Touch of Flame

By Darcy Phillips

Princess Nina Gold is forced to go on a cruise ship by her father, who is under the control of her older sister Sierra. Nina is told that this would 'cure her' of her diet. While on the ship, Nina has to choose a human to be her 'companion.' She decides on Anton Dragomir, a mute human lord from Romania who was sold into the illegal trade happening on the ship. Nina is determined to free him and while they get closer, their feelings grow stronger for each other.

Alongside this relationship growing, Sierra is growing more and more volatile after being passed over to becoming queen. She is doing everything in her power to corrupt Nina and her values. Not only that, but Sierra is disgusted with Nina's relationship. She will do anything to destroy Nina and Anton for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667827452

Book preview

Chapter One

On the Boat

I normally loved being in London; a good chunk of my childhood and adolescence was spent in court with Victoria until her later adult years. The hustle of the city normally excited me, but that was not the case that late February night. I was in London to board a cruise ship, a trip spanning throughout coastal Europe before heading to the Bahamas. 

 And I was not a happy camper. 

‘This trip will kick your awful habit, Nina," Father had told me, Sierra standing at the threshold with a wicked grin and hatred in her eyes. 

 ‘Papa, you can’t be serious!’ I protested, betrayal in my dual-colored eyes. ‘You’ve never been against my habit!’

 ‘It has become clear to me that your habit is disgraceful to not only our family, but our kind as well,’ he stated with anger. ‘Sending you on this cruise will ensure that you break this habit. End of discussion.’ He then left the parlor before I could get another word in. 

It was clear that Sierra had manipulated Father into sending me away. Things had changed since Grandfather had chosen his heir for the throne over our kingdom and over the vampire race. Sierra had been so confident that she would be chosen, but her thoughts and confidence were shattered when Grandfather revealed that Elais Bloodcrest, our god and patron, had chosen me instead of Sierra. We were both shocked, but Sierra took it to heart. 

 My once kind and supportive older sister slowly devolved. It started with little things, like blowing off sisterly activities. Then came the jabs at my physical appearance; how I was too short, how I had two different eye colors, and my unnatural red hair. She would claim that my appearance was too different for me to be queen. That was it for three decades. Nothing major-just jabs at my appearance. 

 Then, weeks before the cruise, Sierra started insulting my lifestyle choice of my blood drinking. I didn’t drink human blood anymore and my family always understood why. Sierra’s heel-face turn was connected to my new status as heir. Slowly, she whispered harsh thoughts into Father’s ears and subtly turned him against me. Luckily, Mother never listened to Sierra. Mother remained on my side, confident that she could undo Father’s brainwashed mind.

 But, until then, I was stuck going on the stupid cruise where I would have no access to animals to feed on. Bloody hell, I muttered to myself as I got into the line to board the giant multi-layered white cruise ship. I retrieved my ticket and passport out of my shoulder purse, holding them as the line moved along and the number of people in front of me dwindled. 

 Twenty.

 Fifteen.

 Ten.

 Five, four, three, two, one…

 Next, the official called out. 

 I walked forward and handed the man my things.

 Thank you, Miss. He took my items. I waited patiently while he read them over. He stiffened just a tad and looked up at me. My lady, welcome. Your quarters are ready for you. 

 I nodded and walked up the gangplank, heading straight for the quarters Grandfather had prepared for me. I pulled on my hood, hiding my curls and obscuring my face from being recognized. I didn’t acknowledge anyone, and no one acknowledged me. 

 The number 117 came into my view, and I quickly entered, locking the door behind me. I let my hood fall off my head and ran my fingers through my cheek length ringlet curls. I let out a sigh. Well, at least the room looks nice. That’s one good thing. 

 Hanging in the middle of the ceiling was a vintage glass crystal chandelier, filling the room with light. The crystals hung from the metal bearings, reflecting the light coming off it. The walls were painted a lovely mahogany red. Entering the room, the bathroom was to my left and then the rest of the spacious room before me. On the left wall was a large mirror with a mahogany red desk under the mirror. At the edge of the desk was a glass tray with two champagne bottles and a few glasses. Next to the desk was a deep velvet red couch with four black throw pillows. 

 On the right wall was a linen closet and a king-sized bed made up with black sheets, a velvet red comforter, and four large black pillows. A large black headboard rested behind the pillows, holding up the pillows. On the left side of the bed was a floor to ceiling mirror. On the far wall were three floor-to-ceiling windows, currently opened to see the night sky but were to be closed during the day by the three rows of blackout curtains. 

 Moving forward, I flung my body on the bed and moaned at the softness of the large mattress. This feels heavenly, I muttered. I turned onto my back, my cloak under me-spread out like wings. My eyes felt heavy and fluttered shut. My body was ready for a nap, and I did nap for a good while, but sometime later a knock sounded at my door. Groaning, I sat up and asked, Who is it? 

 Princess Nina, it’s time for you to choose a companion, a husky male voice called out from the other side of the door. 

 My brow furrowed as I got off the bed and strolled across the dark red carpet. I opened the door to find a bulky guard holding what looked like a restaurant menu in his hands. Really? I would assume that the others were going to have their choice first, I said with tense anxiety, trying to prolong the choosing. 

 My lady, you are the princess and chosen heir of King Cain. You have the first choice, the man answered honestly, holding the menu folder out to me. 

 Giving him a tense smile, I opened the folder and started scanning the photos and names. Being the princess didn’t always make things easy; especially when no one knew I didn’t conform to the common vampire lifestyle. But I decided to choose and play along. I stopped scanning; my eyes drawn to a man with the iciest pair of blue eyes I’d ever seen. Pale skin covered a sharp angular face with short jet-black hair parted from the left to the right. I felt sorrow when I saw those eyes but felt a pull to him as well. ‘He needs help.’ I thought to myself. ‘I can save him.’ I looked up at the man. I choose Anton Dragomir. 

 Ah, Romanian blood, the man praised me. Your Majesty has an exotic palate. He took the folder back from me. He will be delivered to you in a couple hours after we have him prepared for you. With that, the man bowed to me and left me alone. 

 I rolled my eyes and closed the door, glancing over to the bathroom. ‘Perhaps a quick shower before my new companion arrives will help unravel tension building up in my back,’ I decided in thought, heading into the bathroom. Leaving the bathroom door open, I unclipped my cloak and it fell to the floor. 

 The bathroom is a contrast to the bedroom with a white tile floor. The countertop was granite with a large sink in the middle with an oval mirror above it. The tub and the shower were separate, the shower encased by glass and made up of white tiles. 

 I stripped from my clothes and walked over to the shower, turning on the hot water. I moved to enter the shower, but a brush of wind stopped me. 

 Turning around, there he stood dressed in a sleek black suit with his long chestnut hair flowing around his shoulders and his dark green eyes filled with mirth. He was smiling at me.

 Grandfather! I shouted, rushing to embrace him. The thought of my naked body was ignored. 

 He held me in a tender embrace, one I had only received from either him or Mother in recent years at this point. My precious Nina, he cooed at me, his long fingers stroking my curls. You are lovelier than when I saw you last. 

 I giggled, pulling back to look up at him. You saw me two days ago. Grandfather, I reminded him. 

 He chuckled in return. So I did. 

 We separated, and I climbed into the shower while he sat on the edge of the tub. I was surprised to hear that you chose a human companion from the trade, he stated, his voice growing dark as he mentioned the trade. I will track down the key players in the trade and have them executed. This was never approved by me and now it’s becoming a toxin in our world.

 We’ll figure it out, I assured him, ducking my head back to wet my hair. The traitors cannot hide for long.

 You are right, Nina. Now, about your companion, he stated, looking directly at me. With your ideals, you wouldn’t want humans near you. 

 It was to save face and play along, I admitted, letting the hot water cascade on my tight shoulders. Although, I felt a pull to the man I chose. 

 Grandfather’s eyes lit up. You chose a MALE? He smirked. 

 Yes, but I was pulled to him, I said, reaching for the shampoo. I squirted some on my hand and then rubbed the soap in my hair. I’m going to save him. 

 My merciful angel. Grandfather lamented. You are a rare breed of vampire, my dear. But I must warn you to be cautious. Not everyone will be accepting of you keeping the same companion. They may discover the truth about you. 

 They will learn the truth about me when I become queen, Grandfather. I understand your concerns, but I have to do this. I sighed, rinsing the shampoo from my hair. 

 He nodded in understanding. 

 I continued with my shower, conditioning my hair and washing my body. As I rinsed the soap off my body, a knock came again to my room. I looked to Grandfather, who nodded and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I got out of the shower and dried my body and hair. I wrapped my hair up with a towel and slipped on a white silk robe. 

 Nina, you have a guest! Grandfather called me. 

 I took a deep breath before leaving the bathroom to meet my new companion.

Chapter Two

Enters Anton

His picture did not do him justice. He stood at just over 6 feet tall, wearing a simple black button-up, black dress pants, and dress shoes. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows. His eyes, those icy blue irises, were cold as winter as he glared at the guard, Grandfather, and me. His face was sharp and angular with very deep cheekbones. 

‘He’s beautiful.’ I thought as our eyes locked. I felt my body heat up but controlled the urge to blush. 

 Nina, this is Anton Dragomir, Grandfather introduced. Anton, this is my heir and granddaughter, Princess Nina Gold. 

 Giving a tight smile, I nodded to the guard to dismiss him. The guard left quickly, and it was just the three of us left. Anton, now left with two royal vampires, looked a little more anxious than before. 

 Anton, you have nothing to fear, Grandfather assured him, patting him on the shoulder. You are in no danger with Nina. 

 Anton looked at Grandfather with a raised eyebrow and suspicion. This was understandable. Anton was a victim of the Vampire Slave Trade and had been abused by others before coming to me. Why should he believe two of the most vampires? It was expected that he wouldn’t trust us. 

 So, I turned to Grandfather and asked, Is there some other way for me to get my nightly drink? You must have some way of getting animal blood on this ship.

 At the sound of my voice, and my question. Anton looked at me in surprise. The look of ‘what is she planning’ was on his face. I mean, I had requested Anton, but I wasn’t going to drink from him. What was my angle?

 I smiled shyly at my companion. I don’t drink human blood. Like Grandfather, I drink animal blood. I chose you to be my companion to avoid suspicion from the other passengers. I twiddled my fingers. If I can, I’d like to free you from the Trade. Is that all right? 

 Anton continued to just stare at me with suspicious eyes.

 I tilted my head to the side. Are you not going to say anything, Anton? I asked. 

 Grandfather came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. Nina, Anton cannot speak. He is mute, he informed me. 

 Oh, I’m sorry, I apologized to Anton. 

 He seemed to suppress an eye roll, as if he was used to people not realizing he was mute and having to be told by a third party. 

 I looked at the ropes wrapped and knotted tight around his wrists. Those look uncomfortable, I said gesturing to the ropes. Would you like me to get you out of those? 

 He seemed to contemplate my offer before shrugging his shoulders with apathy. 

 Waving my left hand, I conjured a small dagger. I walked up to him and slipped the dagger between the ropes, flexing my wrist to slice the ropes and freeing Anton. There, I’m sure that’s much more comfortable, I said as I looked up into his eyes, me only reaching his mid-chest as I’m 4’10 to his 6’1 height. 

 Our eyes met in an intense gaze, his searching mine for answers to my actions while I searched for something other than his shield of suspicion and apathy. 

 That’s when his scent filled my senses. It was intoxicating, a mixture of musk, spice, and something more from nature. Not a woody scent, but more of mountain air. My mouth began to water, and my throat was ablaze. 

 Nina? Grandfather asked as I backed away from Anton. 

 I reached up to my neck and began rubbing it. His scent…Grandfather, I need a drink now. I looked to Grandfather in desperation. 

 Without a word, he nodded and like I had with my dagger, Grandfather conjured a crystal wine glass with what looked like dark red wine inside. But I knew better, the fresh smell of elk filling my nose and calming me. 

 I reached forward and gingerly took the glass from Grandfather, taking to sipping the blood while pacing around the room. Anton watched me as Grandfather was, the two keeping an eye on me while I quenched my thirst. I took the blood in sips, easing the fire little by little. Soon, the glass was empty, and I sat it down on the desk. 

 Are you feeling better now? Grandfather asked. 

 I nodded, looking in the mirror above to see it I had split any blood and saw that I didn’t. In the mirror, I noticed Anton was still watching me. Yes? I asked, turning to him. 

 He made the smallest nod to the glass. 

 Oh, my drink of choice? He nodded. That was elk blood. You see, I haven’t had human blood since my adolescence in the 1860s. 

 He raised his eyebrows at me, crossing his arms. He didn’t believe me. 

 I shook my head with a smile. Don’t worry about it for now, I told him, but my mind was unleashing a repressed memory:

1862

 The sun has dipped behind the tall gothic buildings, casting long and wide shadows on the cobblestone paths. With this shadowy twilight, my people were free to traverse without fear of the sun. 

 The warm air allowed me to dress lightly for the night: a white Victorian gothic dress with short cap sleeves, a square collar, bowknot ruffles, and a floor length skirt with white mid-calf boots. A black cloak engulfed my body, hiding my dress under it. My hair was free from the cloak, though pinned back in a tight bun. I looked innocent, unassuming, unprotected. 

 Bullshit on that. 

 I was walking alone that night, my family electing to stay behind at the palace for a little while longer while I got my drink first. The heels of my boots clicked as I moved, echoing as I made my way from the palace to the more unsavory section of London where all my usual prey inhabited. 

 One popped up immediately in my sight, about ½ mile away. It was an older male dragging a younger woman into an alley. Now, when I say ‘dragged,’ I mean he forced her into the alley way with brute strength and the woman had no say. It also meant that she was taken by force and I was not approving of that. 

 ‘Oh, hell no,’ I thought as I moved with enhanced speed to the alley. 

 I stood in the entrance of the alley and saw the man with his left hand on the girl’s throat while brandishing a crude knife in his right hand, running the dull edge along the neckline of the woman’s dress. 

 Listen here, you’ll give me what I want, and you’ll be quiet about it, the man growled. His voice was gravely, rough, and full of vile intentions. 

 The woman whimpered, turning her head with her eyes closed and pushing her body into the wall as if trying to phase into it and hide from this man. 

 Without a second thought, I sprinted forward and grabbed the man’s throat. This shocked him into releasing the girl, who smartly ran out of the alley and away from us. I slammed the man into a dark corner, far from the prying eyes of those outside the alley. My cloak flew open and behind me, becoming more of a cape as my dress was revealed. 

He looked at me with surprise, but it was soon replaced with anger as he started swiping the knife in my direction. The blade sliced my bare arms a couple times, but the skin healed at once without pain. 

You’re just delaying your death, scum, I growled to him, my voice dead but angry. 

Woman like you, he grumbled, his voice coming out hazy as I held his throat, can’t do squat against a man like me.

I grinned, my fangs showing off to him. Men like you…belong in Hell. Before he could react, I latched my fangs into his throat and began taking gulps and gulps of blood from the scum under me. He was screaming, trying to alert someone to us but his efforts were in vain as his voice died more and more as I drank. My stomach filled with blood, satisfying me. It was a good meal for the night.

Until visions of this man’s past started infiltrating my brain the longer I drank from him. As his heart began to slow its beating, the pain of this man’s death filled not only him but me as well. My veins tightened as if my own blood was being drained out of me.

 I pulled myself away from the man, letting the man fall as I backed up onto the opposite wall. Blood trickled down the sides off my mouth and landed on my dress, the red instantly popping against the white fabric. My eyes were wide with shock as I watched the last of the man’s life fade from his eyes. I had felt his pain, his death in my own body. 

‘What on earth,’ I thought. 

150 years later, to now, and I never wanted to relive that moment again. 

Well, I hope you two have a good evening together, Grandfather said, looking down at his watch. I must return to my own room to be with Rachel. I will see you two tomorrow evening. With that, he winked at us and vanished from sight. 

Anton blinked owlishly at where Grandfather had once stood. 

Yeah, I said, sitting down on my bed and crossing my legs while leaning back on my arms to support me. He likes to do that. He does it sometimes to trip people up. 

Anton turned and looked at my relaxed posture. His eyes were still wide as he looked my body up and down. 

I glanced down at my body, noticing the folds over my legs of my robe had fallen back to show my thighs and the folds over my chest were looking a little tight against my breasts. I shook my head a certain way and the towel fell off my head, my now free and wet curls falling against my face and cheeks.

Anton’s face went from pale and surprised to red and uncomfortable with a tiny bit of arousal in his eyes. He crossed his arms and looked away from me, grumbling coming from him. 

What? Not a good sight for you? I teased him. 

He grunted at me and glared in my direction. 

I laughed and lifted my left hand, snapping my fingers. A thin cream nightgown with tied straps appeared on my body, the robe returning to the bathroom. The bodice of the nightgown was just tight enough on my chest to reveal I had one and the skirt reached my mind-thigh. Better? I asked. 

He grunted again but nodded in agreement. 

Good, I stated. I looked at the digital clock and it read 3:35, a good three and a half hours after the ship set sail and a couple hours away from dawn and sunrise. Morning is approaching. We should prepare for bed. 

At my mention of going to bed, he glared at the bed and up at me. 

I sighed. You don’t have to sleep with me, I told him. I know for a fact that the couch right there becomes a bed. I pointed to the couch. There are sheets and extra pillows in the linen closet. There is no reason for you to be forced to share a bed with me. 

He walked over to the couch but looked back at me. I caught him watching me as I got off the bed and pulled the covers back. I watched him as he moved to the closet to get the sheets for the couch bed, as well as a couple pillows. He moved back to the couch and took off the throw pillows and cushions, pulling the bed out and quickly making it. 

If you need anything, just wake me, I told him. I climbed into bed. Good night. I pulled the covers up and snuggled into my pillows. Getting comfortable, I fell asleep.

Though not for long. 

I felt my shoulder be shaken and I groaned as I sat up, looking up