Semua Bab captive: Bab 1 - Bab 10

The rays of the sun entered my room in slivers of a thousand hues as they pierced through the stained glasses of my window. The room is empty, there were no maids that prepared for my dress or the servants that delivered me breakfast— I have woken up early. I stood up from the bed and sat down as I faced my vanity mirror. I brushed the locks from my snow-colored hair and detangled the strands that clung to each other. The palace was quiet at the moment, a rare thing to happen for the last 3 years. Since the death of my mother, the late Queen Eleanor, the King always found a way to distract himself from the lonely space my mother has left him with. He would hold banquets and balls, made festivities, and would go to war against the neighboring kingdoms for the sake of filling the gap my mother has left him. I lifted the hem of my dress as I made my way towards the window in my room that oversaw the garden the late Queen has spent her time decorating and filling up with flowers

He sat on the couch right next to me with both of my hands in his palms. He gently rubbed his thumb on the back of my hand and smiled when he caught me staring at him. Sir William Ryder was the Knight Commander in our kingdom and one of the people the King trusted the most. He just turned 18 yet he was considered one of the noblest men in the kingdom. William lifted my hand and pressed it against his lips, gently made his way to my palm, and kissed his way to my fingers. I just watched him as the fear of the war tomorrow loomed at the back of my head. If things do not go according to the King’s plan, there will be bloodshed and killings tomorrow. The start of the war would happen deep inside the castle walls and at the heart of the kingdom. There will only be swords that clashed against each other, weapons that dismembered bodies, blood, violence, pain, death— the King may perish as well as William. I looked away and took my hand from him as the thought of their demise cloud

I headed towards the stairs as the cries of my father were brought to my ears by the wind. I walked up the stairs, past the hallways, and up to the door of my room. I slowly pushed it open and there sat on my bed was William in an article of regal clothing and his sword hanging from his hip— he must have been woken up by my father. “Victoria,” he slowly said as he paced towards me. He pulled me close to him and locked me within his embrace. My face fitted perfectly on his chest and his scent of roses filled me with safety and nostalgia. He ran his fingers through my hair and kissed me on my forehead. “Why are you here?” I looked up and I saw his eyes stared down at me. “The King ordered me and the knights to look for you, he feared you ran away from the castle.” He lowered his hand down my back towards my waist. William gently guided me towards my bed. “But why are you here in my room?” I sat down on my sheets. “The King asked me to stay with

I bolted my door shut and rested my back behind it. My mind seemed to be in shambles as it tried to wrap around the things that had happened. I sat down on the floor of my room and tucked my knees in front of me. Screams and cries echoed throughout the castle and in response, I placed my hands over my ears to try and silence them. The things William said to me were not merely scary stories that mothers told their children— they are real. This is the reason my father is scared of them. They are not like us— they are the blood drinkers. I stood up as I thought of my father as I have known that one of these creatures is with him. I need to find him and be with him. The more I stay here, the higher the chance one of them will stumble upon me. My head went back to the way Lord Victor reacted to his drink and how it had killed some of their soldiers. I ran to the windows of my room and gazed upon the garden of my mother. My eyes scanned the place as they fell upon differen

I hurriedly took the King down the stairs and we soon reached a small chamber. I closed the door behind us and laid him down on the small bench. He tried to catch his breath as he winced in pain because of his wide wound. I ripped the curtain from the wall and tied it around his side to stop his bleeding. “Father, we need to go,” I said to him as his eyes were fixed on the ceiling, “I need to take you to the mausoleum…we are safe there.” I wiped the blood that had caked on his cheek. He did not respond. “Father…please, we need to go,” I reiterated. He shook his head from side to side. He took my hand in his palm and held it tight. “Where’s your crown?” He asked and I quickly reached for my crown and it wasn’t there, it must have fallen on my way to rescue him. He took his crown and placed it on my head, he secured it in place. “No…” I told him as tears streamed down my face, “I can’t let you do this,” I argued. He smiled at me and wipe