1 Princess Diana

Either choice I made I was still going to die after all. I'm a princess who lost her crown in the hands of my stepmother queen Qarinah. Everyone in the kingdom feared and revered her. She was a powerful sorceress who constantly sought greater powers.

She had conquered my kingdom and one other kingdom but she still wanted to conquer all other four kingdoms, especially Guzatu kingdom. It was believed that Guzatu held the greatest power as they had the cryx which held great powers. It also was the most heavily guarded of all six kingdoms. Their soldiers were made up of the strongest and bravest men in galtelo.

Galtelo is a name general to all six kingdoms. Guzatu was the greatest, followed by Ondra led by a strong empress, followed by Tron my kingdom, Atrax came next, Halun next, and then Drigo the weakest kingdom which was already Conquered by Qarinah.

It was rumored that Queen Qarinah had killed my mother and bewitched my father the king 10 years ago.

Qarinah had sought powers from Torren a powerful vampire who ruled his kingdom, Darca. Torren's only condition to help her was that she'd exchange the Princess of Tron for powers. Without a second thought, Qarinah agreed and made a deal with him.

She had always kept me locked up in the royal dungeon but 2 weeks to my marriage to Torren I was released and being prepared for the wedding.

I sat down in front of my dresser looking into the mirror as a maid decorated my hair with beautiful golden pins. It was the day of my marriage to Torren.

"Why would she give my hand in marriage to a hostile vampire, I've been locked up for 3 years of my life and now she's released me into the hands of death' the maid who was making my hair only shrugged without a word.

"How long did his brides live for?" I asked.

"3 days at most, no one knows why he kills them" she responded in a whisper.

"All 28 brides?" I turned to look into her eyes like I would find the truth.

"You'll be fine princess Diana" she looked away. She was done with my hair.

"Queen Qarinah will be in shortly my princess, I heard lord Torren would be here soon with his men," she said walking away.

"Wait, He's coming at night because he's a vampire right?, why would I have to be sacrificed unjustly," I asked.

"Princesses are marked out for sacrificial purposes my princess. But I promise all this will end soon" she said and finally walked out.

Of course, all this will end soon because I was going to die anyway. I had considered escaping but Qarinah heavily guarded me. I was not allowed to step out of my room. I was guarded with soldiers and black magic so I couldn't escape even if I wanted to.

I've been training with swords secretly for 2 years till Qarinah found out. That was when she locked me up in the dungeons and had my best friend Freya banished. I wondered why she didn't have me killed but now I realize it. She knew she would need me someday.

"You look beautiful my princess," a voice said from the door, I turned around, it was my little step sister. She had always had my back no matter what and to an extent, she had her mother's powers or rather powers different from her mother's but she never uses it.

"Louisa" I was excited to see her as she walked in.

"You don't seem happy Diana" she sat on my bed as I joined her.

"How would I be happy, I'm being forced to marry against my will, and to a dreadful vampire"

"Lord Torren doesn't scare me" she held me with her 8-year-old hands, "you'll not die in the hands of lord Torren, what my mother doesn't know is that you'll have to pass his test" she said staring into my eye

"What test Louisa," I asked calmly

"Just follow your heart, do whatever comes to your mind and you'll live" she said in a whisper, and before I could ask more questions she was gone.

Soon Queen Qarinah walked into my room smiling devilishly.

"Well, well, a princess, tonight you'll become the queen of Darca, I'm afraid that makes us equal but then when I remember you'll be history in 3 days, my heart bleeds for you my dear" Qarinah was only mocking me.

"Lord Torren is the only one that decides my fate as his bride not you" I said confidently with a little scare plastered on my face.

Qarinah smirked and stretched out her right hand to me, "let me walk you, your husband is here." The thought of Torren being my husband made me nauseous. I felt a little knot form in my stomach. I extended my left hand to her and we walked to the palace.

As we walked in. The palace was flooded with honorable guests from around Galtelo. The Nobels were announced before they walked in. And finally, his presence was announced, Lord Torren of Darca.

Torren walked into the palace. He was as beautiful as a woman but had evil eyes. As he walked in, his gait and that of his men seemed to go in slow motion. I was terrified to death.

My stepmother took me by the wrist to welcome our long-awaited guest. Qarinah wore her most enchanting smile. Torren didn't even acknowledge our presence as he walked straight to his designated seat and relaxed.

Every marriage right had been performed and it was time to hand over the rose water to Torren who'll, in turn, accept it and sprinkle a little on me. It signifies that I have given myself willingly to him and that he had accepted me washing away my flaws.

Qarinah and my father handed over the rosewater to me. I knelt before Torren and proferred it to him but instead of accepting it, he knocked it off my hands and the container broke to pieces.

Now there was suspense in the air. I was melting away with fear, Qarinah was boiling up in anger, a lot of noblemen covered their faces while some of the other guests and maids whispered in hushed voices.

I knelt frozen at Torren's feet while he stared at me wickedly. I couldn't look into his evil gaze. I was terrified. Without a word, Torren got up and walked out with his men following him.