Filed to story: The Vampire Prince’s Bride
I wouldn’t kill him.
I would let him live.
I inched toward him and lowered myself down, my fangs sliding out of my gums as the scent of his blood filled my nose. Then my teeth sunk into his flesh and I was gulping down the warm, fresh blood.
How had I thought that the bitter, refrigerated blood could compare? How had I convinced myself that I could live off that garbage for the rest of my immortal existence? Noble vampires in the Vale were afforded the luxury of drinking straight from humans-I should enjoy the indulgence, not cower away from it.
It wasn’t like I had much else to look forward to anymore. Not after my mortal life-my soul- had been taken from me against my will.
If the intoxicating taste of fresh blood was all I could enjoy, then so be it.
Just when I was beginning to enjoy myself, the blood supply stopped. I sucked deeper on his neck, trying to will out the final drops, and I squeezed his arms harder, as if that could push out more blood.
But there was nothing left.
He was drained dry.
Camelia
Camelia
I loved watching Sean feed.
Ever since he’d been brought to the palace, I’d been fascinated by the vampire prince-the handsome swimmer I’d advised that Laila turn after her previous prince had been driven mad by the bloodlust and had sacrificed himself to the wolves.
As Sean drained the old man, I reached for the pendant I always wore around my neck-the one filled with wormwood-stroking it and holding my breath. I watched as the man stopped struggling, as his hands went limp, and as his head eventually rolled to the side, his eyes empty and dead.
As predicted, Sean had lost control again. Consumed by his bloodlust. It wasn’t surprising. Because the stronger the vampire, the harder it was for them to control their urge to drain humans dry.
Sean was shaping up to become one of the most powerful vampires that ever existed.
And I was determined to make him mine.
“Take the body away,” Laila told Daniel, barely glancing at the drained corpse.
Sean didn’t tear his eyes away from the old man as Daniel heaved him over his shoulder and walked out of the room.
“You’re not ready,” Laila told Sean sharply. “In time you will be, but not yet.”
“How do I control it?” he asked her-begged her. “Why don’t I know when to stop?”
“You’re improving,” Laila said. “The fact that you didn’t maul him the moment you smelled his blood was significant progress. But you need more time.”
“How much more?”
“There’s no exact formula,” she said. “It will happen when you want it badly enough. In the meantime, I have work to attend to.”
She exited the room, leaving Sean and me alone.
“What are you staring at?” he growled at me. “Don’t you have work to do, too? A kingdom to help Laila run?”
“Of course.” I nodded. “But I also wanted to let you know that I’m here for you, if you ever want to talk.”
“Don’t play that game with me.” He scowled.
“What game?” I reached for the amulet again, forming my expression into one that I hoped looked like complete innocence.
“The game where you pretend to care about anyone except for yourself.”
“There’s no pretense here,” I told him. “I do care about you. I want you to become the strongest vampire prince that ever lived. Perhaps even a king.”
“I’ll never become a king.” He crossed his arms. “I don’t want to become a king.”
“Then what do you want?” I asked, truly curious.
“To be human again.”
“Why?” I laughed. “Even if that were possible-which it isn’t-why would you refuse the power you’ve been given? Why would you want to be so weak?”
“I’m not going to bother explaining it to you,” he looked away from me and walked over to the window, gazing longingly at the human village below. “You’ll never understand.”
“I might understand more than you think.” I slithered toward him, and when I was close enough, I laid my hand gently on his shoulder. “I understand that you need comfort, Sean. I can provide that. Let me give it to you.”
I leaned forward, looking deep into his eyes, my lips getting closer and closer to his. What would kissing him feel like? I imagined that old man’s blood must still coat his tongue-I wished I could know how delicious it tasted to him.
It must have been incredible, to make him lose control like he did.
“Stop.” He stepped back, his eyes dilating as he stared into mine. “Leave my quarters. Now.”
“Are you trying to compel me?” I laughed again, although disappointment fluttered in my stomach. I wouldn’t be turned away that easily. Instead, I leaned forward again, willing him to give into temptation. He’d given in with that human. Why not with me?
He simply backed away and repeated his command.
“You know I’m wearing wormwood,” I continued, reaching for my necklace. “Even if you’ve mastered compulsion, it won’t work on me.”