Evelyn
I groaned as someone knocked on my door. My eyes slowly opened and I yawned, sitting up in bed. I think I overslept, though it wasn't my fault. I hadn't been able to sleep last night, especially after my flop kissing scene with Damin.
Another harsh knock echoed through the room. Who could it be, and why is that person bothering me at this hour? Ohh Goddess, these vampires neither sleep nor let others sleep. I got out of bed and made my way to the door.
'Maybe Damian is behind the door. I think, Evelyn, we should shift his room.. no, our room. Oh, my sweet mate, Eva said dreamily.
Sweet mate.
I let out a laugh. 'Oh please, he is anything but sweet'.
I opened the door and saw who had been knocking well, more like breaking it down. She was the last person I expected, the girl from the harem, the one who had her eyes on Damian. That explained why she looked so cheerful when she was speaking about him. What was her name again? Oh yes Rolly? No, Molly, Eva corrected me. Well, whatever.
"Yes?" I asked. I could see the jealousy and hatred in her eyes, stronger than in any other vampire I had met. This girl definitely had a thing for Damian, no doubt about that.
She said nothing, just looked me up and down, then sneered. I narrowed my eyes. "If you have nothing to say, then I'm closing my door."
"Damian wants your presence in the king's court," she said through clenched teeth.
Eva growled lightly at the nerve of her tone. And the way she said his name, Damian, so casually, like they were close. Had they been in a romantic relationship? Or any sexu… ? The mere thought of it sent a sharp pain through my heart.
I wanted to ask her why, but she was already gone.
I went back inside to freshen up. After a long warm bath, I felt more relaxed, this place was so cold. Once I had finished my morning routine, I stepped out of my room.
Now, where exactly was the king's court? And why on earth did he want me there? These people live like it was before BCE, still holding court like something out of a historical drama. Damian even wore those long coats like an actor in a period film. I chuckled at that thought. Though he did look damn handsome in them, like a model pulled straight from a magazine. He would probably look good in a shirt and trousers too.
"No, I think he looks better when he has nothing on," Eva said cheekily, I blushed while imagining him naked.
I spotted a male vampire in the hallway downstairs. "Excuse me," I called. The man turned around, and my stomach dropped. It was Jacob, Damian's second-in-command. His eyes turned red, filled with disdain.
"What?" He said angrily.
Great, another one of my haters.
"Damian wants me in his court. Could you tell me where it is?" I asked before he could say anything sharp.
"I'll send someone to take you," he said curtly. Before I could ask anything further, he turned his back on me.
Arrogant bastard. He was ruder than the king himself, he looked like a man who had never once laughed in his life.
"Jacob!" someone called. Out of nowhere, a girl came running and launched herself at him. Jacob caught her, securing her in his arms, and then they were kissing like the world around them had disappeared.
My jaw dropped. The same man who had just looked at me like I was something on the bottom of his shoe was now holding this girl with the most careful, gentle hands. Maybe they were a couple. Mates, even.
A quiet longing moved through my chest. That , what they had, was exactly what I had always wanted. I walked away from the sight. I couldn't stand watching something so tender when my own life felt so far from romance.
Another vampire offered to lead me to the court room. I followed him inside. The room was quite spacious and carried an old, vintage feel. Many vampires were seated in chairs arranged around the room, and at the head, in a chair that could only be described as a throne, sat the devil himself, wearing that familiar look of cold pride.
At the sound of my footsteps, every head turned toward me. Heat crept into my cheeks, getting everyone's attention on me. But there were no welcoming faces , only sneers, hisses, murmurs about why I was here, why I had been allowed inside.
They should be angry with their king,not me.
"Silence." Damian's voice cracked through the room like a whip. "One more word from any of you, and I will make this room run red."
My breath hitched. I had never seen him this angry. Was it because of the way they had been hissing at me,openly showing their hatred in front of him?
"Evelyn." My eyes jumped to him as he said my name. He gestured for me to come to where he sat. Every instinct in me wanted to refuse, I hated being ordered around, but the look on his face left no room for argument. I walked toward him and stood at his side.
"She is Evelyn," he announced to the room. "From this day forward, she lives in this castle. If anyone harms her, or does anything to upset her, that day will be their last." I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. He would threaten to kill his own people, for me?
"If anyone has something to say, say it now," he challenged. No one made a sound.
"My lord," a vampire spoke up, hesitantly, "what about Alrik"
"We'll discuss that later," Damian cut him off. "Everyone out."
The room emptied immediately.
Alrik, who was that, and why didn't Damian want to discuss it right now?.
"Little wolf." Damian's voice pulled me back. "I wanted to introduce you to my people."
"Why?"
"Why not? You are a new member of this castle." He paused. "Have you eaten breakfast?"
"No, because you summoned me before I had the chance." His eyes shifted red.
"Did Molly not tell you to eat before coming?"
Molly. I hated how easily that name left his lips.
"Who is she to you?" I asked, ignoring his question.
"She's Catherine's friend. To me, she's no one," he said simply.
Should I believe him?
"Molly," he shouted. In the blink of an eye, she appeared before us and bowed her head.
"Yes, my lord," she said softly.
I blinked. My lord? What happened with Damian called you.
"I told you to bring Lady Evelyn here, but only after she had eaten. Did I not make that clear?"
Molly said nothing. I could feel the fear radiating off her.
"I forgot, my lord," she said.
I rolled my eyes. She was lying, obviously.
"You forgot," Damian repeated, his voice dropping to something quiet and dangerous. He took a slow step toward her, measured, predatory. I had never seen him like this. Molly began to tremble.
I reached out and took hold of Damian's arm before he could take another step. He went still immediately, his eyes moving to mine.
"It's alright, Damian," I said softly.
"I wasn't hungry anyway. I'll eat now."
He held my gaze for a long moment, then turned his head.
"Get out."
Both Molly and I flinched. She turned and walked out, but not before cutting me a look that could have drawn blood.
"Little wolf," Damian said, his voice back to something quieter, "let's have breakfast."
I nodded.
The dining table was utterly silent. My eyes stayed fixed on the food, though I was very aware of Damian's gaze on me the entire time. I tried hard not to think about what had happened last night, the kiss, and finished quickly, eager to retreat back to my room. His heated stare was too much.
I pushed back my chair and stood.
"Little wolf." I paused. "We're going out." This made me stop.
My eyes met his. "Where?"
"You'll see," he said.
"Are you planning to kill me?" I said, half joking.
I let out a small scream as his cold arm appeared around my waist without warning, pulling me into him in less than a second. My chest barely brushed against his. Damn his speed.
"Don't ever say that, little wolf," he said, his voice low and steady.
"You are the last person I would ever hurt. Not even in my darkest moments. You are important to me."
The words moved through me like something I hadn't been prepared for. He loosened his hold, then took my hand, like it was the most natural thing in the world, like he had always owned that right, and guided me toward the entrance of the castle.