Chapter 56 Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Six
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Mirah
Sunlight poured into the room, as my eyes slipped open. I stretched, and finally sat up. With a yawn, I got off the bed, and headed to the living room. Nessa was there, with an assistant I'd never seen before.
“Hey, Nessa.” I waved, and strolled past into the kitchen. I helped myself to a glass of cold water, and walked out again.
“You're up early.” Nessa remarked, without lifting her face from the laptop. Her assistant stood to the side, taking notes.
“Am I?” I retorted, and leaned against the couch.
“This is Marilyn, my new assistant.” Nessa introduced us.
I smiled politely at her shy-looking assistant, and refrained from asking Nessa where her former assistant was.
“Well,” I rose to my feet. “I have to meet with someone.”
There was something important I had to tell Zeke. I felt compelled to, like a force was controlling me.
Nessa simply nodded in response, as I headed back into my room.
An hour later, I knocked at Zeke's door. He opened immediately.
“Hey,” I reached in for a hug. “That was fast.”
“Not so fast for a vampire.” He winked, and pulled me inside.
It was already a week since my father tried to blackmail me. And I hadn't heard from him since then.
“Missed me, didn't you?” Zeke murmured, burying his nose in the crook of my neck. I chuckled.
“Of course.” I turned to face him. “Aren't you going back to Weasels?” I asked him.
His eyes visibly darkened. “Mm, why do you ask?”
My mind worked fast. “You can't ignore your position, Zeke.”
He regarded me for a moment, his gaze contemplative. “Is there something you'd like to tell me, Mirah?” He stroked my chin.
“Not at all. We don't even have to-”
“I planned on returning to Weasels anyway, and it doesn't matter the time. I'm taking you with me this time, Kitten.”
I feigned surprise. “And it wouldn't cause trouble?”
He stared into my eyes. “I don't care. I've avoided a direct confrontation for so long. It's time they realized that this is my life.”
A pang of guilt tugged at my heart, even though I did nothing wrong. I just didn't know how to explain the feeling.
It was like I was indirectly hurting him.
“What is she doing here?” King Elliott asked, his voice so chilly that I unintentionally shuddered. I'd always regarded him as scary, but at that moment, he looked like he could end my life without hesitation.
I clung to Zeke's arm for support, ignoring the glance of Queen Wendy who apparently was his stepmother after all.
“I've come to take my place.” Zeke announced in a tone that gave room for no arguments.
With a scoff, King Elliott stepped down from his seat. “Your place? You were evicted from the Circle because of your foolishness. I thought you've learnt your lesson but then you turn around, and do something even worse?!” He thundered, and I felt my legs shaking.
I suddenly felt nauseous, from the power exchange that was taking place.
Zeke ignored his father, and focused on me. “Are you alright?”
I forced a smile. “As always.”
“You-”
“Ezekiel Elliott, you've disregarded the customs of our kingdom, and desecrated the royal family's name. Take this human away from this place, before things get worse.” His father ordered.
“I'd do no such thing.” He turned to me, and handed me a ring.
“Put this on, and wait for me in our room. I'll be done soon.”
If it were any other person, I'd have laughed at his confidence. But this was Zeke. Zeke who was afraid of no human, and no vampire.
My Zeke.
I nodded, and hurried out, their voices getting distant as I did.
The ring on my finger felt so big, yet so oddly comfortable. It seated beautifully on my finger, sending a comfort that touched my soul. That was how I felt anyway.
Just like Zeke ordered, I headed towards our room, walking fast so I'd get away from the servants staring strangely at me.
‘Better,’ I murmured inwardly, as I shut the door.
I threw myself on the bed, my fears finally vanishing. But just then, the hairs on my arms rose.
I sat up, and looked around warily.
“Looking for me?” A tall figure walked out of the shadows.
I squinted my eyes, half expecting to see Prince Alex, but someone else came into view. His name came naturally to me this time.
“Xavier.” I muttered, feeling woozy as my past memories came crashing into my head.
No wonder I'd felt like I was missing an important detail the night I went on a date with Raymond.
It was this man who'd saved me.
“You're stalking me.” I declared.
He laughed like it was the most ridiculous thing to say, as he came over to sit beside me on the bed.
“Stalking? I'm in your head, Princess. I directed you to lead Zeke here. And it's finally time to take you home.” He smirked.
His words made no sense, and I made sure he could see that from the look on my face. “What are you talking about, Xavier?”
“Well, to put it simply, the time wasn't right when I first appeared to you. And it wasn't possible to take you away while you were in the human realm. So, I lured you both down to Weasels. The perfect plan.” He winked, flashing me a cool smile.
I got up so abruptly that I almost lost balance. “What the fuck are you going on about?” I massaged my temple.
“Now, you don't want to make me lose my temper, or do you, Princess?” His brown eyes flashed a bright golden color, and I felt myself frozen in place.
Anxiety kicked in. “What have you done to me?” Panic enveloped me.
He drew closer. “He gave you a ring? So touching. I'd like to take it off, but on second thoughts, you'll leave it on.” He was so close now, that I could see the outline of his face.
“W-what do you mean?” I managed to whisper.
“You ask so many questions. But I'd answer them, since you're my supposed mate.” He held my waist, and my eyes widened.
There was no way my body was reacting to this psychopath. My lips parted as I tried calling out to Zeke.
“He won't hear you,” Xavier snorted, like he could read my mind. “This room is already cloaked by a spell that'd allow him to feel your presence, but won't let him know you're with someone else.”
My heart sank.
“Oh, don't look so downcast. Aren't you happy to be my mate? We're going to rule over all the kingdoms.” His eyes gleamed with excitement, but I didn't share his enthusiasm.
“Your mate? I'm not interested. I love Zeke.” I insisted even though I knew this psychopath wouldn't budge.
A dark aura poured out from him, as he gripped my neck. “For the sake of your life, don't provoke me, Princess. You belong to me, and you'd come to realize that.”
I grasped for air, as my eyes watered. He was choking me.
“P-please.” I whispered.
He let me go, but I didn't fall. Whatever spell he cast on me, still held me in place.
He lifted my hand, and stroked my ring gently, muttering some words as he did so.
To my mortification, the ring suddenly glowed golden, and was soon back to normal again. Almost like nothing happened.
“What did you do to it?” I couldn't resist asking, even though I'd been on the verge of death, moments ago.
Something dangerous glinted in his eyes, when he looked at me again. “We have to leave your little boyfriend a tracking device, shouldn't we? We're done here, I'm taking you back with me now.”
I wanted to move away from him. “Zeke would find you, and save me.”
A cold smile tugged at his lips. “Let's see him try. Everything he's worked for, alongside other kingdoms, would be reduced to rubble soon enough.”
The gravity of the situation sunk in on me, even though I couldn't understand what he was saying.
Maybe if I had, I'd have stood my ground. But I didn't realize all these, until it was almost too late.
“Sleep, Princess.” He cooed, and my eyes fluttered close.