She left, I knew, as I walked down do the throne room, but I had expected her to. The scent of lies had been heavy on her breath, as noticable as whiskey on a drunk. I knew she left, but I knew she would return.  Images of her danced through my mind as I approaced my throne, smoothing my hair and clothes, the ones I'd slept in after bathing Aidan, hoping I looked presentable.

Once I was firmly seated on my throne, I nodded  to Gilgamesh, who had been following me, signaling him to let my uncle and the Emporer into the room. I tried to sit in an intimidating pose, but truth be told, I was nervous and my thoughts were else where.

With Aidan, with my father and brothers, with Shana and Shina, Sadda and Serene...

The man who entered my throne room was the tallest, scariest looking man I'd ever seen. He topped out at seven feet, and there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. His hair was the blackest I'd ever seen, I didn't know black could be so dark, and it hung to his thighs with two beaded braids that fell to his shoulders on either side of his lean, mean, scarred face. There was a slash across his thin grey lips, his one colorless eye, and across his nose which had a hoop nose ring through the left nostril.

His teeth were permanently elongated into the fangs that fell down to his chin...he did it, more than likely, to scare the humans and intimidate the vampires beneath him...which he succedded in doing...very well. A cruel smile touched the man's ravaged lips, as he bowed his head in a mixture of sarcasm and respect. 

"Lord Darion..." he said, his voice a whickedly dark melody, turning ordinary words into, it seemed, lethal music. My uncle seemed so tiny and fragile, so scared and unsure next to the man, as he bowed his head to me as well.

"My nephew..." 

I stood, opening my arms wide and bowing at the waist with a flourish. 

"Welcome to my humble abode." I stepped over to the Emporer, took his hand and kissed his ring as a symbol of utter homage, then stood. The ring was strange, solid gold with pure wings in every color, dripping blood, swords and arrows and spears pierced through the beautiful feathers. It meant something, I knew, I'd seen it before, but I shrugged it off as I turned to my guests. "What brings you to to my palace?"

My uncle looked over at the Emporer and then back to me. Silence ensued, for a few seconds, and then my uncle presumed to speak.

"We came to settle the world law, as well as a new problem that has arisen."

I gestured to a door to the left of my throne.

"Please, follow me to the conference room."

Emporer Vellhella and my uncle walked ahead of me, the Emporer's deadly lope obvious and surreal compared to mine and my uncle's much less lethal stride.

Gilgamesh walked up to me, whispering in my ear as I followed my guests.

"The woman has recieved the gifts, and has taken off on Inferno, I do believe she will be coming back." He smirked and helped up a note written on my sister, Sadda's, thick elegant stationary, in long rich handwriting.

Dear King (are you aware you have not yet told me your name?),

I will be gone for a few days, a dear friend of mine needs me. I have taken the gowns you made for me, and I appreciate your great kindness. You have been better to me than anyone I have known, becuase of that, I promise to return. You're a good man and I would appreciate it very much if you would visit me where I am going, the Underworld if you believe that, for I enjoy your company. Thank you for everything, I promise I will see you again.

Love,

Aidan

PS- Your advisor Gilgamesh scares me, is that intentional or unfortunate?

 I laughed at this and headed into the conference room.