Queen of Darkness

Chapter One

The wind softly caressed my cheeks, sending strands of my hair dancing across the back of my neck. The roaring crash of the waves against the rocky shore attempted to distract me, and the salty scent of the sea crept through my nose. My concentration, however, never broke. It was as if all the elements of the nature surrounding me realized I wasn't easily distracted. Everything stopped all at once. In only a moment, there was no longer any wind, no salty air, and no obnoxious sound. Nature paused for a single second, and during that second, I took my shot.

     Taking a deep breath through my nose, I opened my eyes gently, and released my grip on the rigid string. The arrow sailed through the air as time slowed. I watched, my head held high with arrogance, as my arrow hit the middle of the target--exactly where I knew it would.

       "As always--very nice, Princess Elisabeta," my educator, Ettore, applauded. He wasn't just any ordinary teacher; he had taught me everything as far back as I could remember. Long ago, he became my closest friend despite the sizable age difference. I glanced over at him as he began to pack up the bow and arrows, my heart shivered with pleasure at his kindness.

      Ordinarily, he was short and bald, however, he had the sweetest personality imaginable. Moreover, his compassionate, caring, and intelligent nature is what drew me to him. Over the years, his face acquired a few wrinkles, yet his rich, brownie colored eyes radiated a youth. I wasn't quite sure how old he was, but I did know that he had been the Royal family's educator for many generations, and consequently, it was beginning to make an appearance. Although Vampires do not age quickly, time certainly catches up and begins to show the wear and tear from centuries of being alive.

     "You are coming back up with me, aren't you? Don't overlook your meet-and-greet, especially considering the Queen would stake us both if you were not there. I don't know how you feel, but I'm certainly not one for the stake," he inquired after finishing the packing.

     "I need a minute alone with the waters," I responded, shaking my head at his dull attempt at a joke. The water beckoned to me, pleading for me to seek knowledge from it, begging me to let it run frigid over my bare fingers.

     "Alright, Princess, but be careful," he requested with a short nod. I smirked as he trudged back up the rugged hill. He was completely aware that I could handle myself if needed.

    I gazed over at the rocky cliff behind me, bright green moss clinging to every inch of it. The grounds were covered in long, swaying grass mixed in with dazzling, colorful wildflowers. The wind caused everything to dance in unison, creating a soft whooshing sound. In front of me, the waves crashed violently against the jagged rocks. Although it looked rough, it was breathtaking, and I never grew tired of it.

    Turning my attention to the waves crashing against the sharp rocks on the shore, I inhaled slowly. However, each step I took closer to the waters, the waves seemed to calm themselves exactly as a young child does while laying down for a nap at the sight of their mother approaching. I smiled as I dipped my fingers carefully into the brisk water. A burst of freshness surged through me, and I felt refreshed.

     My mother was holding a tea greeting tonight, featuring the few unvowed royal princes left. She was pressuring me into vowing, and I was having none of it. I knew for Vampires like us, it was normal to be forced into this type of commitment. Royalty didn't vow out of love. It was done for peace and growth. I was so distraught over the whole situation, finding it absolutely disgusting that I was being forced against my will to commit myself to another.

   "The waters seem to like you well," a deep voice said from behind me. I let out a little scream- startled that I hadn't heard him before. I turned around, ready to fight, but I was even more shocked by what I saw.

    "Ashanti," I whispered, all the air escaping me. Before me stood a tall, dark man. I could sense he was the same as me--hiding the same secrets as me. Cut short, his black hair contrasted against his ocean blue eyes. His muscles distracted me for a moment, bulging with every movement he made. The most striking features of him were the swirling tattoos covering his body. The black lines flowed where his veins popped out. The intensity of his presence threw me off. "What are you doing here?" I spat out, remembering who the Ashanti were.

  The Ashanti were the worst of the entire vampire race. Moreover, they controlled people and practiced dark power, which had incredibly terrible consequences. I didn't know much about their Clan, but I knew enough to know that whatever just occurred was especially dangerous. 

     "Looking for someone like you," he smiled, showing off his perfect, white fangs. My heart skipped a beat, and I almost forgot why I was supposed to be fighting. He took a step towards me, but I didn't move. It was almost as if I couldn't move, like all of gravity fell upon me at that exact moment. How did he have this kind of hold over me? Who was this man?

    "Get back!" I snarled, baring my own razor sharp fangs. He smirked, taking another small step towards me.

    "There's nothing you can do, Princess. I have you just where I want you," he purred out, closing the gap between us. He traced his long, icy fingers along my jaw, staring directly into my eyes. His eyes burned into my soul. It was as if he was searching for answers deep inside of me. I was in a dangerous situation and I couldn't function right. My heart pounded in my chest, exploding with the terror.

   Suddenly, he tore away from me, and I felt faint. The world seemed to sway underneath my feet. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and I suddenly felt an absence in the air. For a moment, all I could see was the stream of water. As I recollected myself, I realized I was alone. There was no Ashanti man, there was no power being held over me. It was just me--all alone--with the waters.

   I was utterly confused, to say the least. It all happened in a matter of seconds. He appeared and disappeared as if out of thin air. I questioned my sanity for a mere second before moving back to the stream of chilled, flowing water. I shook my head to rid the startling thoughts brimming it.

   Deciding I needed more information, I began my journey back to the palace. Instead of excitement for the answers I knew someone would have to give me, I felt dread fill up the pit of my stomach because I knew a ballroom full of potential kings awaited me along with my dreadful mother. It was an event I couldn't run away from, regardless of how much I tried. I rolled my eyes, becoming instantly angry yet again. The answers I so desperately needed would have to wait until afterwards.