Chapter 36 CHAPTER 36

Chapter 36 CHAPTER 36

Sera

My body was still shaking, tears still pouring on my wet pillow even as the sun rose in the sky. No matter how I tried, I couldn't sleep, the weight of his words echoing in my head.

There's a steady drum in my head, one that mocked me. How could I be so stupid, to even imagine she was still alive after all these years, when I knew first hand how blood thirsty and ruthless vampires could be.

If the vampire that bought her was exactly like Caspian said, then there was no way she survived even a month, before her blood was drained for his sadistic twisted needs. The thought of how she died—

I got up, running to the bathroom. Vomit and bile rushed out of my mouth even before I was properly over the wash basin and I threw up everything I had in me, my body quaking from the force.

Wren's head flashed in my mind, how weak he was against Lucain’s wrath. I grabbed the edge of the sink, heaving as I sank to the floor. How was it for my sister's life to be taken? Why was it not mine? What did I do to deserve being here? I sobbed, Wren's head changing to Elena and I stared at her beautiful brown eyes, one I would never get to see again.

My door swung open. I stood quickly, flushing the toilet and wiping my tears, splashing water on my face.

“Sera.”

Ugh, Dante. I grabbed the edge of the sink, my fist tightening against it as he called for me. After wiping my hands dry, I stepped out.

“Hello,” I greeted. “What do I owe for this early morning visit?”

Dante frowned. “Are you alright?”

His voice suddenly appeared in my head. It was good to know he was still enjoying the benefits of drinking my blood. “Yes I am fine,” I lied, a small smile on my face.

Dante’s eyes dropped to my wrist, the one I used a small cloth to cover as a makeshift bandage. His nose flares and I wait for him to ask me what it was.

Instead, his face grew dark and he shook his head, jealousy flashing across his face. '“Here,” he grunted, handing out a small vial to me.

“What is this?” I asked, taking the vial from him.

“It’s vervain,” I glanced up in shock, “if you don't want to be compelled by vampires, you should drink it,” he continued.

I stared at him. “How did you get vervain so easily? Is it not banned in the castle, or do the kings keep a secret stockpile of it?”

Dante’s lips lifted into a small smirk. “Be careful,” he teased. “Someone might think you're too curious.”

“Well, that won't be a bad thing if vervain was just used to stop compulsion,” I retorted.

Dante’s smirk faltered, and I noticed it. I rolled my eyes and passed him, heading to my bed.

“How do I know this isn't poison? Or are you trying to take advantage of my innocence?” I fluttered my lashes.

Dante burst into laughter. “Please, there is nothing innocent about you.”

I bit my bottom lip. His eyes dropped there immediately, and trailed down. How I was always talking to this man when I was practically wearing nothing baffled me.

“I'll drink it,” I finally replied, “only if you drink it first.”

His eyes widened. “Why do you think I will be trying to poison you when I need you to break my curse?”

“Well if it's harmless, you shouldn't have a problem drinking it,” I smiled. “

“I can drink it because it's harmless to me,” he said aloud.

So why wasn't he moving to drink it? His jaw clenched harder, and even though I had it stretched out within his reach, he made no move to take it.

I rolled my eyes. “Leave, Dante. It's too early for this. I want to go back to bed.”

He growled. “Sera—”

“I am not drinking something that even an immortal is unwilling to take,” I snapped. “If you, a fucking vampire king, are afraid of taking vervain, then why should I take it?”

Dante’s eyes narrowed in me, but he said nothing.

“Listen, it's fine. I'll take the risk of being compelled. After all,”I added softly, “I am sure a lot of the vampires at the ball would love to have me under their control.”

Dante growled and grabbed the vial from my hand, opening and drinking it in one gulp. I watched him swallow it, waiting for something to happen.

“See?”

He was fine. “I'll send a guard up with another vial,” he said coldly, turning to leave.

No, something was off.

I rushed, slamming the door shut and resting against it before he could leave. Dante’s eyes widened, fear sparking in those brown beauties. “Sera, what are you doing?”

I opened my mouth to answer, at the exact moment the vial dropped from his hands, a strangled groan of pain erupting from his lips. Dark veins spread across his skin, and he dropped to his knees, crying out from pain.

I watched Dante fall to the ground in horror, and his body began to shake, his head banging backwards multiple times. I opened the door, flying down the hallway. “Help,” I screamed. “Someone help me.”

Guards rushed down immediately, and I led them to my room, where the king was still on the floor. His eyes were completely shut now, and his writhing had increased, his mouth hanging open.

The guards lifted him up, rushing him out of my room as I stared at the small vial that he left behind.

Something as small as the nectar of the plant, had brought him down, so easily.

My lips curved into a dark smile. I bent down, picking the vial.

Finally, I understood why vervain was banned in the castle.