica look at each other and, in that stare, a thousand things are said between the vampire and the human that make the vampire reconsider or at the very least change the contents of the story. Leon tells the rest of the story but only says things that Monica approves of. Whenever she doesn’t nod her head in agreement, Leon takes a few steps back and somewhat changes the tale.

“Hmm,” A’el says once Leon is done with his very suspicious tale. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say that these two had an argument on their way here.”

Ah, yes. That must have been it. Their awkward laughter and pitiful attempt to deny A’el’s allegations only serves to encourage me to run with the idea. “That explains the quick change in behaviour.”

“What behaviour?” A’el asks.

Before I can respond to her question, Naisha, hovers close to A’el and whispers in her ear.

“Excuse me everyone,” A’el says. “My handmaiden has just informed me of a dreadful snow storm. I must get going immediately if I’m to reach home in time for the preparations of my coronation.”

“Coronation?” Monica asks.

“Yes dear. Two days from now, you’ll be calling me Queen A’el. I hope that won’t make you too formal with me. I’ve taken a liking to you and I don’t like every creature I come across. Ask these two if you don’t believe me.”

Leon and I nod our heads in full agreement.

“And if you think about it,” Leon says. “It’s a wonder how she ended up loving Deven.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” A’el asks.

“I’m simply saying that, our friend over here, is a lucky pup.”

I give Leon a smile that says, Leon, my friend, there are moments when I want to hug you and moments when I want to kill you. He simply smiles back at me.

“I think I’m lucky too,” A’el says.

“How so?” Leon asks.

“I’m marrying someone I think is honest and brave. A man I can trust.” She reaches up and kisses my cheek. “See you soon, my love.” As a farewell, she gives Leon and Monica a hug each. “I better see the both of you at my coronation, otherwise no creature in Kelor will spare you from me.”

“Of course, my dear friend. I wouldn’t miss it for all of Kelor.”

“I’ll be there, Princess A’el.”

“Please Monica, call me A’el.”

**********

The thin blanket of snow crunched under the horses’ hooves as we moved along a barely visible road. The prince Valark brings his horse alongside mine and says, “Leaving early was a good call, commander. How far are we to our destination?”

“We will soon be there.” I point towards a hill standing in front of us.

“That doesn’t seem to be close.”

“You can’t see it from this far but the road deeps into the town, which is before that hill.”

“I should get out of the castle more often.”

“Indeed you should, my prince.”

A faint shriek rang out, causing my hairs to stand. I signal to my patrol to stop and they obey. The shrieks grow louder and as they do, a swarm of humans emerge from the snowy sea.

“How should we attack, commander?” Valark asks.

“We are heading back to where we came from.”

“No!” he shouts. “I will not be denied my moment of glory.”

I grab the reins of his horse and say, “We are going back, that’s an order.”

“I am the prince, you can’t order me to do anythi….”

A howl tears through the air. From the swarm of humans ahead of us, a group of our kind in their werewolf form shuffles to the front.

What is going on?

“I am Prince Valark,” the prince announces to the swarm. “Why are creatures of my kind helping the enemy?” They give no response apart from the howling and shrieking. They get closer. Their black eyes like hollow caves that the light can’t penetrate. Still holding the prince’s reins, I wipe both of our horses around and set them on a sprinting race back to the town we came from.

“Why are we running away? The enemy has possessed our kind and you….”

“Boy! If you wish to die then be my guest.”

After we gain some distance away from the swarm, I bring the entire party to a halt. Turning to my men I say, “We ride back to town. Let the prince, and whoever is for him, do as he wishes.”

“I order you all to stand and fight!” Prince Valark barks. “Our brothers and sisters are….”

I set off for town before the pup can spew anymore nonsense. The entire party follows me.