[A big thank you to Ariana Sawyer for sending a gift to this book, appreciate ^^]
....
Eve clenched her fists, trying not to curse at him, but it didn't stop her from glaring. His red eyes held a glint of mirth as his lips pulled away from the back of her hands. She attempted to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened.
"Why are you doing this?" Eve muttered, and when he opened his mouth to answer, she shook her head.
"Never mind." She already knew what his answer was and she was tired of hearing him repeat the same thing. She managed a nervous smile and looked at the people who had gathered in small crowds, their gazes making her uneasy.
Subconsciously, she tightened her grip on Sebastian's hand and moved a little closer to his side. The subtle action didn't escape Sebastian's notice, nor did it go unnoticed by the guests. Eve waited for him to tease her as he turned to look at her, but instead, she felt his fingers brush her palm in a soothing manner, as if reassuring her of his protection.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Evelyn," the older couple greeted simultaneously. Eve smiled and curtsied in response.
"We are honoured to be graced with your presence, Your Highness." The woman, Mrs. Fletcher, curtsied again, addressing the King. She gestured towards her daughter and said,
"Allow Rosie to lead you to your seat."
Eve noticed the lady's eyes widen slightly before she smiled and moved forward. She beckoned a servant carrying a tray of drinks and they followed to a reserved seat. It was more like an alcove, slightly removed from the guests, but it still offered a full view of the room.
"Happy birthday to you, Lady Fletcher," Oriana wished the hostess of the party. The woman gave her a small smile before turning to Queen Rohesia.
"It's sickening to see a human amongst us. Didn't you say you were going to do something about her?" She asked the elder queen, who picked up a glass of wine from a tray a servant was carrying.
She sipped a little and set the glass aside, "I will, and it seems the perfect day would be today," she said, briefly glancing at the girl sitting beside Sebastian.
"I'm only wondering why Sebastian continues to act as if she's truly his bride," she scoffed in disgust.
"Oriana," she called, turning to the woman standing beside her.
"Offer the red berry wine to Eve. She's a human and should be intoxicated after one glass. Take her out near the pool and let the accident happen naturally," Queen Rohesia smirked at her plan, her fangs exposing in a wicked grin.
"I'll do so, Mother Queen," Oriana acknowledged, bowing, clearly pleased to have the human out of her way.
The Mother Queen nodded, "It's been long since I had fresh blood. Send one of the maids to me," she instructed Lady Fletcher before striding away from the group. Her head held high as she were superior to every being in the room. They all bowed and made room for her as she walked.
From their elevated spot, Eve sat upright with her legs pressed together, looking as if she would bolt at any slight noise. People came in small groups to greet the king. The Ladies spend more time talking to him, and Eve noticed their little show of making him interested them. It made her almost scoff that every lady wanted the King to desire her.
One blonde woman had arrived, swaying her hips as she walked closer, she wore a red transparent gown that was like a second skin with the lowest neckline Eve had ever seen sewn on dresses. When she went down on her knees, she pushed her bosom forward revealing her ample cleavages as she kissed the back of the King's hand that was held up.
When she released his hand, Sebastian went to pick up a glass of red wine and she did same, her hands wrapping around his own hand. A blush crept up the woman's face and she moved away her hands, but slowly, her fingers tracing his hand.
"You can have my blood if you are thirsty, your Highness," she said, her voice turning out to be tinier than Eve had expected. She continued to watch the Lady and heard Sebastian chuckle beside her.
"I appreciate the free meal but your blood won't be as sweet as Lady Evelyn and there's no need to waste it," his words fell in the room, causing silence in the room. The smile fell from the woman's lips and her eyes moved to look at Eve who had stiffened.
Her light red eyes gauged the small human and it only made her want to wring life out of her. She was living in the castle and yet wasn't dressed like a noble lady, it made her wonder what the King had seen her.
She tried to fix her smile and said, "it's good to know you're pleasing the King- more than any of us would," the last words gritted out of her lips, directed at Eve.
When Eve opened her mouth to speak, Sebastian knowing what she was going to say placed a hand on her lap which moved higher, silently telling her to stay quiet.
Eve could hear her heart beat loudly and she was sure the other people could, she smiled and tried to move his hand away but it only caused him to squeeze her thigh and he turned to look at her and narrowed his eyes.
"I would take my leave, your Highness," the woman bowed and walked away quickly. Eve became wary of the man who still placed his hand on her lap and she begged.
"Please, take your hands off."
"Why should I?" Sebastian asked, his eyes glimmering in mischief as he stared at her. She looked flushed and it only made him imagine different things he wants to do with her.
When she tried to speak, he looked down at her pink lips that was parted and coated in gloss and he wondered how she would taste.
His hands moved to hold her chin and she blinked, her brown eyes widening seeing him lean forward to her face. Her fingers dug into her skin.
What was he trying to do?
"Your highness-" she whispered, his face was dangerously close to hers and she could feel his breath fall on her lips and just when he moved more closer, someone appeared in the room.
"Your Majesty."
Eve quickly pulled away and turned her face at the other direction, her cheeks were hot and she breathed heavily.
"They are waiting in one of the rooms," from the voice, she knew it was Leif but she didn't turn to look at him.
"I'll be back," she heard Sebastian say to her before walking away. Slowly, she turned to the entrance but he was already gone. Her hands went to her chest and she breathed for air, her eyes moved to the people below and she met the brown eyes of a man staring at her.
A human was here? She asked herself, the man held her gaze for a second before walking away.
Where was he going? Eve thought and stood up quickly and went down to follow the man. All the humans were held hostage or were servants but this man was walking freely. She wondered and without a second thought, she walked away from the hall in her bid to find the man