Vampire Girl

"That's High Castle," Asher says. "I will be taking you there directly."

I shift my finger to see a wider view again. "What are these circles?"

"Those are the seven realms, each ruled by one of the princes. There are other maps of our kingdom but it's best seen from an enchanted mirror. For safety reasons, however, there are no mirrors allowed within the realms. Anyone wishing to travel by the gateways must come here, to the edge of the outer region, and then use the canals to get where they wish to go."

That's when I see a boat float up to the shore and stop for us. "Aren't we a bit overdressed for travel by boat?"

There is snow on the ground, and my heel sinks into it as I follow Asher towards the boat. I would have stayed in my jeans if I'd known we'd be traveling this way.

He side-eyes me. "Your dress will be fine."

I sigh as Asher climbs in first. Colorful pillows are artfully arranged on the wooden seats, and the prince sinks into them, watching with amusement as I navigate my way onto the precarious floating wood. It sways and I stand still, one foot on land, one in the boat.

Asher chuckles. "It's charmed to always stay upright. You can't tip it if you tried." To prove his point—or terrify me—I'm honestly not sure which, he grabs the sides and shakes the boat.

It moves, but only a little. He grins. "See? You're safe."

Emboldened despite his attitude, I climb in and recline against my own pillows. They are surprisingly comfortable.

Asher says something under his breath once I'm settled and the boat begins to glide through the water. "I've never been on a boat before, but I'm pretty sure it usually involves motors or rowing."

"Your world may have the marvels of electronics, but we have magic. In a toss between the two, I'd always choose the latter."

My eyes widen. "Magic? Real magic?" For some reason, this is harder to grasp than demons and vampires, though I'm not sure why. Particularly since I just traveled to another world through an enchanted mirror.

"Real magic. Wielded carefully, of course. In the wrong hands, magic is dangerous. There are laws about the proper use of magic, for everyone's protection."

"So you can wield magic?"

"Not exactly. I—really anyone—can use a spell once it's been cast. But vampires and demons cannot cast magic."

"Then who casts the spells?"

"The Fae," he says, then falls silent.

I have so many more questions, but he doesn't seem to be of a mood to talk anymore, so I entertain myself by getting to know my new world. The lake we've been floating on has begun to narrow, taking us into a canal with forests on either side of us. We pass between two giant walls that span as far as I can see. At least six stories high, they seem carved from one mass of gray stone. Above us, connecting the two walls, hangs a metal gate forged from interlocking beams.

Asher notices me looking. "So we can close the canals during an attack."

"From who?" I ask.

"Enemies my people have made. They live in limbo, the Outlands, beyond these walls."

I raise an eyebrow. "And how often are you attacked?"

"There are occasional raids. But first, they must deal with the archers on the walls. If they make it past, then we have soldiers on the ground." He speaks casually, as if this is the day to day of his life. Will I too, one day, speak of raids and battle so easily?

We pass the walls, and the temperature drops, and I pull my coat around me, shivering at such a sudden change in climate.

"We've entered my brother's realm, the Prince of War," he says. "It's miserably cold here this time of year."

Majestic mountains topped with caps of snow reach into the sky, and trees so tall I can't see their tops line the shore. In the distance, a castle forged from stone is carved into the side of a massive peak. Purple flags fly from two towers, depicting a white wolf. "Do other people live here?" I wonder out loud.

"Yes. Each realm has its villages, its center, and its populace. Most are demons but there are other kinds here as well. It's important you always stay within the realms. We aren't the only race inhabiting this land, and believe it or not, we're the good guys. You don't want to go beyond the gates, if you value your life. Or your mother's."

Asher's voice drops to a low rumble, and I shiver at the weight in his words. What kinds of creatures live outside the realms that would have vampires scared of them? I can't even imagine. "Speaking of my mother, when will I get to see her?"

"We will head there first, to set your mind at ease. Then you will be assigned a realm to begin your stay with us. My brothers were meant to decide the order while I retrieved you."

"The order?"

Asher looks over at me and smirks. "Yes, the order. You must spend time with each of us before you make your choice. You'll have a month with each prince. At the end of the seven months, you will decide who amongst us will be your mate and future king."

"So my mother has to live as a prisoner for seven months? What if I decide sooner?"

His smirk disappears and he leans closer to me, his cologne making my head spin. "Be very careful, princess. My brothers are ruthless demons who have lived more lifetimes than you can imagine. They have their own agendas and will do whatever it takes to accomplish them. Do not be hasty in this. Not only are you sealing your own fate for all eternity, but our kingdom's as well."