O'Conner's School for the Light challenged

[Hikari_Mamo]

Emma groaned into the toilet. "I was having a Lycan's offspring, you know it's rare for lycan pregnancies to be singular." She turned and pressed a hand to Oscar's mouth. "Now stop talking and just rub my back, for all we know I'm dying not pregnant. I won't know for a few more hours."


Conrad didn't want to let her go. If she gave into him, to his cousin, Conrad would have no choice but to divorce her and take the children to Emma. After, after he killed his cousin and Katya. His heart clenched painfully in his chest and he found it hard to breathe. He couldn't bare it if another woman betrayed him.  

[The Madame Red]

Anya half-expected for Conrad to accuse her for adultery. She watched her twin girls playing outside in the gardens, but the back of her mind was telling her Conrad would be watching every move she made. It seemed like he was just looking for a quick escape anymore or find a reason to bring down her name. As much as Leonardo was handsome, chivalrous, and charming, she was still a married woman and-

"Mi amore," Leonardo's sultry voice wafted in the cool night breeze, Anya glanced over her shoulder before gesturing to her two playing girls, "Ah, the lovely twins are at play. They will be beauties as they get older."

"I hope they are just as clever as they will be beautiful," Anya commented, she could feel Leonardo's eyes on her.

There was an awkward silence between them before Leonardo murmured, "I apologize you were not aided in your war by my cousin. A husband should always stand by his wife's side without cowardice. If I was your husband, I would have fought along your side until we were buried together."

That was still a touchy subject between her and Conrad that she did not like bringing up. The words tugged on her heart for a bit before she spoke, "Conrad had his reasons, though I disagree with. However, everything turned out the way I had wanted them to so it's not like I lost anything. He lost his crown while I gained mine, seems fair to me."

"Mi amore," Leonardo caressed Anya's cheek, "Such a fiery spirit you have..."

Anya saw him nearing her lips, his sensual looks and air about him almost caught her. She heard one of the twins cry out and instantly rushed to them, leaving Leonardo on his own.





"You've been through a diabetic shock, throwing yourself down a flight of stairs, numerous seizures, throwing yourself into the sun, throwing yourself off a waterfall, throwing yourself in a raging lycan, and almost sucked dry by yours truly," Oscar named off the legendary list as he rubbed Emma's back, "At this point, I would be more surprised if you lasted a week without going into some type of trauma."

He was only teasing, of course, but his point was clear. There was a distinct scent in the air that he could not trace. Oscar found a towel and brought it to Emma's lips, "You know, even with you stinking of vomit, you still look pretty cute."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad's hand grabbed Leonardo's and threw him back. "I am still here cousin. Mark my words you try and bed my wife like the duchess of Flanders and I will gut you, and anyone else behind your plans to cut me away from my mate! You know how violent I can be when someone encroaches on my territory. . . Or have you forgotten the epic a** kicking of 1712?" He hissed eye black clutching Anya back to him. "She his mine, tell every one that! Mine!"


Emma gave a little pathetic yet highly miserable whine. The chundering had stopped for now so after rinsing her mouth out she snuggled against her love. "True, about that former statement. I look like hell though." She kept his hands loosely on her so if she had to rush back to puke she didn't have to worry about him not letting her go in time.  

[The Madame Red]

"As I recall, cousin, you were stumbling around like a drunken madman after I had wiped the streets with your blood," Leonardo chuckled, watching as Anya tended to her children, "And it is not my intention to just bed your wife. I intend to make her realize that being married to you is a prison and that anyone else, even a common street lad, would be more fit. Because of my..previous expertise, it will not be hard to make the Vampire Queen see the truth of you."

Leonardo smirked as he looked Conrad up and down, "You are the laughing stock of the family, why act so high and mighty when you lost your own crown to your half-bred daughter."




"If you put your hands here, here, and here, you can feel all three faint heart beats," Isolde instructed as she lifted her shirt slightly, "From what I can guess, two boys and a girl. I would love it later on if you two would help me teach the pups how to hunt."

Oscar had carefully led Emma just far enough from the bathroom to see Isolde showing the twins her swollen belly. Liam stood not too far, though Oscar could see that he seemed more calm now. The lycan didn't seem as angry or as timid as before near his children. He looked more relaxed and able to communicate better with them. Well, hopefully.

He gestured for Emma to see as he whispered into her ear, "In our own way, I hope we can have a bigger family like that. You know, fifty kids later at least."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

"Oh no dear cousin I seem to recall you had to drain three virgins just to recover from the ruptured organs I gave you." Conrad smirked. But his grew dark. "Oh nay cousin, you are the only family left. The other's were killed off my lycans. And I am proud of my daughter for her actions. Which is more than I can say for you. I am not a prison. If I were she'd have left me but she hasn't. And if you so much as touch her again I will kill you. Unlike you I've gotten stronger." His hand still gripped his cousin shattering every bone in the other's arm. "She is my fated one. You try it with her, I dare you to stroke the wrath inside me. Your end will be agony. I promise."

Emma leaned against Oscar using him for support watching her children stare at Isolde in awe. They still kept their distance from their father, but they no longer hissed or growled if he got to near. "A big family would be nice." She purred nuzzling his chest when Nyssa rushed to her side with a letter. Emma read it and frowned. Seemed the Turkish Ambassador was worried about the b*****d queen Anya and Conrad the Just. Emma's eyes went red, not with how he spoke of her friend but that Leonardo was there. The whole letter was in Turkish. She would have been useful to Anya when the princess was visiting. "Care to visit Anya?" She asked. "I'm sure Isolde wouldn't mind looking after the twins. They seem to like her."  

[The Madame Red]

Oh? Did he hear his bones break? Silly Conrad must've forgotten that regeneration happens faster to those who are Original rather than natural-born. Leonardo chuckled, like an adult would at a child, as he clicked his tongue several times, "Fated or not, because of the loss of your crown you are no longer of any value to your kind."

Easily taking his arm from Conrad's grasp, Leonardo's arm was already fully healed, "I have heard of your mother's death. Too bad. She had more vitality than anyone else I had met. Now running along to be the house-husband you now are. The big-kids have to work."




Anya had not seen or heard her husband and Leonardo's discussion, she was busy getting the twins fed on their blood. It seemed with each gulp they were growing by the minute. Celia's sharp eyes were coming in as Luna's kind eyes were forming nicely. She could hear the murmurs of her court as they were gazing out the window at the heated discussion between the two cousins. Anya sighed, Conrad shouldn't be so hot-headed. Especially when there was absolutely no chance she would go for Leonardo. He seemed too prissy anyways.




"Yeah, a visit to Anya and Connie's lair would be refreshing," Oscar shrugged, not paying much mind to the letter.

Loading up the car and getting Emma inside, Oscar began the long drive to the Alps. With break-neck speed they made it there within two hours. The grounds were too quiet. However, there was a scent in the air that topped all the others. It had to be one of the Original vampires that were told in the old stories. They were to be feared as Gods and loved like Kings, even though they held no political title or sought out one. Unlike all natural born and made vampires, Originals never needed to feed.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Oscar commented as he stepped out of the car, "Anytime there's an Original around, there's bound to be trouble. Either someone screwed up or this one is looking to start trouble."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad gave a grow. "I am of more Value than you know cousin." He hissed then turned and went to his wife. To think an Original was going to break the rules their kind had put in place eons ago. The world must really be ending. He found his beautiful wife feeding their twins and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "They're so much like you." He whispered. "Beautiful." He pressed a kiss to both their heads. Alexei had gone to study so Conrad didn't have to worry. Not yet at least.


Emma held in her empty stomach best she could, pausing to vomit shortly after they arrived. Once she got a hold of her stomach and had downed some water she went to Oscar's side. She too didn't like how silent it was. Nor the horrible smell and the fact the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

Then, she changed. Her Queenly air returned and she now longer was afraid. If this Original was gonna start trouble she would kick it's a** like the rest of them. She already had a bump protruding from between her hips but she hadn't noticed. "You realize I'm in my nightie and we're about to greet an Original right?"  

[The Madame Red]

"It'll give this court one more reason to ridicule you," Oscar grimaced, "C'mon, we'll sneak into Anya's room and give you something a little more covering to wear. Something black to make you look menacing."

Oscar picked up Emma and sniffed out Emma's room from the vast many windows. He easily climbed a vine and opened the window to see an empty room. Good. Oscar helped Emma inside before going to Anya's closet and picked out a sultry black dress. He looked to Emma, "How about this one? You're already showing, but i'm sure you can still slip into it."




"I swear you and your cousin are no better than children," Anya teased as she kissed Conrad's cheek, "Just let him be for now and enjoy the court. There will be some festivities tonight to celebrate the twin's growth."

She picked out Oscar and Emma's scent. Most likely Conrad did as well. It was fine, the two were always allowed in her court. Anya's ladies formed around her, awing at the twins' adorable behavior as they squirmed after their feeding. Celia took Luna's hand to run off, but Anya escorted them to the tailor to be fitted in their dresses that would be similar to her own.

Anya's royal air suited her as her ladies curtsied to her and followed the twins. She turned to Conrad as she extended her hand to him, "Shall we greet our unexpected guests? I believe they are in our room."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Emma nodded hugging Oscar close. She thumbed a few of Anya's dresses herself then frowned. "This one is mine." She growled. "But it has too much pink and frills so she can have it. Ooh~" She purred. "That one looks good lets see if I can fit it~!" She pressed a kiss to Oscar's lips taking the dress at the same time and slipping it on. Yes it hugged her bump but it also made her look scary. She found a brush and tugged it through her hair then put it in a plait hanging it over her left shoulder. "Amazing how much hair can grow in a night." She smiled up at Oscar. "I should take you shopping with me. You'd be perfect as a shopping companion, no doubt helping me pick out sexy nightie's too." She flashed some of her fangs moving closer.

Conrad's heart raced and his nose flared. His bride was right! Emma was here. "Listen." He whispered to Anya. If he tilted his head and focused. . . ba bump! He grinned to Anya and taking her hand went with her to their rooms. He was going to be a grandfather again!  

[The Madame Red]

The dress made Emma look..well, out of place. It was too old-fashioned for someone like her, but it'd do for now. All she needed was clothes, and Anya's Elizabethian-style clothes didn't actually make Emma seem flattering or all that scary. Oscar shrugged and agreed with his wife, taking her hand in his own, "As tempting as that sounds, we should worry about the shopping later and ask my sire-sister why there is an Original in her court."

"He's interested in my court," an elegant voice whisped through the air as Anya walked into her bedroom, "I am sure he has his own personal reasons as to why he's come, but nothing I would be bothered with."

"Which one is he?" Oscar asked, knowing all Original were only males.

"Leonardo," Anya answered, "The one from the rumors."

"The womanizer and the strongest," Oscar grumbled, "Are you sure it's the wisest thing to keep him in your court?"

"He hasn't caused any trouble," Anya gestured towards her husband, "Though Conrad would probably disagree with me."

"Momma?"

Both Celia and Luna clutched their mother's dress from behind as they peeked their heads to see who the newcomers were. They hadn't seen these two before, but their scents were similar to their mother's and father's.  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Using her husband as a way of balance Emma went to her knees and smiled at the twins. "Hello there. I'm Emma, your sister."

"Emma, how are you?" Conrad asked gaining his eldest attention. "You look a little pale. . . and fat."

"Thanks dad you always know what to say to make me feel pretty." Emma grumbled against using Oscar for balance. "I'm fine, we're both fine everyone's fine." Conrad frowned and little.

"Stop that dallim." He growled. "I'm asking because last time you were like this you spent five months of it hugging the toilet." He growled.

"I have a better handle on my stomach this time around father don't you worry about that. Now, why are you letting that person here Anya? I'm sure he's already tried to woo you away from father. . . no doubt breaking the rules. . . I should probably tell Edgar. . ."  

[The Madame Red]

Though Luna shied away from Emma, Celia went to a low curtsy in the dress that Anya had tailored for them. The small child wobbled slightly in the awkward shoes their mother had them wear as her shrill voice spoke, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Queen Emma. I'm Princess Celia. This is my sister, Princess Luna. You better be nice to us or my momma will feed you to the wolves."

"Celia," Anya gave an exasperated sigh as she gently nudged her daughter behind her, "Conrad, no more story-telling or my children will think i'm some type of tyrant."

She then focused her attention back on Emma, "I'm not out to make enemies, and it's not hurting anyone to have him here."

"An Original vampire doesn't have any type of agendas with those who aren't Originals unless it's to start some type of sick game for them," Oscar reminded Anya gently, as not to scare the kids nearby, "And Connie, if that guy is really here to woo her, why are you not out there fighting for my sire-sister's honor? I did not give you my blessing to marry her if you're just going to sit there and suck your thumb. Fight, damn you, fight!"

"Oscar!" Anya scooted her daughters out of the room, only to hear Celia repeat Oscar's words and Luna whisper them as the two left.  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Emma smiled softly. "Oh dear little sister no. I won't hurt either of you. I promise."

"I'm not doing anything because he wouldn't leave his comfy bed in Italy where he has women to pick from unless someone told him to come here. I will not make my move until that person reveals themselves. Then I will take action. Really Oscar you need to have more faith in my strategy planning than you do-, Emma? Are you alright?" He asked with a frown.

"Find daddy, just need to sit down." She moved to a chair and sat holding her head. Amber, she could feel it everywhere and it was making her more ill than the child growing within her. "Excuse me a moment." She said getting up and finding the bathroom easily.  

[The Madame Red]

"Don't touch the toilet!" Anya rushed as she gripped Emma's arms.

Everything, absolutely everything was made of pure amber. Anya had to direct Emma's vomit sputum to not get on her freshly cleaned floors before dragging the girl out. The only room that wasn't made of any type of amber were the dungeons. Anya had the others help take Emma, secretly, down to the dungeons where the girl could rest.

Dusting herself off, Anya checked to see if anyone saw them. She didn't want her court going on a silly riot if they saw Emma, especially since she was wearing one of Anya's favorite dresses. Anya turned back to Emma, "You should feel a little better in here. As a Russian, my love of of Amber is..somewhat obsessive."

"Who the hell would ask an Original to come here?" Oscar asked as he held Emma at his side, "That's like asking Connie to dance when we all know you have two left feet. You just don't do it."

"I was told he was just coming to see what the two kingdoms were about," Anya crossed her arms loosely, "He was going to go to yours, too, Emma."  

[Hikari_Mamo]

Conrad growled. "I'm not saying who I think summoned him here. Because I know I'll get shouted down. And I have completely ruled out Oscar because there's no way he'd summon an Original to come to Emma's court and openly flirt with her. But I know someone who doesn't want me in the picture any more."

Emma spared a horrifying glare to Anya. The amber set her teeth on edge and made her chunder more. But in a corner. "If that git comes anywhere near me in my state of mind I'll kill him myself." She hissed lowly dead serious. Of course she knew one Original who'd not take to kindly to another being killed but when he joined the Novra he swore not to let family get in the way of protecting the true royal family. Though Conrad had moved to Anya the Novra saw Emma as the true Royal family.

Once her stomach finally settled Emma sat up spitting once or twice then laid against the wall. her head spun and she felt really tired. But she figured the longer she stayed in this place the easier it would be to handle the aura of the Amber. She reached a hand to her husband hoping he would come and sit by her and comfort her when she felt like utter crap.