Interview for The Vampire’s Bride

For Alina

Your relationship with Erick didn’t start out so well. Is it hard to fall in love with a man you thought caused your miseries?
Alina: Falling in love with Erick had never been the hard part. The hard part had been to accept the fact that I had. We’d never been friends, never seen eye to eye, and most of it was because we were two completely different species; but even then there had been this physical attraction that we couldn’t deny. And after that… (Clears throat)… I despised him. But the moment Erick came back after four years, I noticed minor changes in him I hadn’t before and it was those minor changes, those little things he did that made me fall harder.

2. At what point did you realize that you have fallen for Erick?
Alina: When I saw him lying on the floor, right outside my apartment, with a stake driven through his chest. In that moment… it felt like my world had ended and I knew that I’d love no one as much as I loved Erick. (Looks at Erick with teary eyes and a warm smile).

Erick: (wipes away her tears and holds her hand) I love you too, baby.

3. Have you really forgiven him?
Alina: I wouldn’t be here with him if I hadn’t (leans towards Erick’s seat instinctively). Besides, it wasn’t really his fault; Emiel compulsions are wicked. In fact, last week he compelled our head chef to mix Champagne, pickle and chocolate in the bottled blood and served it to us.

Erick: (Bursts out laughing from beside Alina) Yeah, he did it because we’re planning to send him off to get properly trained in statecraft and weapons.

4. This will be cheeky of me, Your Highness, but we just can’t help wondering. (Leans in so only Alina can hear) How is Erick in bed? Are vampires really that good?
Alina: (gives a very pointed look even as her cheeks redden) That is for me to know and you to never ask again.
(Erick bursts into laugher again since he’s already heard the question with his superhuman hearing)

5. What have you discovered in yourself after turning into a vampire?
Alina: (In a sour voice) that blood leaves a nasty stain on your teeth. (Then she flashes her pearly whites) I’m still an infant in terms of vampire aging, so I don’t feel that different from when I was still human. Apparently, even running at high speed requires a lot of training.




For Erick
For most of her life, Alina blamed you for taking everything away from her. Later, however, it was revealed that you were under control by your enemies and was as much of a victim as she was. Why did it take you that long to reveal the truth to her?
Erick: I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but being compelled into doing something against my will that too when I was the Vampire Prince, it was a tremendous blow to my pride. I think I had to admit it to myself first that I’d been fooled by my friends, compelled by my brother, and I’d been as helpless as a human being all throughout the process. It’s not something you can just straight out accept when you’re the post powerful creature in the planet.

2. Since having Alina in your life, what has changed?
Alina: Yes Erick, I’d like to hear about that too (smiles teasingly).

Erick: (Laughs) Well, for starters (winks at Alina), I’m having the best sex of my life (avoids getting hit by a furiously blushing Alina). But aside from that, I’m definitely learning what it likes to be a husband, to accept that my life is no longer my own, but Alina has as much a right to fret over me as I have over her. But most of all, it’s knowing that I have one person in my life who I can share everything with, even my responsibility to take care of so many people/vampires.

3. So we’ve heard you underwent intensive training in statecraft these past few months, Your Highness. What are your plans now that you are crowned as king? Any changes in vampire tradition or laws that we can expect?
Erick: If I discuss the complete list, I’m pretty sure we’ll be here the entire month. (Smiles but then turns serious) But there is one change that I’ll make sure happens. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure no mother has to ever be separated from her child again. Emiel and I’d been separated at birth, taught to hate each other by the people who are supposed to nurture children, not cripple them. It doesn’t matter if Alina or any other woman in the Royal family has twins or triplets, they’ll always stay with their parents. It is our duty to teach them to love, not to hate.

4. Can we expect royal children soon?
Author: Hey! I decide when they have children or not!

Erick & Alina: Where did you come from? This is our interview!

(Author gets pulled off stage by the security while she’s still screaming, “You’re in this interview because I created you!”).

Interviewer: Sorry for the inconvenience, you guys can continue safely.

Erick: Well, like she said, Alina’s still a kid in vampire terms and a vampire’s fertility rate isn’t so high. My parents had me and Emiel in their early 200’s, so I’m not yet sure how long it’ll take for us. (Gives Alina a wicked grin) But I guess we just need to keep practicing.

Alina: (glares daggers at Erick) Just you get home, mister!



The End