“Oh yes, my prince, I’m yours, right now, I’m yours.”
He entered her slowly. “Am I hurting you?”
“I feel nothing but pleasure. If only this could last all night.”
“Is that what you desire?”
“It is.”
She screamed, moaned and screamed again as he thrust into her over and over again, bringing her to climax. She could not fully understand what was happening to her or rather what she was allowing him to do to her. But she did not care. She had lived within the castle’s walls for too long. And right at this moment, the only thing she cared about was this strange man to whom she had unabashedly surrendered herself.
Yes, morning would come and she’d compel herself to grasp reality. But the light was hours away. For that, she was thankful. Oh, yes, she was thankful.
“I do not wish to sleep tonight,” she said.
“And you shall not,” he said, taking her once more.
Sunlight shone through the house’s windows, encouraging Lela to open her eyes. She stretched her arms and stood. The night’s events came to her mind and she looked around. Eldrich was gone. Quickly, she put on her dress and cloak and exited.
“Eldrich!” she yelled.
He couldn’t have abandoned her. She had let desire and fear fog her mind. She had let a stranger seduce her. “Eldrich!” she yelled again.
Remembering the ball, she hurried back to the house. The ball was gone. He had stolen it.
“Lela!” someone yelled.
She ran outside where one of her father’s men on horseback greeted her.
“She’s here, my king!”
Seconds later, her father and more men appeared.
Her father dismounted from his horse. “I was so worried,” he said, embracing her.
“I’m sorry,” she answered, her thoughts on Eldrich and the golden ball.
“What happened? Why did you not return to the castle?” He looked her up and down.
“I got lost…wandered too far and couldn’t find my way back.” This was the first time she had lied to her father.
“Thank the Gods you’re safe. Come, you must be starving. You’ll ride with me.”
“Father,” she said as he helped her onto his horse. “Did you send men to look for me last night?”
He climbed on the horse. “Ride, men!” he said.
“Father, why won’t you answer me?”
“I was worried sick. I thought I was never going to see you again,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“You’re safe and that’s all that matters.”
They rode in silence. Lela understood that her life was never going to be the same again. In one night, her heart was broken twice, once by a stranger and once by her own father. Oh, how she missed her mother. If only she were alive and could offer her soothing words.
Sitting at her tea table in her bedroom, Lela inhaled the bread and fruit her handmaiden had brought her. She then took fast sips of her tea.
“Slow your pace, Princess,” Lady Rema said to her.
Lela set the tea cup on the table and stood. “How many hours until sunset? Has to be no more than three or four, do you agree?” She walked to her window.
“You’re safe.”
“Am I?”
“Of course you’re. What makes you think you’re not?”
“You have been with me since birth, Lady Rema, have you not?”
“I have,” she said, looking at her feet.
“Are you loyal to me?”
“Of course.”
“Are you an honest woman?”
“Of course.”
“Then tell me the truth. Did my father send men to look for me last night?”
Lady Rema returned her gaze to Lela. “He wanted to. Blessed Gods, he wanted to. But he couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“He was afraid,” she said, wringing her hands.
“Of what?” Lela asked.
“Why are you asking me these questions? I should go. I’m not feeling well,” she said, rubbing her forehead.
“Answer me.”
“Our duty is to protect you.” She looked away for a moment.
“Yet, no one came to my rescue last night,” Lela said, raising her voice.
“We could not.”
“Speak the truth or I will have you imprisoned!”
“Oh, Princess, I beg you,” she said, tears trickling down her cheeks.
“Speak!”
“When darkness falls…”
“Continue,” Lela said.
“That’s when they come out.”
“Who?”
“I can’t say the word. I just can’t,” Lady Rema said, now sobbing.
“Gather yourself and say it. Shall I call the guards?”
Taking in heavy breaths, Lady Rema said, “Vampires.”
“So, it’s true. They do exist,” Lela said, putting her hand to her mouth.
“They have roamed the forest for thousands of years, killing humans and animals alike.”
“For their blood?” Lela asked, despite already knowing the answer.
“Yes.”
“You must be completely forthcoming with me. What happened to my mother?”
“She was taken.”
“By vampires?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“She sacrificed herself to…”
“Finish.”
“To save you.”
“I don’t understand your words. Speak clearly,” Lela said.
“The vampires…when they learned of your birth, they threatened the King and Queen. They wanted you… they thought your blood could lift their curse.”
“Curse?”
“They believe your blood can make them human again.”
“Why do they believe such a thing? Absurd!”
“Because of the golden ball.”
“You know about it?” Lela asked.
“It has followed you since you were born.”
“I have no memories of it.”
“It’s never made itself known to you. It followed you from a distant, hiding from you. The golden ball belongs
