Chapter 1- The Entrance

"Wow, this is beautiful! I just love the palace. You get to come here everyday, Dad!", I sighed dreamily as I managed to stumble forward across the pathway of the palace courtyard. It was so beautiful there. It was probably on of the most beautiful places in the world.

My father was the King's consult on everything in his life. His best friend, if it were. So he practically lived with the King. In this amazing palace.

My parents were probably the wealthiest and most influential people in the entire kingdom, second in command to the actual royal family.

In case you're wondering, I'm Desiree Westlake. A bubbly, eccentric, impulsive 17 year old.

Normal?

I don't think you'd call vampires normal, right?

That's right, vampires.

We were now in the palace for a grand ball organized by the royal family in celebration of the prince turning 18. He would now be more responsible, sensible, a better leader and best of all, he would get married in a little while. He would soon be king.

Due to my father's connections with royalty, I had personally met the prince once, when we were children. And I must say, after how I threw a tantrum and smacked him hard, it's no surprise my father never let me play with the royals again. And so I grew up, not even knowing how the prince looked. Most girls in the kingdom were convinced that they were in love with the prince, despite not being able to even see his face. This was like his first official public appearance.

Yes, we grow up. Technically, I only grew because I was still a half vampire. My parents and every person in the kingdom above 18 years of age were full vampires. The children have to be turned completely when they're 18. The day I was dreading because a full vampire was far more blood crazed during the initial stages. I had to be turned by my father or preferably by the love of my life. But since the day was a year away, I was trying not to dwell too much on it.

As for the love of my life part, I was 100% sure that wouldn't ever happen. I'm NOT romantic or even over emotional. I was a hot head and impulsive but I was more logical and sensible than most.

I'd liked to think that I was strong, bold, extroverted, confident and fun. I was very tidy and neat and organized. And I threw tantrums because of my fierce and raging temper. So that made me a very difficult person to understand and to live with, and honestly, I don't know how my parents survived.

So here I am; gorgeous, skinny frame, wavy dark brown hair, sparkling jade eyes, creamy white skin, rosy lips and a firm and confident vibe around me. I knew I was pretty, after being told so, repeatedly by many. Now, dressed in a beautiful black chiffon gown that just flowed off my frame like a black rivulet, I was told that I looked drop-dead gorgeous. But that didn't make my snobby like the girls who believed that the universe essentially revolved around them.

The ballroom of the palace was decorated in rose petals and pearls. The rich hues of red, crimson and plum mixed with the delicates tones of the silvery gold of the pearls. Everything, right from the carpets and drapes to the silverware and glasses, were chosen with loving care and excellent taste. I knew the royals did these themselves and was just thrilled to be there. The king and queen were frozen at the age of 28 or something because they both looked like they'd stepped out of a fashion magazine.

That's one good thing about immortality. And now the prince would be frozen at 18 and so would I. But I focused on the other things in the room like the artistic attention to detail and the architectural delicacy of the ballroom.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the star of the evening, to whom we owe this honor to…..please welcome my son, Arsenio Kenneth Rivera", the whole crowd of guest erupted into applause in anticipation of their beloved prince. I was faced away from the grand stairwell; I was not really interested in this. I just came to enjoy the royal food and drink. And to see the palace again. Not for some self-absorbed prince.

Though the sheer enthusiasm and excitement of the guests surprised me but I refused to turn and look. Look into the face that has been hidden for 18 years. To look into the most wanted person in the entire vampire world.

I just faced my back to him and stood, fixing my gaze outside the window. Suddenly, there was silence all around. No cheering, no clapping. Just silence. I glanced to see that the guests were backing away from me. Backing away slowly and softly, their gazes fixed on something behind me. Everyone. Even my parents, with a mask of fear on their faces. I got the feeling that I was being watched from behind. My skin crawled with discomfort as I tried to resist the urge to turn around and ultimately gave in. My breath came out ragged and my heart began to hammer against my chest. I was close to trembling.

I turned around slowly, gracefully. Not intending to show off my elegance but because I was gripped with terror. The nervous butterflies beat against the walls of my stomach. I had no idea what was going on. But something told me I should be afraid. Afraid for my life.

Was it what I think it was?

Oh damn it, yes!

Behind me stood, looking more like a Greek god than a vampire, the prince himself! I tried desperately not to take in that amazing physique, lean, muscular and chiseled but streamlined, lithe and sleek, like a panther; pale pale skin; perfect features; lovely soft light brown hair cut short; and those eyes. The most spectacular, magnificent and furiously blazing grey-blue eyes I'd ever see in my entire immortal life.

Perfection redefined.

"You", he seethed in a voice so divine and yet so poisonous. His amazing features were set in ferocious rage.

"Y-y-our Maj-jesty, uh…" I stammered, unable to take my eyes off his glory. I paused for what seemed like an eternity and then brightly said, "Hi!".

At this, the entire petrified crowd burst into laughter, including the royal family. This seemed to break the ice and everyone got into the party mood. The royals went about greeting everyone and all the guests began to eat and drink and generally have a good time.

But me….

But us…

We just stood frozen in the same spot. I stared into his eyes, revealing no emotion. And he stared into mine with anger that had reduced considerably. Great! I lived.

"How dare you disrespect me!" he murmured in that silken voice I longed to hear. "Tonight was one of the most important nights in my immortal life and you ruined it! With your stubborn arrogance", he snapped.

"You seemed to form an opinion of me already and you've known me for what, 10 seconds?" I yelled back. There's something to be said about pig-headedness. I didn't care that he was a royal. I said what I had to say.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with. I am Arsenio Kenneth Rivera, your future king", he said with pride and the residual anger.

"No, you have no idea who YOU'RE dealing with. I am Desiree Westlake, the guest who doesn't give a damn", I said with equal flourish.

We stood there, so much tension and ferocity between us; I thought we would rip each other's head off. Thankfully, the king intervened.

"I see you've met Desiree, Richard's daughter", the king laughed, patting Arsenio on the shoulder.

"I must say, young lady, you make quite an entrance. Better than the prince's on his own special day!", the king laughed. I immediately liked him. He was very nice and knew how to take a joke, unlike his very beautiful but very proud son, who still stood glowering at me.

The king glanced between Arsenio and me and chuckled. "Well, I'll leave you two to it" and he went off.

Our eyes shot daggers at each other as Arsenio and I walked cautiously off the centre of the dance floor. We kept glaring at each other until I suddenly felt an electric current passing through me. Just rushing through every single cell, cruising in my veins and fizzing in my blood.

I broke our staring contest and touched my arm in surprise. There was no current that I could feel. Then what was that? I glanced over myself in wonder.

"What's wrong?", Arsenio asked, seeing me so confused.

"I can-I can feel some sort of like current or something in me, but I only feel it inside. It's so strange", I said, looking up at him.

"Ah, that can easily be explained, right Alex?", he said a little loudly. He pointed a cute looking guy about his age, farther behind me. Alex Rivera smiled and waved at me. And he hurried off before his brother could say or do anything rash.

"What was that about?" I asked, turning back to Arsenio.

"Alex's special ability is to make someone have the feeling of electricity passing through them. He can change the intensity and make it really painful. But he mainly uses it to show cupid", Arsenio shook his head.

"Cupid?", I asked, not understanding.

"When you're in love, you get that same feeling. So Alex uses it on anyone when he wants to show that cupid's struck there. Like…..", and he motioned between us.

I rolled my eyes and made a gagging noise.

This absolutely enraged Arsenio and he lunged towards me, "Why you little….". The kind gently pulled me away and asked me to dance which I was glad to do.

Huh, Arsenio thought he ruled the world or something. Well, he did, but that's not the point. The point was that he was just a pretentious pompous idiot. And that made the ladies think he was all the more attractive. I thought it just made him snooty. I just hated Arsenio. Just HATED him. Then why was I still thinking about him? Go figure.