Chapter 39

T

This wasn’t anything new. I knew my father didn’t want me but to pay to have me killed was just…ironic. So, ironic that I started laughing.

“Azura? Are you alright?”

“It just that, my father paid to have me killed and men paid to buy me alive and now they are paying to have me dead.” I laughed. “Isn’t that funny? I’m expensive!”

Vlad was watching me strangely as though he was worried about my sanity. “Maybe you should rest, love. A lot has happened…”

“That’s a lovely way of saying I’m fucked up.” I giggled.

Vlad’s eyebrows raised at the curse and he stood. “I’m taking Irena back inside…stay here, I’ll be right back.” I shrugged my shoulders and continued chuckling at my own joke.

My life truly was funny. My father didn’t want me alive because I ruined his perfect little life, Vladimir didn’t want to be near me because I could ruin his and the men that kidnapped me, regret doing so as well. No man who came in contact with me, wanted to keep me. They all regretted their decision. Soon Vladimir will too, and he’ll start beating me again. Maybe he should just kill me and be done with it.

“Azura.” Vladimir whispered and hugged me to his chest. I wasn’t even aware he had returned, and I wasn’t aware of my tears until he said. “Don’t cry, love. He was stupid. Don’t cry.”

It was dark by the time we left the garden. I spent the majority of it in a weeping mess. I had zero things to live for and I was ruining the future of a man whose bloodline alone made him priceless. Me, the unwanted offspring of a mistake. Even my own child hated me. Why the hell was Vladimir fighting for me? He’s choosing me over his own family. He was right to beat me. I was nothing. All I can bring him now is heartache and death.

As we strolled in the hall, I told him as much. “I’m not worth this.”

“Worth what?”

“This effort.” I explained. “I’m not worth it, even Irena knows…”

“Hush!” Vlad commanded. “I want to hear no more of this! You are worth everything to me!” Then he smirked. “And we both know in my estimation, that’s all that matters.”

And just like that I smiled again.

From that moment, I would forever question his ability to make me both happy and miserable.

“Thank you.” I murmured and leaned on his shoulder. He was taken aback by my actions at first then he put his arms around me, and we entered his bedroom just like that. Content with each other.

Of course, he wouldn’t be Vlad if he didn’t know how to ruin a mood as well. “Did you keep taking the pills on the island?”

“Yes,” I answered sarcastically. “it was my main priority.”

“I had a feeling that would be the case.” He muttered, hanging his head. “A new doctor has been found but…”

“But what?” I asked wondering what was so distasteful about the doctor that made him frown so.

“It is a he.”

“So…the previous doctor was a he? What’s so wrong with that?”

“I think Eon chose him to test me.” He grumbled. “He has quite the extensive clientele but that’s to be expected, I suppose.”

“If he’s that good, why don’t you want him?”

“Just because.” He pouted like a child.

‘Why can’t you simply hire the dude?”

“Dude, Azura?” He sneered.

Feeling vindictive, a trait he tends to arouse in me, I said. “We do without it a little while longer, and after my little island vacay, it may be bad for my health to get pregnant so soon. Take your time and find a doctor that suits us. The kidnapper and the kidnapped.”

He frowned at me and said nothing, but the doctor arrived in the morning.

****************************

Hella fine! It was the only way to describe Dr. Demetri, no last name required. So that’s why Vladimir didn’t want him. Hell, I wanted him! Spreading my legs took on a whole new meaning. Unfortunately, the prince thought so too, he had Mila present for the entire examination.

He said words, and I know I spoke but if someone asked me at gun point what was said beyond take off your clothes, I would be dead. For the entire examination, my eyes were fixed on his chocolate brown ones. It was safer than looking at his dark hair, chiselled jaw, buff arms and full lips. Much safer.

A small voice made me admit, Vladimir had all those things except blonde hair instead of black and he had dimples to boot. Not that anyone saw them regularly as Vladimir’s smiles were as rare as a warm day in Russia. Maybe that’s what made Dr. Demetri so attractive, he smiled at me…and often. Vlad spent his days sneering at me or frowning. The only time he smiled was when sex was involved and usually at my expense. It was nice to have someone find me attractive, even with my short hair.

“All done.” He smiled again, and I swear I saw a rainbow over his head. He didn’t give me drugs, did he? I frowned, and he questioned. “Is something the matter Your Highness?”

“You’ve seen what only the Prince has seen, I think you can drop the Your Highness.”

“Only the Prince?” He whispered then caught himself and smiled uneasily. “Of course, I …you…Your Highness has a clean bill of health! As for the Prince’s request, I can administer the shot now, it would work in twenty-four hours.”

“Not a month?” I asked.

“This is more natural and works faster in your blood.” He explained smiling. “Science is ever expanding but sometimes they still have to turn to nature for their answers.”

I nodded, and he packed up his bag then bowed before he left. He was barely out the door when Vlad entered. I barely contained my smile watching him frown as he entered the room. This type of jealousy I could handle.

“How soon?” He asked without preamble.

“A month.” I lied smoothly.

“Did he not give you anything in the interim?”

“He doesn’t supply condoms, he says.” I was going to get Demetri in trouble, but I was so happy watching Vlad squirm.

“What kind of quack…?” Vladimir began then froze watching me.

“What?”

“You’re lying.” He stated.

“About what?” I countered.

He grinned. “How soon?” He asked his voice thick.

My body reacted instantly. Funny it did none of that for Demetri. “I told you…one…mon…”

“Liar!” He declared swaggering up to me. “I won’t ask again. How soon?” He repeated leaning in, his face directly in mine.

Stupid body! “Tomorrow.” I breathed huskily, and he smirked then kissed me on my nose.

“Now, was that so hard?”

Why the hell was I panting because he said hard? I nodded, and he smiled as he kissed my lips.

He cupped me between my legs and said. “Let me give you a little preview of how I will claim what is mine.”

He spread my legs and I was already wet. “Vlad…”

“I know, Love. It’s been so long.” He murmured as his fingers moved in and out. I leaned into him biting his shoulder, my hands griping his biceps as he worked is fingers around my nub. My orgasm came quickly and had me collapsing in a wanton sprawl on the bed. “I cannot wait until tomorrow.” He informed me as he freed himself. “So, I’ll have to be a good husband another way.”

He jumped on the bed and straddled my chest then pushed his cock in my mouth.

I