Tessa And The Beast

Chapter 09

CHAPTER 9

The party was going on smoothly as Prince Derek was leading it well. He was more familiar to the people since he ad been standing in numerous times for his brother who chose to lead from the dark. He was all smiles as he greeted the prime ministers and had a drink with some of the invited guests.

“Prince Derek, you look charming and young as ever. What is the secret behind this look?” One of the rich ladies said as she flirted with him. She had always had her eye on him and envied him from afar but tonight she got the opportunity to talk to him as Prince Derek smiled politely and said,

“Oh I guess being undead would do that to you.” He said as everyone burst out laughing wiping tear from their eyes as the lady became bolder and said,

“You sound so sweet when you talk like that. I bet you make all the girls swoon.” She said baiting her eyes as Derek wanted to reply but was interrupted by someone who just the crowd and threw his hands around his neck and said,

“Derek it is so nice to see you. Seems you have not changed a bit.” The new comer said as the lady grew angry and walked off as Derek laughed and said,

“And you have aged 10 years since the last time I sae you, you look good man,” The only reason Derek was being free with this person was that the person in question was no other than his human best friend Cole, who had moved away a decade ago, but somehow was in town.

“Come have a drink with me, let’s make merry.” He said as Derek shook his head and said,

“Oh I can’t at the moment, I have to make sure everyone is settled in and having a good time before they announce the arrival of my brother.” He said as Cole nodded his head and said,

“Oh I get you. Always the serious brother huh. You truly haven’t changed one bit. Well, I shall move around and see if I will maybe get lucky.” He said waving Derek who laughed and shook his head.

Cole was definitely the Casanova, he had not changed a bit.

“Where are you Tess?” He murmured to himself as he kept on looking at the big entrance to see if she was going to walk in any moment. He glanced up and saw Eldered who was heading to King Lucien’s room and quickly realized that he was heading to call his brother.

He quickly went to wait at the foot of the long staircase as the royal guard announced,

“And now it is time for King Lucien to grace us with his apperance. Long live the Vampire King.” He yelled as everyone went on their knees as a sign of respect as he walked down the stairs.

Derek was the only person who remained standing with his arms crossed behind his back as he waited for his brother to get down.

“I hope everything is checked out.” Lucien said as Derek nodded his head and said,

“Yes.”

Everyone stood up from their knees as Lucien raised his hand up. He looked around and said,

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure I welcome you to the ball. Eat, drink and make merry for we have all reasons to be joyous. This year has shown that it will be filled with big harvests. Have a nice night.” He said as everyone clapped their hands and cheered while the two princes took a walk through the party.

“I can see you didn’t prepare any speech for the ball, because that was the most stupid thing I have ever heard in my life.” Derek replied as Lucien growled at him and said,

“It seems that you have forgotten who you are talking to….don’t forget your place in this family.” He said as Derek clenched his fists and unclenched and said,

“I am sorry, I overstepped my bounds, I will be leaving now.” He said as he turned and left him alone as he tried to look for Tessa. He was getting worried already. Then something caught his eyes as he saw someone waving at him from a distance as he paused. The lady had on Tess’s necklace but in no way did that look like her. What the hell was going on here. He walked closer and was confused for a bit.

“Do I know you?” He asked as Faye smiled shyly and replied,

“No, not yet but I am in your class. You may know my sister, Tessa.” She said as Derek nodded his head and said,

“I knew the necklace seemed familiar but why isn’t she here and why do you have it?” He said frowning as Faye laughed a bit and said,

“Funny story actually. The thing is my baby sister suddenly got a cold and couldn’t attend so she begged me to come in her place and keep you company. She said that if you see the necklace, that you were going to know that she sent me that is why I have it on.” Faye said saying the lie she had been practising for the past ten minutes.

“But she seemed fine to me in school.” He argued not quite believing her but was hesitant to use his vampire power and compel her to find out if she was lying because he swore not to use it on weak, defenseless people.

“It is quite shocking too, she got it right before dinner. She couldn’t even eat dinner and I am here, just like she begged me to be.” She said hoping he had fallen for her lies.

“In that case, I guess I will spend the night with you then, will she be in school tomorrow? I need to check up on her.” He said as Faye nodded her head.

“Of course she will be. I think all she needs for now is rest.” She said as Derek then bowed and kissed her palm saying,

“Allow me to be your escort tonight milady.” He said sweetly as Faye blushed hard. She couldn’t believe her eyes. So this was the treatment that Tessa would be having if she had come. She thanked her stars that she had come.

She held the little vial in her hand as she waited for the right time to use it.

“Thank you, can you show me around?”She said as she roped her hands around his own and smiled sweetly.

***

King Lucien was having a hard time concentrating on the party as his mind and heart kept on straying back to the smell that wasn’t dissipating anytime soon. He closed his eyes as he willed his vampire side under control before concentrating on the matters being discussed.

“I believe we should set up a perimeter about 50 yards away from the town to monitor, the bandits movements. Buyers and sellers going in and out of the town had been complaining of being robbed, it is becoming quite serious.” One mentioned as the men all around Lucien nodded their head and said,

“I think what we should so is send some vampires to the border. They are better than the bandits and they would have more firepower to your disposal.” Another added.

“What do you think about this King Lucien?” The first man said but Lucien wasn’t paying attention to what he said at all, as he was lost stirring his cup absent mindlessly.

“King Lucien? Are you here?” One said as King Lucien shook from his reverie and said,

“Yes, what were you talking about?” He said as people gave side glances wondering what was happening.

“Are we boring your sire?” One said as Lucien shook his head and said,

“No you are not. I am just….could you excuse me? I need some fresh air.” He said as he lewft without waiting for an answer, He certainly didn’t need their permission after all. He was the king and he was going to do what he wanted.

“Do you think he is okay?” One of the men said as he left while the rest shrugged their heads.

“I don’t know. I doubt he had been paying attention to anything we have been saying. Something is definitely on his mind.” Another commented as the rest agreed with him.

“But do you think we need to be worried? I mean he has never lost focus before and he hadn’t even had a sip of his blood, as if he was repulsed by it.”

“I believe we shouldn’t poke noses in what doesn’t concern us.” Eldered said appearing at their back as they shrink back in fear and said,

“We are sorry sire, we didn’t mean to speak ill of the King, please don’t eat us.” They said as Eldered rolled his eyes and said,

“I don’t have time for you guys. Where did the King go?” He asked as they pointed at one direction.

“Thanks.” Eldered said as he follwed their path. What the hell was wrong with King Lucien? How could he go AWOL on a party that was being thrown for him, especially when he knew he had to pick the newest blood sacrifice.

Luckily for him, he was able to find King Lucien on the corridor, where he was leaning on the pillar groaning in anger. He hurriedly walked up to him as he said,

“Is something wrong sire? Do I call for help? Were you poisoned? Where does it hurt?” He said trying to help but King Lucien just pushed him aside and said,

“Stay away….can’t resist the smell. Drives me nuts. Painful in….my heart.” He muttered as he covered his ears.

“What smell?” Eldered said trying to get closer when the vampire side completely took over Lucien and he snapped at him. His nails grew extra long as black veins could be seen connected to his eyes from his necks and hands while his eyes completely went black. This has never happened before, even Eldered was scared about what he was seeing.

“Must…mate.” Lucien muttered as he started walking as if he was in a trance and despite the guards effort, nobody could stop him as he killed anyone who stood in his way of finding the scent.

“This is very bad, very, very bad.’ Eldered murmured as the King was out of sight.

And just like that, he scurried into his chamber and groaning on the bed. Cold sweats filled his pale face as his eyes morphed into shades of black.