Chapter 6 THE FIRST AUDIENCE

“You must touch a hand on your forehead as you bow. How many times do I have to say it for it to get through your skull?” Lady Oswyn whispers by my side as we enter the hall. 

Today is my eighth day in Noctharys, and it is also two days until my wedding. Anytime I think about that, I pinch the skin near my elbow to make sure that I have not lost it.  

The past few days have been hell. On the second day, Lady Oswyn walked into my room accompanied by Callum.  

I had been sleeping when Mira woke me up, forced my sleepy self into a gown that was proper for visiting people. I had just sat in front of the bed when they walked in. 

“This is Lady Oswyn. She is to be your etiquette instructor. You will listen to her, obey every instruction, and do your best to learn everything she has to teach you. It will be important to your survival in the coming months.” 

And with those comforting words, Callum walked out of the room and left Me, Mina, and Lady Oswyn alone. 

It didn’t take long for Lady Oswyn to realize I was hopeless. I had spent my life doing hard work, so I had strong bones and strong muscles. Plus, I was tall, standing at about five foot eight inches, which Lady Oswyn had no problem with at all.  

“King Dominique is a tall vampire, so at least you are tall enough to stand by his side without looking like a dwarf.” Very high compliment. It was usually accompanied by other words of praise. 

“I have no idea where Callum found a bumbling oaf like you. You are a disgrace to the female race,” when I put on high shoes for the first time and proceeded to fall hard on my knees for the next hour.  

“You have no ear for instructions! I told you to curtesy! How hard can it be to bend your waist while holding the edge of your gown? Even a newborn child will do better than this.” When I couldn’t learn how to properly curtesy withing two days.  

“Your mother must be glad that you are out of her hair. I can’t imagine how she felt all these years being saddled with the responsibility of making you into a proper woman and realizing in horror that she had failed.” 

Lady Oswyn is a delight to be around, if you haven’t caught on to that yet. She is an older vampire, with Mira mentioning that she may be older than seven centuries. It is hard for me to wrap my head around just how old these vampires can live. 

Today is the day that I am to be formally introduced to the Vampire king, my fiancé – snicker – before his court. Since the day he had chosen me and bestowed upon me the title of being his bride, today is the day I will see him again. 

“I only had six days to try to hammer you into shape, and by the gods it shall be the most grueling days of my life for years to come.” 

“Happy to have been of service, Lady Oswyn.” 

“Insolent child! Don't forget all I have taught you. Or at least, don’t forget it all. I cannot trust your air head with things of importance so I shall pray for mercy!” and with a huff, she storms off.  

I have spent the past six days listening to Lady Oswyn, and I must confess that I have grown fond of her. She has become a constant in my life in this cold new world, and I like some sort of stability very much.  

The huge double doors in front of me burst open and suddenly, I am standing in front of a huge vast room.  

Mina had chosen a blue cobalt dress for me today. The neckline ends below my shoulders, and my neck and chest are borne for hungry eyes. My wrists are also equally exposed, with sleeves that end just below my elbow and flare out in ruffles. The idea is to get my fiancé focused on the smell of my blood. Not creepy at all.  

I take a deep breath and walk into the room. The moment I step through the doors, they close behind me with a bang and I do not stumble. Ha! Eat that Lady Oswyn.  

My destination is the throne before me. King Dominique sprawls on the throne looking very majestic. His face is stoic, and his red eyes swallow me with their intensity. I quickly look away from him. A smaller throne is by his right side, with three other chairs sitting below the dais. Three of the council members occupy the chairs, while the four chairs by his left are occupied by the rest of the council.  

When I get to the dais, I stand there looking at King Dominique. The eye contact is agonizing, but I am no coward, so I do not break it first. He must find my strong will funny because he smirks, and thus flashes sharp fangs that get my heart beating wildly.  

The smirk disappears just as quickly as it appeared, and I swallow. I hear footsteps approaching me from the side and turn to find Callum walking towards me.  

When he gets to my side, he stretches out a hand, and I put mine in it.  

“Behold, Lady Annika, the queen to be of Noctharys!” 

Callum let’s go of my hand, and then I bow exactly how Lady Oswyn has pounded into my brain.  

I grab a handful of my gown, push my hips backwards, and bring my free hand to my forehead. I'm meant to rise when the King tells me to, which shouldn’t be more than a couple of seconds, but King Dominique leaves me bowing for about two minutes. Fucking asshole.  

“Rise then, my queen,” 

“May the dark endure forever,” I say in response as I rise up. Of course, it couldn’t have been anything nice like may the light endure forever. But then on a second thought, vampires will die in the sunlight so maybe not.  

My hip hurts, and my feet and pinching in the godforsaken high shoes I have on. King Dominique stands up from his throne and walks down it. I watch him like I’m entranced. He moves like a barely contained dragon who will shower in flames at the slightest provocation.  

He gets in front of me and extends his hand, and I grab it.  

His hand is so cold to the touch and an involuntary shiver roll through my body. He leads me to my chair and guides me into taking a seat. The moment I sit down, he walks to his seat and plops down unceremoniously.  

And that is the only interaction between my future husband and I for the day.