A Vampire's Bride

Chapter 8 - Mariella

You're mine, sweetheart. You don't have a choice...

For a long time, I just stood there in shock. What the hell is wrong with him? I immediately started thinking about the first day I got here as I wiped my tears. Everything he had told me he wanted to be had suddenly vanished.

Was all of it a lie? Or was I a fool to believe that he could change? I pushed all of those thoughts out of my head. All I needed was a good book. Greyson most likely had a guard posted outside of the door, like always, with strict instructions not to let me go anywhere, so any book I could find in here would be a good option.

After pulling drawers, looking under the bed, and rummaging through his entire bookshelf, I finally found a decent book. The cover was brown and looked ancient. It was titled "Stuck". Now intrigued, I carefully opened the book and read the synopsis. It was about a girl who stumbled upon a book in the forest, but when she opened it, she got trapped within the fairytale world of the book.

It wasn't really my cup of tea, but I was desperate for something to distract me from Grey. So, I slipped on a hoodie and a pair of shorts, settled in bed, put my locs into a loose bun, and turned to the first chapter.

~

I was more than halfway into the book, and I was bored. Before I could shut it though, the door burst open. It was Grey. Splattered blood covered his upper body and he looked exhausted. We locked eyes, but as soon as we did he dropped his gaze and walked into the restroom. Slamming the door shut behind him.

I jumped out of our bed and ran after him. He might've wanted to be alone, but I wasn't going to let that happen. Especially after what I saw next. He was sitting on the rim of the huge bathtub with his shirt off and his face in his hands. I wanted to go up to him and ask what was wrong but I instead went over to the sink, turned the lever, and waited for the water to get warm. After that was done, I walked back to him and got on my knees in front of him. Reaching forward to move his hands away from his face.

His eyes held so much depth and emotion, that it was hard for me to focus on anything else. I gave him a small smile, but he just continued to stare at me. Like I was a complex puzzle he was trying to figure out. I cowered away from his strong glare, but in the corner of my eye, I could still see him looking.

I took the towel and gently cleaned his chest, abdomen, and then his arms. The whole time he stood still and watched my every move. Once I finished that, I walked back to the sink to rinse out the blood from the towel. I tried not to think of whose blood it was as I went back to him. It could be anyone's. He was still watching me, but when I held the towel to his face, he grabbed my hand before it could touch him.

"After everything I've done, you still help me. Why?" He asked furrowing his brows. I thought about what happened the last time we saw each other. He almost hurt me, but at the same time, I knew he would never do something like that. He couldn't. That was why he left. I took a deep breath to gather my thoughts before answering his question.

"Because I know you didn't mean to do it," His grip on my wrist loosened and I proceeded to wipe the now dried blood off of his face. I then dragged him out of the restroom to the bedroom to undress for bed. He removed his slacks and settled in the bed on his back. Watching me like a predator as I removed the rest of my clothes and joined him.

I laid my head on his chest and placed my hand over his heart. Listening to its dull yet strong beat. "What did you do?" I asked, careful not to upset him. He went stiff so I started tracing miscellaneous designs on his chest and he relaxed a little under my finger. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't get an answer, but then he spoke.

"I had a couple of drinks with a friend and things got heated," He sighed. Judging by his tone of voice, I knew it wasn't just a couple. My father used to talk like that all the time. I decided not to ask any more questions as I didn't want to irk him. "Sweetheart," He called and I hummed in response. "What happened with Lucian?" He inquired but his voice had a little bit of an edge to it.

I didn't want to tell him just yet, but I could hear the despair in his voice and I'd do anything to calm him down a bit. I hated seeing him so stressed. "He wanted me to run away with him," I whispered. I lifted my head up and looked at him. He was staring straight up at the ceiling. I could tell he was trying to control himself and that was the last thing I needed. "But I told him that I didn't want to go." I quickly said. Even though the notion of freedom was tempting, I didn't care if it wasn't with Grey.

He finally turned to look at me. "Telling him that doesn't mean you meant it." He said and my heart broke. How could he say such things? Since the beginning, I've had unexplainable feelings for him and I'll be damned if he doesn't believe me. He was about to get up, but I pulled him back down and kissed him hard on the lips. He didn't respond to it so I bit his bottom lip and claimed his tongue. I wanted him to see how much I wanted him- No, I mean wanted to stay with him. I couldn't get too attached to him. He just wanted me as a possession anyway.

He groaned into my mouth and quickly regained control of the kiss in seconds. Drawing me onto his lap so that I was straddling him. I pulled away and looked into his eyes that were now filled with lust and desire. My hand went to his nape and knotted in his hair. I stayed there for a good minute before I yanked his hair back. "I want to stay with you, Greyson." His eyebrows raised a little before a winding smirk appeared on his face. Oh no. Why did I do that? I'm dead. I let go of his hair and tried to get away from him but he held me tight.

"Baby, why are you crying?" His eyes filled with concern as he wiped my tears.

"I-I'm sorry. I d-didn't mean to. You... you c-can punish me if you want." I dropped my head and tightly shut my eyelids.

"Stop it, Mariella-"

"No, I did something wrong. I need to be punished." My body trembled on top of his. I shouldn't have done what I did. My father would have beat me until I went unconscious. There was no telling what he would do.

"Look at me," He demanded. I slowly met his red eyes. "Don't ever say that again. I'm not angry with you. In fact, I think you should be like that more often." His hands snaked back to my hips and began tickling. I tried to fight it but he gave me a boyish grin and I came undone. I laughed and buried my face in the crook of his neck. Even though sometimes he can be a complete ass, he made me happy. Happier than Lucian ever could.

"Stop!" I giggled and he did. His ministrations had left me a panting mess.

After some time I noticed that something hard had been pressing against my core. I hated that I couldn't give him what he wanted, but I didn't even feel comfortable in my own body. How could I give myself to him when I know in my heart that I'm not ready. Hopefully, he could wait a little longer.

He kissed one of the scars on my shoulder and repositioned us so that his head laid on my chest and his arm wrapped around my body. His thumb made circles on my lower back as I ran my fingers through his thick black hair. Knowing that he respects my feelings and past is probably the best feeling in the world. "Promise to never leave me." I whispered.

"I promise," He replied without question causing me to smile. "Now promise that you'll never leave me." He sounded like a child begging for candy.

I chuckled lowly before I answered. "I promise." I felt his lips pull into a smile against my chest as we both drifted off to sleep.