I'm not sure how long I slept for, but it was the best, dreamless sleep I have ever had. Olivia told me that I was going to meet a few more people later and would come get me when it was time. I decided to lay on the bed and read one of the books from the bookshelves, but I fell asleep because the bed was too comfortable. Eventually, I was awoken by Olivia, just as she said she would.

"Claire." Olivia shook my body. "It's time to get up. I let you rest a little longer than I was supposed to."

I groaned, "But it's so soft."

"Yes, it is, but you don't want to keep the royal family waiting, do you?"

My eye popped open and looked at her. "Royal family?"

"You haven't forgotten already?" She asked, amused.

"No, I just assumed this was all a dream." I got off of the bed and glanced around the room.

"You are handling your situation very well, you know. A lot of people would be scared or freaked out being around vampires," she complimented with her head cocked.

I laughed at that and shrugged. "Well, I think it hasn't really sunk in yet...and this place beats where I was before."

Olivia didn't respond and continued to touch up my hair. After she was content with her work, she escorted me to the dining hall. A small bead of sweat began to fall on my forehead. Every step I took made me more anxious as I was going to be in the presence of royalty and him.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost ran into Olivia's back when she stopped. "We're here." She gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't be nervous, Claire. It's just dinner."

Yeah, dinner with vampires. I wonder what they're serving.

I nodded my head at her, and she pushed me through the big doors. The dining room was almost as big as the ballroom I saw in my dreams. It had cathedral ceilings with a mural of dark creatures fighting with angels. The walls were painted white, making the room look open, and black curtains draped alongside the windows. Sitting at a very large table was Queen Aurora, the King from my dream, a girl with dark, brown hair, Julian, and aqua eyes. I dragged my feet across the grey and white, marble flooring to the table. An older woman in a maid's uniform pulled out a chair for me next to Julian and ushered me sit down.

"So, you're the mysterious girl Julian found in the woods," the older-looking version of aqua eyes stated.

"Er, yes. I'm Claire," I quietly replied.

Julian's lips quirked up while leaning back in his chair. The man from my dreams looked annoyed.

"Well, it's a pleasure to have you here, Claire. I'm King Gabriel," he introduced himself. "You know my wife, Queen Aurora and Julian. This is my daughter, Princess Celine, and my son, Prince Tristan."

Tristan.

Celine's face was emotionless as she stared at me. Tristan looked like he was purposely looking out the window to avoid my gaze. For some reason, he seemed like he hated me, and I had no idea what I did. I just met him in person, after all.

Tristan was a spitting image of his dad, just younger with both of them having shaved heads, stubble, and rich, brown skin. I couldn't help but keep looking at the beauty of them.

Something inside of me hoped that Tristan would look my way. Images of him from my visions flashed through my mind. As if he could read my mind, Julian gave me a quizzical look.

"Excuse our children. They seemed to have forgotten the manners a Prince and Princess should hold," King Gabriel stated, icily, while he shot daggers at the two of them.

Celine replied, nonchalantly, "Sorry, Papa. I'm just not used to my food sitting at the dinner table."

Julian choked back a laugh while Tristan gave his sister an astounded look.

"Celine!" The Queen scolded as the King looked infuriated.

Celine wore a cold expression as she looked at her brother and Julian before turning her attention back to her parents. "Maman. If you'll excuse me...". She then gave me an intimidating look before disappearing from the room.

They do that a lot.

Julian stifled a laugh, and I gave him a glare.

I don't know what's so funny.

"I'm sorry, Claire. You would think heirs to the throne would act better," Queen Aurora apologized.

"It's no problem," I insisted.

The King smiled and clapped his hands together. "Great! Now, I had the kitchen prepare a meal in honor of your stay."

Butlers and maids brought out multiple dishes and drinks to the table and set down a plate in front of me. My mouth began to water at the sight of the steak and potatoes. I couldn't remember the last time I had a meal like this. I greedily dug into the food. After a few seconds, I looked up to see everyone staring.

"Oh. Oh my God. I am so sorry," I apologized profusely. I must have looked like an animal to these people. I was in the presence of royalty.

"Don't be sorry. You must be starving from being out in the forest," Aurora reassured as she sipped on some red liquid from a wine glass.

Yeah, from the forest...

My eyes drifted to the red liquid placed in front of each of them. My heart skipped a beat.

Is that blood?

It's either that or you. I heard a voice in my head say.

My eyes widened in surprise. Before I could figure out the voice, the King began talking. "So, Julian told us that when he found you, he seen something strange when he touched you."

"Seen something? I don't understand," I replied, confused. My brows knitted together as I tried to remember.

"I don't think she knows about vampires and what they can do, your Highness," Julian interjected.

"Ah, that makes sense. Thank you, Julian. You see, each vampire has their own unique ability. Julian has the ability to see visions of the future and sometimes the past, but that is rare," King Gabriel explained before taking a bite of food.

"So he saw my future?" I asked.

"Not quite. He saw the past, particularly yours and—"

"Enough! I want this human out of the castle! This dinner is done." Tristan slammed his hand on the table as he stood.

His eyes turned black and his face contorted into something almost demonic. I couldn't tear my eyes away though his stature sent fear through my body. The King stood and matched Tristan's stance as they glared at each other.

"You may be my son, but I am also your King, and I will not stand for such disrespect! The girl is not going anywhere, Tristan!" King Gabriel's voice boomed throughout the dining hall.

They continued to challenge each other with their eyes. In a flash, Tristan disappeared from the room, followed by his parents. My mind was trying to wrap around what just happened.

What did I do to make him so angry?

Don't take it personal, Princess. Tristan has a temper on him. A familiar voice echoed through my head.

My head whipped around to see Julian still leaning back in his chair with a smug look on his face.

"Was that—?"

He looked amused. "Yes, I can read your mind. You should try to conceal some of your thoughts. I didn't take you for having a dirty side."

"What?!" My face turned red from embarrassment, and my eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head.

"I was only joking." Julian chuckled as he stood up. "Relax. I'll escort you back to your room. Not all vampires have self control."

"What time is it?" I asked, looking at the sun rays peaking through the window.

"It's almost seven in the morning," he stated while pulling on my arm to follow him.

"I thought vampires couldn't be exposed in the sun. Why are you able to stand here with the sunlight in the room?"

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear or read, Princess," he remarked as we walked through the pristine hallway. "We can be in the sun only if we've had enough blood. It only burns us if we are hungry."

That's why I have seen Tristan in the sunlight in my dreams.

Putting two and two together, eh? You're lucky he already ate, or he would've tried to suck you dry. Julian's voice popped into my head.

"Get out of there!" I scolded, straight-faced.

I could sense the wolfish grin on his face, even though I could only see his back. I couldn't stay mad. Knowing his reaction made me smile too.

I thought back to what Julian said and realization hit me. "Wait, but that was just a dream. I wasn't really there."

"But you were." Julian turned and looked at me with an inscrutable expression. "Sleep tight, Princess."

With that, he left me in the hallway in front of my door alone. I was no closer to finding out what any of this meant, and I was also annoyed with the fact that everyone just pops in and out whenever they felt like it. I walked into my room to find a single, forget-me-not flower on the end table by the bed. I picked it up and held it between my fingers. Tristan's face flashed across my mind, and I dropped the dainty flower on the floor.