by Leigh Walker
“This is not an ‘if-then’ statement.” I scoffed at him. “I saw your eyes blaze. You’ve talked of nothing but blood slaves since we crossed the border into your home. You are a vampire, Your Highness, and you’re not the only one. Anthony showed me his fangs. I understand what I’m dealing with. But just because you’re a vampire, which you are, that doesn’t make me a witch, which I am not.”
“If not for magic, how can you explain your appearance here in the kingdom?” he asked. “I know how far you’ve traveled.”
“I can’t explain it. I followed the directions in some stupid letter, and somehow I ended up here.” I threw up my hands. “I’m the victim of magic, not the purveyor of it. If I could cast spells, I would hardly have ended up here—in some mud-covered prom dress, surrounded by vampires and goats. I could do a lot better than this!”
“Really?” He looked amused.
“Yes, really! Now while we’re on the subject, please tell me how it is I got here! I saw you outside my window back…” Home wasn’t the right word, because the Dixons’ house could never be my home. “Back before. How did you get there? How did I get here? Why do you and Anthony keep acting like you know me?” My head throbbed as my mind ran in circles, desperately trying to make sense of the long day’s strange events.
Dominic’s brow furrowed. “You’re looking quite pale, my lady. As I said, I’d forgotten the toll your travels must’ve taken. You must rest.”
“I don’t want to rest.” But the day weighed on me, and I felt the last of my energy ebbing out.
“Not another word.” Dominic offered me his arm. “I’ll bring you to your chambers and have food sent directly to you. Just don’t drink anymore wine. My mother does something to it to make the humans more amenable to her questionable charms.”
I accepted his arm, because I did feel woozy. Dominic led me to one of the castle’s side entries. The guards on duty bowed and moved discreetly out of our way. I barely noticed the interior of the building. As if it were a sponge, my brain had had its fill and was oversaturated, unable to absorb any more information. Finally the prince turned down a quiet hallway and opened a door.
The room was probably very pretty, but all I noticed was the bed. I immediately went to it and sat down, relieved to be free of the prince’s touch, relieved to be off my feet.
“Rest,” the prince ordered.
It was not in my nature, but I obeyed.
“There now, that’s a good girl. Did you have a nice nap?” The kind voice was familiar.
I squinted my eyes open. “Mistress Olivia!”
She smiled at me. “Yes, of course. Did you think I would abandon you so soon? I’m in this for the long haul, my lady. And a very long haul it is.” She bustled around the room, tending to the fire, fluffing a pillow, and pouring me a cup of tea all in less than half a minute.
I sat up, gratefully accepting the tea. The room was darker than before, as if I’d slept the afternoon away. “What time is it?”
“Almost five o’clock, dear. We need to get you dressed for dinner.”
I clutched my teacup then relaxed my grip so I didn’t break the fine china. “The prince told me about the sacrifices. How they live here. What their…function is.” I wrinkled my nose. “You told me earlier that you didn’t know what happened to the candidates, yet here you are.” I lifted my chin. “You must know the truth about them. They’re blood slaves.”
Olivia frowned, her plump cheeks sagging a bit. “I didn’t tell you to protect you. You’d already tried to run off at that point—if I’d told you the truth, you would have had a fit, and rightly so. But then Anthony would’ve had to get a bit more forceful, if you know what I mean. I didn’t want that to happen.”
Nodding, I said, “I understand.” Mistress Olivia hadn’t been in an enviable position, trying to get me to that ceremony on time. I couldn’t blame her for following orders or for trying to keep me safe.
I had another sip of tea, its warmth coursing into me, restoring some of my strength and all of my curiosity. “Now that I’m here, what else can you tell me? I don’t suppose there’s any use in keeping secrets. I’ve already been chosen as the sacrifice, and I’m a prisoner here. Not to mention I’m engaged to His Highness. I’m not going anywhere—it’s not like I can escape from a pack of vampires.”
She nodded, not meeting my eyes, and kept bustling. She didn’t seem eager to answer my questions and again, I couldn’t blame her. Not that I was going to let it stop me.
“So tell me…are the guards all vampires?”
Olivia sighed. “Yes, my lady. They are the sworn protectors of the royal family and serve them for their entire existence.”
“How long does that existence last?”
She started dusting. “That all depends, my lady. If one of our kind remains uninjured, we can exist for a very long time.”
“Our kind.” I sat forward. “Are you one as well?”
Hands clasped together, she turned toward me. “I am. But I do not drink from humans. I was once one myself, and I don’t have a taste for the hunt like some others of my kind. The same as the prince, I only drink donated blood. So you’ve got nothing to fear from the likes of me.”
I blinked at Mistress Olivia, who looked more like a fairy godmother than a vampire. I would never have guessed what she was. “What about the others?” The question came out a hoarse whisper. “Do I need to fear them?”
She busied herself with the tea tray, arranging some cheese and fruit on it. When she slid the tray onto the bed, she finally nodded. “You do need to fear them, my lady. But not the same as the other girls.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Mistress Olivia sighed, and I inspected the tray as I waited for her to answer. I’d lost my appetite during my travels, but I forced myself to eat some cheese and a cracker.
“D’you remember what I told you before?” She tilted her chin. “That you’re special?”
I shook my head. “I remember you said that, yes. But I don’t understand what you meant by it.”
“I meant that you have protections that the other girls do not.” She clasped her hands together. “Your blood doesn’t sit well with my kind.”
“I’m sorry?”
Mistress Olivia stepped closer, her smooth, round face illuminated in the light from the fire. “If they try to drink from you, they will become ill.”
I put what was left of my cracker down. “How do you know that?”
She eyed the untouched food. “See now, I’ve made you upset. His Highness will never let me hear the end of it.”
“I’m not upset,” I lied, desperate for some sort of an answer. I picked up the cracker and chewed it with fake enthusiasm. “See?” I asked with my mouth half full. “Please tell me—how do you know about my blood?”
“Um… Goodness, this never gets easier!” She hustled back to the fire and stoked it until it blazed. When a knock came at the door, she sighed, visibly relieved. “Here we are—the man of the hour. He can tell you all about it.” She went to the door and opened it.
And there stood, much to my chagrin, my old pal Anthony. His hair had been neatly groomed. He wore a clean set of woolen clothes, and his vest and trousers were dark burgundy, an awful color with his bright hair. Still, he seemed quite full of himself as he grinned at me without fangs. “Miss me, did you?”
“Hardly.” I eyed him with disdain. “Are you here to bully me again? I’m the prince’s betrothed now, so I expect you to behave better.”
“I wouldn’t expect too much from me.” He waggled his eyebrows, closed the door behind him, then sauntered over and selected a few grapes from the tray. He popped them into his mouth while I gaped.
“So vampires can eat regular food?” I asked, remembering that he had also eaten cookies at Mistress Olivia’s. In the stories I’d read, vampires only ever drank blood or wine.
“I can. But I’m special, see?” Anthony chewed another grape. “Just like you.”
I sat up straight. “Is there something we have in common? Does your blood make the others sick too?”
Anthony glared at Mistress Olivia. “I thought you were discreet, which is why the prince relies on you.”
She shrugged then busied herself with re-dusting the already immaculate armoire. “I’m trying to help is all.”
Anthony grunted and turned back to me. “No, my blood doesn’t make the others sick. No one wants to drink from a vampire, my lady. One of my talents is that I can still eat human food, a vestige from my former life. Not everyone can do that. Mistress Olivia, for example, is unable to eat the cookies she so dutifully bakes.”
It was Olivia who grunted then. “And it’s a shame, isn’t it? Best cookies north of Brighton.”
“They are delicious.” Anthony’s eyes shone as he thought about them.
“That’s lovely and all, but can we get back to what we were talking about?” I grabbed another cracker, mindful that I should get my strength back before dinner—before I had to face the king, the queen, and their blood slaves. “How am I special?”
Anthony helped himself to some cheese then looked at me thoughtfully. “You’re special, my lady, because you’re the only one who can save the prince. And if you save the prince, you save us all.”
12
The Bargain
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
Anthony looked mildly taken aback. “What’s so funny?”
“I can save the prince? I’m a human. You are all vampires who could kill me in an instant—wait, is that true? Can you kill me in an instant?” The fact that Anthony was eating cheddar cheese made me think that the rules for vampires might be very different from what I’d believed.
Olivia and Anthony had a chuckle at that.
“Of course we can.” Anthony selected a carrot spear and pointed it at me. “We are your natural predator.”
“But not all of you eat—drink—from humans.” I nodded toward Mistress Olivia. “Some of you only drink from donations.”
“That’s true, but all of our kind have the ability to master yours. We are naturally stronger and faster, and our fangs are deadly. Our strength alone leaves us unmatched.”
“Exactly.” I helped myself to a carrot as well. “So if that’s the case, what’s this nonsense about me saving the prince? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Anthony rolled his eyes. “You’re telling me.”
“But you’re the one who said it.” I sighed. “So can you please explain yourself?”
“I never said it made sense. It just is what it is. I’ve learned to accept it.” He took a deep breath, and for the first time since I’d met him, he looked uneasy. “It’s better if the story comes from him. But I will tell you—and only for your own good—that he tries too hard to protect you. He needs to stop doing that. You can handle yourself just fine. When he interferes, it only sets us back.”
Another knock came at the door. Without an invitation, Prince Dominic swung it open. “For a best friend, you speak more like an enemy.” He stood at the threshold, his arms crossed against his chest, and glared at Anthony.
“You know, if you want to eavesdrop, go right ahead. But you shouldn’t be so outraged by what you hear.” Anthony threw down his carrot in disgust. “This is nothing I haven’t said to your face. But as much as you love to eavesdrop, you never listen. You need to let Victoria do her work is all. It’s not as though I’m committing treason by saying so.”
“Shut your mouth.” Dominic closed the door and angrily came forward. “Do you want to draw attention to her? Haven’t you learned anything in the past nine years?”
I looked between them, searching their tense faces for some sort of clue to what they were talking about, which clearly had something to do with me. “What about the last nine years?” I asked.
Dominic turned his hot gaze to me, and it softened. “You need to get dressed for dinner. I’m sure you’re exhausted, but my parents require our attendance.”
“I know.” I dreaded the rest of the evening, but resisting seemed futile. “But please… Will you tell me what you two are arguing about, at least at some point? I accepted your proposal, and I’m about to get dressed for your dinner. I’m holding up my part of the bargain. I would appreciate it if you could return the favor and tell me more about…everything.” I cleared my throat. “Everything you know that has to do with me.” I looked between him and Anthony, also throwing in a glance toward Mistress Olivia for good measure. “I think we can all agree that I’m the one with the least amount of information but that I also have a lot at stake. So please. Consider my request.”
Dominic bowed his head. “You have my word, my lady. We have a bargain. I will fulfill my part as soon as it’s safe for you. I promise.” He turned to Anthony. “But no one will tell Lady Victoria sensitive information except for me. Do you understand?”
Red blotches formed on Anthony’s cheeks. “I understand, Your Highness. I swear, every time she comes back, you get worse and worse to deal with! I was only trying to help!”
The prince narrowed his eyes. “You do not help me by undermining me. I don’t expect to have to tell you this again—not ever.”
“Some best friend you are,” Anthony huffed under his breath as he hopped up from the bed. “You’re getting to be a big git in your old age, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask,” Dominic said, “but thank you so much for letting me know.”
Anthony headed for the door, giving me one last glance. “I’m around if you need anything, Lady Victoria. Try not to die at dinner.” He slammed the door behind him.
Dominic gave me a tight smile. “Excuse that. We have some baggage, Ant and I.”
Mistress Olivia mumbled something under her breath, and the prince turned to her. “What was that?”
She shot him a reproachful look then resumed dusting.
“Mistress Olivia, I command you to answer.”
She sighed as she turned around. “Very well, Your Highness. I said, if you keep treating him like the hired help, he’s going to act like it.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked.
“He’ll forget the reason he vowed to protect you in the first place.” She squared her shoulders. “I understand you want to treat the lady the right way, but by the gods, you do no one a favor—including her—by hiding the truth for too long. She can protect herself, Your Highness. It’s gallant of you to want that responsibility, but you risk us all.” She promptly turned back to her feather duster.
I raised my eyebrows at the prince. “Can you maybe give me the condensed version of what the heck is going on?”
He took a deep breath then calmly let it out. “After you dress for dinner. Be quick—there isn’t much time.”
After I had a quick bath, Olivia dressed me in record time, cleaning the mud from underneath my nails and the mascara that was still smudged beneath my eyes. She smoothed my hair using a rich serum that smelled like heaven, and then quickly applied my makeup. “You only need a pinch,” she said kindly as she put fresh pink gloss on my lips. Then she pulled an emerald gown from the armoire. It had a high neck and sleeves, much more modest than the red gown. I was grateful for the coverage—anything that hid my neck scored bonus points.
When she’d finished, I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mistress Olivia. I feel elegant and comfortable. Which is a better feeling than I could’ve expected from this evening.”
My nerves jangled as I smoothed the heavy fabric of my dress. I was about to see what the blood slave business was all about, and I was completely petrified.
“First things first.” Mistress Olivia shooed me to the door. “His Highness awaits. I expect you should get some answers, finally.”
I bowed my head. “Thank you. And thank you for speaking up to him earlier—I imagine you did so at your peril.”
Her eyes sparkled merrily. “I’ve known His Highness for a long time. I’ve no fear of him. He’s a good young man,
the prince. The best I know.”
A knock sounded at the door. Mistress Olivia opened it, and the prince, resplendent in a black ceremonial uniform, bowed. “Lady Victoria, Mistress Olivia. You are both looking well.”
Mistress Olivia chuckled and shook her head. “I forgive you, Your Highness. You needn’t flatter me. Anthony might be another matter, I’m afraid.”
Dominic’s gaze darkened as he nodded. “I expect you’re right about that. Thank you for taking care of the lady.”
“It’s my pleasure. Always.” With a curtsy, she shut the door behind us, leaving me alone with the prince in the dim hallway.
He held out his arm for me, and I accepted it. “Your Highness.”
“Victoria. You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” I was glad for the shadowy hallway because I could feel my cheeks heating. “Where are we going to talk?”
“In my study. Right this way, and we need to hurry. We only have a few minutes.” He led me down the hallway, and I noticed that the lanterns on the walls were gasoline, their flames flickering brightly on the dark.
He pulled me into his study, which was lined on all sides with books, and carefully closed the door.
“Your Highness—what year is it?”
The prince faced me. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes.” I braced myself, preparing to be told I’d somehow traveled back in time.
His shoulders sagged. “It’s the year 3130.”
I gripped the edge of the table nearest me so I wouldn’t fall over. “I’m sorry?” My head reeled. The year 3130. “That doesn’t make any sense. This can’t be the future! There’s no electricity, no cell phones…”
Dominic gave me a long look. “Maybe we should discuss this later. Dinner is going to be eventful enough.”
I tried to locate my courage. “Please—go on. Tell me more.”
“There’s no electricity or cell phones because of what happened in the late two thousands. The earth’s climate couldn’t handle so many electronic devices, and the atmosphere took a turn for the worse. Global warming changed the structure of the lands and the sea. Most people did not survive this change, but my kind did. Some of the humans lived as well, and the villagers that you’ve seen are their descendants. There are others, of course, scattered throughout the globe. But technology, even electricity, has long been outlawed. We live more simply now. We don’t have a choice.”
