The Prince and the Princess Part 1
1664 Words
(This story takes place after The Vampire's Servant)
I looked into the mirror and adjusted the bowtie at my neck. A new tuxedo was just what I’d needed. This one fit my body a lot better than my last one. My new tailor was amazing. I’d have to get him a gift.
My servant, Donica, was running a lint roller over my jacket. It was a classic black tux with white accents. My dark brown hair was freshly cut and perfectly styled.
If not for the curves made obvious by my well-fitted suit, one might mistake me for a young dandy. The thought brought a smile to my lips. Not bad for nearly fourteen thousand years old.
It was the Winter Solstice and I was about to attend a party to which I had not been invited. This was a ritual to me. At this point, I was sure Territory Masters had caught on and were not inviting me in hopes that I would show up.
“Mistress Phoebe, you’re ready. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, or should I head to my room?” Donica asked.
She’d been my servant for a few thousand years and was, by far, the best yet. She was attentive and hardworking. And, most importantly, straight. The last thing I needed was my human servant falling in love with me… again.
“Go ahead. If you’d like, you can take my spare credit card and go out. Maybe find a gentleman to entertain you for the evening.” I suggested.
“You know I’m dating someone back home. I’m not going to cheat on him just because I’m on the other side of the world.” She chuckled. “Are you going to need me to eject whomever you get to warm your bed or will you be doing it?”
“I’m sorry about last year, that young woman was quite… tactless and crude. I’ll make sure to pick better tonight.” I winked as I slipped my white gloves over my manicured hands.
Donica shook her head with a slight smile. “I don’t know how you can manage only having s*x once a year. Men and women throw themselves at you all year around, but you stick to these one night stands. Sometimes, I think you’d be more relaxed if you indulged like Mistress Talia.”
“Doni, mind your business when it comes to my relationships. I warn you every time you bring this up. I won’t warn you again. I’ll remove my bond with you if you don’t stop.” I warned.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. I just worry about you. Talia has her Solus Amor and Marius has taken up with that dark witch. You and Felix are the only ones without someone to come home to. I feel really bad for you.” She sighed.
One of the most powerful vampires in the world is pitied by her human servant. Lovely. I put my wallet in my pocket with my cellphone and went into the main area of my hotel suite. My hat and cane were waiting for me on the table in front of the door.
Grabbing the last two pieces of my outfit, I headed for the door. I could smell Donica’s tears. She was crying, but trying to keep silent. She knew what women crying did to me.
“Donica, I appreciate you caring about me, but I’ve been alive for millennia. I’m not as young as I look. And nowhere near as pitiful as you seem to believe. I have my reasons for everything. Have you set out the crystal flower as usual?” I asked.
She sniffled. “Yes, Mistress, just like every year.”
“Good. Then that’s everything I need from you. Thank you for your work today. Go do whatever it is you do on these nights. Order all the foods you like, get an expensive bottle of champagne, anything you wish. When I next see you, I expect to have no tears from you. Only smiles.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
With that, I left the suite. I took the elevator down to the lobby. There was a young vampire who was working the night desk. He seemed very excited to see me stroll through the lobby.
I put my top hat on as I exited the building. New York was far cleaner than it had been when I’d last visited. For that I was grateful. The doorman guided me to the town car that was waiting for me. He opened the door and closed it once I was inside.
The driver had the address of the party and didn’t try to make small talk. He was a vampire as well. He knew better than to try and strike up a conversation with a member of the High Council.
Instead of pulling my phone out, I stared out the window blankly. Every year on the longest night of the year, vampires had parties that lasted until an hour before sunrise. Every year, for the last nearly nine thousand years, I would select a party I hadn’t been invited to.
At that party, I would choose a partner to share the night with and leave before midnight. That person would enjoy bragging rights and prestige among other vampires for the rest of the year.
I knew there was a rumor that I only looked for my Solus Amor on that night. Someone a few thousand years ago had made up a cute little fairy tale about it. It got passed around and filtered to some humans who changed it a little more.
The handsome prince is only able to find his princess at some party on some appointed night. All the young women of the kingdom vie to be his partner, but he picks the most deserving of all of them. She is mysterious and beautiful, but also innocent and put upon for some reason or other.
They immortalized my struggle. Saying I was cursed to only be able to find her on that night. In a way, it was true.
-
We arrived at a high-rise building and the driver stopped in front. The doorman at this building scurried out to open my door. I straightened out my suit and hat, tucked my cane under my arm, and headed in.
The security guard asked who I was there to see. I looked him over. He was human. I caught his eye with my own gaze and he let me past without a word.
I boarded the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor penthouse. The doors slid shut and I waited as the little room went up. If someone had told me about things like this when I was human, I would have thought them insane.
Humans truly had made up for their lack of magic as they grew. They were impressive creatures. Their curiosity and enthusiasm were entertaining. I liked them almost as much as Talia liked werewolves.
The elevator doors slid open into the apartment. Music played as vampires milled around with drinks, talking, flirting, conducting business. A fairly typical vampire party.
Eyes were drawn to me as I entered and handed my hat and cane off to the young woman who was waiting nearby. She handed me a ticket for my items, which I slid into my pocket. When I turned back toward the party, people quickly looked away.
A woman approached me. She was small, but wore very high spiked heels that almost made her my height. Her blonde hair was styled on top of her head with small jewels dotting it. The black dress she was wearing was designer and well accessorized. She established eye contact immediately.
In shapeshifters, eye contact can be seen as a challenge. In vampires, it’s a sign of respect. Since we have the ability to hypnotize people with our eyes, we’re showing the other vampire that we trust them and they should trust us. The older and more powerful the vampire, the less they are to be hypnotized or be put under the thrall of a younger vampire.
“Mistress Phoebe.” She said with a smile. “I’m Bianca Veil. Thank you for attending my party.”
“Ms. Veil, I am only called Mistress by my servants. Are you my servant?” I asked.
Her eyes widened with understanding. She couldn’t be more than fifteen hundred. She should have known better. Even Victor knew to call me Master Phoebe and he wasn’t even a thousand yet. I suppose that was the difference between sires.
Talia would have never permitted one of her children to make such a faux pas. This one had black eyes and an emaciated frame. We all knew who her sire was. He was an indulgent t**t who did as he pleased. He probably got rid of her after she got boring.
“My apologies, Master Phoebe. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Is your sire here? I’d rather not deal with Asmodeus tonight.” I sighed as I removed my gloves.
“No, Master Phoebe. If my broodmates are correct, he’s in Russia probably all tucked in for the day.” She replied.
“Good. I’ll stay, then. Are you serving straight blood or will there be alcohol tonight?” I asked.
“Yes, there is alcohol.” Bianca waved at someone who brought a tray of champagne flutes with pink tinged bubbling liquid. “I ordered the best champagne for tonight.”
I took a glass from the tray and sipped it. It was quite expensive. I gave her a brief nod of approval before leaving her company. One of Asmodeus’ children wouldn’t be useful to me tonight.
There was a good selection here. As eyes flicked to me, I noted the assortment of colors. My contacts had steered me right. I’d definitely find someone acceptable tonight.
- Writer
