Bride of the Vampire Prince

CHAPTER: 13

Vienna then moved quickly toward the door, to hell with wet hair and bathrobe, she thought. She was hell-bent on escaping.

Alex beat her to it, blocking her exit with his large frame. "Not so fast. You will want to see this through."

"You people are crazy," Vienna said. It was as if the spell the handsome boy, or the supposed prince, and that crazy letter had cast on Vienna were broken. "I don't know why you are talking about me being special or trying to put me into that gala dress or thinking there is any way in hell I am going to sacrifice myself to go live in some eerie castle for the rest of my life. Thanks, but no, thanks! I am moving out of here." Vienna dodged around Alex, but again, he was quicker, pressing his sturdy foot against the door so she could not open it.

"You know when I said you had a choice?" Alex smiled at her, but it was not a nice smile. "I was being polite. Now go and get your hair done and put on your pretty dress. We need to make it to the square in time. And that is an order."

"I do not take orders from anyone!" Vienna tried to get past Alex again, but he hissed and stepped forward. He was no more the jovial boy from the beach. He was replaced by a menacing creature. His large shoulders were suddenly imposing, his big hands were dangerous, and were curled into fists. He came toward Vienna, his teeth bared. Two large fangs projected from his mouth.

Vienna stumbled backward. "What the hell..."

"I don't like to frighten or threaten you like this, but you are being so bloody difficult." Alex tracked closer, fangs sparkling, a low growl exuding from deep inside his chest. 

Vienna shrieked and looked at Deborah, but she was just watching them, arms crossed against her chest as if what was happening were nothing more than a nuisance.

"He is a vampire!" Vienna screamed.

"Keep your voice down, my lady. We do not use that word here. It is not safe." Deborah shook her head. "Now come and let me do your hair. I think Alex has made his position clear about you leaving from here." She then motioned for Vienna to come closer.

Vienna pointed at the redheaded beast, who was still glowering at her, his big body ready to pounce. "This is... I cannot..." Vienna's voice shook. She had seen enough horror movies to know what would happen next.

"There, there. You will be a good girl, won't you? He will not hurt you. We do not want any trouble." Deborah looked pointedly at Alex, but he still glared at her. His fangs were still out, and his eyes flashed wildly as if he had an insanely high fever.

Vienna's whole body trembled as she sprinted toward Deborah then lowered herself into the wooden chair. She struggled to catch her breath as her windpipe started to close. Vienna was afraid and began to pray silently that 'Oh, God! Please help me. This is not a good time to lose consciousness!' She could not have a panic attack right then. If she did, she would be completely defenseless. Alex could confront her, drink her blood, or do whatever other crazy things redheaded vampires did. "Don't hurt me," she begged, close to tears.

Alex took a step closer. His green eyes were so bright, they almost looked radiant. "Then do stop being difficult," he said.

Vienna nodded, her head jittering crazily atop her neck. Instead of crying or calling for help, she closed her eyes, shutting him out, and concentrated on getting her breathing under control. 

"There, there. Calm down. That's a good girl. No one is going to hurt you. I promise." Deborah's voice was soothing as if she were talking to a small child. She smoothed some cream onto Vienna's face and started applying makeup. "I will make sure that you look the prettiest. You don't have to be afraid. Alex just gets hostile and irritated sometimes that is all. It is his nature. We must get you to the ceremony on time. We must not disappoint the prince." 

When Vienna peeked one eye open, she found Alex back to normal. His fangs were gone as if they had never been there, and his eyes had returned to their normal coloring. He glared at her. Vienna did not dare glare back at him.

She closed her eyes again and let Deborah get to work. Perhaps she had imagined it. Or perhaps she was going crazy, or maybe she had drowned in that water and never came back out. Or maybe she was lying in a coma back home, and her brain had been hallucinating the situation to pass the time.

But no matter whatever it was: madness, a nightmare, or imagination gone wild; Vienna made a promise to herself. She would find a way out. She would find a way out of this place.

"Aw, that is lovely, isn't it?" Deborah clapped her hands as they stared at Vienna's reflection in the mirror.

Vienna nodded, forcing a smile. But smiling seemed quite ridiculous when a vampire was in the room.  "Yes, thank you," she replied. Her hair, finally dry, bounced in shiny waves over her shoulders. The red dress and ballet flats that Deborah had given her both fit perfectly. This was another fact that Vienna could not shroud her brain around. The gown was stunning, its strapless bodice intricately created. Tiny gems lined the fabric, making the red gown sparkle. The skirt was tulle, full and floating, fit for a princess. 

Yet there, Vienna was wearing it to parade down the street, to be offered as a gift to the prince. It seemed to Vienna that she was like a goat on the leash, and was being led to the slaughterhouse. Alex had not spoken another word, but she had pieced it all together as calmly as she could. Deborah had called the candidates at the ceremony as 'sacrifices.' Alex had shown her his fangs, and the prince had asked her to say 'yes.' She knew all too well now, what this ceremony was all about. Whatever remained of it, her life was worth several sacks of grains and possibly some goats for breeding. She repented now, why did she listen to that letter?