Epilogue

Snow glittered brilliantly in the light of dawn, seeping through the ruined eaves and coating everything in a vibrant glow.

Father slumbered with his head bowed. A blanket of white snow draped over his back, protecting him from the searing light.

His cheeks were soaked with tears and blood but he bore an expression of mild joy and peace. Upturned lips contrasted his cold, dead eyes.

“Has Mother finally answered your prayers?” I knelt before him, leveling myself with his eyes.

The room provided glimpses of a destructive battle. Deeply engraved cuts ate at the floors, walls, and everything contained between them. Only one attack made in return, yet it was well placed and now his attacker was nowhere to be found.

I could imagine Father’s dying struggle to protect the only thing that mattered to him anymore. It was clear how much he had lashed out, throwing frantic but mistimed attacks.

Perhaps it was the day that threw him off. The assailant must have known today was the anniversary of Mother’s death. A terribly cruel day to launch an attack on Father.

Father rest upon a spear, which had him propped up in the middle of the snowfield. Red flowers bloomed around him; fitting for a funeral. Beautifully made gold and white robes fell to hide his heart while the seams sipped t the flowers.

I peered up at my sibling, who seemed to be paused in time alongside this frozen scene. There was no way I could gauge their reaction to this, as I’m sure they wouldn’t be able to understand how I felt.

There was no need for a burial. We Vampires did not have the luxury of visiting and tending to graves. Within a few hours of our death, we would merely return to stardust.

And so came the end of Father’s reign. He decayed, glittering in a flurry of stars as he played amongst the snow and left only the spear behind.