Chapter 3
Dominic yawned for what seemed like the millionth time that night. While his brothers successfully avoided coming tonight, his father refused for him to stay away.
"You will go to that ball tonight and gave me a daughter-in-law! And make some grandchildren while you're at it!"
He winced at remembering and tried his best to phase out the crowd of giggling girls that surrounded him. All of them wore masks and were covered with many different kids of perfume that made him want to gag.
Dominic looked over his shoulder at his father who sat on the large throne at the end of the ballroom.
His father had been watching him like a hawk and was occasionally scanning the crowd of women.
No doubt looking for a woman who can give him plenty of grandchildren.
Dominic sighed and made his way thru the crowd of woman to reach the food table when a sight at the top of the stairs stopped him in his tracks.
…..
Leave at midnight… leave at midnight…
Celina played the words over and over again in her head as the only reminder she had. All week her stepmother and sister were talking and she was glad she overheard when the ball was going to end. She was even more thankful for the trail thru the forest that led to the castle.
The ball gown Celina wore was a deep blue that brought out her eyes magnificently. The skirt fell to the floor and the sleeves flared out to give her arms air to breath. The matching slippers were a perfect fit and it was just a blessing to have a large butterfly mask. She kept her hair down; as it was the only way she knew it would look nice enough.
After a fifteen-minute walk, she reached the castle and walked up the large staircase that led to the ballroom.
As she reached the top of the stairs, she started shaking and nerves finally hit.
Just breath..
Celina reached the top of the stairs and her breath caught in her throat.
The ballroom was huge. People were dancing and laughing with joy. Those who weren't dancing were still smiling and talking. A large food table was laid out that reached the ends of the room, full of many delights that teased Celina's nose.
Still shaking, Celina started walking to the bottom of the stairs. She was aware of many people looking at her and she hoped it was because she was the last one to enter the room.
On the dance floor, Celina looked around and saw her family over by the food. Luckily, they didn't seem to notice her or recognize her.
Of course my father would forget this dress was my mothers.
Celina shook her head in shame at her father.
Before she could turn to look more around, she felt a gently hand rest on her shoulder.
"Dance with me."
She turned and gasped.
The man in front of her was gorgeous. His black hair was slicked back. His face was covered with a bat mask but the dark mask brought out his bright green eyes.
All Celina could do was nod and take his hand to the dance floor.
As they danced, there eyes never left each other. No one else even seemed to exist.
….
King Leon sat back in his seat, defeated. All these lovely girls and his son never looked at any of them.
Will I ever have any grandchildren?
"Sire!" A servant cried, running to the throne.
"Not now!" The King snapped. "I'm busy looking for my son's bride."
"But sire! Look at the dance floor!"
King Leon's head snapped to the dance floor. He thought his eyes would explode.
Dominic was dancing with a young lady. And a vary beautiful young lady, she was.
King Leon cried out with happiness and swung the servant into an embrace that nearly made the servant faint.
"YAHOO!" The king cried, swinging the servant around.
"Your majesty!" The servant cried in his arms.
King Leon came back to reality and realized that many people were staring at him.
He quickly recovered himself and leaned in to the servant.
"Who is that woman?"
"I have no idea, sire!"
"Well find out!" He cried, shooing the servant away. "Can't plan the wedding without knowing who she is!"
As soon as the servant sped off, King Leon sat in his throne, humming to himself with a smile on his face.
…
Celina lost herself in the eyes of her dance partner. It wasn't until the music changed that she noticed everyone staring at them.
She turned red and looked at him with a smile.
"I guess you're a vary noticeable person for everyone to stare."
He smiled back at her. "Or maybe your just that beautiful and they think I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
Celina smiled and blushed as their dancing led them out to the garden. After a few moments, dancing turned into walking, and Celina had her arm wrapped in his as they strolled thru the garden.
"Tell me your name." He asked after a moment.
She giggled. "That's the second time you've told me to do something rather than ask."
He turned slightly red. "I apologize. I'm use to just getting all my answers when I ask for them." He smiled at her. "But not from you. You're a complete mystery to me."
"Yes, but then you wouldn't have fun trying to figure out who I am."
He laughed at her. "True. So lets play twenty questions."
"Ten" Celina said.
He thought for a moment. "Ok… Do you live near the castle?"
"Yes."
They reached a bench and he invited her to sit next to him. "Ok… Do I know your parents?"
"I don't think so. My family can be social but only when it benefits them."
"I see… sounds like most of the nobles here."
Celina nodded and turned her attention to the fountain.
"So… Are you royalty?"
Celina laughed. "Hardly!"
His eyes scanned her, head to toe. "You looked like you could be."
Celina blushed. "This dress belonged to my mother. She passed away when I was young."
He nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. My own mother passed away as well."
Celina felt another pull between them. It was nice knowing someone who had something in common with her.
"So…" He said again, breaking the silence. "Have you ever been to a ball like this before?"
She shook her head. "No. This is my first ball."
He gave her a confused look. "Why is that? We usually have them almost all the time."
"My family never lets me go. They don't even know I'm here."
Anger appeared in his eyes. "Why do they deny you something so small as to go to a ball?"
Celina sighed. "I ask myself that all the time. And I still don't know the answer."
They were silent for a moment and Celina looked away, trying to fight the sadness that threatened to take over.
Celina felt his hand slide under her chin and he brought her face to his.
"Would you like to kiss me?" He whispered.
Celina turned red and felt the blood leave her face.
"Would you like to?" He whispered again.
Celina nodded and allowed him to lean in and capture her lips.
Celina was in heaven. For the first time in years, Celina felt love. And it was all thru a simple kiss.
They pulled back and she looked deep in his eyes.
Then she saw the fangs…
She quickly jumped and took a step away from him.
"You're a vampire?"
He took a step towards her. "Yes. I wont hurt you."
Celina stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm sorry." She flushed in embarrassment. "I never met a vampire before."
He chuckled and nodded. "I understand. Our existence still surprises many."
Celina looked away to hide her shame. This was the first person to show her any kindness and she repaid him with that attitude. She couldn't believe herself.
He walked up to her and took her in his arms.
"I am not offended by what you did. I can't blame you for how you reacted if you never even met my kind before."
"I still shouldn't have reacted like that. There's no excuse for it."
He chuckled and buried his face in her hair.
"You are just too good to be true." He mumbled.
Celina smiled. "I was about to say the same thing to you."
He leaned back and claimed her lips again. Celina closed her eyes in bliss as his lips trailed passed her lips to her neck.
She never even refused his fangs as they ran down her neck.
"Mine…" He whispered, and his fangs pierced her skin.
Celina moaned and her arms wrapped around his neck.
She heard from many tales that a vampire's kiss was deadly and was never enjoyable. But this proved them all wrong. Celina felt nothing but bliss.
After a moment, he pulled back to look into her eyes.
Then the clock chimed midnight.
Celina jumped and looked at the large clock in the garden.
"It's midnight!"
He looked at her, confused. "Yes it is."
"I'm sorry!" She cried, snatching her hand away. "I have to go!"
He quickly snatched her hand back before she could run. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Uh…" She fumbled for an excuse when an idea popped in her head. "The prince! I haven't met the prince yet!"
He looked even more confused, "the prince? But didn't you know-"
The clock chimed again.
She snatched her hand away.
"Goodbye!" She cried, running for the exit.
"Wait!" He screamed, but Celina never stopped. She had to leave quickly to beat her family home.
She quickly pushed her way thru the crowd of people, apologizing as she went. Behind her, she also heard the pursuit of the man she danced with. Celina would have given anything to have time to explain herself, but she didn't have that kind of time.
…
Dominic couldn't believe his luck. He finally found his bride, even marked her, and she was running away from him!
He almost had her at the doors to the garden, but the large crowd of people kept him from caching her. Before he could grab her, he was flocked with all the single women.
He groaned and tried to break away from them, but none of them would leave him alone.
"MOVE!" He screamed. Quickly, they all jumped and moved out of his way.
But it was too late.
By the time he reached the stairs, the lady was gone. No carriage was there, nothing.
He growled low in this throat and looked towards the ground where something caught his eye.
A beautiful Blue high-heeled shoe sat just a few steps below him. He picked it up and he knew instantly by the color it belonged to his bride.
"I will find you..." He whispered to the wind, hoping that just maybe, she would hear him.
….
Celina was panting halfway down the trail to her house. She knew she had a good head start on her family, as they have to wait for their carriage to get them from the front.
Sadly, she noticed she lost her shoe while running out of the castle.
Walking, Celina smiled at the memories. The man she was with would be with her forever.
"I'll bet even the prince himself wasn't as handsome." She muttered.
She smiled and quickly walked home to change before her family got home.
…..
The idea that she didn't know whom the prince was is an idea I got from the Disney version of Cinderella. I love the look on her face when she finds out who he is.
More to come soon!
