The ship was drenched in blood, the blood dripped from her head. She sat there in the blood pile of all the male vampires that had died.
She zoned completely out but could hear the indistinct crying of the female vampires on board.

"Valerie... Valerie... Valerie..."

A vampire tried to catch her attention but nothing.

Liam returned with Simon. Simon lifted her head up so she could look at him. She stared at him for a couple of seconds before breaking into tears. He got down on his knee and gave her a hug while she cried it out.

"Let it out," he encouraged, "let it all out,"

"They're all dead and it's my fault. And... and... and... the potion,"

Liam just stood by and watched her cry. He thought it is good that she lets it all out too. Before they strike back. Once he felt that she has cried enough, he reached out his hand and she took it. He pulled her up and they gazed into each other's eyes.

"We need to get the potion back and we need to kill the Pharoh,"

She nodded. "Should we split up?"

"No," he told. He looked around and back at her, "we nearly there. We kill the Pharoh and then go after the potion,"

"Are you sure? What if they use it?" Simon asked.

Liam chuckled and shook his head, "it's a potion. Esmerleda doesn't know what to do with it. I don't believe she's that smart,"

Valerie couldn't help but let out a small smile and nodded her head, "okay then. But first, we clean up this mess,"

The boat landed. A handful of vampires took their luggage as they travelled by flight to the palace. Valerie loves flying as much as she can since she can't personally do it, but Liam gave her a ride on his back. Simon was on some other vampire's back.
Every time they travel via flight, they get a great view of their destination. Like she looked at how huge the palace is from above. She saw the many guards doing their jobs. Tall well built African men wearing their isikhakha's walking up and down flexing their muscles. They serious too.

They landed and immediately the guards screamed out in horror. What has their eyes just seen. They stood ready in combat mode, ready to attack. The crew went forth and killed the guards in mere seconds, leaving Valerie, Liam and Simon to stroll pass.

The palace was beautiful. The pillars were high and beautiful carvings were on it, incredible designs that captives the eye. The King has expensive taste, the flower pots and furniture around looked very expensive. The robes of the curtains and everything. Even to the way the servants wore. Real class.

They followed the voices of the panicking staff and that's how they found the King. Two vampires swung the heavy doors open that led to Pharoh's room and he stood there panicked.

It was quiet. The maids looked at the uninvited guest and back at the King. First thing Valerie's eyes fell on were the princess's. She looked terrified, like she knows what just entered and she was so pretty Valerie thought.

She wore a white-cremish toga tied with a gold belt. She had a gold tiara that rested on her bald head. She had beautiful soft wide shoulders and on it hung three gold necklaces. One of them has her name on it, Nandi.

"Leave!" She instructed to the workers and the ran out. She gave Pharoh a taunting smile. "You next,"

Nandi stood before her father with her arms stretched out. Her big round eyes held worry and pain, "please don't touch him. He's all I've got,"

Liam grinned. "Kill him and take the girl."

The vampires were quick about it. After all, they are humans. Valerie had to do her job now. She walked up to Nandi and placed her hands on her fluffy soft cheeks to keep her head from moving. She looked into her eyes and read her mind to see if she knows the ingredients to the potion as well.
She saw a lot of things in her head. Memories that she doesn't even remember anymore. From her very first seconds in the real world. Her mom holding her in her loving arms and giving her her first kiss. She laid on her mother's chest. Her dad was there too.

She saw her first words, mama, in their language. She saw her first steps. Her first day at school. How she fit in with everyone so easily. She saw the favour of a princess through her eyes. How easy life is. She saw how joyful she is and brings life to everyone. She saw Nandi's first kiss, it happened so suddenly. It was her best friend too. They went swimming and her friend swam up to her. She swam under water and when she came up she pulled Nandi in for a kiss. It lasted pretty long. That part made Valerie smile internally because she didn't take Nandi for that type.

They shared many more kisses after that though, and more.

Her saddest memory was when her mother died. At the age of sixteen. It broke her. She became very distant. She even stopped being friends with Nomvula, her close friend.

It took her four years to get over her mother's death and now at the age of twenty-five she seems recovered. But only Valerie knows that's a lie. She's still deeply affected by it.

Another interesting memory is that she appears to be happy that she's betrothed to a prince, but that doesn't sit well with her. She doesn't even care because what is love anyway? People die. So she tries to avoid getting attached. The only thing she wants from her marriage is a few children. A boy first, to take care of his younger sister. Sweet.

Valerie released Nandi and turned to Liam. "She doesn't know anything. She's clear,"

He nodded his head. "Good. Take her. We're leaving in five minutes. Pack a few of her things," he gave instructions to the vampire help and they jumped to his command.