Wings of Enchantment (The Vampire Genesis Chronicles), page 1
Wings of Enchantment
Lara Bronson
All rights reserved. Tacit Press, LLC 2023
Contents
Title Page
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Glossary
Afterword
About The Author
The Vampire Genesis Chronicles
Prologue
In the heart of Europe, on the lands of modern-day Romania, during medieval times, was a country called Wallachia. A land where, during those times, ruled Vlad the Impaler. That’s what the true history tells us. But within the depths of its forests, a different kind of world exists, The Other Realm. Though the names of its creatures remain part of the Romanian lore, no one knows about the parallel history unfolding within the forest’s foliaged boundaries.
The only reason we are introduced to it is because of Petra, an American student who accidentally time-traveled here and lived to tell the tale.
Because of her, we discovered that in the Forest of Celestial Rites, the first-ever vampyr was born. We also learned of beings similar to the vampyr but more feral, like strigoii. Up the mountains, one could find vârcolacii’s den, another name for werewolves. While at the foot of the mountains, one might find Solomonarul, a redheaded man who wielded weather with the help of his magical jars. On the other side of the woods lived forest-protecting nymphs, or as the Wallachians liked to call them, Ielele.
These are just a few creatures roaming the lands that we know of. And even though these creatures hold magical powers, one thing is certain, they all yearn the same as any human would: the freedom to live.
TW: To be denoted that this volume includes scenes describing stalking, kidnapping, violence, gore, murder, and intimate intercourse.
Chapter 1
NARCIS
She was one of a kind. Her deep-green eyes and her brown hair embodied the colors of a summer forest. Her statuesque body would’ve fit just right underneath me. I couldn’t wait to make her writhe with the help of my skillful fingers. I could only imagine her grateful, satisfied face afterward.
But these weren’t the only qualities that made her unique. Oh, no. What set her apart was the ability to withstand my charms. I was Narcis Zburătorul, the most skilled seducer in all Wallachia, the sole being with the most spectacular wings in The Other Realm. While she was but a castle maid returned to her home in the village. Still, somehow this unmarried maiden didn’t fall for my charms. MY charms. An unheard-of occurrence and I had to find out why.
From a bird’s view, finding her worn-out house didn’t take long. Most days, she cared for her three siblings and father, cooked food, and tended to the animals. At dawn, she would work in the garden behind her house. The entire day she would milk the cow, bake bread, and carry water from the well. During evenings, her father would return home, and she would seat her family at the table for a warm meal. Afterward, she would bathe her two sisters and brother and tuck them to sleep. Then she would stay up till late at night embroidering. A most boring life if I’ve ever seen one. But here I was, perched on a tree, watching her dull life day by day. If only she knew how much fun we could have together, she wouldn’t fuss so much over trivial matters. I could teach her supple mouth to crave more and her body to never stop desiring.
The first time I met her was at my birdhouse. She joined a crew of four on a quest to take a feather of mine. Petra, the castle maid turned princess, was there too. Because of Petra, I risked my feathery safety and entered the castle at night. My charms worked on her perfectly, though I sensed she yearned for that soon-to-be husband of hers. A gorgeous man as well.
That day, they climbed my humble abode uninvited, and they had the nerve to cover their eyes once they saw what generous endowments nature gifted me. I didn’t see a reason to hide my beauty, but since ignorant people cared more about their vanity, I pulled up my pants and prepared to flee. “If I don’t receive the proper admiration for my exquisite presence, I leave.”
Alas, my intruders considered my departure a form of evasion and tackled me to the ground. You might ask who dragged me by the foot? A youngling. The brother-in-law of the Castle Maid Turned Princess. I wanted to howl in frustration, but it would’ve alerted them of my strength and power. Thus, I let them believe they had the upper hand, though, in reality, they knew nothing. I liked to play with humans like that. So I decided to use my charms on the princess once more.
And I would’ve charmed her if it wasn’t for her––Anca. Not only did she not become entranced by me, but she also woke the princess from my delicious snares. I told them about my visit to Milady’s castle and the risks I took, but Anca told me: “It is hard to feel pity for you, unnatural creature.” Her voice sounded like myrrh pouring into my ears, so delicate, enticing, and ravishing. Her hair undulating in the wind made her even more alluring.
Like any red-blooded Flyer, I did what I do best: charm her. Immediately, I began enumerating all her attributes, like the beauty of her eyes, and that pout…A rose bud waiting to bloom under my spell. A bit thorny though. I could see her loathing me from afar. But an innate hatred for me never stopped my stupendous allure. No maiden has ever withstood it. Except her. “Uh, she makes me so angry.” I grabbed my silky blonde hair with both hands and almost ripped it from its roots.
Could you imagine my devastation when she didn’t flinch at my greatness? She said, “You can try your best, creature, for I will never fall for your traps. I got better things to do.”
“Can you believe it?” She got better things to do. What things were ever better than me? On top of that, she had the nerve to insult my gift. “He calls it a gift,” she said. Anger roiled in me like a hive of bees. Still, I reinstated my composure as no maiden could force me out of my wits. I summoned my snares once more, and what did she say? “Your tricks will never work on me. Loathing you is what makes me happy.”
Like the wise being I was, I told her, “Loathing and love start with the same letters. The end is what matters. Once I’m done with you, you will know what passion means. Unfortunately, your heart may not have enough space for love now. But do not fret maiden, we can take care of your little, patched heart and soon––”
“Would you try something you know you’d fail?” The nerve of this maiden.
“Any day,” I told her.
But Petra’s husband didn’t let the alluring biscuit talk anymore. Instead, he touched my feathers inappropriately as if I would grant him one for free. Only when Solomonarul said Tiberiu, the handsome wolf, was involved in this did I finally agree. Though on one condition. Thus, I convinced those dolts to fix my house in exchange for a feather. Quite nifty of a deal if you asked me.
The maiden went with Petra, the princess, and her youngling brother-in-law to gather wood for my birdhouse. Except my house stood high on the tallest tree in the vicinity, so the only way to get down was by using a ladder. I had an old one from when I first became a Flyer. I let them use it, knowing full well its days were numbered.
At first, no one complained, but then everyone got their feathers ruffled when those rotten steps cracked underneath my sweet maiden’s feet. It didn’t take long for her to hold on to dear life by a single thread. Like a true hero, I swooped in and saved her from a surefire death. And what did she repay me with? By spitting more fire from her gorgeous mouth. Unbelievable.
I did say I was grateful for the broken ladder as I had the opportunity to touch her suave body. And she dared to attack ME and say I did so intentionally. Sweetheart, I did many things intentionally, but breaking ladders to convince a woman of my honest intentions? Never. I could have any maiden I wanted and some welcoming married women. It came with the territory of being a Flyer. Except this one had the audacity not only to remain impassive to my presence, but she also considered it her duty to say it to my face.
In the end, they did as promised. They restored my wonderful abode, but as I flew them down, my frenemies decided to visit us, strigoii. My mistress liked to play games like that (I hadn’t heard from her for a while. I should visit her soon). But then I saw how the humans fought with great valor, and I couldn’t help but admire their actions.
My generous heart couldn’t let them fail their quest. Thus I gifted them one of my feathers, threw myself in the face of danger, and let the bloodsuckers drag me into the woods. I could say unselfishness flowed through my veins. As usual, strigoii took a taste of me, realized their mistake, and fled. Working with su
The event would’ve passed as any other day in The Other Realm, except I couldn’t forget her. Her spirit, her courage, her determination not to succumb to my charms. All of it compelled me to find her once more.
As I watched her sweep her yard most delightfully, I became more convinced she had to become mine. “Do not fret, my dear maiden. I’ll make sure to take my sweet, sweet revenge. Once you enter the snares of my embrace, life as you know it will end.”
Chapter 2
ANCA
"Otilia, dear, you must be gentle when you milk the cow. You remind me of Milady Petra. She also used too much power to squeeze a drop of milk. If you press too hard, you’ll hurt her udder, and she might stop giving us milk.”
“But I like milk,” said Otilia, already pouting.
“I know. We are lucky to have her. But a gentle touch will make everyone happy.”
“Can you help me this one time?”
“Otilia, you’re already twelve. At your age, I would finish all the nuns’ chores by noon,” I said. “A couple of years later, I went to work for Mama Nica at the castle. And let me tell you, Mama Nica did not welcome a no for an answer. Everyone worked, including her.”
“You never told me about your life at the nunnery,” Otilia said. “I want to know more.”
“Well, you were never old enough to ask, but go ahead and I’ll answer all your questions,” I said as I sat on the small stool and began milking the cow.
“Why did you go there? Father says nuns take in only orphans. But you’re not one. You have us and always had.”
“When the three of us were much younger, Mother and Father struggled to feed us all. Father had no choice but to plead with the nuns, asking them to take me in. He promised I would behave and behave I did. I didn’t want to risk being sent to work in the lands of harsh boyars and never see you again. In the end, we still lost Mother. But no one could’ve predicted her sickness. In the end, we still lost Mother. But no one could’ve predicted her sickness,” I said.
“But how did you end up at His Majesty’s castle?” Otilia asked.
“One time, Mama Nica came to the nunnery looking for maids she could teach herself. In the past, the maids tending to the castle either stole from the nobles or were pregnant by the end of winter. Mama Nica was so enraged she went to the nuns in person and picked each girl. She thought if she would teach us herself, we would honor her rules. That’s how I started living at the castle with the other girls. Those times I cherish most. But things change. Teodora and Petra married, Lia found a family with the Ielele, and I returned home.”
“Sister, you’ve lived through so much. When I grow up, I want to work at the castle just like you.”
“That’s great. But remember, family is more important than any adventure.”
“Sister, sister.” Doru jumped into my lap. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?” I became worried. “Did someone scare you?”
“No.” Doru hid deeper into my embrace.
Only when a tail-wagging puppy appeared before us I understood what Doru talked about.
“Where did this fellow come from?” I asked Otilia.
With an embarrassed look, she said, “I found him on the road next to the well. He looked hungry, so I gave him a piece of bread. Can we keep him? Please?”
“We can't afford to feed another mouth. We already struggle with food on some days,” I said.
“But he will starve to death,” Otilia said.
“The village won’t let it happen,” I said as I helped Doru stand. “Look, Doru. The puppy wants to play with you. He doesn’t mean to hurt you.”
Doru walked slowly to the pup and tried to pet him. But once he touched the puppy’s nose, the sweet animal began jumping and scared Doru again.
“Doru, don’t be frightened,” I said. “The puppy wants to be your friend.”
The more I spoke about the puppy, the easier Doru accepted his new wiggly companion.
“Anca, where are you?” I heard Father’s voice getting closer to us.
“Father, why did you return so early? It is not noon yet,” I said.
“It is my strength, my child,” he said, barely able to breathe. “It leaves my body at times.”
“And the boyar didn't even let you rest. Let’s sit in the kitchen,” I said and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
As we walked slowly, I felt his body getting heavier with every step.
“Otilia, go bring a cup of water to Father. The bucket is next to the stove.”
“Yes, sister,” Otilia said, straightening her back like a soldier and sprinting toward the bucket.
“Sit on this chair, Father. It’s the sturdier one,” I said.
“Thank you, my child,” Father said, leaning his elbow on the table to prop his body.
“Father, we cannot go on like this. You’re killing yourself for us, and I cannot have it. We already spent all the coins Lord Stoica gave us. Now I must find work again. Either as a maid at the castle or at a boyar’s manor.”
“No,” Father said firmly. “You are of marring age. Now it’s the time to find yourself a good husband and start your own family. Staying closed up between the walls of a castle will never open ways for you to find anyone.”
“What about Lady Stoica? She was also a maid at the castle when she found Lord Stoica,” Otilia said as she placed the cup of water into his hands.
“Keep quiet, Otilia,” I said. “Don’t interrupt Father.”
“It is fine, my child,” Father said and looked at me. “You’ve always been such a kind daughter to me. But Otilia also needs to know that most of the time, a maid would never have the honor of marrying a noble. What happened to Lady Stoica was nothing but a stroke of luck. Anca here needs a simple man who can care for her and their children.”
“Father, I don't have time for such nonsense when you need care. How can you expect me to leave my family to make a new one?”
“These are the ways of life, my child. You must go and live with your spouse and his family,” said Father in a resigned way.
“I refuse to follow some life laws when it means I must abandon the people I love,” I said and stood to fetch myself a cup of water.
“Do not get mad at your father, Anca,” Father said. “I only wish you a better life. We’re a burden that will drag you down with our problems.”
“I’d rather bare this burden than bow my head to a man and his family. They’ll always be strangers to me. But you, Father, are my family.”
“I will be dead soon, and then you’ll be alone.”
“Don’t speak of death so easily. You are young and have a long life ahead. And let’s not forget. I’ll have my three siblings to live with. I don’t believe loneliness is written in my books.”
“I’ve lived long enough to know how fast things change. There will come a time when I’ll need to take my eternal rest. And don’t look forward to your sisters and brother. They’ll grow up quickly and fly out of their nest soon enough. Caring for others makes you a good daughter and sister, but it chips away from you. That’s how your mother was. She died because she never took care of herself.”
“Who should speak? Aren’t you the same? Working day and night so we can have a loaf of bread and a cup of milk? How can you expect me not to do the same?” I asked as I began folding towels furiously.
“Because you are MY child,” said Father and began choking. Sometimes it happened when his throat would tighten, and he couldn’t swallow.
I rushed to aid him, but he refused. “I can take care of myself,” Father said with a raspy voice.
“Otilia, I think Father needs some rest. Let’s help him to his bed,” I said.
“I can walk by myself,” Father said, but he tripped and almost fell. Luckily, I grabbed his arm before it happened. Father was so thin and weak that I had no issue supporting his weight.
“Let us help you for now. When you recover, you can return to doing things yourself.”
Father didn’t protest. He let me help him to the house and onto his bed. “It might take me a few days, but I’ll stand on my feet,” he said as he closed his eyes. “I’ll make sure to take care of you. I need to…” Father mumbled until he fell asleep.
