Lor’s mouth rounded in awe, eyes beaming at Leonebus. If she didn’t wish to marry a vampire, what made him think she wanted to live among them. The terrible news plundered her heart. Then, the tears started, her cheeks saturated.

Full of disbelief, a panic attack surged through her body. Shallow breaths rushed in and out of her flared nostrils, Leonebus’s words recirculated in her mind again and again, until they all jumbled together. You will marry. You will go tonight. Marriage. Going. Tonight. There was a sudden urge to flee. The idea arose but her feet quickly pedaled backward instead, the room a spinning blur.

At the edge of her bed, she tumbled, sitting with her neck hunched and hands cradling her elbows. Lor was a wreck. The floor held her gaze, eyelids netting with more tears as their heaviness continued to seep down. She was disappointed in him. Not for a second did he consider what she wanted, coming to her room to demonstrate that point. The sudden shift in his plan seemed to be without cause, but knowing her father, there was purpose behind it.

It was clear, he’d already made up his mind, no regard to what making a truce with the enemy entailed. Knowing he could do such a thing slashed all the curves of her heart.

As she continued sobbing, she wondered if empathy existed in his heart seeing her this way. The only support he’d granted her was a handkerchief. What more could she do to gain his sympathy? Tears and tantrums didn’t work. Her crying instantly stopped as if they sensed their uselessness. If she could somehow get him to see the absurdity in his plan, then perhaps she could gain some control of the situation. What could I say or do? Subsequently, she realized how much time she’d lost in this moment when Leonebus took heed to wrap things up.

“I don’t expect you to understand why this marriage must persist, but you are obligated to follow through. It’s time you stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about your country.”

Lor let go of her expectations and whimpered out,

“Okay!”

“There is something you mustn’t do when you go.” There was now earnestness in his approach. He walked to her, kneeling down at eye level. “Do not fall for him. Don’t you dare sleep with him. The vampires hold the same understanding up until your wedding night, but you needn’t worry about that. Just go there, become queen of Ustoria and wear a brave face for your country.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing something so horrible as to sleep with a monster!” Her softened voice broke.

“So you’re set on sending me away?” Another question riddled her mind. What does he mean I needn’t worry on my wedding night?

With nostrils flared, his voice turned sharp. “If I call off this marriage, we lose an important ally.”

“All I am is collateral to you….to them!”

“Vampires don’t live off of promise, Loretta. To ensure peace, unity, and their support in the upcoming war, I had to—”

“Sacrifice your own daughter.”

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Leonebus heaved out a heavy breath and brought Lor’s hands into his. “One day, you will understand that all I do is for you and the greater good of our country.” He released his grip and stood, towering over her hunched body. “This marriage is happening and you will be out of the castle by moonrise. If you try to run away, your scent is easy to follow. Don’t let me down, Loretta.”

When he abruptly walked off, Lor collapsed to her back and the ceiling received an empty stare. It was almost as if her father’s words left her limp. Both of her arms and legs sprawled out, with a heaviness to them. She felt her problems smashing down, breathing constricted by the weight of it all.

Then a rush of terror sent shivers down her spine when she formed a mental picture of Ustoria. She imagined it to be everything but beautiful, more dreadful than anything. In her mind, the forest, the land, and the castle was a colorless place, everything dead and dark due to the vampire’s touch. Forest trees had no leaves, instead, the ground buried in them with their dry, brittle folds, only cracking and crinkling as unearthly monsters prowled. Thickets and fallen branches seemed to be in all the places grass would be. They led a trail to the castle, an ominous structure Lor dared not enter. Her mind began formulating what the inside looked like, but someone pulled her out the daze.

Scurrying inside the room, Naomi rushed at the princess’s bedside and sat. Lor leaned forward, confused by the maid’s sudden entrance. Then, she hugged Lor firmly, with every tear she shed initiating a tighter grip. Naomi’s heart shattered with all things considered.

“I’ll start packing your things.” With a loosened grasp, her plump cheeks reddened when Lor used the duvet to wipe away the tears. This came as a shock to Naomi who always gave comfort when the princess had a bad day, but never received it in return. It wasn’t her place to expect such a luxury from a royal anyway, but this was the second time today Lor seemed to care.

“Don’t cry for me. I suppose I deserve everything I’m getting,” said Lor.

“Don’t say that. If you don’t desire it, you don’t deserve it.”

Not wanting to pry on the subject, which would bring back her own tears, Lor changed the direction of their conversation.“Will you be coming with me?”

“I’m sorry, but no. Your father has pulled me from all maid duties. I will be serving…him.”

“Serving him? In what way?” Lor presented a puzzled facial expression.

“You know, the regular servant stuff. Trust me. I asked to go, but you will be set up with new maids who understand vampire customs.”

“My new maids are vampires?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Uhg! He’s taken everything from me. What will I do without you?”

“You’ll find that everything your father does is for your protection and I’m certain you’ll manage without me.”

“How is sending me with flesh-eating beasts supposed to protect me?”

Naomi gave the question a moment to process, not certain what to say. “I actually don’t know, but I trust my king, so that means you will be safe.”

When the moon peaked, the dooming knock of someone’s harsh knuckles banged against Lor’s door. It was time to leave for Ustoria. Naomi already packed the princess’s things and gone.

As the knocking continued, she scoffed.

“Come in already!” She stared through the reflection of her mirror, grilling the door. Whoever was on the other side was asking for an earful.

Just when the door opened, an unfamiliar face walked inside, making her blood boil. The nerve of him, knocking like a lunatic. She veered back at her reflection, eyeing her gown from shoulder to ankle. Naomi presented a new blue dress for her to wear, made from satin. Sheer fabric poufed out at the waistline, weighing the dress down. The cleavage area had a trail of glazed stone curving around into flower patterns. Such a beautiful gown chosen for my grand entrance into Ustoria. Her eyes rolled around and lips drooped with disgust since she had no desire to impress her fiance or her future in laws.

“Princess, the carriage is waiting. Your father urged we be on time.” The heaviness of the luggage burdened him as he held an oversize suitcase in each hand. She could tell by his flared nostrils that he wished to say more, but he knew his limits.

Furthermore, she spun around, using her forearm to push her dress to the back. With eyebrows cornered and a threatening glare, she said, “How dare you rush me?”

“I do apologize. It’s just, King Serphen’s men will be waiting at the border for us. You shouldn’t want to make a bad first impression, do you?”

“Who do you think you are, giving advice when I did not ask for it? Take my things and I’ll come when I’m ready!”

“As you wish princess.”

When he left, Lor took a moment to sulk in her thoughts. She lifted her dress just enough to walk to the bed and sit. Whether or not Leonebus would be mad, she didn’t care. It’s not like she was eager to go. Deep in thought, Dom became the center piece. Many times they made love in her bed, or just about anywhere. She ran a hand along her duvet, absorbing vivid memories of such times, bringing her to bite her lip. He was the first and only man she ever laid with. She felt a tear glide down her cheek, realizing she’d never see him again after tonight or feel his warming embrace. She loved him beyond doubt, even if she enforced the word friends. For that reason, she wouldn’t run away with him.

Just as she rose to her feet, bracing herself for the dreadful trip, she took one last look at herself. Goodbye, free girl.