And If I Don’t?
He didn’t even bother to offer her a last glance before he brushed past her and continued his walk to the training ground.
She blinked once and then twice before coming to a realization. The prince had indeed walked past her. Just like that! She shut her eyes for a second and when she opened them again, her hands clasped the sides of her dress for the second time. How dare he behave like a petty child? He was truly ignoring her?
All her doubts flew through the window and her lower lip went in between her teeth, anger emanating through her.
“Your highness, do you really want to return to your room? We’ll go with you then.”
But Elora had other plans. She looked behind her at the sculpted back of the Prince as he walked away and let out a sigh. She wouldn’t let him have the last word or ignore her for way too long. Her ego was bruised. If there was anyone who must be ignored, it should be him.
Having an idea pop into her head, she decided to execute it. She stomped her foot on the floor and kicked her toes against a tiny stone.
“Ouch,” she let out a loud exaggerated cry. But her eyes widened when her feet unintentionally stepped on her dress. She lost her balance and before the servants could rush to her side, she tumbled to the floor on her stomach and cried in panic.
It hurts.
“Your highness.”
“My Lady.” They exclaimed and raced toward her immediately.
“My Lady, are you okay?” Lia asked, her voice laced with worry. “My lady.”
They tried to help her up but she wasn’t having it. Her face reddened in embarrassment. She stiffened when she heard the hurried footsteps from behind, her teeth biting at her lower lip even more.
Oh heavens. ‘What an embarrassment,’ she moaned inwardly. She hadn’t planned to fall. She hadn’t planned to lose her footing in front of everyone and the thought of Rafael seeing her dirt-covered self, she lightly hit her forehead against the floor as if waiting for it to open and swallow her. She’d rather it opened.
‘What a failed day.’
“Are you hurt?”
She almost burst into tears as his voice resounded above her. If only the floor could swallow her, it would become the best day of her year.
“Your highness, I think the princess is hurt,” she heard Lia panic.
She lifted her head to look above her before sitting up on the floor. Gently, she helped herself up. However, a sharp pain shot through her knees, and her feet quivered. Before she could fall again, Rafael’s hands snaked around her waist and pulled her upward.
“I’m…I’m fine.”
“What were you doing walking without caution?” He scolded, his eyes scanning over her entire body. “Are you never careful? Not even once?”
“I was careful,” she bit out, her voice sharp, laced with rising anger. It was his fault that she’d ended up in such an embarrassing situation, his fault that her legs and hands were now hurting. If he hadn’t ignored her just like that, she wouldn’t have had a reason to pry for his attention.
With burning eyes, she tried to pull herself off him.
His eyes darkened when they saw a scratch on her elbow followed by a tiny trail of blood that dripped down to her wrist. Instantly, he gently grabbed the arm. “You’re bleeding. Hell.”
The vampire servants turned their backs to them almost immediately.
“It’s just a scratch. Let me go,” she commanded, struggling to get out of his hold.
“Be still.”
“I don’t want to. Let go of me.”
“Will you stop being stubborn? You’re hurt.”
This time, she fought harder. “Rafael, let… what are you doing?” She cried out as he scooped her off her feet.
“If you keep being stubborn, you’ll bleed to death.” He began to carry her back to the mansion.
“A mere scratch won’t kill me.”
“You’re bleeding.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve bled either. I’m not going to die, so put me down.”
You don’t know.”
“I might not know that. But I do know the fact that you’re a total coward, your highness.”
He paused, raised a brow at her, and continued to walk. “Hilarious. May I ask why you say that? Because if I can remember clearly, you’re the one who seems more deserving of that title.” His words were as sharp as a knife.
Elora scoffed. “I doubt. I’m not the one who has been acting like a two-year-old who got his toy stolen.”
“You seem to be resentful toward me even though I’ve done nothing but make you comfortable.”
Finally, he got to their bedchambers and helped her to her feet. She stepped backward immediately and crossed her arms over her chest. “Says the petty childish husband.”
“We can do this all night but we need to tend to your wound. Sit now.”
Although his tone was commanding and the look in his eyes left no room for opposition, she stood her ground, rolled her eyes, and replied. “And if I don’t?”
Rafael let out a grunt. She stepped backward as he took a step toward her. “Are you hellbent on riling me up, Elora. You seem to do everything that you know makes me mad. What do you have against me?”
“You’re the one who started this.” She continued. “If you hadn’t been ignoring me all day, we wouldn’t have had any issue. You’re the one who’s been ignoring me all because I took a gift from a kinder man.”
“Kinder man?” His voice raised and his jaw instantly clenched so tight, she feared he might clatter his teeth.
He suddenly began to storm toward her. She backed away. Her breath caught in her throat when he slammed her back against the wall and his hands rested on either side of her head, caging her in.
“Kinder man?” He repeated, his eyes burning with flames.