Blood Bound To The Vampire King

XAVIER'S POV

I stared deep into her brown orbs, her eyes pulling me in. "What if, I can handle you—" her voice rang in my head.

Could she really.

Could she handle me?

I closed the distance between us, the air around us thick and cold but it didn't seem to bother us. I reached for her hair and rushed a stray strand back, she didn't flinch, she just stared at me.

[You think she can love you? She can't, she doesn't know who you are! You don't deserve love!]

The voice in my head banged and I couldn't deny, it was right.

She's just saying this because she didn't know me, she doesn't know who I am or what I've done. I don't deserve her love or anyone's love.

I shifted back and I could see her frown then she cleared her throat. "I'm just kidding, you didn't think I was serious, did you?" She chuckled, awkwardly. I flashed a weak smile which barely reached my eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure your tired. You should get some sleep." I said and she nodded and stood up from the ground, then walked to the dusty disheveled bed at the edge of the room and slept. Her back facing me.

My own family didn't accept me. What made me think that she would.

I picked myself up weakly, although I almost fell but I held myself up with the wall as I looked around for a blanket or anything I could use to cover her but I didn't see any.

I made my way to the bars and called for the guards. "Hello! Please can someone hear me!" I yelled but no responded.

"Hello!" I yelled again, the sound of footsteps followed.

Soon, the guard stopped at the cell bars, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly, arms folded.

"I just want a blanket," I said. "Not for me. For her. She's not used to the cold."

He gave a low, mirthless laugh. "You think I care?"

I stayed calm. "She's innocent in all this."

"Innocent?" He sneered. "You both are in here because your brother wills it. And when he's King, you'll be lucky if a cell is all you get."

My jaw clenched.

"You think they'll protect you forever, Your Highness?" he mocked, drawing out the title. "The real power's shifting. You'd be smart to remember that."

"She doesn't deserve to suffer for my mistakes."

His eyes flicked toward her sleeping form, then back to me. "You still think you can protect people? You can't even protect yourself."

He stepped back with a shrug. "No blanket. Orders are orders. You should get some sleep. Tomorrow might be your last day breathing free air."

And just like that, he turned and left — his boots echoing down the stone hall.

Idiot!

I turned to the small figure on the bed, she seemed to shiver slightly, her body trembled as she squeezed herself to the wall, wishing for warmth.

She was here because of me. It was my fault she was going through all this.

I walked to the bed and stroked her hair gently, my gaze soft and tender. The least I could do for all she has done for me is to protect her and that I'll do. Even from me.

I laid down beside her, pulling her body close to mine. I felt her body stiffen at first before she relaxed to my hold.

I placed my hand around her waist as I pulled her close to me. My head on her neck as my hot breath grazed her skin. There was barely any space between us. My large frame enveloped hers and from the looks of it, she wasn't cold anymore.

And that, I was okay with.

I stroked hair gently and soon I too drifted off to sleep.

***

THE NEXT DAY.

The morning rays of the golden sun peeked into the small cold cell from the rusty window, the gentle sounds of winds flapping and birds chirping rang in the air.

I stirred in my sleep. Not wanting to wake up yet.

For the first time ever. In so many years I slept peacefully, no nightmares. No scary voices just peace.

I felt something move in between my arms, it was then I realised that I had slept with someone. My eyes fluttered open and my gaze landed on the small figure between my grasp.

Her lashes flickered, her eyes fixed on me. "Good morning." I greeted, my voice low and husky from sleep.

"What are you doing?" She asked and it was then I realised I was in bed with her, half naked. Well I was wearing trousers but still my bare chest grazed her skin. I immediately pushed myself off the bed landing on the ground in a thud.

I picked myself up rubbing my head awkwardly. What would I say?

Oh you were cold and I wanted to help you, so I slept with you??

I could feel heat crawl up my skin at the thought. "I'm…I'm sorry. It's not what you're thinking." I tried explaining as though I knew what thoughts circled behind those brown eyes.

"It's fine." She shrugged adjusting on the bed. "Good morning." She whispered, avoiding my gaze.

"Ho…How was your night?" I stuttered. What was with the awkward questions Xavier!

"Oh, it was wonderful." She said, a blush tainting her cheeks. She was so cute.

"What about you?" She asked, looking at me this time, her voice soft and light like silk. "I slept well, thanks for asking." I answered, honestly.

What happened last night?

This was the first night In years that I didn't have that nightmare. Was it because of her??

"Okay." Then after that, awkward silence hung in the air. I wanted to say something but my brain couldn't muster up the words.

We stayed like that for a few seconds until she spoke. Thank God. "When is this ending?" She asked and I was a bit unsure of what she meant.

"What's ending?"

"You know your imprisonment?" Oh, she meant that. I thought she meant something else.

"Probably tomorrow or next tomorrow, I don't know." It was then she gasped. "What!!"

"I'm going to stay here with no food or water for three days!! Do you want me to die in here!" She yelled and I couldn't help but laugh at her behaviour.

"What's funny?"

"Is food a joke to you." I could see her glare at me.

I waved my hands submissively. "No, I didn't mean that. It's just that I didn't know such a small body liked food that much."

She rolled her eyes, throwing herself on the bed dramatically. "I'm screwed. If I knew this was your punishment I wouldn't have defied the King." She groaned and I laughed even harder, tears almost came out of my eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Magnus will visit me later, if he does I'll tell him to bring some food for you." I assured her and she looked up.

"Whose Magnus?" She asked.

"Oh, he's my advisor and friend. Yes we're close but not that close because he's most of the times busy strategizing and trying to make the Kingdom much more cohesive for the people." I explained and she nodded.

"Thank God he exists. I'm sure I wouldn't last a day here without eating." She joked and laughed along with her. Her laughter was so soft, so soothing to my ears. I had never seen anyone look so beautiful. Her hair poured over her shoulders, her pupils dilated in her eyes as she smiled at me.

That smile. That beautiful smile.

I don't know why but I wanted to keep on seeing it. I didn't want her to stop.

God My Heart!!