Chapter 7
Poppy
Consciousness stirred inside me, and I moaned as a sharp pain sliced through the back of my head.
Bringing a hand to my face, I rubbed my eyes. Everything that had happened last night came rushing back into my mind.
I shuddered, remembering the male vampire who had entered the room. His rough fingers around my hand and how he'd wanted to sink his fangs into my flesh.
Footsteps echoed in the room. I slowly opened my eyes to meet the gaze of a terrifyingly beautiful vampire. She had pale skin and long black hair. Her lips were small and pale.
Lilith.
"Rise and shine, human," she said, approaching the bed and pulling me to my feet. Her hands remained clamped around my wrist as she dragged me.
"Let go of me," I said as dizziness flooded my senses.
Her grip tightened, and she growled, "Don't make me hurt you, human."
My stomach grumbled with hunger. My throat was dry and parched.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Walk."
I stumbled forward, throwing a dirty look at her back as she continued to pull me.
She opened the door, leading me outside.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked again.
"To your room," she said, pushing me inside.
I took a step forward.
"I will send for your maids to clean you up. Food will be brought to you afterward," she said.
"Where is the King?" I asked.
"Busy. Do whatever you think can keep you busy until he returns," she replied.
I turned to the door leading to the balcony. Her eyes followed mine.
"Don't even think of jumping off the balcony. You'll die from the fall. And even if you don't, I'll hunt you myself," she said, stepping forward. "You don't want to know what would happen to you after."
She turned around.
"Wait."
She paused.
I swallowed to wet my dry throat. "I cannot stay in here locked up like a prisoner. I need to go out and take a walk."
"Who told you you aren't his prisoner?" she said, turning to me. "The only thing that's changed is that he married you. But you're still his prisoner, and you'll stay in here."
She turned again and walked away, leaving me alone. Thoughts that threatened to bring tears began to stir in my mind, but I pushed them down. Now was not the time to cry. I had managed to escape last night without Rhain consummating the marriage. I needed to think about what to do tonight.
Just then, the door opened and Sara and Ana walked in. Ana didn't say a word as she prepared my tub.
"May I?" Sara asked, and I slowly turned around for her to help me out of the dress.
Once I was undressed and the bath was prepared, I lay in the tub and they began washing me. While Sara washed my body, Ana washed my hair.
Sara was beautiful, just like Ana. She was tall, with rich brown skin and long curly hair. Ana, on the other hand, had pale beautiful skin and brown hair.
My eyes traveled to Sara's neck, and I swallowed hard when I saw the two puncture marks.
"Who did this to you?" I asked, staring at the marks. They were bites. And they looked like they were from vampires.
"My lady," Sara smiled, trying to brush it off.
"You're human," I said. "Both of you."
"We're vassals," Ana said, and I looked at her.
"Vassals?" I asked in confusion.
"They're humans who provide blood to vampire Masters," Ana replied.
"Some do it out of devotion, love, or compulsion. Others do it because they get something in return," Sara explained.
"Like money or protection," Ana added.
"Why are you vassals?" I asked. Why would anyone choose to donate blood to vampires?
"We're paid in return," Sara said.
"Your hair is done," Ana said, wrapping a towel around it.
After my bath, I was given food to eat. Since I was starving and hadn't eaten for some time, I devoured it.
The door opened, and I stood up from the chair when I saw Rhain.
"How are you finding your room?" he asked.
I frowned.
This vampire King took me from my home, killed my husband, and now he dared to ask me how I liked my room.
"You look annoyed."
I look annoyed? I gritted my teeth, trying to control myself.
He took a step forward, his eyes darkening. "The ritual will commence soon. Be prepared."
"You're going to kill me. Do it now," I said.
He walked toward the cupboard, grabbed a bottle of wine, and poured some into a glass. He handed me one.
I snatched the glass from him and gulped it down.
"I'm the King. You do not command me," he said.
"Fuck you."
All of a sudden, he grabbed my neck, choking me.
I winced in pain, smashing the glass against the wall on instinct. Without warning, I shoved the other piece of glass into his chest. I continued stabbing him, nonstop, until he grabbed my neck and slammed my head against the wall.
I groaned, stumbling backward.
Rhain's eyes turned nearly black as he looked at me.
I knew he was going to kill me, so I did the only thing that crossed my mind. I ran toward the balcony and stood on the railing.
Closing my eyes, I readied myself to fall. Just as my feet left the iron bars, something caught my gown, holding me in the air.
I kicked and screamed, my legs dangling.
"Let go of me!" I screamed.
I felt the wind sweep across my face and hair. I looked down, eyes widening at how tall the castle was.
Snow bit into my skin, and I shivered.
"What does it feel like to be near death, human?" he asked.