A Vampires kiss

Chapter Seven

Katherine was way more interested in what Ancelin had said instead of looking at her glamorous new room. "What do you mean he killed them?" She asked her. She glanced around her new room, there was a large fireplace, in front of it were two pale pink antique couches. The bed was a large canopy bed, against a large window was a wooden table and two chairs with a bouquet of red roses in the center. On each side of the bed were two tall wooden doors, and on the other side of the room was a door. And behind the table were two French doors that lead out to a balcony overlooking the rose garden.

"My lady, I mustn't say anymore." Ancelin whimpered as she stood in the center of the room.

"Please, Ancelin." She begged. "I need to know."

"To become head of household," Ancelin closed her eyes, squeezing them shut. "The heir must kill both his father and his fathers mate. All nobles do that."

"Why?" Katherine sat down on one of the couches, surprised how comfortable it actually was.

"Vampires are immortal." Ancelin whimpered. "So the master killed his father to gain his title. Just like his father had done."

"But why kill his mother?" Katherine whispered.

"A mate can't survive without her mate." She whispered, "it's cruel not to kill the mate. A noble can gain power if he kills another lord above them, that's what Master's Grandfather had done."

"That's horrible." Katherine couldn't believe it. She was determined to get more information out of Ancelin. "Ancelin, I need to know how old Caius was when he killed his parents?"

"Master was only eight. He became the youngest Lord in the past two centuries."

"That's just awful." Katherine shook her head as she gazed around the room. There were paintings of roses on the walls. "Ancelin, why am I not allowed around guests?"

"My lady," Ancelin whimpered. "It's dangerous for you." Ancelin avoided her gaze.

"Why?" Katherine politely demanded it.

"They could use you against the master, or even kill you. And if you were to die the master would kill us all." Katherine sighed and patted the spot beside her and reluctantly sat beside her. "Please don't make me say anymore." Tears started to fall from Ancelin's eyes. Katherine felt bad, mostly for forcing information from Ancelin. But now she knows why Ancelin and everyone was afraid of Caius.

"It's okay, Ancelin." She spoke softly as she awkwardly started comforting the crying maid. "Thank you." She was afraid of him, but at the same time she felt horrible for Caius. To be conditioned into killing people at a young age, to even kill your own parents. What kind of life was that?

But among the fear and sadness that she held for him, she was still attracted to him. That must be because I'm his mate, everyone says so. Nervously, Katherine started to chew on her nails. She didn't even know what she should do with this information. I must find out why I can't go to the basement.

She looked over at Ancelin who was laying on her shoulder. She couldn't just ask Ancelin, she felt bad for making her cry.

Katherine entered the dining room on Caius's arm, the dress that Ancelin dressed her in matched Caius's suit. A black dress with a sweetheart neckline and off the shoulders long sleeves. Ancelin even put a pearl necklace with a ruby pendant and pearl earrings. Her dark brown hair curled and piled high, Ancelin even did her make up. A soft smoky look and light red lips. Katherine doesn't like something that showed off her bandage, but when Caius called her beautiful it made her heart flutter.

He's a killer, she reminded herself. But one look at his handsome face she couldn't help but blush and feel nervous. She bit her bottom lip, as they entered the room. There they were greeted by a couple, the man from the afternoon and a lady with bright red hair. She was glaring at Katherine behind an oriental fan, her red satin dress hung tightly against her body. She was beautiful, and made Katherine feel self conscious.

"My Lord, my lady." Lord Costache bowed to them. "This is my mate and wife Noël." He introduced the beautiful women, who gazed longingly up at Caius. And for a split second Katherine felt jealous.

"Lady Costache," Caius addressed her. She closed her fan and smiled up at him. "This is my mate, Katherine. I hope you two can be friends."

"Of course, my lord." She smiled, but her eyes were glaring at Katherine. What a b***h, Katherine thought and internally rolled her eyes.

"My love," Katherine's heart fluttered as Caius helped her into her seat as the two guests sat as well. Katherine sat on Caius's right side at one end of the table, while Lord and Lady Costache sat on the opposite end. A maid started pouring the three a dark red liquid that was thick, while one poured her a lovely pink liquid. By the smell she poured for Katherine she knew it was wine, while the other three were drinking something she could only explain as blood. Just the look at it made her stomach do flips. Caius held his hand on top of the table, waiting for her to place hers. Shyly, she laid her hand in his cold large ones. "I plan on entering Katherine into society at next month's Winter Solstice ball."

"So soon?" Noël asked, as she swirled her cup. A small bowl of soup was placed in front of the four, and she recognized it as French onion. Thank god mother made me take etiquette courses when cousin Elaine got married. She waited for the other to take bites before she took a small sip. She wasn't very hungry.

"Why of course, Noël." Lord Costache smiled and patted her hand. Noël rolled her eyes and moved her hand out of reach, but the two men didn't seem to notice.

"We should be married not long after that." Katherine looked at Caius, watching him bring her hand to his lips. Her heart raced and stopped when he placed a kiss on her opal ring.

"Does she know anything about ballroom etiquette ?" Noël asked, Katherine was starting to become annoyed by them acting like she wasn't there. "Perhaps I should offer to teach her." Good luck, Katherine thought, I'm not allowed to greet guests. I'm even surprised that I am here after all.

"What a wonderful idea, my dear!" Noël rolled her eyes. "What do you say, Lord Darkimir?"

"Well," Caius folded his hands on his lap. His eyes are void of any emotion. "I might have to think about it." The maids came and cleared the table, Katherine watched him reach over and take a drink. "Katherine, my dove, would you like for Lady Costache to train you?"

"I'm not sure." She glanced over at Noël who smiled at Caius, ignoring Katherine.

"It's alright, pet." Another course was brought out, roast and potatoes. Something that Katherine was familiar with, it was the only thing her mom knew how to make. Her dad, on the other hand, was a fantastic cook. Katherine swallowed hard, holding back tears. She missed them, even her half crazy mother. Dinner continued, Katherine was no longer addressed as the men chatted about things she didn't understand. Even Noël stayed quiet, sending glares Katherine's way.

After dinner, Caius walked Katherine to her room while the other two were brought to the sitting room. "Don't worry," he told her as they made their way up the stairs. "I won't let her hurt you," he stopped her from tripping on the hem of her skirt. "Careful," he breathed. They walked in silence, and soon they were standing at the door in her room. "Katherine," he turned her before she could walk into her room. "My room is beside yours," he whispered. "So if you get lonely, just knock on the door."

"Oh," she averted her eyes. "Thank you." He moved her head towards his. Is he going to kiss me? She thought, his lips were mere inches from hers. Her heart raced in her chest as he got closer, his eyes darkened to a maroon color. "C-Caius." She whispered, her hands resting on his chest. "Are you going to kiss me?" One of his hands rested on the small of her back and pulled her closer to him. The other rested below her chin. Katherine had been kissed before, the first time was at a birthday party in seventh grade. A group of girls played spin the bottle with some boys in their class, her first kiss was given to Jimmy Lee. She has kissed many times since then, and even went further than kissing. But she was still nervous. She closed her eyes, but she didn't feel his lips against hers as he let her go.

"I've got to go." He opened the door for her as her heart sank. "Good night, Katherine." He smiled softly at her as walked in. He closed the door as he walked away.