Myra
I wiped away my tears hurriedly even though I knew he had seen everything. I straightened and looked at him square in the eyes, my jaw set. "Welcome back my Lord", I greeted with a short bow. He did not move from his position, he was observing me. I clenched my fists. The weight of his stare was too much for me to bear at the moment. I turned away and stomped to the cupboard. I sifted through the clothes idly because there was absolutely nothing else for me to do in the room to avoid his gaze.
"Why were you crying?" his voice was nearer, he had definitely entered further into the room. He gave him a cold shoulder. It was almost noon and my dear husband just wishes to saunter into the room and ask me why I was crying. Ridiculous.
"That is none of your concern, my Lord", I answered through clenched teeth as my hold on an evening dress tightened."Loosen your hold, my lady", he murmured right beside my ears and I stood dumbfounded as his cold fingers brushed against mine as he loosed my hold on the dress and retracted his hand. That jolted me out of my stupor.
I whirled to the side, he was on my left and he was standing close, far to close for my liking. My eyes locked with his, his eyes scrutinized me, his lips were turned downwards as if he was worried about my well-being. for a moment I deluded myself to believe that indeed he was worried but then his lips curved into a smirk and he asked, "Were you worried when you found out that I was not in the Manor?"
I gaped at him. How did he discern the fact? His smirk turned into a full-blown grin and his eyes which held not even a few moments ago now gleamed with mischief. This annoyed me to no end. I took a few steps back to create some distance between us. This man did nothing but infuriate me from yesterday.
I crossed my arms, "What if I was? Keep this in mind, I am not someone to just accept your ill doings. I will not endure or tolerate you being unfaithful to me", I jabbed my fingers at him, glaring and wishing to smack that grin off his face.
"You are a spitfire", he murmured, "Interesting". Then moved onto open his part of the closet and began removing his neckerchief and coat. This was not what he wore last night...my mind started chalking different scenarios.
"Where were you?" I queried. "Went to visit a friend", he replied, no more no less. "Why did my family leave the place without saying so much as a goodbye to me?" I waited for him to respond with 'because I said so' but I was taken aback when he halted in the process of taking out a fresh shirt. He frowned and asked, "Did they?"
"Yes. They did", I replied curtly.
"Did you tell them anything?" I inquired because if not him then they would not leave, not in this way.
But again to my surprise he shook his head, "I would never do so", then he turned towards me and said more sincerely, "Believe my Lady, I would never deprive you of such a thing".
I was in a fix. On the one hand, I wanted to believe him but on the other hand, I questioned myself, wouldn't Harmony wish to meet me one last time before going back? Did my father not want to meet me anymore? Maybe he was the one who forced Harmony to go with him without saying farewell.
"Don't be sad", sincerity dripped from every word. I pursed my lips but said nothing. I wanted to leave the chamber and go elsewhere, somewhere I could think. Somewhere that would give me some peace. I missed my family dearly but the thought of them not wanting to meet me pained me to no end.
"Let's go and have lunch together, shall we?" he suddenly offered. I nodded. The subject about him taking a mistress was yet to be broached. Damian changed behind the screen before leaving me to get dressed. Alice came in shortly. We ate our lunch in silence. I blushed when I met Bastian again and remembered my embarrassing question. Even if Damian noticed, he did not say anything.
~~~~
"I wish to sleep in another chamber", I informed him. We were in our chamber again or rather 'his' chamber. I cannot accept the fact that my husband will be unfaithful and I will have to endure it. Since I will not be able to break the marriage, I can only change rooms.
Damian chuckled lightly, "Oh?" I fumed at his nonchalance. "Yes", I said angrily, "And you...will take a mistress anyway", my voice trembled with anger.
He raised an eyebrow. "You think...I will keep a mistress? my lady?" he asked me, slowly and carefully. I glared at him in response. He was sitting on the bed but when he heard my accusation he got up. His eyes had a predatory glint and his lips displayed that obnoxious smirk. I somehow felt trapped but I could not escape, his eyes had the power to make anyone stop and stare and drown in those twin black cesspools.
"You overthink my dear", his honeyed voice made me shiver. He caressed my face with one hand, the touch so soft that I would have barely felt it had it not been so cold. I shuddered and closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.
"So beautiful", he murmured, cupping my face with both hands, I did not resist. He murmured again, "You can rest assured that I will remain faithful to you. And...don't worry about me taking away your innocence", I opened my eyes, my brows furrowing, he grinned, "I have something for you. A wedding gift".
This intrigued me. Him, giving me a gift? He, who is said to be incapable of showing affection to anyone.
He strode to the closet and took out a small box. He came back to me and offered it, "Open it". I took the box hesitantly, warily opening it. I gasped at the content. In it sat a beautiful silver ring with a sapphire adorning it. I glanced up, "This? It is so expensive. And...and silver? Silver isn't-" but I could not finish talking as Damian shushed me by placing a finger on my lips.
"This is a gift. Accept it my dear and I had it made with silver purposely. When you wear, neither I nor any other of my kind will be able to touch you", his eyes were kind, his tone was gentle yet serious. My eyes widened.
He would go so far to ensure my safety? I felt overwhelmed. I lowered my gaze to avoid showing my unshed tears. "Thank you. It is beautiful", I said truthfully.
"Will you now stay with me in my chamber since your chastity is safe now?" he teased. I feigned a glare but nonetheless went and sat on the bed.
"Will you put it on my finger?" I asked reluctantly. My eyes fixed on my lap. "My pleasure", came the answer. He kneeled in front of me as I held out my hand. He looked at the ring as if contemplating something, then I realized and stopped him from suffering due to coming in contact with the silver, "Wait don't hold it with your fingers. Here", I took out my handkerchief and offered it to him.
He was looking at me intently which made me blush. He chuckled, "My lady. You indeed know very little about our kind", he shook his head which made my cheeks heat up even more.
"If it had been that easy to deal with silver. Then wouldn't our Kind become invincible?" he smiled not unkindly. "Oh, then I can-" but he interrupted me again. "No. Let me. Please". He touched the metal hissing when it came into contact with his skin. To my horror, I saw the skin turn red. He put it on my ring finger and snatched away his hand immediately.
Was what people said really true? Was he really incapable of showing kindness and affection? This, what he did could not be dismissed as simply showering gifts on his wife as an apology. No. But then, why would he show such affection towards me? I smiled anyway. Even though it came from a stranger who is now my husband, it felt nice. I felt a little happy.
Myra"So...is everyone in this mansion, like Lord Damian?" I asked Alice, reluctantly. She was helping me get ready for Damian's guests that were supposed to be arriving today. The thought had not occurred until recently. The comb stilled. I looked at her through the mirror. Her eyes had widened, "Why would you say that?" her voice was almost a whisper."Uh...I apologize", I chuckled nervously. She resumed combing my hair, her lips turned downwards, "No...no my lady I beg your pardon for going beyond my station", I could feel the rhythm of the combing faltering."Ah...don't be", I mustered a smile, my ears heating up. I subconsciously caressed the silver ring, the metal felt cold against my warm skin. She mumbled, "To answer your question, most of us are humans. His Lordship is really kind to us poor people. I am an orphan and my dignity was at stake. Had it not been for him...rescuing me on time...I would have..." she trailed
MyraMy ears were ringing. Alexandra's lips were titled up into a sardonic smile, no doubt relishing my speechlessness. She regarded her red varnished nails as she conversationally asked, "Wish to hear more?"I balled my fists, "I don't believe you. There is no way my sister will do such a heartless thing and my father? He might be an irresponsible man but he will never stoop so low either". I glared at her unperturbed reaction. She clucked her tongue, "So naïve". Her gaze locked with mine, "Tell me then Myra, why did your sister and father leave without meeting you? Or why did your sister tell you that you were to marry lord Damian on the wedding day itself? Did you not question this?"I opened and closed my mouth, unable to say anything. My heart was pounding in my chest. My heart was denying the very possibility of father and... Harmony doing such merciless work. My sister's guileless smiles, her caring nature, her protective
MyraMy ears were ringing as I stared at him, open-mouthed. His gaze was unflinching. He was spewing lies, I whispered, still denying the fact, "No. You- you cannot. They...how? Harmony?" My voice quivered, the question barely making any sense. Damian's gaze turned gentle. He averted his eyes, "My lady-" I held up my hand, sniffling, I felt faint. Even though he would tell me the whole truth at some point, but at the moment, I had no intention of hearing it.I lowered my gaze, my vision had blurred with unshed tears, my mind was reeling with this unforeseen revelation. My hands trembled as I kept the book aside. Silence ensued and I don't know for how long it prevailed before I heard Damian sigh."Your father was indebted to me, Myra, but he had no other choice than to-""-marry me off to you to pay your debt?" I glared at him. He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head, "Oh, if it only were the way you say it". He locked his gaz
MyraFor a while, the only sound in the otherwise silent room was my sobs. My whole world was crumbling. I felt nauseous, so this was Damian. The sob turned into gasps and black spots marred my vision. Am I dying? Well. death will certainly not be unwelcomed. Death felt enticing, a better option than living a life as a maid despite being married to the master of the mansion, being humiliated in the process and not knowing the end of this ordeal. Yes, death would be significantly better. After all, no one needed me anymore, neither my family nor whom I considered as my family or my estranged and superficial husband. My body tilted sideways, I felt light-headed and succumbed to the darkness.~~~~It might have been a sharp yank, or maybe a harsh shake that awakened me. I blinked my eyes open, wincing at the bright sunlight streaming into the room through flimsy white curtains. A groan left my lips, I realised I was not sleeping in the proper
DamianThe stretch of my lips felt so plastic that it felt more like a grimace, and even Greyson could detect it as his grin widened. The word 'pet' grated my skin like a jagged stone. Greyson and I were turned on the same moonlit night. High Queen was the one who took it upon herself to execute the Change. Since then, centuries have passed, seasons have come and gone, and I have managed to remain in the High Council's good graces, steadily rising in rank and maintaining my position as one of the esteemed Royals of the court. With fame comes envy, and I wasn't ignorant about it. A few vampire leaders did not back down from leering at me and taunting me in open while many spoke about me behind my back. Unfortunately, my blood brother surpassed them all. Being given the position of an Elite instead of a Royal irked him to no end."Won't you give me permission to at least bid farewell to my better-half?" I implored, the pretentious genial grin plaster
MyraThat infuriating man. My fists clenched. How could he be so arrogant and...lewd? My cheeks heated up as the image of his face close to mine flashed in my mind. I looked around at the huge library. I will definitely not be able to clean it in a day. Why on earth did I even agree to this? Not that I had much of a choice. I huffed. I should probably go and meet him downstairs. He just walked away without a second glance. Where was he going anyway?I spared another glance at the pile and the unsorted bookshelves before leaving the library. Cleaning could wait. Right now, I needed answers. Surely he did not leave so soon. I stomped downstairs only to cry out in horror. There on the carpet lay one of the maids. Her lifeless body had turned grey. Her eyes wide and her mouth hung open. I stumbled back, trembling with the ghastly sight in front of me. My gaze landed on her shoulder, smeared with dried blood. Did Damian...? the thought made me shudder
Damian"I am aware," I admitted at length. I knew the consequences of a vampire marrying a human. I knew it well, more than anyone else. The old wounds that I had buried deep along with my past life writhed and roiled as if wanting an opening, to flood my dead brain and make me relieve those days, the days that had taken years to forget. That was another reason why I felt more baffled and perplexed. I should stay away from humans, treat them as a source of food and pleasure yet I went ahead and married a human against my better judgement. My fists clenched as I felt unbidden anger on myself.High Queen must have gauged my inner turmoil. She let out a heavy sigh, "You must annul the matrimony, Damian". Despite knowing the inevitable, my eyes snapped up, locking with her blue-grey ones. She jutted her chin as her gaze bore into mine, challenging me silently - to defy, to protest. I averted my eyes quickly, lowering my gaze once again I muttered, "W
Myra I opened my eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the surrounding. It wasn't the library, I was in the library. Then...how am I here? My sleep-addled brain took some time to process before I realised the reason. I had been so engrossed in sorting the books that I had missed lunch as well and then my body started swaying and there was blackness at the corner of my eyes and then I succumbed to that blackness."How are you feeling, my lady?" an all too familiar voice startled me. I turned my head to see Damian, sitting on the only chair in the small room. Why was he here? Of all people and why did he have that miserable and concerned look on his face? He didn't need to pretend anymore. I could also see the hesitation in his eyes."You-" I gritted and started getting up but no sooner did I lift my head than the room started spinning again. I immediately laid back, breathing heavily. Damian was instantly by the bedside. Wordlessly