The Prince of Blood

Chapter 1: Alexi

Blood is life.

Vampire's contain a slice of demon that resides inside the soul and demands payment to keep him alive.

Human blood is paid. Immortality continues. To anyone other than a Vampire, blood is metallic tasting. The smell of iron permeates the air. A Vampire tastes so much more. Every creature has a different palate. Whether they be Fey, Werewolves, or Witches whose blood seems to pulse with energy depending on their elemental. They're all different. Even humans, pathetic creatures so easily killed, have a difference to them. Bland, but still distinguished.

This human tasted of stale bread and crisp honey apples. Boring lunch he had to admit. They fed their human subjugates better. Of that he was sure of.

"Alexi."

The points of Alexi's fangs retracted from the delicate flesh at the sound of his father's voice. Running his tongue along the two puncture wounds, he sealed them shut with a kiss. Sending the maid on her way, he thanked her for her service before turning his attention to his father, dabbing at the corner of his mouth with a crimson cloth napkin.

The King looked impassive, neither impressed or disgusted. It is the way with vampires to feed openly, nothing could change that.

Alexi took notice of his father's apparel. He was dressed for riding. His black wool cloak with the family crest embroidered on the back, hung loosely around his neck. Underneath he had on a clean white tunic tucked in a pair of tanned riding breeches and boots. His long, blonde hair was pulled back. The top half plaited to keep from falling in his eyes.

"Are we riding somewhere, Father?" Alexi asked, eyebrows raised.

Alexi relaxed back against his arm chair, the soft woven material chafing against his skin. His eyes wandered down to the decorative embroidery on the cuffs of his coat. Periwinkle blue and silver threads stood out against the black coloring, stitched into decorative scrolls. Why it was necessary to dress up a simple tail coat was beyond him.

"I have news, Alexi. News you may not like, but nonetheless will head."

The sound of his father's voice was heavily weighted, grave with news that was sure to upset him. Alexi lazily glanced up at the King. He stood stiff, as if he was already prepared for the anger sure to come his way.

"What is it?" Alexi asked, picking a piece of lint off his sleeve and flicking it in the air.

"Where is Genevieve?" the King asked, glancing around the room.

Alexi had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes at the King. Did he expect his paramour to appear out of thin air? Or maybe she was hiding behind the drapery.

"She's gone to the Fey realm. Something about a dress," Alexi shook his head. He'd been with his mistress for over a century and it still amazed him how much that woman loved clothes.

"Oh, that's good."

Alexi's golden eyes were fixed on his father now. The King's hands played with the ends of his sleeves. He was nervous about something, which only made Alexi more suspicious. The King was rarely anxious and even less likely to show it. His father had been alive for over four hundred years. Not much bothered the King.

"What's going on?" Alexi asked him again.

"King Alexander, the coach is ready."

Alexi squinted at the ancient man servant. The vampire had been serving their family since before his father was King. The fact that he mentioned the carriage made his anxiety rise even more. The passes through the mountains were narrow and rarely afforded the width to allow a carriage to pass. Besides, they travelled on horseback. The cold didn't bother the Vampires that lived as far north as the royal castle Silencia. Carriages were rarely used unless they were in the company of humans.

Alexi stood up from the chair, slow and deliberate. His father watched him closely, like a cobra read to strike.

"What are you not telling me? Why do we need a carriage?" Alexi could hear the anger in his voice rising, but his father barely flinched. His face was completely indifferent.

"As you well know, we've been looking to create an alliance with the Kingdom of Celia. Tensions have been rising on the border of Acadia for both our realms. The wolves seem to grow bolder by the day."

Alexi waited patiently. He already knew about the issues with the Werewolves to the West. They'd been quiet over the last decade but recent rumors include an army being raised. The howling dogs claiming to need more territory. He didn't buy that for one second. Arcadia was as large as both Celia and Leon Kingdoms combined.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with us?"

"King Linus and I have agreed that the best way to unite our Kingdoms is through marriage. Your marriage, son."

Alexi's golden eyes turned red. The shade of blood. Fueled by anger and rage. How could his father think of marrying him to a human? Again! It had been a hundred years since he lost his first wife. No matter how he felt, humans are frail and weak and unsuited to be his consort.

"You wouldn't do that," Alexi said in disbelief. "I will not marry a human."

"Yes, Son, you will. As Prince and Heir to Leon, you will do your duty and marry a Princess that will bring your Kingdom and people, security and prosperity. The humans have access to technology we do not. It could be the difference between triumph and defeat with them on our side," the King said, his tone confirming this was not a topic for discussion. The bargain was already struck.

"How do we know they're not making a side deal with the wolves? Humans are fickle by nature," Alexi snickered, thick with disgust.

"King Linus would never side with the wolves. Not after they butchered his wife over a decade ago. Linus hates them almost as much as we do."

Alexi's jaw clenched. He hated this. Hated the idea of being forced into another marriage. He was lucky to have fallen in love with his first wife but that brought him nothing but heartache and loss. Nearly killing him in the process. He refused to allow himself to be so weak again. But his father was right about one thing. He had to do what was best for his Kingdom, even if that did mean marrying some weak human.

"I will not pretend that I agree with this, but as you said, it is for the good of the realm. I will do my duty father," Alexi complied, his eyes fading from crimson to gold. "Who is my lucky fiance? Doesn't the King have multiple daughters?"

"Three. You will get to choose amongst them."

"That is what the carriage is for? We're leaving now?"

"We will meet them near the border at Castle Cretzia. It will take the carriage three days to arrive, barring we avoid any treacherous weather," the King informed him.

"I am sure the human will love our weather up here," Alexi grumbled, unable to help the sarcasm creeping in his voice. "Maybe she'll freeze to death on the way," he smirked at the thought.

"Alexi," King Alexander growled in warning.

"I'm kidding, sorta," he mumbled the last bit, perfectly aware his father was still able to hear him.

Vampires had acute senses. Better to catch their prey. Although humans do tend to blunder about, making their location perfectly known. Easy hunting. The thought of taunting his new bride-to-be tickled his fancy.

"When do we leave?"

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Welcome to the world of my High Fantasy novel :D 

This chapter introduces our male MC, Alexi, vampire prince. What did you think of him? 

Let me know what you think <3 This book is going to be formal, dark, filled with pain, love, betrayal, and hope. 

Don't forget to comment and vote <3