Blood Lust

Chapter Sixteen

Rosie walked out of the changing room and did a little twirl for her friends.

"What about this one?" she asked, staring down the simple work on the bodice and the elegant flare.

"Darlin', it's beautiful," Jessie complimented, jumping up to hug Rosie. Her eyes were lit with pure adoration and Rosie knew it was the one.

"Thanks, Jess," Rosie said squeezing her tightly. "What about you two?"

"You have to get it."

"I love it."

Almog and Aliyah praised simultaneously. They stood up to hug her along with Jessie. The feeling of just being with her friends overwhelmed Rosie. She didn't know what tonight would mean for Ash, or herself for that matter, and the uncertainty scared her.

"What do you need this dress for again, exactly?" Almog asked once they all pulled apart.

Rosie hesitated. "Ash and I are going on a date," she said. "He told me to dress up and... voila." She laughed but it sounded uneasy as she did.

"That's so romantic," Jessie gushed. "He's the perfect boyfriend, truly."

"I know," Rosie sighed, thinking of Ash. She wondered what he was doing at this exact moment. Was he worried like she was? Rosie shook off the thought. She trusted that Ash would be strong and that's exactly what she needed to be for him.

Ash flicked through books stored for generations in his family. He didn't know much about the royal family except that they were a force to not be reckoned with. He bit his lip hard in concentration as he scavenged the archives.

"Careful or you'll end up drinking your own blood." Zach entered unannounced with a drink in hand. "Not that you need to worry about blood. I'm pretty sure the King will have you well fed. Or he might make you feed on Rosie-"

"Can you shut up?" Ash groaned slamming a book shut.

Zach held his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm just being realistic," he said taking a big gulp from the glass in hand. "You should be getting ready and facing it like a man... or a dead man."

Ash hurled a book at Zach, hitting him on the shoulder. The book split down the middle.

"Ouch?" Zach laughed and exited the room downing the contents in the glass.

Out of frustration, Ash ran his hands through his hair, tugging at the ends. As much as he hated to admit it, Zach was right. Nobody was invited to meet the King in such abrupt circumstances. It made his stomach drop to think of what the King planned to do to Rosie. He could live with whatever punishment he could get but if anything happened to Rosie...

"I need a suit," Ash mumbled to himself, speeding to his own room.

Sweat stuck to Rosie's palms as she stood outside her house waiting for Ash to arrive. She didn't know how they were going to get there or where this King lived! Rosie bit her lip fiercely and turned back to face her house. Her heartbeat slowed to normal when she saw Joey and her mother peeking out the curtains. The story Rosie was telling was that this was their big date. It was a big date but not the way that they thought.

Sounds of an engine revving led to Rosie's heartbeat accelerating. She gave one last wave to Joey and her mum, along with a blown kiss to which they returned.

"Ready Angel?"

Rosie nodded even though she felt anything but ready.

She stepped into his vehicle and couldn't find it in herself to fall back in comfort like many times before. Ash sensed her discomfort and reached for her hand.

"Angell?" he said almost in a whisper. He cleared his throat and sat straight. "We're going to be fine. It's just a visit-"

"It's not just a visit, Ash!" she exploded, gripping his hand tightly. "What does it mean for you? What will he do to us?"

"You don't have to go, Angel."

"No. I'm coming."

Ash heaved a sigh. "Nothing will-"

"You don't know that for sure," Rosie interrupted, knowing that he was just trying to calm her nerves. "What if we're seperated?"

'I'm still there, right there, beside you,' he thought to her, reminding Rosie that their link - their connection - was more than just physical. He was part of her and she was part of him.

Meekly, Rosie nodded. She knew he was there but what if -

She stopped her thoughts before they could go that far. She needed to be positive. How many times can one say that they've met royalty?

The journey was hours long and Rosie didn't know when she fell asleep but she did. It felt like she was in a whole new world when Ash gently shook her awake. The scenery before them was lit and they were already parked with a familiar face standing, waiting for them to follow. It was the man that handed out Ash's invitation.

"Mr Worthington," the servant greeted. "Right this way."

Rosie stared up at the ancient building that seemed endless height-wise. It was breath-taking for Rosie. Everything was orderly and symmetrical, even the trees mirrored each other. The cobble steps smoothened out and the grand double doors that beheld them stood tall and appeared to be made of the finer woods.

"Wow," Rosie whispered, clutching onto Ash's arm. If it wasn't for the unknown circumstances, Rosie would have actually enjoyed being here.

'Angel, whatever you do, just stick by my side and try to remain calm.' Ash glanced at Rosie from the corner of his eye to see her nod curtly as they strode to keep up with the King's servant.

The moment they entered the castle, there was no time to waste. They weren't greeted by the door but other servants did wait on them by taking coats and stepping gracefully out of the way so they could travel.

Goosebumps trailed up Rosie's skin as she noticed that each of them were swift in their movements. They all had memserising gazes that she couldn't hold as they were too busy. She knew they weren't human.

Neither one of them spoke but it was almost like they had an unspoken conduct that even the man they were following carried. He never did introduce himself and Rosie concentrated her anxiety on wondering who he was. He seemed fairly aged but in vampire years, he could be... well he could be as old as time.

"We're here," the servant said, stopping before another set of double doors.

The atmosphere inside was much warmer with the vibrant streak of purple and the occasional red and gold. The moment they stopped walking, the warmth the place enthused was gone.

'I love you, Ash,' Rosie reminded him.

He smiled back at her and Rosie wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them but the situation called for otherwise.

"His Royal Highness, King Louis," the servant announced stepping out of their line of sight.

The King didn't look like anything Rosie had imagined. He wasn't old and brooding but he did have a certain air of hostility. When his eyes landed on Ash's, they were anything but.

"Son," he said. "Welcome."