Chapter 9

The Romanov quarters were exactly what I expected a vampires home to look like, I had barely walked through the door when I came face to face with a skull covered in dust and cobwebs. I rolled my eyes and let Vlad take my arm as we were led through to the dining room.

The huge table was covered in a black velvet table cloth with a vase of black roses in the middle and two ancient gothic candlesticks on either side. The servants pulled the chairs out for us and Alexander had Vlad and I sit on either side of the head chair, which of course being his house he sat in.

"I hope you don't mind if my family join us, but my daughter wished to meet his highness and I could hardly invite one member of my family without the rest."

Vlad inclined his head slightly to one of the servants who moved towards a door on the other side of the room to let in the two people from outside.

"You two lovely ladies are very welcome to join us, now how about some refreshment and a bite to eat before we start our discussions?"

"Wonderful idea, I have a special vintage saved for such an occasion, and just some normal wine for your companion. My dear is there any particular wine you would like? I may not be an expert but I'm sure my servants can find something to your liking."

I turned to the servant behind me as I spoke, thinking carefully as I preferred red wine but didn't want to risk getting it confused with the blood the others were drinking.

"Your finest bottle of rose will do perfectly. And am I correct in assuming that for dinner you had something blood related so I am afraid I will have to decline. Please do not take offence."

"Of course I am not offended! I would never expect a human to find our food to their taste so I took the liberty of ordering a pizza from one of your human companies."

"That is very kind of you, thank you."

The servant returned with the wine and filled my cup silently, and I gratefully took a sip while Vlad and Alexander started reminiscing about Vlad's father. I tried to pay attention but quickly got lost in the conversation.

I was sitting daydreaming about the shower earlier when Alexander's daughter leaned over to talk to me.

"What's it like living outside in the real world?"

I looked over at her shocked by her sudden question then quickly put a smile on my face as I replied.

"It's so much more colourful and full of life than you could possibly imagine. If we weren't constantly being attacked by each other or the vampires then it would be perfect. I already miss feeling the sun on my face or a nice warm summer's breeze."

I looked over to the young girl, who was now looking off into the distance, so I kept trying to describe the world I came from to her.

I eventually ran out of things to say and she turned and looked at e with an almost pained expression on her face.

"If only I could see it one day, it sounds beautiful."

"It is. What is your name by the way? And how old are you?"

"How rude of me, I am Lexi and I'm 16 in two days' time."

I sat chewing my lip for a second before I turned towards Vlad and Alexander.

"Please forgive me for interrupting but I was wondering if you would grant me permission to take your daughter out for a walk in the sun tomorrow and a small shopping trip as an early birthday present. I have missed the sun and I would enjoy some company."

"Why that is a splendid idea! I'm sure she would appreciate spending some time in the sun and she was saying just the other day she needed some new clothes. Take my credit card and I will have a servant drive you into town tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you so much father! If you will excuse me I would like to go to my room and chose an outfit then have an early night."

"Of course my dear."

Lexi jumped up from the table and gave her father a brief kiss on the cheek before she ran from the room with a smile on her face. I turned to Vlad with a smile as I sipped some more of my wine, and he winked in response.

"Now that we have finished dinner would you two kindly join me in the next room to discuss business and we shall let my darling wife go see my daughter to bed."

We all rose and I thanked Mrs Romanov for her hospitality before we moved through to what appeared to be the living room.

Two hours later we finally finished discussing my plan for peace and Vlad and I were able to make our excuses. The moment we entered our chambers I pulled Vlad back towards the bed, barely giving him enough time to lie down before I curled up against him and fell asleep, completely exhausted after the nights events and preparing for the day yet to come.