My eyes flutter open to sunshine coming through the windows.
I turn around in my sheets and see Xavier's silver eyes looking lovingly at me. The sunshine reflects off his handsome face in a way I can't describe. It still surprises me how resistant high-level vampires are to the sun.
"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?" he says as he smiles.
"Like a brick," I reply as I smile back and groan as I get out of bed. It feels like I can barely walk.
Xavier gets out of bed and puts his clothes back on in front of the mirror while I get freshened up in the bathroom. The cold water runs down my back, making me feel more awake. I massage my temples with my hands as I try to clear my mind.
Once my shower is over, I get out and he hands me a towel without looking at my body—like we didn't just do what we did last night. He is such a tease, I think to myself as I dry myself off and head to the closet to put on some clothes.
Even though I am no better when it comes to teasing.
I come out of the closet and notice another rose inside of my vase. That makes two roses.
The warm breeze feels good. I turn to the balcony and see the door open as Xavier stands outside enjoying the beautiful morning. I walk outside and join him. The sounds of nature surround us as we stay silent and enjoy the moment.
After a few moments, he turns toward me, his hair becoming slightly ruffled from the breeze.
"It's beautiful. Nature. The sun. It's sad only vampires with enjoy pure blood can enjoy such magic. It's one of many things that allows us noble vampires to be considered so much more superior to low-level vampires," he says as he looks back at the lake.
"See there? That light is the glint of the sun on the lake's surface. I used to play out there with my father back in the day," he says as his voice trails off.
"That's nice. It is truly beautiful. Humans. We may be physically weak compared to vampires. However, we can still enjoy things like the sun and nature to the fullest. Our lives may not be long, but we know how to live every moment like it's a lifetime," I reply back.
Xavier stops looking at the river and turns toward me. He walks a couple of paces until he is right in front of me. A sad expression on his face as his gaze softens.
He gently caresses my cheek with his hand. "Then teach me, Aurora, how to truly live someday. Okay?"
"I will," I say as I get lost in his silver eyes.
We both hear a knock at the door. Our eyes meet as we realize the implications. Xavier quickly transforms into a bat and escapes into the forest.
The bedroom door swings open. I expect to see Victoria, but instead, I notice a different female vampire servant. The door of the balcony shuts behind me softly as I am back in my room. The vampire servant smiles shyly as she notices my gaze.
She brings in a silver tray with what appears to be my favorite tea.
"Good morning, Miss Lucinda! My name is Minerva. I am the vice-leader of the Bloodstone Castle staff. Sadly, Victoria is out on an important assignment as she is a fairly capable vampire. For today, I am here to take her place. If you need anything, please let me know," she says as she pours the tea from the teapot into the cup.
"Thank you for letting me know, Minerva. Please call me just Aurora. Does the Grand Duke still want me to visit him for a late breakfast in the dining hall? Since you are bringing me tea," I ask as I sit down on my couch.
"Not in the dining hall, but yes. After you are done with your tea and he is done with getting some work done out of the way, I will come back to lead you to his private lounge. He has a big event coming up soon. He might tell you what it is," she says to me as I let her know there is nothing more I need. She leaves.
I sip my tea while I read my book for a little bit while I contemplate what Minerva's words mean.
Minerva comes back and tells me the Grand Duke is ready to see me.
We leave my room and she escorts me down a few halls I haven't been across. We come upon two double doors painted in dark red. I can feel the protective vampiric magic surrounding it. Minerva knocks on the door in some sort of secret code.
The doors unlock and Minerva opens it and gestures for me to walk through.
"This is where I leave you for now, Aurora. Good luck," she says while smiling and closing the door behind us. The lounge is spacious with black leather furniture throughout the area. Red velvet carpet lines the entire floor. On the walls are numerous paintings. High windows can be seen as I look up.
The sun keeps the room light. If only the Grand Duke and other high-ranking nobles use it, makes sense they allow the sun in. It acts as a deterrent to low-ranking vampires as well.
The Grand Duke is sitting on one of the black leather couches by a hearth. There is a large marble table in front of the couch with platters of food on it.
Xavier gestures for me to sit down next to him as I see him in a change of clothes.
As I get situated, he starts talking to me.
"Good morning again, beautiful. That was a close one. Anyways, I wanted to call you in here as I wanted to discuss an important event coming up. In a couple of days or so, there will be a gathering of a few vampire nobles at my estate, and I want you to be prepared to meet them."
Xavier takes a sip of water from his crystal glass.
"Human slaves are usually not trained, but it's up to the owners how educated they want their slaves to be. It is looked down upon to train human slaves, but nobody will say anything against what I do and the Blood King doesn't care that much," he finishes saying as a vampire lady walks into the room.
Xavier looks up and introduces this woman to me.
"This is Madam Yselle. She is a pure blood distantly related to me. Madam Yselle is very wise and will teach you the ways of vampire nobility and customs. She is known to be a good private tutor for the higher ups of vampire society. I will be back later to collect you for dinner."
He smiles as he pauses at the door and turns to look at me.
"You will do well, Aurora. You have the power if you believe in yourself."
He leaves without explaining and now I am stuck with this unknown vampire lady.
Let's hope I learn something useful.