“I’m scared, too.” Eleanor whispered from the side of her mouth. “It’s okay.”
The girls squeezed each other’s hands quickly, and then dropped their arms back to their sides. The Oracle was moving her way down the line of women, sizing them up and peering curiously into their eyes. Caroline heard the Princess whimper quietly when the old woman stroked one gnarled finger down her smooth, youthful cheek. The Oracle dropped her hand and turned abruptly to Caroline. The woman’s beautiful golden eyes, so out of place with the rest of her body, bored mercilessly into her own. Caroline worked hard to keep her gaze steady, to do her family proud and not collapse under the stress and the fear. After what seemed like ages, the Oracle moved on to Anne, who was the last girl in line. She did the same to Anne, and then stepped back and surveyed the ten girls as a whole once more.
Then, with one hand, she pointed out three girls. The first was Lady Elizabeth Hastings, the daughter of the Baron Hastings. Elizabeth stepped forward at the Oracle’s prodding. Caroline saw that the girl was visibly shaking. They had always been somewhat like rivals, but at the moment, Caroline felt awful for her. Next, the Oracle’s hand pointed directly at Princess Eleanor. Eleanor, to her royal credit, came forward with her blonde head held high. Caroline glanced towards King Victor and saw the worried determination in his face. To be the Chosen was a definite honor, but the idea of the Chosen having to become a vampire was a hard one to swallow for mortals. The Oracle raised her hand one last time, and her finger beckoned forth Caroline herself. Swallowing hard, Caroline stepped forward to join Elizabeth and Eleanor. It was so quiet that it seemed as though the audience had stopped breathing. The Oracle dipped her hand into the goblet and dabbed a droplet of clear liquid onto Elizabeth’s forehead. After a few seconds, she moved on and did the same to Eleanor. Then, she marked Caroline as well.
Caroline expected the Oracle to step back, as she had with the other two girls, and move on to some new trial. But the woman didn’t move or speak for a solid minute. Then her wrinkled face moved into a toothless smile, and she stepped out from in front of Caroline. The reaction from the crowd was immediate. A slim, redheaded woman in the front fainted dead away but everyone was too busy staring at Caroline to move to help her. Caroline found Luke in the crowd and their eyes met briefly before he sadly cast his gaze to the ground. This was the unofficial end to whatever relationship they had.
With terror in her heart, Caroline turned frantically to Eleanor and Elizabeth and pleaded, “What is wrong? Tell me, please.”
Elizabeth couldn’t speak, and merely shook her head, not taking her eyes off of Caroline’s forehead.
Eleanor’s beautiful violet eyes were wide with both wonder and concern. She raised one hand to the bodice of her dress, and said quietly, “You have the mark. You’re Chosen. It’s you.”
Before Caroline could even think, King Victor had moved in front of her, with King Edmund and Prince Sloane just behind him.
The King held one hand out for hers, and said, “Lady Caroline Haley of Wallaceshire, the Oracle has selected you as the Chosen.”
Timidly, and absolutely confused, Caroline placed her hand in his and he passed her to the strange royals. King Edmund embraced her: his arms were strong, but cold. He whispered into her ear, “We are so pleased to welcome you into our family. We’ve been waiting for you.”
After he released her, Prince Sloane stepped up and enveloped her in his arms. Unlike his father, he didn’t say anything, merely smiled kindly and regarded her with those strange, black eyes.
Chapter Four
The next few hours were a whirlwind, and Caroline scarcely had a moment to breathe, let alone think. Immediately following the Vaughan welcome, she was bundled off the stage and into a parlor where the Oracle washed her face with cool water and hummed a quiet tune under her breath. She didn’t speak a word to Caroline until she was done with her task.
“Lady,” she wheezed in a throaty voice, “without question, you are the Chosen. You were destined, even before you were born, to marry the Prince. With you by his side, he shall accomplish great things. It is in the Fates that you should be happy together. However, with great joy, the Prophecy also brings great danger. I have told this to His Highness and His Majesty, and now I’m telling it to you. Evil will come after you. Men and women opposed to this match, opposed to this Prophecy, from Bernehart, Scollfyld, perhaps even all over the world, will try to stop it. I don’t know how, or when, or even exactly why. Just know that. The hope of the Prophecy lies in you and His Highness.”
The Oracle stood shakily to her feet, and then the strange little woman hobbled out the door without waiting for Caroline’s reply.
Caroline was alone in the room for a lengthy time before her parents, the Duke and Duchess Talbot Haley of Wallaceshire, and Sophie appeared. When the sisters saw each other, they clung together, not even breaking their embrace for their parents. Their parents stood frozen for a few moments, the Duke looking stern, and the Duchess happy but confused.
“Well, Daughter,” said Talbot seriously, “You’ve made your mother and me very proud. Hasn’t she, Elise?”
The Duchess nodded her blonde head regally. “Indeed, dear. I think most of the court expected the Princess to be Chosen, but of course, the Fates have their plans.”
Caroline and Sophie finally ended their hug, and Sophie said, “We were so shocked to see the water turn blue on your forehead. Did it hurt?”
Caroline shook her head. “No, I didn’t feel a thing. I didn’t know anything had happened until Eleanor told me she saw the mark.”
“They’re moving your chambers, Darling.” her mother informed her. “Of course, the betrothed of a Prince rates higher accommodations.”
“But, I don’t want to be moved. I want to stay near Sophie.”
“Now, Caroline,” began Talbot, “this isn’t a request. There is protocol that must be followed. Besides, you are twenty-one years old. It’s about time you and your sister learned to live independently of each other.”
Caroline hated when her father took such a tone with her. As duke, he was well accustomed to ordering people around, and the girls had learned long ago not to argue with him. In addition to the healthy dose of fear they had of him, he was also the one who would make their marriage arrangements. If they had any hope of having any say in their husbands, they knew to stay in his good graces. Though, Caroline supposed, that was just Sophie’s problem now. She was already promised, or Chosen rather, to marry a vampire prince. This meant she had no hope of ever being with Luke, if she had wanted to marry him. Not knowing whose lot to lament more, Caroline just nodded her head in deference to her father.
At that moment, Emily knocked timidly on the door and stepped in. She gave a quick curtsey to the Duke and Duchess, and said, “My lady, they have your chambers prepared. His Majesty, King Edmund, suggests you get your rest for the festivities tomorrow.” The Duke rose from his seat and gestured to Caroline. “Say good evening to your sister and mother, Daughter.” He gave her a firm pat on her shoulder and stepped towards the door.
Elise kissed her daughter tenderly on the cheek. “I will see you in the morning for your final fitting, my dear.” And with that, the Duchess cupped Caroline’s face for a moment, and joined her husband.
Sophie was much more demonstrative and threw herself into her sister’s arms, crying. The two girls had rarely been separated for much more than a few hours, and these new events were going to be very difficult for them. With a final squeeze, the sisters let go of one another.
Chapter Five
Caroline was woken just after the sun came up by a number of handmaidens, ladies, Sophie, and her mother.
“Up, up, up, Darling,” called Elise, clapping her hands quickly together. “Today is a very busy day. We have much to see to before our travels begin tomorrow.”
One of the ladies, Lady Anne, moved to help Caroline out of bed and began to quickly undo the laces of her nightgown. While she did this, Sophie ra
n a brush through Caroline’s hair with swift, gentle strokes. Once Anne finished the laces, she helped Caroline slip her arms from the sleeves and step out of it. Long ago, Caroline had learned not to be embarrassed dressing in front of others, and when she was a lady-in-waiting, women undressing in front of her, but she was made nervous by the way they seemed to be serving her.
Her mother sat gracefully on a settee, seeing over the ministrations. Someone brought in a tray of food and the Duchess urged Caroline to eat lightly and quickly. When Caroline was finished and ready to be re-dressed, Elise gestured quickly to the other ladies-in-waiting. They disappeared into the adjacent parlor and returned carefully carrying Caroline’s wedding gown. Every girl who was to stand for the Choosing had their wedding gown made well ahead of time. The ones who weren’t Chosen would merely use them for whoever they ended up marrying. Caroline had been unhappy during the first fitting, but she couldn’t deny the beauty of the gown. It was primarily white, with threads of gold running through it and gold trim on the full sleeves, neckline, and skirt. The bodice was lined with tiny pearls and ribbons. The train was incredibly long, and made of a delicate lace. The gown was handed over to Anne, who was apparently to be her head lady-in-waiting, and Sophie and they lifted it above her head. Caroline needed help pushing her arms through the elaborate sleeves, and once that was done, Sophie began lacing her up.
After she was completely dressed, Caroline sat down so Sophie and Anne could begin braiding white ribbon into sections of her hair, and then pinning it up at the crown of her head. Caroline, who preferred to wear her hair down and loose, hated having to sit still for the amount of time such preparations required. She let her mind wander to the obvious thought looming: the fact that she was getting married. In just a few short days. To a man she had never even held a conversation with. Sighing quietly to herself, Caroline supposed that it could be a lot worse. Her friend, Lady Isabel Stout, had the misfortune of having to marry a man twice her age and three times her width. Isabel’s father had been deaf to her pleading for him to reconsider, and her wedding day had been dismal. At least Prince Sloane was handsome, even if it was in a dark, almost scary way. And she would have the distinction of becoming a princess, something not likely for a girl of her position. She just wished she knew what he was like, for he currently seemed terribly mysterious.
When the women were finally finished with her hair, they pinned her long, lacy veil in and pushed her towards the gilded mirror in the center of the bedroom. Caroline hardly recognized herself. While she enjoyed being feminine, she wasn’t interested in wasting much time in decking herself out. So when she saw her elaborate hair piled atop her head, coupled with the exquisitely made dress, she nearly gasped in shock. She would make the most beautiful bride.
Chapter Six
Caroline sat rigid beside Sloane at the table of honor at the feast of their betrothal. King Edmund was on Sloane’s other side. Princess Emma, Sloane’s younger sister, was to Caroline’s right. Not counting the past two days, Caroline had never even seen a vampire, let alone been near one. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or not, but she thought she could feel a coldness emanating from their bodies. Shuddering at the thought, Caroline wondered when she would have to be turned. Not a single member of the Vaughan royal family were eating, nor were any of the vampire guests in attendance. It was obvious to figure out who was or wasn’t an Other based on if they had a plate in front of them or not. Princess Emma had smiled at Caroline while they were being seated, but hadn’t said a word or looked her way since. Caroline didn’t know if the princess was merely quiet, or didn’t like her. Since they would be living in the same palace in a matter of just a few days, Caroline hoped that she could win the Princess’s favor and promised herself she would find out more about the mysterious and beautiful Other.
At a table across the hall, Caroline could see her parents and sister. Sophie appeared melancholy and was picking at her meal. She decided then and there to sneak Sophie into her chambers at some point in the night, before or after the pre-determined Intimate visit from Sloane. The reminder of his visit sent chills up her spine. It was traditional in their part of the world that betrothed couples have at least one Intimate visit. Caroline’s mother had been vague on exact details, but from what she had gathered, Sloane was to visit her room and the two were to get to know one another better, both physically and emotionally. Elise had been very insistent, though, that Caroline was obviously not to lose her virginity until after the marriage ceremony. Caroline wasn’t sure how to feel about this. Sloane seemed kind enough, and was wonderful to look at, but he was different from her and it was obvious. She wished she knew more about whatever the process would be, and when it would occur.
Her thoughts were interrupted when King Edmund stood up and tapped his chalice.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for the cooperation of the people of Scollfyld. Our countries will stand together as pillars of the world, and you may always depend on us as allies. Your willing gift of your daughters for the Choosing, and eventually, the discovery of the Chosen, made it possible for our lands to come together. To my son, Sloane, and his bride, the future Princess Caroline, I wish you the world and I bless you.”
As Edmund raised his glass, so did everyone else in the hall. Caroline felt her face heat up as she blushed from the attention, then Sloane nonchalantly patted her knee. It was a bizarre feeling, the warmth of her face and the icy coolness of his hand at odds with one another. Looking at him from the corner of her eye, she could see his face tilted, curiously looking her over. Unsure, Caroline gave him a slight smile and his nearly black eyes sparkled with humor as he smiled back. She decided that he must have a playful spirit, and that eased her nerves. Deciding then and there that she would get to know him as best she could before the wedding, she tried to calm her nerves about that night’s visit.
Chapter Seven
The room was dark, except for a single candle on the bedside table. Caroline sat in the middle of the bed, in only a thin silk chemise, with her arms wrapped around her knees. She tried to quell the shaking in her body, but she was more scared than she had ever been in her twenty-one years of life. Despite knowing it was ridiculous she still wished she didn’t have to be alone at this moment. Sophie had accompanied her to her chambers after the feast to help Caroline prepare. But after assisting in dressing, and then brushing out her sister’s hair, she had to leave. Caroline would even take an audience of curious onlookers over the quiet, over the nervous wait. Trying hard to find the determination she had at the feast, she found herself faltering now. First, Caroline heard a creak of the floor outside her chambers, and then the door opened slowly. A tall shadow stood in the frame, lit from the back by the candles in the hall.
“Lady Caroline?” the voice asked, deep and rich with a youthful undertone.
“Yes, I’m here,” she said back, quietly.
Sloane stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, leaving them both in the dim light of the single candle.
“May I?” he asked, gesturing towards the bed.
Caroline nodded, not sure what else to do. Refusing one’s betrothed, let alone a prince, was unheard of. Possibly even treasonous. It wasn’t that she didn’t like him or anything, she was merely in shock from the suddenness of the whole arrangement. And Luke was the only man she had ever been intimate with. The thought of not having to worry about preserving her virginity soon was a strange one. Sloane sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hands on his knees.
“Are your chambers to your liking?” he asked casually, as though trying to ease into conversation.
“Oh yes, your Highness, they are wonderful.”
He turned towards her, placing one hand on the bed to steady himself. “Please,” he said. “Just call me Sloane.”
His face in the low light was even more handsome and his expression was completely sincere.
“Very well, Sloane.”
“And may I call you Ca
roline?” he asked.
Caroline was amused that he felt the need to ask, being a prince and all, and nodded yes.
She hadn’t removed her lock on her knees, and faltered.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “Would you like me to leave?”
Caroline shook her head frantically. She would die of embarrassment if word got out that Sloane had left her room after only a minute of Intimate visit. Not even wanting to begin to imagine the tongues that would be wagging with that delicious bit of gossip, she reached a hand toward him and said,
“No, please don’t. It’s just that, I’ve…well, I’ve never been around your kind before.”
Sloane shifted his gaze down. “Yes, most people are nervous around, uh, my kind.”
Feeling bad about using that term to describe him, she replied, “Your Highness, I mean, Sloane, I didn’t mean to say I don’t like you or don’t want to be near you. And it’s not only that you’re an Other. It’s that, well, I…”
As she trailed off, too modest to finish the sentence, he looked back up at her.
“I know you’re a virgin, Princess. Every citizen of both Bernehart and Scollfyld knows. After all, that was the Prophecy, correct?”
It felt as though all the blood in Caroline’s body rushed into her face. Of course he knew, everyone knew. She felt silly and childish.
She cleared her throat and said, “I’m not completely innocent, though.”
His lips curled in amusement, and he shook his head slightly. “Oh, of course not, dear Lady. Surely, you’ve had your youthful romances. As have I, naturally.”
This made her feel slightly better, to have him know that she wasn’t absolutely naïve. But, then, the thought of something else began to tug at her.
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