Captured To Become A Vampire Prince's Bride {Book 2}

Captured To Become A Vampire Prince's Bride {Book 2}: Chapter 11

When we all met again, I got my first glimpse of what everyone would be wearing: exclusively deep colours. It adds to the gothic masquerade theme, Leandra had said. Leyton and Jayden were in almost identical suits, with the same almost fitted pants, except Jayden's was wine-coloured and Leyton's was oxford blue; Leandra was wearing a purple crushed velvet, mid lengthen bodycon dress, as opposed to Charlotte who was in an onyx coloured satin dress that just ghosted above the floor.

Finally, it was time and the guests began arriving in the horse-drawn carriages the maid said they'd be coming in. It was quite a sight: seeing so many people dressed up in long ball gowns and masks. I mostly wouldn't have recognised any of the people anyway, and the only people who knew which guests would be coming were Leandra and Charlotte. It wasn't a serious masquerade or anything, but it was fun to act like it was. Obviously, guests would know who the hosts were, but they didn't know who was who among themselves.

In the exquisitely decorated room with deep red drapes and a large, elongated table with finger foods at the back, covered with a table cloth the same shade as the drapes, small clusters of people began to form and quiet conversations began to develop as the quartet played in the front left of the room. It really was like a masquerade.

Leandra flashed me a smile, hooked arms with me and led me over to a man and woman who were talking and began making small talk with them. They were mostly talking about changes that had been occurring in different places and boring things I didn't care for. I placed a hand on her arm to grab her attention and let her know I was going to go somewhere else.

It wasn't long into the ball, maybe ten minutes and I was being pulled into the room at the side of the ballroom which had a door at the back that led on to the side of the stage. It was time for the introductory speech and suddenly, my bladder was full. The timing could not have been any worse! I begged with Charlotte and even Leyton to let me use the bathroom quickly but they were both insistent we got the ball officially started as soon as possible, none of the guests had drinks yet and the music wasn't loud. They said when I was done I could go, although it was probably just nerves.

I felt nervous and my sweaty palms and slightly chattering mouth suggested that. I was afraid I'd make a mistake or trip and fall on my way up to the stage. I wouldn't even be surprised. I'll be fine, I said to myself in a mantra; I knew what I had to say, where I had to go. I'll be fine. I was safe, no one could hurt me on the stage.

Leyton went on first to quieten down the room, and to introduce me on to the stage. He squeezed my hand as I passed him, instilling a small sense of confidence in me. It wouldn't be as bad as I worried it would be.

Those thoughts disappeared as soon as I found my way behind the microphone and in front of the audience of masked guests. It felt like something from a nightmare, one where you'd look down and find yourself naked and the audience laughs at you.

My card of prompts was neatly obscured by the golden lectern that had the shape of a book cover engraved on the other side of it. I read it out with as much confidence as I could muster; persuade the audience that you're confident, even if you're not, I remember both Selena and Alexander had said that to me at one point or another. Gazing out into the sea of eyes wasn't as bad by the time I was halfway through what I had to say and I felt myself physically and mentally loosen up and ease into the task.

When I was finished, the audience clapped and the music began to play again. That was when I remembered I had to pee and I had to quickly because I had no idea how I was going to do it in this dress!

"You did great!" Charlotte called after me.

I decided I'd go to one of the toilets guests weren't permitted to use, and I knew one of them towards the back of the country house was considerably bigger than the other ground floor ones and I needed that space to manoeuvre around in my dress. The guards didn't try to stop me, knowing already that was one of the hosts, instead, at each post they separated like the Red Sea.