I arrived in the Perest kingdom under the cover of dusk, if only one of my brothers had taken the mission, I would not be hiding like a fugitive but anyway, the weather was nice but the people weren't, 'My poor ears!'
The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and blooming flowers, I was told that an event was taking place in the central square and that Princess Alita herself would be in attendance. I had seen many princesses in my long existence, most of them fragile and pallid, forced into unhealthy thinness by relentless dieting to appeal to suitors. I had no reason to believe that this one would be any different.
This mission was not for pleasure. It was a calculated step in my grand plan for dominance. The Perest kingdom was the last kingdom standing between me and complete control of the land. I, Bowen the Conqueror, would see it fall under my command. The people of Perest would never see it coming. I want to create a world where my kind is not seen as a threat every time we breathe or touch something.
Some may call me noble while others may call me a fool for having such dreams. I woke one day to find that I couldn't eat normal food like a normal person. The sensation of hunger gnawed at my insides, yet the thought of consuming bread or meat repulsed me. I was lost, isolated in a world that no longer made sense. But that is part of my life I don't want to remember.
Today, I am not that lost soul. Today, I am a shadow moving through the bustling market square under the cover of a black cloak. The cloak wrapped around me, concealing my form from prying eyes. No one paid attention to me, perhaps because they were preoccupied with the anticipation of the beloved princess's arrival.
I found myself standing by a stall, pretending to examine a display of trinkets. It was there that I overheard two women in deep conversation, their voices hushed. They didn't want to be overheard, but one of the perks of being a vampire is heightened senses. Their words reached me as clearly as if they had been speaking directly into my ear. What can I say, Perks of being a vampire?
"I have planned something beautiful for the princess when she arrives," the first woman said, her voice tinged with a hint of excitement.
The second woman, her curiosity piqued, leaned in closer. "What have you planned?" she asked.
The first woman laughed softly, a sound that carried a certain malice. "I have taught my daughter the proper way of greeting a half-blood," she said with a leer, her voice dripping with disdain.
The second woman's eyes widened. "What is it, my friend? Tell me."
Before the first woman could respond, the blare of a trumpet echoed through the square, silencing the market. All eyes turned toward the sound, a signal that royalty was approaching. The crowd parted as if an invisible hand were pushing them aside, creating a clear path through the throng.
I remained where I was, my curiosity piqued. As a vampire, I had learned to appreciate the subtle and overt displays of fairy behavior.
I rolled my eyes, having no interest in watching anything until I saw the princess riding on a brown mare. My eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't expecting the princess to be this beautiful, neither was I expecting my body's reaction to her. My shaft tightened in my trousers as I stared at her. Her pink curls were draped in that ridiculous hat, but some traitorous locks fell from the prison of her headgear. Her face was flushed, her lips plump and inviting. She looked healthy, a stark contrast to other princesses I had seen. She was utterly beautiful.
I had been with plenty of females—human, fae, trolls, vampires, even a few fairies—but none had ever caused such a reaction in me. I raised a hand to my chest, feeling my heart beating wildly. For over a million years, this was the first time my heart had beaten.
The two women I had been listening to also bowed, but I saw a flicker of something else in the eyes of the first woman, malice, perhaps, or something darker. She nudged her daughter forward, a girl of about eight with wide, innocent eyes and a hesitant step.
"Go on, my dear," the woman urged her daughter. "Remember what I taught you."
The girl nodded, her small hands clutching a bouquet. She approached the princess slowly, the crowd watching with bated breath. The princess smiled down at the child, her expression softening.
She dismounted from the horse, smiling. I felt my heart skip. Everything about her was breathtaking. She spoke to a child, her voice soft and melodic. Then, I saw her face flush with embarrassment, and the woman standing beside me snickered.
After the child had done the deed, she ran away. I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the princess. In many ways, we were alike—both outcasts in a world that didn't fully understand or accept us. But while I could hide behind my cloak and my nature, she had to face the world head-on.
I had forgotten about the women, but now they had to pay. The princess was smiling beautifully—why did they have to wipe that smile from her face? I wouldn't let that slide.
I noticed the princess turning around as if looking for something or someone. Was she looking for me? Was she feeling what I was feeling? That thought gave me pleasure as I stared at that generous rump. I had never been jealous of a saddle as I was right now.
Lost in her form, I almost missed the moment someone pierced the side of her horse. The animal reared up in pain, and the princess was thrown to the ground with a cry.