It was six in the morning when my parents woke me up. I had gone back to bed after my little piano session. I struggled to flop out of bed.

"Catalina, come here." My mother whispered. Why was she whispering? And what was she holding in her hand?

"Huh?" I asked tiredly.

"I have something for you, to wear when we get to Romania." She held up a tiara. It was tiny, gold and had rubies and diamonds glittering all over it.

My eyes widened as she explained, "It was your mother's. And, when you get to Transylvania you must wear it. You will be meeting the vampire king, Eros."

I gingerly plucked it out of her hands.

"We are leaving for the flight in two hours. That should give you enough time to pack. Now go on and get packed." She shooed me away gently.

I walked out their door, still staring at the glimmering tiara. Walking down the hallway to my room I realized there was still a vampire in there… a guy one… sleeping… or changing.

I blinked myself back into thought, walking up silently to the door and knocking. There was the sound of feet shuffling across the carpet before the door knob twisted.

I took a breath.

He opened it, revealing that he was already dressed. He smiled and almost laughed at how I looked in the early hours of the morning. Then his eyes traveled down to the tiara I held delicately… and further down…

"I see your mother gave you the tiara." He noted.

I nodded.

"I suppose you need to get dressed and packed." he commented.

I nodded again. He slipped past me, touching my shoulder and proceeded to saunter down the hallway. I hesitantly walked into my room. I don't know why though. Maybe it was because he had been in here.

All was pristine as I walked through the doorway. He'd even made the bed.

I wasted no time getting ready, getting into the shower to wash my hair. I don't think it was such a good idea, not having clothes in the bathroom with me. I walked out—after scrunching my hair—in a towel. It only came to about mid thigh so I rushed to find an outfit.

Then, there was a knock at the door.

"Sweetheart?" It was my mother.

I quietly went over and opened the door just a crack, making sure it was her.

I let her in, she gazed about the room, making sure everything was pristine. She was satisfied.

"I suggest you wear a dress. Transylvanians aren't really into women wearing pants." I looked at her, rolling my eyes. It was too early in the morning to be learning more about this crazy situation.

She lifted an eyebrow with a look that said, 'just do it.' So, I did.

After about a half an hour of her packing and telling me what outfits she liked I figured out that my whole wardrobe was made up of dresses and skirts.

I was wearing a casual black dress. It hugged my curves and billowed out just above the knee. Taking a look in the mirror I spun around a little.

I heard my mom gasp quietly, just like she did when I came down the stairs before prom in my violet gown. My head whipped around.

"What? What is it?"

She stared at me for quite some time before stepping close to me. "Nothing it's just—nothing…"

"What? Tell me." I insisted.

She hesitated. "It's just, you look so much like your mother…" She drifted off before snapping back into reality. "Here, let me do your hair."

Before I could object she scraped my hair up messily into an up-do, letting little curls fall here and there. She pinned it up and we stared in the mirror for a long time.

I didn't see the difference, but my mom stared at me like I was a ghost.

She sighed, "The more I look at you now, the more I fear that the promise will be kept…"

"Mom." I snapped her out of it. "Mom I'm not going to go through with it."

She looked at me solemnly. "You may have no choice."

"Cat! Evie! We have to leave!" My dad shouted from outside the door.

"Alright!" My mom answered sounding a bit flustered. "Come on," she beckoned me.

We walked out the door with my carry-on bag. I rolled it down the hall, down the stairs and into the foyer. He was waiting for me. I wasn't happy to see a smirk creep across his face as I walked down the stairs.

My dad was right behind me. I could feel his death glare at Lucian.

As soon as I got down the stairs he walked over to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. I gasped a little, looking down at his hand on my hip.

"We better get going. Now." My dad's voice was strained and angry. He kept up his glare at Lucian, bumping his shoulder on the way out the front door. My mom followed, glancing back at us. The two other vampires took our carry-ons, piling them in the trunk. He led me over to the limosine, gently pushing me in by the small of my back. I watched on as my brothers stood at the front door, looking more than sad… distraught was more the word for it.

The ride was silent and grim. Somehow Lucian got a hold of my hand. He pulled me out of the limo, slipping his arm around my back again. The two guards took our three bags through luggage check and we went through the airport security. I felt everyone staring. However, Lucian chose to wear a normal black blouse today, with normal black pants. So they weren't staring at his strange attire. No, they were staring at the two of us together.

The people stared at Lucian and Catalina. It wasn't that they looked queer in their quite formal outfits. They looked regal together. They both had an air of royalty to them. Even though Catalina didn't know it, she was being gawked at by many.

There were jealous stares being exchanged, with Lucian's arm around her. People noticed these two walking around like they owned the place. He walked around like he owned her. And she, she let him control her.

They walked onto the plane. Even walking down the aisle to first class they were getting stares. There could have been celebrities on the plane and no one would have cared. Women were flustered by Lucian; men were awestruck by Catalina.

He let her have the window seat, so she could see her wonderful country once they arrived.

I sat uneasily beside Lucian. I felt him staring at me, gazing out the tiny window. All I saw was farms and mountains. Typical Vermont, made up of anything but cities. The only big city was the capitol, and even then, there were fewer people than most cities.

"Where did you go for that competition? When you came to eastern Europe?" I heard Lucian's smooth, deep voice beside me.

I looked at him for a second, my mouth open, trying to remember. "Uh… Slovenia."

He nodded, smiling and gazing at nothing in particular. "Ah, what you have seen there is nothing compared to your beautiful land, my princess."

I was worried he was being too loud and someone would hear him calling me a princess. I just hoped he wouldn't be too obvious. My parents glanced back at him from their seats in front of us.

There were a few moments of silence before his voice was heard again, trying to make conversation with me.

"You look beautiful. I am sure that my father will be delighted to see you, matured and ready to rule."

I stared back at him. He really thought I was going to rule.

"You actually think I am going to drop everything I've worked for in America to come to Romania, get bitten by you and rule by your side?" I kept my voice low, so my parents wouldn't hear. I knew they were straining to listen anyway.

He nodded arrogantly, "Yes, of course. You must carry on the promise your parents made. After you finish school, of course."

I couldn't stand the look on his face. Yes, he was undeniably handsome. He was the type of guy me and my friends would talk about at sleepovers, wishing for someone dark and mysterious to sweep us off our feet. But now that very guy that we had been describing since I was a freshman was sitting right next to me. And I wasn't falling in love. I was terrified.

I looked away, tears of stress filling up my eyes. I blinked them back, not wanting to subdue to my emotions while sitting next to him.

For the next few—or probably more than a few—hours all I saw was ocean. When we finally came upon the beaches of Spain I recognized the scenery below. The plane I had taken to Slovenia had passed over this—uhm—nude beach also…

And then, the moment of truth came… we touched down in Romania. Their airport looked no different than America's, maybe a little more dismal looking. There was a small city to the west and all farmland on the airport's east side, stretching out as far as the eye could see.

But we pressed on, getting our luggage. People still stared. Did they know who we were? Did anyone recognize me as their 'princess'?

We were picked up by yet another limo. I felt like a celebrity… either that or it was prom night all over again. Except now, my date was even better-looking, and definitely more dangerous. His arm—thank god—was finally somewhere other than my side.

The journey was bumpy and every bad pothole sent me almost into Lucian's lap. I grabbed for my father, who was seated beside me. His hand held on tightly to mine.

About three hours into our journey, going about fifty miles an hour (which is slow in America) we arrived in the region known as Transylvania. We traveled out of the tiny city and into the wilderness. We went through treacherous terrain and nearly ran off the road a few times. The Romanian mountains were huge to state it simply. They were awe inspiring, but terrifying at the same time… kind of like Lucian…

"Look," Lucian said simply, a little late in our journey.

I turned my head to look out the tinted window.

It was like we had traveled back in time. We were in a village, made of tiny hut-like houses with dulled orange terracotta roves. There were jagged mountains to our left and rights, making the village appear trapped. One side of mountains was visibly lower than the other.

"This is the village of Veschogy, it's just outside the borders of my castle. He pointed up to the mountains at the very end of the rows of homes. It encased the tiny village.

Then, I saw it. Their castle. It was enough to send shivers down my spine at the pure sight of it. It was made out of black stone. It looked gothic, but definitely not like your normal vampire castle. It wasn't exactly like the ones you saw in the Dracula movies. No, it was a little more contemporary… but not much.

We worked our way up the steep climb to their castle, which seemed to become one with the mountain formations. It was as if it had gradually sunk into the rocks during a span of time.

It took us another half an hour to reach the top, where their gates were. We got out. My mind started to race.

Was I really about to meet a vampire king? Was his son really intent upon marrying me? Would they be merciful or force me into this whether I liked it or not? What about my feelings?

"Don't be scared, honey," my dad voiced from beside me, "I'm right here." His voice was soft, as to imply that he didn't want Lucian to hear.

His hand squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

It wasn't reassuring.

He had no idea what I was going through.

Those vampires weren't looking at him as if they were in agonizing pain, not being able to bite into his flesh.

They were looking at me that way.

He wasn't the one being forced into marrying a vampire—or for that matter becoming one.

No, at that moment in time only I knew how I felt. No one could calm me down at this point. It was a lost cause.

We walked up the steps and Lucian heaved open the enormous doors. I couldn't control my fear as we stepped inside the giant foyer. Everything was dark. Even outside, the weather look, well, depressing.

My heart was racing as Lucian led us into what I thought was a throne room. I guess my Medieval History class has taught me something. I was correct.

We walked past two guards standing outside the doors. They bowed to him. But somehow I felt they were bowing to me. I shook the regal feeling off. There was no way I was going to be a queen. Especially not with him.

We all inhaled one last breath before walking through the door way. Then, we saw him. He was standing on a step leading up to his throne, talking to what I thought was some sort of advisor. His eyes flicked up, before widening and finally becoming excited. He pushed the worker aside, walking down the remaining steps towards us.

"Ah, there she is." He sounded just like Lucian, except older and wiser. His peppered hair only added to his overall appearance of wisdom. His jawbone was strong and prudent, unlike Lucian's, which was a bit softer looking. He appeared crueler than his son. I had no doubt he wasn't.

"My, my, how you have grown. You look like a true Havarti. A combination of both your parents'." He looked at me a little too strangly… a little too much like Lucian had last night.

My parents glared at him venomously.

"Please, let us sit." He guided us to a sitting room off of the throne room. We sat down on a couch, my parents and I. Lucian and his father sat at separate armchairs.

"Now, I understand all this must be shocking for you to find out, Catalina, but you must know that you have to fulfill the promise your human ancestors made to us years ago." His dark eyes ripped through me, seeing and sensing my fear.

My dad spoke for me.

"Eros, she is just a girl. She should not have to honor a pact made years ago. She has a life, a future. She's already been accepted to prestigious colleges." Berkley for piano and singing, The New York School of the Arts for ballet. "We have to consider her feelings. This isn't the dark ages." That was the first time I had heard my father speak with an accent in four years.

The king's face turned stone serious. "Are you suggesting that you break the promise for good? Because we have other ways of getting her to comply."

He looked at Lucian in a way that gave me chills.

"Please," my mother begged, "just let her live normally. Can't you gain power on your own? King Leo is not hard to overthrow."

A sly smile crept onto the king's face. "Yes, but there will be a great amount of resistance. We do not want resistance—."

"Vampires always like the submissive type," Lucian butted in. He stared extra hard at me while saying that. I tried to avoid his gaze. He knew I was the 'submissive type'. The saddening part was: I knew it too.

His father looked at him, smiling. "Yes, exactly, my son. We wish to take over somewhat peacefully… and I am sure everyone will appreciate a beautiful queen."

My eyes snapped up to his. He gave me a sympathetic look… I knew it was fake.

"Now, now, don't worry my dear, we will allow you to finish one last semester at your school. I am sure with your grades you will be able to graduate early, no?"

That was true. I just didn't want to admit it. I wanted to enjoy my senior year, go to graduation, wear a cap and gown, wear an honors student sash, party afterwards, and wake up the next day and party some more… you know, the regular eighteen year old stuff. I didn't want to get married.

"Yes but there are other pressing issues here. She is not prepared to marry at eighteen, or anything else." My father enforced those last words. What was that supposed to mean?

"Oh no, of course not. We would wait a while, say maybe a year? I am sure she will be mature enough by then, to be wed, to rule… maybe to bear children."

My eyes snapped over to him yet again. This time I spoke up, shaking my head a little. "You're crazy if you think I'm actually going to do that."

He chuckled darkly, "Hm, well then I guess I am crazy… because you have no choice."

"I—I have the right to chose anything I want… Y—you can't control me."

He smiled, making me uncomfortable again. "My dear, you may choose whatever you wish… but no matter what we will manage to find you. The world is getting smaller every day. It is not that hard to track someone."

Track me? Track me down like prey? These people really were animals.

I looked to my dad. His eyes were sorrowful, like he was already giving up and apologizing to me for not trying hard enough. My eyes told him to press on.

"Please, Eros, if you could only be reasonable—."

"Once the Dricarti make an agreement they stick by it, unlike the humans. We will ensure that the promise is fulfilled." His voice was demanding and assertive, if not forceful. It convinced me he meant business. There was no way I was getting out of this without a fight.

His voice almost made my parents immediately obey him. But I knew they were attempting to be strong.

"Yes but you are missing the point we are trying to make," my father went on, "she is an American girl, not fit for ruling a kingdom." I was slightly hurt by his words. Who said I couldn't try to learn some things?

Eros chuckled again, "I understand that, but once she is back in her homeland for good she will truly be a queen. I can guarantee that her royal genes will take over. Power is practically coursing through her veins. And, of course Lucian will be doing most of the political affairs."

"Now, I will have Lucian show you to your rooms for the night. Then, in the morning we will hold a dinner welcoming back the princess."

But where is my kingdom? Over the mountains? Far away from here?

Lucian got up, hold out his arm. Under his father's gaze I knew I had to take it, so I did. I saw him smile at us, like there was a spark. There was none.

We walked back into the foyer, going up one of the stairs on either side. My parents went a separate way.

"Your room is down that hall, third door on the right." My parents gave me one last sad look before proceeding down the other hallway.

I felt Lucian's hand pressing softly against my back, where it curved. He gently pushed me forward, and we made our way down the hall decorated with ancient antiquities. I saw old dusty pictures of his relatives and such.

"Here we are," he said pushing the door at the very end of the hallway open. My eyes popped open to what I saw. It was beautiful… but dark. Everything was dark: the wood, the bed sheets, the paint on the walls, the furniture. Everything.

"Your luggage is near the bed. I'm sorry I am sure you are hungry, it's just we don't think about food a lot." I noticed him looking a little too intensely at my neck when he said that. "I will send dinner up in a bit."

I nodded, still surveying the room. "Thank you."

He left me alone. And then the crying started.