I was minding my own business, outside tending my herb garden, when someone throws a blanket over my head, hauls me up on a horse and takes me to God only knows where.
After what seemed like forever, combined with a lot of screaming and cursing on my part, we stopped.
When the blanked was taken off I found myself in a hilltop sort of mini castle. It was absolutely beautiful. Standing in front of me was a tall man with golden hair. He certainlly was handsome but I was not in the mood to ponder his good looks.
“What the Hell is going on?” I was in no mood for making all nice.
“You are to be my bride,” he said in a serious voice.
“I don’t think so. You don’t even know me.”
“I have chosen you.”
“Listen up Prince Charming. I might be full of nasty sexually transmitted diseases. I might snore. I might poison your food bit by bit until you can only sit in your chair and drool while I take control of your empire. I might sleep with your brother. I might have stinky feet and fart in bed like an old hound dog.”
“I was tasked as the second son of the Clan Chief to find a bride. I’ve been watching you for a while. You’re perfect.”
“You abducted me.”
“That is our way.”
“Then change your way. Holy cow, you can’t build a marriage on distrust and violence. Get out of your comfort zone and marry a woman who can be your best friend, not just a house keeper and sexual slave.”
“The man must rule the house.”
“Alright, you’re a smart guy or I’m going to assume you’re a smart guy. Listen up. I know some of the things I’m saying sound weird. You’ve been brought up to believe women are subservient and property of the males. It is difficult to let go of old beliefs. Changes is difficult. But so is a bad marriage. Before you speak let me tell you a few more things. In a society where women are equal to men everyone ends up more successful, happier and your children tend to thrive. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”
“Then be my bride and change things.” Then he took my hand and led me to the bed. It was a gorgeous bed and he was totally hot but I did not like where this was going.
He stood before me and started to unbuckle his belt.
“NO NO NO show a girl a little romance,” I yelled. “You can’t just take me like this.”
“Let’s get this over with. You will do as I say.”
“Come closer and I will rip your throat out.”
He grabbed my shoulders to push me down and I grabbed his wrists. He stopped, images of terror filled his brain. I filled him with fear as his eyes locked on mine.
“You’re a witch,” he gasped as he dropped his arms to his side and stepped back.
“No I’m not a witch.” I motioned for him to sit and opened a bottle of wine. “Let’s talk. Do you have a name?”
“Aleric.”
“Good start. I’m…”
“Olivia. I know your name.” Great. He was stalking me.
“Alright Aleric, you have to listen to me. You think you’re some manly man but I’ll end up ripping your throat out if you try to touch me again. Forget all the crap about men and women that you know. We are all equal in the eyes of whatever God you choose to worship or not worship.”
We talked through the night. At first I thought he was dumber than a rock but I believe I got through to him. He returned to the village and married a girl he’d known since childhood. She’d always been considered “forward” and considered trouble by the locals. Aleric had always been in love with her but she was too much like a man. Now he had the courage to take her as his bride.
Years later I visited him. He was the Chief by then. His clan and town was thriving. I found him in a large hall playing ball with his grandchildren. He looked up at me in shock.
“Olivia. No, you must be her daughter or grand daughter.”
“I don’t age Aleric. I wouldn’t have made a good wife because first of all I would have driven you nuts, second because I’m a Vampire. I could have killed you but I saw something good in you. I saw a willingness to change. I saw hope. I’ve watched you over the years. I’m proud of what you’ve done with your life and your clan.”
He looked at me with grim eyes. “So do you want a reward now or do I owe you a favor.”
I smiled. “Not at all. I was just passing through. Listen, I’m not one of those Vampire’s who lords over a population ruthlessly draining the population of blood and money. I don’t do that kind of shit. I just wanted to let you know that I’m proud of you. You could have spent the rest of your life being a brainless jerk like all the other men in your village but you married a woman you love and respected her. You built a life together and passed that respect on to your children. Good job Aleric.”
“Did you find love?” His question caught me off guard.
“Kind of sort of. You know, I’m not like you. My heart is kind of a flighty thing. Vampires are like that.”
“I’m sure he is a man with a true heart and a brave soul.”
I smiled then left him to his happy life.
Later that week when I arrived home my tall cool Vampire man was waiting for me. “How was your walk down memory lane my dear?”
“Alright I suppose. Do you think people will always be so stupid?”
He took me in his arms and nuzzled my neck. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out in a couple hundred years. In the meantime, I have a propisition for you.” We spend the rest of the evening in each other’s arms. In fact, we still spend evenings in each other’s arms.
I think about that time now so long ago. Had I been a regular girl I might have ended up as the bride of a second son of a Chief. Or I might have ended up in the arms of a Vampire. I did end up in the arms of a Vampire but that is another story for another day.
~ end
Vampire Maman 