Married to the Vampire’s Blood Lotd

Elara. Doom. That was my fate. I had barely returned to my mattress when the doors to my room flung open, soldiers clad in heavy armors and heavy canvases invading the only space I could call mine. Hell, this was not even fit for a pig to survive in but yet a Princess was left to reside within it. ''The king wants to see you.'' They declared. The King. My Father. I chuckled sadly at the thought. Finally, after nineteen-years, I was not the one running around looking, begging, crying....to at least have a word with him. Ever since I turned eight, I had stopped seeking for love in places I would never even be glanced at twice. ''Lead the way.'' My voice was barely a whisper. A few of them lingered behind me while the ones before me led the way. It wasn't like I had any thoughts of escaping, I had done that and been brought back one too many times to want to escape again. The more the site of the place I once called home loomed into view, the more my insides twisted into knots. My fingers clutched the sides of my dress, pinning my emotions back in place. Fear, that was what a place that would have been my home always instilled in me. As a princess, I lived in a tent outside the walls of the castle but within its gates. I was regarded no less than a servant. We stepped into the castle and I immediately lowered my head due to the blinding lights. The room was soon filled with murmurs, whispers of people I could hear and the sight of people holding their noses while staring at me with disgust. I was used to it anyways. People saying my presence only brought bad luck upon people because I had no magical abilities as every witch should which gave me the title 'cursed.' I walked further into the royal hall and stood before the man I once called my father. Nora—my step-sister looked at me with pure contempt, like my presence alone was forbidden, her demeanor completely changing the moment our gazes met. ''Would you not greet your king?'' My father's voice was loud and clear, a mocking tone latched to it. I raised my head to look at him without parting my lips or saying a word. The crowd murmured, gasps filling the air. What? Was it a taboo to look my father in the eyes. ''Such insolence!'' My step-mother deadpanned from beside the king, fanning herself. ''How outrageous.'' She muttered to herself, but I heard her words clearly. ''You would leave tonight anyways.'' She hissed loudly. Her remark made me look clearly at everyone's faces, and for the first time tonight, I saw something like dismissal. Something I had never seen in their eyes, like it would all be over. ''Elara,'' The king's voice brought me back to reality as he stood up from his throne. ''The Blood lord of Varencia……..demanded you as his bride and you have been of no use to this kingdom,'' His voice suddenly turning venomous....angry. Nora huffed beside him as he continued, ''Your carriage would be here in an hour,'' he paused, making sure the words sank into my skull. ''You would become the vampire's bride.'' My world tilted. ''You may prepare her.'' He turned to the servants and that was all. Before I could process what was happening, hands dragged me out of the royal hall and down the hall-way. But one thing stood out, I could not forget the look on Nora's face like I was done for. The Vampire's bride. A bride to the enemy? I was confused but kept moving, every nerve in my body telling me to go back to the hall and give everyone a taste of their medicine for once in their lives. But I knew better, maybe leaving this kingdom would be a way out. The maids led me through large oak doors and into a room where everything screamed forbidden. If I wanted to figure out what was happening, I realized I needed to act diligent. ''Your bath has been prepared.'' One of the maids bowed slightly, leading me towards the bathroom. Bath. Prepared. Bride. Every single thing felt unreal, I was just in my room minutes ago. ''What's happening?'' I asked the maid who escorted me into the bathroom. She looked terrified as well, peeping into the room where the other maids were busy with heavens knows what. ''You...'' she stammered, her hands trembling. She swallowed hard before speaking again, ''the king ss....sold you off to the vampire king in exchange for more power.'' I felt a round ring in my ears. My father sold me off? And to the enemies? Before I could process whatever what happening next, the maids walked in and there was nothing left but the sounds of running water. The air grew thick with steam and the sickeningly sweet aroma of Jasmine and crushed roses. I was scrubbed like I had a second skin, coarse sponges scraping against my sensitive skin until it burned. Bathed in scented oils and countless milk baths that I lost count of whatever was going on. I barely had time to breathe nor process my thoughts and the most terrifying thing--not a single tear threatened to escape me. All I could feel was a sickly gnawing feeling in my heart and numbness from the news I had just heard. Next came the oiling of skin. The maids oiled my skin with different bottles, herbs and perfumes like it was supposed to be my wedding night. Heavy scents clung to my flesh, overwhelming my senses with every shallow breath I took. ''This is your dress.'' My eyes trailed towards the bed where the dress lay. A dress I had only seen Nora wear—a red dress embroided with gold thread around the edges that my fingers itched so badly to touch them. I took my time, putting on the dress like I was never a princess. The stiff, heavy silk scraped against my neck as it was zipped shut, anchoring me into this nightmare. Everything that kept happening felt forbidden, from the way I was treated, to the way the dress was specifically made for me. The maids combed my hair afterwards, packing it in soft beautiful waves, falling across my back. I stood up from the dresser, watching my reflection from the mirror and the soft jingle of my anklet reminded me of the only gift I had from my mom. The only memory I barely clung to. ''Your carriage is here.'' The maid who was terrified earlier, came back into the room. From afar, I could hear the galloping sounds of horses and I drew in a deep inhale, not knowing what on earth was going to happen next or how my life was going to unfold. I needed to escape. ''Well...well...well.'' Nora's mocking voice came from the door and I rolled my tongue across my cheeks to prevent myself from saying a word. Such wrong timing. ''Ready to leave I see.'' She rounded me like a predator would to a prey. ''Just so you know my dear sister......'' She continued circling me, taking in every detail. ''No matter how much you try to look good, you would never be able to clear the stench off you.'' She stood before me now. ''You are cursed Elara, and I want you to never forget that.'' ''Have a nice ride to the enemies territory.” She turned to walk away but stopped right in her tracks, “And ohh…..you might end up as his slave instead of his wife.'' Her lips curled into a sinister smile—one I knew too well. And with that, she turned around, her long blonde hair disappearing into the shadows, her maids trailing behind her as they walked down the other hallway. And just like she said, the neighing of horses grew louder until I could feel was retraction. I wanted to run back to my tent and lock the doors, recoiling into the only space I felt safe in but that would only stir up more drama. If father had agreed to something, fighting against it would be futile. This was my fate after all. ''You're ready to leave.'' The maids brought me out of my reverie. I nodded and slipped into the shoes that were provided for me and followed them out just like I was brought in. With every step I took down the stairs, the anklet on my feet chimed softly and my dress kissed the floors goodbye. I was going to face a completely new life and I would not accept my fate. Whatever this was, I would escape it all tonight. They led me out of the castle and stopped just outside the gates. ''This is where we leave you.'' They announced. I ignored them and walked towards the carriage, my nails pressing into my palms to suppress the erratic thumping of my heart. From afar I could see the carriage. Three powerful horses fixed before it and two figures that I could not see clearly on each sides of the carriage, sat on the horses. I was going to become a Vampire's bride........or rather, the Blood Lord’s bride.