April 29, 1813
We waltz in perfect sync as I allow Nik to lead me across the ballroom floor. I'm surprised by his eloquent dancing, it's not what you'd expect from such a strong and well built man.
It's weird to say, even in my thoughts, that he's more graceful than me. But it's the truth and I'm sure everyone else can see it too.
This is so embarrassing!
I also can't help but feel an overwhelming sensation to get even closer to Nik as our hands mold together. His grasp is slightly warm and reassuring like he would catch me if I were to fall.
Suddenly, the song slows down as our footsteps meet its pace. The world around us feels so distant and time seems to drag on slowly.
"Was I just dancing with the...king?" I ask in a low mumble already knowing the answer.
"Angel, you cannot speak to him for he is far worse than I." he whispers into my ear before spinning me out of his grasp and disappearing. How convenient, now I can't ask the questions that are buzzing around in my head. What a headache!
So, is the king a vampire? How is that even possible? I refuse to believe that. But what reason would Nik have to lie to me?
Maybe he was jealous of him! He did dance with me! Usually, if not the father, the groom has the first dance with the bride.
"Eva!" I snap my head to see Vera waving me over, where she is talking to a group of pristine girls around our ages.
"Hello." I smile once I'm standing next to Vera.
They all stare as Vera introduces me. "This is Evangeline Klein, as you know, the wife of my brother. Eva, this is Margaret Charles, Polly Johnson and Fiona James."
They each look me up and down before resuming the conversation like I wasn't even there. Classic, pompous, rich girls.
Vera shoots me an apologetic look before joining in on the conversation. Not liking how isolated and betrayed I felt, I walk towards an empty hall to escape the herd of dancing and endless chatter.
"Angie." A voice calls to me as I take a seat on a marble bench in the wide hallway. I look up expecting to see Nora, Nik's mom, but I'm surprised to find the King standing before me leaning against a marble column.
Why was he calling me Angie? I didn't tell him to or anything. We barely exchanged a few words, let alone any nicknames. Maybe he knew the same woman Nora knew, who had my name.
With what Nik said still fresh in my mind I start standing up to avoid a long encounter. I give him a small nod and bow before attempting to make my way back to the ballroom.
But a firm grip on my arm pulls me back into the hallway and seats me at the bench once more.
The King then takes a seat beside me, his figure was so tall that it hid my entire body from view.
Now no one will know I'm here...great. I subconsciously roll my eyes knowing this isn't going to end well if Nik finds out.
I meet his stern gaze and open my mouth to speak but quickly shut it when his face looks angry and...hurt?
"Why do you not wish to speak to your King?" He asks with mock sadness.
"I was instructed not." It slips from my mouth before I could stop myself.
"Really?" He asks, more to himself then to me. Although he, clearly, appears amused.
"Your highness, I just wanted to catch my breath for a second. But I'm feeling much better now and I would like to return to the ballroom. What kind of hostess would I be if I stayed here?"
My voice is laced with courage and respect. I fake a smile and begin to stand but I am blocked from leaving once more.
"Oh, please. No one shall notice." He reassures me patting my back which sends fearful shivers down my spine.
"But surely they will notice if you're gone, you are their King after all." Ohhhh I got him there.
He starts laughing and says, "You're a witty one, Angie. Just as expected."
"Your highness, please refrain from calling me Angie for my name is Evangeline." I order, hating the way he says Nora's nickname for me.
"Pardon me, Angie, but you can not order the King around. I will do what I went, when I want, and with whoever I want. So keep quiet you little orphan girl."
"You are not my King. I don't even know what your name is. That's how orphans are taught in the orphanages you built. To not know anything of the outside world besides where the hell we are on a map. I'm an outcast never truly belonging in society. So, pardon me, sir, but my name is Evangeline not Angie."
I snap like a freaking twig. I don't even care, though, if this guy is worse than Nik then he probably deserves it.
"Clearly...you are nothing like her." Who on bloody earth is he
comparing me to?!
Suddenly a strong palm struck the side of my face. His slap was so strong that I fell onto the cold marble floors due to the impact. My cheek stung as I place my hands to push me up from the floor.
I stop half way when I feel his figure hovering over me and then a slightly smaller figure moves from the shadows grabbing me by the waist to lift me up.
I look up expecting to see Nik but instead I see that it is Mac who lifted me up. He nods to the king and walks off slightly pushing the small of my back.
I can tell that I probably have a pink mark on my cheek so I keep my head down as we walk through the ballroom towards the drawing room.
We walk in and I refuse to let the tears escape my eyes. "Eva are you okay?" He asks concerned.
"Yes I'm fine. Just a little shocked that is all." I say nodding my head to convince myself as I pat my beautiful dress trying to get any specks off of it.
That's when I spot a pair of red glowing eyes and I immediately know who they belong to. "Nik?" I say sounding a little too whiny.
"Mac leave us, please." He asks and Mac immediately disappears. No literally, he vanishes. Why is everyone so weird in this place? I wonder.
"Mac told me what happened." He says suddenly in front of me his red eyes visible once more. They held a lot of anger in them and another emotion I can't quite catch.
He rubs his thumb on the cheek where I was hit and I wince. He quickly drops his hand to place it on my waist so I won't leave.
"How do you know about it? I've been with Mac since it happened and he didn't say a word."
"He doesn't have to."
"So...is he like you?"
"Yeah he's a vampire." He says nonchalantly.
"R-really? Nice?" I say trying not to sound fearful. I remember how he saved me from the King and from falling earlier in the ballroom.
"Why is he protecting me?" I ask nervously.
"He's my best friend and one of the only people I can trust. I told him to since I can't always be with you." He places his other hand on my chin.
"Okay but isn't he like a prince? And no offense but you're just a Duke."
"Yeah, well, he owes me. Plus, he's not the crown prince anyways." His face obviously said that he didn't want to talk about Mac anymore. So I kept quiet.
"I'm sorry." He said removing his hand from my chin and only then I notice how close we were. My heartbeat picks up and I begin to feel warm where his other hand is placed around my waist.
"It's okay." I say avoiding eye contact as I feel myself blush.
"Why did you talk to him?" He tells me angrily and I push him away.
"I tried okay! But he wanted to talk to me." I growl truthfully.
"About what?" He asks and I sigh happily knowing that he believes me.
"Um...I don't know. We never got to that part. I kind of got...well... its not important."
The door of the drawing room bursts open and the girl that was wearing the white dress looked at me hatefully.
"Niki, I've been looking for you everywhere." She says in a thick British accent, so she did know about the tradition that only the bride wears white. How rude!
She was wearing a satin white strapless dress with diamonds around the waist. It looked like a freaking wedding dress!
I hear Nik grunt behind me obviously not happy seeing her.
"Alexandra, I see your well."
I looked to see that she was beyond well, she was gorgeous. A weird feeling filled me and my cheeks reddened with anger. She looked like a Greek goddess with her small dark brown curls, perfectly tanned skin, and mischievous dark blue eyes.
She was also like five inches taller than me with really long legs. How can I tell? Well her 'wedding' dress had a slit down the right side.
She walks towards Nik and places a kiss on his...lips! Wait what?!
Nik immediately pulls away with a look of disgust on his face. "What was that?!" He yells.
"I know you like it after all you did a couple weeks ago." She said shooting me a look of satisfaction, then she turns and walks out swaying her hips seductively.
"Um..." Nik shot me a nervous look as I contemplated grabbing his piano and throwing it at him.
But I physically can't do that so I look over to where his self portrait was above the fireplace. That's when I see that it's been replaced by the painting I drew tonight.
I blush at it suddenly feeling like he deserves a chance to explain himself. I look to him signaling for him to better start talking.
"Alexandra was my fiancé."
