Chapter 6: Decisions, Decisions

Sidia's eyes flew open, and she sat up straight in bed. Light still suffused the room, and Sidia could see everything clearly. She looked for Marcus but realized quickly that it was just a dream. Disappointment washed over, and she sank back into the pillows. However, another stab of emotion sent her sitting up again. How could she possibly be dreaming like that about someone she had just met? She had never had feelings for anyone before. Of course, there were boys her age around the family's estate growing up, but she had no mind for them. In fact, she had never really thought about romance in any context in the first place. All Sidia had ever cared about were the stories sprawling in the pages of her family's book collection.

It's never going to happen anyway, Sidia thought to herself. Even if she took the time to get to know Marcus and figure out these confusing feelings, it wouldn't matter. He was centuries old, dashing, powerful, and probably more intelligent than she could ever hope to be. And if that wasn't enough to deter her, she also had to think about Severus's claim on her. Even if she indulged herself in the fantasy of Marcus returning any romantic gestures, she was more than positive that Severus would have his own objections.

Despite the cool and earthy air of her new room, sweat beaded on the back of her neck. She had never kissed anyone before, so she marveled at the way she felt Marcus in her dream. Everything felt so real. His cold skin, strong grip, and insistent lips. She had never known the touch of a lover, so if what she dreamt felt so good . . . imagine how it would actually feel!

No! Sidia scolded herself and got out of bed, desperate to clear her mind. She went over to the cosmetics table and immediately noticed the water in the stone tub was clear once more. Had someone switched it out while she slept? Had someone been watching her dream? The thought made her shudder.

You'll have to get used to it, Sidia thought. She would clearly be here for a while, and that would mean vampires constantly stalking her. With how fast they could move, who knows how many times they would flit past her? She would never be truly alone while a guest of the coven, so she would have to be extremely careful, especially if she wanted to do anything about this arrangement her family had made so long ago with Severus.

Sidia decided to sink back into the tub. The hot water had felt so good earlier, and she wanted to feel it again, even if she didn't necessarily need it. Besides, it would be an excellent opportunity to think without laying in the bed and staring at the ceiling. She quickly undressed and added more soap and oil. As the water flowed over her, she closed her eyes and soaked, questions ringing out in her head.

Why did Severus need her family? He said the seer had directed him to them, but why was her family so important? Furthermore, if he truly let some of them go, why had they never returned home? Why did her own father not have more details about the origin of the pact? Why had they ever agreed to this in the first place?

That final question made her wonder about something else. Severus said that some of her family members had chosen to stay in the coven, presumably meaning they had been turned into vampires. How could anyone in her family ever be willing to become such vile creatures? It made her ill to imagine her predecessors siding with vampires. How could any human ever want to become one?

Her disgust quickly turned to shame when she remembered her dream about Marcus. She thought of vampires as something evil and terrible, yet she had just imagined one of them practically ravishing her.

Stop thinking about it! Sidia chided herself. She needed to focus on learning more information about the coven. The goal here was not romance. If she was going to fall for one of them anyway, it would make more sense for it to be Severus. He said they were fated to be together, and he was more conventionally handsome. Marcus wasn't unattractive at all, but there was something different about him. The shape of his face didn't make her think of ancient art and glorious empires as Severus did. No, Marcus made her think of cold nights under full moons, poetry carefully copied to be included in love letters, and deep ocean tides. He was beautiful in a quiet way, so very opposite of Severus's boldness and magnificence.

Sidia sighed, angry at herself for thinking about it for so long. She was going back to her questions, scrutinizing everything she had heard and seen since arriving, when there was a loud knock at the door.

"Sidia? Are you decent?" Severus's voice sounded surprisingly clear through the heavy door.

"No, I'm not. Give me just a moment." Sidia hurriedly looked around the room for her linen shirt and trousers. They would be easier to put on, but they were nowhere to be found. Someone must have retrieved them while she slept. Pushing back her annoyance, she dashed to the wardrobe and fished out a plain navy blue linen dress with a heavy bodice. It took a few minutes to pull it over her head and figure out the laces since she wasn't accustomed to such attire, but soon she was brushing her hair off her face and approaching the door.

"I am ready now." Sidia called out.

The door swung inward, and Severus entered. This time, he wore an outfit more suited for Sidia's time. He looked rather handsome in high-waisted pants and a dark purple vest. Even though he was dressed more casually now, Sidia still felt woefully inadequate. Her hair was still slightly damp from the bath, and her dress was hastily straightened out. Even in such fine material, she probably looked like a pauper.

"Did you rest well, Sidia?" Severus flashed a brilliant smile and gave her a small bow in greeting.

I would've rested better if I wasn't dreaming about your brother, Sidia thought. She forced a smile in return and hoped it looked convincing.

"Yes. I've never slept in such a comfortable bed."

"Excellent! I'm sure you still have plenty of questions to ask me. However, I was hoping we could take a walk? I'd like to show you something special." He extended an arm, waiting for her to take it.

"Of course, Severus." Sidia stepped out into the hallway, accepting his arm. "By walk, you mean we will actually walk, yes? I don't think I like being whisked away."

Severus chuckled. "Usually a woman of your age dreams of such a thing. But yes, I want to walk at a human pace with you. I have not done so in such a long time. I am quite used to whisking around."

Sidia giggled at his response, surprising herself. She didn't want to find him so charming.

"I appreciate you slowing down for a mere mortal. It will certainly give me more time to enjoy the architecture."

Sidia looked around as they proceeded down the hall. The construction of the castle was brilliant. The corridor they traversed had a curved ceiling, allowing for evenly spaced archways that provided support. Between each archway, nooks had been carved into the stone surface. More of the floating lights she had seen in the main hall warmed the spaces with a lovely glow. Water trickled over much of the stone surfaces, the sheen of the water adding another layer of texture most pleasing to the eye.

"I am glad you enjoy my home so much. We spent a long time crafting it. It took us a few centuries to perfect it, and now we just maintain."

"We? Do you mean you and Marcus?" Sidia didn't know if she could question Severus as she had his brother when they first met. It was impossible to explain, but Marcus exuded safety and warmth that Severus did not. She wasn't confident that he wouldn't become angry if she pushed too hard.

"I mean some of my original subjects. Your history books are right in that I was defending Hadrian's Wall at the time of my supposed death. After the seer delivered his vision and turned me into a vampire, I sent a messenger to reach Marcus back in Rome. Keeping hold of the throne was already a struggle, so he wasn't surprised when the messenger brought him orders from me to gather our most loyal and retreat into the mountains for further instruction." Severus's voice was pleasantly light, his tone laced with inflections that made his accent almost musical. His speech carried a natural rhythm, and Sidia couldn't help but imagine what it would sound like to hear him read some of her favorite poetry out loud.

"So the seer was a vampire? Since he turned you? Who was this seer?" Her questions came out faster than she intended.

"So inquisitive!" Severus laughed. "Yes, the seer was a rather old vampire. I dare say he was the original vampire, but he never confirmed my suspicion. He imbued me with so much power, though."

A powerful vampire able to tell the future decided that Severus would be the perfect vampire emperor to rule the world? That sounded like fantasy. Of course, before meeting Severus, she would have had the same reaction if someone told her vampires were real. The world held so many mysteries.

"You are deep in thought," Severus commented.

Sidia turned to look at him for a moment, struck by the intensity of his eyes.

"Yes," she responded. "I have so many questions for you. I'm just figuring out how to phrase them."

"Well, put all those questions away for the time being. I am much more excited about what I have to show you." Severus patted her hand, but it felt less like a friendly gesture and more like a signal that she was not allowed to ask any more questions.

Sidia nodded, and the two fell into silence as they walked. The hall ended in a split, another hallway winding away into the mountain, but a heavy oak door took up the wall to her right. Severus stopped them at the door and pushed it open. This led them through another corridor. Severus made a point to comment on the various features of the castle over the next few minutes they walked. It did not take long for him to stop them once more outside a set of double doors, again made from oak.

"Over the years, Sidia, I have sent a trusted servant to watch you grow up. I have done that for the past few generations, anxious to see if I could determine which one would be the one from the seer's vision. My servant always had much to say, but they repeated one thing consistently. Would you like to know what that is?" Severus had let go of Sidia, leaning towards the door, excitement glittering in his eyes.

"I'm afraid to ask. I'm sure they witnessed me do many embarrassing things." Sidia blushed.

"Oh no, no need to be embarrassed. You should be proud! You see, they remarked on your intelligence and found your love of reading quite fascinating. Since they can only venture out at night, they were surprised to usually see you staying up late into the night and pouring over a tome." Severus beamed as he spoke, as if he was truly impressed with how much Sidia loved learning.

"You're flattering me too much. I'm sure you have read more than I can comprehend." Sidia enjoyed his obvious admiration, but she had never received such attention in her life, much less from someone like Severus. Regardless of her suspicions about him and the coven, it did make her feel good that such a handsome immortal creature saw her as important.

Severus gazed down at her and took a step closer. He reached up to brush a stray lock of her still-damp hair from her face. Then, he delicately held her chin, tilting her head up to him.

"Time means nothing, Sidia. I have read every book I have ever found over the centuries. I have read more than you have ever read, but not more than you could comprehend. You are so intelligent." Before she could respond to him, he leaned forward, his lips so close to her face. Her pulse quickened, and she froze, uncertain of his intentions.

However, he did nothing untoward. He had simply moved closer so as to whisper in her ear. "You could rule an entire empire with such ease. I cannot wait to discuss such matters with you, and I cannot wait to read with you."

Sidia was too stunned to speak. Her parents had let her do as she pleased growing up, but they didn't value what that meant. Of course, they let her read and educate herself in a way only men were allowed to do, but they never celebrated that. Severus was not only impressed by it, but he wanted to delight in her wisdom and knowledge with her! She felt the tears and pushed them down, determined not to show too much emotion.

"And here is where we will do our reading, dear Sidia." Severus pulled away to throw open the doors before them, and Sidia's jaw dropped. Piles, stacks, shelves, and tables of books in a room as large as the throne room stretched out. She didn't think it was possible for someone to own so many books!

Emotions stormed inside her heart as she saw the smile on Severus's face as he gestured towards the library. How could she possibly do anything to jeopardize the future he was clearly offering her? How could she free her family from the coven if she didn't want to be freed from them?

Oh no, Sidia thought. What if she wanted this? What if she wanted to be a vampire and spend eternity with an impossibly handsome man ruling an empire?