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  I turned the lock firmly on the bathroom door, not because it would make me feel safer, but because I wanted to be sure Arrick heard it. I didn’t want there to be any doubt that, for the moment, I didn’t want him anywhere near me.

  Chapter_4

  Hot water hammered my naked body as I stood under it woodenly. My anger toward Arrick might have begun to wither, but a sense of ache remained in its wake. Was I really upset because he rejected me or because I felt guilty for kissing him in the first place? I hated to lie, but I never wanted Dmitry to find out. I remembered the look on his face when we found out I was getting a Blood Mate. Hearing I had kissed Arrick would only make matters worse.

  My feelings were so conflicted. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe Arrick could sense a piece of me was still holding onto Dmitry. I felt like I belonged in some ridiculous day-time movie. A girl torn between two lovers. Okay, they weren’t exactly my lovers, but I did care deeply for both of them, just in different ways. How could I ever choose between the two? Especially when neither had done anything wrong.

  By the time the water had run cold, I had resigned myself to fight the connection between Arrick. No matter how strong it felt at times, I promised myself I would always remember the pain of his rejection. That should make it easier not to return his smile, or allow my stomach to flutter the next time he touched me. At least I hoped it would.

  I braided my hair after partially combing the knots out and wrapped myself in a thick towel. Before I opened the bathroom door I decided to pull on a robe as well. I didn’t want Arrick to see any part of me. The more coverage the better.

  I smiled smugly as I exited into the bedroom in a cloud of steam. Arrick was nowhere to be seen.

  The balcony drew me in, the twinkling city of Naos spread out beyond it. I gripped the metal railing as I leaned over to peer at the crashing waves below me. Up here it seemed much higher than it had looked from the ground. My stomach started to spin and I pulled back, laughing at myself. I guess being a vampire didn’t do anything for my fear of heights. I ran my tongue across my fangs and turned back into the room.

  Hanging on the wooden canopy of the bed was a long golden dress. I rolled my eyes at the thought of having to wear it and even more so when I thought that perhaps Arrick had left it behind for me. I walked closer to inspect it when an unfamiliar scent tensed my senses. Someone had been in the room and it definitely wasn’t Arrick. He had a strong, earthy scent and this was nothing like it.

  I sniffed the air. My vampire senses told me that whoever had come in was now gone, but it creeped me out that someone had entered nonetheless.

  Up close the dress was more attractive than I had originally thought. It appeared to contain the same sparkling gold that I had seen so many other places in Naos. The fabric wasn’t the usual heavy kind like I had in my closet at Nicolae’s palace. This was light and airy, yet somehow still elegant. I knew the dress was hung there for a reason. Someone, most likely my parents, wanted me to wear it. I guess whatever was in Arrick’s travel bag was not an option.

  I plucked the dress from the hanger and marched to the bathroom. I was going to have to make myself look a little more presentable if I was going to wear it. I didn’t think a messy braid and no makeup would really do the dress justice. Nor did I want to meet my parents looking like a slob.

  I tugged on the gown after dropping the towel and robe onto a lumpy pile on the floor. It slipped on easily and was a perfect fit. The inside of the gown was lined in an ultra-soft fabric and my highly sensitive vampire skin loved the delicate sensation of the dress’ caress. The bathroom wasn’t stocked for my arrival as the last one had been, so I pulled out my braid and allowed my hair to take on its natural curl.

  I eyed my ruby pendant and locket curled atop the bathroom counter before picking it up and clasping it behind my neck. But as I eyed my reflection, I thought better of it, and tucked the pendant under my dress so only the chain was visible. If my parents saw me wearing the symbol of the Noire family, they probably wouldn’t like it. I pinched my cheeks for a little color and admired my reflection. I was looking less and less like my old self, and more and more like a real vampire princess.

  I had a new confidence about myself and I liked it. I smiled widely to admire my fangs. They really were impressive. I looked so much like a full grown vampire with them. I felt powerful and I finally decided I was going to fully embrace that power. I’d been acting like a wimpy human girl for long enough. I was a full grown, vampire princess. Like Arrick had said, there had never been a vampire like me before.

  I marched out of the bathroom and out the bedroom door. Why should I wait for someone to come get me? I was certain I could find the throne room all by myself.

  I pulled open the bedroom door with one solid movement, only to find the one person I didn’t want to see. Arrick. I held my breath, putting my hands on my hips. The look on his face still held the hurt I had inflicted, but there was a hint of something else. Surprise. The new me was causing the reaction I wanted and I couldn’t help but smile.

  For a few seconds he gawked, inarticulate, until I finally broke the silence. “Did you need something?”

  Arrick blinked repeatedly before pulling his lips up into his sparkling grin. “Yeah. I came to see if you were ready.”

  I raised my eyebrows. Obviously I was ready. I stepped back to give him a better view of the gown.

  “Do I not look ready?”

  He smiled back at me again and it infuriated me. Neither my attitude, nor my new confidence were having any further effect on him.

  “Aren’t you going to change?” I asked, noticing he was still wearing last night’s clothes.

  He considered himself, frowning. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

  “Nothing. Let’s go.” It didn’t matter if he looked good or not. I was the one who would be meeting my real parents for the first time.

  As we walked, I licked my fangs so they would sparkle. It was becoming a habit, but in some weird way it was comforting.

  “You nervous?” Arrick asked, his tone calm and friendly.

  I wanted to stay mad at him, to keep my irritated tone. It made it easier to bury my feelings for him. It just didn’t feel right though. Especially when he continued to be pleasant and polite, no matter how rude I was.

  “I don’t know.” It was the truth. I still hadn’t quite sorted out my feelings. Maybe when I actually met them, I would know what I really felt.

  “I can’t imagine what it must feel like, but I know they will love you. They already do.”

  I nodded at him. He knew exactly how I felt through our bond. He was able to say the words I couldn’t quite put together. I wanted to be perfect for them. They had to have had expectations. I knew I did for them.

  Growing up, I had fantasized that my father was some amazing super hero who was so busying saving the world and damsels in distress that he was never home. That was just my child-like mind rationalizing his absence.

  Since I found out I was kidnapped as a baby and my parents were vampires – I still didn’t know exactly how that worked – I imagined them as god-like beings. They lived in this beautiful city that seemed one with the stars. But me… I felt like a dark cloud followed me wherever I went. I was a cursed monster, but hopefully not for long. I planned to embrace all my abilities, make my parents proud and take my life into my own hands. No one else but me was going to decide my future from now on.

  We walked silently until we reached the throne room doors. Taking a deep breath, I paused. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach; suddenly I was incredibly nervous. I looked to Arrick and smiled weakly.

  “Well… this is it.”

  He placed his hand on my arm, but it didn’t contain any of the passion we had previously shared. “Don’t sound so sad. You should be happy.” He smiled reassuringly and I returned it, against my previous refusal. It was really hard to stay mad at him. I both hated and loved it.

  “I am happy.” I smiled a
gain, flashing my fangs trying to be both believable and a little powerful, but failed miserably. Arrick chuckled lightly at me and opened the doors, allowing a whoosh of air to fly over me.

  The room was long and narrow. Three chandeliers hung massively above me. They shone brightly throughout the room like three massive suns. My eyes protested the intensity of the light but quickly adjusted.

  Arrick following a few steps behind me. The right side of the throne room was open to a lengthy balcony that covered the entire wall, like the room I had changed in. Thick velvety gold curtains were pulled back with a shimmering rope. I appreciated the open air; it helped to ease my nervousness as I walked further toward two figures who sat atop enormous wooden thrones. My parents.

  I took another deep breath, but continued my steady march toward them. The room wasn’t much longer than fifty yards, yet crossing it seemed to take an eternity. Sure, I could have just used my vampire speed to run to them in mere seconds but my legs wouldn’t let me and nor would my nerves.

  My mother and I locked eyes, and time seemed to freeze. She inhaled quickly, causing my father to raise his head from his hands and look at me. Years of sadness hung heavy on their faces, mixed with uncontained joy. The years apart from me hadn’t been as easy on them as I had feared.

  My mother, Ione, was more beautiful than any human or vampire I had ever seen. Her skin was porcelain, much like an exquisite china doll, and her hair was the same chocolaty auburn as mine. She wore it in a long braid on her shoulder, woven with golden threading that glinted in the chandelier’s light. Her hand rose to her mouth. Hot tears built in my eyes. Seeing our resemblance made my heart ache like it had never before. I knew she was my mother. There wasn’t a doubt in my entire being.

  Arrick took my arm and guided me closer to them, the momentous shock of the moment not allowing my feet to carry me further. Ione rose from her seat, closing the gap between us hesitantly. I could clearly see the wet tracks of tears falling steadily down her face, which only made me lose my restraint on my own. I yanked my arm from Arrick’s loose grip and ran to my mother as fast as my vampire speed could take me. I leapt into her arms, squeezing as hard as I could, weeping like a baby. She returned my embrace with the same ferocity and tearfully, we sunk to the floor together.

  I could feel the love radiating from her and it warmed me through and through. The lifetime apart from her seemed to fade away. The missing hole in my heart was filling as she rocked me back and forth.

  “My daughter,” she cooed softly. My head pressed firmly against her breast. This place I had never known felt more like home in that moment then anywhere I had ever been.

  Ione lifted my head gently. I sniffled as we looked deep into each other’s faces. She smiled broadly, her beautiful sharp fangs sparkling at me. I wanted to smile back, but I was afraid that showing my full grown fangs might ruin the moment, so I kept my lips together and returned the smile as best I could.

  Movement caught my attention. Standing behind my mother was my father. A mountainous man, though he was a vampire his perfectly sun-bathed had carried from his human life. That might have been hundreds of years ago - or maybe even more for all I knew.

  His piercing black eyes were buried under a stern brow. Centuries of wisdom, pain and joy slightly wrinkled his forehead. A dark beard flecked with gray defined his features, making him look both handsome and powerful. He looked more amazing than anything I could have ever envisioned. He was the one thing I had dreamed of all my life, and there he was standing before me, a tear dripping down his cheek and disappearing into his beard.

  I rose from the tangled heap with my mother to look at him. We had the same cheek bones and I had his long eyelashes, making a tiny giggle bubble inside me. The moment I saw him smile I fell into his large arms and buried my face in his broad chest. I breathed deeply, taking in his strong scent. Sweat mixed with a woodsy smell and lavender. My dad smelled like lavender and I loved it. I wondered if it was his favorite scent, just like it was mine.

  “Our daughter is finally home,” I heard my mother say as she rose to her feet. Emotion still dripping from her voice, the waves of joy nearly too much for her to contain.

  My father’s massive hands cupped my head completely, making me feel like a little girl. I felt an anger tickle the back of my mind at the thought of all I had missed. Nicolae had taken this away from me. I could have had my father and my mother my entire life. I could have felt this undying love all my life. No longer did I want revenge on only Ana and Luka. Now I wanted revenge on Nicolae too.

  Having felt the heat from my anger, my father held me at arm’s length and knelt before me, looking into my eyes. “There is nothing in this world we have ever wanted more in all our long years than to have you home,” he said. My mother walked to his side and they laced fingers, both of their faces filled with emotion. They were so open in their expressions that I knew they meant every word. “Every day without you, my child, has been a pain that nothing could ease, except this moment. We are and have always been a family. Nothing in the past or future will change that. What matters now is that you are home.”

  I nodded at his words as emotion took over me again and eased the anger away. “I’m glad to be home.” I really was.

  “And, Arrick,” Cathair said, calling to my Blood Mate. “Thank you for keeping our daughter safe.” He offered his hand to Arrick.

  Each grabbing the other’s forearm, they locked together. I could truly sense the magnitude of the duty Arrick had felt. The look of gratitude on my father’s face was clear. Through our connection I could feel how proud Arrick was, and I was proud for him too. He had accomplished his mission. I was safe and home with my parents for the first time in my entire life.

  “Thank you, your highness.” Arrick bowed slightly. He released his grip with the king and looked to my mother, bowing to her as well.

  “Now,” Cathair said, removing his arm from my shoulder, “you must tell me what has happened at Palace Noire.”

  Arrick nodded sternly as he and my father began to walk toward the balcony. I watched as they walked. I had always thought Arrick was so tall and masculine, but seeing them walk alongside each other, I thought otherwise. Even though they were the same height, my father’s wide frame seemed to be two times the width of Arrick, making him look like a small teenage boy beside him. I could feel my lips pull up freely into a smile.

  “What’s going to happen?” I asked my mom without breaking my stare from the two most important men in my life. Arrick was talking animatedly while my father simply nodded, his arms folded across his chest.

  “I don’t know,” she sighed heavily.

  There were many possibilities, but all of them seemed grim and led to one conclusion. My kidnapping, Ana and Luka trying to kill me, and Arrick stealing me away in the night during an attack on Palace Noire, all led to war. My coming home should have been a happy time, but the serious expressions on my father’s and Arrick’s faces revealed a new fear that threatened to tear my world apart. We would be going to war and it was all because of me.

  Chapter_5

  “She said what?” Shock rattled my voice.

  After Arrick informed my father of the events at Palace Noire, they called a meeting and we all gathered in a large round room. A thick cherry wood table stood prominently in the center, with statues that towered from floor to ceiling circling around us. I didn’t recognize any of their marbled faces, yet their stone eyes made the hair on my neck stand on end. It felt much like a large portrait, whose eyes, seemed to follow you wherever you stood in the room. It was just darn creepy. I’m sure that wasn’t the goal of whoever designed the room, but that was definitely the vibe I was getting. Everything that was said or done in this room was under the watchful ivory eyes of ancient vampires.

  We were joined by six other people, two of which were vampires, who by my surprise were incredibly old - and I don’t mean by vampire standards. They had to have been turned when they were in their late seventi
es. My jaw fell open when they entered and they returned my shocked expression with kind smiles.

  The other four were members of what Arrick called the ‘Blood Guard’. They were exactly like Blood Mates, except here they weren’t forced to be bonded to a vampire. In this region they chose to join for many reasons, to protect a royal family member, to devote their life to Nyx or to spend their immortal lives honing their craft. I was a bit surprised that someone would want to live an immortal life just so they could be the best artist or cook. My mom interrupted our conversation and explained that those who were considered masters in their field achieved great respect and to become skilled at something was a goal nearly every citizen of the region desired.

  “It is one of the most shared goals of our society. We all desire to do our part in making our region the very best it can be. Someday you will find your heart’s desire and you will want to be the very best you can at it.”

  I didn’t know what that could possibly be, but I saw her point. The more I learned about my new Zakarian region, the more I loved it. This was exactly the place I wanted to be. Hopefully I could bring Robin here someday, and maybe even Liz. Maybe we could still have the life we had always hoped for. All my best friends together in one place. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

  “Are you certain?” my mother asked Arrick.

  “Yes, I heard it myself. She said the dark was coming.”

  The room broke out in frantic whispers. I didn’t know what that meant, but it obviously couldn’t be good. “What’s the dark?” I placed my hand on my mother’s as I asked, but she waved me off.

  “Please, stay calm.” My father raised his hands to silence the room and everyone quickly obeyed. “We cannot allow fear to consume us before we know the truth behind everything. The words were spoken by a young vampire. Either someone is using her as a pawn or she knows not of what she speaks.”