My Fate

The Ball

I woke up to the smell of eggs. I sat up to Kaitlin getting my dress ready for the day. "So early.." I croaked out.
"The king arrived early this morning. We haven't heard much but we do know that the ball will be tonight and your wedding tomorrow." Ugh. So. Soon. I felt like I still needed more time. Things were happening too fast. "If possible we need to get you in the tub and get you washed up. When I said tonight I meant in 5 hours."
I started shoveling eggs in my mouth while Kaitlin got the water ready. Before I got the last bite of egg swallowed she was pushing me into the tub. I soaked for a good 20 minutes before she was rushing me again but this time it was out of the tub.
She sat me down and started on my hair. She immediately began straightening it. We both knew that this would take atleast an hour and a half.
Once finished she started on my face. She made a dramatic look. Which only told me that my dress was going to be the same. Kaitlin pulled my dress up and fastened the back. I turned to look in the mirror and i wasn't lying to myself. The dress was a deep red that slowly faded into a black. When you twisted and turned you could see the sparkles as it hit the light. It was beautiful.

Kaitlin led me down the hall as we approached the doors one of the guards leaned over and whispered something into Kaitlin's ear. Kaitlin looked at me, "The king won't be attending tonight."
"Why? Isn't he back" I asked. "He is exhausted, but he wants the festivities to go on" she said.
Nicholas stood beside me and as soon as the guards opened the door everyone turned and focused on us. The doors opened to a balcony where we stepped out into the view and stood. "I would like to announce that soon I will be wed to my fiancé Olivia!" Nicholas sounded loud and clear. I've noticed he was really good at making his voice heard when he wants it.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
All the sudden the balcony began to move down. I followed Nicholas through the gate and we stepped out into the dance floor. We began the traditional first dance together. It felt a little forced as we swayed on the floor. It wasn't romantic compared to last night.
I looked up and Nicholas was staring off. I could tell his mind was somewhere else. Something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something has happened. I reached up and whispered in his ear, "Do you want to go somewhere private and talk?" He looked back at me and nodded. We continued to dance through our first song and once it had ended he led me to a private room.

I watched him as he paced across the room. He was on edge and nervous. "What's wrong?" I asked grabbing his hand trying to calm him down. "It's my father. He came back and something is wrong. He's not the same" he said. "What do you mean?"
"He stares off like he isn't even connected to this world anymore. Part of his back was burned and he told me that we are all going to die" Nicholas said. He looked up at me with fear in his eyes.
I stepped back, my heart beating faster. "Every year we have a yearly feasting. It doesn't cure our hunger but it helps control it, for the most part. This past year there wasn't enough people to feed everyone. My father and I let the people feed and we have been using immitation blood to keep our hunger under control. My father left not only to unite our species, but to address the issue. Before he returned he was unsettled with what news he had. Now he is here, this is how he showed up, delirious and injured."explain Nicholas sadly.
"What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure" he shook his head.
"Could it be the men who are against the thrown?" He looked up at me.
"It could be" he said. Nicholas came closer "I'm going to look into it more. The only way I can keep you safe though is if we marry and you change soon. I know it's not the best option, but it's the only one we have. I just have a bad feeling about this."
"I do too. Something seems off" I said. Nicholas wrapped his arms around me and brought be close. We stayed like that for a little while. When he finally let go he kissed me on the forehead. "I wish I could stay here longer, but I think it's best if I go back and figure some stuff out." He took his finger and put it under my chin, lifting it up enough for us to look at each other. He leaned in for a kiss.

I decided to go back to my room and get ready for bed. Kaitlin was there getting my dress ready for tomorrow. "Kaitlin.." I said. "Yes madam?" She didn't even break her focus on what she is doing.
"What happens if you live off of imitation blood for a long time?"
Kaitlin stopped and looked up at me. "Well, you wither. You lose strength. You lose your mind. It's like a human not having water. But we deteriorate slowly on the inside. It could be years before one would reach that point."
"I see. So when I am changed.."
"It doesn't happen like everyone thinks. Yes you have to be bitten, but we can chose if we want to change or if your just food" she said
She looked back at her work. I guess I didn't really think about how it would feel or what would happen. I trust Nicholas and I know he will be the one to change me... "Can you have a guard have Nicholas talk to me before he goes to bed?"
"Well madam you know what they say about the night before you wedding?"
I giggled, "I know but I need to talk to him."

I got ready for bed and laid down. Letting my thoughts run in and out of my mind. I laid in bed for a good 5 hours anxious about tomorrow. I heard a creak and immediately knew that Nicholas was in here.
Before I could even sit up he was sitting at the end of the bed. He had dark black eyes. I slowly wrapped my arms around his stomach holding him tight. "You can talk to me" I whispered. He turned to me and grabbed my face, "You know that I would do anything to protect you and this kingdom right? Even if it is something you would hate?" I suddenly looked up, "Yes.." I said.
He shook his head, "My father has became worse. I did find out from some guards that his mission was to meet with our kin, the ones who are against the throne. They have poisoned his mind. They gave him bad imitation blood when he was out. The guards didn't drink any, but they could instantly tell. He is basically weak, like he has lived off of it for years. They told me that they are planning a war. Right now our only option is to fight. Fight for the throne" he looked at me with worry.
"So your going to fight?" I asked. My heart hitting my chest as hard as it could.
"I have to."
"When's the last time you've actually had real blood?" The question caught Nicholas off guard. "Awhile.." he said.
"How do you expect to fight if... your weak" I said.
"I don't know. This is our only option. We have to find a way to get a feast in for our men before we go out. Even if we do get enough, I still will have to use imitation. It takes a lot to make us strong and keep us steady."
"And let me guess the rebels have a good supply?"
He nodded. "Nicholas..." he looked at me, "Yes?"
"You know that I would do everything I can to help this kingdom and you?"
"Yes, ofcourse."
"Then the only option is to use my blood. By tomorrow eve I will be changed and that won't be an option anymore. It has to be done. I don't want to lose you to a war."
He sat stunned not able to process what I just asked of him.
"I... cant.." he finally said.
"Why?!" I asked.
"Don't get me wrong Olivia you have a strong smell. It's almost hard to resist you sometimes. But I'm afraid I won't stop."
"Nicholas! Don't I trust you! Please. You can't go out there marry me and give up your life so easily by dying! I can't go through that. I've watched my best friend die! Please!" Tears started springing out of my eyes before I could stop them. Nicholas touched my cheek and sighed.
He picked me up and laid me down on the bed. He hovered over me. I closed my eyes and felt his cold lips touch mine. He continued to kiss me and starting trailing down my neck. Giving me goosebumps all over. I felt his fangs slowly scrape my skin before they punctured the surface. I closed my eyes as I felt my blood draining from me. I could feel his soft lips as he slowly sipped away. After a couple of minutes he pulled away and looked at me. His eyes were blood red. His lips were bright red.
He laid next to me and began to kiss my shoulder. Trailing his kisses up to my lips. I didn't want to let him go. I didn't want him to leave. When he pulled away I dug my head into his neck. We laid like that until the world went dark.