EVANIA'S POV
"We're here, my lady."
I clutched my dress tightly as the dark grey castle came into view.
My stomach twisted, and I suddenly had the urge to throw up.
I closed my eyes, hoping and praying that when I opened them, it would all be a dream.
But it wasn't.
My reality was clear as day and dark as the night sky.
I was getting married to a vampire. And not just any vampire-the Vampire Lord.
A ruthless, heartless king who would prey on any human he crossed paths with.
For centuries, vampires and humans had always been at war.
The wars never ended well and were brutal on both sides. But it was always worse for the humans.
To avoid any more loss, the humans and vampires decided to put aside their differences and offer a peace treaty.
A political marriage.
One where I, the princess of Sweetenburg, would marry the King of Ravenscar.
But I didn't want this.
I understood it was for the good of the kingdom... but that didn't make it any less terrifying.
I was scared of vampires. The mere thought of them sent chills down my spine, raising every hair on my body.
Isn't fate cruel? The very people I hated were the ones I was going to live with. Become their queen.
The thought brought a slight headache to my head.
"My lady, are you alright?" Lili asked, noticing my hand pressed against my temple.
I wasn't fine. But there was nothing I could do.
It broke my father's heart to send me away. Mother had fallen ill from grief.
"I'll be fine. Just a little headache."
I stepped out of the carriage and slightly held up my wedding dress to walk properly.
Every step I took toward the castle made me break out in a cold sweat.
It made me feel like a lamb on its way to the slaughter.
I felt helpless. The urge to cry suddenly hit me, and before I knew it, tears began to pour from my eyes.
Thank goodness Lili didn't see me because of the veil covering my face.
She had been my maid since I was ten years old, and since then, she had never left my side.
Lili knocked gently on the front door of the castle, and in a few seconds, a woman probably in her mid-forties opened it.
"Come in," she said, gesturing for us to enter.
We were led through a long hall that had celestial beings and ancient runes etched on the walls.
At the end of the hall, a door came into view, and as the woman opened it, a small beautiful garden was on the other side.
Pink-colored flower petals were sprawled everywhere, and yellow butterflies darted from place to place, giving it a fairytale-like wedding.
But this wasn't a fairytale wedding. It was a nightmare I was made to live in.
There were a few people gathered for the ceremony. I counted only fifteen. Such a shame that no human was in attendance, apart from Lili.
Through my veil, I was able to see a tall man standing at the altar.
His dark hair fell to his waist, and his clothing was just as shadowed.
As I came closer to the altar, I noticed he had a white blindfold on.
Lili left my side to stand by the altar, and I was now face to face with my future husband.
I looked down, biting my lip.
Why?
Why did it have to come to this?
"We are gathered here today," the priest began, "to bless the union between Princess Evania of Sweetenburg and King Theron of Ravenscar."
He turned to me.
"Princess Evania, do you take King Theron as your lawfully wedded husband?"
I froze.
My throat tightened.
My mind screamed at me to speak-but my heart refused.
"My lady?" Lili called softly.
I must have taken too long, because when I turned to look at her, everybody was staring at me.
"Yes... I do."
I bit my lip harder.
"And do you, King Theron, take Princess Evania to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
I flinched. His voice was deep, dark, and sounded dangerous.
The priest then handed us the rings.
My fingers trembled as I slid the ring onto his finger. His hands were hot... strange.
He took my hand in his and slid the ring onto my finger-slow, deliberate. My skin burned beneath his touch.
"You are now officially husband and wife. Congratulations!"
The crowd erupted in applause. The butterflies danced above our heads, showering us with petals and glitter. It felt magical-an ideal image of a perfect wedding.
But sadly for me, it wasn't. Just the realization that my fate had been sealed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"My lady... are you alright?!"
I hurled for the third time as I clutched my stomach.
The wedding ceremony was over, and I was taken to my new room.
Lili had come in to get me ready for the next step. The dreaded step-something that had given me sleepless nights back home.
Consummation.
"I'll be fine. Just give me two seconds," I called out to Lili from behind the bathroom door.
The thought of lying with him made my stomach churn.
What if he decided to go back on the deal and kill me in my sleep?
Or maybe he would strangle me after sleeping with me.
I felt weak. My head ached. But I had to go on.
Mother had told me that sex was for married couples who loved each other. She said it was sacred, and the most beautiful feeling ever.
I laughed dryly. All my dreams of a sweet and blissful marriage with a man I love were gone.
I softly stepped out of the bathroom after washing my mouth.
"I'm ready."
Lili bathed me, dressed me in a sheer white nightgown, and brushed my golden blonde hair until it flowed freely down my back.
She smiled.
"You look beautiful, my lady. Good luck."
She bowed gently and left the room.
~~~
I sat on the bed and waited for my new husband. Seconds passed, then minutes. No one.
Had he forgotten?
I walked over to the window. The night breeze brushed against my skin, giving me goosebumps.
Maybe he wasn't coming.
I had heard of husbands who abandoned their wives on their wedding night.
The thought gave me a bit of relief.
I returned to bed with thoughts of the day clouding my mind.
My eyes were beginning to feel heavy, and after fighting it for some time, I gave up.
~~~~~~
A rasp knock on the door jolted me awake from bed. It was still night. So who could it be?
The knock came again, this time softer.
"Come in," I said. It must be Lili.
But I was wrong.
A tall, manly figure entered the room. His steps were slow, steady.
My heart skipped a beat.
The Vampire Lord.
He stopped at the side of the bed. He was wearing a sleeping robe, but I couldn't see his face.
Then, he sat on the bed and turned his head to me.
I gasped.
Long dark raven hair, crimson lips, and his eyes... I hadn't seen them before at the wedding because he was wearing a blindfold.
They were red. Blood red.
I grabbed the blankets instinctively and shrunk further into the bed.
He smiled.
"Hello, Princess."