CHAPTER 3 The palace

TWO DAYS LATER

GABRIELLA’S POV

I never told my masters what I did, so we are on the way to the great palace. The woman with the special blood is also supposed to be the mate of the Vampire Kings. I wonder what will happen since it is not Carina’s blood that was brought to the palace. Of course there won’t be a mate bond between her and the Vampire Kings.

“Look!” Catrina exclaims in awe and removes her feet from my lap as she stands to have a look at the great palace through the carriage window.

I follow her gaze, and it’s easy to see why she is so amazed. One can see a very massive, imperial white castle, with towering walls. Surrounding the main castle are two other storey buildings, towering above all other things beneath.

I wonder how magnificent the inside of that palace will be if this is just the outside.

“Now that’s the home I always deserved. Is it not stunning?” Catrina says in delight.

The events of the last two days, since the news arrived that her blood was the portion, have been a whirlwind. Her father threw a grand celebration to honor his daughter’s newly found status. The party lasted the entire two days.

This morning, an impressive entourage of royal guards arrived in three lavish royal carriages, ready to escort Catrina to the palace. I barely had any time to bid farewell to my family as Catrina’s mother demanded that I must escort her daughter here and carry on serving her. I might not see my family for a long while.

The carriages starts to slow down when massive wrought-iron gates comes into view. They creak as they open, revealing a grand courtyard paved with polished obsidian stones. The carriages rolls into the vast courtyard which is dominated by a central fountain made of black marble. Water flows from the mouths of stone dragons into a basin filled with shimmering red liquid, an homage to the royal lineage. Surrounding the fountain are benches carved from ancient woods.

I have never seen anything so magnificent. If this works out well Catrina will soon be the queen of this paradise. I wonder how long it will take for the Vampire kings to learn that she doesn’t possess the special blood. They will be greatly disappointed if they do. They have been searching for their mate for far too long.

The carriages halts near the front entrance of the first building and Catrina starts to panic.

“How is my hair and make up? Better tell me the truth because I will be very angry if my looks doesn’t impress the Kings,” she frets.

“Your hair and make up are still good,” I reassure. I can imagine she must be very nervous to meet the powerful kings.

I quickly hold the tail of her magnificent dress as a guard opens the door of the carriage. We didn’t bring any luggage of her own. The kings’ officials assured us that everything she needs will be provided.

The front doors of the palace opens and an elegant, older woman steps out. She walks forward briskly to meet us.

“Welcome to Everleen palace, the home of the great vampire kings. My name is Calypso and I am in charge of welcoming you and preparing you for the role you have to play in this kingdom,” she introduces while gazing at Catrina. “But before that, I would like to congratulate you for possessing the special blood,” she adds.

Catrina appears exhilarated by the praise as she happily smiles.

“Follow me so I can show you to your guest room where you can rest. I imagine you had a very long journey,” The lady says turning to lead the way inside. I grab my single bag and follow, my eyes drinking in every detail of the opulent surroundings.

Inside is a paradise, rooms are enormous and beautifully decorated.

“If I may ask, when will I be meeting my mates?” Catrina asks, referring to the Vampire kings as Calypso leads the way down the hallways.

“You will meet them as soon as you complete a few tests to prove that you are truly the vessel,” Calypso answers.

Catrina’s smile fades and get replaced by a look of worry. “But my blood sample was tested and it proved I am…”

“The blood test alone is not definitive dear. You must undergo further evaluations that will also involve testing the power of your blood. These steps are necessary to confirm you are indeed the Vessel.” Lady Calypso replies.

Catrina had hoped to meet the Vampire king’s immediately after she arrives, but it seems it may take longer than expected. Which is good because she doesn’t have the special blood.

I thought the kings would also be eager to meet their mate, but it sounds like they are only interested in her special blood. I’m sure Catrina doesn’t mind, she will after all have the wealth and the special status of the their wife and queen once they marry her.

“This will be your quarters for now,” lady Calypso announces as we stop in front of a beautiful golden door. She ushers us into a lavish room with a king-size bed, a very massive closet with full length mirror and other exquisite furnishings.

“There’s another bed for your maid in the next room. We’ll provide two more servants for your comfort.” Lady Calypso informs and Catrina nods and smiles in gratitude.

“We have also provided everything you’ll need, including elegant clothing that reflect your new status.They are in here." She opens the massive closet and Catrina gasps at the exquisite dresses and fur coats hanged inside.

“They look truly beautiful! The Kings must cherish me indeed,” she says, walking to take a closer look at the clothes.

“I will leave you to try them on and see if they fit. I can get them replaced if they don’t,” Lady Calypso says. “Also, your tests will begin tomorrow. I will now leave you to rest.” She adds before heading for the door.

Once she leaves, Catrina eagerly begins trying on the dresses one by one, admiring herself in the large mirror with delight. She seems too lost in her excitement to worry about the tests she has been told about.

What if she must have the special blood to pass those tests?

GABRIELLA’S POV

I fill the grand basin with warm water and smell all the soaps arranged in the artistic display before selecting one that smells a little familiar.

Then I realize the the herbs provided are not rosemary, Catrina’s cherished bathing herb. She is allergic to the ones they have provided. Back home, I used to gather fresh rosemary from the garden, perhaps I can find some in the palace gardens.

“My lady,” I call, stepping back into the lavish bedroom. “I must fetch your herbs from the garden. They’re not the ones provided here.”

Catrina barely glances away from the mirror. “Do as you wish, servant,” she replies dismissively.

I nod, leaving the opulent chamber. I walk through the winding pathways, until I reach one of the smaller gardens near the palace walls. And sure enough I find the herbs among blooming flowers.

I squat down and begin to dig around the base of a plant. After a few moments of effort, I unearth a handful of fragrant roots.

“What are you doing?” A thick, husky voice suddenly questions from behind and I spin around instantly.

To my surprise, I find myself face-to-face with a tall, handsome man dressed in a sleek silver outfit that does so little to hide his athletic build.

I openly gawk at his gorgeous face, spellbound. I have never seen a man so beautiful before. His long, black hair is intricately braided, his skin is pale and smooth, almost ethereal, giving him an otherworldly glow that enhances his haunting beauty. The absence of fat beneath his flawless skin accentuates his sharp jawline, making it even more pronounced and chiseled. If he wasn’t right in front of me, I would say he is not even real.

He clears his throat, and I realize I’m just standing there, mouth agape like an idiot ogling him. I scramble to my feet, brushing dirt off my dress as heat floods my cheeks.

“There is dirt smudged on your cheek.” He observes in an amused voice. He has a beautiful voice too.

“Thank you! I didn’t notice,” I stammer, embarrassed. “Who are you?”

The question seems to surprise him and he strides forward to stand at the edge of the garden. His devine scent fill my nostrils. He smells nice too, way too nice. Better than any fragrance I have ever smelled.

“I’m king Rowan.”

I freeze in shock.

One of the vampire kings! “Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know!”

“Your majesty,” I quickly lower my head and bow.

“No need to apologize, “ He says, his voice almost sweet. “ What are doing in the gardens at this hour?”

“To get this,” I hold up the herbs. “My mistress is quite particular about her baths.”

“You’re not Lady Catrina?” he asks slowly, his smile fading.

“No,” I reply feeling suddenly self-conscious under his penetrating gaze. “Lady Catrina Is my mistress.”

“You are a human servant?” His words come out sharp, laced with disgust and panic surges through me.

What have I done to provoke his anger?

I see his hands clench.

“I’ll now return to my mistress, your majesty.” I say and quickly turn away, hastily making my way away from him, heading towards the entrance.

I don’t slow down until I’m safely back inside the building we were ushered in.

Did he mistake me for the Vessel? Why? He seemed so disappointed when he learned that I am a human servant.

I can hardly believe that I stood face to face with one of the vampire kings. He is breathtakingly beautiful, but extremely rude as well.

Actually he was pleasant to me until he learned that I am a human Servant, therefore not the Vessel. How can he be that confused when all vampires can smell their mates?

“What took you so long?” Catrina demands as soon as I walk back into the room.

“I met one of the vampire kings,” I inform and her eyes go wide in surprise.

“How . . . What did he look like?” She screams the question.

“He looked beautiful, more beautiful than any man I have ever seen.” I answer honestly.

“And I am mated to three of them!” She says with an excited smile. “I can’t wait to be done with those tests so that I can meet them.” She adds.

I don’t know why I feel a pang of envy.

I need to remind myself that it’s her

They think has the special blood. They will love every piece of her. At least until they learn that an accident happened and it is not her blood that even reached the palace.