VIKTOR ABSOLUTELY DID not want to go on another date. He could barely concentrate on the trade agreement sitting in front of him. His eyes were blurry and his head felt it’d been replaced with stuffing. He blamed last night’s clubbing. By the time they got back to the castle, it’d been nearly morning. The sun was just coming up over the horizon during their helicopter ride back.

He’d sat in a corner, looking out the window, scowling and altogether in a bad mood. Stasia seemed to think it had something to do with their missing lady, the illustrious Cate. She’d hitched a ride home with her friend. He didn’t deny it. Doing so would’ve cemented the idea in his friend’s head. Better to let the notion fade.

It hadn’t taken his assistant long to track down Miranda Nelssen last night. She was one of the managers in hospitality at the castle. A werewolf, recently new to the pack. He was glad that she’d found Cate at the club.

She’d been acting a little funny in the vamp room. Nervous and flighty. Like she was about to crack into a million pieces. Maybe the competition was getting to her. His father had always maintained that men showed their true character under pressure. This cool and confident shell of hers might be just a front. Inside, she could be as silly as a school girl.

Viktor rubbed the tense muscles on his forehead and sighed. Who was he kidding with this circus? Did anyone truly believe he would find true love on a reality show? No, but they sure got a good laugh at him, sitting at home with their TVs broadcasting his embarrassment. He’d never recover from this, that was for sure. So much for the stately and regal Crown Prince of Monstrana. He’d been painted a fool.

“I hesitate to posture that your black expression is in regard to that trade agreement,” King Borwin said from across the office. His voice was rough and gravelly. He watched his grandson with concern knitting his brow.

Viktor grimaced. “It’s this dating show fiasco. Babushka thinks it’ll get me a wife. I think it’s embarrassing.”

Not long ago, times were different for vampires. Full of violence and hatred. Viktor never dreamed he’d one day have to contend with the drama of a reality TV show. It seemed so insignificant in comparison.

His grandfather had been fearless during those days. Desperate to save his family from a war with a vicious neighboring tribe, he’d gone in search of a mythological creature that lived in the mountains nearby. A creature with untold strength and cunning. He’d convinced the creature to change him. And in turn, changed his own family into vampires. Together, they escaped their enemies and built a life, eventually founding the supernatural kingdom of Monstrana. A place where they’d never have to fear for their safety again.

King Borwin chuckled, his chest rattling. A fond expression settled into his eyes. “Ah, yes, well Anna has a different way of accomplishing her goals. She’ll get you there, one way or another. It’s best not to contend with her.”

“She’s worried about me needing a wife for when I become king. But, it’s not like that will happen anytime soon.” His grandfather was strangely silent for a long moment. Viktor tore his eyes from his desk to see him deep in thought, his brow wrinkled. “It’s not going to be anytime soon, is it?”

“Viktor, no one can predict their own death,” he replied in a soft tone. “Not even the immortals. I’d hoped that your father would one day sit on this throne, but I have outlived even him. Time never reveals its mysteries to us. Soon, it will be up to you.”

His grandfather hardly ever spoke about Viktor’s father. He’d died on an aid mission during the First World War, the first time humans had wielded weapons strong enough to decimate a peaceful vampire village. The loss had been painful for all of them. A reminder that even their long lives could be cut short at a moment’s notice.

A curly mass of hair appeared around the door frame at that moment. Stasia wagged her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue. “Is the most eligible bachelor in Monstrana ready for his next date?”

He groaned. Not yet. Anything but that.

Still, he said goodbye to his grandfather and pushed himself to his feet, forcing them to follow the bouncing werewolf princess. He had to finish what he’d started, or he’d never be allowed to return to normal life.

She wouldn’t tell him where they were going. It was a secret. A half hour later in the back of a limousine, he looked out the window and knew exactly what his friend had planned for the next big date. Mount Belua towered over the highway and the tiny town that sat at the foot of its massive girth. Despite the warm fall weather, its face was covered in brilliant white snow. An empty ski lift carted benches up to the top of the first hill. It was the first time he’d seen it void of witches, ghouls, vampires, and creatures of all sorts who liked to dip their toes into the strange human sport.

“Surprise!” Stasia leaned over him and blew a strand of hair out of her face. “We rented out the whole mountain. You’re going to take the ladies skiing today. And tonight, you’ll make your first elimination. I want it to be just like those human shows. Handing out the flowers and everything. Start thinking about it.”

He rolled his eyes. This was her way of upping the drama for her TV show. It wasn’t very amusing to him.

“What if I eliminate all of them?” he asked in a flat tone.

“Against the rules.” She smacked him on the shoulder. “And besides, isn’t there at least one lovely lady you’d really like to keep?”

Cate’s face came to mind, unbidden. He didn’t actually hate her company, surprising enough. Despite her snark and the fact that she would willingly sign up to enter a competition like this, he liked her unwavering confidence and the way she treated those around her with kindness. She had a pleasing smile and a touch that sent an electric charge through him. 

“Nope.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Not a clue. You’ll have to pick for me.”

Stasia sighed and leaned back into the plush leather seat. “I’ll make you a deal. You pick your favorite and I’ll pick the other. Make it easy on you.”

“Deal.”

Half the work for him. And besides, he already had an inkling on which of the ladies to keep. But he’d never confess it to his best friend. Not for all the gold in all the world.

❖

Cate stared in horror at the snowy expanse before her. She’d never skied a day in her life. But despite her protests, they’d stuffed her into a pink and yellow snow suit with matching skis and two pointy stick things. A pink cap kept her ears warm and a pair of yellow tinted goggles dug into her forehead.

This was Viktor’s idea of a date? It seemed like a good way to get herself killed. Never mind the bloodthirsty creatures surrounding her. This mountain would take her out. She didn’t have to worry about getting Viktor to hate her anymore. She’d be lucky just to make it out of here alive and with her ankles intact.

A white and blue streak flew past her. Jezebel was a natural on skis, of course. She zigzagged down the hill, her knees slightly bent and her sticks pointing out behind her. Joy wasn’t far behind. In her gold and silver snow suit, she looked like a shimmering snow fairy.

Cate suddenly wondered if fairies were real. After last night, anything was possible. She wouldn’t put it past them...

At the bottom of the hill, appeared a man in a black and white suit on skis. Two cameras followed close behind him. Jezebel and Joy made beelines toward the figure. They weren’t going to waste any time trying to tackle Prince Viktor today. The pending elimination had put everyone on edge. Their limo ride over here had been tense, punctuated only by Joy’s nervous chatter and the sound of Jezebel clicking her wickedly sharp nails on the door.

Cate had calmed down significantly since the club incident last night. On the ride home, Miranda had filled her in on many of the details of the supernatural world. Apparently, supernaturals were more scared of humans than humans were of them. They’d been persecuted, hated, and wiped out by human kind ever since the beginning of time. Still, the law in Monstrana was that no human could come to harm. That was, unless they found out the truth about the creatures living here. Then, the law dictated that they had to join them.

She shuddered at the thought.

Still, they weren’t the monsters she’d originally thought. They kept some modicum of civility. At least she didn’t have to worry about a vampire sneaking into her bedroom in the middle of the night to snack on her neck. Prince Viktor should be more worried about that than her. Especially with the predatory way Jezebel watched him.

And speaking of Jezebel, it seemed that she’d won the fight to ride back to the top of the hill with him on the lift. Viktor was crushed to one side of the swinging bench, his back straight as a rod. Jezebel sat next to him, her dangerously curvy hips pressed up against his thighs. Her mouth was moving nonstop, her hands fluttering in conversation. Viktor looked about ready to throw himself to the ground. He stared straight ahead, not even glancing her way as they approached the top.

It was time to set the plan into motion. Mission-make-Prince-Viktor-hate-Cate. She wasn’t sure she would have to try very hard. Their relationship had started off on a rocky note anyway. And combined with her epically bad skiing skills, there was no way she’d make it past elimination tonight. Smooth sailing.

It really was too bad. She could’ve sworn she felt a spark when they were dancing last night. But there was her good-guy radar again. Permanently broken.

She slid forward on the hill as slow as she could manage, using the pointy sticks to slow her descent. Determined not to chicken out, she pulled her goggles down over her eyes and flared her nostrils in a sharp intake of oxygen.

This was going to hurt.

Her skis flew forward as if they had a mind of their own. There was nothing slowing her down. No graceful curves back and forth across the hill. She went full speed ahead.

The first little snow bump sent her flying into the air, catching more air than she’d prepared herself for. She landed with a thud and then let out a triumphant whoop when she managed to stay on her feet. But she couldn’t stay happy for long. At least three more bumps waited for her below.

She hit the next one at an awkward angle and that was the end of her spree. Her left ski went flying to the right and her right ski buried itself in the snow as she tumbled. White powder blinded her and she rolled at least a dozen times before coming to a rough stop at the bottom. Her head spun, making her want to cough back up her jelly donut breakfast. Despite everything, she kept it together and was relieved to find out she hadn’t even broken a bone.

The whoosh of skis behind her warned her of someone’s approach. She tore off her goggles and turned to see Viktor coming down after her, the epitome of grace and athleticism on snow. He twisted his body to skid to a stop and unstrapped his feet to run to her side. 

“Are you okay?” He slid to his knees beside her and ripped off his goggles. Worry forced his beautifully carved lips into a frown. “That was quite the fall.”

“Fine.” She smiled nervously at him, adrenaline still pumping through her veins and making her shake. “Guess I’m not the graceful vampire you had in mind, huh? Not very light on my feet. Not quite the ideal skiing partner.”

He tilted his head in confusion. The golden flecks in his eyes seemed to sparkle as he held her gaze. “I’m guessing you’ve never skied before.”

“Oh, I’ve skied a million times. Always the same results. Like a calf on stilts.” She giggled too loudly, trying her best to break eye contact with him. She didn’t like that little bit of heat building up in her stomach every time he looked at her. “I think I’d better call it a day and go wait in the lodge. Wouldn’t want to kill someone out here.”

Offering his arm, he pulled her to her feet and helped brush the snow off her shoulders. His touch was like fire through her suit.

“That’s probably a good idea. In fact, I might do the same...”

“No!” She didn’t mean to shout at him. It just came out that way. He blinked in surprise, a frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I mean, don’t trouble yourself. You’ve got two great girls waiting for you up there.”

Two figures stood at the top of the hill, looking down at them. Cate swore she could feel Jezebel’s hate radiating towards her.

He rubbed the back of his exposed neck. “Yeah, I suppose...”

“Joy really is such a sweet girl.” She swallowed nervously, hoping he couldn’t tell. “She runs her own farm and everything. A real head for business, that one. And Jezebel. Don’t get me started on her. She’s...well, she’s got quite a personality. Never met anyone like her.”

And she hoped she never would.

“Are you sure you want to sit this one out?” The muscles twitched in his jaw. “Maybe do another round? I could give you a private lesson.”

“Absolutely not.” Her tone was harsher than she meant. Softening her voice, she shook her head. “I don’t want to tear you away from the rest of the girls. Let me go wait in the lodge. I’ll be fine.”

“If you insist.” The way he lingered told her he was having second thoughts. He turned back to her, the expression in his eyes soft. “Are you sure...?”

“Yes, go.”

Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths. Never had she met a man so hard to say no to. Her resolve was crumbling. Despite the fact that she knew she shouldn’t be feeling this way, part of her couldn’t help but wonder what it’d be like to curl up next to him in front of a roaring fire. A blanket shared and a good book in her lap. She shook her head to drive the image from her mind.

He didn’t seem like the cuddly type. And besides, he was a monster. A fantastically sexy monster, but still a monster. How much dumber could a girl get?

“Enjoy your rest,” Viktor said, bowing his head the slightest and leaving to fetch his skis.

Cate ran away as fast as she could manage in her snow boots. She hoped that had done the trick and that she’d be on her way home tonight.

She wasn’t sure she had many more no’s left inside her. Not for that man.