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strong it felt at times, I promised myself I would always remember the pain of his rejection. That should make it easier not to return his smile, or allow my stomach to flutter the next time he touched me. At least I hoped it would.
    I braided my hair after partially combing the knots out and wrapped myself in a thick towel. Before I opened the bathroom door I decided to pull on a robe as well. I didn’t want Arrick to see any part of me. The more coverage the better.
    I smiled smugly as I exited into the bedroom in a cloud of steam. Arrick was nowhere to be seen.
    The balcony drew me in, the twinkling city of Naos spread out beyond it. I gripped the metal railing as I leaned over to peer at the crashing waves below me. Up here it seemed much higher than it had looked from the ground. My stomach started to spin and I pulled back, laughing at myself. I guess being a vampire didn’t do anything for my fear of heights. I ran my tongue across my fangs and turned back into the room.
    Hanging on the wooden canopy of the bed was a long golden dress. I rolled my eyes at the thought of having to wear it and even more so when I thought that perhaps Arrick had left it behind for me. I walked closer to inspect it when an unfamiliar scent tensed my senses. Someone had been in the room and it definitely wasn’t Arrick. He had a strong, earthy scent and this was nothing like it.
    I sniffed the air. My vampire senses told me that whoever had come in was now gone, but it creeped me out that someone had entered nonetheless.
    Up close the dress was more attractive than I had originally thought. It appeared to contain the same sparkling gold that I had seen so many other places in Naos. The fabric wasn’t the usual heavy kind like I had in my closet at Nicolae’s palace. This was light and airy, yet somehow still elegant. I knew the dress was hung there for a reason. Someone, most likely my parents, wanted me to wear it. I guess whatever was in Arrick’s travel bag was not an option.
    I plucked the dress from the hanger and marched to the bathroom. I was going to have to make myself look a little more presentable if I was going to wear it. I didn’t think a messy braid and no makeup would really do the dress justice. Nor did I want to meet my parents looking like a slob.
    I tugged on the gown after dropping the towel and robe onto a lumpy pile on the floor. It slipped on easily and was a perfect fit. The inside of the gown was lined in an ultra-soft fabric and my highly sensitive vampire skin loved the delicate sensation of the dress’ caress. The bathroom wasn’t stocked for my arrival as the last one had been, so I pulled out my braid and allowed my hair to take on its natural curl.
    I eyed my ruby pendant and locket curled atop the bathroom counter before picking it up and clasping it behind my neck. But as I eyed my reflection, I thought better of it, and tucked the pendant under my dress so only the chain was visible. If my parents saw me wearing the symbol of the Noire family, they probably wouldn’t like it. I pinched my cheeks for a little color and admired my reflection. I was looking less and less like my old self, and more and more like a real vampire princess.
    I had a new confidence about myself and I liked it. I smiled widely to admire my fangs. They really were impressive. I looked so much like a full grown vampire with them. I felt powerful and I finally decided I was going to fully embrace that power. I’d been acting like a wimpy human girl for long enough. I was a full grown, vampire princess. Like Arrick had said, there had never been a vampire like me before.
    I marched out of the bathroom and out the bedroom door. Why should I wait for someone to come get me? I was certain I could find the throne room all by myself.
    I pulled open the bedroom door with one solid movement, only to find the one person I didn’t want to see. Arrick. I held my breath, putting my hands on my hips. The look on his face still held the