The Dark Rose

by Ramsey, Valentine

  “My dear,” he whispered, turning to her and taking her hand. “You are ravishing and they know it.” He gazed around proudly. “Look around for someday you will sit here and rule the House of Rose.”

  The herald announced the next coven: “Now entering King Julian Leon Knight of the Knight Coven and his son Prince Blade Avery Knight.”

  Pan was stunned to see the Knight Prince was younger than her, perhaps eleven with tight curly blond hair. He reminded her of a cherub, though presented himself with the arrogance of a grown man, his chest puffed out. They took their seats under their sword crest.

  Next announced was the Hart Coven: “Now entering King Sydney Vaughn Hart and his son Prince Warwick Tine Hart.”

  And lastly called was the twelfth and final coven, the Gray’s.

  Victor stiffened before their names were even announced. Pan had never seen her father’s most loathed enemy Ellis Gray and she was dying to know if he was worthy of such hatred.

  “Now entering King Ellis del Montague Gray of the Gray Coven and his son Prince Dominic del Romeo Gray.”

  Tension rose as several of the covens glanced at Victor. Pan wasn’t surprised as Prince Gaston mon Paris del Castle snickered. He ran with Raphael’s crowd and was just as loud as an annoyance though a charming one at that. Usually they—awareness shot through Pan like an electric shock. It almost made her jerk out of the seat.

  She had heard the name, but her lame mind hadn’t connected it. He had said Prince Dominic del Romeo Gray. Dominic Gray. Dom, a Gray. It couldn’t be. She had to see. He wouldn’t lie to her about something so big. Not her Dom.

  Her pulse exploded as her heart imploded. In strode her darling love behind his father. They walked quickly to their dais, wasting no time. In a sleek gray suit, Ellis Gray looked more like an older brother with short brown hair and very handsome features. Dom looked as if he had just rolled out of bed and threw on his suit. Still roguishly handsome, he wore an edgy expression that said he was anticipating an ambush.

  Pan’s heart shot to her throat, but she wasn’t even sure it was beating it hurt so bad. With the realization that he had been lying to her this entire time, it was sad and frozen with agony. His words of love false, having no pulse of existence, knowing no distance. He was no common Gray as he had led her to believe. He was a devious, mischievous demon hidden meticulously in his Angelus form, his fastidious game, nothing of norm. All this equal to—the Gray Prince.

  Pan’s vision bled red as the fury of his betrayal washed over her, making it feel like her skin was on fire, caused by her sire, the liar. Pan clutched the arms of the chair so tight, her knuckles were white. Dom knew she was there, knew the lie was out, but he wouldn’t even acknowledge her. It was as if she was nothing, as if she was air and plenty of it to spare. Pan looked away. Hurt was making her want to cry, anger making her want to scream. If she stared at him a moment longer she would do both and then there would be no secrets in esteem.

  With that the council meeting began. Pan tried to listen, tried to learn the politics as they discussed pros and cons of the vampire community and other stuff she couldn’t wrap her mind around. Pan knew a con alright and his name was Dom.

  Only then did she come out of her detached daze when a heated argument broke the strained haze between Victor and Ellis Gray. Looking up, Pan found Dom staring at her. His Caribbean eyes went from indifferent to smoldering. Flushing red, she dropped his gaze.

  As prone to Victor’s nature he began to dominate the case of argument at which point Dom jumped in to defend his father. All three yelling, Pan could make out none of it.

  “Enough!” Ellis roared, his blues eyes now glowing white. “They knowingly ventured into my territory!”

  An accent she couldn’t place, a mix of nations, was more profound with his anger.

  “I assure you Victor, the matter on our side has been contained,” Dom said smoothly, looking to pacify. “The vampires in question are under my control and—”

  “Not much of a control if you a mere Prince can’t contain them from simply protecting their land to mauling our vampires for sport,” Pan said. She spoke of the attack, but her glaring eyes accused him of his lies. She would not let him get away with it.

  There had been silence, but now there was stunned silence. It was well practiced that the heirs keep quiet and strictly pay attention. Knowing this, Pan looked to her father in late permission. She didn’t expect him to be upset as he was usually proud of her outward defiance, but she hadn’t expected his smile either.

  Raphael snickered. Dom stared at her. His eyes narrowed.

  “Your vampires weren’t exactly innocent,” he said.

  Pan shot to her feet. “They were bitten newborns! Hardly three days old!”

  “That is not an excuse,” he said calmly, though his voice was hard.

  “There is always an excuse for nurslings! It is well known they are not adept to the perceptions of our politics, especially when they haven’t grown up with it, especially when punishment is taken out so brutally! Your vampires have proven the controversy of your coven true—that they cannot control themselves! But then again—they are only as controlled as their leaders.” She looked him up and down with disdain. “Tell me Prince Dominic, is this barbarism practiced widely among the Gray’s?”

  “And one attack gives you the ability to judge us so freely?” he demanded, raw heat burning in his eyes. “Especially when you yourself Princess Pandora haven’t even succumbed to the change yet? Lecturing the ways of the newborn and you haven’t even experienced it!”

  “True,” Pan admitted. “I know not, but what of me in my frail human mortality?” She held open her arms to show how small and fragile she was. A sympathy vote she knew. “If I was to perhaps, wander into Gray territory with unwonted oblivion and come upon your oh so contained, cultivated, controlled and civilized vampires, would I be viciously mauled as well? Who would save me, hmm?” Pan looked around to all the men in turn. “I don’t have much comfort that anyone would.”

  “As the stars are bright and merciful with their light I pray to them that no harm would fall on you for you are far too lovely,” Dom said. “And you have but to call my name and I will come running.”

  She refused to let his words warm her. He couldn’t get off that easy. Looking down her nose at him, she resumed her seat.

  “Your compliment is to detour my anger. I assure you sir, it will not work. You underestimate my determination.”

  “And I assure you Princess, I don’t. My compliment was to simply acknowledge your beauty which my eye beholds.”

  Pan waved a dismissive hand. “Your words do not placate me and I have grown bored of you. I am done with this conversation.”

  Many of the vampires chuckled. Victor patted her hand.

  “Brilliant my dear,” he said in praise meant to raise, but it left her unfazed. “Brilliant.”

  + Chapter 18 +

  Sinner, Saint, Forgiven of All Complaints

  When it was over Victor stood abruptly, proffering his arm to her. Pan tried to be graceful as it was hard to walk as fast as he was demanding. Rushing through the doors, they continued to his Rose corridors giving the other patrons enough time to enter the grand ballroom.

  As they waited Victor continued his praise of her ability to confront the Gray’s. Pan would have been pleased by it however, her misery wouldn’t allow her. She was destroyed.

  Andre and Louis came for them when all had filled into the ballroom. Again they were announced as they entered. Pan was done with this feigned behavior. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep up her own façade. She just wanted to go home and be alone with her tears. It had been everything she could do not to burst out crying in front of Victor.

  Letting the beauty of the cathedral like architecture distract her, Pan split off from her father as vampires swarmed him, the tension easing from him as they paid their respects. It was historically ironic that the walls were made of mirrors, and to dispel
false truths, their images did in fact appear.

  Nude humans painted so elaborately with exotic gold and fishnet patterns they appeared clothed, served blood. Walking meals themselves as a few had bites on their wrists and necks, blood running down their chests, a fresh from the butcher kind of appeal.

  As she wandered Pan noticed all the eyes admiring her. She tried to steer clear of all the leers, including the creepy ones from peers. It was custom for the royalty not to mingle, but to allow others to come to them. At this rate she felt like she would be standing alone forever.

  Catching a flash of glittery gems, Pan locked eyes with Dom. He was watching her, gliding in the shadows along the walls, following her. Eyes moistening, Pan had to look away, so save her pride or her chin would begin to quiver.

  A cold hand suddenly found her back. Pan looked around startled. Raphael smiled down at her almost…lovingly. It was creepy yet comforting.

  “There you are,” he said, and passed her a glass of wine laced with blood.

  “Thanks,” Pan said, feeling oddly grateful. She didn’t care for wine, but the blood made it delicious.

  Raphael scanned her body, eyes lingering on her bare skin. Feeling a need to wrap an arm around herself in a self-protective gesture from his predatory gaze, her gratefulness vanished towards the thoughtful creature she had felt it for to begin with. It was the true façade and only Raphael who she despised in disguise.

  “At least pretend to be a gentleman and stop looking at me like you want to eat me,” Pan snapped.

  Grinning sin, he licked his teeth. “Oh, but I do want to eat you.”

  Having been famished for company, her worry of being alone vanished, Raphael staking his territory at her side, in a gesture, Pan felt, the other Prince’s saw as claiming her. They then swarmed her, each trying to gain her interest and lead her around. It was overwhelming, the voices demanding her attention, not to mention how they all sought little ways to touch her, whether it be the small of her back, her hand, her elbow, a brush on the neck as they admired her collar.

  Yet Raphael’s claiming hand remained, making her feel stained.

  Needing a moment to contain the emotions bombarding her, Pan said, “Excuse me gentleman,” and strode away, leaving them in confused silence. Raphael made to follow, but Pan rounded on him. “You can’t very well come to the ladies room with me,” she said, halting him in his tracks.

  He wouldn’t dare push his limits when her father and so many other Rose’s were near. His jaw clenched and Pan strode away. Finding a secluded spot behind a pillar deep in shadows, Pan leaned against it. She closed her eyes to contain her broken heart for she felt if anyone was to look in them this moment the jagged shards of her pain shining through would cut them.

  Then…a caress—that should have laid her aching heart to rest slid feather light down her back. Opening her eyes, a tear rolled down her cheek. Pan knew that gentle loving touch without having to see the face of which it belonged too.

  Dom’s smiling face fell with confusion as she faced him. He searched the agony in her eyes that he had created with a lie.

  “How could you lie to me?” Pan asked in whisper, voice conveying her hurt if her tears weren’t an expression of it enough.

  “I’m sorry Pan.” He reached to wipe her cheek with his knuckle.

  She knocked his arm away and wiped it herself. “I don’t want to speak to you right now.”

  His face hardened. “You have to sooner or later.”

  She raised her head in defiance. “And what gives you the right to determine that?”

  “Because you are mine.” He made it a statement of cold calculated fact.

  “Maybe.” Pan turned to walk away, but Dom grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

  “Maybe?” The intensity with which he looked at her demanded her to admit it was more than maybe.

  Pan searched his incredulous face. “Do you even love me?”

  “Of course I love you,” he growled, gripping her arm tighter. “You are the soul to my shell, the heaven to my hell. How can you even ask that?”

  Pan glared, hoping he felt the force of her anger. “Your actions make me ask. You broke my heart Dom.” She yanked her arm from him and this time he let her go.

  The show of indifference found her face again, as did Raphael and the other Prince’s. Raphael yet again displaying his claim with a gesture of what should have been affection by stroking her arm.

  Not able to stop herself, Pan covertly looked for Dom. He was pacing agitated in the shadows, eyes alive with dislike. He paused, his dark expression suddenly turning determined. Her heart leaped when he strode from his cover, heading over. The vampire who seemed to be his shadow melted out of the bodies, trailing him. Pan gulped when Dom stopped on the outskirts of their group, a slightly smug smile at his lips. He stood unnoticed until Raphael spotted him and sneered, “What business do you have among us Gray?”

  “I thought I would join the conversation that was making me envious with its interest,” Dom said lightly. He looked at her giving away where exactly his interest lay.

  Taking a sip of her drink to hide her flush, Pan glanced at Raphael. He looked tense, but the grimaced smile he forced said he knew he had to play nice.

  “Princess Pandora,” Dom said, startling Pan with his forwardness. “You are absolutely ravishing. Hopefully you are more willing to accept my compliments this time around.”

  “Maybe,” Pan said. After a second of hesitation she offered her hand. Taking it, Dom bent to kiss it, eyes locked with hers. “Maybe not.”

  Raphael, Prince Jean-Philippe Sinclair and Gaston laughed.

  “Though I will greet a compliment with a compliment as politeness deems—you look fine yourself Prince Dominic. A pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance.”

  He inclined his head. “A pleasure indeed.”

  Pan glanced at the vampire behind him. He stood with his hands behind his back, his head slightly bowed, his brooding gray eyes locked with hers. The expression on his face was dead stoic, though there was a small knowing smile pulling at his lips.

  “Who’s your friend?” Pan inquired.

  Dom glanced around, meeting the vampire’s eyes fleetingly. “My cousin,” he said. “Urijah Mossimo Gray.”

  Urijah inclined his head to her.

  “You believe yourself too good Gray, to have introduced yourself to the lovely Princess earlier?” Prince Albion of the Drake coven asked.

  Dom chuckled, the tip of his fangs showing. “Not at all. I was simply allowing everyone to admire her before I announced myself.”

  “Unsure of how you’d be received especially after that verbal bitch slap she bestowed to you earlier?” Raphael asked.

  “Actually, yes,” Dom said, unfazed by Raphael as most were usually intimidated by his bullying.

  “As well you should be. However—” Raphael sighed, holding up Pan’s hand, “it is hard to ignore a beauty such as hers.” As he lowered to kiss it he instead swooped laying a lingering kiss on her neck.

  Pan’s eyes flicked up to see Dom’s strained smile, his eyes dark, jaw clenched. He cleared his throat and glanced away, hiding it. The other Prince’s looked annoyed as well at Raphael openly flaunting his favor with her father.

  “Prince of Cats,” Gaston jested, elbowing Raphael in the ribs. “You risk one of your nine lives taunting us with that display.”

  Raphael laughed and said smugly, “It is my right to taste what fate has given to be my lady and wife.”

  Gaston rolled his eyes. “And we all know you use that delusion to your advantage.”

  “That may be Raphael,” Dom said. “When she may be a wife. Have you two yet engaged?”

  “Ooo,” Gaston said, admiring Dom. “He challenges.” He looked to them. “So what be the answer?”

  “No,” Pan said. “We are not engaged.” Nor would they ever be if she had her way.

  They laughed and Raphael scowled.

  “Though her father gives me reason t
o believe we soon will be,” he said.

  “If her father finds favor with you then I guess my chances of consideration are high as well,” Dom said.

  Surprised at his boldness, Pan looked at him with wide eyes. He smiled as if he didn’t care what he just said would be treason to any Rose.

  “Consideration of you?” Raphael said, stepping forward. “A Gray?” He shoved Dom in the chest, forcing him back. “You’re insane to think Victor would ever consider you, a filthy Gray.”

  “Maybe, but someone once told me insanity breeds the best imagination.”

  Raphael made to advance further, but Pan stuck her arm out against his chest, hoping that was enough to stop him. He pushed against it.

  “Stop,” Pan hissed, a little frightened.

  Silence descended as all looked around, silver eyes alight at the possibility of a fight. Ellis Gray appeared as did Andre looking to snatch her away if a brawl of maul was to break out. Urijah growled low and dangerous in the back of his throat.

  “Stop it,” Pan snapped at Raphael. “Do you have to ruin everything?”

  “She’s right, sour puss,” Gaston said. “You’re a downer.”

  Seeing everyone watching and judging his actions, Raphael smoothed his angry expression and stepped back.

  “Are you alright?” Prince Blade asked Dom. As he was still young, he had manners.

  “Fine, thank you.” Looking at little strained, he shrugged his shoulders and straightened his jacket.

  “And I question Raphael,” Prince Kenyon Black said regally and slightly snootily. “How is it that you, a Prince second to the Stone throne, have gained such favorability?”

  “Indeed,” Gaston said, batting his lashes at Raphael. “Surely Victor has the senses to choose a Prince—”

  “Or a King,” Jordan Dove said, stepping into the conversation and smiling at her.