Calantha, a weak vampire princess, knows all too well the fate that awaits her; a life of servitude as a blood bag or a loveless marriage... just like her parents, but when her kingdom faces a shortage of humans to feed on, she's cast aside like a sacrificial lamb, forced into marriage with a neighbouring kingdom. *** When Calantha, a vulnerable vampire princess is sacrificed to appease an ancient dragon, she discovers a dark secret: her blood holds the power to unbind the beast. Maybe it's just a 'Calantha' thing to be used as a sacrifice... But one thing is clear, she won't back down without a fight!
Calantha's point of view:
"I, king Tharius of Eldrador, hereby announce the engagement of my daughter, Calantha, to Arin Valois, crown prince of Valotoria."
The grand hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on me making my heart sink in my chest. I feel like a trapped animal as my father's words echoed in my mind. I thought back to the days I strived so hard just to escape my ex-fiancé Lyrien.
He was a cheat, but at least, I know him. The devil I have known for years is better than an angel I just met. But now I am nothing but a pawn on my father's chess board, the board serving as father's political game and I'm about to be discarded. My life is a mess.
I remembered the long night I spent pleading to father, begging him to reconsider the betrothal, to show mercy upon me but to no avail.
A part of me thinks he will agree since I am his only female child. But it is a far-fetched dream, his selfish desires and the kingdom's is more important than mine, than my freedom. He saw me as a tool, a means to secure an alliance with Valotoria. My protest fell on deaf ears, and now I stood before the entire court, forced to accept this fate.
"If only I had known, if only I had known it would end like this," I whispered to myself, "I would have followed Lyrien, no matter how treacherous he was, even if he is just a son of a Viscount."
Hot tears threatened to escape my eye as I gazed at the end of the wall where father sat on his humongous throne.
Arin, the stranger I was about to marry, standing a few feet at the side of the throne platform. His piercing onyx eyes seem to bore into my soul and maybe it's just my imagination but there's no warmth or kindness there. Just a calculated gaze, assessing me like a prized possession.
The agreement between Eldrador and Valotoria was clear; I was to be traded for a steady supply of human slaves. My father's words still haunted me.
"You are just a useless weak daughter." And he's right because I'm aware ... .I'm weak when compared to other female vampires and he's right for the second time because my only value lay in my ability to secure an alliance.
And as the court erupted into loud cheers and congratulations, I felt the last support holding my crumbling world crack.
Now, I'm trapped, bound to a fate I never wanted, but a part of me already knew it's inevitable. Arin's gaze on me never wavered. I wonder if he felt the same sense of obligation I felt or if he has ever felt trapped.
The ceremony moved in a blur with father's voice booming in the hall at regular intervals, outlining the terms of the agreement and conversing with his ministers.
I was to leave for Valotoria immediately, to begin my new life as Arin's bride. I know other girls would have been happy and grateful for getting engaged to a crown prince but I don't want to end up in a loveless marriage like father and mother but a part of me knows it's inevitable. The thought sent shivers and a feeling of dread down my spine.
Arin's grip on my arm was firm but soft as we exchanged vows, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt like a prisoner shackled to this stranger, this fate.
The cheers and applause faded into the background as I whispered my consent,my heart heavy with resignation.
The moment the ceremony ended, Arin released my hand, and I felt a fleeting sense of freedom but it was short-lived as he turned to me and said:
"We depart for Valotoria at dawn. Be prepared.....Calantha."
The last straw holding me together finally snapped and I stared at my father who was seated on his throne talking with a man whose beard almost reached the floor with a hateful gaze.
My eyes shifted to the second throne beside father's throne on which mother is seated, her skin as pale as snow; father had sucked her almost dry again. My fingers clenched my gown tightly.
I can't blame her, she has no power over it, she's also a pawn. I exhaled as Arin walked away, making me face the crowd alone.
I forced a smile on my face, pretending to be the obedient daughter I've always been, the willing bride I'm about to pretend to be, but inside, I'm screaming.
My heart rebelling against this fate, this life I never chose and everything as I finally moved, my head raised high and my back straight.
Chapter 1 Unwanted Betrothal
29/07/2024
Chapter 2 Journey to Valotoria
29/07/2024
Chapter 3 Glass shattering
29/07/2024
Chapter 4 Trot promise
29/07/2024
Chapter 5 A fall to death
29/07/2024
Chapter 6 Into the abyss: Dragon's lair
29/07/2024
Chapter 7 Scales of fate
29/07/2024
Chapter 8 Ashes and Dust
29/07/2024
Chapter 9 A game of cat and mouse
29/07/2024
Chapter 10 Beyond the misty veil (1)
29/07/2024
Chapter 11 Beyond the misty veil (2)
29/07/2024
Chapter 12 Through fire and ice
08/08/2024
Chapter 13 Unlikely Alliance (1)
08/08/2024
Chapter 14 Unlikely Alliance (2)
08/08/2024
Chapter 15 Unlikely Alliance (3)
08/08/2024
Chapter 16 Unlikely Alliance (4)
27/08/2024
Chapter 17 Mark of the unknown
27/08/2024
Chapter 18 The princess and the predator (1)
27/08/2024
Chapter 19 The shield of Tharros
27/08/2024
Chapter 20 The Witching Hour
27/08/2024
Chapter 21 Into the woods
09/09/2024
Chapter 22 Into the unknown
09/09/2024
Chapter 23 The echoes of fear
09/09/2024
Chapter 24 Flight to fright
09/09/2024
Chapter 25 Breaking through
09/09/2024
Chapter 26 The road less travelled
09/09/2024
Chapter 27 Fake it till....
09/09/2024
Chapter 28 Wiped memories
09/09/2024
Chapter 29 Aspiring farmers
09/09/2024
Chapter 30 Burning hatred
09/09/2024
Chapter 31 Snowy
09/09/2024
Chapter 32 Weary soul
09/09/2024
Chapter 33 Two days to freedom
09/09/2024
Chapter 34 Shocking reality (1)
09/09/2024
Chapter 35 Shocking reality (2)
09/09/2024
Chapter 36 Shocking reality (3)
09/09/2024
Chapter 37 Pursuit (1)
09/09/2024
Chapter 38 Sacrifice
09/09/2024
Chapter 39 The birth of a villainess
09/09/2024
Chapter 40 A kiss in the dark
09/09/2024
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