The Last
The Ball

It was the day of the ball, from Rue she had learned of most of the details of the event. A black-tie formal affair where all the most powerful leaders from around the continent would gather. Amira hadn’t seen Caldwin since she’d had her nightmare. Her anger and annoyance had grown and with each passing day. If this party was meant for the most powerful leaders of the world, she would be damned if she wasn’t there. Rollo, predictably, was fully against the idea but was powerless to stop her.

The sun was beginning to set and Amira was just getting ready. Her dress was a perfect burgundy color that bordered on a blood-red. The fabric was floor-length and fell straight down from her waist with a long slit up the side of her left leg. The top was made of silver lace with a high neckline that tied around her throat in a choker with that matching burgundy fabric to tie in the color. She did her makeup in a small mirror Josie had snuck up for her, red eyeshadow and a thick black eyeliner created a bold look for the Princess. Her silver heels gave her additional height that helped with the length of the skirts. The last thing she did was to let her dirty blonde hair fall from its typical braids, the waves falling around her shoulders in an effortless but elegant manner.

She took a deep breath and looked herself over once more and nodded slightly to herself proud of her appearance. The sun had set fully by the time the Princess was ready, but she had planned this intentionally. The party would have already started, the guests would have begun drinking, the Prince would not be able to whisk her away without making some sort of a scene.

As she left her room she passed by Rollo who immediately fell into step beside her. His eyes didn’t leave her however as they walked and she could almost feel the heat of his stare burning a hole into her back.

“Are you going to say anything or are you just going to stare?” Amira asked teasingly blood-red lips pulling back slightly in an easy smile.

“You’re stunning,” he breathed and Amira blinked surprise crossing her features. Well, that wasn’t the reaction she had thought she would get from him, but she supposed it wasn’t the worst.

“Why thank you,” she said with a small curtsy to him pausing their walk for only just a moment.

“I mean it,” Rollo said, gaze shifting to look straight ahead of them once again. “Not only in beauty but in power...you just feel stronger,” he didn’t say the words that he wanted to. The words at the tip of his tongue ‘that bastard doesn’t deserve you’ he thought, slightly disgusted with the way Caldwin had been acting recently.

“What did you say?” the Princess stopped in her tracks whirling on him, eyes melting back to gold from their brief shift to purple that the girl didn’t even seem to notice.

“I said that I meant it...Not only in beauty but in power…” Rollo repeated himself, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion.

“Right… Right…” the Princess let out a tense breath, “I thought you said something else,” she said laughing softly as they continued on their way again, “I guess I’m hearing things.”

As they approached the doors to enter the grand hall, her demeanor changed entirely. Her shoulders squared, she carried her head straight and dipped her gaze nor her chin to anyone. Within a few steps, she had changed from his friend to his Princess. She approached the doors smoothly, her feet gliding over the ground as if she had been raised in heels, “Princess Amirasa Callanova Lightborn,” she said in an official tone to the master of ceremonies positioned outside the doors. The man nodded obediently offering her a small bow of respect before he looked back up to her,

“I don’t believe you’re on the list ma’am,” the man said as he flicked through pages of names, once more seeming startled that someone had shown up so late.

“Oh, I know I’m not,” she said and the man looked up in surprise just before Rollo slammed his head into the stone wall behind him rendering him unconscious.

“Remind me why this was a good idea?” Rollo huffed, bending down to arrange the man as if he had just fallen asleep.

“Because my good friend, this is possibly the biggest gesture we could do to piss off the Prince and the Queen, and at the moment I’m all for pushing buttons with the both of them.” She stated with a wicked grin, “besides, I am a royal am I not? I deserved an invitation.” Rollo rolled his eyes and shook his head, still quite unhappy with this scheme of hers, but they were already too deep in this to back out now. Therefore the male walked to the grand doors and pulled them open in place of the Master of Ceremonies he called out in a booming voice to announce her arrival.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present her Highness Princess Amirasa Callanova Lightborn of Druha,” Rollo called, giving the Princess a wink as she walked past him, that mask having fallen back into place. Her royal facade was back in full swing. He couldn’t follow her inside but would wait for her just outside the door in case anything went wrong.

Heels clicked on marble as Amira walked out onto the entrance balcony, the party had quieted slightly all looking up in awe to see the last dragon proudly stand above them. She offered them a small wave and polite smile before she turned and began to descend the stairs.

Caldwin was moving before his mother who had been seated on the throne in front of him even had to say anything. Amira smiled at her and offered the woman a wink watching her blood pressure rise through the roof as the Queen’s hands clenched around the arms of her chair. All of this was worth it if that was all she got out of the night. To her immense pleasure, she made it to the bottom of the stairs before Caldwin made it to her. An unaware cocky Prince of the vampires had beaten him there as well. Amira offered him a kind smile and took his offered hand as assistance down the last few steps.

“Why thank you, sir,” she purred, blinking innocent doe eyes to her ‘hero.’

“It is my pleasure, Princess.” The dark-haired man spoke and his words were like a sweet lullaby that she was instantly drawn to. “I must say that I had thought your kind had been eliminated, but I am quite pleased a beauty such as yourself has been spared.”

“You’re too kind,” Amira said, blushing and looking away. Carefully angling herself to put the vampire Prince right in the path to intercept Caldwin as he cut through the crowd on the way to her. “Might I ask your name?” she asked, “you have the advantage of knowing mine, but I do not know yours.”

“On one condition,” the vampire said with an easy grin, he found his new toy quite entertaining and easy to please. “I request a dance in exchange.”

Amira allowed him to think that she was contemplating his offer, a simple ditz, her intelligence nothing compared to his endless years. A lost princess who’d been locked away her whole life, of course, she would be so naive. Vampires were easy to fool in that way, far too prideful, but it served her purposes as well.

“Very well,” she agreed with a nod, “one dance.” The male led her towards the dance floor and she willingly followed. Glancing over her shoulder she noticed Cal had just arrived at where they were last, but already they had been swallowed up by the crowd on the dance floor. Oh yes, Amira was quite enjoying this game of cat and mouse.

Her partner bowed and she curtsied in turn and they began to dance, following the complex music. As they fell into a steady pattern Amira spoke up, “so?” she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly, “what is your name?” She asked, allowing some excitement to creep into her voice.

“Vincent, fourth Prince of the Altumeri line,” he introduced himself with a matching smile, “might I say Princess you are quite the accomplished dancer,” he said admiring the skill in which she kept up with him as they spun around and around on the dancefloor.

“Thank you,” she said with a light laugh, “I have had a very long time to practice.” She lied, but luckily for her dancing was just like fighting. She’d only practiced a handful of times actually dancing, but found it to be naturally easy to her as she floated around on her feet the same as if she would in a battle. “You are fantastic as well,” she complimented him, easily continuing to feed that ego.

The man laughed and his perfectly white teeth flashed in the light from the chandeliers hanging above, “why thank you, Princess,” he hummed the two separated for a moment by a complex movement before the vampire pulled her in close. She could feel his breath on her neck and did not flinch away. She was well aware those fangs inches from her jugular could easily rip open the soft flesh of her neck however they didn’t. Instead, he spoke softly and quickly, words that she did not expect to hear. “Is it true your sister allies with the witches?” he asked, “and if so, what game are you playing here?”

Amira blinked in surprise. Perhaps her act in fooling him had not gone as well as she hoped. She was saved from answering, however, as Calwdin stepped up next to them causing Vincent to slow to a stop and offer the male a respectful however reluctant bow. Amira could almost smell the fear that came from the poor vampire as she simply offered Cal a sweet smile.

“May I cut in?” He asked, however, it was clearly not a question the low notes in his voice bordering on a growl. Vincent nodded and bowed hastily, backing away quickly disappearing into the crowd.

“Well that was-” Amira was cut off, surprised as Caldwin took up the previous man’s place and the pair rejoined the dance, the others having given them a wide girth. His touch was like fire on her skin. She had never allowed him to touch her like this before and likewise, she had never touched him. His skin underneath her fingers was magnetic and her eyes widened slightly at the sensation that filled her body. She had no idea if Cal felt anything similar as his face remained a calm and cold mask of indifference. He spoke softly as they danced, lips hardly moving the anger however clear in his tone.

“What part of no did you not understand”

“All of it,” Amira said with a slight shrug. The pair moved easily as if they anticipated each other’s movements flowing as easily as water along a stream. She could feel his anger grow and she squeezed his shoulder slightly under her hand. “Relax. I have it under control,” she assured him.

“It’s not you who I’m worried about”

“Then who?”

“Later,” he hissed the word, well aware of the capacity of their neighbors to listen in on their conversation. After a few more beats he added, “why?” He didn’t need to elaborate any further. Amira knew exactly what he was asking.

“Because I have every right to be here just like the rest of you,” she answered. Allowing him to spin her around delicately her back now pressed to his chest. His mouth near her ear, her whole body was strung tight with anticipation, the closeness of him was absolutely intoxicating. Drawing away any other relevant thoughts.

“I did not like him touching you,” Caldwin growled beside her ear, his gaze however straight ahead cutting through the crowd to remain pinned on the vampire Prince. Clearly, he was feeling a similar influence, as he’d forgotten to argue with her.

“You don’t get to choose who touches me,” Amira spoke breathily, hardly able to argue with him leaning her body into him a bit more. A moment later he had spun her back around to face him, his gaze was hungry, but his mind was no longer distracted.

“you’re going to leave after this, Farquin will escort you,” he told her, leaving no room for argument.

“What, you don’t trust Rue?”

“Rue is busy,” again with carefully chosen words. Amira narrowed her eyes slightly, her focus having quickly returned, what on earth was the royal family up to? And why didn’t Cal want her there if as far as she could tell it was just an ordinary dance? The information she gleaned from the vampire flashed to the forefront of her memory. Could it be possible that the rumors of rebellion were real? And could her sister be at the head of them?

“Let me stay a bit longer, I’ve already learned-”

“No,” Caldwin said instantly before he added, “please. Amira,” Her name, and please? Her eyes met his and she could almost see the desperation behind them. He truly wanted her out. So she stopped arguing.

“Okay.” she said softly, “but you better come see me after this.” A small nod of confirmation was all she needed. As their dance came to an end she poked a finger in his chest intentionally allowing them all to see, “I can’t believe you,” she screeched, playing off the general public’s belief of him being a womanizer. “I’m out of here,” she huffed, spinning on her heels and stalking towards the exit.

To his credit, Cal rolled his eyes and tossed up his hands as if to say ‘whatever’ and the party carried on. No longer so concerned with the Prince nor the Princess. As she headed out she sensed more than saw Farquin fall into place behind her. His presence stopped anyone from approaching them on her way out. Once safely in the hall Rollo appeared, glancing at Farquin he narrowed his eyes in confusion but Amira waved him off quickly before he was seen.

“That was quite the stunt you pulled.” The eldest Prince spoke and Amira slowed slightly allowing him to catch up the two walking side by side on the way back to her room.

“What can I say,” she shrugged. “I have a flair for the dramatics,” she said, the corners of her lips tugging up slightly in the hint of a smile.

“You nearly gave Caldwin a heart attack.”

“Why because I wasn’t supposed to be there?”

“No,” Farquin chuckled, “I believe it had more to do with your choice in outfit.”

“Ah,” Amira said, looking down at herself, falling silent for a moment not exactly sure what to say to the male.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been by to properly introduce myself.” He apologized as they approached her room, slowing to a stop outside her door. “I’m sure you’ve guessed, but a lot is going on around here and I haven’t quite had the time, especially now that Cal is so distracted.” He shook his head seeming annoyed before he quickly added, “not that it’s your fault of anything”

“And your sister? Does she share a similar excuse?” Amira asked,

“Unfortunately not,” Farquin said with a small frown, “I’m sorry but she sees you as more of a nuisance than anything else.” A light laugh left the Princesses mouth as she shook her head, that was probably the most honest reaction she had gotten from anyone here. She lifted her gaze to look to the Prince and thanked him,

“Well thank you for escorting me back anyways”

“My pleasure, goodnight Princess.”

“Goodnight Farquin,” she said before disappearing behind the door to her room.

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