The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

༺43༻

'You haven't learned anything until you learn monsters have nightmares too.' - Anonymous.

ೋღ🌹ღೋ

I stand in front of the door that leads out into Aurélien's garden, my heart thrumming in my chest as I mentally prepare for the journey ahead.

Dressed in black boots over my black cargo trousers, a black vest and a black jacket that covers every inch of exposed skin, I'm prepared to leave the safety of Aurélien's estate in exchange for the harsh sunlight waiting for me outside.

My eyes are hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, the same ones my brothers used to wear. Only now do I know why they did. Since becoming a vampire, this will be the first time I'll be exposed to the sun and I have no idea how bad it's going to be. Vampires might not burn but we can blister and our eyes are extremely sensitive to its harsh rays.

extra precautions are tucked beneath my cloak, in a black satchel tied around my waist. By extra precautions, I mean injections of silver, a dagger and a gun loaded with silver bullets. The gear was given to me by Caleb, who by 'give', I mean forced. Not only that but I forced him to show me how to fire the gun and aim. My vampiric abilities made me a quick learner and it only took him an hour until he was confident I could fire the gun well enough. He promised to keep it a secret when I called upon the favour he owed me after I saved his life. It was lowly of me but I couldn't risk Aldéric or Emmie finding out.

With Aldéric and Emmi leaving at the first sign of sunset, I have to leave during the sunlight. I need a head start if I want to reach Richard first and get to him before he knows anyone has figured out his location.

One wrong move and he'll flee.

Seconds feel like hours as I take the time to reflect on my decision to go after him... alone. The weight of my decision sits heavily on my shoulders and only when my knees buckle will I know if I've made a mistake.

I take a deep breath and turn to the guard standing off to my right. His eyes remain glassy after I compelled him to stand away from the doors. My voice is soft and gentle, filled with fear and sadness for the possible future that I might never get to see Ric again. I at least need him to know how much I love him. The guard's features shift when I speak, "If news comes back that Richard takes me or... kills me, I want you to personally tell Prince Aldéric how much he meant to me and that this was just something I had to do." A tear trails down my cheek before I quickly wipe it away and breathe away from the tears. I ask, "Do you understand your order?"

His voice remains one tone, another sign of compulsion, when he answers with a simple, "Yes, princess."

"Thank you," I turn back towards the doors, another deep breath before I yank them open, the warmth of the sun washing over me. It doesn't hurt but I remain cautious as I take my first step outside.

From behind the glasses, the light of the sun is filtered, seeing everything in a darker shade. I walk along the path, stopping to admire the bush of gorgeous, burgundy roses. My eyes drift to the paved stone on the ground and the words that spoke to me;

The Dark Rose

I was The Dark Rose. It still amazed me that I was completely clueless for twenty years of my life. The name was fitting because my time here had turned my soul dark. Cruel darkness that filled my entire being. A darkness that I will take, control and unleash on Richard with no mercy.