The hours mushed together one after another, the agony of prolonged travel bruising Lor’s rear. One impatient question turned into eternity. Were they almost there? How long had they been traveling? Did they cross the border? What time was it? Just as she found the whit to open the curtain to see if the wooded surroundings changed into a bridge crossing or at least a town, her eyebrows shot up in horror. The forest life swayed with the swooshing tide of wind, dancing to the scoffs of Lor’s disappointment. How much longer?

Then a sound coiled in the distance. As the carriage continued forward, a man’s shouts is what Lor could make of it, still too far to be certain. The vehicle kept its speedy pace, bringing them nearer to the person who dared yell in the late hours of night which would alert predators. Her heart plunged forward when the carriage slowed. Why on earth are we stopping?

The man’s volume changed once they approached him. There were others with him who spoke, her small brigade talking with them. What’s going on out there? With her name and title tossed around like a tennis ball, she finally realized the voices belonged to Ustorian soldiers. Her heart jolted just then, the dawn of reality taking it by surprise. To worsen matters, the door flew open revealing Dom’s disgruntled face. He refused to pair eyes, keeping a fixed gaze toward the ground.

“Let’s go,” he said cold, as if eager to get the package delivered to be done with.

“We’re in the middle of the woods. Why am leaving my carriage?” said Lor, frustration conducting her last nerve. Dom’s coldness partnered with her confusion on the matter bolstered it.

“You will ride in with Prince Neltavio’s soldiers.”

“Alone?” Her sockets could have lost a pair of eyes just then, the way they bulged out, glistening with dread. “We’re no where near the castle, are we? You expect me to ride with vampires alone?”

An unfamiliar voice chimed in. “Hello Princess.” The new face emerged from the possy of minx and vampire alike. He was one of the most gorgeous creatures she’d ever seen, black curly hair, brown skin with a hint of hazelnut. Clear to his importance, he wore an honorable uniform with Ustorian colors of red wreathing his jacket and black slacks. Of course you’d be Nel’s soldier. Look at you. The well put together vampire did not have her fooled, however. He was still a blood-sucking beast nonetheless. There appeared something familiar about him. She circled back to the meeting, realizing he sat in attendance with the prince and king of Ustoria. The night I learned of my death sentence.

After a few seconds passed, the introduction continued.“I am Sunny. It is an honor to be in your presence. I, along with the Ustorian brigade, will escort you the rest of the way. Your safety is our priority. You are in good hands.”

The well spoken vampire appeared somewhat genuine. Lor allowed a moment to pass not sure what to say since her trust ran with those she came with. Perhaps the arrangements could be changed.

“I, uh—would like my men to come along.”

“That is perfectly fine,” said Sunny looking to Dom for approval.

As if he has any say in this!

One of Leonebus’s other men joined the conversation. “We have strict orders from the king to release you in their custody at the border.”

Of course he’d give that order. Lor sulked quietly in her defeat.

“It’s an act of good faith,” said Dom, not too keen on elaborating her father’s reasoning. Though he had planned to run away with her, he was well aware of Leonebus’s request before they left. He did not think they’d be there seeing it through.

“I understand,” said Sunny. His eyes were brighter and rounder now as if he’d won a prize. “See Princess? Your father put his trust in us to get you safely to the castle. It is an honor to carry out such a duty.” With poise, he bowed forth with a flattened palm. “Shall we?”

Sunny’s hand let off an inviting aura appearing alarmingly reassuring. She grabbed its warmth, stepping down to the ground. “You will get inside of the carriage ahead. Tristen will help you inside. I’ll grab your things.”

Lor grounded both feet to soil, a rush of shock running up her legs.

Here goes.

With slow strides, she bundled her skirts in both arms and approached the new vehicle, eyes set on Dom in passing. He refused to meet her gaze. Fine! Be that way! Once Tristen helped her inside, the sound of luggage thumped in the trunk. Seconds later, they were off.

Upon arrival to the castle, the air thickened with the slightest smell of iron and a dash of melted cane, a scent that only vampires emitted, especially after feeding. Their aroma wasn’t unbearable, just a bit unnatural to Lor. Something about it remained gratifying since that gave validation of their existing radius.

A shiver sneaked up the stretch her her spine as reality surfaced. She would live among vampires and marry one who had an ego large enough to make the most confident person doubt themselves. Lor’s own pride, strength, and assertiveness, withered away with each passing moment she visualized the prince’s face. An alluring visage with the will of mental thievery. If visualizing him should stifle her, how could she face him again?

As the carriage finally halted, Lor veered up a steep set of stairs that led to a colossal door comprised of brassy gold, depreciated from years of existence. The arched form fancied elegant carvings of roses per corner, neat in its craftsmanship. Lor eyed the ancient structure the entire time, even when the carriage door opened. Something about it shimmered authenticity for the moment. Soon enough, she’d waltz through it to meet with the very monsters she feigned. Sunny lowered his palm and cleared his throat, redirecting her awareness. Without delay, she grabbed it and stepped down to the ground.

They both traveled up the stone steep, Lor’s thighs burning a quarter of the way toward their mark. Both her knees buckled and she thought she needed a moment, but getting past the entrance became her ambition. Once at the top, Sunny shoved the door opened, allowing the princess to enter first.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The foyer was breathtaking, on the contrary of the vine suffocating chaos she imagined with thorns mimicking vampire teeth. Instead, beige colored walls enclosed her in a circle of bliss. Candles banked on rose shaped sconces spiraling up the rounded tower. Her eyes veered to the red dragon stone, a tasteful and expensive selection of flooring. The flickering light electrified the golden tresses within the slabs. With a slow twirl, she noticed a curtain of tropical plants draping from clay pots, hanging from above. They veiled a passageway that lead further into the castle.

“Got a good look, Princess Loretta?” said Sunny with a smile so broad his fangs peaked out.

Lor forgot the patient soldier’s presence, shifting around to face him. “I’m sorry. Let’s continue.”

Sunny brushed by the vines and into the dim corridor. With hastened steps, she tried to keep up.

The anticipated moment waited a few more feet away amplifying her heart rate. Her clammy palms oozed anxiety. Just when an inhale filled both lungs, her eyes set on a tall arch leading to the center of the castle, a rounded enclosure surrounded by different pathways. They walked beyond it. To Lor’s surprise, the king and queen patiently waited beneath a well lit chandelier. Where’s the prince?

“Please tell my son the princess has arrived,” said King Serphen to Sunny.

“Of course,” said Sunny with a nod. He spun off into a corridor closest to the one they came from.

“Hello, Princess Loretta.” King Serphen gave a subtle nod and relayed a warm grin.

To Lor’s surprise, the queen introduced herself.

“Welcome. I am Queen Fiora.”

Lor forced a smile, an expression pulled from a collection of theater masks she’d have to wear often. Even her nerves felt the slightest resistance, the ones that controlled facial expressions. Wear a brave face. She fought hard to do as Leonebus ordered, taking his comment literal.

For a few seconds, the queen locked eyes on Lor, finalizing observations of her son’s future bride, pulsing scolds up and down. Whether she approved or not, became a mystery.

On the contrary, Lor’s eyes swung left and right between the two vampires. They stood to towering heights, looming like a couple of wolves with unknown intentions. Were they thirsting for blood from the neck of the mere mortal who had no real power? She felt weak and powerless considering their true nature. The two seemed well matched considering. Age held no significance. But the princess knew their youth was a lie, for the simple fact they’d been rulers for centuries.

Queen Fiora had the rare beauty of a white rose, and the semblance of a million thorns. Her skin was powdery white, almost like a corpse on the first hour of death, but delicate and smooth like porcelain. The scolding viper’s charcoal hair pinned up in a messy bun, bangs tossed at each temple. Her choice in wardrobe, a red silk robe with a bare body beneath. When Lor met eyes with the queen, she panted in fear at two black pits staring back, similar to Nel’s. The only difference, they glittered disapproval. As if sensing Lor’s discomfort and taking pleasure in it, Fiora cast a sinister smile across her face, one that sent haunting shivers up Lor’s spine.

To break visual contact, the princess shifted her gaze to Serphen. His son favored him almost completely, sun kissed skin, smoldering eyes, pouted, luscious lips. Gray hairs sprouted out like whiskers from his beard and brows, the revealing factor that he was older and not some doppelganger. Lor could not bare it if they shared personalities. What seemed like an eternity of relaying glares only lasted a few seconds for a response.

“Hello,” said Lor, her guise astute. “It is an honor to meet you both.”

“I’m glad to see you’re well and safe after your journey,” said Serphen. “Our son seems to have forgotten you were coming. I do apologize for his absence.” The king’s forehead crinkled with care, but Lor refused to believe a vampire held any warmth in their hearts. The only thing she knew the two royals would ever feel was displeasure for the marriage. “Let’s see if Sunny can find him.”

Right on queue, Sunny materialized from the shadows without the prince.

“Prince Neltavio is in disposed,” said the soldier, leaving Lor puzzled. Her eyebrows furrowed just enough for the three vampire’s to notice. Was her arrival not important to him? How did Sunny manage to travel so fast considering how huge the castle was? Was he lying?

“Ha! Right,” said Queen Fiora, encouraging Lor’s curiosities. “Well, Loretta, I am pleased to meet you, but I am going to bed.” She sashayed toward one of the corridors behind and disappeared in its darkness.

“Sunny will escort you to your room. Goodnight, princess,” said King Serphen before making his exit.

That’s it? Some welcome!

“This way, Princess,” said Sunny.

Lor followed him through the same walkway he went in search for Nel. They walked up a staircase that brought them to the second floor and into another narrow path. This one ran deeper, doors aligning its stretch. Are one of these my rooms—Nel’s room? Just the thought of him and his disregard for her arrival made a knot form in her throat. The dress, hell, all the effort she put in to look presentable for him, A waste. She could not carry on without feeling seen. Did he not understand everything she sacrificed to be here? Did he think this was a game?

“Can you please take me to the prince’s room?” she asked, feeling out of character once the question slipped out.

“He told me to tell you he would meet with you first thing in the morning, after you’ve dressed.”

I am dressed!

With fire stretching through her soul, she felt eager and angry now. Tomorrow? She considered Sunny’s rebuttal, but it would not deter the princess. “I wish to see him now. Not a moment later. Take me to his room.” Sunny halted and looked over his shoulder. With furrowed brows he leered at Lor, lips parted as if he had a rebuttal, yet he said nothing. “I am his wife to be, so what I’m asking shouldn’t be a problem.”

Sunny let out a deep, irritated sigh before saying, “Alright.”

They remained on a straight path until a crossing hallway intercepted. Sunny turned left, went forward for some time, maneuvered into another passageway, and at the very end of the corridor, Nel’s door towered in far sight. The walking seemed endless, but with their fast pace, they approached it in moments.

“I’ll let him know you’re—” A faint moan of a woman seeped through the cracks of the door. Sunny veered toward Lor, with shocked features. “The prince is—”

“Not indisposed,” said Lor. She crossed her arms, disbelief rounding her sockets. How dare he? And I shouldn’t care, but— A veil of embarrassment wiped across her face. Here I am looking for a man—I mean a vampire who isn’t looking for me. Layers of emotions collided all at once, until she chose anger. Without hesitation, she reached for the doorknob, twirling it back and forth, but it was locked.

“Take me to my room, now!” she snapped. Her actions yielded an outcome of regret. Sunny’s bemused stare did not help any more or less. She wondered about his rounded orbs and dropped jaw. Did they result from the commotion in the bedroom or was it due to her sudden outburst? He had to have known what was taking place when the king sent him earlier. Then again, how could he have managed to travel here and back to the center of the castle so fast? He couldn’t have. There’s no way. Unless— She picked the brain for a moment and a memory materialized, one of Nel using his fast traveling ability the other night. Now that I understand how he managed, why would he still bring me knowing what was taking place?

“This way, Princess Loretta,” he said, reeling her out of the spiraling realm of thoughts. He headed in the opposite direction, making some turns. Eventually, Lor felt a headache trying to keep tabs on their path. When they finally reached her room, he said, “I do apologize for what you heard which is why I did not want to bring you.”

A shallow sigh of guilt left her lips. I did force him to take me. His apology took the edge off her boiling temperature to a minimum. “Thank you for your services.”

“Of course. Now get some sleep. Your maids will be here in the morning to ready you for the day.” He disappeared into the shadows without another word.

Lor finally entered the grand suite overwhelmed by the size and decor. She closed the door for privacy. The room had a grandness to it, well suited for a queen to be. A bed with four, marble post stood in each corner. They were pearl with smoky tresses of gold coiling throughout. A fluffy duvet and plump pillows, emerald green in color, emulated royalty. She galloped around like a toddler at a circus, eyes racing to one furniture piece to another. Chairs, end tables, curtains all in one unified color, emerald green. They locked to a vanity table displaying makeup and expensive perfumes. Upon approaching the wooden piece, she got a whiff of floral perfume, quite pleasing to the senses. The base of her heels lifted just a bit as they stumbled on a fringe rug. She took her shoes off, pressing both feet against its soft ridges. A wall mirror was the final element of surprise. The large reflector leaned against the paint, a decorated flowery frame stroked with a gold finish. She walked to it yearning to see herself. What a waste.

Ready to get out of the bulky gown, her fingers trailed the lining between shoulder blades and unfastened each button. The dress dropped to the floor. She kicked it aside taking comfort in wearing only bra and panties. She twirled around, setting eyes on the massive mattress. It called out like it had been yearning for her touch all night. She went to mount it, but then a sturdy knock came from the door.

Scrambling around for something to cover up, she came across a silk robe, similar to the queens. It hung beside the sleeping area on a fancy hook. She put it on and rushed to the door. To her horror, Prince Nel stood in the hallway with a sly grin, fangs poking out.

“I heard you were looking for me.”