The guards stood behind me, and I stared at her as intimidatingly as possible, wanting to ensure that she answered honestly.
“I’ve never killed a human, Your Highness.” Her voice was strong as she spoke, her gaze not leaving mine.
“Never?” I raised an eyebrow. “Not even immediately after being turned?”
“Never,” she confirmed. “I’ve seen too much death—both as a human and a vampire. Like all vampires in the Tower, I’m accustomed to drinking from the vein. But I’ve never killed. You can ask King Devin himself, if you must. He will confirm that I speak the truth.”
“No need.” I stepped back, signaling that I was done here. “I believe you.”
I turned away from her to face the guards. “Watch each princess carefully,” I commanded them. “Any princess who tries to leave her carriage while we’re in the human village will be dosed with wormwood, no questions asked. Understood?”
They nodded that they did, and a few of the princesses scooted closer to the center of their carriages.
Fear still shined in the eyes of the humans, but a few of them relaxed their stances. Good. The purpose of involving the humans in my selection was to boost morale to get their minds off of the recent wolf attacks. It wouldn’t do to leave them more paranoid than they were before. I needed to do something to distract them.
“I apologize for Princess Daniela’s transgression,” I said, locking eyes with as many of them as possible as I spoke. “Your safety is my upmost concern. Today is supposed to be a celebration, and I assure you, as prince of the Vale, that what just happened will not be repeated. Any princess who breaks our laws will be eliminated from my selection with no questions asked. In addition, all human citizens of the Vale will be provided with cheese and wine tonight to thank you for your understanding,”
The humans hooted and clapped in appreciation, and I re-joined Laila in our carriage.
“Well played,” she said with a smirk.
“What can I say?” I shrugged casually, matching her smirk with one of my own. “I learned from the best.”
The carriage gave a small tug, and we both waved to the crowd as the procession continued.
Annika
My quickly put together carriage was last in the procession, and driving through the streets of the Vale was more difficult than I’d anticipated.
As we rolled along, I was flooded with memories. First, there were memories from the vampire town. Mike and I had often sneaked around the markets there to steal food for ourselves and our friends in the Tavern. Many humans worked for the vampires, so it had been easy enough for us to go unnoticed in the streets. Those streets had been where he’d taught me to fight back. Yes, it had been small things like stealing the occasional bit of forbidden food, but it had always felt good to know that I wasn’t letting the vampires control every aspect of my life.
I remembered the way Mike had laughed and smiled whenever we’d get to a safe spot with the food in our bags and the vampires none the wiser.
Now, Mike was dead because of the vampires. I would never hear his laugh again, or race after him down the streets with the rush of adrenaline pounding through my veins from the thrill of successfully acquiring the food we weren’t allowed to buy.
A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down, blinking tears out of my eyes. I couldn’t cry. It would make no sense for Princess Ana of the Seventh Kingdom to cry.
I needed to push away my emotions and become a perfect mask of calm, like Queen Laila and the other princesses.
I was able to do that for the remainder of the time that we were in the vampire town, but driving through the human village was much harder. I saw some of my familiar haunts—the main square, the bookshop, and the road that led to the Tavern. But that wasn’t what made it difficult.
The most difficult part was seeing the faces in the crowd. I spotted Norbert standing off to the side, watching the procession thoughtfully and eyeing up each princess. Norbert was the bookshop owner in the village, and it was because of him that I’d discovered my love for reading. I’d often traded chocolate I’d stolen from the vampires for new books to enjoy.
Norbert was the closest person to a father figure that I’d had in the Vale. But when he looked at me now, it was with complete lack of recognition. Which shouldn’t have surprised me—the transformation potion made me look like a different person—but it sent a hollow pang through my chest nonetheless.
The point where I nearly lost my composure was when I saw Martha, the youngest girl who worked at the Tavern. She was only fifteen, and she wore her hair in two braids as she watched the procession. She leaned over the rail to get a good view, transfixed as we passed, but her skin was gaunt and she had dark circles under her eyes. She’d always struggled more than the others when she had to donate blood—I’d always made sure to give her extra of whatever food I stole in the hope that it would give her strength.
Now, she was likely getting no extra food at all.
I gave her a small smile as I passed, wishing I could do more—wishing I could give her the food she so desperately needed. I wished I could free her from this horrible place and return her to her parents who loved her.
I wanted to wish for Geneva to rescue Martha and teleport her back to her parents, but I knew I couldn’t do that. I needed to think long term. The vampires kept meticulous records—they needed to, to make sure they were getting as much blood from us as possible while keeping us alive and working. If Martha disappeared, the vampires would notice.
It would arouse suspicion regarding the newcomers—the princesses—and make it more difficult for me to bring down the Vale from the inside.
In the meantime, I promised myself that once I completed my mission, Martha would be one of the first ones I would rescue. I would personally see her safe in her parents’ arms.
I was imagining how happy Martha would be when the South American princess attacked the human boy.
It happened so fast—I didn’t have time to blink before her fangs sunk into his neck and screams erupted through the crowd. Then the guards were pulling the princess away, Jacen kicked her out of the selection, and he approached the other princess—Princess Isabella—in her carriage.
“Do you believe you have the willpower to control your own bloodlust?” I heard him clearly with my enhanced vampire hearing. “If you don’t, please don’t be ashamed to admit it.”
“I’ve never killed a human, Your Highness,” she replied, and I widened my eyes in shock.
A vampire who’d never killed a human was unheard of. I’d come to accept that if I eventually became a vampire, a few humans would likely die as I gained control over my bloodlust. I’d planned to make sure those humans were the worst of the worst—murderers, sociopaths, and the like—but even the possibility of killing scum still plagued me.
Now, according to Princess Isabella, it was possible to be a vampire and to have never killed a human.
I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or not.
But if she was, I was going to learn how she did it.
Annika
The parade concluded back at the palace, and we were escorted to our quarters by the guards. My quarters consisted of a main bedroom, a bathroom, and another bedroom meant for my lady’s maid. Which I of course didn’t have.
“The ball will begin at four, which gives you some time to get situated and ready,” my guard, Tess, explained. “Are you sure you don’t want to call for your lady’s maid? You’re the only princess who didn’t bring at least one. Surely you’ll need assistance while you’re here…”
“As you know, the Seventh Kingdom is extraordinarily private.” I tried to sound as confident and royal as possible, despite the fact that I was totally making it up as I went. “My lady’s maid will remain there.”
Tess let out a long breath—I didn’t think she believed me any more than I believed myself. “Perhaps you would like assistance from a vampire of the Vale?” she suggested. “Prince
ss Stephenie is out of town and her lady’s maid didn’t travel with her. Catie would be perfect for you. I don’t know exactly what you’re used to at the Seventh Kingdom, but I’m sure that Catie will be able to help you with anything you need.”
“Isn’t that your job as my guard?” I asked.
“My job as your guard is to protect you.” She straightened. “Not to select your dresses, do your makeup, style your hair, or unpack your belongings…” She scrunched her nose as she eyed up my still packed luggage—which was filled with whatever Geneva had deemed appropriate for a vampire princess—and looked at me suspiciously. “You do keep a lady’s maid at the Seventh Kingdom, don’t you?” she asked. “I know not every kingdom calls them the same thing, but surely you have someone to help you with these things? After all, the other princesses are all already unpacked. Their lady’s maids handled that for them while they were occupied with the parade.”
“Of course I do.” I tried to sound as aghast as possible about her accusation, despite feeling as out of place as ever.
“Then should I retrieve Catie and inform her that she’ll be serving as your lady’s maid while you’re here?”
“No!” I said quickly, since having a vampire sharing my quarters would risk exposing my fraud. But I forced myself to relax, not wanting to arouse further suspicion—as if I hadn’t garnered enough suspicion by claiming to be from a kingdom that many vampires believed to be a place of myths. “I mean, my lady’s maid is waiting to join me until I confirm that I’m permitted to participate in the selection,” I said as primly as possible. “I planned on making the call once I received confirmation that I would be allowed to remain. In the meantime, I’m perfectly capable of getting myself ready for this evening and would like some time alone to get situated. I’ll let you know if I need any further assistance.”
She nodded, the suspicion not leaving her eyes. “I’ll be back to retrieve you when it’s time to go to the ball,” she said, and then she finally left me alone.
The moment she shut the door, I reached into the hidden pocket of my underwear and pulled out the sapphire ring. I rubbed the gem, and out came Geneva.
“Annika,” she said my name, looking around at our surroundings. She raised her eyebrow and turned back to me. “Quite the nice accommodations. Although I’m not surprised, since Laila always did know how to treat her guests. I assume all went as planned with your introduction to the Vale and your request to be included in the prince’s selection?”
“Sort of,” I said, and I gave her a rundown on everything that had happened this morning.
“Laila’s suspicion was to be expected,” she said once I finished. “She won’t find anything, since none of the rulers of the other kingdoms sired you.”
“She can still kick me out anytime,” I pointed out. “Jacen may have vouched for me, but Laila’s the one in charge.”
“True,” Geneva said. “Given the excitement of this morning, your best move right now is to lay low and make sure not to do anything that pisses Laila off.”
“I know.” I took a deep breath and started pacing around the room. “For now, I’m just observing. Figuring out how to bring Laila and her kingdom down has to wait until after Jacen chooses me as his bride. And that’s if he chooses me as his bride. The other princesses… well, let’s just say I have a lot of competition.”
“As expected.” Geneva tilted her head in amusement. “I assumed you knew that going in?”
“I did,” I said. “It’s just different to see them in person. They’re all so poised and beautiful. I feel so… inexperienced in comparison.”
“You caught the prince’s eye once,” she reminded me. “Surely you can do it again.”
“Maybe,” I said, although that was so different. I’d caught his eye because he’d wanted to toy with me—not because he wanted to marry me. “But I brought you here because I have another request.”
“What would you like?” she asked.
“I need a lady’s maid,” I said.
“Lady’s maids are always vampires,” Geneva said. “And as powerful as I am, I cannot simply whip up a vampire from thin air.”
“I know you can’t,” I said. “Which was why I was thinking that you should use a transformation potion to disguise your appearance, so that you can pose as my lady’s maid.”
“Seriously?” She laughed, looking at me as if I’d gone insane. When I said nothing, she pinched her lips together. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“I’m not joking,” I told her. “According to my assigned guard, it’s strange that I don’t have a lady’s maid with me. I’m going to need your help while I’m here, so I thought it would be easiest if you took on that role. That way you can interact with me without arousing suspicion.”
“Except that I’m a witch, not a vampire,” she pointed out.
“Can’t you do what I’m doing and drink vampire blood to appear as a vampire?” I asked.
“No.” She made a face, clearly disgusted at the idea. “Immortals cannot drink the blood of vampires. It makes us sick.”
“Hmm,” I said, trying to think of an easy solution. “Then why can’t we just say that in the Seventh Kingdom, witches serve as lady’s maids? It’s a made up kingdom, anyway. Which means we make the rules.”
“It’s a kingdom of myth,” she reminded me. “It’s not made up. There are many who believe the Seventh Kingdom exists.”
“But no one actually knows anything about it,” I said. “They won’t be able to disprove us.”
“Witches work alongside vampires—they don’t serve them as maids,” she said, sticking her nose in the air. “But if you’re willing to take the risk, it’s your call.”
“I’m willing to take the risk,” I told her. “And I assume it goes without saying, but you’re to tell no one of your true identity.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said. “If you die while in control of the ring, I die with you. And there are too many who would kill you on the spot if they knew you had my ring—because they know that would get rid of me. So your safety is my upmost concern.”
“I know,” I said. “I just thought it was worth saying aloud.”
“Understandable.” She held her gaze with mine, and for the first time, I thought I saw respect in her eyes. “Now, I suppose I should be off to locate a human to use for my transformation potion. Unless there’s anything else you need right now?”
“Well, there is one thing.” I looked around my unpacked room, recalling what Tess had said to me earlier. I’d told the guard that I could get ready myself… but that was sort of a lie. Makeup and hair were far from my specialties. If left on my own, I would surely look plain in comparison to the other princesses.
Plain was the last thing I wanted. To catch Jacen’s eye, I needed to stand out. Surely Geneva could whip up some magic to help me. Like my own fairy godmother.
“And what’s that?” She stood straighter, as if preparing for my request.
“I need you to help me get ready for the ball.”
Annika
A few hours later, there was a knock on the door.
I took one final glance at the mirror. It was strange to gaze in the mirror and see the red headed stranger’s face, but upon looking at myself, I was amazed once more at Geneva’s work. She’d put me in a stunning purple ball gown, and combined with the soft curls and classic makeup, I truly looked like a princess.
Still, I didn’t feel ready. There were going to be so many challenges throughout the night. As it was now, I’d barely mastered walking in this dress without tripping on the hem.
“Who is it?” I asked, my heart jumping in anticipation. What if it was Jacen? Or worse—Laila? What if they’d changed their minds and were kicking me out of the Vale before the selection truly even began?
“It’s Tess,” my guard said, and I relaxed at her voice. “I’m here to escort you to the ball.”
“Come in,” I told her.
She did as I asked,
startling when she saw Geneva. Well—when she saw Geneva as she appeared since taking the transformation potion—as a plain, petite, round woman in her mid-forties. I’d thought it would be best that Geneva drew the least amount of attention to herself as possible, thus the homely appearance.
Tess sniffed the air, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. “Who’s this witch in your room?” Her eyes shot daggers at Geneva, and she reached for the hilt of her sword, as if preparing to attack.
“This is my lady’s maid.” I stood up to make the introduction—and to stop a fight from breaking out. “Her name’s Gen. Gen, this is Tess, my guard while I’m here at the Vale.”
“She’s a witch,” Tess repeated, although her hand dropped from her sword.
“I know,” I said. “In the Seventh Kingdom, witches serve as lady’s maids. Gen’s been with me since I was turned. Since there are witches living in the Vale, I trust that Gen’s presence won’t be a problem?” I watched Tess steadily, trying to make it clear that I was daring her to defy me.
If I was going to play the part of a princess, I was going to do it right. And guards were supposed to defer to royalty.
“Of course not,” Tess said. “There will be certain logistics to deal with—like meals—but we’ll need to work that out later. Because right now, we need to get you to the ball.”
Annika
Tess escorted me to a small room where some of the other princesses were waiting.
“Once the party begins, each princess will enter the ballroom and be formally introduced,” Tess told me. “For now, you’ll wait here.” She marched off to the side of the room to join the other guards, leaving me to look around at the other princesses.
Their gowns were all beautiful—styled in the fashions of their countries—and they were mingling with each other and chatting as if they were all old friends. A few of them glanced at me when I walked in, but no one made an effort to say hello. They didn’t like me—that much was obvious. One of them—I think I remembered her name as being Eve—crinkled her nose as the sight of me before turning away.
The Vampire Prince (The Vampire Wish Book 2) Page 9