Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29

Chapter 29 CHAPTER 29
SERA'S POV

“Pass me that brush please,” Morgause told the maid, whom I had learnt her name was Stella. She, and Ivana were assisting in getting me ready today, and I sat down, letting them style my hair in a million ways.

“A ball,” Stella said for the millionth time, holding the brush to her chest. “Can you believe it? I couldn't when I heard.”

“Yes, that is why you are still holding on to the brush,” Morgause scolded. Ivana snickered beneath her breath. “What do you want to see?”

Was that for me?

“Um, I am not going exactly sure,” I replied Stella. “I have not had a ball thrown in my honour before.”

Stella”s eyes widened. “It's like a dream come true. Tell me, there must be something you want to see.”

I bit my lips. “Maybe everyone would wear the same colour?” I shrugged.

“The visiting guests will wear the colour of their kingdoms,” Ivana whispered, her eyes down. I looked at her through the mirror, holding my tongue.

“I didn't know that,” I said. “Maybe um, you guys can come.”

“Oh can we?” Stella asked. “That would be so amazing.”

“You forget your place,” Ivana hissed. “We cannot attend.”

Stella’s face fell and I wanted to scream at Ivana. “Alright Ladies, you can excuse us now,” Morgause said, breaking the awkward silence. I waited till the door closed behind them before I spoke.

“Ivana,” I began, “she's quite something. How long has she been here?”

“Almost as long as I have,” Morgause replied. I stepped into the gown she held up, and turned around so she could fasten it. “She’s one of the oldest maids here.”

Wow. “She certainly does not look like it,” I muttered beneath my breath. “Is she always like that with everyone?”

“Well, she has been through a lot and she knows a lot, so she only opens up to people she likes,” Morgause winked.

So I had to earn her trust. Maybe, If I invite her to my room, and she could tell me stories, or I tell her stories. Or I could get the kings to get me a gift, so I could give her. Or maybe—

“You are going to be late for breakfast,” Morgause snapped, making me look up. I was wearing a simple blue dress that flowed to the ground, with lace sleeves and my hair was in a French braid. “Hurry along now,” she said, pushing me out of my room.

The two guards standing outside my door bowed down, and I waved back. At least now, I knew the directions to the dining hall.

The castle was busy this morning. I watched servants move fast, a man holding an unnatural amount of flowers, a woman giving sharp instructions, her voice cutting through the air. The hallway towers were covered with decorations, so many colours and I stood sucking it all in.

Five days. Five days before this castle was full of people, all in my honour to celebrate me. Well, not exactly to celebrate me, more like to welcome me but still.

The perfect opportunity, where Vampires would come from all parts, a chance for me to look for Elena, and to begin my plans.

“Oof,” I wheezed as someone slammed into me, causing me to fall down. When I looked up, Viora breezed into the dining room, not bothering to apologize to me.

That bitch. I thought Lucian banned her from coming this way. The three kings would already be inside, I knew. My chest tightened as I stood, remembering the last time I was close to the kings.

Keep your head clean Sera.

I walked into the dining room, and sure enough, they were there. Dante and Lucian sat in their thrones, their gaze finding mine the minute I stepped into the room. I felt my face heat up, but I sat down between Caspian and Althea.

“You look beautiful,” Caspian said, standing and pulling my chair for me. I blushed furiously, muttering nonsense as I sat down.

Dante’s gaze dropped to my chest, even as I still felt the cold sharp stare of Lucian’s eyes. Caspian was staring at me too, and I tried to clear my throat, embarrassed. Do they… talk about what I do with them?

Fuck, they probably think I am so easy, begging them to touch me. I looked up from my plate, meeting Dante’s eyes. A small smirk lined his lips as he lifted the gold glass to them. Lucian looked bothered, like there was something wrong. I adjusted my sleeve, confused.

“How’s your progress now?”

What? I snapped out of Dante’s gaze, turning to Althea. “Sorry, I did not hear you.”

“I asked, how your progress is now,” she repeated nicely. "

Oh. “Still the same, I guess,” I murmured, stabbing my food.

“Are you just in the castle for fancy?” Viora scoffed. “To eat and drink and pretend you're special?”

“I think if there's anyone here for show, it's you,” Caspian snapped, before I could respond to her.

Athena bursts into laughter as Viora’s mouth falls open. I chuckled, raising my fork to my mouth but stopping when I noticed Lucian and Dante were more focused on me.

“There's so much heat here,” Althea laughed, fanning herself. “Even Lucian’s cold doesn't help.”

I cleared my throat.

“How are the preparations for the ball?” Lucian asked, leaving forward.

“I don't know,” I shrugged. “I saw the decorations though, they looked nice. I guess I'll just show up,” I replied.

“Do you have someone special you'd like to invite?” Dante inquired.

Oh that was true. “Caspian,” I turned to him, touching his shoulders.

He turned to me, his eyes red. Black veins crawled underneath them. “The ball is black and green,” he screamed, “he is green.”

“What's going on?” I cried, pushing away. I turned to everyone else on the table, seeing that they were all pale. “What's wrong with him?”

“It's wearing away,” Althea whispered. “The effects of your blood, it's wearing off him.”

So all I had to do is give him more blood. I turned to him, ready to offer when his words the last time we spoke came to my mind. He asked me not to, not until I have learned how to control my powers.

Before I could decide, Caspian got up, pushing the table away.

Lucian blurred to his front. “Caspian, breathe,” he said.

I got up and tried to touch him, but Dante blurred standing in front of me. “Lead me,” he said, tugging on my hand.

I stood there frozen, not understanding what was going on. “I said lead me,” he hisses again, turning back to look at me. I flushed, finally understanding what he meant.

As I followed Dante out of the dining hall, he spoke into my mind.

“Why do you look so flushed? I didn't realize you could be kinky.”

My face burned as his smirk grew. As I opened my mouth to reply, a large crash came from the dining hall.

I spun around, seeing Lady Viora running out, screaming and Althea was closely behind her. Lucian pinned Caspian to the wall, both their fangs were out the dining hall a mess.

“Shit,” Dante hissed, letting go of my hand. “Follow Althea, go for your training,”he instructed. He walked back there, ignoring my calls and then, shut the door behind them.