Chapter 1
I walked along the dimly lit corridor of the castle walls that had been in my family for generations. The moonlight peeked it way through the opened windows casting a beautiful path for me to walk along. It was unusually quiet tonight but I shrugged it off. Maybe they had left to go hunt, filling their thirst for human blood and terrorizing the town. The castle sat on the side of a cliff connected to a waterfall. Humans barley come here after thousand year ghost stories talk about unnatural creatures living amount the trees.
The ones who do have the guts to venture into the mountains regret it almost instantly. We can only go to the village once every five years as not to raise suspicion towards us. Two hundred years ago the villagers knew of our existence and tried to burn us with setting fire to the castle. The only way to kill a vampire is to dismember it’s head. We had to rebuild the castle and replace items that were destroyed, but for the villagers sake we pretended to be dead. Ever since we have been a whisper in the wind, and old folks tale.
“Celest, is something wrong?” My mother, Cypress, made her way towards me from an adjacent hallway. I stopped by a window and looked out over the forest, “Do you ever notice how beautiful the moon is? The way it casts its magical shadows on the ground and dances?” She moved my black hair behind my ear and leaned her head on my shoulder, “I always knew you were a dreamer, smart beyond your years as well. Why aren’t you hunting though my dear?” I watched the moons reflection dance across the stilling water, “I guess I’m not really in the mood.”
I could hear footsteps behind us and the scent was very familiar, “Celest?” I turned to see my childhood crush, Vence, smirking at me. His red eyes were sparkling and I could almost point out a small amount of redness turned to his cheeks. We had admired each other for hundreds of years but Cypress said she had other plans for me so Vence stood down and stopped chasing after me, though the spark is still there. I smiled, “What a surprise, I thought you had already left to hunt?” He held out his hand, “Actually Cypress asked if I would go with you hunting.”
I looked towards my mother confused, “Oh, I guess I’ll be hunting tonight?” I took his hand and we walked towards the balcony, jumping over the waterfall and into the crashing water. I didn’t even feel the impact of the water as it violently hit my body. My feet touched the Stoney ground and I pushed upwards towards the surface. I made my way towards the shore and water rushed off my body as I emerged onto the mossy landing. Vence stood in front of me, looking down into my eyes. He gently pushed my wet hair back into place. The water dropped from his pink lips as I traced my thumb over them.
He cleared his throat, “We should get to hunting before the night is over.” I composed myself and stood up taller, “Right, let’s go.” He took off through the trees, his speed making them bend against the wind. I chuckled and took off after him. He knew I was faster but he was stronger. I passed him as we came to the woods clearing. I could hear people from the town, singing in the bars. I lead the way, jumping onto the rooftops and listening for a secluded group of people. I stopped running at the edge of a building, extending my arm out to catch Vence before he jumped to the next. I put a finger over my mouth and pointed downwards.
There were two men, both equally as drunk, stumbling down the alleyway. I jumped down the small alley a couple feet behind them. They turned around, “Well hello cutie, we didn’t see ya’ there.” The first guy let out a belche, “Well excuse me miss I am more of a gentleman than that.” His words were slurred as he stumbled back and forth. I made my way into the moonlight and up into his face, “Mind coming with me? We can have some fun?” He looked towards his friend, “You know what George, go on without me. I’m getting lucky tonight.” George grunted as he half way waved goodbye. I led the stumbling man towards the dumpsters and took a deep breath near his neck. He chuckled, “You don’t waste anytime do ya darlin’?”
In the distance you could hear screams from George. The man tried to jolt up but I pushed him back against the dumpster, I could hear ribs cracking. I placed my finger over his lips and whispered in his ear, “This will be over before you know it darlin’.” I sunk my teeth into his neck and the frenzy took over, not unlatching until every drop was gone. Vence was standing against the brick wall, “Well we had our fun, let’s get back before the sun starts to set.” He held out his hand once again and I grabbed it, not wanting this feeling to end.
As we made our way back towards the waterfall I stopped. He slid to a hault and looked back at me, “Is everything ok?” I slowly walked up to him and cupped his face in my hands, “Let’s runaway, somewhere we can be together.” Before he could answer I placed a kiss on his lips. He surprised me by lifting me into his arms and kissing me back. I could hear his breathing quicken to the pace of mine as he went to his knees gently laying me to the ground. He proceeded to take off my shirt and kiss my collar bone. I bit my lips and took another deep breath. He then unclasped my bra and gently sucked on my pink nipples.
I let out a louder breath and he sat up covering my mouth, “Shh, don’t let them hear us.” I nodded, my eyes pleading with him to continue. He pulled off my pants and grinned sheepishly, “You don’t normal wear panties?” I held my mouth trying not to let out a laugh, “No not normally.” I could tell he was embarrassed for asking such a silly question so I pulled him to me for another kiss while pulling off his shirt. He stood up and took off his jeans and knelt over me, grabbing both my legs and putting them on top of his shoulders, “I’ve always wanted to do this.”
He covered my mouth before inserting himself inside me. My eyes widened and my back arched as he continued, slowly at first until he worked his way to a fast pace. His hand remained on my mouth as he sucked on my lucious breast. I had never felt this kind of connection before. The hairs on my arms stood up as I closed my eyes, taking pleasure in the feeling of him inside me. A branch cracking jolted my head upwards, Vence quickly got up and put his pants on. Cypress’s men stood, watching. I reached for my clothes trying to dress myself as if they weren’t just standing there starring at my naked body.
I quickly dressed and cleared my throat, “What is it?” Zeva looked disgusted at Vence as she turned her glaring eyes towards me, “Cypress would like to see you.” Vence started to walk before Zeva grabbed his arm, “Both of you.” I followed them up the rocks, utterly annoyed. I knew my mother had planned for this to happen. They lead us to the meeting hall, opening the door for us. Only Zeva came in with us. The heavy door over the mantle opened and Cypress entered, looking pleased with herself.
She sat down on the couch and crossed her legs, “I mean this was bound to happen. I just thought you would of told her first Vence.” Vence was starring at the floor his face showed how ashamed he was. Cypress got up and made her way over to him, she picked up his chin so he would look in her eyes, “How does Zeva feel Vence? Did you not think about your betrothed when you were inside of my daughter.” She forcefully let his chin go. I looked to Vence, “Betrothed?” He wouldn’t even look me in my eyes.
My mother made her way to the window, “I know my daughter is irresistible, her beauty is above all else. But to do Zeva like that? Stab her in her back, Vence I should say I am ashamed.” I interrupted her, “I started it so I will take the punishment.” She turned and looked at me, “Oh I have a punishment for you, but first to deal with your lover boy.” She tapped her finger against her arm, “If I banish you I know my daughter will come after you, so I’ll do one better. Zeva and Vence your wedding shall be held tomorrow and after the ceremonies I will send you to my brother and he will give you a home.
Before I could object she excused them from the room then stood in front of me, “As for you, I have arranged a marriage that will end this fatal war between the vampires and the werewolves. Tundi is next on the throne, he is willing to marry you and bring peace once and for all.” I opened my mouth but she covered it tightly, “You will do as I say. Or your little lover boy’s head will be on my mantle by morning.” I yanked away from her hand, “Anything else you wish of me mother?” She made her way towards the mantle from which she entered, “Leave Vence alone.”
She disappeared through the door and I stood in the middle of them room alone. Tears rolled from my eyes as I sank to my knees and wept. My heart filled with disgust and my body shook with anger as I let out a harsh scream. I had always known my mother was unkind but I had just witnessed how dark her roots had grown. I composed myself, wiping the tears from my face and standing up tall. I took a deep breath before opening the doors leading towards the hallway. The sun was just starting to rise and Cypress’s men were covering the windows. The fluorescent lights were being turned on, making me dizzy for a second.
“Celest! Wait up!” I turned around to see my mothers dresser, Caddie, catching up to me, “Your mother sent me to design a wedding dress for you.” I walked towards my bedroom, “No thanks Caddie, the wedding isn’t going to happen.” I opened my door but she followed me in, “Unfortunately she told me I couldn’t leave until I designed the dress.” I rolled my eyes, “Of course she did.” I started to get undressed as I ran water in the bathtub. She looked away quickly, “I can wait outside for you to be done if you wish.”
I rolled my eyes, “Just design the stupid dress already.” Once the tub was full I sunk into it, lathering my body in Lilly scented soap. Caddie seemed like she was oblivious to my attempts in making her annoyed. I then sunk all the way into the water, coming back up just to wash my wait length hair. Caddie smiled as she sketched in her pad, “I know your favorite color is black so I’ll incorporate it into the wedding gown. Just don’t tell your mother it will be a surprise.” I got out, standing over the floor mat. I dried off my hair halfway with a towel then wrapped the towel around my slim body.
She stood up, “I have to now work on Zeva’s dress, I will be back with the dress to see if it fits!” Before she left she turned back, “Your mother also said if you venture out she will gladly put Venice’s head at your doorway. Have a good night though!” With that she shut my bedroom door. I dispised my mother, my mind was racing thinking of a hundred ways I could kill her while I brushed though my hair. She wasn’t always this mean. When my father was alive she was kind with a pure heart. Then when he was ambushed by a pack of werewolves everything changed.
I opened my closet door and picked out a black, see through, robe to wear to bed. I crawled into the king size mattress, covering myself with the blanket made of bear skin. We didn’t need sleep but it was the only way to pass time with my mother guards watching my every move. I closed my eyes but the hours passed slowly. I kept tossing and turning, the image of Vence’s head delevired to my door.
I jolted upwards and got out from under the covers. It had only been two hours since I had shut my eyes. I paced back and forth in my room, the only thing on my mind is how I could slip away to see Vence. I wanted to say goodbye to him, tell him I had loved him since we were little. I had so much to say to him, my heart was already crushed by the fact he hid his marriage from me. In that moment I felt heart break and anger at the same time.
Someone knocked on my door. I opened it wide, forgetting my nightgown was see through. I let out a sigh of relief when it was just Sunny, one of my closest friends. She shut the door behind her, “I heard about what happened. Just making sure you weren’t going to do anything stupid.” She sat down on the bed and patted next to her. I sunk into the bed, nestling my head into her shoulder and letting the tears flow, “It’s over, she won.”
Sunny wrapped her arms around me, “Let it all out.” I melted in her embrace, “He’s getting married tomorrow. He didn’t even tell me! How long did he know? I thought he loved me too.” She pulled my chin up and started to wipes away my tears, “He did love you Celest, if I know my brother he really loved you with everything that was in him. He is trying to do the right thing in a situation where there are no pretty outcomes.”
I pulled myself together and took a deep breath, “Did you hear I have to marry Tundi?” I couldn’t help but to start laughing, she looked at me with curiosity, “What is it?” My laughter died down, “I don’t know.” I embraced her, “I’m really going to miss you Sunny.” We sat in my room talking and passing the hours. Once the clock struck 7pm she stood up, “I have to start getting ready for the wedding, I’ll see you there.” She excused herself, shutting my door behind her.
Soon after my door opened again, it was Cypress in her long, flowing, purple dress. Her hair was braided and pinned up in a tight bun. Her makeup matched her dress. She sat next to me, “I have picked out a dress for you. I’ll have Comilea come do your hair and your makeup.” I didn’t reply I just sat stiffly on my bed watching a bug crawl across my floor. She took a deep breath, “I’m not evil Celest. I just want what is best for us. I have assigned you temporary leave of the castle to make sure they get to your uncles unharmed. I hope this pleases you.”
She opened my door and sat a pink dress on my closet door, then shut the door gently behind her. All I could do was stare at the dress, dispissing Cypress for everything she had done to me. Without knocking Comilea entered my room, “I’m sorry I thought you’d be dressed by now.” I reluctantly stood up, forcefully removing the dress from the hanger, hoping it would break without making it obvious that was my goal. She stood behind me, “Here let me.” She took off my robe and held the dress to my ankles so I could step in. It was tight against my small waist, it fell to the floor gracefully in rows. The neckline came down past my breast.
Comilea then placed a necklace on my pale skin, “You already look incredible.” She motioned first me to sit on the couch, then proceeded to brush my hair. Her red hair fell in naturally big curls, she always talked about how straight mine was. She had freckles down her arms and over her face. Her beauty was rare. She hummed as she braided the sides of my hair, clipping them in place and making a bow with the remainder of my hair. She set it in place and smiled, “Now just for your makeup and you can see the finished touches.”
She took pride in her work and you could tell. She was one of the newer vampires to be added to our home. She had went to college for design and she loved to talk about the city. She told me she even sneaks down to the town at night to see her old friends. She even showed me colored contacts she uses. I don’t know what made her trust me so much, even though she barley knew me. I had warned her not to tell anyone else because if my mother found out she would not be merciful.
She stepped away and smiled, “All done.” I looked in the mirror and was shocked. I didn’t know how she could make me so beautiful yet so fierce. She gathered her things, “Well I got to go get ready myself.” I walked behind her and into the corridor. Everyone was heading into the dinning hall. I took a deep breath and slowly made my way amoungts the crowd.
