Chapter 63
I gently placed the glass of milk back onto the table, only consuming half the contents, my guardian’s feast dwindling my hunger as he pressed the blood filled glass to his lips; emptying it of all liquid in seconds. I turned away from him in silent disgust, once again folding my hands across my lap; unwilling to consume the food that sat before me.
“I said eat.” Maric snapped, slamming the small glass onto the table as he growled lightly, turning his misty black eyes towards me.
I cowered back at his tone; instinctively rising back to my feet as I gasped, fear radiating throughout my small frame. I turned to glance at the food, knowing that my stomach screamed for sustenance, and yet, I could not allow myself to eat what I had been given. My thoughts replaying what Mortem had done to me; the mystic bond both painful and sickening. I took a step away from the table, nervously scanning the room as I spoke; my tone low and fearful. “I ... I’m not hungry.”
“Sit!” He snapped again, this time raising his tone further as it mixed with an animalistic and bloodthirsty snarl.
I jumped, taking another terror-stricken step back as I began to pant for breath; my tone low and raspy as I spoke. “Guardian, I ... I am not hungry.”
“Child, you must eat. You have not eaten in days. Now, sit down and eat something.” Maric declared, raising his eyebrow as his tone became stern and commanding.
I hesitantly slumped back into my chair, glancing away from the food in disgust. - How could I eat when all I could think of was the leathery taste of the immortal king’s blood? Of how he drained my blood by force and then pushed me into drinking his own. - I defiantly pushed the tray away from me as I shook my head, once again refusing to comply with my guardian’s command. Yes, I sat down as he had ordered, though I would not consume the food.
“Do you wish for me to force it down you?” Maric questioned, leaning towards me in a predatory manner as he repeated the animalistic snarl; his misty black eyes seemingly lifeless.
“Why do you even care?!” I shouted, shaking my head in frustration as I turned away from my guardian, unable to grasp why he insisted on pushing me into eating.
Maric snarled violently, maliciously slamming my head onto the table as I screamed. I crashed into the ground, my eyes widening in fear as he began to speak; his tone deadly and hellish. “How dare you speak to me with that tone of voice?! You must obey every command both the sovereign and I divulge. And if you do not obey, then I have grounds to subject you to punishment. Is that clear?!”
I panted, pain exploding through my head as I recoiled back at his tone, pure and undivided fear gushing through my frame. My cruel and uncaring guardian savagely gripped me by the arm, ripping me from the ground as he continued to snarl. I whimpered as he launched me back in my chair, crouching before me as he awaited my response. Tears slipped from my eyes as I watched him, self-consciously wrapping my free arm around my stomach. I trembled when he raised his hand, ferociously striking me across the face, the blow causing my head to snap back.
My cheek began to throb as I sobbed, knowing that my options were bleak; that one way or the other, I would have to obey. I looked away from him in despair, distressed by what my future would hold. By what my life would become as an eternal prisoner, doomed to suffer the same torment for the rest of my existence.
“I said, is that clear; child?” Maric questioned; his tone stern and snappy.
“Y-yes ... G-guardian.” I replied shakily, wincing when his deadly grip tightened on my arm, the throbbing along my forehead only increasing as tears continued to slip free from my eyes.
“Good girl.” My new guardian nodded, releasing his hold on my arm before he continued; his tone commanding and yet soft. “Now, let me ask you nicely. Are you going to eat your food, child?”
“Yes guardian.” I sobbed, shakily wiping the tears from my eyes as the immortal creature rose back to his feet, my small frame quivering in fear.
“Then eat.” Maric demanded, re-taking his seat as he spoke.
I slid the tray back towards me, hesitantly picking up a strawberry as my guardian watched, ensuring that I would obey his vicious order. I bit into the fruit, pleasantly surprised by the sweet taste. I took a few more strawberries before moving onto a large piece of meat, the edges partially burnt and crispy. I smiled slightly as I realised the chef had remembered my likes and dislikes, noticing that he had only sent out my favourite food. My smile receded when the vampire turned towards me, grasping another large glass of blood in his hand. The dining hall remained eerie silent as I ate, fearfully taking small bites as I sipped on the warm milk.
“Is it to your liking, child?” My new guardian asked, placing his glass back onto the table as he spoke; glancing towards me.
“I ... Yes. Thank you, guardian.” I murmured obediently, deciding that it would be best for me to remain docile as I took a small bite of the crispy meat, savouring the almost sweet texture.
“It appears the rumours about the chef are true. For a mortal, he is a quite exceptional cook.” Maric bobbed his head, pouring another glass of the leathery and sour liquid.
I turned to look at my guardian, placing what was left of the meat back onto the tray as I spoke, my tone small and yet prideful. “Yes guardian, he is the best in the kingdom.”
“I’m sure he is.” Maric nodded; his tone uncaring and expressionless as he turned to look at my tray; raising an eyebrow as he continued. “Have you finished with your food, child?”
I turned back to glance at the mass of food before me, my stomach continuing to groan as my mind protested; insisting that I would rather be alone in my chambers than eat anything else. “Yes guardian.”
“Very well, I will escort you back to your chambers.” The vampire uttered, carefully rising to his feet.