The Vampire Prince and I

Chapter 1

“Have you got our disguise?” I asked my closest friend as I slipped into my silk red gown. I looked in the mirror and grinned at the sight. The tight fit flattered my curves and small waist. My blonde hair was curled and draped elegantly just past my shoulders.
“I found you a gold one,” Sage answered, handing me a sequinned masquerade mask.
“I love it Sage, thank you!” I put it on, admiring the finished look. It matched my dainty, gold bracelet perfectly. My four older siblings and I all had one. They were welded onto our wrists when we turned sixteen. They were supposed to signify our unity and bond as part of the royal family.
“Are you sure you want to do this Alara? The King will kill you if he finds us.” She warned me as she zipped up the back of her green dress. I smiled at her, she was always the most sensible of the two of us. Tonight, we planned on sneaking into my family’s famous masquerade ball. Every year, we invite all of the most influential people; royal families, celebrities, businessmen...all of them vampires.
“Yes I am, let’s go Sage, we need to sneak in now before his speech!” I grabbed her arm and we snuck past the guards positioned along the corridor outside of my bedroom. Security was tighter tonight as we had several hundred guests in the palace. My family are one of the most influential vampire families around, which means we also have a lot of enemies.
We ran into the kitchen and past the caterers who were too busy to notice us. Sage laughed as I grabbed a small handful of strawberry macarons from a silver platter near the door. I decided it was best for us to sneak in through one of the side doors of the ballroom. Nobody would be watching the doors to the kitchen.
Sage opened the door and let me walk in first, I gasped at the beauty of the ballroom. It was always a magnificent room, but seeing it decorated for the party was different. The columns were wrapped in fairy lights, there were themed golden statues and a live orchestra. “It’s beautiful,” Sage said in awe. I nodded in agreement, walking further into the room.
“Rowan is so hot,” Sage giggled, pointing towards the corner where my eldest brother was stood talking to my sister. I noticed my other brothers, Kai and Finn nearby.
I rolled my eyes. “Go, you can keep him distracted for me,” I shooed, I knew she would love the chance to flirt with him without him recognising her. She squeezed my arm, then ran over and left me by the dancefloor.
I was so excited to finally be attending one of these balls. My siblings loved to taunt me about them. My father has banned me from going until I’m eighteen, which is only a couple of months away. He says it’s unsafe for me as I haven’t officially been turned yet. In our territory, all children must not consume any blood until they reach eighteen. My father explained it’s because we need to be old enough to control the bloodlust. As I’m part of the royal bloodline, my vampire abilities are stronger, and more developed than the other seventeen-year-olds around here. Though that didn’t change his mind.
I decided to go dance, I wanted to enjoy myself before I was recognised and sent to my room. I lifted my hands in the air and swayed my hips to the music. I loved looking at everybody’s outfits of the night, they were all dressed in such high glamour. People really do go all out for this ball. As I scanned the room I noticed an insanely beautiful looking man standing to the side, he looked rather disinterested. He was nodding slowly to who I assumed was his friend next to him. I couldn’t help but stare, he must have felt my eyes on him as he suddenly glanced in my direction. Our eyes met and I blushed, looking away.
I realised half the men here were staring at me on the dancefloor. I’m used to the attention that comes with being a princess of the strongest vampire family, but with that many eyes on me I started to feel self-conscious. Luckily Sage came to my rescue and joined me dancing. “They won’t stop staring at you,” she shouted in my ear over the music.
“Do you think they’ve recognised me?” I yelled back. She shook her head and grabbed my arms as we danced.
“I think it’s the dress,” she winked.
We kept dancing, laughing the night away. I was having the best time. I bumped into a man and turned to apologise. “Watch where you’re going,” he snapped, running his fingers through his blonde hair.
“It was an accident,” I hissed back. If only he knew he was talking to a royal. He glared at me and stepped forwards, I stumbled backwards unsure of what he was going to do. Sage pulled at my hand, wanting us to leave.
“Typical spoilt little Princess,” he whispered in my ear. My eyes widened in shock as I wondered how he knew. He seemed to have read my mind as he lifted my wrist up. My bracelet, of course. Before I could respond I was interrupted.
“I suggest you let go of her wrist.” I looked up towards the voice and realised it was the green-eyed stranger from earlier. I watched Sage slip away, probably to find my brother to help if needed. The blonde haired man opened his mouth as if to speak, but clearly thought better of it and obeyed, letting go of my wrist and disappearing into the crowd.
“I didn’t need your help,” I said, feeling embarrassed.
He smirked at me, then gestured towards the crowd that was staring at us. “Do you want to grab a drink?” I nodded nervously, letting him take my hand to lead me towards the makeshift bar that was in the corner of the room. I wasn’t really allowed to talk to boys. My father made sure all the teachers at school kept a close eye on my friends and reported to him if anyone got close.
“Do you want some?” He asked, offering me a glass of blood. Of course. I shook my head. He instead handed me a glass of champagne. I couldn’t help but notice all the women in the room were staring at us, or rather him.
“Thank you,” I smiled, smoothing down my dress as we stood to the side of the bar.
“You’re welcome,” he paused, “I’m not usually interested in these events, but you’ve certainly made my night more interesting...that dress is incredible.”
I felt my cheeks blush and was grateful for the mask Sage had given me. “Same to you,” I squeaked, cringing at my awkwardness. “I mean, thank you.” He laughed. I felt butterflies in my stomach at the sound. What was it about this man?
“I don’t recognise you,” he mused, as he stared intently into my blue eyes.
“Well duh,” I laughed as I gestured to my mask. I pricked my ears as I recognised my sisters annoying voice. I turned around to see her heading this way, with all three of my brothers by her side. I saw Sage waving her arms like a madman at me and realised I needed to leave. “I’m so sorry, I must go,” I squealed as Maddy stopped a couple of feet away.
“Your highness,” she bowed to the green-eyed man as I walked away. Who on earth was he?
I grabbed Sage’s arm as we rushed to the other side of the hall. “Thank you, that was too close,” I panted.
“Hey don’t pretend you totally weren’t flirting with that man,” She giggled.
“I barely got a chance to talk to him before Maddy came!” I pouted, “I can’t describe it Sage, I felt like I knew him.”
Before she could respond my father’s voice boomed out on the speakers. “Good evening, I’d like to begin by thanking you all for attending.” The room quietened down. I must admit my father scared the hell out of me. We weren’t the most loved family. They were afraid of our power, or rather my father’s. I noticed my siblings stood to his side, all of them looking beautiful. Our family were certainly blessed with good genes. My siblings shared dark blonde hair, whilst I sported a lighter shade. My brothers were all muscular and tall, mostly from their training. Madison was petite like myself, but she was rather envious of my curves...and her lack of. I sighed quietly, I couldn’t help but feel jealous that they were allowed to stand up there with him.
As my father continued with his speech, I found myself searching the faces for the emerald eyed man from earlier. I smiled to myself when I noticed him, he wasn’t far from Sage and I. “You’re drooling,” Sage whispered as she elbowed me in my side.
I pushed her back. “No I’m not,” I whispered. As if on cue he turned around, his eyes sparkled as he saw me. He slowly moved his way through the crowd towards me. He stopped suddenly and I noticed his fangs were showing, he was glaring at something behind me. I furrowed my brows in confusion when I felt two strong hands drag me backwards. “What the hell, get off me!” I yelled, the crowd gasped at the interruption.
“Shh Princess, you’ll make it harder for yourself.” My mouth dropped open as I realised it was the blonde haired man from earlier. I was in big trouble.