My life began within the walls of the palace, a slave girl, and nothing more. Stolen by Eudoxia, I was enslaved once again, this time within the Blood. Made by another slave, Asphar, so that none of us shared in her blood, she kept us in obedience, our thoughts never hidden from her. At first, I was frightened, terribly frightened, but over time, I came to love her, just as she knew I would.

I was her prized possession, kept for my beauty as well as my quick wit. For this reason, she sent me away, hidden from harm, each time another Blood Drinker entered her city. Each time, she sent for me, calling me back once she had driven out or destroyed those who invaded her territory. Until the last time. The Battle.

Another had come, the most powerful yet, and this one she wanted gone, but wanted, all at once. Marius, the Roman, the mysterious and bold one who walked the streets of Constantinople in his flowing red robes, fearless in his strength. Marius who destroyed Eudoxia and all her slaves, save for me.

Though I thought perhaps I should take vengeance for the murder of my Maker, there was no conviction behind that thought. Yes, I had loved her, and in her own way, she had loved me. But to her, I was a pretty possession, and little more. In Marius, I saw one who might truly want me, one who wished to know my thoughts and feelings, and most importantly, one who could protect me in my weakness and youthful confusion.

How it hurt that he wouldn't have me, how it hurt that I knew he was right, when he said that he must be alone.

Were it not for he and his companions, I don't know how I would have survived. Marius taught me what he could, what I would need to know to survive, before he parted ways with us. He gave me, as well, the strength of his blood, so that I might not be a hindrance in my youth and my newness to the Blood. He left me in the care of Avicus and Mael, both exceptional and strong Blood Drinkers, who might guide me in my learning.

I loved Avicus immediately, and knew that he would love me. His dark eyes hid nothing from me, and I knew that he would care for me and be my protector, just as I needed. Sadly, he would even come to be my protector from his own fledgling, who made clear his hatred of me. I wanted to love Mael, but he would never allow it. He was suspicious and hostile in all things concerning me, though I tried to show him that his feelings were unfounded. Never, did he listen. Never did he care.

Even to this day, I don't know that he trusts me fully. His animosity stayed with him, through all the passing centuries, into the present. When I came in search of Avicus, Mael's hatred seemed as fresh as it was all those years ago. He thought that I meant to come between them, to drive them apart just after their reunion, when all I wanted was to find Avicus, to know that he was happy and well.

It didn't take long for his hatred to push him to drastic action. Seeking me out one night, he tried to destroy me, and nearly succeeded. No matter that I tried to explain to him that he was wrong about me and my intentions. No matter that I knew the truth. As I lay in agony, thinking that he would end my existence right then and there, something happened. The pain ceased to grow worse, and I suddenly realized that he was looking at me, not with hatred, but with concern. As I looked up at him, it was evident that even he didn't understand why he should care for my misery. But he did. He lifted me gently and as I wrapped my arms around his neck, as I kissed his cheek, he cursed me for making him care. The battle was over. He took me back to Avicus, confessing what he'd done, fully expecting to be cast out. I knew that he wouldn't be, that Avicus would never push him away, and even I didn't want to see it happen. It never did.

Much has changed since that night and much seems to have remained the same. Now, we prepare to move into our home, the three of us, and I hope that there can be peace, finally. Perhaps we can find happiness, at last. Together.