The Prince of Blood

Chapter 2: Evelyn

The library was warm and cozy. The sound of waves beating against the rocky shores was sweet music to her ears. The air smelled of parchment and ink, worn leather bindings and furniture polish. A clock was ticking somewhere nearby, but thankfully the ocean drowned out the annoying sound. Dust twinkled in the filtered light, filling the space around her with an enchanted feeling.

Time passed without her knowing it. Evelyn was tucked in a nook against a double window pane. The windowsill faced the east. In the evening's she could sit in the very same spot and watch the sun as it disappeared, sinking beneath the horizon. The vast ocean expanded as far as the eye could see.

A worn book was perched in her lap. The leather coverings were tattered and frayed from use. She eagerly flipped through the pages, absorbing each word she read. She was pretty sure she had read the book from cover to cover at least six times, but it didn't matter. Each time she picked it up, she always found something new she missed. Some new detail that changed her perspective or gave her a new idea to ponder over.

The sound of soft clothed shoes, pounding on the stone floor tore her attention from her book. Justine, her younger sister came charging in the room. Her long red hair streaming behind her, escaping from its carefully placed pins. The girl was only a few years younger than her, barely sixteen, but she was very mature for her age. Losing their mother at age four would do that to any child.

"What is it, Justine?" Evelyn asked, barely looking up from her book.

Justine stopped for a moment, gasping for breath. Her hands waved in the air as if she was trying to inhale more oxygen than was possible. Evelyn arched her brow at her sister. They clearly needed to work on her endurance.

"Father has made an alliance with the Vampires. He's offered one of us to the Prince in marriage," Justine inhaled deeply, her words coming out in a rush.

Evelyn slammed her book shut, bolting up right in her seat. Her heart pounded in her chest. How could their father make such a deal without consulting one of them?!

The wild look in her sister's eyes left her feeling wary. Justine never liked being confined to the palace. The South was boring and hot, surrounded on two sides by the sea and to the West and North were Werewolves and Vampires. Her sister was not one that liked to sit still. The girl craved adventure and freedom like the knights she enjoyed reading about in her books.

Evelyn didn't understand her baby sister's desire for excitement. She'd had enough excitement to last her a lifetime and the scars to prove it. Preferring the quiet and solitude of the library.

"We need to find father now," Evelyn spoke firmly, standing up straight, her shoulders pulled back, hands folded in front. The perfect vision of decorum.

"He's in the Great Hall. Margaret is already there,"Justine informed her.

Evelyn had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course she is." Thus making her the last to know.

She followed her sister out of the library and down the halls. Her soft shoes padded along the stone floor. Justine was trying to rush down the hall. The girl was always itching to run. A bubbling canister of energy. Evelyn held them back by walking at a sure and steady pace. It didn't matter if they arrived now or in ten minutes. The result would be the same.

Finally, coming up on the grand doors to the Great Hall, the servants pushed open the massive hand-carved wooden door. Evelynn stepped inside the hall, the room sizzling with tension. Her father, the King, was waiting, standing near his throne. Her eldest brother Lionel and sister Margaret stood before their father, awaiting their arrival.

The twins were nowhere in sight. No doubt being coddled by their army of Governesses. The Queen was also nowhere to be seen. Thank the Gods, at least one thing was going right. She couldn't imagine dealing with her snickering step-mother. The witch would be glad to be rid of any number of them. Why her father married such a wicked woman was beyond her.

Evelyn stepped forward to stand beside her elder sister. Margaret stood frozen, her body tense with the news that was waiting for them. Justine came up beside her to stand on the end. All four of the King's children stood in order by age before him. The four that were held closest to his heart, thanks to their mother whom he loved so much.

"Good, Justine, you found your sister," the King spoke, his voice deep and kind. A permanent smile tugging at his weathered lips.

Evelyn couldn't help but smile at her father. His age was beginning to show. His once chestnut colored hair, similar to her own, was now streaked with gray. Lines creased his brow along with deeply set laugh lines. The one thing that always remained constant were his turquoise blue eyes, same color as the ocean that bordered their kingdom. The same color that mirrored her own.

"What's this about father? I have Isolde and Mary coming over for tea here soon," Margaret's voice sang.

Evelyn gritted her teeth at the sound of her older sister's voice. Her and Margaret couldn't be any different, a part from being different species. Maybe they were. She could never stand her sister. Always worrying over frivolous things that amounted to nothing in the way of true happiness. Margaret was the social butterfly of the family. The true beauty.

"I've already canceled all engagements for the next few days. There will be no tea today Margaret," the King eyed his eldest daughter, maintaining eye contact to ensure she did not talk back.

Evelyn could almost hear the outrage no doubt screaming in her sister's mind. She couldn't help the small smirk that threatened to tug at the corner of her mouth.

"I have brokered an alliance with the Kingdom of Leon. King Alexander has agreed to an alliance that will be solidified through the union of Prince Alexi and one of my daughters."

The four children stood still in shock. Justine was bouncing on the soles of her shoes. Evelyn was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something she may regret. Margaret was turning beat red with anger, loathing the vampire species.

It was Lionel, the eldest, the heir to Celia, who broke the silence, stepping forward, closer to their father.

"Are you insane, Father? My sisters are not some prize to be sold. Vampires are cunning, blood thirsty demons. You're basically offering them a full course meal at their beck and call. The constellation prize being a crown that may very well never happen in their lifetime," Lionel spoke out, outrage evident in his tone.

Evelyn smiled at her brother, her closest friend, her fiercest champion. She could always count on him being in her corner.

The King seemed to ignore his son's outbursts, continuing to address his daughters. "You know I love each of you very much, but this is what is best for our Kingdom. If the rumors are true we will need King Alexander and his Kingdom to stand beside us should the wolves breach our borders. This marriage will solidify the alliance, guaranteeing us their aid for when the time comes."

"When do we leave?" Evelyn asked, finally speaking up. There was no sense in arguing. Her father was right. The wolves were dangerous. She knew that better than anyone.

The King smiled at her, grateful to her for not speaking against his decision. "Tomorrow morning. It's a two day journey to Castle Cretzia where we will meet them. You have only tonight to pack your things. Whomever the Prince chooses will leave with him right away. I know my girls won't disappoint."

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And here is our leading lady, Evelyn. Second daughter, Princess of the Kingdom of Celia, realm of the humans. 

What did you think, first impression of her? I'm genuinely curious.

Don't forget to comment and vote :D