The sweet smell of the roses hit my senses, even if they were dying, and I was called to the fountain in the middle. The only thing that seemed to remain stuck in time.
I kneeled down, running my fingers across the cracked stone, and memories of the Vesper I knew back then flashed through my mind.
“Should we have a bachelorette party?”she had asked.
Of course, only she would have had the balls to show up drunk while I was sulking about being married off to an abusive prince.Just like now.
It wasn’t uncommon for vampires to live long enough to see history repeat itself, but even this felt a little too soon.
I missed Vesper. There was a constant ache in my chest, and not just from the bond that was trying to force us back to each other. Everyone said it would only last a few months, but it was nestled so deep in my heart that it would take more than Vesper's dagger to claw it out of me.
And Cedar…
I wanted to run to her when I heard she had come to see me. I had to stop myself, locking myself in my room so much like my father used to do to me. I knew what they were trying to do, but it was no use.
The prophecy was bigger than the three of us. It didn't matter what we wanted. It didn't matter that it was forcing me into a life of torture. To be married off. To have my royalty and bloodline stripped from me just so I could integrate a new one.
I hated it.
This was my kingdom. My crown. My people.
But more than that, I wanted to save Vesper and Cedar. I had taken the seer’s words to heart.
We wouldn't be happy. We couldn't survive if the prophecy wasn't fulfilled. And I was going to make sure that it was, no matter how painful it might be for us.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen! What would the people think if they could see you now?”
I tried not to let out a sigh as the voice broke through my sulking.
Turning, I saw my brother standing there in his new uniform, which consisted of a fur cape and a tightly tailored all-black suit. All he was missing was a crown, but that was tucked away in the throne room for when he needed it.
He took his new role as king of the Castle family very seriously.
Anger boiled me alive from the inside. Everything was a joke to him. I was a joke. The vampires we murdered were a joke.All he cared about was coming into power because he was so goddamn strong, no one could stand up to him.
“Can’t a girl have some privacy around here?” I stood, brushing the dirt off my skirt.
The sun had fallen, and the sky had started to darken around us. Wisps of blue, purple, and pink were brushed across the sky, like a beautiful painting.
But there was nothing beautiful left in the palace anymore. It was all a cover to hide the ugliness inside.
Just like him. The only thing giving away his horrid nature were the scars running down his face.
“You and I both know you're not entitled to privacy here.”
I crossed my arms and raised a brow at him.
“How can I help you, my dear brother?”
His lips pulled into a dangerous smirk.
“If I didn't like you so much, I would punish you for your snark,” he said and walked closer to me, reaching out to grab a lock of my hair. A deceivingly soft gesture that sent a burst of fear through me. His nostrils flared, letting me know he could smell it, and the flash in his eyes told me he enjoyed it. “Two more days and you'll make me the most powerful vampire king in existence.”
“You don't even know who I'm marrying yet. You left the choice up to me, remember?”
His smile dropped at the reminder.
“I have final say,remember? If you choose someone unsatisfactory, I will step in for you.”
