Hope you all had a good New Years! I know I did :) well, here is chapter 14! Enjoy :3
For the first couple of days, we took things pretty easy. Then Darren's trial came to order.
"Vanessa! Get up, now!" a familiar voice hissed, shaking me. I smacked their face. They grabbed my arm and slung me over their shoulder. "You really need to stop that." Larten grumbled. I groaned. "Put me down! I wanna sleep!" I whined.
"No, Vanessa. We need to go to Darren's trial and it is your duty as a Princess to attend and help pass judgment." He chided, pushing open the doors to the Hall of Princes.
I groaned. "Put me down. We can reschedule later!" I complained as he walked down the aisles. I heard giggles. He placed me on my throne. I glared at him. He looked at Paris. "I apologize, Vanessa has slacked off with her manners." He said. Darren snorted. "What manners?" he muttered. A few vampires laughed to themselves. I sighed.
Then, we began.
"As you all know, court has come to order on the subject of our newest member, Darren Shan." Paris began. I began to get nervous. "You also know that young Darren is underage." He declared. My stomach dropped. I looked at Darren. He looked worried. I smiled reassuringly at him.
"Now we must decide whether or not we should make an exception or not." He said. My breathing went a little out of whack. This is my best friend they're talking about. He was like a brother to me. "It would be safest if he was taken care of, but if you would rather test him, he can prove he's worthy."
Everyone was silent. "All in favor of disposal?" he asked. Over half the room raised a hand. My heart sank. I gripped my throne as though it was what was keeping my soul attached to this earth. I could feel the tears welling up. I took a deep breath and stood. "Wait." I said quietly.
Everyone's eyes turned to me. "I have to admit, my statement may be biased, but Darren Shan is one of the bravest half-vampires I've ever seen." I said. A vampire stood and cleared his throat. "If I may, Princess." He said. I nodded. He sighed. "How can we trust your word? We haven't seen or heard much of this boy. He can't even legally drink." He said. I shrugged.
"If it weren't for Darren, I wouldn't be here. I would have died almost 4 years ago." I said simply. I looked at Darren who was smiling weakly at me. I looked at the vampires. "Darren is worthy. I'd go as far to say he'd make a hell of a Prince as well. But we won't know that if you don't give him a chance." I finished. I sat and looked at Paris. He nodded at looked at them.
"All in favor of Vanessa's proposal?" most of the vampires raised a hand. Paris nodded. "Very well. Darren will have one day to mentally prepare himself before choosing his first task." He said. Darren frowned. "For what?" he asked. Paris looked at him, pitying his innocence.
"Your first task for the Trials of Death."