Blood Bound To The Vampire King

ELIANA'S POV

What in the world just happened?

Two days ago, I woke up in a strange world. Since then, I've been strangled—twice. I got married to a man I barely knew, and now I just watched that same man—my husband—get dragged away like a criminal.

My feet moved on their own as I walked back into the palace, mind spinning with unanswered questions. Why was Xavier being punished? What had he done to deserve being treated like a dog?

This wasn't right.

I clenched my fists and took off down the hall, determined to find the king.

The problem? I had no idea where his chambers were.

I stopped two maids scurrying past. "Where is the King's chamber?" I asked, trying not to scream.

They exchanged confused glances before one answered cautiously, "The King's chamber?" They repeated and it infuriated me, I didn't have time for this, he's out there and only the gods know what they're doing to him.

I shook my head.

"It's the largest door on your left." One answered, without waiting for more, I ran.

When I reached the door, two heavily armed guards stood like statues.

"I need to speak to the King. Move," I said, my voice firm. A deep frown settling on my features.

"I'm sorry, Princess," one of them replied. "His Majesty is resting. He gave orders not to be disturbed."

"I don't care," I snapped. "Move out of my way."

When they didn't budge, I lost it. I kneed one in the groin, shoved the other aside, and burst through the doors.

There he was—the King—resting peacefully on a mountain of gold and silk. How could he sleep while his son was out there being brutalized?

His eyes opened slowly, acknowledging my presence. "Don't you know how to knock?" he growled.

I scoffed. "Why did you order the guards to hurt Xavier?" I demanded, ignoring every royal protocol in existence. "What kind of father treats his son like that?"

I added, not minding the fact that I was speaking to the king and he could probably get me killed in a second.

But I didn't care.

I stood for justice.

And a small part of me stood for Xavier.

"I asked you a question, girl. Don't you know how to knock?" he repeated, his voice sharp.

"Oh please," I snapped. "Your room is not some sacred temple, it's just a stupid, overrated corner of this place.. I asked you first—why did you order guards to beat up my HUSBAND?"

Was I crazy? Yes.

Would I probably die a second time. Of course.

Did I care? Absolutely not! Or maybe a little, I don't know.

His expression darkened. He rose from the bed and walked toward me, but I didn't move. I refused to cower. I didn't come all this way to back down.

"If you care so much about him…" he sneered, "Then you'll join him."

"What?"

"You heard me. Take her to the dungeon—with her godforsaken husband."

The guards stormed in and grabbed me before I could react.

Wait, he was serious? I didn't think he would throw me in the dungeon.

I kicked, screamed, thrashed, but it didn't matter. "That's not how you treat a woman!" I yelled after the guards but they seemed to be deaf.

"Let me go, you idiots!" I yelled, but they lifted me like a sack of rice.

They didn't stop until they threw me into a cold, damp cell. I ran towards the door but it was too late, they had slammed the door shut.

Fuck them.

I turned around, it was the I saw him.

Xavier.

He was lying on the floor, unconscious.

Panic gripped me as I rushed to him. "Xavier? Xavier!" I knelt beside him, grabbing his arms, shaking him, tapping his cheeks—nothing.

His body was cold with sweat. His face twisted in discomfort.

I finally gave up, stepping back to sit on a creaky chair in the corner. But I couldn't take my eyes off him.

He looked... beautiful.

Even pale and bruised, he was breathtaking. Long lashes rested on flawless pale skin. His features were sculpted like a statue. So eerily perfect.

Just like Sebastian...

My chest tightened.

Although Sebastian was different, he didn't have his pale skin, nor his long dark hair but he was handsome.

I'd wanted to tell him how I felt before I died, but I never did.

Now here was Xavier.

The man who made my heart flutter with a single glance. The one who made butterflies riot in my stomach when he brushed against me.

Could I give him a chance?

Would he hurt me like my father hurt my mother? Like Sebastian could've hurt me if I'd let him in?

I didn't know. And I couldn't afford to risk it.

I tore my eyes away from Xavier and stared through the rusty bars of the window as a sliver of moonlight crept into the room, kissing his face.

Suddenly, he stirred.

His brows furrowed. Sweat dotted his forehead. His fists clenched. Was he okay?

"Xavier!" I rushed to his side. "Xavier, wake up!"

I gently smacked his cheek, shaking him again but he wasn't responding, he seemed to be having a nightmare. I shook him and continued to hit him.

His eyes flew open, and he gasped for air like he'd been drowning.

"Are you okay?" I asked, brushing sweat from his temple.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, voice hoarse but angry.

"That wasn't what I asked." I demanded.

"I'm fine, now what are you doing here!" He asked again and I bit my lip, not knowing how to tell him what had transpired between me and his father.

"I went to your father. I asked why he was punishing you, and he threw me in here too," I replied, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

He groaned and smacked his forehead. "Are you stupid?"

My heart twisted. "Excuse me? I defended you, and that's what you say to me? You don't know how to be grateful?"

"I never asked you to," he muttered. "I told you to stay inside. I didn't want you to see me like that." he shrugged, avoiding my gaze.

"You actually thought I'd listen to that?"

He gave me a small smile and reached out to ruffle my hair. I blushed at the sudden warmth of the gesture.

"You didn't have to. But now you're stuck. Alone. With your husband." He smirked and suddenly the once cold and damp cell became hot. Abnormally Hot.

"Wh–what?" I stammered, stepping away as he leaned closer.

"Yes," he murmured, lips curled. "And there's no one watching. I could do anything…"

I backed up instantly, heart racing. "We're in a dungeon and that's what you're thinking about?"

He laughed and the sound made my heart flutter.

"How's your wound?" I asked to change the subject.

He shrugged lazily. "Fine."

"Let me see your back."

"I'm okay."

"Turn. Around. Now."

He sighed but obeyed.

And when I saw the bloodied, bruised mess on his back, I gasped. "How are you fine? Look at you!"

He turned away. "It'll heal, it's not like we can treat it, we should just chill here till they let us go." He rested on the wall, his hands crossed over his chest as he stared at me.

"But still." I began, "why does your father treat you like that? You just defended me from your jerk of a brother and he had you beaten and jailed? That's not fair!" I said and he laughed sadly.

But I could see that behind that laugh, there was a broken boy underneath, who wanted to be fixed.

"Life's not fair sweetheart."

"What do you mean, he's your father! Why would he treat you that way?" I inquired and he looked away. "Cause I am his son. But not the one he wanted." He said and I didn't speak, not knowing what to say at this point.

"Yes, the same blood runs through our veins. But he doesn't treat me like it because I'm a mistake, and evidence of a relationship that wasn't supposed to happen." Just like me. I was forbidden. A mistake. Something that shouldn't have happened.

My heart clenched. He must've suffered a lot. "I'm sorry..." I said not knowing how to console him.

"It's fine, it's always been that way. But.." he paused, looking right at me. "It became a lot better when you came around." He added and I looked away shyly.

"What do you mean?" I feigned ignorance. He closed the distance between us and reached for my face. "You made life worth living in Eliana. You're the only one who understands me, the only one who sees through me." He said and I gulped down nothing.

Why was he saying this and why were his words affecting me this way.

"But you said you were a monster and that I should stay away." I muttered under my breath

"Because I am." He answered and shifted back— thankfully. "And I don't know if you'll be able to handle me."

"What if I can." Where the hell did that come from? Was my brain even working right now!

"Hmm..."

"What if I can handle you—" I added.

Damn me!