Chapter 34
Anastasia slowly opened her eyes, feeling weak and disoriented. She looked around, her eyes falling on Cassius, whose back was facing her. He was holding a cup while staring at the wood burning.
"Cassius," she spoke up, and he snapped his head towards her. At the sight of her, his expression softened, and he hurried to sit beside her.
"Why am I here?" she asked.
"You have been unconscious for hours," he replied. "I had to take you home."
"What about the wedding?" she asked.
"We had to stop the wedding," he said, giving her an assuring smile. "But it's fine. You were able to say your vows before you fell unconscious."
"I was feeling sick this morning," she complained. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your wedding day."
"It's fine," he said, leaning closer, and he pressed a small kiss on her forehead. She raised her eyes, staring at the Prince Crown on his head.
"You haven't been crowned King yet," she said.
"I will be crowned in a few days," he replied. "The court men are preparing the blood of my father, an Elder vampire, for me to drink."
I was stunned. He was going to drink the blood of his dead father? I narrowed my eyes, a small frown forming on my face.
"Tell me more," I said.
"An Elder needs to rule this Kingdom because they possess a lot more power than a mere vampire," he said. "You cannot rule this Kingdom without being dipped in the blood bath and having the blood of an Elder in your body."
"Dipped in a blood bath?" she asked.
He nodded. "More like being baptized, but after being baptized, you will gain more powers," he answered. "My father was from the first generation of vampires, so having his blood would make me stronger and more powerful." He smiled. "You will also be crowned as my Queen."
Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and he turned around. He stood up and walked towards the door, opening it to see a guard standing there. The guard whispered something in his ear. Cassius turned around to face Anastasia. "I will be leaving now," he said.
"Why?" she asked. "My cousins are here," he said before opening the door and leaving.
Anastasia sank back into bed, her mind drifting back to the vision she had at the church. She had seen her mother. She didn't know whether to be angry or happy right now. Her mother's expression was soft when she saw her, unlike how she had stared at Anastasia before. She was surprised at her kind words.
Anastasia sighed. She needed to sleep. Now that she was becoming the Queen, she wondered what duties await her. How would she rule the people?
….
The next morning, Anastasia was strong and healthy. She spent her time reading books from the library. She continued reading until Hannah walked inside the room. "Ms. Anastasia," she bowed her head slightly. "Prince Cassius is requesting to see you in the room," she said, bowing her head again.
I stood up, following her to his room, and she left the two of us alone. Upon noticing my presence, he turned around. "You look beautiful," his lips curled into a smile.
"Thank you," she forced a smile on her face. "You called for me?"
"My family is here," he said. "And I'd like you to meet them."
"Okay?"
"But first…" he approached her, bringing his hand to brush the strands of hair across her face. She closed her eyes, feeling his cold hands tease her skin. She liked the feeling.
"What are you afraid of? Me?" He asked, and she opened her eyes.
She felt warmth creep across her cheek. She was not afraid of him; they were married now. But she still couldn't believe she was married to the Prince of Blackwood Kingdom. If someone had told her this a long time ago, she would have laughed it off, thinking it was a joke.
"I am not afraid of you," she said.
"Then why is your heart beating so fast?" He smirked. "Or are you having a different thought?"
Her face flushed, and she tried to hide her gaze.
She bit her bottom lip, blaming herself for understanding his words too quickly. Then he leaned closer, sealing his lips against hers, and she closed her eyes. As he sucked her lips, his fingers roamed her body. Every part of her burned with pleasure, begging for his touch.
He pushed her against the door, a small moan escaping her lips as he sucked and licked her lips. She was too drowned in pleasure to feel his sharp fangs against her lips. It wasn't until she felt a bite on her bottom lip that her senses returned. She pulled back, a frown lingering on her face. She brought her hand to touch her lip, and when she saw blood, the frown deepened.
"Did you bring me here to suck my blood?" She asked. "I thought you told me you wouldn't be taking any more of my blood."
"I would never hurt you," he said.
"Don't you like the feeling?" He asked.
"Feeling of what?" She frowned.
"Pleasure of having me suck your blood," he said. "Those times you spent in the tower, I was doing it roughly to make you feel enough pain. But now that we are married you won't feel much pain. Let me, and I will—"
"Stop," she frowned, not wanting to hear the words. "I will not let you take any more of my blood," she said, sounding authorative like someone of royal. "Am I understood?"
He smirked. "You will beg for it." And then he left. She frowned, her jaw clenching in anger. Beg for it? Was he joking? Why would she beg for him to take her blood when it had been nothing but pain those past weeks?