Chapter 14
“Wow…” Mindy spoke my thought aloud, practically skidding to a stop after bursting through the door. She paused, just staring, then drew closer, walking slower, like she was in awe of the dress. Or maybe she was in awe of me. Maybe, for the first time, she really saw me as a princess – because I felt like one. Stood like one. “Wow,” she repeated, coming up next to me, so we both watched my reflection in the mirror.

Mom joined us, too, stepping up behind me and placing her hands on my bare shoulders. I saw that she, too, thought I looked beautiful. Different. “You are going to take Lucius’s breath away,” she promised.

I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want to sound vain. How could I explain that I knew I wasn’t a “pretty” girl – but that in that moment, I felt like the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth?

The top of the dress fit me like a glove, accentuating the curves that Lucius had helped me to embrace, before sweeping away into a full, snow-white train. But the bodice wasn’t pure white, like a traditional gown. It was overlaid with black silk so delicate, so gossamer, that it created an effect like a lovely, soft, dove-gray mist swirling around me.

That detail, alone, might have been enough to make my wedding dress unconventional. But I had wanted more than just a different gown. I had wanted a dress that spoke to who I’d been in the past – that virginal girl – and also the woman, the ruler, whom I knew I was becoming. And so I’d instructed the tailor to add a cascade of black, hand-beaded, lace flowers and leaves, twining like a wild vine across my body. A dark, dramatic touch that symbolized, to me, what Lucius called the “dark side of nature,” which I had joined when he had first made me a vampire, and which I was destined to rule with him…

In the mirror, I met my own eyes – dark and dramatic, too, thanks to Mindy – and I believed that my mom might just be right. I really might take Lucius’s breath away, as I’d hoped.

The mirror also reflected a window across the room, and I noticed that the light was fading outside. Vampires might already be gathering in whatever secret place Lucius had chosen for the ceremony. And I was almost ready, save for one thing…

All at once, the silence that had fallen over the room was interrupted by a knock on the door that led to the hallway, and, forgetting my dress for a moment – forgetting that Mom and Mindy were there to do things like open doors for the bride – I hurried to answer the summons.

Swinging open the door, I found the person whom I’d anticipated – dreaded, in a way – waiting for me. Throat suddenly tight, I nodded for him to enter, knowing that the servant wouldn’t really need any instruction.

And as I’d expected, he walked directly, wordlessly, to a small table and set down the silver tray that he carried.

Then, still without saying a word, he retreated to wait outside while I performed the first ritual of my wedding. The one that frightened me most.

Continue to Chapter 15...