Damon's POV...
Knocking on Carmen's door, I was greeted by silence. I knocked again, slightly louder this time, maybe she just wasn't ready yet? I opened the door slightly and lent in.
"Carmen? Everything okay?" I walked in a looked around, panic began setting in. I had given Cole the night off as I had planned another candle lit dinner in the gardens, she seemed to love that last time. I was going to take her to a secret waterfall I had in there that fell into a lake we could of swam in, swimming made her so happy and when she glowed I could almost feel my heart beating. The lake was right under the stars I had had reflected onto the ceiling. It was an exact replica of the night's sky for when I felt sick of being below ground. Going above made me weak, and I could not be weak.
Apart from right now I felt so weak. Where the hell was she?
I summoned Cole and Tom, I trusted these two more than any of my other soldiers, well at least I used to. When I told them she was missing, though they both looked panic, Cole had too much emotion in his eyes, it was more than just panic.
"You lost her! I should have been here. This never would have happened if you hadn't of sent me away!" In seconds my hand was around his throat and I had lifted him a foot in the air. There had been no thought just actions.
"Remember who you are talking too and more importantly remember that she is not yours." With that I shoved him to the floor, he may look bigger than me but I had the power of kings and I would no longer tolerate his feelings.
I felt my eyes flash and my darker side taking over when he began laughing. He was still sat on the floor, hand on his throat, laughing at me. My hands felt hot as I tried to calm the flames begging to be released.
"She loves me too, she loves us both and so you can't kill me. You kill me and you will lose her forever." He was my right hand man, and he had betrayed me. In a normal situation he would be ash by now. My breathing became laboured as I tried to calm my temper, I wanted to rip him to pieces, and I wanted him to suffer. But he was right. She would never speak to me again.
"Get out of my sight and find her," I growled at them, "If I ever see you touch her again I will destroy you, whether she hates me for it or not." I turned away from them and began searching everywhere I thought she would go.
The summoning pool, dining hall and library were all empty, I even checked my room. I could feel myself getting closer and closer to tears. I ran out to Tom outside the gardens almost praying that he had found her.
"They are empty sir." I knew Tom was protective of her and I could see fear in his eyes.
"Keep searching she has to be here somewhere." After what had happened at the swimming pool I was terrified, I couldn't let her go through that again.
"Sir...I don't want to speak out of place...but he doesn't deserve to die for loving her." He was staring at the floor hard as if it could make him disappear. I was almost shocked speechless, he never spoke out of turn, he hardly spoke at all.
"He directly disobeyed orders." I tried my hardest not to growl at him.
"I know that but doesn't loving her mean he will protect her with his life, is that not what you want?" I knew he had a point, but it does not mean I was okay with the way he felt.
"I will take your opinion into consideration. Now search the gardens again, every corner."
"Yes sir." I ran away, rechecking everywhere.
I could only think of one more place and though I did not want Amber involved but I really needed the help. Knocking on my sister's door again I was met with nothing. Opening the door, I saw that her clothes had been thrown everywhere. I loved her, but she was a slob. I looked around and saw Carmen's dress lying on the bed, the only carefully placed piece of clothing in there. Of course, my sister was involved with this somehow. I closed my eyes and reached out my senses. Someone had jumped in here, I could sense the left-over energy. She was dead meat.
I sat on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply with both relief and anger, I would need my anger under control for when they got back. She was safe with Amber, but I have no clue why she took her up there. I am not sure how much time had passed before I sensed someone jumping back down. Both girls landed in a giggling heap, I couldn't help but smile slightly at Carmen's infectious laughter. I crossed my arms and looked down at them.
"Where the hell have you been?"
Carmen's POV...
"I said, where the hell have you been?"
Me and Amber just stood in silence looking at Damon standing above us. We didn't know what to say but Amber's eyes were glittering with mischief. I was doing everything I could not to burst out laughing. I looked at the floor and didn't say anything, so he wouldn't see I was trying not to laugh.
"I have searched ever bit of the kingdom. I have had all the guards searching as well. I have been out of my mind with worry!" His face was flushed red and his arms were crossed, I couldn't help one bubble of laughter escaping when I caught glimpse of his face. The problem was that when that happened Amber burst into uncontrollable giggles and I joined in. His face just got redder which fuelled our laughter more. Soon we were doubled over clutching our sides.
"Your...face!" Amber breathed between giggles. He stood there with his arms crossed until our laughter calmed.
"Are you done?" He said through gritted teeth. Amber just grinned at me.
"Are we done Carmen?" She winked, and I laughed again, though not as much or as hard.
"Hmmm I don't think we are! What about you?" Then our laughter started again. Damon's eyes widened.
"Are you guys drunk!?"
"Nope!" I giggled at him. His face just stayed bright red.
"How could you be so irresponsible Amber?"
"Ah come on you need to loosen up Damon." We laughed again. It was like I was alive with energy and could do anything. If the laughter would stop and let me. I skipped up to Damon still laughing.
"You should have been there. There was so much dancing!" I giggled. He shook his head and lightly took hold of my arm.
"Come on time for bed." I laughed even harder.
"Bit forward Damon!" Amber burst out laughing loudly, and I heard her fall onto her bed clutching her side still. Damon's eyes narrowed.
"I meant for you to sleep!" I pouted and laughed again.
"But sleep is boring!" Damon made a face that was like he was talking to a four-year-old.
"You have been out all night and its almost sunrise. You need to sleep." I crossed my arms and shook my head still laughing. His patience must of ran out as then he grabbed me and put me over his shoulder. I just laughed harder.
"Bye Ambs!" I waved from his back.
"Bye Carmen! See you later!" Damon walked out the room and all the way down the corridor all I could hear was Amber's laughter. After walking for a while my laughing died off. I looked down and laughed quietly again.
"What is it now?" Damon said impatiently.
"You have a cute butt!" I laughed again, and patted it. The air was suddenly knocked out from me and I was then being held in a lady carry.
"Now you can't see it." I pouted, and he smiled slightly. I grinned evilly as an idea came to my mind. I wrapped one arm around his shoulders and the placed the other on my forehead, I then stuck one leg out.
"My hero!" He laughed.
"You are such a dramatic drunk!" I put my leg down and put the other arm around his neck.
"I'm not drunk!" He looked at me as if I was mad.
"You are. Amber is in deep trouble."
"Why?"
"She shouldn't of done that, she doesn't know what's at stake."
"What is at stake...hmm I fancy a steak..." He rolled his eyes at me and said nothing. We walked in silence and I felt the floating feeling start to evaporate and a headache replace it.
"You haven't laughed in a while?"
"My head hurts..." He laughed at this.
"Don't get drunk next time then."
"I wasn't!" I closed my eyes to block out the light.
"Sure..." He said in a voice that said he obviously didn't believe me. I pouted and turned my head from him. "Don't be like that." I didn't turn to look at him, but I did lean my head against his shoulder I was so tired. I yawned, and he laughed.
"Don't laugh at me!" He laughed harder.
"You laughed at me."
"Doesn't work both ways..." I pouted. He smiled and shook his head slightly.
We turned the corner to my room and I could feel my eyes dropping. They widened though when I saw both Tom and Cole pacing outside my door.
"Oh, thank God you found her!" Cole breathed. Tom exhaled.
"Aww were you guys worrying?" I gave them a cheeky grin. They both looked confused and looked at Damon for an explanation.
"Seems Carmen has had her first run in with alcohol." I wiggled to try and get him to put me down.
"I'm not drunk!" He laughed but held on strong.
"You can hardly stand let alone walk."
"I can walk fine! Put me down!" He laughed but didn't put me down.
"No way." Damon laughed. Cole stepped forward.
"She said put her down." Cole said between his teeth.
"Leave it Cole." Tom whispered. Damon grinned at Cole, but his eyes were alive with fury.
"And if I don't?" Damon just stood there fuming. Anger seemed to seep from him. "That's what I thought."
"Please don't fight." I whispered I was so tired.
"We won't angel I think you need to sleep." He walked past Cole's glaring eyes and into my room. He walked straight over to the bed and lay me on it. He bent over and kissed my forehead softly. "Goodnight angel...I love you..." I was about to reply but was overcome by sleep.
Damons POV....
I said goodnight to my angel and began to walk out of the room while calming my fury. I wanted to kill Cole so badly, but I knew I couldn't without hurting Carmen. When I was almost to the doorway he walked in.
"Get out." I whispered with venom. His eyes flashed with a fury that I had never seen in him before.
"No, I want to make sure she is alright." He whispered back through gritted teeth.
"She is fine now leave before you wake her." Instead of listening he stormed forward and to her. He quickly bent and kissed her cheek. I was there in a second with my hand around his throat again. "I warned you not to touch her!" I said it slightly to loudly and she stirred. We out of the room in a second with my throat still around his neck.
"Don't fight, it would upset Carmen!" Tom always was sensitive to other's feelings. I ignored him and turned back to Cole who was starting to turn purple with lack of oxygen.
"Now listen up, I could kill you in a second, so you stay away from her and do your job! Have you got that!?" I snarled in his face then dropped him. I then turned to leave with Cole gasping for air on the ground.
"You have already proved you won't." I stopped and turned to the pathetic man that was once again on the floor.
"What did you just say!?" I snarled loudly. He slowly rose to meet my eyes.
"That you said before that if I touched her again I would be dead. But here I am." I slowly walked forward.
"If I wanted to kill you, you would be dead!"
"But you do and I'm not!" He yelled back completely unafraid. Then I saw it in his eyes. He didn't care if he lived or died. He would fight for her.
"Me and her are meant to be together, you were never meant to fall for her." I whispered. He took a step back shocked by my response. He blushed but still looked angry. It was unusual to see.
"But can't you see I'm so much better for her!" I shook my head and breathed slowly trying to stop myself from ripping his heart out.
"No, you're not! Now do your job or I will make it that you never see her ever again! Got it!? You are nothing! I could dispose of you with a click of my fingers!" Cole shook his head.
"Do it then!" I turned to Tom who stood there struck with fear with as to what was happening.
"Tom!" His attention snapped to me. "You are to take over the night shifts as well as having the day. You will sleep here."
"NO!" Cole spoke quickly. "You can't do that!"
"I can do what I want." I spoke evenly showing I was serious. He shook his head.
"Please don't!"
"Will you do your job?"
"Yes! I will. Just don't take her away from me!" He was practically begging.
"For your disloyalty you can go to your room and not leave it until I say. If you leave your room then you shall never see her again." He nodded quickly. "Go." He marched quickly in the direction of the guards quarters.
"Would you like me to stay here sir?" Spoke Tom quietly. I shook my head smiling sadly at him.
"No, you go get some rest I shall stay and watch over her." He bowed.
"Thank you, sir." He walked in the same direction as Cole and I sat on the chair outside the room. I knew then things were going to get difficult.