My hand flew to the dagger strapped to my thigh. I was simultaneously terrified and fascinated. I’d never knowingly encountered a vampire in a long time. But the soldier wasn’t at all what I’d expected. Far from the monster I’d anticipated, he was devastatingly attractive, with dark, piercing eyes and a muscular frame.

Any curiosity I felt was quickly overshadowed by horror as his fangs glistened in the light. Amory’s grasp on my hand was numbing. I couldn’t blame her. I was petrified, too, utterly speechless.

The tense moment was broken when a couple of Oceanic royal guards galloped up, threatening the soldier with raised weapons. The vampire seemed less fearful than annoyed, as if the armed guards were nothing more than flies to be swatted away.

After some sharp words of warning from the guards, they backed away. The vampire looked back at me. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Onyx. I’ll be accompanying you on the rest of the journey. Shall we, Princess?”

Not knowing what else to do, I nodded.

The carriage proceeded toward the river, where a barge awaited us. As the carriage rolled on board, the reality of my situation truly set in. I suddenly felt trapped. My breath came faster and faster. “I need some air,” I gasped out.

Amory looked at me in alarm, but I pushed past her, throwing open the carriage door—only to find Onyx blocking my escape.

“Stand back,” I said, mustering up a very Princess Ophelia tone. “I’m the princess. Let me pass.” It sounded so strange coming out of my mouth. I could only hope it was convincing.

Onyx didn’t move. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I am responsible for your safety, and I must insist that you stay put.”

I glared at him. “What dangers could there possibly be on the river?”

“It’s what’s in the river that you should be concerned about.”

Something about the way he said it made me break out in chills. Amory pulled me back. “I’ve heard of such things,” she hissed. “River monsters that eat their victims whole.”

Reluctantly, I sat down again. Onyx leaned in. “I would advise that you remain seated for the rest of the passage. It isn’t safe for humans.”

He licked his lips, revealing his fangs again. Whether or not he intended it as a threat, I took it as one, settling back into my seat in silence.

***

The rest of the journey went by without incident, though I couldn’t shake the fear that had settled over me like a shroud. I was no longer in my homeland, but in the Farlands. A stranger in a strange land. I would be surrounded by vampires, treacherous monsters who sewed violence and misery wherever they went. How was one lowly kitchen maid meant to put an end to all that bloodshed?

But I had no choice. I was resolved to do the deed as long as it would save my father’s life. If the king upheld his word, then I would find a way to uphold mine.

Eventually, the carriage slowed to a stop. Amory peered out the window and gasped, covering her mouth. I looked outside and immediately saw the source of Amory’s horror: The foreboding palace was just ahead, and it was surrounded by a series of wooden poles—each with a decapitated head at its top.

I jumped back, my heart beating hard. What kind of horrible place was this?

The gate lifted, and the carriage continued across the drawbridge. As we passed the poles, the hollow eyes of the dead seemed to be watching us. I shuddered and closed my eyes.

At last, the carriage came to a halt, and the door opened. Onyx smiled and extended his hand. “Welcome to the Farlands.”

I ignored his hand, willing myself not to shake as I stepped out on my own.

I made the mistake of looking up. The dark walls of the palace stretched up so high they blocked out the evening sky, an effect that made me feel like I was in a cage. I noticed that there were people—or vampires—watching me from the windows, probably curious about their future queen. I returned my gaze to the courtyard. Where was Prince Ares?

I looked to Onyx. “Where is the prince?”

“Ah. My lord extends his sincerest apologies, but he has some business to attend to and is unable to welcome you in person just yet.”

I pretended to be affronted, channeling the many tantrums I’d seen Ophelia throw. “Of all the nerve!” I said, my voice going shrill. “What business could possibly be more important than the arrival of his intended?”

In truth, I was mostly relieved, though maybe a touch disappointed. I’d privately hoped to get a glimpse of him now that my impression of vampires had been challenged. What must he be like? Who was I dealing with?

I shook off my curiosity. Meeting one vampire was enough for the day, and I was likely going to meet a lot more.

Onyx offered another polite apology for the prince’s absence. Amory joined me then, as did someone else–another vampire, this time a woman. She was just as lovely as Onyx and introduced herself as Maritza. “If you’ll follow me, Your Highness. I’ve been assigned to escort you to your chambers.”

I took a deep breath and followed her into the palace. I braced myself for a cold, dark space likely overflowing with cobwebs. But to my surprise, the palace interior was warm and brightly lit without so much as a single cobweb in sight. Plush rugs covered the shining marble floors, and the walls were decorated with beautiful paintings. I exchanged glances with Amory, who looked just as surprised as I was. This place was almost inviting.

Maritza led us up a long marble staircase. When we reached the top, we were joined by another vampire servant who was there to take Amory to her room. An objection sprang to the tip of my tongue. I couldn’t bear the idea that Amory and I would be separated. I could tell that she was equally as rattled.

She hugged me, locking her arms tight around my back. “Please be careful,” she whispered. “I have something for you.”

When she drew back, she slipped a necklace with a glass vial pendant around my neck. “The vial contains blessed water,” she continued quietly.

My eyes widened as I understood. Blessed water was supposed to be fatal to vampires. Many soldiers rode into battle with it around their necks. “Thank you.”

Amory nodded. I forced myself to remain calm as she was led away, even though all I really wanted to do was burst into tears.

Maritza eyed the necklace but showed no signs of fear or anger. I realized she must have been trained to behave that way, just like the maids and servants at King Garrett’s palace. It was strange, thinking I might have something in common with a vampire.

Maritza brought me to a door at the end of the hall and held it open. “Here are your chambers, Your Highness. Is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps send for some refreshments after your long journey?”

“No, thank you,” I said curtly. “You are dismissed.”

Maritza bowed, then vanished back down the hall. I waited until I’d shut the door behind me before turning around to take in the room. It was enormous, and much like everything I’d encountered so far, completely unexpected. It could have easily encompassed ten of my little rooms above the blacksmith shop, and it was even more lavish than Princess Ophelia’s chambers.

The carved walls were inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl, forming floral patterns that stretched all the way to the painted ceiling. Everywhere I looked, there was a vase of fresh lisianthuses. In the center of the room was the largest bed I’d ever seen in my life, piled high with velvet cushions and a silk feather down duvet. I was almost afraid to even touch it.

I shook myself. I couldn’t let my guard down. All of this could be some kind of trick by Prince Ares.

I sagged against the wall, utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. I was glad to be alone at least for a little while.

I wandered into the adjoining bathroom, surprised and pleased to see that a bath had been drawn for me. There were flower petals floating atop the sweet-smelling water. I closed my eyes, breathing in the steam.

A knock at the door startled me. I stiffened, fearing it might be the prince. But when I opened the door, it was only a couple of servants who had brought my trunk, or rather, Ophelia’s trunk. I waited until the servants had left before opening it.

My jaw dropped. The trunk was packed to the brim with exquisite silk gowns, glittering jewelry, beauty products, ivory combs, and other luxuries I’d never laid eyes on before.

I forced myself to walk away. It was too much. I needed a moment to clear my head. A bath would be perfect for that. If there was one thing I could get used to by pretending to be royalty, it was the hot water for baths.

I approached the steaming tub, breathing in the sweet scent of lavender. With a bit of struggling, I managed to slip the elaborate dress off one shoulder. I took off the rest of my underthings, tucking my dagger safely under the folds of my clothes. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to leave the necklace on, just in case.

I dipped a toe into the tub. The water was so hot I immediately pulled my foot back out. As I watched the ripples settle, someone’s reflection swam into sight on the water’s surface. I gasped in shock and looked up into the mirror, expecting to see an unwelcome stranger, but my own frightened reflection was the only thing looking back at me.

A chill ran up my spine. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was in the room with me. I turned around and let out a small scream as I came face-to-face with a tall, breathtakingly handsome man. He was lithe and dark-haired, his eyes such a dark brown they appeared nearly black.

I was so startled it took me a moment to realize that I was partially naked. I quickly pulled the dress over myself. “Leave!” I barked out. “Immediately!”

The man said nothing, his eyes raking over me. My face burned. I knew I should throw him out, but I couldn’t move, frozen by some emotion I couldn’t begin to name.

I pulled the dress tighter around myself. “How dare you. Do you know who I am?”

He finally lifted his gaze to my eyes, his lips curling just enough to reveal the tips of his fangs. “Of course I do,” he said in a soft purr. “You’re my intended.”