Chapter Eight: Caught

Daphne's POV

His words make me freeze on the spot. I don't dare turn back for fear of what I will see. This is it. This is how I meet my end.

Blood pumps through my veins. My breath comes out in harsh puffs. I stand still, my eyes shut, waiting, for the killing bite I know is coming. I've seen it from the moment I met him. That barely restrained hunger that lies just beneath the surface.

"I asked, what do you think you are doing? Turn around and face me." My body turns on its own. I come face to face with the man who will end me, his cruel smile show a hint of his fangs.

He is sitting on the bed like it is his throne, his legs crossed. How did he even get in here? The time was too short for an alarm to be sounded. Unless...

My eyes widen in realization. He planned all this. That was why the dungeons were practically empty, the strange woman that gave me the tools I would use to escape, nobody coming after me even when my dropping blood is practically an invitation to all vampires to feast on me.

Here I was thinking It was just dumb luck. Fate really seems to enjoy screwing with me. It was his plan all along. He knew I would escape.

This is probably just a ruse he concocted so he would have justification for killing me if Kael bothered to inquire about my death. Not that he will, I am practically dead to him. No matter what he promised me at the altar.

The news about me being here should have gotten to him by now. He would have drawn his conclusion about me by now. After all, I'm just an ordinary thief. He would think Ryean contracted to seduce him and steal the dagger. The fact that we are mates is just an unexpected development.

That fact, hurts more than anything. I won't get to explain the reasons behind my choices. I won't get to beg for forgiveness for my faults. I knew I wouldn't get the chance to, but faced with the inevitability of my death, I wish I could see him just once and tell him how much I love him.

A lone tear slips down my left cheek as I mourn I love I had and lost. A love I did not deserve.

"Come here." He crooks is finger in a 'come hither' motion. Again, it's like I have no control over my body. I stride across the room to where he is seated. A part of my mind wanders if this is the great power of compulsion the vampire king is so famous for.

I am standing in front of him now. Although he is seated, he still manages to tower over me.

He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me close between his spread thighs. My breasts are flush against his chest. His mouth pressed against my ear causes heat to flare in my abdomen.

"Tell me little one, why did you run away." If I didn't know any better, I would think that he is disappointed, no, sad about my actions.

His fangs grazes the skin of my ear. Blood wells up and he laps up there crimson drop. Shivers run down my spine but I don't cower. I refuse to in the face of death. I will accept my end graciously.

"I shouldn't I escape the crazy person who tried to kill me?" One of my eyebrows pushes up in question.

He doesn't look angry like I expected. Instead, he looks bemused. "It would surprise you how many don't attempt to run even when the have the opportunity."

His fingers rub gentle circles at the small of my back. If I move even slightly, his claws alone could slit my throat.

"But I already told you I wasn't going to harm you, for now. So why did you run? "

My chin lifts in defiance. "So you expect me to just wait in the event you don't change your mind?" I hiss.

"Of course," He agrees.

"Well, I am not going to give into the wiles of a mad king." His eyes narrow at the insult that he is known for.

"It seems you do not understand the position you are in, little one. The moment you strutted into my court and offered me that dagger, you became mine so whether dead or alive you belong to me."

Cold dread settles at the pot if my stomach but I do not give away my fear other than the sole bead of sweat that rolls down my neck. He inclines his head and licks it up, humming low in his throat.

The beautiful smile that masks aggression that lurks beneath, slips, just waiting to be unleashed. His hand other hand curls around my neck and squeezes.

"Your fear smells delicious, little one, I do admire you for trying to hide your fear. But the fact remains, you ran away from me when I offered you the honor of being my mate." He growls. His grip on my neck tightens more than before, making it harder to breath.

"So that means, you will have to be punished." He says menacingly. My air is totally cut off now. I claw at his hand to find relief but it is impossible. Hie lips tip up in delight at my struggle. At that moment, I realize what a monster he truly is.

He tuts. "And after I trusted you too. I made you an offer to be my beloved and this is how you respond? I'm disappointed. Little one." He narrows his gaze. I buck against his hold but can't break free.

As dark spots begin dancing in my vision, he releases me. I crumble to the floor. My hand creeps to my neck. I pant, trying to suck precious air back into my body.

I glare at him from below.

"Well what did you expect from the woman who betrayed her own mate? I will never let you own me or break me now that I've seen you for you what you are." I choke out through gritted teeth, letting my eyes communicate my hatred for him.

I stand back up again, refusing to look weak in front of this monster.

"Are you going to kill me? Just end it now. Don't draw out my suffering." He cocks his head, staring at me like I am a creature he has never seen before.

"That said, we'll come to the matter of your punishment later." He says dismissively.

"I'll tell you a secret, little one. I know that the dagger is real. Which brings to question how you are still alive. It is capable of ending monarchs like me and that Alpha of yours so you see, you have become for of a puzzle to me."

My heart rate picks up. I try to slow it down.What does he mean the dagger is real? I clearly swapped it out. Is he just bluffing or does he not recognize the true blade?

No. There is no way someone like him would not recognize the blade. Is this some kind of test or does he want to trick me into giving him the real one? What ever the answer is, I cannot let my emotions show. He would be able to sense me.

"To answer your question, no, I am not going to kill you. What I am going to do however, is make you mine."

He continues. "So, you have two options. Either you agree to be my beloved, like a good little pet or I wage war on the kingdom of Cromwell and end your precious Alpha. So, what will it be?"

I consider my options. I don't have many. Besides, isn't this a good thing? It works out perfectly. If I am Ryean's mate, it would restablish my goals perfectly. This was the plan all along before everything went south.

"Fine." I spit out.

"I'll do it."

"Excellent." He smiles charmingly. His fake veneer is back in place that I almost question of the side of the person I saw is real or not.

"However, you will not become my beloved exactly."

What is he talking about?

"You will join my thrall. It is, shall we say, a harem of women who have to fight to earn the right to be mine. "

I glare at him. "And why the hell would I do that?"

I ask, already deciding not to engage in this useless exercise.

"Because, little hybrid." He hooks his arm around my waist again and pulls me into his lap.

"You lose everything if you don't. And do make sure you win will you. I can't have you just staying there, things would become boring."

"Don't look at me like that, I'm not just going to thrust you into a harem of vicious women without any protection am I? I need to keep my experiment safe after all." He twirls a lock of my hair like it is the most natural thing to do in the world.

"Every member of my thrall has a guard assigned to them to protect them at all times. I've already assigned one to you. See how I care?" I roll my eyes inwardly at his false statement.

"Show yourself." A figure steps out of the shadows and bows on one knee.

"What are your orders, Razar." He lifts up his head and my eyes meet his. A gasp is pulled out of my lips.

It is him. What is he doing here?