Chapter Seven
1907 Words
Three years later
L'udovit sighed and rubbed his head, why did she fight him on everything? He turned to his second in command, Marek. "Have you gotten anywhere with her?" They were in his office discussing Evelyn's coming of age party. She would be taking over for him as ruler of their kingdom once she was joined with her mate. Someone of his choosing, and he had the perfect vampire in mind. He didn't want to risk her finding her fated mate and he treats her poorly. No, he was determined to keep her safe at all costs. She would marry the one he chose for her.
Marek shook his head, "No, your highness," he addressed the king appropriately. "She wants nothing to do with this."
"But, it's her party! She's finally coming of age!" L'udovit cried. He wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to be paired with the best vampire out there. "She needs to be with someone who will take care of her and protect her. Like I couldn't," he paused. He swallowed that pain that rose again, even after all these years. "Like I couldn't with her beautiful mother."
Marek could only stand beside his king in silence. He remembered their queen, Nikoleta. Evelyn looks so much like her now that she's grown. His heart broke for his king. The day those hunters killed Nikoleta, they killed part of this kingdom. And after that Evelyn was unable to go anywhere unattended. She even had guards at her boarding schools and they were the most secure places for their kind.
L'udovit shook his head, "I will go speak with her." He pushed himself away from the desk and walked to the heavy oak door of his office. He grasped the brightly polished brass handle and turned to Marek. He gave him a half-smile. "Wish me luck."
Marek chuckled at the king, he knew he would need it. Evelyn was certainly her mother's daughter, not only in looks but also in her attitude. She was stubborn and hard-headed. She couldn't be deterred once her mind was made up.
L'udovit walked purposely down the hall to his daughter's room. He passed the door to his own room, as he made his way down the hall. The dimly lit passageway, barely illuminated by the sconces flickering gently. He stopped at her door and knocked on the heavy door that mirrored all the others in the hall.
"Come in!" she called.
L'udovit opened the door and walked into his daughter's room. He smiled as he took in her choice of decor. The walls were painted a subtle lavender, the natural trim of the wood in her room was beautiful with it. She had painted the sunrise on one side of her room and as you turned it was as if you were watching a day go by. Eventually ending in a dark midnight blue moonscape. The thing he found interesting about her room was the fact that a wolf was howling at her moon while a bear was lying on the next wall. She was standing with her back to the door, covered in a fluffy pink robe. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and she had bare feet. "Marek, if you think you're coming in here to try to convince me to marry that goofball of prince my father has picked out. You better think again!"
L'udovit scowled at his daughter's choice of words. "Is he really a goofball?" he asked. He didn't think he had chosen so poorly for his daughter.
Evelyn turned with an impish smile on her face, "Dad, please, do really think I didn't know it was you?" She hugged her father tightly then turned serious, "But, really dad, I am not going to be joined with him." Of all things he had done and she unwillingly went along with, this she was putting her foot down on. Not happening, no way.
He didn't bother to hide his disappointment, he needed to know his daughter was safe. This vampire prince was more than suitable for her. "I don't want to hear any arguments, Evelyn." He said using her full name. This told her that he meant business. He could be just as stubborn as she was! This was something he simply wasn't going to budge on. He looked down at his daughter, the frustration evident on his face. "You are going to get dressed and go to the shops and you are picking out your gown for this party. On Saturday, you are going to meet the kingdom as the queen-in-waiting. You will be betrothed to Cassomir, that's final."
Evelyn was about to protest when her father put his finger up. The glint in his eye a warning to her. "No arguments! I know what is best for you. I know what has to happen to protect you. And this is it. Am I clear?"
Evelyn pursed her lips, she knew better than to argue with him over this. She would have to think of something else. Another way to stop her father's overbearing nature. He couldn't protect her forever. Even though they could live that long! She huffed, "Fine. I will go to the shops and pick out my gown. But will you at least wait on marrying off to some vampire with an overinflated ego of himself?"
L'udovit scowled, "I will think about it." He turned to the door to leave his daughter to dress. He paused at the door, turning to her again. His eyes were softer now. "I just want what's best for you."
Evelyn sighed, "I know, dad. I just wish you let me decide once in a while." She understood where he was coming from. "I miss her too." There was a small tear that trailed its way down her cheek. She could barely remember her mother anymore. She had died when she was barely four.
Her father turned before she could see the tears welling up in his own eyes. She looked so much like her mother. He wanted nothing more than to protect her from the world. He wished she understood that. He walked out of her room and back to his office. His shoulders slumped in defeat. How do others let their children go so easily?
Marek studied his king, taking in his grief-stricken face, "I take it, it didn't go so well?"
L'udovit shook his head, "Not exactly, but at least she's going to get her gown." He sighed and sat down at his desk, he looked up at Marek, "That girl is going to be the death of me, I swear it."
Marek knew what that meant, "Shall I get Cooper to take her?"
L'udovit smiled, "Of course. He also has incredible fashion sense for a man." He winked at Marek, it was common knowledge that Cooper was not straight. He just hoped that he found himself a mate that would take care of him well. Vampires can be cruel when it comes to their kind being out of the norm.
**************
Evelyn sighed as she took in her appearance in front of the mirror. The pale blue gown looked almost white in the light.
"You look amazing," Cooper said. His hand patted the air as he complimented the princess.
"Do you think so?" She asked as she turned herself left and right to examine her look as she stood on the platform of the well-lit dress shop.
Cooper touched his chest with one finger, "Sweetie, would I lie to you?"
Evelyn giggled at his antics, "No, you of all people, wouldn't."
Cooper went over to Evelyn and pulled part of her hair up, "And we'll do your hair this way. Maybe put a few flowers in it. Get you all sexy for this party."
Evelyn looked at Cooper with a side-eye, "You do realize I'm just going to this birthday party to make my dad happy. I'm not getting married or anything."
"Oh, poo, you never let me have any fun!" He exclaimed dramatically.
Evelyn rolled her eyes at her friend, the only true one she's had. She told her father under no uncertain terms was he to ever compel Cooper again. Although, she was sure he was just being more subtle about it now than before. She hoped he was keeping his word. It wasn't fair to the poor boy. "Fine, you can do my hair. But, I'm still not getting married to that man." She agreed with a tinge of reluctance. She didn't have the heart to disappoint him.
Cooper fanned himself dramatically at the thought of Cassomir, "Oh, honey, if you don't want him. I may just try to turn him onto my team!"
Evelyn chuckled and put her hand up, "You can have him, dear. I really do not want him!"
Cooper clapped his hands excitedly. "Oh, baby! Watch out Cassomir, Cooper is gonna show you a great time!"
Evelyn couldn't contain her laughter at Cooper's antic, most days he hid his sexuality. But he knew that he could be himself around Evelyn. She loved him as if he were her brother and that meant she didn't care who he loved. As long as they treated him right. If they didn't there would be hell to pay, that was certain. She was a hellfire when she was angry.
They made their way out of the dress shop after they paid for her gown and shoes. He wouldn't let her leave without a pretty pair to match her gown. The strappy heels were the perfect touch.
"Come on, I'm starving!" Evelyn said. "Let's go down to Butcher's."
Cooper agreed with her, his own stomach, grumbling in agreement. They made the short walk to Butcher's quickly as it was only three buildings down from the dress shop. The name sounded gruesome, but they served all walks of mythical life. So even though they had blood on their menu, they also had vegetarian and vegan options as well. It was quite an interesting restaurant and interesting to see that it hit it off so well within the realms among Europe.
They were greeted by their favorite server, who showed them to their table happily. The waitress sat them, then offered them a drink. They both accepted glasses of blood, that were willingly donated to the restaurant.
As they perused the menu, Cooper looked up at Evelyn. "So why are you so adamant about not marrying Cassomir?" He tried to sound as if he were just holding a normal conversation. And not being compelled by her father's second, Marek.
She looked at him over the menu and sighed, "I am so tired of this," she whispered. "I am not marrying someone for the sake of marrying them. Somewhere," she pointed vaguely out the door, "Out there. I have a mate. Someone who was made just for me. And I know that Cassomir is not it. Now, let's order and eat." she said effectively cutting off all chances of him continuing this conversation.
The server showed up and they both ordered their steak tartare, Evelyn's with black pepper and hot peppers, Cooper's with the raw egg yolk. Once their dinners arrived Evelyn shuddered at the sight of the oozing egg. "I don't know how you eat that!" She pointed to the egg.
He winked, "Extra protein."
Evelyn chuckled and dug in, her mind still wandering where her mate could be.
- Writer
