Filed to story: The Vampire Prince’s Bride
“There’s one big problem,” I said.
“What’s that?” Geneva asked.
“Why will anyone believe that I’m a princess at all?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it be more likely that I’m a rogue vampire who’s hungry for the throne? What would stop them from kicking me out… or worse, killing me for trying to trick the crown?”
“They’ll believe you because of this.” Geneva smirked and held the vial of blood higher in the air. “This blood-blood from a vampire princess-will give you the power of compulsion. The only vampires who can use compulsion are the original vampires and the vampires they sire-the vampire princes and princesses. Once you demonstrate your ability to compel, not even Queen Laila herself will be able to claim that you aren’t a princess.”
“And you’ll definitely be able to get me fresh vampire blood each day?” I asked, eyeing up the tube in her hand. I remembered what I’d felt like immediately after drinking Sean’s blood-strong. Observant. Powerful.
I wanted that feeling again.
I still wanted to be a true vampire. But for now, this would do the trick.
“Of course.” Geneva smiled. “Your wish is my command.”
And so, I took the vial from her, and I drank.
Karina
I was staring at an old, fading photograph of Peter, allowing the tears to fall down my cheeks, when there was a knock on my door.
“One moment.” I managed to sound composed through the tears, and I wiped them off my face, shoving Peter’s photograph back into my desk drawer. The photo was from the week that I’d met him, on a luxury ocean liner in the early 1900s. It pained me to put it back away, but I couldn’t allow anyone to see me moping.
I walked over to the mirror to check my reflection. My eyes were glassy, but other than that, I was reasonably presentable. I ran a brush through my hair-it had always been thick and long, the type of hair others constantly praised me for, but it was often a chore to keep it in check.
“Come in,” I said, once satisfied with my reflection.
My lady’s maid-and closest friend-Elena walked through the door. Like me, she wore a day gown suitable for the formal dress code in the Carpathian Kingdom. Her cheeks were flushed and radiant. I suspected she’d just feasted on one of the humans in the dungeons.
“King Nicolae requests to see you in the throne room,” she said, giving me a small curtsy. “
At once.”
I glanced at my watch, my brows furrowing when I saw the time. It was nearly four in the morning-the time for high tea (laced with blood, of course) and caviar. The king normally took care of all administrative tasks upon waking at dusk.
“Did he give any hint as to what this is about?” I askedElena.
“He did not.” She smiled mischievously, and with that look I was seeing the version of her that was my friend-not my lady’s maid. “Although he was with a witch, and the witch was holding a letter. I could only presume that he wants to discuss the contents of the letter.”
“I should have my hair and makeup done for this meeting,” I determined, heading to my vanity to sit down. Elena could have my hair looking presentable within fifteen minutes, and I could do my makeup in the same. “Come, help me.”
“He insisted that you come immediately.” She remained where she stood. “He appeared quite anxious to speak with you.”
“Fine.” I sighed and set down my concealer. I didn’t like the idea of appearing in front of this witch without being fully presentable, but I knew better than to keep King Nicolae waiting, so I stood up and headed to the door. “Thank you for coming to me. I’ll go to him at once.”
“And you’ll tell me what this is about once it’s finished?” she asked eagerly.
“Yes.” I gave her hand a small squeeze and smiled. “Of course.”
* * *
W hen I walked into the throne room, I found only King Nicolae there. The witch that Elena had mentioned was nowhere in sight.
The king held a letter in his hand, and I could only guess that it was the letter Elena had spoken of. As always, he wore a three-piece suit, as required of vampire nobles of the Carpathian Kingdom during our “daytime” hours. Between high tea and dinner, we would all change into our evening formal wear.
“Karina,” he said my name as I approached. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Of course.” I gave him a curtsy, as befitting his station. “What is this about?”
“I just received the most unusual letter.” He held the piece of parchment slightly higher in the air and gave it a small wave.
“What about?” I did my best to sound nonchalant, despite being full of curiosity. That was the way of our kingdom-show no weakness and conceal all emotions. Except while in private, of course.
The moments I had alone in my room were the only times I was free to feel.
“Queen Laila has sired her strongest prince yet-Prince Sean,” he began. “The prince is now searching for a bride.”
“That’s interesting,” I said, although I truly didn’t find it that interesting. Much like humans, most vampires wanted to find life partners. This news was hardly unusual. “But what does it have to do with us?”
The only answer I could possibly come up with was that Nicolae worried that this Prince Sean might be strong enough to be considered a threat. But that hardly made sense, since the Carpathian Kingdom and the Vale were on solid terms. All of the vampire kingdoms were pretty much on the same terms-the terms of each kingdom staying out of the way of the others and stirring up no political trouble. We were all far enough apart that it was easy enough to keep to ourselves. Any issues were resolved internally, without the involvement of any other kingdoms. It was how it had been since theGreatWar.
“The prince is not seeking a bride from the Vale,” he told me.
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “He’s searching for a strong human to sire, then?”
“No.” Nicolae’s eyes were hard, and I braced myself for what was to come. Because if Prince Sean wasn’t searching for a human to turn, or for a noble vampire from the Vale, where was he searching?
“You look as surprised as I was upon receiving this letter,” he told me. “I think it’s best if you read it yourself.”
He handed it to me, and I did just that.
Karina
I folded the letter after I finished reading it and handed it back toNicolae.