“Take my hand!” Damian called out to me as I dangled from the edge of the cliff.

“No way!” There was no way I could trust him. He was a demon. He wanted me to die. He was my enemy.

“I’m not asking you to marry me, Vesper, I’m trying to save your life!”

How did we get here?

It all started three weeks ago. I was a happy princess who had nothing to worry about. My father was ruling Solestia in a peaceful manner. My sisters were dancing with boys at every ball. My mother and I were busy preparing for the annual Sun Solstice Celebration. It was perfect.

Sun Solstice is when the sun is high in the sky for an entire month. During that month, its magic shines down on Solestia and we all are graced with gifts. The kingdom is blessed with fertility and the people are blessed with beauty. It’s perfect.

I woke up one morning two days before Sun Solstice. I immediately walked over to the vanity to get ready. I brushed my golden blonde curls and applied some blush to my cheeks. I wanted today to be a good day. There was a lot to do for Sun Solstice.

I picked out a rose gold dress and some pink heels and walked downstairs for breakfast. My maid, Gloria, trailed behind me, ready to assist me. We still had a lot to do.

I walked down to the dining room. Guests had started coming in. There were a bunch of people who I knew. The Lady of West Sunset. The Governor and Governess of Rosehill. The Heir to the House of Sunlings.

All the Heirs were going to be people to avoid. I was supposed to marry an Heir. When I was born, the Royal Seer said that I was going to marry a Heir, but before we were to be wed, an evil would strike the land. He would disappear and I would be taken prisoner by dark forces.

I had hated Heirs from then on. What kind of guy would leave their lover to die in prison? A coward. I would not marry a coward. I was determined to change that.

I walked by the library. Then I was pulled to the side by my mother. I almost let out a scream, but realized it was my mother. “Mom, what the heck?” I asked.

“Vesper, we have a problem,” she said.

“What? Is it the roses or the cakes? Is it the tents? I knew I should’ve gone with the caravan.”

“No. No, it’s not that. Your father just made an allyship with a new House. He demanded we invite them.”

I relaxed. The Houses weren’t that bad. They were always very easy to deal with. Just deny their sons’ advanced, talk with the rich parents, and tell them about the kingdom.

“Oh, which House?”

My mother had to swallow before saying it. “The House of the Vampire.”

Everything in the world froze. Just saying the name felt like a curse. My heart started to pound out of my chest. The hallway went silent.

“What?” I asked. How could my father do this? The House of the Vamprie was the most fear House. They were dangerous.

“Your father promised them to help them attone for the sins of their past if they allied with him. Of course Lord William Vampire said yes. Everyone knows how desperate they are to be brought back to the inner circle.” My mother explained. “This is preposterous!”

I was in shock. The House of the Vampire was descended from the Great Vampires, dangerous beasts who terrorized the land until they were forced into hiding centuries ago. Even if the magic in their blood has disappeared, their cruelty has not. They are known for their wicked and merciless ways. They hide themselves in a dark manor and punish anyone who dares to get in their way. They kill people who even pose a small threat to them. They don’t know the word mercy.

Wicked was the only word to describe them.

I looked at my terrified mother. Fear laced her features and worry lines lined her face. I felt bad for her. This was terrible. “When do they arrive?” I asked.

I had to be ready. I knew about them. They had three sons: The oldest, Damian. He was said to be the most attractive man in the kingdom. Rumor has it that his touch was worth dying for. It was also rumored that he caused multiple girls to kill themselves.

The middle child, Lucian, was just as bad. It was said that he was incredibly intelligent. He was known for being able to outsmart the most intelligent scholars. It was also said that he seduced girls and then stole their souls.

The youngest son, Aspen, wasn’t known for trickery or women. He was known for nothing. He was known for his mysteriousness. He was the baby of the family. The Vampires had four children. They also had a girl who was a bit younger than me. So the youngest was questioned about a lot.

The girl’s name was Adrielle. She was known for her beauty. She was claimed as pretty, but fierce. No man could tame her. She was as sharp as she was pretty.

“Tonight.” My mother said.

They arrive tonight.

Tonight was the start of the events. The official celebration wasn’t for another two days. Tonight was the opening ball though. Tonight, I would meet the House of the Vampire.