Later that night, Lyne barged into Styx's room, her face full of rage. She has had it up to the extreme and she felt it was time to stand up for herself.
Her father was sitting on the edge of the bed going through a sheet of paper.
"Is this how much you hate me?" She yelled, attracting stares from the guards standing at the entrance.
"Get out from here!" Styx roared at them and they scurried away.
"What are you saying, my dear?" He turned towards Lyne who wasn't having any of his act.
She crossed her arms over her chest. "The agreement between you and your guest was about what?"
"It's none of your business."
"I don't think so. We are talking about my life here. You want to throw it all away for a piece of jewelry? You will hand me over to your worst enemy?" She was crying already. Her head pounding with a million unasked questions in her head.
"Is that it?"
"You both agreed to use me for your dirty games? You want me to get married to a vampire?!" She pointed towards the door, her eyes bulging like they would fall out of their sockets.
"Oh, and?"
"You of all people know these people are capable of doing anything. Do I not matter to you at all?"
"You do matter to me, Lyne. In this situation, you do. Ever since your mother's death, you've never joined any of your siblings to fight a single war so you can't understand what this is all about!"
"Of course. You're right." Her voice was shaky. "I'd rather die than get married to that pompous idiot!"
"I've made my decision, and that is it." Styx rose and dropped the paper on a dressing cabinet.
"That. Is. It."
Lyne's brow furrowed in disgust.
"I wonder how my mother would like this."
"You will not mention her name!" He turned at her, eyes changing from their initial color to wolf gray.
"No? Why?" Lyne's eyes widened in mocking surprise. "I just want you to think about it."
"She's so much different than you in all ways!"
"If you loved her as you claimed. If she was your favorite, then treat her daughter the way you know she'd want you to." She gave him a firm look. "If I am not like her, you should have killed me a long time ago."
"You do know that my decisions can't be changed, don't you?" He took a long stride towards his bed and laid there as if to say the conversation is over.
Heart clutching, she swallowed hard.
"I've made my own decisions that I'd rather die than marry a vampire just to satisfy your selfish urge."
Before he could say another word, she ran out of the room.
"So you're going to marry his daughter?" Wikh posed the question as he arranged
Zeidan's bed.
Since the King had asked him to celebrate the wedding in the kingdom before heading back to vampire city, he had no choice but to agree. All to protect his origin.
Sitting on the dressing stool, he accessed his reflection and saw a young vampire version of himself looking at his dying Father.
"Well, it is what it is, old man." He replied Wikh, looking at him through the mirror.
"All for the people. I'm just worried about Luana."
A flicker of hatred passed through Wikh's face as he scoffed and dropped a pillow on the bed.
"Well, it's not so difficult. You tell her the news, explain your reasons for agreeing, she gets mad and crazy, we bound her and throw her out of the city. That's it." He chattered off, almost to himself.
Zeidan narrowed his eyes as he stared at Wikh's figure from the mirror and turned to look at him.
"You do know she planned all of this, don't you?"
"But my Lord, you can't marry two women."
"It's not your decision to make. I'm worried about Lyne being able to face her. I doubt if she can even hold a sword." He twitched his lips and faced the mirror again.
"You can teach her then."
"Why do you want Luana to leave that bad? She seems to be the best I can recommend as a Queen for vampire city. I mean, she has the bravery, beauty, and brains."
Something fell with a thud outside the door and they both kept quiet. Nodding towards Wikh, he rose to check who was at the door, while he followed behind.
Opening it, he saw a girl in a white gown with golden hair on the floor. Her brown boots stuck under a fallen heavy statue.
"Oh my freakin' world!" Zeidan screamed before carrying the young lady who was unconscious already.
Checking who it was, his heart did a triple somersault like it did in the forest. Blood dripped from her head and Zeidan was drawn to her immediately.
"Lyne?" Zeidan called after pressing the soaked towel on her head for the umpteenth time.
Wikh gave an exasperated sigh.
"This is the fortieth time you will be touching her, your Highness. Let her be."
Ignoring him, Zeidan continued to watch over her. He accessed her from her whole face to her neck and her slender body that gave a beautiful shape. He couldn't help but touch her again, this time on her face.
He has never felt this way. After his Father's death, all that has been on his mind was to avenge his death and carry on the legacy. He did warm his bed numerous times with girls who without hesitation fell for his looks. Maybe Luana was just the same. He felt like he has only been pushing himself to like her because she was the perfect ideal Queen.
But a question lingered in his mind now. Is she the ideal lover?
The light from the sun illuminated the room giving it a serene look perfect for having time alone. Music sounded distant in her ears and all she could see is darkness and emptiness.Inside her as she closed her eyes, oblivious of her surroundings. It felt like she was been thrown into a bottomless pit where she kept falling.Suddenly, a light emerged from the end and her face was lined with smiles. Finally, it was here. But why does it still feel like she's in the darkness?The song had begun to echo like it was a dirge made for someone and when she turned her head, she was whirled by what felt like the wind into another dimension where she stood in the middle of the forest. Her forehead was laced with beads of perspiration. The air was misty and her throat sore."Hello?" She managed to call but there was silence t first."Who's there?" She heard shuffling footsteps, almost like the owner was trying so hard to walk unnoticed or unheard."I know you're somewhere hiding! Whoever you are
A bright light emanated from the corridor, coupled with speckles of golden dust and smoke. After a while, it subsided and a man with a black hat and grey coat emerged. He removed his hat and entered the guest room where Zeidan kept his belongings.He moved to where he kept his boxes of clothes and started searching through them. After a long moment of cursing and moving about, hands on his waist, he sighed in despair."Where the hell did I keep this thing?" His frustrated voice held in hushed tones like a confused woman who doesn't know where she kept her baby.Lyne walked in carrying a basket full of trash. She was cleaning everywhere. He was startled."Mr. Wikh?" She called at the man who looked at her mischievously as if he had done something bad."Are you ok?"Dropping the basket, she searched around for the trash bin while Wikh stuttered looking for the right word to explain why he was searching for his master's bag."I was looking for my medicine," he managed to say."You're on
It was night already and Lyne lay on her bed sulking and sobbing softly. Her room gave off a feminine impression with the red and pink fabrics covering everywhere. Cosmetics and deodorants fill the dresser and a rack of beautiful dresses lay on a brown wooden rod placed above on the other side of the room. Candles surround everywhere giving the room a beautiful scent.On her bed, a big pink net covered the bed, leaving only a slight space open at the front. It made it look like she was under a tent.With her knees under her chin, she cried hard. She knew she would be a second choice yet again and she wasn't ready to dive into it again."Lyne?" She heard a deep but warm voice call. It was calming and assuring. She didn't get out of her bed. She didn't want to see his face for fear that she might forgive him instantly. His face was too good-looking.She sniffled."Are you okay?" She heard him call again. After a minute of silence, he spoke up."I was wondering if we could talk before th
It is almost morning and Luana stands at the gate that guards the vampire city. She was now wearing her fighting gear of black pants, boot heels, and a brown leather jacket. Her hair was worn up.Before her, several men stood with glowing cat eyes and fangs out. Their faces have the tribal identification Werecats are known with, stripes.She grabbed two long swords from her back, one on each hand, and swirled them."Let's say we strike a deal, cats. You get outta here and I'll spare your lives or we do this the hard way." Her mouth twitched and her eyes were expressionless giving out an air of confidence."The only deal we shall strike, Luana," she heard a voice call out from behind the men and her face looked frightened. He walked up to her front and tilted his hat like a cowboy. "Is about the treasure.""Shelbrooke?" Her voice was shaky as she saw the man with a deep-cut scar running diagonally across his face."Long time no see, my Lady." He smirked. "I've waited this day for a lon
Lyne looked up at Zeidan. She wasn't ready for the marriage yet as she hasn't fully prepared. Looking at her father with a plea in her eyes, she was shocked to hear him say so at such short notice.Styx raised a brow. "I was not aware you would be interested this much. You must want her badly."A flush colored Lyne's face, but then it occurred to her that all the wedding arrangements only fall on one reason, to get an army. "I don't even know how to prepare for this. I'm worried sick about this. How do I tell my people?" "You need not worry about a huge ceremony. I'll ensure I give her the best celebration once we get to Vampire city. What matters is I fulfill my part of the agreement." He gave her hand a slight squeeze. "My city is in trouble. Please, let me marry her tonight.""You have my consent." She could hear her siblings mumble behind her. Part of her was jumping in excitement as she would now be free from their teases and bullying. Zeidan observed her from the corner of his
The moon descended in its glorious form, and all other sky objects were beclouded. The jungle roared only with the melodious beats that follows the rhythm of Lyne's heart as she stared at herself in the mirror in the room where she sits to dress up.Outside on the lawn, the wedding ceremony is going on. By the right-hand side close to the palace, the royal siblings all sit in their beautiful clothing while their father sits on the throne, his face holding a sly smile like a fox that has just caught its prey.On the other side, some guards stood there, watching the whole activity. Beside them, the drummers sat. In the front of the palace itself, there is an entrance temporarily made, covered by a thick golden curtain that indicates where the bride will come in. While a red carpet of six feet length is spread in front of the entrance, Zeidan stands at the other end, expecting his bride. Beside him Akeila stands, holding a scroll in hand."We welcome you all to this glorious..." Akeila s
A sigh escaped Zeidan's lips as he stepped backward. His hand bled as he held the knife hardly by the tip and looked down at his new bride who looked ignorant of everything going on.Poor Lyne. He thought.Everyone has stopped walking around."What was that for?""What was what for? You kissed me." Lyne thought he was talking to her since his eyes are still locked with hers."I wonder how much freaky magic you can do." Charles' voice made Lyne turn towards him. "So many powers but you can't even fight your people."Lyne looked at Zeidan and her face caught blood dripping down his hands as he held it. That was when it dawned on her that Charles had thrown it at them while they were kissing. She covered her mouth in shock, tears rolling down her cheeks for two reasons. He just risked his life to save hers and he looked like he cared for her."You even had to settle for less all because you need an army to fight your little war. How cheap of you." Everyone including the Alpha is quiet,
Luana's eyes shot open as she rose from the bed sharply, hands clutched to her chest. Her breathing was ragged. Checking the skies, she realized it was morning already. The sun wearing a full robe as it lazily sucks up the wetness of the ground.Rolling out of the bed, she parted the curtains in her room, allowing the reflection of the sun inside. She sighed before going to take her bath and get ready for the day.As she moved to take her bath, she passed by a long mirror and stopped to check herself."Wow," she smiled satisfactorily at her reflection as if she has just won a medal."I can't wait for Zeidan to come and place a crown on my head."Puffing her chest and straightening her back, she gave a fake wave and acted like a Queen."My Lady." She heard someone call but she ignored it and continued what she was doing."My Lady, we need your attention."More silence. Chloe was beginning to get uncomfortable as she watched Luana display in front of the mirror ignoring her calls."We n