Chapter 41

Damien

King Henry was enthusiastic when he learned that I had gifted my Blood Pet with my blood. He took over preparations for her Acceptance Ceremony. He invited vampire nobles from neighboring kingdoms. He spared no expense, even having a massive statue of Satan commissioned for the event.

When the nobles arrived, King Henry threw a grand banquet to welcome them. He asked me to attend, and to bring my Pet. I decided to humor him.

I suppose Henry’s excitement was natural. I had not created a vampire since I had turned him, centuries ago.

I wondered whether he and my Pet would get along once she was changed.

I ordered my servants to dress my Pet appropriately for the banquet. They brought out a low cut, deep blue gown. I shook my head.

“No,” I said. “That isn’t right.”

“Should the dress still be blue?” one servant asked.

I looked over at my Rose. She watched the servants with wary eyes. She didn’t trust them. I did not understand why she was so upset by the simple act of dressing up in nice clothing.

“This is a special night,” I informed the servants. “Choose something for my Rose that reflects the importance of the event.”

The servants scurried away to find something appropriate. I turned my attention to my Pet.

“Are you going to cooperate?” I asked her.

I was not in the mood to pander to her nonsense. I did not think tonight’s banquet was necessary. The nobles would see my Rose when she had her ceremony.

But I wanted to indulge Henry. He was my creation, and I didn’t want him to be jealous of my new Rose. He would be, in a sense, her brother. I wanted her transition to go smoothly.

My Pet looked up at me, and glanced over to the closet. Her shoulders slumped and she frowned, but she nodded.

“Answer me properly, Pet,” I ordered.

I could not let her get into the habit of being sullen.

“I will behave, Master Damien,” she replied.

I nodded. “Very good, Rose.”

At least she had stopped flinching when I used her new name. I thought it suited her much better than whatever she’d been called before.

“May I ask a question, Master Damien?” she asked.

I shrugged. She could ask. I might answer, or I might not. It depended on the question and my mood.

“Why am I being dressed up?” she asked.

Well, she would learn soon enough. I might as well tell her.

“There is a banquet tonight. You are expected to attend at my side.”

“I am?” My Pet tilted her head in thought. “Oh, I will be your meal for the feast then?”

Many of the nobles would be feeding on their Blood Pets. No one would be surprised if I did, too.

But I found that while I still craved the enticing scent of her blood, I didn’t want to feed on her at the banquet. I thought about taking her blood in front of all those watching eyes. I was surprised to feel a curl of jealousy in my gut.

It had been a very long time since I’d felt that emotion. How odd.

“No,” I said. “I will not feed from you tonight. You are only required to attend at my side.”

I ignored the visible relief on my Pet’s face. She always reacted so strongly when I fed on her. I suppose it was understandable that she did not want anyone else to see her in that state. My Pet was quite shy.

The servants reappeared with a long, blue gown. I noticed that this dress had white roses embroidered in delicate patterns along the neckline of the dress, and scattered down the skirt.

“Yes,” I decided, “this is the right dress.”

My pet cooperated with her dressers. One servant styled her hair, pinning it up so that the long line of her throat was visible. Her collar shone in the light.

She would no longer wear that once she was changed. I would find her some jewelry to replace it. A lace choker would look good on her. Perhaps some pearls. I wanted her to be properly adorned in her new life.

My Pet trembled as she walked at my side. I tucked her hand into the crook of my elbow. As a Blood Pet she should have followed a pace behind me. But she was, in a way, the guest of honor at this banquet. So I kept her close to me.

King Henry welcomed me with his usual enthusiasm. I nodded gravely at his greeting and took my seat.

Several nobles appeared to greet me. I knew they actually wanted to get a look at my Pet. I allowed the more polite ones a brief view. The rest I dismissed with a look.

Henry kept up a lively conversation.

“Have you heard the latest news about the werewolf rebellion?” Henry asked me after sipping from his goblet.

I was unaware there was any such thing. I shook my head.

“Some new leader has risen up. He’s a wily one.”

“Really?” I asked, not really interested. I was only pandering to Henry.

The werewolves were just dumb beasts. They stood no chance in a new rebellion. They had never stood any chance against us.

“He orchestrated a raid on this castle, if you can believe it,” Henry continued. “I have to say, I almost admire the audacity.”

“There was a raid?” I asked.

I hadn’t noticed anything unusual happening. Was I that disconnected from events that I missed someone attacking the place where I currently resided?

Henry shrugged elegantly and sipped at his goblet.

“It was quickly put down,” Henry said. “I did not think it was important enough to bother you with. You have your new Pet to occupy you, and her Ceremony to prepare for.”

“Thank you for the consideration,” I said.

I hadn’t decided yet whether I was being genuine or sarcastic. I would allow Henry to interpret my tone however he liked.

“Anyway, it wasn’t much of a raid. But we did take several of the rabble captive. I imagine interrogating them will be entertaining,” Henry said.

“Do you think they have any useful intelligence?” I asked.

I couldn’t imagine what the beasts might know that was worth bothering to question them. I would just execute them and be done with it. But I supposed it was harmless enough for Henry to have his little amusements.

“I doubt it,” Henry said with a shrug. “I imagine I might be able to make a few of them betray the rest. They could tell me where the ones we didn’t catch have hidden themselves.”

“You plan to hunt them down?” I asked.

Henry shrugged. “I might, once the plans for your Pet’s Acceptance Ceremony are completed. I understand that that is far more important, of course.”

“Of course,” I agreed.

My Pet was definitely more important than a bunch of insects. Let them throw their little tantrum. I didn’t care.

“Have you seen the statue I commissioned? I truly think it catches the Dark Lord’s visage beautifully. It will make a lovely centerpiece.”

“I haven’t seen it yet,” I said, “I was unaware the piece had been delivered already.”

“Oh, yes, it only arrived today. I will show you after the banquet. On the subject of decorations, how do you feel about a winter theme? I was thinking of hanging crystal garlands on the altar.”

“That sounds lovely,” I said.

Henry prattled on about the plans he’d made for the ceremony. I stroked a hand through my Pet’s hair as I listened.

I noticed that she shivered several times throughout the night. Was she cold? I had chosen a dress that covered more of her skin than usual. Perhaps I should have added a cloak.

Oh, well, after she was changed she would not need to worry about the cold any longer. I could not remember the last time I had felt cold.