Chapter 3: In the Prince's hands

Calista

"Thus we open the challenges of the Blood Hunt. May it be fruitful!" the priest declared, and my heart leapt.

"Good hunting, Prince... She looks delicious. She'll warm your bed, but I doubt she'll survive," whispered a vampire who seemed to be the host, Walter. The prince just growled, picked me up, and carried me to his chambers. The room was huge, with a desk, chairs, and a large bed with gold trim and deep red sheets. I knew this was the end for me.

"What are these challenges?" I asked, unable to contain myself. Dying at the hands of a vampire was one thing, but not knowing what to expect was far worse. I had assumed that the hunt would mean my death, that the prince would taste me and kill me, but my nightmare wasn't over yet. The prince walked slowly toward me as I took steps back until my knees hit the bed, and I fell onto it. His face had changed - it was still cold but beautiful.

"I like to see you like this... on my bed. You are my slave, and you will do exactly as I say, including keeping your mouth shut. Understand? I will do whatever I want with you," he whispered, staring into my eyes. His nose was straight, his lips full, and those impossibly clear blue eyes awakened things in me that I dared not name. His scent was ancient, like an unexplored ocean. He moved closer, resting his hands on the bed like an immovable statue.

"Say it, slave," he repeated, but fear silenced me. "It can't be..." he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her skin was dark, her long hair woven into braids, her honey-colored eyes set in a face fit for a goddess. A vampire, no doubt.

"Daddy, I was wondering where you were..."

"Manners, Samara... And I am not your daddy," he replied without taking his eyes off me. She walked towards us, her golden dress clinging gloriously to her curves. I concluded that she must be his creation.

"Oh, a human girl! I love playing with them... They still think they have free will. My prey already knows to obey," she said. I noticed two gray wolves waiting at the door.

"What's going on?" she asked before suddenly freezing. "You can't enchant her..." she whispered, covering her mouth. The prince just growled.

"She will obey me, enchanted or not." I didn't answer. He looked at me angrily, as if no one had ever dared to defy him. Samara seemed shocked. "Your blood smells delicious," he hissed like a predator.

But deep inside, something settled in - there was no escape. If it weren't for him, it would be Hans or some other bastard. Greyson... left me in the hands of vampires, and all I wanted was for it to be over.

"You're going to kill me anyway," I sneered. Their faces darkened with rage, and I trembled.

"Soon you'll learn that vampires can do much more... all terribly painful. It won't be long before you'll be on your knees at my feet, begging for mercy," he said, and then they both left as if they had something important to discuss.

There was nothing I could do. I looked for food, but of course, there was none. I lay down on the ground and pulled a blanket over me. A one-eyed raven sat on the window and watched me. The candles were slowly dying.

In the morning, a knock at the door startled me, and I was surprised to see Cora.

"You survived! But you're in the hands of the worst vampire... As soon as I heard, I came to help you," she said. I hugged her, listening to our racing hearts.

"Do you know what the challenges are?"

"Only that there are several, and the goal is to eliminate the slaves," she replied fearfully. My situation was getting worse.

"You have a new dress - the one required for the ceremony," Cora pointed out, and I recoiled at the sight of it. It was a maid's dress, almost transparent. Cora fastened a short leather corset around my waist, pushing my breasts up until they almost spilled out. Two slits on the sides exposed my thighs. I would have to walk out in front of dozens of vampires eager to get their hands and fangs on me.

The Prince was waiting for me outside, looking even more exquisite this morning. His eyes roamed over the exposed parts of my body, lingering on my cleavage. Obviously, the sun had not affected him.

"Say you will do exactly as I command," he hissed.

He stepped closer, pinning me against the wall. He seemed frustrated again at his inability to enchant me. He couldn't understand why all humans were weak to his spells - except me.

"There are dozens of vampires out there who would like to take advantage of you, who would have taken you instead of me. The only way to avoid them... is with me."

"They say you're the worst of the vampires," I replied, and he clearly didn't like that.

"Do you want to test that? Shall I leave you to them? The vampire from the forest wanted you," he growled, his gaze dropping to my lips. His chest rumbled with a low growl. His clothes were made of velvet, exquisite and ancient. He was rich and powerful - the strongest of all. And I was absolutely nothing. His fingertips brushed the soft skin of my neck and cleavage, barely brushing the top of my breasts. The touch sent shivers down my spine and made me think of all the things he could do to me.

"Only I can protect you, slave. And soon you will understand what is best for you. Now move."

I had never considered myself particularly beautiful, but I quickly realized that women were highly valued as slaves. As we entered the Great Hall, I could feel every eye on us.

"His Majesty has made a fine choice. I have to endure a disgusting wolf while he gets to enjoy a pair of tits" someone muttered.

"It's a miracle she can walk this morning," another whispered, and they laughed. Most of them looked at the prince with resentment.

"Sit," he growled, leaving me no choice, and I knelt at his feet. The owner of the mansion and leader of the clan approached. Walter was an old, depraved vampire, and he bowed to the prince.

"Your Majesty, I hope you enjoyed the hunt... and even more, the upcoming festivities," he said, casting a sideways glance at me that lingered on my exposed legs.

"Hunt? Is that what you call a hunt?" another vampire scoffed. "The Prince has only taken the smallest and weakest prey. That hardly shows the power and strength of my uncle, the king. Don't you agree, Dante?" He was tall and blond, and he smiled maliciously.

"You will address him as 'Your Majesty' or 'My Prince,' Cousin Duval," the prince sneered. "And my decisions do not concern you."

"Oh, but I think I do. Why would you choose an ill-mannered human girl? Don't you know that she should bow to her betters?" Duval yelled, glaring at me. The prince had a murderous expression in his eyes. "She doesn't even duck her head before her master," Duval taunted, grabbing me by the nape and shoving me roughly to the ground.