Chapter 1
I twirl around, my dress fanning out behind me and spinning in a way that fills my heart with joy.
"Catherine? Are you ready?" Mother calls.
"Yes." I stop spinning and stumble a little to the side. I press my hand to my temple, trying to chase away the dizzy feeling. Perhaps twirling isn't the best idea.
"We'll be late if you don't hurry."
Oops. I don't want to be late. I almost run from the room, before reminding myself that proper ladies don't behave that way. I have to remember that as of tonight, I'm no longer deemed a child by vampire society.
I straighten my shoulders and calm my stride, recalling what my tutors taught me. I have to take small steps, never run, and always speak softly for fear of...well, I'm not too sure what it's in fear of. Perhaps they think no one will want to marry me, but I find that difficult to believe. Not when I'm from the family I am. No one would want to disrespect Father that way.
Mother sucks in a breath as I enter the room, and I'm certain her eyes are shining with tears. I do the ladylike thing, and don't mention it.
"You look beautiful, Catherine," she says.
A beaming smile stretches over my face. "Do you think I'll do?" I resist the urge to twirl in front of her and show off my gown. She helped me pick it, she knows what it looks like.
"All the attention will be on you," she assures me.
I let a small laugh escape, carefully measuring it so the perfect amount of enjoyment shows. This doing things the way society likes thing is going to get old very quickly. I don't think I can cope with all the fake airs and graces for much longer.
"I doubt that, there'll be all the other girls there too," I point out.
"None of them have your station. You're lucky the King's daughter isn't being presented this year."
I grimace thinking about Elizabeth in all her stuck up glory. She's a princess in snobbery as well as in title. Though it means nothing. The human monarchy is the only one that matters in the country. The vampires only have a King from habit. The line stopped having any kind of power decades ago.
"No one likes her anyway," I mutter.
"That doesn't mean anything when she's the princess. She'll be a good wife to any of the eligible young men," she cautions me.
I clasp my hands together behind my back and bite my lip to stop me from saying anything about the princess' eligibility as a wife. If anyone asks me, I'll have to tell them that I think she'll be appalling. Though I suppose if one of the so-called eligible men wants to be King, then it's a good way to get that power. I don't think anyone is going to accept Elizabeth ruling on her own.
A knock sounds at the door, making us both jump.
I go to answer it, more from habit than anything else.
Mother cuts me off with a wave of her hand. Oh, right. This is my night, I'm supposed to let everyone wait on me. That's going to take some getting used to considering I'm the youngest child and always the one expected to do things for everyone else.
I stand perfectly still as Mother makes her way over and pulls the door open. Father stands on the other side, dressed in his best Court clothing.
"Catherine, Matilda." He nods to each of us as he says our names.
I dip into a formal curtsy. He won't accept any other greeting. Father and I don't have a good relationship, though I don't think that's anything unusual for the other girls my age. Or older, for that matter. Fathers don't take much interest in daughters other than for the alliance potential.
"Are you ready?" he asks Mother, completely sidestepping me.
I stay silent, even though it’s not what I want. This is my night. He should be asking me the question.
"Whenever you are, sir," Mother says.
I scowl at the implication that she has to bow down to him. That's not what I want from my future husband. But I can't say that. I probably won't even get say in who I marry. I'm going to have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. This isn't a kind world for women.
"Good. Follow." Father turns around and marches down the corridor.
Mother follows him without a second glance.
I take a deep breath, nerves fluttering in my stomach at the thought of what's to come. I'm excited about the ball, but at the same time, it's a big thing. All eyes are going to be on me and the other girls my age as we're paraded in front of the vampire court. After that, there'll be dancing and drinking and a lot of fun.
But none of that will cover up the true purpose of the evening. Our Fathers will be wandering around the room talking to various people and trying to make marriage alliances. It's the thing I'm least looking forward to.
After steadying myself, I follow my parents down the hall.
Sounds from the ballroom filter up through the rest of the Den, as well as chatter from behind closed doors. Some people won't bother coming tonight, and others will be getting ready to join us.
None of us say a word as we make our way through the warren of corridors lit by flickering flames from the sconces.
There's a sense of expectation in the air as we reach the line of other girls. All of them are dressed in their best clothing, with their hair neatly put up and jewels sparkling at their throats. Even though I've done the same, a wave of self-consciousness washes over me. What if I'm not good enough? There are a dozen girls being presented tonight, each of them between seventeen and twenty-five. It's older than our human counterparts would, but that's because we live longer than them and can afford to.
Mother flashes me a reassuring smile, but doesn't say anything before disappearing into the ballroom after Father.
I step into the line, trying hard to avoid fidgeting.
"Are you excited?" Rebecca asks from beside me.
I put a fake smile on my face before answering. I can't call Rebecca a friend, but she's not my enemy either.
"Of course. Aren't you?" I ask, keeping my voice even.
She flicks her long red hair over her shoulder. She's breaking the mould by wearing it down, but it's a good move. She'll draw attention to herself and that's what this night is all about.
"Absolutely. Father has already been in talks with a few of the nobles, I'm sure I'm going to end the night with an engagement on the table." A smug expression flits over her face. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Only the person Father thinks is best," I answer smoothly. In all honesty, I've been trying not to think about it. There's too much at stake to pin my hopes on one person.
I'm not that much of a fool.
Chapter 2
Around us, people drink from golden goblets, sipping down the mix of blood and alcohol which makes them merry. I want some for myself, but it will be another half hour until I'm able to get some. There are still four girls ahead of me in the line to be announced, and another three behind me. And with each of us being introduced with our full titles and information about our parents, it takes a while to get through everyone.
And if I'm honest, I've already zoned out. Most of the girls alongside me have been in the Den their entire lives. I've known them for years. I don't need to hear about their grandfather's titles and lands. It doesn't make a difference to me either.