Mila Pov
I waited until the palace was quiet then snuck out. I made my way to the outskirts of the city where most humans lived. By the time I got there I was winded. I should have taken a transporter, but I didn't want to draw attention. I made my way to my little cottage. When I went in, I removed the rug and opened the trap door underneath. I walked down the stairs to the cellar. I walked to the table and started mixing up some oats and milk. I stirred it and brought it to the cell.
"When will you let me out of here," he growled.
"Until my plan is done. Until I'm queen."
"You will never be queen. When I get out of here, I will expose you for who you are."
I looked at my twin brother. He is a far cry from the man he used to be. His stomach is concave, his muscles are no longer visible. His beautiful face is gaunt. "Aht, aht, aht, brother. Now don't start with the threats. I'm still working on a good explanation on how you can come up missing permanently. Since I will be queen, because Mickey and I are mates, I can simply order a guard to come here and kill you for treason."
I smiled as he tried to get up but he was too weak. He fell back down. I slid his bowl of food to him. I dare not get too close. The only way I can control him is to keep him weak from hunger. I give him just enough food so he won't die. Shane was always a loner so it wasn't hard for people to believe that he went on a peaceful retreat.
I frowned. They said Mickey went on a retreat. That he needed time to himself. I really wanted to fuck him as soon as I could. I would love nothing more for him to be trapped between my thighs. Still, I couldn't help but to feel snubbed. He was supposed to have come to me by now.
I snapped from my thoughts. My brother was using the bars to pull himself up. I looked at his tall frame. He would have been a great asset to the cause. But no. He had to be self righteous.
"When the royal family finds out what you and the others are up to you will all die. Have you not heard the stories? They will end you all in the most horrible of ways. Who do you think you're dealing with?"
"I will be queen you fool. We don't have to try and take over. I'll do it from within. Just as soon as I kill his other mate."
"You are delusional. Just like the others. They brought humans here over 153 planet cycles ago and this is how you repay them. This won't end well for you sister. Stop this and let me out of here."
"Not until you agree to help us with the weapons and suits that you've built and you agree not to say anything to anybody and ruin our plans."
He smashed his lips together. Fool. Shane is an excellent blacksmith. He specializes in weapons. When he was playing around with weapons and those iron suits, he gave us an idea. We came to him and asked him for them. He shot us down and threatened us. We knew the rest of the humans wouldn't stand for it so we had to kidnap him to shut him up. If the rest of the humans knew what we were planning they would go to the queen as well.
The royal family is selfish. Why do they get to live for several lifetimes and we don't. We already have a plan in motion to kidnap a vampire and make them turn us all. As a matter of fact. I think Traja is at the palace healing from some battle I heard the servants say he was in. The priestess is healing him. I smiled. Rayce will love me for the present I'm about to bring him.
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Ashford Pov
I tried to sit up again and curse when I felt lots of pain. The priestess said she would help me heal faster, but she needed to recharge after helping Traja. We heal pretty fast but the amount of damage that Mickey caused inside and out was significant. I was trying to get out of bed because Daphne just told me that Mila left the palace and I wanted to follow her. She's up to something and the bonding ropes knew it as I did. If she is our mate then we will clean her aura of any nastiness so that she will be perfect for us. But I can't help but wonder if she is Mickey's mate or mine. I don't feel any strong need where she's concerned. If she's Mickey's mate then shouldn't she be mine as well. Something doesn't feel right. I stopped trying to rise and decided to wait on the priestess.
In due time I will find all the answers I seek.
I suddenly heard a noise. I screamed when I saw Mickey. He just appeared out of nowhere in my room. I tried to move and get away from him, but I was still too sore. Tears came to my eyes, but I won't show fear. I conjured up an energy ball, all the while trying to mentally call the priestess. Then something occurred to me. His eyes. They are lavender. I got excited. "Mickey." He said nothing as he looked me over. Turmoil came to his eyes. I know he regrets what he did. Just like he regretted all the other times as well. I know it's not him. Just his nature.
He dropped his fangs and bit into his wrist. He held his wrist up to me. I let his blood drop in my mouth. He removed his wrist seconds later. He licked his wound until it closed. I blinked as all my pain and soreness went away. I stood up and ran to him. But he stepped back. "Mickey, please, tell me how to help you."
He was about to speak when his eyes started to turn a bloody red. They were flickering. I was nervous and happy at the same time. Mickey can beat this. He can overcome it.
Then he disappeared. Seconds after he left the priestess came in. "Priestess! Mickey was here. He was himself. He can beat him!"
She stared at me sadly.
"What! This is good, right."
"Ashford, you have to come to grips with the fact that the Mickey you used to know is gone. When he and the warlock merge, Mickey will be cruel. The warlock will literally merge inside him, his being. The decision he makes will be influenced by both of them. I'm sorry, but the Mickey you knew is no more. I'm glad that he's gaining control, but it helps very little. Mickey will come back here crueler, stronger, and sadly, that will be him for years to come."
I sat on the bed and deflated. "He healed me. He looked like my Mickey."
"You are his mate. His instinct is to heal and not harm you. Unfortunately, that line is blurred when it comes to his warlock. I'm glad he healed you. I must return to Armond. Traja will stick around for a while until he fully heals. The worst has passed though. When you see him tell him I will send his fairy to him."
I nodded. "Thank you, priestess." She smiled then disappeared. I took a deep breath, preparing for any and everything. Mickey has always been, by my definition, cruel. Most people think I fear Mickey because of how big and powerful he is or whatever. No, I fear Mickey because he's a master at torture when he thinks something is off, even after I've done all I can to reassure him otherwise. Afterwards, he's back to being sweet and regretful, but the damage has already been done and the fear runs deeper and deeper inside me. I can only imagine what fate will bring my way with this new Mickey.
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Mila Pov
The next morning when I woke up I bathed and dressed and went to find Makay. I want to know where Mickey is right now. Sadly, when I went to her room she was not there. When I flagged down a servant and asked them, I was informed that she had left. So I went to the next person that could tell me. I went to Ashford.
When I made it to her room she was just coming out. I looked her over as I came upon her. She has a beautiful skin color. Her complexion was a little lighter than Makay's complexion. Her small ears were pointy. Her eyes were a dark green color but what made me angry to look at her was her body. She had the royal colors of white and gold leather on. Her white leather top was short. Stopping right under her breast. Her white and gold leather pants were tight and fitted. Her breasts were nice and plump. Her stomach was flat, but her hips and ass are the biggest part of her body. She's short, and I can tell that Mickey revels in folding her in his arms. Bitch.
I was so busy starting that I didn't see her look at me.
"Can I help you, Mila."
Her voice even angered me. It was low, sultry and seductive. She was so sweet. It sickened me. I can't wait until Rayce finds a way to kill elves. She will be the first one I kill.
"I want to know where Mickey is, right now. Everyone around here is telling me that he's on a retreat, now Makay is gone. What the devil is going on around here."
She stared at me for a long time. Like she was accessing me. "I'm sorry Mila, but at this point you are an outsider and we're not too quick to trust outsiders. When we bond together it might be different. I hope it really is, but as of right now I can't tell you anything. It might be best if you stay at your own home until Mickey comes back."
I gasp. "How dare you. Mickey and I are mates....."
she interrupted with, "but he's not here. Won't be for some time."
"I-I."
"Why are you here, Mila. I mean really."
"I-I," I stuttered out. I turned and walked away. Here I thought she was sweet. That bitch! How dare she.