'The strongest people make time to help others, even if they're struggling with their own personal problems.' - Anonymous
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"You've made my life ten times fucking worse!" I yell at Adeline. I glare her way whilst she just sits on the sofa across from mine, rolling her eyes, making it seem that me complaining about being sent off to live with Matthias is no big deal at all.
Well, it is a big deal. A very big deal!
I can only pray Luther and my brothers can get me out of here before that can even happen.
God! It's just one problem after another in this place.
"Rosalyn, just calm down." Adeline attempts to console me but she's terrible at it. How the fuck am I suppose to calm down? "We can fix it-"
"Oh no," I cut in, not giving her the chance to finish that sentence. I point to myself and then to her, shaking me head, "There is no we. No fucking way. You've done enough damage as it is."
Adeline jumps to her defence, "Excuse me, but I was certain that plan was going to work. You're forgetting I have someone to lose in this to ,you know? Do you seriously think I want to give up my beloved for someone I don't even care about, let alone love?" She releases a heavy sigh, her dark orbs daring me to come up with a response to that.
I sigh heavily. Great, now she has me feeling bad for her. Calming down, I say, "I suppose we both have a lot to lose then."
"You can say that again." She chuckles. She leans back on her arm rest and places her legs up onto the other one, sighing, "You have no idea how much I want to be with the man I love. It hurts me everyday knowing that I'm forced to marry someone who can never give me what he can."
She's wrong, I do understand. My pull and the growing emotional connection that is forming between me and Aldéric comes very close. But unlike them, I'm human and incapable of feeling the type of bond that beloved's posses.
I am curious however, to know who her beloved is. "Who is he?" I pry.
Adeline shakes her head, "I can't tell anyone, not even you due to the fear of someone dangerous finding out. I can't risk his life no matter how much I might trust someone. Not even my friends know and it's best it stays that way."
I can respect that.
"Would your father really have your beloved killed just for being your beloved? I mean, he knows your going to have one so why is it such a touchy subject?" I ask, voicing my thoughts. I find it hard to believe someone could be killed in their society just for being somebodies other half. It's ridiculous. Anyone else would kill to have a soulmate and yet here they take it for granted.
Adeline frowns, "I suppose it wouldn't be such a problem if my beloved was just any old vampire, but he's part of my uncles royal court." She stressfully runs a hand through her dark hair, adding, "He would be killed because his presence as my beloved would jeopardise the union between the Rosalìa empire and the Ramanez empire."
Oh, her problems are much more severe than I first thought. Her jealous fiancée act holds more importance then It should and it's all so she can keep the man she loves safe. Even if that means having to marry somebody else. Their society is fucked in more ways than one.
"I'm sorry." I breathe out genuinely.
"Don't be." She shrugs, sitting back up on the sofa, placing her feet back onto the floor, "Being sorry won't help either of us, we have to figure out a way to stop my engagement to Aldéric and we should start by speaking to him."
I shake my head. I've been avoiding Aldéric for two days, no way am I going to approach him after that and ask for his help. He's most likely still angry with me anyway. "No, we don't need Aldéric to fix our problem. It's too late anyway, Aurélien and Matthias aren't going to change their minds anytime soon."
Adeline cringes at my words, her expression contorting guiltily, "Well..."
The word drags before she's trailing off, forcing me to ask, "Oh no, what did you do?"
Before she can answer, the door to the lounge opens and my eyes flicker up to see Aldéric's muscular form walking into the room with a suspicious glint in his dark orbs. He closes the door behind him and then turns to face us, his eyes snap to my own, an uneasiness flooding through me when his eyes flash angrily before they narrow on Adeline, "Why did you call for me and why does it involve my mistress?!" His deathly tone has me inwardly cringing.
Fuck!
His eyes snap back to me when I unexpectedly stand from my seat, wanting to leave the room. I head for the door but Aldéric sidesteps in front of me."Your not going anywhere." He demands whilst assessing my face and then my body, looking for anything that may indicate I've been hurt, "Has Adeline hurt you?"
His eyes flash with anger and I'm forced to quickly shake my head, "No she hasn't. Adeline doesn't want the engagement either, she doesn't care that I'm your mistress." I can't help but feel the need to protect Adeline.
Aldéric's brows furrow in disbelief, his eyes snapping to Adeline. She confirms my words with a nod, "I wish I could say it was nice to meet you but it isn't really, is it?"
Aldéric shifts his eyes back to me, silently asking me for an explanation. I sigh,
"Adeline tried to cancel your engagement using me. It didn't work..." I trail off, fearing his reaction to the news.
"What happened Rosalyn?"
His dark, black orbs bore into my blue ones and I find the words falling from my lips quicker than I can stop them. "Your father and King Matthias have arranged for me to leave for Matthias' estate within the next week of so."
His dark, gorgeous eyes flash dangerously, causing my heart to stop In my chest. A dangerous growl escapes his lips, shaking me to the core as he moves past me and snaps at Adeline, "What the fuck did you do?"
Adeline snaps up from the couch, her eyes shifting to dark swirls of black and red, "I tried to give us both what we want. You want her and I have a beloved that I want, neither of us wanted any of this."
"Well at least your beloved is safe! Do you have any idea what will happen to Rosalyn now!" Aldéric speaks the truth, his hands trembling with the anger that's wracking his muscular form as he stares Adeline down.
"Fighting isn't going to fix this." I cut In, forcing both sets of eyes to look at me,
"You two might as well learn to get along, your going to be stuck with one another either way." With that said, I storm out of the room my heart racing in my chest as Aldéric calls my name but I ignore him.
I can't stand to be near him when I can practically feel my heart breaking for us.
I need space and Adeline, being a woman, understands this. She prevents Aldéric from stopping me and the last thing I hear is them arguing before I disappear around the corner.
Space is definitely what I need right now.
And some fresh air...
I soon find myself in the rose garden that Aldéric had taken me to before, heading here for that much needed fresh air and space. My mind focuses on wanting to escape this place after all the problems that have been plagued upon me but my body disobeyed my wishes due to Aldéric's compulsion.
I was trapped and helpless...
I can see in the distance, the moon reaching its peak in the sky, lighting up the variety of colours that the roses posses. I admire each and every one of them, including the dark burgundy ones before me, sitting where me and Aldéric had kissed for the first time.
That kiss was everything but I can't allow Aldéric to continue to pull me in, knowing I'll be scorched by the ones who oppose us.
I can hear my stomach rumbling, pulling me from my self-conflict. I had forgotten that Adeline had stirred me away from the dining room this morning and that I haven't eaten all day.
Dinner will be served soon. I should hurry if I want to eat.
I huff in frustration standing from the seat, about to head back inside when I hear someone screaming, the sound muffled but coming from the same building I had been curious about before. When I asked Aldéric what it was, he got all weird and told me not to worry about it.
Now I'm curious all over again.
I notice the same guard, the only one with a gun, standing in front of the door, the screams coming from behind that door, the guards obvious annoyance dominant in his expression.
Who's in there?
I walk towards the guard, my curiosity getting the best of me as I come to realise there is one thing Aldéric had never compelled me not to do...
His eyes cast down, the gun in his hand pointing at me, forcing me to stop my stance toward him. "By King Aurélien's orders you are not to approach this area." He warns, the muzzle just about touching my forehead.
My heart stops in my chest, breathing in deeply before my voice drops an octave, my eyes glancing up to meet his as a sense of authority passes my lips, "Remove your gun from my head and remain still."
His body obeys my commands, his features shifting as he can't comprehend why I'm able to control his movements, "How did you-?"
"It doesn't matter. What is this place? Who's screaming?" I question, cutting him off.
If it's a person then hopefully I can save one persons life before my brothers hopefully come to my rescue. If not then at least I can die knowing I've made a difference.
But if I do nothing, I'm just as bad as the people that put them in there...
...And I'm nothing like them.
"This place is reserved for treasonous prisoners who go against the king, only vampires are kept in here, starved, left to decay forever. The screamer is our most recent prisoner." He explains, complying to my command even though it's clear he wasn't suppose to disclose that information to me.
"Is anyone else in there apart from the prisoners?" I compel, my eyes shifting to the doors behind him, the screaming causing my heart to clench.
They were vampire prisoners and yet I couldn't help but yearn for them. My humanity forcing me to care, a blessing and a curse bestowed upon all humans.
"No, nobody is to go in there under King Aurélien's command." He tells me, his eyes hard as he regards me cautiously, the question of how I have this control over him still lingering in his eyes.
Even I don't understand why I have this control so I can't elaborate even if I wanted to.
I glance around us and then behind me, making sure the coast is clear before catching the guards gaze once again, my voice lowering persuasively, "Your going to let me in there and make sure nobody follows me under any circumstance, and then after I leave, you will not be able to speak a word about this, am I clear?"
"Yes." His voice straining under his will not to do as I say but he's forced to oblige to my command, stepping to the side so that I may enter.
I pass him, capturing his gaze, my eyes communicating an obvious warning before I pull open the stiff metal door and close it behind me. Motion sensor lights automatically turn on, momentarily blinding me as I make it down the damp, concrete stairs.
After descending the stairs I see two rows of cells on either side of the narrow hall. Glancing in a few of them, I see decayed vampires in tattered and filthy clothing, their moans and groans heard as they try to shield themselves from the light. I jump when a few of them throw themselves at their cell doors, growling at me, the smell of my blood consuming their starved state.
I should have suspected that would happen.
I ignore the groans of the vampires lashing out, their arms extending out of the cages trying to grab something they'll never reach-me. Some of them look as if they've been in here for a very long time, the bones noticeable through their deteriorating flesh.
I head in the direction where the screaming can be heard, reaching a 'T' intersection before I stop, not knowing which way to turn until the screaming resounds once again. Turning down the right hall where further cells can be seen on either side, I stop near the end, the screaming stopping when they can sense my presence.
"Wh-who's there?" They croak out, their voice barely audible, their fear projecting from the sound.
My footsteps can be hear before I approach the cell door, a frown forming on my lips as I come to recognise the prisoner, my eyes widening.
Caleb...
He's not as deteriorated as the other prisoners, only just being turned into one of them for the benefit of Aurélien's punishment and the life sentence that has been bestowed upon him. His eyes are puffy, his throat hoarse from screaming. He causes me to jump when within seconds he's pressed against the bars of his cell, his fingers wrapped around them tightly as he watches me cautiously.
"Your that girl, the one who sat on the princes lap when I was being sentenced." He acknowledges, "Why are you here? Who are you?"
His questions are justified, he doesn't know me nor what my intentions are towards him. For all he knows I'm here so that the blood in my veins sends him over the edge. He bangs on the bars, bringing me back from my thoughts when he cries out, "You-your blood...it...I want it. I need it...please."
I shake my head, "My names Rosalyn, I'm prince Aldéric's mistress and I want to help you." I answer his previous questions in hope at putting him at ease. He may be a vampire now but he was once a human who went against the vampires society, he could very well be a powerful ally.
It's been at least a week since I saw him being sentenced to this fate, his humanity still there and with the hope that has ignited in his eyes, I know that I have to save him.
He never deserved this.
"Your blood...I'm sorry but the smell is too intoxicating." He says, his expression saddening when he can't help but stare at the pulse pounding in my neck.
"You've just turned, these urges are new to you and with being starved for a week, it's normal to crave my blood." I comfort him, trying to alleviate the shame that is reflected in his gaze. "Plus, I've been told that the smell of my blood is more potent." I chuckle half heartedly.
His eyes shift to mine, the sad look in his eyes still noticeable when he questions, "How are you going to help me? As soon as I'm released, I'll attack you...I can't control these urges. It's all too much."
I glance away, thinking this over. I could give him enough blood to satiate his hunger until I can think of a way to free him.
I hope I don't regret this...
I pull up my sleeve so that my wrist is on full display for him to see, his eyes shifting to a darker shade, the veins erupting out as he licks his lips. Before my wrist is within his reach, I say, "You will only drink enough to satisfy your hunger, nothing more." My compulsion confusing him, well aware that he will do exactly as I have said.
He grips my wrist through the bars, wasting no time when his fangs pierce my flesh, the sharp pain causing me to hiss through my teeth until it subsides. The chemicals from his bite running through my veins and he has no idea he's doing it. This whole process is new to him and when I moan out, he grips my wrist harder, my underwear soaking with my arousal, not being able to control my bodies reaction no matter how hard I try.
It's been a good few minutes when I feel his fangs retracting from my flesh, the mark on my wrist red and saw. There are bruises on my arm from how rough he had gripped my wrist, he notices them as well, his expression apologetic. I watch as he bites into his flesh, knowing the healing properties his blood now possesses since becoming a vampire.
I smile up at him, grateful that he want to heal me without a second thought. I bring my lips to his wrist, swallowing the blood when it pools into my mouth, feeling the ache in my wrist disperse before it's completely none-existent. I pull away, wiping my mouth as the mark on his own wrist heals. He watches his wrist in disbelief almost as if he can't believe what his own body is now capable of doing.
"All my life I've despised vampires, making it my life's work to go against them and challenge the society in which they're hierarchy puts humans right at the bottom, and now..." he shifts his gaze from his wrist to look at me, a disgusted look crossing his features, "...I'm one of them."
"It doesn't mean you have to become like them." I state, my words holding truth, "If I can free you then you'll be able to use this new form to your advantage."
His expression shifts, his eyes igniting with a sliver of hope once again, "You really want to help me?"
"Yes." I smile up at him, "As you've seen for yourself, I have a certain way with swaying vampires to do what I want. I just need some time to formalise a plan before I can free you."
"Thank you, your the only one apart from E-" His voice breaks, dark memories clouding his vision before he forces himself to continue, " Estelle was the only other person to care and that got her killed. Thank you for trying to help me but I can't put anyone else's life on the line." He turns away from me, that hope diminishing as he crouches down in the corner of his cell.
"That isn't up to you." I tell him, my words holding an edge to them, "I will be back within the next few days, make sure your prepared to escape." With my words lingering over him, I turn away from him, heading back towards the 'T' intersection. The vampires continue to reach out and try and grab me but are unable to reach.
When I reach the stiff metal door, I open it ever so slightly, peaking out to see that only the guard from before is present. I turn toward him, his expression just as hard as before, "You will not remember me ever being here."
His eyes glaze over and that's how I know he won't tell a soul of what's happened before I storm back towards the castle, my hunger mixed with the blood loss causing me to feel slightly dizzy as I make my way toward the dining room.
Stepping inside the busy dining room, I'm quick to grab dinner which has not long been prepared, a plate of bangers and mash being placed in my hands before I make my way towards Lara, her hand waiving me over.
"Everyone is talking about how Adeline publicly announced that she was going to punish you. Are you alright?" She looks me up and down before I take a seat, her worry evident.
I begin eating, the food making up for the fact that I had missed breakfast and lunch. "It's okay, I'm fine. She barely touched me but she did rat me out to her father and uncle in front of King Aurélien." Lara gasps, her eyes narrowing In anger.
If only she knew that Adeline was actually a pleasant girl forced to put up a facade to protect her position.
I didn't envy Adeline in the slightest.
Lara lowers her voice, "That bitch. What did king Aurélien say?"
I swallow some mash, dreading the fact that I'm going to have to tell her my place here is now limited to a few weeks, "I'm sorry Lara but from the sounds of it, King Matthias has offered to take me as one of his slaves in the next few weeks." Just as I had anticipated, her face drops, the sadness lingering in her eyes, knowing she's going to lose me.
During the rest of our meal we vow to make the most of whatever time we have left together, knowing I'm going to miss her when I leave. However, that won't be by the hands of Matthias but by my brothers, remembering that soon I would have to go back to my favourite room to check if Luther is there.
He still had a lot to elaborate on and he did say he would try and meet me there.
When I'm done with my meal, I hug Lara goodnight before excusing myself from the dining room, knowing I still have no plans on going back to Alderic's bedroom. Besides, I'm sure he's still too busy arguing with Adeline to be concerned with my whereabouts.
"Well isn't it Aldéric's little fuck-toy." I'm taken aback when I glance up to see Adeline's friends, Peyton and Quinn, glaring at me.
"Excuse me ma'am but I have orders to retire for the night." I shift my gaze to the ground, making sure to sound polite as I'm aware these girls think Adeline doesn't like me. I already know they are willing to punish me for her and I don't want anything to escalate from this little encounter.
I'm about to step forward when Peyton grabs my wrist painfully, a cry leaving me lips, "I didn't say you could leave." She taunts me, Quinn chuckling beside her.
Adeline you need to choose better friends.
They can hear the sound of my heart beating fast, Peyton's fingers tightening around my wrist, possibly leaving a mark. "The only thing you should be concerned with is our desires right now. And right now we want you to come with us.
No...!
"Peyton your scaring the poor girl." Quinn says, finding it funny, no sympathy in her tone. "Let's take her back to our room and show her exactly what's she good for."
My eyes widen, the fear coursing through my veins when they drag me along the corridor, "Pl-please don't." I beg but I'm met with nails being dug into the flesh of my wrist.
"Forgetting your manners now, are we?" She sneers.
"Ma'am." I say, the shame kicking in and I drop my head, accepting my fate.
"Peyton. Quinn. Where are you guys?" I sigh in relief when I hear Adeline calling for her friends. I can't see her which means she has no idea her friends have been taunting me.
The irritation is obvious in both the woman's expressions when Peyton is forced to release me but not before whispering, "This isn't over."
They both giggle and head back to their friend.
Few...
That was a close call that I can't let happen again.
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Who do you think is Adeline'a beloved?
Do you think Aldéric and Adeline can find a way to stop their engagement?
Do you think Rosalyn should free Caleb?
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