The Vampire's Crimson Kiss (Editing)

Epilog - the new lords of misrule

Days later, the purge of the black tower was complete. Elizabeth sat on the skull throne, giving judgment on who was innocent, who was guilty, who was a collaborator, and who was oppressed. Her beautiful face was stern, her chin stained red with blood that could not be wiped away.

"It is a great victory we have achieved," said General Crab. The Defiance cheered. That night, "achieved" was the right word.

"We have dispatched two covens in one night's work, thanks to our lady's well-laid plans. No greater victory has this army of men reveled in," the soldiers now started chanting "Defiance, Defiance."

Elizabeth still sat slumped and motionless, grasping a shield in one hand and holding her silver pike to her shoulder. The silver tip of the spike was now dark with the black blood of those she had dispatched.

The General approached Elizabeth again. "I say we declare her the Queen of this Isle and the Queen of the Defiance. Under her banner, we will banish the undead from this land!" He knelt at her feet. "Majesty," he said, bowing his head.

John Renne sat at Elizabeth's side. "Mistress," he began, but she had stopped him from halting his address to her like that. "We must prepare for war with the covens. Mean while you should consider giving the silver poison to more and get them to change as you have done. One heroin to fight an army of undead is not enough, make more of us in your image to help in your crusade mistress."

"That sounds like a goodly plan, it has my favor, but we need one of them to die to make more of me."

"That sounds like a fair exchange, mistress," said John Renne.

"And when the last of them is done, would these new heroes also unmake themselves as I would?" asked Elizabeth.

She was still in shock over the killing. Not the losses, but how little she felt about it. Mary... Mary was another thing, but her own defiance was a light burden. It worried her.

"When the black kind is spent, it would be a noble plan," said General Crab.

"Then let it be. Now I need rest," said Elizabeth, somewhere to rest, somewhere to cry for the loss of the girl she was.

"Yes, highness, somewhere dark, cool, and peaceful will be found for your slumber," said Renne.

Elizabeth tried to sleep that night, but her head was haunted by the songs of her youth which would not be banished. "Do you think you're made out of gold and can't be sold..."

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A/N The end of the first book of the crimson crown. Please bookmark and join us for the next season. Thanks for the reads and your kind votes and wonderful comments.

Thanks RK+Reb.