Married to the Vampire Prince

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grace

“You’ve become a much better dancer,” Silas praised me.

I took a few steps to the right, as the dance we were doing dictated, then let my husband whirl me around. When he had me back in his arms, I beamed at him.

“My dance practice had to go on hold during the war, but I’ve practiced a lot ever since we came home so that I could dance with you during this victory ball,” I said with a smile.

Two weeks had passed since our army’s safe return home, and the Queen had decided to throw a ball to celebrate our victory in the war; Silas’ victory, to be honest. Considering how he had brought down the King of Rosworth and assured a ceasefire, he had once again been declared a war hero. However, this time society was speaking highly of his military achievements.

They said that he had carved a path through the enemies to get to Sherman and thus proven himself to be the most powerful vampire of the century. I supposed that view was why nobody wanted to get on his bad side. Even the media reported on his victory only in a favorable light.

However, I could sense that, underneath their honeyed words, the court of Estone still feared my husband. For the first time though, I could say with certainty that I was grateful for such a response. If that fear brought Silas the respect he deserved, so be it.

At least I knew now that I myself had nothing to fear from my husband. He was nothing but affectionate with me. I loved him just the way he was, and he loved me in return.

“You have a vicious smile on your face,” Silas tilted his head. “I quite like it.”

“I’m thinking about how much I enjoy the court cowering at your feet. It’s a welcome change from how rudely they treated you before,” I chuckled.

“So you like them being afraid of me?” He smiled, twirling me around again.

When I returned to our previous position in the dance, I replied, “I like when people respect you, even if they are intimidated by you. You deserve only good things in life, Silas.” I sobered up. “You’ve been through enough.”

Silas nodded. “But my lonely suffering is over now, isn’t it? I have you.”

I smiled. “And you will always have me. We’re mates, after all.”

“We are,” his smile brightened. He was smiling a lot more these days. “I’m happy I get to dance with you as well.”

“The fact that you like dancing motivated me to learn quickly,” I said truthfully. A blush crept into my cheeks. “I’ve wanted to dance with you so much.”

Silas gave me a satisfied look. “And it feels wonderful being able to dance again, especially with such a graceful, beautiful partner.”

I made a face.

Silas chuckled. “If you say you’re neither of those things, I will spend the whole night proving you wrong.”

“Proving how?” I winked at him.

His smile widened. He looked at me through hooded eyes. “Just the way you’re thinking.”

I smiled again. “Then I’m going to say I’m the most ungraceful dancer on the floor tonight.”

“Are you baiting me?”

“I may be,” I laughed.

Silas leaned down and placed a kiss on my lips. “That’s not nice,” he said when we broke apart.

“What else can I do when you’ve made such an interesting proposal to me? Then again, even if I don’t complain about my lack of grace or beauty, I’m fairly certain you would still make love to me all night, right?”

Silas gave me a satisfied smile. “That may be true.”

“Only may be?” I gave him a mock frown.

He chuckled. Then he leaned down and stole another kiss before twirling me around again. “What can I say, I’m in love with my mate. So there is no ‘maybe’ –I would absolutely make love to you all night either way.”

I laughed. “I like the sound of that.”

The song ended, and we bowed to each other.

“Care for a break?” Silas gave me a worried look. “We’ve been dancing for five songs straight.”

Come to think of it, I was a little tired. “Sure, let’s go to the beverage table.”

We came to the table where two rows of drinks stood – bloodwine for the vampires and normal wine for humans. A waiter made sure to serve everyone the appropriate drinks so there wouldn’t be any mix-ups. Silas and I each got a drink then stood off to the side.

I had to admit, I no longer felt like I was merely a poor human who didn’t fit in this court of vampires. The academic, social, and practical knowledge I had gained from my tutors had allowed me to gain a lot of personal confidence as well. Now I could hold a conversation about history, I knew the proper etiquette for eating at the banquet table, I could dance and embroider and play piano and sing. I was very much suited to be the Princess these days.

My strongest source of confidence in my abilities though came from the love my husband gave me. The affection I received from him made me certain that I was the right person and in the right place. If Silas supported me, I could be the Princess of Estone. I could manage to go through hell and back as long as he was by my side. I had grown a lot since meeting him. I had changed, and all for the better.

The love I gave Silas had changed him too. He was more relaxed now and more sure of where he stood in the vampire court following his recent victory. The events in our lives had transformed us both into two people confident in their love for one another. With the love we felt, it was like we could move mountains if we had to.

I hoped that only peace lay ahead of us for the rest of our future together. I would have a long life alongside the man I loved. Centuries of love and happiness awaited me, and I welcomed them with open arms.

After a few minutes, two people came our way, two vampires we really welcomed – Lukas and Ruth.

“I never officially congratulated you on your mating,” Ruth said. “So let me say it now: I’m so happy that you have bonded. I’m looking forward to your long life at the Prince’s side, Grace.” She gave me a wide smile.

“Congratulations, you two,” Lukas flashed his charming smile too. “I’m so happy for you. Especially you, man. I hope you’ll forever be this relaxed.”

Silas arched his eyebrows. “And you want me to be this… ‘relaxed’ because?”

“Because you’ll be easier to work with, why else?” Lukas chuckled.

Silas frowned. “I’m normally not easy to work with?”

“You’re cold and grumpy,” Lukas laughed out loud. “So of course you’re not.”

Silas huffed. “Luke, you wound me.” He put a hand against his chest, but I saw the laughter in his eyes.

Lukas smiled a wide grin. “Someone has to bring you down a peg. Do you see the court around you? Many people now fear to approach you – the same people who used to dare whisper behind your back, now have to put you up on a pedestal because your actions stopped the war much more quickly than anybody expected.”

“It was a short war,” Silas admitted. “But I’d rather not talk about it. What’s done is done. The war is over. May we be at peace for many years to come.”

“Indeed,” Ruth nodded. “War is such an ugly time. I’m glad this one lasted only a few weeks.”

“I’m glad Athalis joined us this time,” Silas said. “If not – the pointless battles would have gone on for many more months.”

“There’s something else I wish to speak to you about,” Ruth changed the subject. “Something less grim. I wanted to praise the Princess for learning her role so quickly.”

I blushed when they all turned to look at me.

Silas gave me a proud glance. “Grace is as smart as she is beautiful.”

I huffed, wanting to tell him I was neither of those things. Seeing the pride in his eyes though, I couldn’t bring myself to rebuff him.

“Indeed. I’ve seen her talk to some older vampires today,” Lukas said. “She’s keeping up with them in the talks about history,” he turned to Ruth. “An achievement accomplished thanks to your excellent teaching, I presume?”

Ruth nodded humbly. “I was her history teacher, but the success of the achievement is all thanks to Grace’s effort. It was a true pleasure instructing her. She always asked me questions and was eager to learn. Truly, I couldn’t have had a better pupil.” She too gave me a proud look.

I blushed even harder.

“But look at the time,” Silas suddenly said, glancing at the clock above the room entrance. “It’s almost midnight.”

“And?” Lukas asked, confused.

“Time for us to get some private time,” Silas flashed him a grin. Before either Lukas or Ruth could protest, he took my hands and pulled me towards the exit to the gardens.

I glanced behind my shoulder at Ruth and Lukas while following after Silas. They both had amused looks on their faces.

Once Silas and I were alone in the garden, wandering down one of the paths between the trees full of colorful autumn leaves, I stepped back and stopped our progress forward.

“Silas,” I protested. “What’s wrong with you? That was rude.”

He turned around and gave me a serious look. “They would never have stopped talking.”

“So what?” I ached my eyebrows. “I enjoyed talking with them. They are our friends.”

Silas stepped closer to me and leaned down until his eyes were on level with mine. “I liked them praising you.”

I nodded, giving him a confused look.

“I didn’t like them talking about the war. That part of our lives is over. We need to move on,” he continued.

I nodded again.

“But the thing I didn’t like the most was the two of them taking up valuable time that I could be spending alone with my wife,” he looked down at my lips.

Before I could tell him what I thought about that opinion, he kissed me.

His kiss was domineering and bruising. He claimed my lips, just like he had claimed all of me the night we had mated. When I opened my mouth, he plunged his tongue inside. He moved his tongue in and out, as if fucking my mouth. My legs became weak, and I leaned into him.

When we broke the kiss, I breathed heavily.

“You’re so rude, Silas,” I told him.

He chuckled. “I can be plenty rude if it means getting my wife all to myself.”

“You’d still have plenty of time with me after the party,” I huffed.

“That’s too long of a wait.” There was mischief in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed me again.

We continued making out passionately until all I could think of was getting him out of his clothes and making love to him. Silas looked at me with so much longing in his eyes; my heart was completely captured by him.

“Can we skip the rest of this party?” I asked.

“I thought you wanted to talk to people,” he teased.

“Not anymore,” I said. “You’ve made me want to get away from everyone.”

“Good,” he said. “You’re my mate; mine and nobody else’s.” His look was completely possessive.

I enjoyed that look in his eyes. “Of course. Always.”

We headed to our rooms and made love all night until I was so tired that I fell asleep in Silas’ arms, feeling completely fulfilled.

I loved Silas. I would always love him, even if he was sometimes overbearing. I knew he loved me too; I could sense his feelings every day through the bond.

Together we were whole, so different from each other and yet two parts of one soul; a vampire and a human, a man a hundred years old and a much younger woman. Our differences didn’t matter, though.

All that mattered was our love for each other.