*Ainslee*
Prince Rafe.
How the fuck did I not know? It all makes perfect sense now. I’ve been so angry for so long, I haven’t been thinking clearly. When I thought of the royals, my mind went to King Axel’s daughters—Sophia and Riley. They are the only true royals besides the king. But Rafe was made a prince long ago so that he could become next in line to be king. Then there are some dukes and lords and other such titles that the king has around him. They were mostly given those titles because they served the king at one point or something. I’m not sure. Obviously, this is not my area of expertise.
Prince Rafe is making his way to the center of the meadow. Not to address us as we all initially thought and stood up for. At least, that’s not what he’s doing at the moment. Instead, he’s speaking to Kris about something, a few guards standing around them, and he doesn’t look happy. I am up now, and I don’t want to hurt my full belly by sinking back down, so I look around and see the moon is beginning to climb the sky. It won’t be long now.
My eyes are drawn back over to him. It’s difficult not to stare. All of the vampires are attractive. That’s just part of being their species. Like all wolf shifters are muscular if they have what they need in order to build muscle. But the prince is so much more intoxicating than anyone else. His blue eyes shimmer in the fading light. His dark hair looks so lustrous as the breeze stirs it around his shoulders. I wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers through it….
“You got your strategy all figured out?”
Zeke’s voice behind me has my heart leaping in my chest. Goddess, I was so distracted, I didn’t even smell him. The scent of metal fills my lungs now as I turn to face him, still clutching my chest. He looks amused that he’s frightened me. “Yes,” I tell him. “I’m going to run really fast. And then, after that, I’m going to run really fast some more. After that, I’m going to run even faster.”
He laughs, a sound I am beginning to grow fond of, but then I remember what Nelson has just told me, and the smile on my face melts away.
I’m here because the prince hate me, not because the Blacks do. Or maybe both. “Zeke,” I say in a whisper. “I didn’t know.”
His forehead scrunches together as he piers at me with his amber eyes. “You didn’t know what?”
“That he is the prince. I had no idea. I would’ve never been so rude if I did know.”
He stares at me, unblinking, for a long second before he says, “I’m not sure that’s true, but it’s fine, Ainslee. He felt bad that he made you drop your bread, thus the basket.”
“But the basket came from Kris,” I argue. He’s just trying to lull me into a false sense of security. Either that, or he just doesn’t even know that Rafe has brought me here as punishment for me shouting at him in front of everyone.
“Nah, Kris is an asshole. He wouldn’t do that. He just got the assignment, that’s all. Look this thing is about to start. I just wanted to come check on you before it begins. Don’t be scared, though, okay? You’re going to be fine.” He pats me on the back and then smiles one more time before fading away.
I’m not sure what to say or do or think. Why would he single me out to tell me that?
Could it be because there’s an order amongst the vampires to leave me alone? Maybe one in particular is supposed to take me out. I don’t like any of this. The fear and panic that’s been threatening to take over all day is beginning to fill my mind. I don’t think I can do this.
Lucia reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Hey, it’ll be okay,” she tells me. “You’ll be all right. My father says he thinks things will be a lot different once Rafe is king.’
I stare at her for a moment. She has no idea what I did because she’s not from my village. Our discussion was not enlightening enough for her to truly understand. I nod, but I can’t even force a smile.
Things will be different when Rafe is king because he is going to kill me for embarrassing him.
I won’t even live long enough to see him become king.
Time is up. The prince is signaling for all of us to give him our attention. He’s going to make an announcement, it seems. I suck in a deep breath and give him my undivided attention. Goddess, he’s so fucking hot.
My eyes roam over the length of him again, taking in the tight, chiseled muscles beneath his royal looking clothing. He’s wearing tight black trousers and a black button down shirt. All of the vampires are wearing black. They always do during a culling so that they can better blend in with the shadows, I’ve heard. Nelson said that Mark told him to look for their glowing eyes. It’s the only way to see them in the darkness.
Prince Rafe’s eyes linger on mine for a second, and I feel my heart racing in my chest, ready to burst from both fear and longing.
He’s going to be the death of me.
One way or another.