Chapter 61
My eyes widened as he pressed his wound to my lips, forcing me to consume his deadly essence. I gagged in disgust, the thick and sour liquid slipping down my throat.
After a few moments, the immortal creature pulled his wrist away from my mouth, his grip once again tightening around my waist as I panted, reluctantly swallowing the last of his leathery blood. I coughed lightly, noticing the immediate change within my mind, along with the easing pain. Flexing my wrists, I frowned, the pain barely present as I lowered my head in shame. The vampire king’s blood was changing me, making me into something much like that of himself. Moulding me into an obedient slave, locked within his mercy. - Why couldn’t he leave me alone? - It would have done no harm for me to heal by natural means, to not consume his immortal blood. Though, he wanted me within his grasp, unable to disobey his commands. Controlled and watched at every moment.
“You will remain here in your chambers until I call for you or order otherwise. Do you understand, little girl?” Mortem growled deeply, carelessly placing me back down onto the bed.
I curled onto my side, silent tears sliding down my cheeks as I uttered nothing in response to the immortal king, pulling the blanket over my shaking form. Sniffling, I turned away from him, the bitter taste of his blood lingering on my tongue.
“I said, do you understand?!” The vampire king questioned, raising his tone as it mixed with a deadly animalistic snarl.
I jumped, yelping at his raised tone, fear radiating throughout my small frame. I nodded once, my tone low and defeated as I whimpered in terror; curling into a ball on my side. “Yes, your Highness. I understand.”
“Good.” The immortal creature snapped, glaring at me for a moment before he turned away from me, storming towards the door before he continued; his tone short and harsh. “I will send someone to fetch you something from the kitchen, do not leave this room.”
I watched as the immortal creature barrelled from the room, viciously slamming the door behind him. I flinched slightly when the door shook, the vampire’s strength more than I could ever imagine. Tears continued to slip from my eyes as I turned away from the door, shifting to lie on my left side. My hand trembled as I slowly traced my fingers on the swollen skin around the two small puncture wounds in my neck, wincing when it began to throb. I listened for any sound outside my chambers, the silence stretching out as I feared someone would barge in at any moment, taking me from the room and placing me into the immortal king’s brutal presence.
Time slithered by at an alarmingly hesitant pace, my eyes locked onto the darkened sky just beyond my window. Sighing, I pushed back the covers, shocked by how quickly my ankles had healed. I began to unwind the bandages, gently prodding at the bone before smiling, shaking my head in disbelief. How could his blood heal me with such ease? My bones had locked back into place, a small white scar running along the side of my leg; remaining as a reminder of the pain Mortem forced me to endure.
I carefully climbed from the king-size bed, testing weight on each ankle before I stood; leaning against one of the large posts as my smile faded. I suddenly became dizzy; a strange feeling overwhelming my small frame as I clenched my eyes shut. Waiting for the light-headedness to pass, I panted lightly; fighting to control my breathing. I pushed away from the post when the unnatural feeling dissipated, leaving me unsure and confused. My mind raced as I stumbled towards the washroom, carelessly crashing into the ground as my legs buckled beneath my small frame, the muscles weak and sore.
I groaned, pushing myself onto my knees as I reached for the bathroom door, clicking it open as I rose back to my feet; using the door to aid me. I jumped when I heard my bedroom door open, desperately slamming the washroom door behind me as my heart began to thump against my ribcage, turning the small lock. Taking a frightened step back, I slipped on the tiled floor, collapsing onto my knees as I listened for the unseen enemy, wrapping my arms around my waist in a protective action.
A low voice drifted from my chamber, assaulting my ears as I rose from the tiled floor, its voice filling with concern as I recognised the unfeeling and bland tone. “Child? Where are you?”
Maric. My new guardian was requesting that I show myself, reveal where it is that I had fled to. I let out a shallow breath, rushing towards a small black robe that hung on a latch beside the door, quickly tugging the soft cotton around my small frame; attempting to conceal my exposed skin. Fearful of what the immortal creature wanted, I backed into a corner of the washroom, sliding down to the ground. I pulled my legs towards my chest as I heard an animalistic growl erupt from the other side of the door, wrapping my arms around my knees.
“Sanctus, are you in here?” Maric questioned, knocking three times on the wooden door.
I placed my head onto my knees, tightening my arms around my legs as I remained silent, the memory of how my new guardian had locked me within the metal coffin plaguing my thoughts. - Had he come to take me back down to the basement? Entrap me within the metal box? -