The Vampire & Her Witch

Jocelynn sat in the chair next to her sister and watched with a heavy heart as Ashlynn and Nyrielle shared in their moment of triumph.

She was happy for Ash. She’d reminded herself of that at least seven times since the first cheer of ’forever may they reign.’ But the longer the cheers went on, the more out of place she felt.

Heila wore a proud smile on her lips, basking in the affection that Ignatious showered on her while she watched Ashlynn receiving the praise of the crowd, and Jocelynn couldn’t blame her for feeling proud. She’d been at Ashlynn’s side almost the entire time, and this empire was her moment of triumph as much as it was Ashlynn’s.

The same could be said of Virve, who had helped craft the Blood Acorn that gave rise to the Bloodroot Tree from which the empire took its name, or Ollie on the opposite side of the table, who’d helped bring the Dunns over to Ashlynn’s side before she revealed herself to the March.

Of everyone sitting at the central table, only High Lord Dirar and Rastlan had done nothing to contribute to this moment, and even then, at least they had a good reason to sit where they did. Jocelynn, however, found it difficult to sit comfortably in a seat so close to her sister in what must have been Ashlynn’s proudest moment.

”Your time will come,” Dirar said, leaning across the table to address Jocelynn directly while most of the Great Hall was focused on the Empresses of the newly named Bloodroot Empire. ”You survived to make it this far, despite the cost. You’ve only just placed your feet upon the path. Be patient; the hardest parts are still ahead, but so are your greatest opportunities.”

”Excuse me?” Jocelynn said, blinking in surprise both at the attention and the familiarity with which the High Lord addressed her.

”Someone hung a lantern in the stars to guide you,” Dirar said. ”And the price they paid to light your way was not small. That tells me your journey to arrive here has been difficult, even if I knew nothing else about you. Tonight, your sister’s star eclipses almost all others,” he said with a sad smile. ”Yours will shine brightly soon enough.”

”I thought you didn’t like prophecies, Highest One,” Jocelynn said, trying to regain her footing in the unexpected conversation. ”Are you giving me one now?”

”No, I’m not looking at the future,” Dirar said, shaking his head at the young woman. ”I don’t have to divine the future to see the signs of sorcery that cling to you. Someone treasured your life more than you treasure it. This is a sign that’s difficult to ignore. But your sister,” he said, glancing briefly in Ashlynn’s direction. ”Your sister treasures you too, or you would not be here beside her at this moment.”

”Celebrate it with her,” Dirar said, giving Jocelynn a slight smile as he pulled back. ”And if you need someone to talk to, join me for tea. We can speak of many things, or nothing, as you wish,” he said, leaving Jocelynn no clearer on his intentions than she’d been when he first leaned over.

Jocelynn knew that some people could perceive the blessing Eleanor had bestowed on her. When High Priest Aubin mentioned it, she’d almost been relieved that someone might understand, and she’d confided deeply in the aging priest while she grieved for her cousin.

Having a stranger see her so clearly was a different matter entirely, and it was far from comforting in the way the High Lord might have intended. Perhaps, among his people, there were no expectations of privacy when it came to the blessings bestowed by dying loved ones, but Jocelynn doubted that was true.

Instead, she wondered if this was his way of trying to get close to her, using his people’s apparent knowledge of ’the Heavens’ as a way to gain access to the fledgling imperial family. It was a cynical thought, and she wasn’t entirely certain that Dirar deserved it. Just thinking it, however, helped to restore a sense of internal balance and return her attention to her sister who had begun to address the crowd again.

”Several days ago,” Ashlynn said. ”I told you all that I intended to reorganize the Verdant Hills. I’ve spoken to many of you since then, and today, it’s time for those conversations to bear fruit.”

”We’re setting aside the old order to establish a new one,” Ashlynn told the crowd. ”That work won’t be complete in a day. One year from now, on Midwinter’s Night, we’ll formally celebrate the establishment of the Bloodroot Empire. Between now and then, we have much work to do and many positions in our new empire will need to be filled.”

”We will not fill every position in the empire tonight, but we will describe the shape of them and some of you,” Ashlynn added with a smile. ”Will finally receive the recognition and the positions you so richly deserve...”

The hall erupted into whispers at her announcement, and several people leaned forward, hanging on her every word as they waited for the announcements to come. She’d already told them one of the most important things, after all; even if they didn’t secure a position in the new order tonight, they still had a year to prove their worth.

Some people, like Brighde, wore a calculating expression as they considered what sort of advantages they might have, or at least, which ones they could convince the new empresses that they held. Others, like Eira, were simply eager to see what opportunities awaited them in the Bloodroot Empire.

But a few, like Gilander, wore a resigned expression as they waited to hear how far they’d fallen in this new world. It was almost certain, after all, that Lady Ashlynn had no need of an aging knight, a relic of the last war and loyal servant of her enemy, either as a bodyguard or an advisor. In which case, perhaps he would be lucky to find himself still the lord of his village when all was said and done.

Many eyes turned to High Lord Dirar, expecting Ashlynn to lay out her vision for their most important and most powerful guest. But rather than starting from the top, Ashlynn turned her attention to one of the most humble and least influential knights in the room.

”Sir Carwyn Belvin,” Ashlynn said, smiling at the young knight and expectant father. ”You are a fine knight and a good lord to your people. If you don’t mind, I’d like to hold you and your village up as an example to others.”

”I’m honored, your Dominion,” Sir Carwyn said, standing up and saluting with the tips of his fingers pressed to his chest. ”Whatever you need of me, you have only to ask...”