Filed to story: The Vampire Prince’s Bride
“Perhaps if we found an exceptionally strong human,” I suggested. “They might be able to fight whatever’s guarding the objects inside the cavern and retrieve the ring.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Laila nodded. “Although you will be the one in charge of finding the human-not me. I trust this is something you can handle?”
“Yes.” I swallowed, wishing I could feel as confident as I sounded.
“Excellent.” Laila smiled and placed her hands on her desk. “Now, be on your way. And the next time you come to me, I hope it’s to re-introduce me to my old friend Geneva.”
Sean
I awoke as the last rays of the sun set below the horizon, opening my eyes to see someone standing next to my bed-Laila.
“Good evening,” she said, dangling a glass of blood in front of my face. Unlike the refrigerated blood I kept on my nightstand, this blood was warm-fresh.
I went to take it from her, but she held it out of my reach and backed away. She watched me, her eyes full of challenge, and she took a deep breath and smiled, as if enjoying the fragrance of the blood.
“Did you come in here to tease me?” The scent of the blood filled my nose, my mouth watering as my fangs pressed against my gums. I wanted nothing more than to yank that blood out of Laila’s hand and pour the blood down my throat.
But Laila was the queen, and it was up to her to decide when I would be free of the palace. She was testing me-I knew it.
I forced my breathing to become shallow so I wouldn’t have to inhale the intoxicating scent of the blood. Every bone in my body itched to run for the glass, but I pushed the urge down. I had to control myself. I have to prove myself.
“Well?” I asked once I’d regained control, making sure to look at Laila’s face and not at the tempting glass of liquid in her hand.
“I came in here to talk to you.” She stepped closer and handed me the glass.
I took it from her and finished it in a few gulps.
She watched me the entire time, her face a mask hiding whatever thoughts or emotions might be flying through her mind.
“How have you been feeling each evening upon waking?” she asked, perching on the side of my bed.
“Hungry,” I said, since it was the truth.
“But the hunger has been improving since you were first turned, has it not?”
“It hasn’t,” I said. “But my control over it has.”
“I see that.” She glanced approvingly at the now empty glass. “You wouldn’t have been able to resist that blood even a week ago.”
“I’ve been practicing.”
“Very good.” She smirked, and I had a feeling that whatever she wanted to talk to me about, I wasn’t going to like it. “Because I have a proposal for you-one that won’t just be good for you, but will benefit the entire kingdom.”
I stilled, getting the feeling that this might be trouble. “I’m listening,” I said.
“Good.” She laughed. “Because now that you’re gaining control over your bloodlust, there’s something important we need to discuss.”
“The removal of my guards so I’ll be able to leave the palace?” I guessed, hoping she would take it as a suggestion and agree.
“Nope.” She smiled again. “Your guards will not be removed. No-what I want to discuss is much more exciting that that.”
“And what is that?” I asked, since she was clearly goading me, and it would be much more efficient to simply say what she wanted so she would spill.
“It’s time for you to start searching for a bride.”
Sean
“W hat?” I stared at her with wide eyes, running a hand through my hair. “You’ve got to be kidding me. No way.”
“I can assure you that I’m not ‘kidding you,'” she said. “I’m completely serious.”
“I was turned into a vampire against my will,” I reminded her. “And now you want me to marry against my will? Like I said-no way. I’m drawing the line with this request.”
“What do you have against marriage?” she asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “I have nothing against marriage-once I’ve fallen in love and decided I’m ready for it.”
“You’re a prince, my son,” she said, brushing her finger across my cheek. It took all of my willpower not to flinch away. “Princes don’t always have the luxury of marrying for love.”
“If you’re so desperate for a wedding around here, why don’t you get married?” I threw at her. “You’ve been around for a few centuries. Surely you know someone you would want to wed?”
She glanced down at her hands, sadness crossing over her eyes-a rare moment of emotion for Laila. “There’s only one person in the world I would marry, and that person is gone,” she said softly. Then she yanked her head back up, her eyes hard and stubborn, all traces of sadness gone. “Besides, I am an original vampire. I am the queen of this kingdom. It is you who will be stronger with a match-not I. And I have the perfect match planned for you.”
“Really?” I tried my best to sound bored, although my heart leapt into my throat with panic. “And who’s that?”
“Camelia.”
“What?” I backed up, horror rushing through my body. “No. Hell no. I’m not marrying that witch.”
“Why not?” Laila asked. “Camelia proposed the idea herself, and I think it’s a wonderful match. After all, you know that Camelia is a distant relative of mine-a descendant of my sister who was killed by the Nephilim. She has the bloodline to become a vampire princess-and she’s willing to turn. I don’t understand what the problem is.”
“Centuries of being alive, and you don’t understand what the problem is?” I glared at her, figuring she must be joking. But she watched me, waiting for me to continue, so I did. “The problem is that I don’t love her.”
“Love.” Laila scrunched her nose. “Highly overrated, if you ask me. True love is rare, and only comes around once in a lifetime, if even. Then once you find it, it has the power to break you. It’s not worth the heartache. Trust me on that.”