fisting their hands on their chests as a show of respect.
It was the first time I saw my father outside of the Château. Among so many other vampires and guard he seemed bigger than life. He was a mountain among hills. Just by looking at him I would have never guessed he had such a gentle and loving nature. He looked every bit the warrior, and it was awe inspiring to see the respect that poured out of everyone as he visited their mats, encouraging their hard work and commenting on their movements. I could also feel their nervousness, wanting to impress him with their skills.
I waited impatiently as he and Rennek made their way through the crowd. I was anxious to talk to him. Our last conversation hadn’t gone very smoothly and I regretted that I had fought against his wishes. I suppose it was a bit funny, too. I spent my whole life without my real parents, and now that I had them I was acting like a typical teenager; rebelling against their rules. Of course, the scenario was much different than it ever would have been normally. If life had taken a different course maybe he would have been refusing to let me date, or punishing me for sneaking out. Instead, he had asked me to hide a weapon of our enemy that I somehow had the ability to use myself. The goddess certainly had an unusual path set out for us all, but I hoped it would result with a happy ending for everyone.
“Your majesty!” Everyone said in near perfect synch as my father stepped toward me. Bennett, Robin, Dmitry and Arrick bowed at my father’s presence, and normally I would give a small curtsey out of love and respect but I couldn’t hold my elation. I leapt into his arms, hugging him with as much strength as I could muster.
A deep chuckle rolled out of him, surprised by my levity. “What’s gotten you in such a good mood?” he asked me as Bennett and Robin stepped onto the mat to begin sparring. Dmitry took a few steps to the side, his eyes locked onto Robin within a protective expression.
“Nothing. I’m just happy to see you,” I replied, releasing him and nodding a greeting to Rennek.
“And I am happy to see you, Claire,” he replied, smiling through his thick beard. “I actually came out here to see you.”
“Oh? What’s up?” I asked, my attention dodging between my father and the sight of Robin and Bennett brawling.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Of course.”
“Let us take a walk then.” My father gestured me forward, and we made our way into the gardens side by side. Arrick and Rennek followed a ways behind, like two bodyguards.
My father walked the path, leading me deep into the gardens through routes I’d never taken. We passed the rose gardens and sculpted hedges, strolling through a canopy of willow trees.
“I hope you’re not still upset about the stones?” he said finally as we approached a bubbling pond, a small cascading waterfall pouring into it. I never knew there was a pond in the garden so I skipped ahead to the pond’s edge and peered inside. Brightly colored fish swam below the glassy surface.
“I could never be mad at you father,” I answered, sitting on the water’s edge. He smiled, taking a seat beside me. “What did you want to talk about?” I suddenly felt a little nervous and worried. It was usually never a good sign when someone wanted to take you aside to talk. From my experience it meant they had bad news. I doubted I could handle more bad news at the moment, so I swallowed hard, and waited for him to speak.
“I’m going to be leaving soon.” He took a deep breath, and gauged my reaction. All I could do at first was stare in shock with my mouth hanging open.
“Why? We need you here!” I squeaked through a sudden burst of emotion. How could he leave us?
“I know, and that is why I must leave.”
“But that doesn’t make any sense. Where are you going that’s more important than being here?”
“I must go to Titan,” he said, a sudden grimace creasing his features.
“Titan?”
“Yes. If we stand any chance of winning this war we are going to need more than just one region on our side in order to defeat Baal.”
“What about Noire? Nicolae said he would help. I know you don’t trust him, father, but you need to give him a