Coffin Without Honour

The hoard of goblins hissed and spat at me, bearing their pointed jagged teeth as they chattered menacingly. Goblins were small creatures, but together they gave true meaning to the phrase strength in numbers. Their attitude changed drastically when a few of their kind came to back up a single goblin. A smirk crossed my lips at their ridiculous attempt at being threatening. It mighthave worked against a small dog, but certainly not me.   The smirk angered them further and they chattered more, dancing and bobbing about withspears. I bared my teeth back at them and growled, deep and low. Their noise stopped for a split second as they realised what they were dealing with. But I was hungry and not in the least picky. A goblin hoard would suit me just fine, unfortunately for them. I charged at them, unnaturally fast, grabbing one by the neck and snapping it instantly. The goblin went limb in my grasp and greedily, I latched my

I cracked my eyes open, the darkness of the room still present due to the closed curtains. I stretched my arms, fingertips brushing along the sheets beneath me as I did. By Nicneven, I needed that rest. A vampiress could only go so long without sleep. Though the smell of stagnant blood, earth and gore reached my senses. I peered down at my rather crusty and pungent clothes. Shit. In my eagerness to get into bed, I'd forgotten to change. Well, there was no way I could see Rhuesia looking like this. I'd rather go through the turning again than imagine what she'd say if I went before her as I was. A bath it would have to be, not like I'd been privy to one of those in a while either, unless you counted the river.    Releasing my grip on the comfortable bed bar, I floated back around to a standing position, leaping off the bed and yawning my way into the bath chamber. At least I'd removed my socks and boots last night, they were probably smelling a bit fresh th

"You are joking!" I spat at Rhuesia, though despite my tone, she simply gazed at me with eyebrow raised. "I am as serious as the grave Corisande. It will be a glorious union." She stated, as though this was a fact rather than an opinion. "You do not know that." I hissed back. "And why was I not consulted about my own marriage? Surely that is something the bride of all people needs to be aware of!" I flashed my fangs as the anger poured over me like water. Who in Nicneven's name did Rhuesia think she was? I ignored the little rational voice in my head that pointed out the Clan Leader and Elder Vampiress. "You were away. A decision needed to be made and negotiations were swift." She said again in the tone of voice I hated. Again as if it was fact. A sealed bargain that no one could dispute. The one she used when her word was law. "There was no contact about this before I left." I pointed out. "Meaning the message came in and was subsequently deci

“What!?” Lixiss screeched, her eyes shifting to cat like slits before returning to normal. A sigh blew through my fangs. “You said to tell you what Rhuesia wanted. This was it. I’m not overly thrilled either you know.” “So now you’re bound to marry the man who kills you. Fantastic. Shall I make the funeral preparations now or wait till after I have to gather up your body?” I raised an eyebrow at her. “Thanks for the confidence.”

I had to say, if there was one thing I approved of in this place, it was that the Royal Clan knew their bathing tubs. The one that greeted my vision was more opulent and spacious than any I had come across. It was made of solid porcelain, with golden clawed feet so that it stood off the ground. It had metal things on one end. Reaching out my fingertips, I twisted one, interested to see what would happen. Warm water immediately gushed out of the thin pipe into the tub. Was it undignified for a vampiress to squeal with delight? By Nicneven, it was as if all my bathing prayers over the centuries had been answered.