The Vampire Prince’s Bride

Chapter 4

***

Adaria was fond of the catacombs. Not because she enjoyed spending time down there with ghosts. But because of a secret she’d discovered deep in the darkness beneath Castle Donovan.

She’d discovered it when her father took her down there to see the tombs of her ancestors on her tenth birthday.

“You must remember where you came from if you are to know where you are going in life,” he said. “Our family is not like others. Everything we are, everything we will ever become, it all happened because of the people down here. They made us who we are today, and their sacrifices are the lifeline of our great house.”

Adaria had stared with interest at the tombs of her great grandfathers. They were all built to encircle a bare expanse of floor in the middle, where the Royal crest was carved into the ground. There were six tombs in total, with one being built around the others so it would be the start of a new circle.

“That one is mine,” King Nazar had said. “When I die, I will be brought down here and buried with my father, and his ancestors. Every ruler of Dridell has always been buried here. That is the tradition.”

“Who is that?” Adaria had asked, pointing to the tomb of a man who glared down ominously at them.

“Your grandfather, King Malik,” he he said. “Your grandfather, as I’m sure you’ve been taught, was the most powerful man to have ever walked this earth. I would be stupid to claim otherwise. He made so many sacrifices for this kingdom, and his legacy lives on in you and me. He singlehandedly drove out the vampire scum from our lands, in the Battle of The Dawn when he stood and fought from sunset to sunrise. They say he killed three thousand vampires that day. And his rule came at a time when some of the factions tried rebelling against Hyland. Your grandfather marched to each one of them with less than fifty men behind him, but he brought all the factions back together. His sword, the Morningstar, was said to have been used in the legendary battle against Death.”

“Death?”

“The personification of death,” he explained. “Death walks among men, and several years ago, he tried to destroy the world. But your grandfather defeated him and bound his soul to hell using his magic.”

Adaria had stared deeply into the dead man’s eyes, wondering if everything they said about him was true. Even at her age, she’d come to learn that truth often got mixed up with exaggeration. But still, the fame of King Malik preceded him, and standing in the shadow of his tomb, she could see why. He was a ferocious looking man, large and burly with angular features all around. In his hands, the Morningstar rested as well, carved to perfection so that it almost seemed like the stone could cut as well.

“Is the sword there?” Adaria had asked. “Was it buried with him?”

“That’s what everyone says,” King Nazar said with a sigh. “But we’re not about to open up the tomb and see for ourselves, are we?”

Now, as Adaria stood in the catacombs and stared at the tombs several years later, the memory still seemed fresh to her. She’d visited the tombs every week since then, until she discovered something of interest.

The walls of the catacombs were smooth and grey, except for a little notch in the far end of the room. It was the only imperfection, but it had seemed too precise to be an imperfection. Adaria had slipped her finger into it, and to her amazement, the wall had split open to reveal a secret doorway. It led to an underground tunnel system which was connected to several parts of the Castle, including an old building just beyond the walls of Hyland. Most times, Adaria would use these tunnels to escape from the Castle when she didn’t want anyone to find her. But Ophelia had discovered her soon enough, and it had been agreed that she could venture beyond the walls as long as two guards would always remain at the building and would watch over her if need be. In turn, she would keep the secret from Adaria’s parents.

It was her only escape; the only way she could leave the Castle without her parent’s knowledge. Most of Adaria’s life had been spent in seclusion, and she’d grown used to it. But sometimes, she wanted to be free from the harsh reality that was her life, and sneaking out was the only way she could do it. She never went far though; the guards wouldn’t allow it. She mostly just walked around the forest, and enjoyed the sound of nature. Today, she did it to clear her head.

Of course she’d always known Ophelia had magical powers. But seeing it up close, and experiencing just what she could do when she chose to was a frightening experience. Ophelia’s powers had never been directed at her, but today she’d seen what it would be like if she decided to use her magic against her.

When she emerged in the old building after the long walk through the tunnels, she told the guards -who’d immediately jumped to their feet at her arrival- that she wanted some privacy, and they should follow at a leisurely pace so she could think freely.

The dense undergrowth was everywhere she looked, and Adaria laughed when she saw a squirrel fall from a tree and straight into a shrub. She kept close to the stream, where the sound of flowing water would calm her.

Ophelia had said that Royal magic was more powerful than anything else in the entire kingdom. Did that mean that she could also do what Ophelia had done? Could she also create an illusion to ensnare someone’s mind and make them see what she wanted them to see?

Of course not. Not even in the slightest.

But she could try to make the ball of light from earlier. That one didn’t seem as taxing as the illusion.

Concentrating hard, Adaria snapped her fingers in front of her, but nothing happened. She tried to imagine the light floating in front of her, and the way it hovered over Ophelia’s fingers. But when she snapped her fingers again, nothing happened.

She could have sworn that she felt the magic flowing inside her own veins. But what if she was wrong? What if, contrary to Ophelia’s thoughts, there was nothing magical about her? Surely if there were, then she would have seen a sign by now. But for the last sixteen years of her life, nothing magical had happened to Adaria.

Frustrated, she threw her hands in the air and quickened her pace.

The squirrel from earlier sprang up a tree beside her, chittering. Adaria paused to stare at it, fascinated by how at ease the creature looked with the world.

“If only you were a Princess and I could be the carefree squirrel,” she said. “Maybe then I wouldn’t have to deal with the pressure of having to live up to everyone’s expectations.”

The squirrel paused, c****d its head at her before scurrying up the tree again.

“Oh my God,” she said, laughing. “I’m actually talking to a squirrel. I think I need some actual friends to talk to before I lose my mind completely.”

And then the idea struck her.

Even before she had finished formulating the plan in her head, she knew her father would refuse. But it was worth a try, and she was in desperate need to get away from the prison that was her home.

Quickly, she headed back for the old building. The guards turned around as soon as they saw her returning, and they escorted her back to the secret passage where she quickly made her way back through the tunnels. The idea seized her like a plague, and it was all she could think about. For the first time in her life, the thought of actually going away from the Castle seemed like a possibility. She’d only ever tried once, but her father had turned the idea down because she didn’t have a good reason. Now, she would present her case to him in a more diplomatic way. Surely he wouldn’t refuse. He owed her that much, seeing how he’d kept her prisoner in her own home for sixteen years.

It took nearly half an hour before Adaria emerged in the catacombs again. She hurried past the tombs, barely glancing at them as she flew up the stairs.

“Where is my father?” she asked the first guard she saw in the hallway.

“On the terrace with Lord Howard,” he said. “They’ve been there al morning.”

Adaria hurried past him and up the stairs which would lead her to the terrace. It was on the western tower, overlooking the garden below. It was her father’s favorite spot in the Castle. Of course he would be there.

“And tell Lady Delicia to summon the Druids,” she heard him say as she approached the terrace. “I intend to find out just how much damage has been done.”

“But what about the lady Ophelia?” Lord Howard asked. “Surely, your Grace, it would be wiser to use her instead.”

“Ophelia is dealing with enough matters already,” King Nazar said. “I will not have her burdened any more than she needs to be. Do as you are told.”

“Of course, your Grace,” he said. “I shall meet with Sir Randall right away.”

“Good,” the King said. He turned around at the sound of footsteps, and a slow smile crept across his face when he saw Adaria.

“Your majesty,” Lord Howard said, bowing before walking past her. Adaria was left alone with her father, who motioned for her to sit beside him.

“How was your first lesson?” he asked. “Ophelia told me you would start learning about magic today. Is it interesting? Boring? Exciting?”

“It’s going quite well, father,” she said. “Although we’ve only touched the basics today.”

“Naturally,” he said. “We wouldn’t want to get you exhausted on your first day. What brings you here?”

“Well,” she began, her heart drumming loudly in her chest, “it’s two things actually, father.”

“I’m listening,” King Nazar said.

“Well, firstly, why is it that I’ve never seen you do magic?” she asked. “Ophelia says that all members of the Royal family have some magic in them. How come you don’t?”

King Nazar sighed.

“It’s not my fault so much as it’s my father’s,” he said. “Magic, you should understand, is linked with the Royal blood. But for it to remain pure, then the bloodline must remain pure as well. Your grandfather married an outsider; a commoner, I should say. And so I was born without any magic in me. But the interesting thing is that it tends to repair itself after every generation. Since it would unrealistic to make sure that every member of the Royal family marries from another royal family, the bloodline seems to ‘cleanse’ itself after every generation, in a manner of speaking. So rest assured, just because I don’t have any magic doesn’t mean you shouldn’t as well.”

“I see,” Adaria said.

“And what is the second thing?” he asked.

“Well,” she said, twisting her fingers even though she could hear her mother’s voice telling her that a Princess shouldn’t do that, “it’s more of a request, actually.”

“If it is within my power, then I shall see to it that you get it, my love,” he said. “Tell me.”

“Well, father,” she said, emphasizing the last word, “you know how it’s my birthday next week, right?”

“I am aware of that,” he said.

“And you know how I don’t have any friends in the castle, right?”

“What are you talking about?” he said with a frown. “I’m your friend, aren’t I?”

“Of course you are,” she said, smiling. “But I’m talking about friends my age. Lord Coleton has two daughters my age, right? Liana and Regina?”

“You wish for them to come here?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Adaria said. “I wish to go to them. Just for a little while.”

King Nazar frowned. And this time, there was nothing amusing about his smile.

“You know how I feel about this topic, Adaria,” he said. “Why would you come to me if you already know my answer?”

“I was hoping you would reconsider,” she said. “It’s my birthday after all, father. I haven’t left the castle in years, except under your supervision.”

“So you want me to let you roam the country on your own?” he said. “Is that what you’re asking me?”

“Send me off with as many guards as you can spare,” she said. “But please father, I just want to pretend that I am normal for once.”

King Nazar looked at her carefully, his brows furrowed together. Adaria couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid of what she might see there. It had been a risk talking to him about it, but it was worth a try.

“I’ll think about it,” he said finally. “But it can only be after your birthday. God knows what your mother would do to me if I robbed her of the chance to throw you a proper celebration.”

Adaria’s eyes lit up as he spoke. For a moment, she thought she’d heard him wrong. But when she saw his smile, she knew he wasn’t joking.

“O, thank you father,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “Thank you so much, father.”

King Nazar sighed as he held her.

“The things I do for love,” he muttered against her hair.

Meanwhile, far to the east, two young boys were circling around a small field. Their arms were bruised in several places, but their injuries were healing rapidly. Their fangs were extended, claws shivering with the urge to attack. Every movement was precise, every instinct honed to kill.

“Again,” King Lazaro said. “You must concentrate if you hope to achieve your goals.”

The older one charged forward, lunging at the bear. But the great animal swatted him out of the air with a single swipe of its paw. The boy crashed into the wooden structure surrounding the field with a loud crash.

The younger one, more calculating than his older counterpart, chose to circle around the bear instead before charging at it. He stopped halfway however, and allowed the bear to rush towards him before he dived out of the way and charged at the bear from the other side.

“What are you doing?” King Lazaro asked.

“I’m tiring him,” the boy said. “Soon he’ll be tired, and I’ll strike then.”

But he was distracted as he spoke to his father. Seizing the opportunity, the bear swiftly turned around and barreled into him, sending him flying out of the field completely. He crashed against the side of the building, falling face first into the dirt.

“That’s enough,” the King ordered. The bear ceased its attack immediately, and a second later it transformed into a man.

King Lazaro walked over slowly to his son, and knelt beside him in the dirt. The boy tried to get up, but his entire body aches with the pain of moving.

“You’re not ready, Nero,” the King said. “You’re weak. And if that was a real fight, you’d be dead already.”

He walked away without another word, leaving Nero in the dirt where he thought he belonged.

***