My Blood To Give by Paula Paradis Page B

Nothing can kill them, not even cutting off their heads.”
    “Then…” Dara faltered. “What happens?”
    “They grow a new head, of course,” Reeva explained. “You cut off their hand, they grow a new one. You shoot them with a gun, the hole closes up. You can’t burn them. They could walk through a nuclear explosion without even feeling the heat. They’re immortal. Some say their power comes from the same ancient magic that made the world. They say vampires used that magic to create Sanctuary.”
    Dara blinked again. “This is amazing.”
    “So you don’t have to worry about spilling wine on your gown,” Reeva told her. “Now let’s get you ready. We can talk more while I’m doing your hair.”
    Dara stepped into the gown, and Reeva buttoned it up the back. “I hope you’re not going to have to dress me every day.”
    Reeva gasped. “Why not? That’s my job.”
    “I don’t want that,” Dara exclaimed. “I don’t want servants waiting on me hand a foot. I don’t deserve it.”
    Reeva shook her head and smacked her lips. “You’re Andrei’s consort. You’re going to have servants. That’s how it is.”
    “I don’t want that,” Dara repeated. “I only want a normal life.”
    Reeva turned her around and looked her straight in the eyes. “That is what you definitely will not have.”
     

Chapter Two
    Dara stood between Reeva and Angela. They put the finishing touches on her clothes and hair.
    “How do I look?”
    Reeva took down a hand mirror from the shelf by the door and held it up to Dara’s face.
    She caught her breath at what she saw. She didn’t recognize the beautiful princess looking back at her. Her hair sat in coiled heaps on top of her head, and her face topped the graceful curved stalk of her neck. Only the blue-black bite mark marred her white skin. The low scoop of her bodice showed off the bruising and the puncture wounds.
    Where was Dara Lachance, the clerk from New York? She’d never even dreamed of being a princess when she was a little girl. Now she had servants waiting on her.
    “What’s going to happen?” she asked.
    “You’ll be introduced to the court,” Reeva explained. “Then you’ll take your place at Andrei’s side for the official audience with the king and queen.”
    “Who are the king and queen?” she asked. “Are they Andrei’s parents?”
    Reeva laughed. “They’re vampires. Andrei’s parents have been dead for centuries. No, the king, the queen, and the prince are elected by the Assembly of Vampires.”
    “Assembly.” Dara wrinkled her nose.
    “Why do you say it like that?” Reeva asked.
    “That’s the thing.” Dara looked up at her. “I knew about the Assembly before you told me. Don’t ask me how I knew, but I did.”
    “You did?” Reeva tilted her head.
    Dara took a deep breath. “The night after Andrei bit me for the first time, I had a dream. I dreamed of a shining city where everyone was happy and satisfied. I was walking through the streets smiling at everybody. Then I came to a big building, and I went up the steps and inside. Court was in session, and I went up into a mezzanine and looked down on what was going on.”
    Reeva nodded. “That’s right. That’s how it is. Companions aren’t allowed on the Assembly floor, but they are allowed to watch from the mezzanine. You said you had the dream after Andrei bit you. You must have had a premonition of Sanctuary.”
    “How is that possible?” Dara asked. “I didn’t know anything about it.”
    “You would have received the information through Andrei’s bite,” Reeva replied. “I’ve heard about that sort of thing happening between vampires and their consorts. You will share in some of their powers. That can never happen with companions.”
    Dara couldn’t help looking down at the bite mark on Reeva’s neck. “Whose companion are you now? Do you belong to the king or the queen?”
    “I belong to the entire Royal Family,” Reeva replied. “Any vampire in