Chapter Nine: Honeyed Threats

Aiera's POV

He lifts head head and my eyes snap to his deep purple irises. I could never forget him. His pure white hair makes his deep tan complexion the color of the rumored Berian desert pop. I've never seen an appearance as rare but still alluring as his.

What is he doing here? The last time I saw him was at the border. My heart drops to my stomach. Could it be that this was all part of Ryean's plan? No. That doesn't make sense. He couldn't have known that I would be at the border at that time.

I search his face for an indicator that he knows something or at least recognition but I cannot read anything from his blank expression.

"Is something the matter?" The king's question snaps me out of my reverie. His brow is raised in question. I realize I must have been staring for too long.

I tear my gaze away from the stranger that is apparently my new guard.

"N-nothing." I can't let him think I have any relationship with him. The vampire King would exploit that and perhaps endanger the man who saved me.

But then again, Ryean might have sent him to me. It's not impossible afterall. Rumors have already spread about what happened. Maybe he anticipated that I would come to him? That doesn't add up. I have to prior relationship with Ryean that would suggest so.

"What are your orders, my liege. His deep baritone is smooth, like warm mulled wine.

"Mikiel, you are now to become the handler of this delectable little creature." Mikiel, so that's his name.

"Yes, my liege." If he his surprised by the order given to him, he doesn't show any indication. He just stares at me with those amethyst eyes. I skirm on Ryean's lap under his inspection. His arm on my waist steadies me.

"Keep her safe, or else." He threatens.

"I will." He bows his head low again, rising up and stretching his hand out to me.

"Come." He commands. I stare at his dark hand.

"Go on." He nudges me almost affectionately. I stand up to go to Mikiel but Ryean traps me with his arm.

"Remember, little one, you're mine. Make sure you don't lose, or else." His moves his lips from my ear to my neck, sucking hard on it. Heat floods my core and I am drawn between being turned on my his actions or feeling the fear that runs down my spine at his threat. I am confident he will fulfil his threat if I don't do what he wants but my pride still bristles, especially because of my body's betrayal in reacting to his touch in this manner.

He lifts his head from my neck and licks his lips, a small frown marring his beautiful features. "She smells rotten. Tell them to wash her."

Embarrassment washes over me like a flood. What does he mean by I smell. Anyone would smell if they were being kept in a dungeon for goddess knows how long.

I grit my teeth in show of defiance and reply, ignoring his earlier statement so I don't show that I am affected. "I'll do what the hells I want."

"We'll see about that. You may leave now. " He dismisses me. I raise an eyebrow at his command."

"Do you have something else to say to me?" He quizzes.

"No." I reply through clenched teeth.

"Then you may leave." There's a hard edge to that that brooks no room for argument.

My jaw ticks. Must he always get the last word in. There's no point staying in his presence anyway. I get up from his lap again and follow Mikiel out the room, my cheeks tinging red.

I can only assume how our exchange must look like some sort of lovers quarrel. Although, as a vampire he must have heard what we spoke about.

His face certainly doesn't give any indicators. It's as blank as it was the moment he appeared in the room. If I hadn't seen him at the border, I wouldn't know he was capable of an expression other than the blank canvas that is his face right now.

I have so many questions I want to ask him but I am too caught up in my own thoughts right now.

Once out the door, he leads me silently down a set of corridors until we reach a part of the palace that is decorated lavishly. Light comes in from the high windows and the high beams make the ceiling look more higher. The thief in me catalogs all the expensive furniture and tapestries arranged tastefully in the hallway.

We stop in front of a pair of ornately decorated wooden oak door with carvings of naked sprites and nymphs on them. I roll my eyes at how obvious that made it that this is the entrance to the harem. It is something Ryean would do.

He raps on it five times in between short pauses. It must be some kind of code. Almost immediately after, the door is open by a short matronly looking woman who appears to be in her later years.

The appearance of the servants here is different from the stories I heard that all vampires are gorgeous. I wonder have concluded that she is not a vampire I'd not for the hint of fang I see hanging down her thin lips.

I wonder if there is an explanation.

She is dressed in a uniform similar to the maid outfit I have on except hers looks impeccable without a wrinkle in sight. From the top of her greying brown hair to the tips of her practical gleaming black shoes.

"Rashva." I assume that is the name of the woman.

Although her features are schooled to hide any emotion, there is a hint of fear in her eyes like the angel of death has come knocking.

"What brings you here assassin?" She asks. So he is an assassin. I didn't know assassins were, what that Ryean call them? 'Handlers.'

Her eyes widen. "Does the Razar...."

"No." He says more annoyed and less because he wants to reassure her.

"The Razar has added another to his thrall."

He stands aside and Rashva takes me in from head to toe. I fidget in the spot, aware of my appearance. Her nostrils flare, probably from the smell of my blood. Contrary to what I heard, it seems vampires are more restrained than was led to believe. I half expected the smell of my blood to attract them in swarms. But then maybe my stench detracted them. Ryean did say I smelt.

Her lips her pressed in a straight line and she has that disapproving look that the other woman who prepared me for my audience with the king had. A look that says 'why her.'

Her gaze rests on the part of my neck that Ryean sucked on. Initially, My first instinct is to cover it up but then I do not. It would be better if everyone assumed I was Ryean's woman, that should give me some layer of protection in this strange land.

"You will prepare her. The Razar specifically instructed that she be bathed." My cheeks redden in mortification. Did he really have to point that out?

He turns on his heel and shuts the door behind him without a word more.

Immediately the door is shut, she drops her fangs and rushes me, pushing me against the wall. I swallow the cry of pain in my throat from the impact.

Her pupils have bled black. She stares down at me with feral hunger as she hisses out her words through her fangs. "It seems the Razar has brought new prey for the thrall."

And then sinks her fangs into my throat.