{Doran pronounced DOOR-RE-EN}
Lord Doran was the worst of the worst. Here I thought that Lord Morris was a filthy rapist even though it turns out he isn't. But this man, so very disgusted. When Lord Morris and I arrived, he thought I was Lord Morris slave. He asked Lord Morris if it was ok If I talked to him. I was completely offended and had to hold back my scoff. This is new territory, I don't have free reign like I do back home. I held my tongue at that time. While he spoke to us at his table, he reached under the table and touched my leg. I smacked his hands away which he didn't like very much. Lord Morris had not noticed, and I did not tell him. Who knows how he will react? We were escorted to the guest chambers, and during the walk, I was groped, and I swore under my breath.
"Would you like for her to be in a separate room?" Why do you keep asking him if its ok for me to do something? Lord Morris already corrected him once, but he refused to acknowledge me as such. What a prick.
"No, she sleeps with me." Lord Morris replies.
"Ah, very well." Lord Doran smiled while opening the door. The room was not as lavish as Lord Morris bedroom, but it was better than a servants room. I could tell that this village did not seem to bring in that much money.
When we arrived, I could see the tattered cottages, and this semi-decent Lords home just further proves the point. Because we came so late, he did not discuss what exactly he wanted. When we retired to the bed, I went behind the divider and changed into my nightgown. I brought all solid ones and not the sheer ones I would wear with Damien.
"What do you think of Lord Doran?" he asks as he adjusts in the bed.
"Honestly?"
"Of course."
"I do not like him," I reply and he chuckles
"Why not?"
"He treats me so demeaning. Asking you is it ok for me to do this and that. Next, he is going to ask you is it ok if I breathe." Lord Morris laughs,
"He is stuck in old ways. In the old days, the original vampire King and Lords treated humans the same way he treats you. Some of them were even raped periodically just for the fun of it." I felt a cold tremor. I stepped from behind the divider and climbed into bed.
"Do you often think like that? Like the old times?" He shakes his head,
"I never cared for the abuse of women, no matter what species. But Doran is a direct descendant of one of the original vampire families, so he's stuck in those ways." I pull the covers up and turn over,
"As long as he keeps his hands to himself," I grumble. Lord Morris did not laugh. It was a stiff silence, so I leaned over a tad to see him dressing.
"Where are you going?" I ask
"To Lord Doran's chamber." I sit up from the bed.
"Why?"
"Because obviously, he doesn't understand what I meant when I said you are my lady. So I will show him," he replies coolly as he fixes his trousers and exits out the door. I shrugged my shoulders and thought nothing of it. I closed my eyes and sighed until I heard a loud crash. I sat up from the bed and looked around the small room.
Another bang was heard, and I jumped. The noises were coming from outside in the hallway. Should I investigate? Prepare for a fight? I was startled when the door opened, and Lord Morris dragged Lord Doran in the room by his forearm.
"Apologize to my woman, and tell her you won't do it again." Lord Doran looked like he would rather have his manhood tore off him then apologize to a woman. But Lord Morris shook him hard, and Lord Doran finally opened his mouth,
"My sincerest apology, I will not ever lay a hand on you like that again," he replies. Lord Morris smiled and dropped him.
"Now, my lady and I need to rest. We will see you in the morning, Lord Doran. Oh and please shut the door behind you." He replies as he slips in the bed with his trousers on. Lord Doran stumbled to his feet, glared at me and then shut the door. I was in shock that he made him apologize. I knew he would react that way but not humiliate the man. It made me laugh. I laid back on the bed and turned over. He wrapped his arm around me,
"Goodnight," he mumbles before snoring.
"Goodnight," I whisper before I look over at my bags. Perhaps I could read those letters. I shouldn't just in case he is a light sleeper. I remained in bed, and just before I was about to close my eyes, I heard someone near the door. I felt a little bit anxious since I do not like anyone near my sleeping quarters every since the incident. Lord Morris ordered for all movements to cease during the times I sleep to make me more comfortable. It was the sound of two footsteps near the door,
"That little bitch has him wrapped around her finger." Lord Doran whispered angrily
"Its fine, tomorrow is when we will grab her."
"That uppity bitch needs to learn a lesson." Lord Doran sneered before the two of them retreated from my door. I thought back to what Morris said about the old ways. If Lord Doran is stuck in his old thinking, then he will probably try to attack me when I am alone. Well if that's how he wants to play it, then I guess we will see who strikes who.
"Are you sure you will be ok by yourself?" Lord Morris asks for the third time. I wanted to push the big man out the door myself, but something tells me he would be too heavy. He was standing over the bed with his suit on and Lord seal. Lord Doran had called for the meeting almost ten minutes ago, but Lord Morris was too busy asking me if I am capable of being alone.
"I assure you, I am completely fine, and I will be fine when you get back," I reply with a smile. Morris hesitates,
"Alright...but call me if you need me," he replies as he kisses my forehead and exits out the room. When the door closed, I moved the covers up and exposed the dagger that I had stashed away in my bag just in case.
Never come on anyone else's territory empty-handed. That was something I learned since traveling to the South and almost getting turned against my will. I covered it back up and went over to my bag and pulled out a letter from Rose. I opened it while sitting down on the bed,
My Dearest Favian,
I did not think it would be possible to miss you as much as I do. I think of you almost every day. I cannot wait to be back in your arms once again. I have met with one of the brothers that you mentioned. His name is Damien. He is pretty closed off and getting in his good graces may take a bit longer than planned. But worry not my love I will make him fall for me.
I set the letter down and folded it back up. If Rose was Lord Morris's lover then why would she be trying to get Damien to fall for him? I placed the letter back in the bag and picked up another.
My Dearest Favian,
Do you believe in magic? I often dream of the wedding you promised me. I picture myself in a beautiful gown pledging myself to you eternally and being claimed as yours. It has been lonely in these castle walls. And the only person I want to share a bed with is you. Damien's father has just announced that Damien will be the new King. Daine is seething with jealousy perhaps we could exploit that to our advantage? Damien would already do anything for me, maybe even kill.
I shoved the letter back into the bag and zipped it closed. I had five more letters to go through, but I think I'm starting to get the picture. Rose was placed into both Damien and Daine's lives to tear them apart. It doesn't explain how exactly she managed to do that, but hopefully, the other five will touch on that. But the real question is why? Lord Morris said his friendship with Daine was still prevalent to this day. It was a lie. What else has he lied to me about?
I heard my doorknob rattle, and I went back to the bed and picked up a book. I picked a random page and pretended to be engrossed in it.
The door opened, and a guard came in. He scanned the room and then looked behind him. That must mean he plans on doing something fishy. I edge the dagger up a little to make it easy to grab and then flip the page. He shuts the door and walks over to me. He stood right in front of me,
"Can I help you?" I ask while scanning the page. He doesn't answer.
"Lord Morris says this room is off limits while he's not here." I try again
"Well it's a good thing he's not here isn't it." Lord Doran's voice fills my ears. I look up from my book and see his small face in the guard uniform. How is he here? How is that possible?
"How are you here and doing the meeting downstairs?" I ask
"Don't worry about that little one," he smirks while he smacks the book from my hand. I back up while pushing the dagger with me. He leans himself on the bed with a sickening smile.
"Back in my days, there were plenty of ways to deal with a snobby human like you." he smiles with his fangs pushing out. He takes the helmet off and tosses it across the room.
"Now be good," he replies as he loosens the armor and then tosses it across the room. Oh, I'll be good alright I thought. Once all his armor was off, he grabbed my leg and spread them wide. Before he could try and loosen his trousers, I kicked him hard in the face. He stumbled back and growled,
"You little-" I grabbed the dagger and leaped off the bed. I stood defensively, and in a whoosh, he was right in front of me,
"Aww little kitty took self-defense classes," he smirks while gripping my hand with the dagger in it. He squeezed, and I groaned in pain. I brought my knee up to knee him, but he caught it. I used my other hand to punch him dead in the nose. He snarled and pulled me forward with the dagger arm he still had in his hand. He pulled me close and then forcibly kissed me. I brought my jaw down on his lip and bit as hard as I could. He shoved me off and wiped his bloody mouth.
"You are not going to make this easy." he laughed before trying to grab me once more. He grabbed my forearm, and I jammed the dagger right into his hand. He yowled and pulled away. I eyed an old curtain rod in the corner of the room. Just my luck that it was wooden.
I grabbed it while he waited for his bloody hand to heal. I swung the stick, and he caught it with both hands leaving his manhood exposed. I brought my foot up and kicked him. He growled and backed off. I brought the stick back to my side and slid it across his face. He fell back on the floor and groaned in pain. I grabbed the jagged edge of the stick and shoved it into his stomach.
"Now be good." I taunt as I shove it further into his stomach. He yelled in pain, and the door opened. I thought it was his guards but it Lord Morris. He looked between the two of us and then threw in the guard who was guarding my door.
"Thank the gods you arrived! Your human went all nutso on me and attacked me. All I came in here for was to check on her." Lord Doran lied. Lord Morris nodded while looking down at the scared guard,
"Thank the gods indeed," he replied before moving swiftly to my side and moving me out the way. Before I had the chance to ask him what the hell he was doing, he rammed the stick into Lord Doran's neck. His thick blood poured out and spilled over the floor. I walked over to the frightened guard and got on his level. It would be best to leave no witnesses. I jammed the dagger into his neck. His blood has splattered on my dress and face. I stood up and looked over at Lord Morris,
"You look so attractive with blood on your face." he compliments with a smile. I laugh.
"Blood suits you too," I respond, and he laughs.
After Lord Morris killed Lord Doran, we found out that his twin brother Lord Rubin has been waiting for his perverted brother to fall out of power. Lord Morris gave the Earldom to Rubin, and then we made our way out of that crazy village. On our way back, Morris admits that he never got the chance to purchase any gifts for me.
Even though I assured him that he has given me plenty of gifts and has kept our secret about the whole Lord Doran altercation with no questions asked. He really owed me nothing, but he insisted. So we took a detour and went to this beautiful town where they had plenty of dress shops and jewelry stores. He had left me in a dress store and went over to a jewelry store by himself. He said he had a surprise for me. I am now standing in a huge gown that screams money, but it just isn't me.
The seamstress stood by me with her fake smile on, "Oh darling; this is just perfect for someone like you."
"Oh?"
"Yes, darling, all the vampire pets wear things like this. All the time darling." If she called darling one more time.
"I am not his pet," I reply as I eye this hideously huge pink gown. It was just too much for a girl like me. I like beautiful, but straightforward gowns not huge look at me dresses.
"Yeah sure whatever darling, now you buy the dress yes?" she replies.
"No. I don't like it." She scoffs
"You don't like Sophie dress? You just haven't dressed like this darling. Who could blame you since we all know how humans are.
But-"
"Let me stop you right there darling, this dress looks like a fishnet wrapped in glitter and jewels. Us humans have taste something you wouldn't know about. Now if you'll excuse me, darling, I'm going to rip this thing off me." I reply, and she narrows her eyes at me but leaves. I untie myself from the garter and kick the dress off of me. I walked over to my bag and pull out another letter. Who knows when I will be alone again,
My Dearest Favien,
I received your gift in the mail and practically leaped with joy. I cannot believe you bought me this beautiful necklace. I will wear it always and cherish it as I adore you. I have good news, my love. Daine has asked for my hand in marriage. I told him that my heart belonged to another and he assumed it was his brother. They are on outs with one another as we speak. Now is your chance to talk to the King and convinced that his sons are unfit to rule. That the crowd should go to you. We will have everything that we could ever want.
I folded the letter and placed it in my bag. Lord Morris sabotaged Damien's and Daine's personal relationship. That was why he sent Rose over there. He wanted the crown, and he sent her over to do his dirty work. What happened to her? Is she still alive? Was she a vampire? So many questions. I looked up when I heard the shop door open. I rushed into the gown I had on when we came in. He was dripping wet,
"What happened?" I ask as I walk over
"It's raining cats and dogs out there." he laughs while grabbing my hand.
"Morris," I laugh
"Your hands are soaking wet."
"I know, but there is something that I must do," he replies. I raise my eyebrow at him. He pulls me inches from his face,
"Marry me." My eyes widened,
"Uh..are you sure that's what you want?" I question nervously
"I am absolutely sure. The moment you killed that man in Lord Doran's home made me realize that you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with." I stood there with my mouth wide open. He could not be serious. Seeing my face covered in someone's blood made you want to marry me? He really is crazy. He looked down at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for my answer
"I-I'm sorry," I reply. Lord Morris kissed my hands with his wet lips.
"Don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry, just marry me." he smiles. I thought back to the letters between him and Rose. I had to find out more. Lord Morris was a character in the ploy to end my beloved life this entire time. I had to know more, and I had to know his connection to my mother. I know there is more to this story. I looked up at his wavering smile and give him a light smile,
"Isn't there supposed to be a ring or something." He laughs nervously and releases my hand. He fishes in his pocket and pulls out a small box. He takes out this silver ring with a dull red sapphire stone in the middle of it.
"I figure that since you'll be turned to just wrap the whole thing in one." I take the ring from him and slide it on my ring finger,
"I wonder what my name shall be. Lady Morris makes me sound old." I joke. He scoops me up and spins me around. He kisses my temple, cheeks and then lips.
"You have made me the happiest Lord there ever is." he gushes. He places me down on the floor.
"Wait until everyone hears about the good news." he smiles as he rushes out the door. I looked down at the ring and then twirled it around in fear. What have I done?
We arrived home, and Lord Morris tell the entire staff about the engagement. All of them looked surprised, and Alina was nowhere to be seen. I would have to tell her the news myself. I stepped out the carriage and realized that I was no longer the human girl who had caught the eye of the Lord, but I was his fiancé.
Everyone no longer eyed me disgusted or enviously, they eyed me respectfully. I reached in my pocket to try and grip Damien's medallion to bring me back to reality, but unfortunately, it was not in my pocket. I must have left it in my bag. I took Lord Morris awaiting hand and let him escort him into his home.
This was not apart of the plan. How the hell am I supposed to escape if I am the wife of the Lord? I was so busy trying to figure out his life that I looped myself into an even bigger mess. I was prepared for Alina to chew me a new one when I tell her what happened while I was away at Gillygate.
I walked upstairs and knocked on her door. Her door was open a tad, and I walked in. I looked around for any signs of distress or anything. I saw a note on her vanity table, and I picked it up.
'Meet me in the garden Addeline. Very important.'
I crumbled up the note and tossed it into the fireplace. I walked over to her wardrobe and threw one of Alina's cloaks over me and head out to the garden. The rain had stopped, but it was now getting frosty. I walked through the courtyard and approached the maze. I walked in and passed the green shrubs and made it to the middle of the maze. Alina was sitting on the rim looking absentmindedly up at the sky,
"You know this makes you look really mysterious." I joke, and she snaps her attention to me. She gets up from the fountain and grabs my arms. I have never seen her this way before.
"Addeline, were you followed?" she asked hurriedly in a hushed tone.
"No," I assure.
"Good, I can't tell you verbally what I saw, but I can show you," she replies as her eyes turn light red. She presses her thumb to my temple. My mind is swarmed with information. It's like sifting through hundreds of letters at once. Some things stuck out to me but she removed her thumb.
I bent over and breathed in and out like I just ran three miles. My mind was still swarming. I tried to grasp what she had just seen. She gave me a few moments to gather everything. When my thoughts finally calmed down, I could finally see what she was trying to say. She grasps my face and pulls me up to look at her. Her scared brown eyes stare back at me,
"We can't stay here."