Her Eternal Love | Maria Christine

Her Eternal Love

A story of forbidden love in the dark Realm of Shadows

Dark Fantasy, Love Story, Revelation Cliffhanger

(Excerpt)

Chapter 1

Elena sat atop the highest rock staring out upon the splendid view. An amethyst cloak shielded her soft caramel skin from the cool mountain breeze. She fixed her gaze upon the glorious range and vast rain forest below, and she pondered. It had been ten years. Ten years since her nineteenth birthday—the night she’d danced in the woods with her friends until the midnight hour. A decade since she’d changed—or rather, when someone changed her—into a vampire.

For years, she avoided contact with ordinary humans in effort to stay her thirst. She didn’t want to harm anyone, and the blood of non-magical beings was nearly irresistible. Over the years she’d learned to feast on the nectar of fruits and even flowers. Lately, however, she felt different. Something inside was beginning to erupt. It was a craving, a hunger she’d suppressed for many years yet was beginning to beckon her against any restraint she might have.

This wasn’t a thirst for blood; it was different. Elena knew exactly what it was and tried desperately to shake it to no avail. She had to have Decio. She felt his pulse near. Not the pulse of a beating heart, but the pulse of his beating soul. And he felt hers too.

Chapter 2

Rarely in a vampire’s everlasting life does he feel such emotion, but Elena and Decio shared a bond; an unyielding connection that burned in their hearts like a roaring flame yet could never be satisfied. They could not be together for it was forbidden—forbidden by the keeper of the tenet; daughter of Lucifer and wife of the Emperor, Imperial Lord LaVius, ruler of the Seventh Dimension. She was known by many names, among them Empress Domnina, governor of the Realm of Shadows.

The rules set by the empress were never to be questioned, and no one ever dared to pass the thought. It had been the natural way of things for centuries. In fact, the empress regarded Elena’s family as her own, and before falling in love with Decio, Elena never questioned the governor’s decisions. Elena indeed stayed away as instructed, but her heart ached for him. And as her hunger for Decio increased, the more determined she became to find out why they were ordered to stay apart.

M’Shara, the wise mystic of the woods, was Elena’s mother and a fierce friend to the empress. She had untold powers and superior clairvoyance. She knew the truth behind the separation of Elena and Decio but felt that explanation was not necessary; the rules were set and that was enough. But she also knew that her daughter was near. Her senses told her that Elena was returning to the realm and would inevitably—against all council and reason—confront the governor.

The woods were murky and cool. M’Shara sat at the round oak table in her cottage, staring into the pool of her scrying bowl. As the ripples in the water settled, her own reflection: dark brown skin and deep purple eyes, began to fade and the image of her daughter became clear. She saw what Elena was planning, and she knew the dangerous aftermath that would follow those actions. She was shaken. Her nails gripped the table. She had to do something right away. She had to get to the empress before her daughter had a chance. She slipped under a black cloak and rushed to her horse. There was not a moment to lose.

Chapter 3

As she neared the land that housed the black citadel, palace of the Emperor and Empress, M’Shara felt a distinct chill. She was definitely close. Dusk was fading into night and she could not see the fortress, but there were watchers that would know she approached. She would be welcomed, but was on her guard. As she rode through the woods at high speed, she knew that many eyes were upon her, though she could see none. She threw back her hood so the unseen guards would recognize her and hold their positions. They let her pass. Word however, did reach the palace long before M’Shara reached the gates. They opened as she approached. She never slowed down.

Outside, the palace was dark, forbidding, and its basalt walls were cool to the touch. Inside, it was warm. Red rugs adorned the stone floors and stairs, and enormous fireplaces were in every room including the front entry. Inside them, the flames seemed to come from the depths somewhere beneath the floor, possibly underground.

LaVius and Domnina were in the dining hall. He was just finishing a rich meal of boar and sour bread, and she stood behind him dressed in red velvet, her hands firmly massaging his neck as he ate. LaVius had skin of ivory and hair that flowed like a river of silk past his powerful shoulders. Domnina’s skin was a warm olive tone, and was radiant in the muted light. Her dark hair was swept up regally, and her lips matched her gown, as did the very large inferno ruby ring that adorned her marriage finger. It warmed her hand whenever magical beings neared. She smiled when she was alerted to M’Shara’s arrival.

“She nears, my dear LaVius.”

“Yes, I could feel her heartbeat some time ago,” he answered as he wiped his mouth with a cloth then dropped it on the table.

The empress slid around to his side and both drank the red wine from their cups. M’Shara was announced, and at the nod of the dark lord, she was allowed to enter.

LaVius groaned as he swallowed the liquid. Although he too was fond of M’Shara—and he wasn’t fond of many—he knew something of M’Shara’s business with them this night. He simmered silently and waited for her to begin. The empress was not as aware at the moment. She ushered her friend into the room and embraced her. “M’Shara, come in. Have something to eat.”

“Thank you. No,” M’Shara answered.

“Then a drink? I insist,” the empress pressed. “Sit here. I’ll pour.”

A male servant came in, but Domnina insisted on pouring the wine. He cleared the table and brought LaVius something stronger to drink.

M’Shara seemed a bit uncomfortable and LaVius noticed at once. He looked at her intently but didn’t give away what he knew. “You seem troubled M’Shara,” he said. “Come now. Tell us what is on your mind.”

The empress’s back stiffened when she heard his tone. Her eyes darted to her friend. “M’Shara?” she asked suspiciously. “Why have you come?”

M’Shara breathed deeply and began. “It is true. Something weighs on my mind. I come to you as a friend. I must ask something of you, and I beg you will see reason.”

The governor’s eyes began to darken. M’Shara held the goblet in her hand and began to swirl the wine. She tried to compose herself. LaVius watched his wife with tongue in cheek.

Empress Domnina stood firmly. She was not always a patient person. “Do you wish to tell me what is on your mind, M’Shara?”

M’Shara stilled the wine and gazed up at her sinister-looking friend. “It’s Elena,” she blurted.

LaVius knew as much. He grinned slyly and chuckled to himself as he took a drink, but never looked up from his goblet.

The empress closed her eyes and turned away. “M’Shara,” she began as she stared into the burning fireplace. “Does this have anything to do with her return?” She was sure of the truth, yet still bothered to hope she was wrong. She didn’t want M’Shara to ask what she was about to.

M’Shara stood from her chair. “Then you knew she was back?”

“Of course,” Domnina replied, her back ever turned. “Well?” she tittered. “What is bothering you?”

“It is about Decio.”

The empress’s eyes shot sharply to her friend. “Decio? You know that what is done is done. Furthermore, you know why they must remain apart.”

“Yes,” M’Shara breathed. “I know better than anyone. But please hear me out. I did not come here to change your mind. I agree they must stay parted, but my daughter has been gone a long while. She has returned, and I have foreseen the reason. They are drawn to each other—more than ever before. Their souls beckon each other and she is no longer able to stay away. She has decided to confront you.”

Domnina’s look became harsh. “You know how that will end. As does your daughter.”

“That is why I have come, to beg for your favor,” said M’Shara.

“I will not disregard her insolence,” said Domnina.

“You must!” M’Shara grabbed her friend’s sleeve. “Please!”

The empress was truly taken aback. M’Shara had never been like this. She pondered a few thoughts.

“M’Shara, I like to think of myself as reasonable and tolerant—”

M’Shara knew this not to be true, but agreed aloud. LaVius seemed amused. The empress looked his way shrewdly and finished her remarks. “My friend, we have known each other for nearly an age. I will carefully consider your request, and you will be made aware of my decision when the time comes.”

M’Shara smiled charily. She knew there was nothing more she could ask.

The empress then handed M’Shara her drink and took her own goblet to her lips. “Let us drink.”

They both sipped the Mourvèdre wine and LaVius stood from the table. He towered over M’Shara and he took her hand. “The solstice ball is in two nights. Please say you’ll be in attendance.”

“I would never miss it,” she replied.

He bowed his head to her politely, and she did in return.

Empress Domnina drank her wine and pondered Elena once more. Her ring burned like fire against her skin. She knew who was nearby. She grinned but made no mention. Then her husband took her gently by the neck with one hand and softly kissed her there. Her tensions drifted away in an instant. He then left the women in order to attend to other business.

M’Shara shared more wine with the empress, but they spoke no more of Elena. Later, when she rode away into the dark forest, she could feel that her daughter was close.

Elena sat perched high on the branch of a giant kauri tree and watched her mother leave the castle. She would confront the empress at the solstice ball. But first, she would go to see Decio.

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