The Library

ELIANA'S POV;

My heart raced as his cold fingers brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

My breath coiled in my throat, my fists clenched at my sides as I tried to fight him but it was useless.

He had pinned me down. His large calloused hands covered mine, his eyes looked down at me with immense lust.

"Please, Brother—" I cried. "Don't do this…"

He placed his fingers on my lips, shushing me. "It's okay, I won't hurt you." He assured as though his words meant anything.

I closed my eyes, the pain overwhelmed me. His lips grazed my ear lobe— I quivered.

He was about to kiss me when I opened my eyes.

It was all a dream.

My heart thrummed in my chest, cold sweat covered my body— my bed sheets? Soaked even though the room was so cold.

What was that?

That wasn't in my memories?

My breath came out in shallow, uneven gasps as I peeled myself from the nightmare.

The vivid memory of his touch lingered, leaving goosebumps on my skin. I searched my body, my hands shaking as I looked for any sign that what I'd just experienced wasn't real. Luckily, It wasn't.

I exhaled— clutching my chest

The last thing I remembered was coming out of the meeting room, then…

That brute.

That idiot tried to rape me. He would pay and I would make sure of it but first…what was that nightmare?

I don't remember having a brother? I'm an only child so…how come?

Why was I begging him, usually If I was in that situation I would have killed that guy but I begged. Me?

Could it be Eiana's memories? Was that why I was weak when the brute tried to touch me? Was that why his hold around me left me temporarily paralyzed?

The door opened, cutting through my thoughts. It was my handmaid. She gasped when she saw me and rushed to my side.

"Are…are you okay?" She asked and I nodded.

Then I remembered. Xavier. He should have come see me right?

"What about My husband? He didn't come see me?" I asked and she hesitated before answering.

"No, he didn't."

"Xavier… Shouldn't he have at least checked on me? The man I married…" I whispered to myself, the bitter taste of disappointment sinking in.

"I'm sorry Princess—"

"I want to be alone." I ordered, my anger burning. She sighed. "Please at least let me dress your wounds. You were hit."

That explains the pain I felt on my face. I didn't respond, my arms crossed over my chest, a physical barrier between me and her pitying gaze. She took my silence as a yes and slowly started treating my wounds.

I didn't know I was that unimportant, he didn't want to see me? Seriously?

You did tell him to leave you alone…

A voice in my head reminded and I mentally scoffed.

I didn't mean it. I was just upset.

So, he didn't bother to visit me even after I was attacked by his stupid brother, even after all I did for him. I guess I was right about him, he wasn't the one for me. I was just being stupid.

She finished dressing the wound and arranged the ointments inside a box. "Please ask the chefs to prepare some food for me. We need to check out that library today." I ordered and she furrowed her brows, worry written over her features.

"Princess, you're injured. You need to rest." she pleaded, her gaze lingered with worry.

"I'm fine, I'll need to check out that library today. I can't prospone it." I said with a tone of finality, the image of my people dying gnawed at the back of my mind. I didn't have time to waste!

Especially on stupid Princes who would ignore you without telling you what you did wrong.

She shook her head, giving up. "You're really stubborn, Princess." She laughed and I smiled shortly.

"Yes, I am." With that, she walked out of the room.

The silence embraced me again as I fell into the pool of thoughts. If I was angry at Xavier before, now I was furious.

He didn't bother to check on me. What if I died? What he had actually raped me?

That thought sent a slight shiver down my spine.

I picked myself up from the bed and walked to the wardrobe. I grabbed a light piece of clothing and threw it on then walked to the balcony.

I needed some fresh air —

I needed some time to calm down and think. I exhaled sharply, as I looked down at the spiralling garden below me, letting the little comfort embrace me. The sweet smell of nature lingered.

Beside me, stood a canvas with some paint beside it. I walked to it, my steps slow.

I hesitated before picking up the paintbrush, unsure why I felt compelled to try this. The bristles met the canvas, and I felt a strange calm wash over me.

As my hand moved instinctively, the strokes felt soothing, almost like Eliana was guiding me—like I'd done this before. Maybe this was something she left behind for me, a hidden part of her I was still uncovering..

I finished the bucket of paint in some minutes and stepped back, admiring my half done work—

It was a beautiful portrait of the sky and birds.

I just needed some more paint to finish up the landscaping.

The door opened and my maid walked in with a tray in hand, she carefully dropped the tray on the table and turned to me. "Your food is ready Princess." She announced and I nodded, stepping into the room.

"Oh, you started painting again." She muttered as she gawked at the painting from afar.

I raised my brows. "I used to paint?" I asked even though it seemed obvious that I did.

"Yes, you did according to the information we were provided. That's why we made sure you had a canvas, incase you wanted to paint again." She informed and I nodded.

"Well then, please I would like some grey and brown paint, with a bit of green."

"I'll get them, immediately."

"Thank you."

She smiled and made her way to the door, it was then I realised that I didn't know her name. "Hey—" I called and she haulted.

"Yes, your highness?"

"What's your name?"

"Amara—" she replied and walked out of the room.

I finished up my meal and got properly dressed by Amara, then we walked out of the room as we tried to locate the library.

We walked down the halls, the sound of our footsteps echoing. With each turn, the guards bowed respectfully and I smiled at them. Taking it in the vast size of the palace.

It was incredibly large, huge chandeliers covered each sector, the edges and ceilings covered with gold accents which made it look exquisite and expensive.

The walls—

A bright shade of grey which seemed to accent the beautiful portraits of rulers on them.

We reached the door way to the library and she pushed the door open. It seemed abandoned; I guess people didn't read much in this palace. Well, from what I've seen, most of them lack brain cells so I'm not quite surprised.

The hot smell of dust and dirt covered my nostrils and I palmed my mouth to avoid coughing.

As we walked inside, we were welcomed by two dividing pathways which lead to different corners of the library. "What book do you want Your Highness?" She asked me and I hesitated, wondering if I should tell her.

"Oh, just a book about Vampires. That's all." I answered with a shrug. "May I ask why?" She inquired.

"Just for research, I've been intrigued by that creature for a long time and I want to know more about it."

She nodded understandingly. "Okay, now you go that way and I go this way." I ordered and she obliged and walked in that direction, her eyes scanning the shelves.

I took off in my direction, my eyes dancing across the shelves searching for anything— anything that could help me learn about vampires and their weaknesses. Especially their weaknesses but all I saw was books about the kingdom's history and how to be a good queen or ruler etcetera. How boring!

I kept on walking though, clinging to the little ray of hope inside me. I cut through the lines of cobwebs, the dust penetrating ntk my nostrils.

I continued until I reached a portrait with a picture on it. It was that of a King. It was crooked. How strange.

I cleared the dust particles from the frame and was about to adjust it when a voice called out to me— Amara.

"Princess!! Princess!!" had she found something?

I ran to her. "I think I found something." She said and pulled me to a shelf in the left side of the room.

I took the book and glanced at the cover. It was just a poem book by someone named Alaric Ashbourne. My face fell in disappointment. Amara bit her lips. "I'm sorry for failing you princess. I thought it was vampire related."

"It's okay." I shrugged, my shoulders slumped. I was about to walk back to that painting to continue the search when a guard walked to the entrance of the library. He bowed and I raised my hand, signifying for him to lift his head.

"Advisor Magnus is here and he calls for you."

Magnus!

He must have found something!

"Where is he?" I inquired, curious.

"He's in your chambers, waiting." He answered and I ran out of the library. Amara trailed behind me. Maybe, just maybe he brought some good news?

Even though a hint of fear gnawed at my insides. I encouraged myself and hoped for the best.