---
I rubbed my face with my hands, feeling a sticky liquid on my skin. My heart skipped a beat as I glanced down to find dark red stains coating my fingers. "Blood," I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief.
Panic surged through me as I raced to the bathroom, frantically scrubbing the crimson traces from my pale complexion. But to my astonishment, there were no visible wounds or cuts on my skin. Confusion gnawed at my insides as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to make sense of the inexplicable occurrence.
With trembling hands, I reached for a white towel, wiping away the remnants of blood before emerging from the bathroom, shaken but composed.
Entering the bath chamber accompanied by my two loyal handmaids, I shed my clothes and sank into the warm embrace of the tub. Their gentle ministrations soothed my frayed nerves as they tended to my hair and back, the fragrant aroma of flowers enveloping me in a cocoon of tranquility. Yet amidst the serene ambiance, his ominous words echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine.
"You are going to be mine soon," his voice whispered sinisterly, haunting me like a lingering nightmare.
"Princess Deva," Dariana's voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to reality. I opened my eyes, meeting her concerned gaze as I struggled to steady my breathing.
"You saw him again, didn't you?" she inquired softly, her eyes reflecting genuine worry.
I nodded in response, unable to shake off the unsettling encounter that plagued my thoughts.
"Perhaps you should confide in the queen," Paula suggested, her voice filled with genuine concern.
But I shook my head, knowing all too well my mother's dismissive attitude towards such matters. "You know how she is," I replied wearily, resigned to the futility of seeking solace from a woman who had long forsaken maternal warmth.
As Dariana meticulously tended to my ginger locks, I found comfort in the familiarity of her touch, the silent bond between us transcending mere friendship. Together, we navigated the complexities of court life, our shared secrets forging an unbreakable bond.
"Leave us," I instructed softly, as they departed the chamber, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Retreating to my bedchamber, I found myself consumed by a sense of foreboding as a gentle knock echoed through the room.
"Who is it?" I called out, dreading the inevitable intrusion of palace affairs.
"It is I, Javox, my princess," came the familiar voice, tinged with deference.
"Enter," I sighed, resigned to yet another summons from my mother.
As I made my way to the dining hall, my heart heavy with apprehension, I braced myself for the impending confrontation with the queen.
---
I entered the dining room to find my mother already seated, sipping from a mug of steaming coffee. "Good morning, Mother," I greeted, lowering my head in deference. She merely nodded in response, her disapproval evident as she set down her cup with a clatter.
"You're late," she admonished sharply, her tone laced with irritation. I offered a quick apology before settling into a chair at the far end of the expansive table. The room was adorned with opulent furnishings, yet an air of tension hung heavy in the air.
"As the future queen of Devona, punctuality is paramount," she continued sternly, her gaze piercing as she delivered her reprimand. Frustration bubbled within me, but I suppressed it, unwilling to provoke her further.
Her frustration erupted into a forceful gesture, her hand slamming against the table with a resounding thud. "You mustn't nod your head when I speak," she scolded, her words reverberating through the room. I braced myself against the rattling table, silently enduring her wrath.
Another apology escaped my lips, but it fell on deaf ears. This was not the nurturing mother I longed for; her love was conditional, her affection reserved for the crown rather than her own flesh and blood.
Thankfully, my grandmother entered the room, her presence a welcome reprieve from the tension that permeated the air. She settled into a chair beside me, offering a warm smile that eased the strain in my chest.
"Good morning, grandmother," I greeted, grateful for her calming influence amidst the storm.
"Good morning, Devina," she replied, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. With her arrival, the atmosphere softened, and we began to partake in the morning meal.
My grandmother, a formidable figure in her own right, had once ruled as queen of Devona. Though she had relinquished the throne, her wisdom and grace still commanded respect. In contrast to my mother's stern demeanor, my grandmother exuded warmth and compassion.
Turning her attention to my mother, she broached a topic that had been weighing heavily on my mind. "Have you discussed the matter with Deva?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet probing.
My mother's response was terse, confirming my suspicions regarding the impending announcement. "You are to be wed to Prince Marvan, the son of King Ravius of Hellidon," she declared, her words landing with the weight of inevitability.
As my mother delivered the news of my impending marriage to Prince Marvan with a tone devoid of emotion, I glanced towards my grandmother, seeking solace in her loving smile. Regrettably, such warmth was a rarity from my own mother, who seemed to harbor a deep-seated disdain for me.
"Mother," I ventured, hoping to understand the reasoning behind her decision.
"What do you want, Deva?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin.
"Devina," my grandmother interjected sharply, reminding us of the decorum befitting our station.
"Why am I being married off to a vampire?" I questioned, my curiosity tinged with a hint of defiance. My mother's exasperated eye roll only fueled my resolve.
"There are no suitable wizards for you," she retorted dismissively, brushing aside my concerns with a wave of her hand.
"Their lifespan is brief," my grandmother chimed in, offering a rare glimpse into the intricacies of our world. Despite my father and grandfather's untimely demise, the true reason behind their premature deaths remained shrouded in mystery.
Before I could delve further into the topic, my mother silenced me with a stern command, her authority brooking no dissent. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a maid to attend to my needs, effectively ending the conversation.
I entered my room, closed the door, and sank onto my soft bed with a sigh of relief. This bed was my sanctuary, a haven of tranquility amidst the chaos of my world. Closing my eyes, I welcomed the familiar embrace of solitude.
"Good day, Princess Deva." The unexpected voice shattered the stillness, causing me to jolt upright in alarm. Before me stood a man, his presence both familiar and unsettling. With brown hair, alabaster skin, and piercing golden eyes, he exuded an air of undeniable allure.
"I am Prince Marvan, the second son of King Ravius of Hellidon," he announced with a disarming smile. Despite my initial shock, I couldn't help but return his smile, captivated by his magnetic charm.
"I see you've stumbled upon my sanctuary," he remarked playfully, his words laced with a hint of mischief.
"Me too," he added, his smile widening at my bemused expression.
"How did you find your way here?" I inquired, curiosity piqued by his sudden appearance.
"Magic!" he exclaimed with a flourish, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Vampires do not possess magic," I pointed out, my skepticism evident in my tone. His laughter, however, was infectious, dispelling any lingering doubts.
"We have other talents," he confessed, his gaze lingering on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Well, your mother was kind enough to assist me," he revealed, his words eliciting a mixture of surprise and suspicion from me.
"Why don't you show me around the palace?" he suggested, extending his hand in a silent invitation. Hesitant yet intrigued, I placed my hand in his, feeling a rush of warmth at his touch.
As we ventured out into the palace corridors, his presence offered a welcome distraction from the burdens of my reality. With each step, I found myself drawn deeper into his world, eager to uncover the mysteries that lay hidden beneath the surface.
To be continued...