“I hesitate to posture that your black expression is in regard to that trade agreement,” King Borwin said from across the office. His voice was rough and gravelly. He watched his grandson with concern knitting his brow.
Viktor grimaced. “It’s this dating show fiasco. Babushka thinks it’ll get me a wife. I think it’s embarrassing.”
Not long ago, times were different for vampires. Full of violence and hatred. Viktor never dreamed he’d one day have to contend with the drama of a reality TV show. It seemed so insignificant in comparison.
His grandfather had been fearless during those days. Desperate to save his family from a war with a vicious neighboring tribe, he’d gone in search of a mythological creature that lived in the mountains nearby. A creature with untold strength and cunning. He’d convinced the creature to change him. And in turn, changed his own family into vampires. Together, they escaped their enemies and built a life, eventually founding the supernatural kingdom of Monstrana. A place where they’d never have to fear for their safety again.
King Borwin chuckled, his chest rattling. A fond expression settled into his eyes. “Ah, yes, well Anna has a different way of accomplishing her goals. She’ll get you there, one way or another. It’s best not to contend with her.”
“She’s worried about me needing a wife for when I become king. But, it’s not like that will happen anytime soon.” His grandfather was strangely silent for a long moment. Viktor tore his eyes from his desk to see him deep in thought, his brow wrinkled. “It’s not going to be anytime soon, is it?”
“Viktor, no one can predict their own death,” he replied in a soft tone. “Not even the immortals. I’d hoped that your father would one day sit on this throne, but I have outlived even him. Time never reveals its mysteries to us. Soon, it will be up to you.”
His grandfa
ther hardly ever spoke about Viktor’s father. He’d died on an aid mission during the First World War, the first time humans had wielded weapons strong enough to decimate a peaceful vampire village. The loss had been painful for all of them. A reminder that even their long lives could be cut short at a moment’s notice.
A curly mass of hair appeared around the door frame at that moment. Stasia wagged her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue. “Is the most eligible bachelor in Monstrana ready for his next date?”
He groaned. Not yet. Anything but that.
Still, he said goodbye to his grandfather and pushed himself to his feet, forcing them to follow the bouncing werewolf princess. He had to finish what he’d started, or he’d never be allowed to return to normal life.
She wouldn’t tell him where they were going. It was a secret. A half hour later in the back of a limousine, he looked out the window and knew exactly what his friend had planned for the next big date. Mount Belua towered over the highway and the tiny town that sat at the foot of its massive girth. Despite the warm fall weather, its face was covered in brilliant white snow. An empty ski lift carted benches up to the top of the first hill. It was the first time he’d seen it void of witches, ghouls, vampires, and creatures of all sorts who liked to dip their toes into the strange human sport.
“Surprise!” Stasia leaned over him and blew a strand of hair out of her face. “We rented out the whole mountain. You’re going to take the ladies skiing today. And tonight, you’ll make your first elimination. I want it to be just like those human shows. Handing out the flowers and everything. Start thinking about it.”
He rolled his eyes. This was her way of upping the drama for her TV show. It wasn’t very amusing to him.
“What if I eliminate all of them?” he asked in a flat tone.
“Against the rules.” She smacked him on the shoulder. “And besides, isn’t there at least one lovely lady you’d really like to keep?”
Cate’s face came to mind, unbidden. He didn’t actually hate her company, surprising enough. Despite her snark and the fact that she would willingly sign up to enter a competition like this, he liked her unwavering confidence and the way she treated those around her with kindness. She had a pleasing smile and a touch that sent an electric charge through him.
“Nope.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Not a clue. You’ll have to pick for me.”
Stasia sighed and leaned back into the plush leather seat. “I’ll make you a deal. You pick your favorite and I’ll pick the other. Make it easy on you.”
“Deal.”
Half the work for him. And besides, he already had an inkling on which of the ladies to keep. But he’d never confess it to his best friend. Not for all the gold in all the world.
?
Cate stared in horror at the snowy expanse before her. She’d never skied a day in her life. But despite her protests, they’d stuffed her into a pink and yellow snow suit with matching skis and two pointy stick things. A pink cap kept her ears warm and a pair of yellow tinted goggles dug into her forehead.
This was Viktor’s idea of a date? It seemed like a good way to get herself killed. Never mind the bloodthirsty creatures surrounding her. This mountain would take her out. She didn’t have to worry about getting Viktor to hate her anymore. She’d be lucky just to make it out of here alive and with her ankles intact.
A white and blue streak flew past her. Jezebel was a natural on skis, of course. She zigzagged down the hill, her knees slightly bent and her sticks pointing out behind her. Joy wasn’t far behind. In her gold and silver snow suit, she looked like a shimmering snow fairy.
Cate suddenly wondered if fairies were real. After last night, anything was possible. She wouldn’t put it past them...
At the bottom of the hill, appeared a man in a black and white suit on skis. Two cameras followed close behind him. Jezebel and Joy made beelines toward the figure. They weren’t going to waste any time trying to tackle Prince Viktor today. The pending elimination had put everyone on edge. Their limo ride over here had been tense, punctuated only by Joy’s nervous chatter and the sound of Jezebel clicking her wickedly sharp nails on the door.
Cate had calmed down significantly since the club incident last night. On the ride home, Miranda had filled her in on many of the details of the supernatural world. Apparently, supernaturals were more scared of humans than humans were of them. They’d been persecuted, hated, and wiped out by human kind ever since the beginning of time. Still, the law in Monstrana was that no human could come to harm. That was, unless they found out the truth about the creatures living here. Then, the law dictated that they had to join them.
She shuddered at the thought.