VANESSA
Heat bloomed on the spot where he touched, sending my pulse hammering too hard.
What did 'Mine' mean?
What was he doing to me?
The pull I'd felt at the ball last night was nothing compared to the intense electricity crackling between us right now.
What manner of creature was he?
Dark red liquid seeped through his shirt, drenching the cream colored material and pooling by our feet. Right between us.
He ignored it.
The knife was stained alright, but he didn't look affected in the least bit. He still gazed at my face with so much devotion it scared me.
I flatted myself against the wall, afraid that moving might awaken whatever beast had settled within him.
Fuck! How did I even get myself into this mess without proper research?
They only said he was a dangerous man. Nobody talked about what degree of danger he posed to my life if he survived the kill.
"Mine," he said again, louder this time, flinging my dagger to the side like the useless piece of metal it was.
I could feel my nipples hardening to tight peaks under his heady gaze. How the hell was my body reacting at a time like this?
Every instinct yelled at me to do what I could to get the hell out of here, but a part of me stayed, unwilling to obey.
An animalistic growl slipped out of his mouth and anger poured back into his eyes the next second.
The words that come out next sounded human. The voice was not. "You're coming with me."
He didn't even wait for my obedience, he wrapped large fingers around my dainty wrist and held on tight while he walked into a passageway I'd been in twice.
Secretly, I was already reaching for another knife hidden in my purse.
I scoffed, "That way is useless. I already tried that way. Maybe you should try this one."
With great speed, I pulled the knife out and aimed for his neck only to have it knocked out of my hand.
The beast resurfaced again, this time, baring fangs in my face. I could tell he was one breadth away from ripping my head clean off my neck.
Yet, for some weird reason, there seemed to be some internal struggle that stopped him.
"You may be my mate but do not test me. I don't know what silly games the goddess is playing by sending you of all people to me," he snapped using that same gruff voice.
"I'm nobody's mate!" I fired back with false courage. "What are you going to do with me now? Send me off to the royal guards? Kill me? I have a better idea, why not find out how I taste?"
By now, he'd turned so he leaned over and we were standing nose-to-nose. "No one will be touching my beloved unless they want a dance with death. As for tasting you…only when you really want me to."
The tiniest shiver coursed through my body at those words.
I'd always known I was sick. I didn't know it ran this deep, down to being twisted in the head.
"There would be no tasting me, you deranged fuck!"
Ignoring my outburst, he yanked me through a dark tunnel until we appeared right where I lost the tour guide.
But instead of stopping there, he led me through a secret passage in the walls, appearing right in his quarters.
He practically flung me on the bed when we entered into his room. "Who sent you?"
I caught myself before I bounced off the edge. "Why do you think anyone would go through the hassle to send someone to kill a King when they can do it themselves?"
He kicked the door shut and stalked towards me with the pace of a predator, chest heaving with every step.
"Last night when you danced with me, you reeked of need, jasmine…and death. I'll only be kind enough to ask one more time. Who sent you?"
I ignored the unease in my chest. "It was me. I want you dead."
For the fraction of a second, his eyebrows tugged down in sadness. "Why?"
"Why not? You're a tyrant. It's no secret as to the many atrocities you have committed to the people you were meant to rule over." I tilted my head to look at him. "I figured they could use a little bit of favor."
The beast slowly receded and back in its place was Leonidas. A sad smile flickered around his lips.
"Is that what they told you? I hear the rumors about some people not being satisfied with my ruling, I never knew they'd send my mate after me."
"There you go again using that word like we're stuck in the tenth century." Rising to my feet, I held his gaze. "Look, I don't know what the hell you are, but where I'm from, we ask permission before taking people against their wishes."
He was in front of me in a flash, eyes dark with fury. "You just attempted to take out the crown. Doesn't that make you a killer where you're from?"
I opened my mouth and then slammed it shut. Taking a deep breath, I tried again.
"I'd be one if you died but you're still here. On your feet. Talking to me. In what world does that happen?"
Right as our argument peaked, a knock sounded at the door.
"Your Grace, it's time."
"Ensure the guests are settled, I'll be joining you in a little while," he replied, then turned to me after the person had walked away.
"Whatever reputation you have as a good King is about to be ruined by the time I spread news about how their tyrant ruler kidnapped me against my wishes and locked me up in his chamber," I threatened with a sneer.
If he cared that much about his people, that would be enough to shake him.
But he smiled instead. "Who said you'd ever leave this room? Now, I've found you, I'm never letting go."
Suddenly, he stretched a hand towards my neck. I had no time to react before something sharp pricked my skin and my vision swam before me.
I dropped to the bed, my limbs immediately becoming useless and his face floating away.
The last thing I heard was the dull clink of metal before darkness claimed me.