Death's Kiss

Chapter 4

Chapter 4
"This is all very elaborate." I murmured. We had stopped at the bar where I ordered a club soda. Pierce got a scotch, which suited him. I felt like a kid not ordering a drink, but I wanted to keep my wits about me. We were in a large ballroom, there must have been well over two hundred guests. There was a raised platform stage area that had three large gold and red thrones on it. I figured it must be part of the theme.
"We take fundraising very seriously. They'll be a performance put on in just a few minutes. The royal family making their debut for the first time in fifty years." Peirce winked at me. 
"Royal family? Like Britian?" I asked.
"No, the royal vampire family. Queen Isla, King Victor, and the beloved Prince Erik. They'll hold court with the public." He trailed off giving me a smirk. "I have my own part to play. I'm the interloper, the one not supposed to be here. I volunteered for it because sometimes it's so much fun playing the villain." I swallowed as a dark shadow crossed his eyes. I could just see the ice blue of them through his mask.
"Really? That sounds like fun." I said after a breath. My skin prickled as my heart rate increased slightly. Not sure I was going to stick around. I didn't like this feeling and my hand twitched to go into my clutch and dial Farrah. Peirce leaned into me and whispered in my ear as the music around us swelled, 
"I know it's unorthodox, but I've always loved the theater and am so glad to share this with you." I felt a wave of calm wash over me, settling into me like warmth. I smiled up at him, the apprehension gone. This was the best choice. I couldn't let fear of the unknown send me home. This was my Cinderella moment.
"Can't wait!" I grinned and sipped my club soda. He kept his hand on top of mine that was hanging on his elbow.
"Would you mind playing a part dear Adira? I promise it'll be fun." His whispered words in my ear produced excitement. I had never acted before but, suddenly I was dying for a chance.
"What's my part?" I asked with excitement. A masked waiter came by to collect our glasses as Peirce took hold of my hand to kiss the back of it. The band's classical music picked up for a moment before quieting. The other guests lowered their voices to murmurs. Something was happening.
"It's better to act in the moment. It's more genuine. Come...let's get closer, it's about to start." He walked me over to the far-right side of the room, but closer to the platform and thrones. "Cecilia, so glad you made it. Cecilia this is Adira my lovely date." A statuesque woman with a black blunt haircut sidled up beside us. She also had ice blue eyes that I could make out behind her ruby red mask. Her dress matched and barely hung past her fingertips. She fingered my hair curiously. Indignation filled me, I was ready to pull back, but Peirce squeezed my hand while leaning in again. "Don't fret Adira she's, my sister. Just a curious thing is all." She too leaned close and seemed to breathe me in. I saw fangs peek out of her mouth. I knew I should feel alarm but, I was calm as I've ever been.
"I was expecting more. Fate is a trickster, isn't she?" She responded in an almost monotone voice. She bent forward to look me straight in the eyes, "You will remain calm. Do as your told by me and my brother." she ordered. I nodded absentmindedly. This didn't seem right. In the back of my mind, I knew I should be afraid. I was confused why I was listening blindly. My other hand, not occupied by Peirce went to open my clutch. I should call Farrah, I thought. "Hmm, strong mental shields for a human. No matter." She paused, took a hold of my shoulders and gazed into my eyes. "You will obey and do as my brother, and I say." I nodded, why wouldn't I obey? I needed to hang on to her every word. She patted me on my head, "Good pet." I preened under her praise.
"Here they come. You're sure she's the one?" Cecilia muttered. A door opened and three people walked out without masks. They were all incredibly beautiful, it nearly hurt to look at them. The woman wore a deep red gown made of satin and what looked like silk, her black hair made up in an intricate bun. Her skin nearly glowed under the chandelier lights of the ballroom. The man walked next to her matching her dress in a black and red suit. I would assume this was the King and Queen. The King had equally dark black hair, a strong build and a well-kept beard. My eyes then travelled to the second man. I gasped quietly to myself. He stood in stark contrast of the other two as far as color coordination. He wore a deep blue suit; his hair was to his shoulders and seemed just on the side of unkempt. I knew Peirce said this was part of a play of sorts, but they did look related.
"Yes, I paid that blasted witch enough money to ensure I was exact in finding her." Peirce muttered. Was he already in character? I couldn't focus on him for long since my gaze kept finding the man who was playing Prince Erik. He sat on the thrown to the right, the one closest to us, the King sat left while the Queen sat in the middle. She stood up with a grin, showing her own fangs.
"Welcome! I know it has been a while since we've gathered. We hope to go back to our roots and connect with the Kingdom. We will celebrate tonight in good faith, as our alliance with the human factions come to fruition soon." Most gave applause but there were some who sneered. Including Peirce and Cecilia. I saw movement on the other side of the ballroom. An older woman took off her mask and winked at me. My eyes widened. This was the same woman who gave me the calming tea. I felt my calmness start to dissipate.
"I-I don't understand." I whispered. Cecilia's eyes widened ever so slightly before she glared down at me. She shot her brother a look.
"Do it now while everyone's attention is focused on them. Make them see reason!" She hissed at him. "She's already breaking through my thrall; you must do it now." She pushed me into Peirce. He nodded and pulled me with him to the middle of the open space before the royal family.
"I have something to add to that your highness." Peirce's lip curled on the last word. The family in front of us stood in alarm. My eyes located the man playing the prince. "An alliance with humans? We could never view them as equals! They're food!" Peirce's voice echoed within the room. I noticed some people nodding. My heart rate started to go higher. Something wasn't right. I would never agree to this, the hand holding my upper arm tightened making me let out a whimper. Prince Erik zeroed in on me, I could see his eyes from this close. They were gold and nearly glowed. He looked awestruck as his jaw dropped and he touched his chest. Peirce let out a condescending laugh.
"Oh yes Erik...I think you know who I hold. Humans are weak! They die at the drop of a hat. To even suggest we pull them up to our level and view them as the equals you're proposing? Never going to happen. To prove just how fragile they are, I brought a demonstration." I felt confusion well up in me along with fear. There was now an icy hot sensation coming from my back and radiating to my front. I looked down and saw a blade glinting in blood protruding from my chest.
"No!" Erik roared. Peirce had vanished from behind me, pulling the blade with him with a sickening slick sound. People around me cried out, I began to fall to the floor. What was happening? How? Erik was suddenly holding me, his eyes brimming with grief. "No, no, no, no." He murmured brokenly. He bared his fangs at the people. "Bring him to me!" his voice shook the room in anger. He looked back down at me.
"W-why?" I whispered. I don't know why I asked, I knew I was dying and quickly too. I couldn't move my arms or legs and I began to feel numb.
"Your highness?" a tentative voice came from close. I could barely keep my eyes open, but saw it was the old woman. Erik snarled at her and held me closer. I knew that him holding me so tightly should hurt me, but I couldn't feel it.
"Tell me you can save her Gwen! Tell me!" He yelled. She inclined her head.
"She drank the potion already. I will explain after everyone has gone." She spoke softly or maybe it was because everything now sounded far away. I was so tired. Closing my eyes, I took my last breath into the arms of a stranger.
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"When will she wake?" a slightly familiar voice rasped out.
"Patience son. Her turning was traumatic, her body needed time to repair itself." A female voice responded. I could sense I was on a soft bed, covered by a heavy blanket. My eyes were so heavy though. I heard a scoff.
"Patience? Patience! You know who she is to me! Þú getur lyft hammanum mínum hvenær sem er, ef þú veist hvað ég meina."1 Although he started out nearly shouting, his strange language ended in a whisper. I felt him grab my hand and caress the back of it.
"I know Erik, but Gwen interfered in time to save her." The woman said gently.
"And why couldn't she have found her before she was skewered in front of me? Clearly, she has power to do so if another witch was bought off!" He snarled. I started to feel a little more alert. I had some questions.
"She already explained. She couldn't interfere until Peirce did. He messed with fate so she could then step in. You know she goes by the witch's code. However, she acted as soon as she could. You know this." The woman's voice was gentle but fierce. My eyes slit open as I took in the room. I was so tired. The room was dark with wood being the primary aesthetic. It was lit only by candlelight, but not difficult to see. I saw the man and with a start I saw it was the guy that played Prince Erik. What the hell?
"I nearly lost her before finding her. To add insult, that bastard Peirce got away! He never should have gained entrance to the gathering!" I could see him seething, barely restraining himself. This can't be part of the play. What the hell had happened? All I could remember was meeting Peirce's sister and nothing else. Was there an accident?
"What happened?" I asked, my voice horse and my throat felt dry. Erik's head snapped my way. I gasped when I felt my heart give a hard kick, his eyes seemed to glow golden. He gathered up one of my hands in both of his, kissing the back of it.
"Thank the gods you're awake." He whispered. His lips burned my skin in such a way I shivered.
"Is this part of the play? If so, I didn't sign up for it." I clarified. He looked at me with a quirk of his brow.
"What play?" he asked, the woman who is supposed to be his mother stepped forward, she too had golden eyes.
"Peirce said this was all an elaborate play about a vampire royal family. I'm sorry but it's all very fuzzy after I met his sister." I said with a frown. "Was he lying...no he had to be telling the truth. Others were dressed up as vampires." I trailed off.
"There was no play Hjarta."2 he murmured, "this is real, and I am so sorry you were introduced to my world this harshly." I felt hysterical laughter bubble up. I pulled myself up to a sitting position and noted I was in a soft nightgown. Who the hell had changed me?
"Very funny. Where the hell is Peirce? I want to give him a piece of my mind. If he roofied my drink I swear I will press charges and dance on his balls!" I was getting worked up now, the room taking on an odd shimmer.
"Bloodthirsty, you'll need to keep that if you are going to rule." the woman murmured. I shook my head in denial. I felt a longing that seemed too strong to be normal with the man in front of me. I needed to get out of here.
"Where's my phone? I need to call my friend; she'll pick me up. What time is it?" So many questions I needed answered, all swirling together. Erik sighed and seemed reluctant to let go of my hand but did so.
"I know this a lot to take in but, vampires are real. My family and I are the royal family for them. Peirce tricked you into coming tonight. He intended to kill you in front of me but, hadn't realized our family witch Gwen saw his ploy and gave you a potion to consume the same day. Drinking it is the only way to start the process of turning. If you hadn't..." He trailed off, his fists balling up.
"This is insane, I don't believe you." I whispered but also felt the horrifying realization he was telling the truth. He opened his mouth and ever so slowly I saw his fangs elongate, he picked up my limp hand and pricked my finger with it. I barely felt it as my breath stuttered out. I had a choice to make. I could stay in the land of denial for a while longer, or I could try to navigate what felt very real to adapt as I went. His tongue lapped at the bead of blood making my heart race.
"This is very real. You are now a vampire. Not just that but we're also linked. It's hard to explain but vampire's hearts don't beat...not unless they meet their intended. Their soulmate." My hand went to my still beating heart. "I have waited for so long Hjarta." I felt that sharp longing in my heart to reach for him, but I held back.
"How long?" I needed to know. 
"A thousand years, too long but I would've have waited longer for you." He confessed. The breath whooshed out of my lungs. The term robbing the cradle comes to mind, I thought as I stared in awe.
"I'm a vampire?" I asked to make sure.
"You're a vampire." he confirmed.
I was going to kill Peirce.
1: Viking/Norse saying loosely translated to: "You are my Valkyrie, and I would follow you across the nine realms and into eternity."
2: Soulmate