The Vampire King's Wife

The Garden Party

Dinner that first night had been amazing. Marco made sure to have things he knew she’d like and when he’d walked her to her room that night, had been a gentleman in kissing her cheek. But in the third week of Alianna’s stay, she was awoken early and told unsettling news. 

“There’s going to be a garden party today.” Amber told her coming in excited. The dark-haired girl bounced in and looked at Alianna still in bed, “Oh no, this won’t work! You need to get up and get ready.” Pulling Alianna from bed, the sleepy princess rubbed her eyes as she grabbed the hot coffee mug filled with blood offered by Opal. “And why am I up so early? What’s happening again?” 

Amber sighed like Alianna’s questions was annoying her. eyes narrowing at the slight disrespect, Alianna was about to get annoyed back when Cassie came and gently led Alianna to her vanity. Picking up a brush, she started to attend to Alianna’s hair as she tossed out, “A garden party. And a few royal families will be coming.” 

Sighing, Alianna rubbed her eyes knowing that meant she’d have to put on a big smile today. “Oh great. Anyone I know?” 

Opal grinned, “Princess Susan and Prince Derek from the Whales kingdom. Oh! And Bridgett Whistle, the weapon maker's daughter from Rome.” Alianna grinned, “Oh well that’s great, I can’t wait to get reacquainted.” After brushing her teeth and washing her face, Alianna’s makeup was did by Opal as Amber kept going through her closet. But when Alianna denied her picks, she grew annoyed and sent the spoiled princess an ugly look. 

But Alianna was none the wiser since Amber did it smartly out of her sight. Feeling vengeful and twisted on the inside, Amber looked at Alianna with a taunting look, “And someone you might want to look out for,” She goaded as the other three women turned to her, “Marco’s ex, Arabella Clairemont Duchess of Istanbul. I heard they were pretty hot and heavy once and people thought he’d marry HER once.” 

Immediately both Cassie and Opal wanted to get on Amber’s neck for putting something like that in Alianna’s head. But Alianna knew Amber’s mean girl tactics and was well equipped, “Oh, well seems like it didn’t work out,” Alianna said causally twisting a curl around her index bored, “Because me and Marco talked in private.” Meeting Amber’s eyes in her vanity, Alianna taunted, “And he’s promised to be all MINE.” 

Flushing, Amber felt hot in the face as Alianna suddenly questioned, “Speaking of men Amber, I know how serious you are about finding a husband. Any prospects yet?” Amber’s nose flared as Opal and Cassie both fought laughing at her sour face, “No your grace, but the moment I know of a man worthy of your approval, I will tell you his name.” Amber gritted out now livid. 

Alianna smirked, “You do so.” And then she was being helped into her gown by Opal. Tying up the dress, Alianna pushed her curls back and slid her feet into her shoes. Smiling when Cassie complimented her, “So beautiful,” Alianna winked at her, “Back at ya honey,” Cassie grinned at her and Opal pulled her friend along, her long white hair flowing behind her like smoke, “Marco is going to drool when he sees you.” She promised.  Alianna blushed and then she went to the entrance to the garden and found the party in full swing already. 

Many families of different legacies and creatures were all in the garden being served bloody mimosas and brunch. Walking with her head held high, Alianna stepped out first followed by Cassie, Opal, and Amber. People immediately took notice of the princess, and in knowing why she was there, immediately began to gossip. 

Breathing out, Alianna tried to ignore the looks and whispers. But when they were centered on you, it was hard. 

Walking to King Vincent and Queen Elena, Alianna bowed to them, “Good morning,” she greeted and Vincent smiled at warmly giving her a kiss on both cheeks, “Good morning Ali, you look very beautiful today.” He complimented as his wife hugged her, “So gorgeous! I love your dress.” Alianna repaid the compliment to the gorgeous woman in the long flowy rose gold colored dress. 

Shining like a new penny under the warm morning sun, the garden only enhanced the beauty that was naturally Queen Elena. Smiling when Elena showed her off to friends and family, Alianna felt a hand land on her shoulder when she started to follow Elena to her mother. 

Turning around, Alianna wilted seeing Josh, King of Amsterdam and the brother of the man who tortured hers. Smiling widely, the dipped in gold pretty boy beamed, “Alianna, I was hoping I’d see you here.” He admitted kissing both of her cheeks even though she’d preferred if he kept his lips to himself. 

Alianna backed away a little as she forced herself to be polite, “King Josh, it’s always a pleasure. How are you?” Josh chortled, “Don’t be silly Alianna, you can call me Josh. And I’m doing fine, and yourself?” Alianna smiled but it felt plastic as she crooned, “Just fine.” 

Looking through how uncomfortable she was in his presence, Josh came closer, “Look I know you don’t want to be here or marry him and I’m trying-.” Before he could finish though, a warm hand was comfortingly placed on the small of her back. Josh immediately shut up as Marco stood tall beside Alianna who unknowingly leaned into him a little more. 

A few royals and their people watched discreetly as Marco sized Josh up. “King Josh, thank you for keeping my betrothed company. But I can take it from here.” Josh wanted to protest, but Alianna willingly left as Marco led her away. “Thank you,” She told him as he snagged them a drink. Grinning, Marco teased, “What you didn’t want to talk to your favorite admirer?” 

Rolling her eyes as she took a sip of her drink, Alianna sarcastically teased, “Oh yeah, I should go find him instead of dealing with you.” Marco growled playfully and pulled her closer making her giggle. Both were for a moment unaware of people taking note of their interaction. 

Watching them scowling, Amber of course was venomous seeing Alianna and Marco so chummy. If anything, knowing who his exes were, Amber had thought Marco would be bored of the Russian princess. Sure she was exotic, but Alianna in Amber’s opinion was nothing but a b***h with a crown. 

Which didn’t make her better than anyone. Especially not her. 

But low and behold somehow, the little b***h was getting everything she wanted yet again. And nothing she deserved. Seething looking mighty sour now, Amber jumped when someone leaned in, “Careful Amber,” looking to see her fellow lady in waiting, Amber’s eyes rolled as Cassie bitched, “Your jealousy is showing.” Her sing-song tone grated Amber’s last nerve making her snap, “Jealous of what? Being sold off to a man who is going to do nothing but destroy her? Yeah right.” 

Cassie rolled her eyes, “That man is going to be a king, and he needs a woman who can handle him. put him in his place, keep him on his toes, and make his heart melt.” Cassie looked the lanky b***h over as she sneered, “You could never.” 

Amber turned red in the face in anger but before she could speak, Cassie was suddenly in her ear, “You will not pull what you did to Princess Oria.” Paling, Amber’s chin went up as Cassie threatened, “If I think for a second, you try to ruin this for her, I’m going to put your head through concrete bitch.” 

And now knowing the very violent young woman would, had Amber’s jaw ticking, “I’m not stupid. If I blow this, I’m left with my nothing. My father…he’s done with my “antics” so he calls them.” Amber rolled her eyes, “I need a husband, and apparently being Alianna’s b***h is the price for that security. Look I don’t have to like her and want to be all buddy with her. But I can keep a good poker face.” 

Cassie’s eyes turned to slits as her fangs started to grow in her mouth. Looking more like cat fangs at their smooth clean curve, Amber’s pulse quickened, “How about you keep a better poker face, a respectful poker face, and I won’t put my fist through your face. Sound good?” Amber nodded jerkily and Cassie smirked sweetly, “Good.” 

Wanting to snap at Cassie for her yet again bulldog-like persistence in keeping her “sister” safe, Amber stopped seeing something amusing. “You're worried about me? Seems like she’s got bigger problems.” Nodding over to where Alianna and Marco had been, Cassie looked to see they were being joined by a very sexy Arabella Clairemont. 

Snorting, Cassie stood up as she predicted, “Please, my sis knows how to handle that bitch.” 

And as she walked away into the maze, her sister did just that. 

But as Cassie calmed down from getting angry at Amber, she suddenly felt a presence. “Why are you spying on me?” She asked tiredly, “You’ve been lurking since you got here.” A deep voice chuckled, “I don’t lurk.” Turning, Cassie suddenly stood toe to toe with the Demon King of the Demon Realm. Looking him in the eye, she taunted, “Stalking then?” 

Blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a tall body with not an inch of fat. Completely confident, William smirked as he came closer.  

William looked Cassie over amused, “More like…admiring.” Cassie smirked, “Oh yeah?” William nodded and she scoffed in his face making the handsome man peer at her surprised, “Oh please,” Cassie hummed shaking her head, “You’re going to have to come harder than that.” And then she turned, leaving him to smirk at her back. 

Challenge fully accepted.