7

"Did..did you bring me here?" I stammered. He put his glass down, standing up he walked toward me. "Would you prefer someone else did?" he asked standing at the end of the bed towering over me. I felt uncomfortable so I climbed down from the bed still holding the sheets tightly around my body and tried to get away from him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me in for a hug. I gasped and dropped the sheets standing there in only a towel while he holds me so tight I can't even breath. "Why?" he breathed into my neck as his arms trembled slightly. "Why?" I repeated confused at his question. He pulled away and stared at me "You should dress. The party starts soon" he said and left quickly. Two maids walked in just after Lucian had left. "My lady, we shall help you prepare for the party." They showed me several beautiful dresses to choose from. Most of them showed a lot of cleavage which I didn't like but it seemed to be the kind of dresses they wore in this kingdom. I chose the least revealing one, a black off the shoulder dress with a v neckline that showed a bit of cleavage. When I was done dressing it was time for hair. The maids styled my hair up beautifully only letting a few strands of hair fall at the sides of my face. I put some jewelry on, beautiful diamond earrings with a matching bracelet and a ring. I looked myself in the mirror one last time before the maids led me to where the party would take place. My eyes scanned the extravagant hall as I walked in. People in fancy clothes, eating, dancing, chatting and drinking filled the hall, their voices and laughter mixed with the music. A perfectly polished floor, scarlet rugs with matching curtains, dining tables and chairs. Two long tables stood at the back of the room where many different grand dishes and drinks were served. I felt a hand around my waist, turning my head I found Lucian next to me. His eyes were dark and he seemed to be in a bad mood. He didn't even look my way as he led me inside. "How do I look?" I asked gathering some courage. He paused and looked at me. His gaze softened as his eyes traveled the length of my body lingering a little longer on my b.r.e.a.s.ts before traveling back up to my face. "Do you want me to answer politely or honestly?" he asked in a serious tone. "Honestly" I whispered. He leans down to say something but just then someone spoke from behind him. "I see you have come" The King walked toward us not dressed as fancy as royalties like to dress, but he still looked good. "You look very elegant in black, Princess Hazel" he said as he took my hand and kissed it. "Thank you, your majesty" I responded. "May I have a dance?" he asked stretching his hand toward me. I glanced at Lucian and he gave me a reassuring smile. I took the king's hand and he led me to the dance floor. He danced so elegantly making us spin and glide over the dance floor with ease. "I never thought fragile women were Draco's type" he smiled. I never got described as fragile but a man with sisters who are warriors would probably think of me as fragile. "Why do you call him Draco?" I asked ignoring his remark. "Do you know what Draco means?" he asked. "No" "It means devil. Haven't you heard the legend of Dracula?" "No" I reply once again. "The legend speaks of a king who wanted to save his country from intruders but never had enough power, so he made a deal with the Devil. The Devil gave him the strength of a thousand men and an eternal life in exchange for his soul. Therefore they named him Dracula after the Devil." I was confused. Why was he telling me this? Noticing my confusion he continued. "Your king sent Lucian to war with only 500 men against an army with 2000 men. It's said that Lucian killed hundreds of men on his own and came back home with victory. He was only seventeen at that time. After that, he won every war. People said that the battlefield was his playground and began to believe the rumors about him being son of the Devil. I, on the other hand, believe he is The Devil."

"I don't believe these things." I said as I noticed Lucian dancing with Klara, and I completely forgot what the king just told me. She blushed as she said something to him, and blinked with her long lashes seductively. The King chuckled, "you're pretty possessive about your husband." I wasn't listening to him anymore because Klara was leading Lucian somewhere secluded outside of the hall. "I need to speak with my husband. Will you excuse me Your Majesty?" I said. He gave me a knowing smile and dropped my hand. I quickly walked through the dancing crowd and proceeded out of the hall. Where did she take him? Looking through the halls, I couldn't find him and even if I did what would I do? Men had the privilege of taking other women if they desired to. I hated this unfairness. "My lady, are you lost?" said a maid who noticed that I was walking through the halls looking for something. Yes, I was lost; I didn't know where to go or what to do. "I can show you the way…" she offered, and then gestured with her hand, "the party is that way." "Show me to my room instead." I demanded. I paced back and forth in my room restlessly as I waited for Lucian. Where was he? What was he doing? Images of Klara and him n.a.k.e.d under the sheets appeared in my head, and I quickly struggled to push these thoughts away. As I imagined all of the dirty deeds they could potentially do with one another, my train of thoughts came to a halt as the door to the room opened and Lucian strutted in. "Where were you?" I blurted unable to stop myself. He lifted an eyebrow questioningly. "Why?" he asked walking seductively in my direction. "I saw you leave the party with Klara." I said with all confidence I could muster. I tried not to be intimidated by his closeness or by his burning gaze. "So?" he asked walking even closer until I could smell his spicy scent. Suddenly the air became hot and heavy, and my mind became like a fog. I took a few steps back to get away from his intoxicating presence. I needed to regain my ability to think straight. "Don't you think it's a little unfair wife? You don't like me being with someone else, yet you don't want to be with me…" He said. Well, yes, I know I'm being unfair. I should just give him what he wants and needs. "That's not true." I attempted to deny. "Then kiss me." Lucian studied Hazel's features as they morphed into surprise, but then determination appeared in her chocolate brown eyes. To his disbelief, she crossed the distance between them, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down crushing his lips on her own. Her plump lips were soft and sweet as they moved against his,, but with hesitance he noted. He could tell by her restrained movement that she was inexperienced. He raised his arm and grabbed a handful of her hair and tilted her head back slightly then he took charge. He kissed her slowly, teasingly trying to teach her lips how to move. Her lips quivered slightly but then she slowly adapted to his movement until their lips moved in sync. He ran his fingers down her spine, pulling her so close until no space were left between them and he could feel her heart hammering against his chest. Then his fingers traveled back up her spine and entangled themselves in her hair. This time he pulled her closer adding more pressure to their lips. She m.o.a.ned in response and his control snapped. He grabbed the arm of her dress ready to tear it apart, he wanted her n.a.k.e.d, her bare skin against his, her legs wrapped around his waist as he lose himself inside of her. She was tormenting him with her lips and his hands began to shake in self restraint. He didn't want to scare her by tearing her dress like a beast, now that she kissed him purely out of her own will. L.u.s.t made his vision black as his inner demon urged to take control over his body. Hazel pulled away from the kiss, but he grabbed her harshly wanting more. She whimpered under his grasp. "Lucian, you're hurting me." She complained. He must've scared her again. He cursed under his breath as he tried to loosen his grip. Slowly, he looked up to meet her gaze, expecting to see fear, but all he saw was concern. What was she so concerned about? "You're trembling. Are you alright?" He noticed that he was shaking uncontrollably as she asked. "I… I'm just cold." He lied, but even his voice was shaky. "Are you sick?" she asked as she walked closer then placed her palm on his forehead. "You're burning. You have a fever!" She gasped, but wasted no time in grasping his hand and leading him to the bed. "Lay down." She commanded. When he complied "I'll be back." She said and left. He let out a sigh of relief. He didn't protest about her departure, because he wanted to be alone. He cursed inwardly and wondered what he had done to make the gods give him such a fate. Truly, he was cursed. Hazel came back with a bowl of water and a cloth. She sat on the carpet next to the bed and patted the cloths that she dripped in the water on his forehead. "I'm fine Hazel. I don't need this." He protested. "You are not fine. You're burning like fire." If she only knew that he wasn't burning because he was sick, but rather because he wanted her. He wanted her so badly it hurt. She repeated the same movement for a while, and he could feel her getting tired. "I am fine now, come and sleep." "I'll sleep after you fall asleep." She said. He knew she was stubborn and wouldn't listen so he didn't argue with her. Instead, he pretended to fall asleep in hopes that she would sleep as well. After a while he could hear her breathing became steady so he opened his eyes and found her in deep slumber. Her head rested on the bed while she still sat on the floor. He climbed down and gathered her in his arms before he carefully placed her on the bed, then he watched her while she slept peacefully. Never in his life had he thought that he would be able to fall in love, but now he was slowly falling for this woman; his stubborn and easily jealous wife.

I panicked. How could I have fallen asleep when Lucian was ill? I quickly placed my hand on Lucian forehead who was still sleeping. No fever. What had made him so ill last night? He seemed fine just before we kissed. The kiss. His hand on my back, around my waist, in my hair pressing body to his, the heat, the tingling sensation. I brought my hand up to my lips. His lips had been so soft yet so firm, moving against mine till I was breathless. He tasted like spices; hot burning your tongue, yet you came back for more. More… Yes, I wanted more. I had been willing to give myself to him last night but slowly his kiss had become sloppy, his arms trembled before his whole body shook. Fear showed in his beautiful eyes, struggle on his face and sweat beads on his forehead. I had seen him like that once before, when we were in the woods, when our lips had touched. Something told me it had to do with the kiss, but why? Someone knocked on the door. Who could it be this early in the morning? Lucian swung his legs down from the bed startling me and stalked to the door as if hadn't been sleeping just now. Sometimes he was really strange. He opened the door and then I only heard whispering sounds before he closed it. "I need to go" he said picking up his jacket from the bed and putting it on. "Where?" I asked, worried. "I will be back," he said as he left, ignoring my question. What happened that made him so stressed? Was it the bloodthirsty King or did his father die? Unable to suppress my worry, I quickly got dressed and went looking for him. It was a lovely day. The sky crystal blue, the sun casting its golden rays on the beautiful garden. Lucian's men sat in the garden eating their breakfast at a large table. They seemed to have fun, chatting and laughing loudly. "Good morning, Your Highness," they greeted, standing up and bowing in unison when they took notice of me. "Good morning." I smiled, my eyes traveling along the table looking for Lincoln. He was not there. "Are you looking for someone my lady?" a guard asked. "Where is Lucian?" "His Highness went to meet the king," he said. So it was the bloodthirsty king. What did he want? "May I sit with you?" I asked. They looked at each other with shock and confusion before they started moving around quickly, trying to organize a place for me to sit. "Of course," a guard said, pulling a chair out for me to sit on. Then, they just sat there, like disciplined children waiting for their teacher to give them a lecture. I could see that I was making them uncomfortable but I needed some information that only they could give. I decided to go easy on them first. "Why don't you guys tell me your names?" I suggested. I only recognized Oliver and Ky the one that imitated me slapping Lucian. They glanced at each other, exchanging wide-eyed gazes before they began to present themselves. The soldier to my left side stood up and introduced himself first. "My name is Callum Atkinson, My Lady." He bowed before he sat down again and the rest went on introducing themselves: Chad, Declan, Anum, Claus, Danilo and I forgot the rest because they were too many. It didn't matter because I wasn't here to know their names but to know more about Lucian, to know the truth. "My lady, why would you want to know our names? We are nothing but your servants," one of them asked. I think it was Anum. Lydia and Ylva were my servants as well but they were the only people who truly cared about me and I about them. "You are more than just a servant. You are a human being, a son of someone, a brother, a friend. If you are married, a husband, and if you have children, a father. Stop saying that you are just servants because I am only a princess." A princess who had been locked inside her home by her own parents who never treated her like their child. They never played with her, never hugged her, never asked about her opinions or feelings. They treated her like a doll who always had to look perfect and act perfect or ‘ladylike' until they find someone they could sell her to. But even then, she was not free. She would remain the doll she was without feelings and without opinions. Her husband would do as he pleased and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it. If Lucian decided to take Klara as his wife, what would I do? What could I do? The guards stared at me, confused by what I said. "I mean, I am a princess now but I might be nothing tomorrow," I explained even though that was not what I meant. Still, it was the truth. Once Lucian's father dies, we would either get killed or live to hide forever, because the chance of Lucian becoming the next king is almost impossible. His brothers were more powerful now because they had many allies. Lucian's only ally was this bloodthírsty king whom I didn't entirely trust. Why would he fight in a war he would most likely loose? My thoughts went back to what Rasmus had said about Lucian last night. I didn't want to believe him but a part of me was suspicious. That's why I was sitting here with his men. I tried to find ways to ask about Lucian without sounding suspicious but gave up and asked them directly instead. "Is it true that Lucian killed hundreds of men on his own during a war?" Everyone looked up from their plate and seemed to consider what to say before opening their mouths. "Yes. My Lady. It's war. You either kill or get killed," Callum said finally. So it was true? He had participated in many wars, killed many on his own yet he had no scars on his body, not even a tiny one. Something about Lucian wasn't right and I intended to find out what it was.

Beautiful women clad in silk flowed into the room and began to move in rhythm with the music. Lucian watched as the curvy women in front of him swayed with their h.i.p.s in a seductive way to get the males attention. Rasmus who was sitting next to him seemed to enjoy the view while sipping his wine. "I like that red haired one. Which one catches your attention?" Rasmus asked. Lucians eyes swept over the women twirling around each other wearing almost nothing. Yes, they were beautiful, exotic but none of them enticed him. "Hard to decide huh? You can take two if you want." Rasmus said in amus.e.m.e.nt when Lucian didn't reply. Maybe he should. It has been a long time since he took a woman to bed and that might be the reason his demon was out of control. Taking a woman might calm his demon down a bit so that he can finally be with Hazel. "I'll take the blonde" Lucian finally decided. Rasmus gave him a knowing smile. Looking out the window I watched as the clear blue summer sky transformed into a sea of blackness. The sun got swallowed by the rapidly falling night and the sky got freckled by shimmering stars. It was a beautiful sight. "My Lady, dinner is served downstairs."A maid informed who had just walked in. Finally, I could meet Lucian after not having seen him for the whole day. As I made my way the dining room my heart pounded in my chest with anticipation. Images of our kiss from last night replayed in my head and I had a feeling that more would happen tonight, but to my disappointment the room was empty as I entered. There was no sign of Lucian. "My lady?" Looking over my shoulder one of Lucian's guards was standing there. "His Highness told me to inform you that he will be unable to join you for dinner tonight" he said. "Why? Did something happen?" I asked concerned. These days I always felt anxious, waiting for something bad to happen. "No My Lady. He is attending a party the king threw for men only?" "Oh.." was the only thing I managed to say. Party for men only didn't sound good. The king of Gatrish is known for his parties that include exotic women, s.e.x and liquor, and knowing that Lucian was there right now, made me feel uneasy. I sat at the large table and tried to enjoy the food and not think about anything else when Astrid and Klara strode into the room. "We heard that you are dining alone so we came to accompany you, if that's alright?." Astrid inquired. "Of course" I smiled. Once they sat down the maids served them dinner as well.