I wake in the dark, the same as I have every night of my existence. But tonight is different. Tonight I’ve been alive for twenty-three years. The significance of this is not lost on me. As the vampire princess of the Night Court, this is the night I begin my ascension and take my place as heir to the throne. Nerves curl in my stomach as every word of my mother’s stories replay in my mind. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess. She grew from a lovely child to the most stunning woman in the court. She knew her destiny was to one day rule the Night Court and bring harmony between the humans and vampires, protecting the humans from the dangers of our world until the next generation rises. The night of her twenty-third birthday the princess was dressed in her finest gown, and her mother, the queen, gave her a special gift. It was a handmade box, which held the crown the princess would give to her chosen prince. One lord from each of the four villages who swear fealty to our kingdom were sent as an offering to the princess. She knew her choice would be difficult, but that she could not ascend until her mate had been crowned and the future of the Court sealed. The story had gone on, but much of the details varied as my mother had given me visions of the man I would choose. This fairy tale was my future, her past, the past of every generation before us. But now? Now it is real. I rise from my bed knowing this is the last time I’ll see these chambers. My place is no longer here. In a matter of hours, I’ll be shipped off, unable to return until I have my future husband by my side. Once we return, I’ll live in a different part of the manor, share a bed with the man I’ve taken, and leave my life as princess for one as queen. I am not ready for any of this, no matter how many times my mother has told me to expect it. I know she went through the same thing when she was my age, but she’s a formidable woman, a force to be reckoned with. A soft knock on my door has me whirling around, blond hair flying in my face. My mother’s disapproving gaze travels over my form. “Felicity! You’re not even dressed. We have to leave.” My heart leaps. I’m not ready. She shakes her head and pulls a gown from my wardrobe. Giving it a stern look, she frowns and tosses the gauzy fabric on my bed. “This won’t do. Where is the gown I had made for you?” “I’m sure it’s there somewhere. The maid might have laid it out somewhere special to keep it safe.” “You need to be in the royal blue silk. It’s the perfect color for your hair and skin tone.” I roll my eyes. “Why does it matter? These men have no choice in this. The one I choose will come with me to gain protection for his village for his lifetime. Isn’t that how the story goes?” The disdain in my voice is hard to disguise. I have no desire to marry a man who doesn’t want me. “And he’ll be lucky to be yours.” Will he? His sacrifice, his willingness to become my consort will only stem from the desire to save his home, not out of love or loyalty to me. “Here it is!” my mother exclaims from the depths of the ornate piece of furniture that houses my clothing. She produces the gorgeous silk gown and offers a brilliant smile. “Stunning. You’re going to be stunning. As it should be.” Crossing the room, I take the offered dress and let the soft, cool material brush along my skin. It matches my eyes. I’m sure she had the silk dyed this way on purpose. My mother doesn’t believe in coincidences. “Get dressed and be downstairs in ten minutes, Felicity. We have to leave within the hour. Your suitors will be delivered shortly.” There’s that familiar clenching in my gut again. “But…I need more time. Can’t we postpone?” “Child, what are you talking about? The ceremony starts at the hour of your birth. You have one hour until the rest of your life begins.” She runs a hand over my long hair and a wistful look crosses her face before she turns and practically glides out of the room, leaving me alone once more. In less than twenty minutes, I’m dressed and ready to go. I’ve had my bag packed for the last three days in anticipation of this trip. Two weeks away, maybe longer if need be, but I can’t help but harbor an ember of excitement at the change I’m about to experience. I’ve never been away from this estate, from my household filled with servants and advisors, and my mother the queen. Soon I will be on my own with only my potential consorts as company. My every move won’t be watched and judged, but more importantly, I won’t be treated like a child any longer. As I descend the wide staircase, I realize my mother was right. The rest of my life is about to begin.