The King's Curse

A connection

Lara

I was lucky not dragged to a dungeon this time. I was instead dragged into a random bedroom with a beige color scheme.

I don't remember much as I quickly drifted off to sleep.

I was standing in front of a rose bush in what looked like an extravagantly decorated green house. There were a plethora of different planting and flowers and ivey in different sized and shaped bottles and pots. The rose bush however kept my interest.

Suddenly there was someone standing behind me.

I turned and it was Adonis.

His eyes locked with mine and for a moment I could swear I felt a slightly blaze come to life but as quickly as I noticed it I extinguished it.

"Would you look at that Im so obsessed with you, I even see you in my dreams." I said amused.

"I would say the same."  He said.

Huh?

"Honestly how can I forget about the cold hearted woman who not only feeds off my energy and blood but even my thoughts." He said stepping forward.

I stood still just gazing at him, locked in a blissful trance.

"I was Alway curious." He said wrapping his arm around my waist.

"About what?" I said leaning in placing my hand on is firm chest.

"You. Your personalty. Your thoughts. Your loyalty. Your vulnerability. Your weakness. Most importantly..." With every sentence he drew me closer.

" Your taste." He said in a voice slightly above a whisper.

He slowly brought his head down to my neck. His lips made contact with my skin with a cooling yet burning sensation.

I let out a gasp and he pulls away.

A concerned look painted his perfect features.

" I'm fine" I whisper.

He returns his addictive lips to my neck and continues the blissful lul.

Then I felt it. His fangs sharply pierced my skin and drove into me. I felt my heart beat quicken. I was suddenly clenching all of the muscles in my body. As time went on my muscles relaxed but my heart beat stayed the same. I was now quivering. I pushed my hand on his chest and gave him a slightly push.

He pulled away. We both caught our breaths and looked into each others eyes.

What a weird dream I thought.

"Lara. Hey. What's wrong with you. HEY! LARA! LARA SHABALALA!" I heard someone scream.

I groaned from the pain in my neck and slowly opened my eyes to see my brother.

"Themba." I said slightly confused.

"The one and only." He said proudly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

" Are you okay. Did they kidnap you? Are you hurt? Did they feed on you?" I began to bombard him with my questions as I sat up.

" Lara. I'm fine mom sent me here." He began.

"Mom? Where is she?" I asked peering over his shoulder at the door.

"Mom is fine, she's recovering well and she... She will.. she will be fine." He stuttered.

We sat in silence for a while until I spoke up.

"Yekha ukuqhamba amanga." I said softly. (Stop lying)

He seemed taken aback by my words. His posture changed from the upright stern position to a slightly hunched and relaxed position.

"Ngitshele iqiniso, Themba ngitshele, ngiyakucela." I said cupping his hands in mine. (Tell me the truth, Themba tell me, I plead with you.)

He lowering his head.

"UMama a... Akekho....." He began, choked up by tears. (Mom is.... She is not...)

"UMama akekho-right. Since the day wahamba akakhaze wavuka." He finally got out trying his best to hold back tears. (Mom is not alright. Since the day you left she has not awoken.)

"Then how did know you had to come here?" I asked him.

"She occasionally sends messages telepathically. She doesn't want dad to know though." He said with a slightly smile pushing through his features.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my left hand. My hang was cut open. Multiple cuts formed in my palm out of thin air.

My brother was equally as horrified by this as I was.

And as they faded and healed due to my vampirism I looked up at Themba in confusion.

The door opened behind him.

In walked the old man from the court.

"His Majesty requests the audience of The Duchess." He announced.

I looked at my brother. He looked at me with a look of pity. It revolted me.

"Tell your king I declined his audience." I said with as much confidence as I could muster up.

The old man had a shocked expression rush through his face but he quickly concealed it.

"You heard me. Go on. Bye." I said slyly after he stood there for a while.

He turned and left the room.

"What are you up to Lara?" My brother questioned.

"I am playing hard to get." I said as I moved to stand up form the bed.

"Hard to get!? On who!? The king!?" My brother whisper yelled at me.

"Yes." I answered calming as I stood up from the bed and began to make it look more presentable.

"Look Themba. Mom can't wake up to face dad my aunt or 'mother' is dead. I think I am on trial because of what I am. I was a delusional assassin at some point. So if I do not play dirty and secure a position that leaves me unquestionable then what did the two women who birthed me and raised me going to think? Huh?" I continued.

I fixed my hair in the mirror then carefully tucked myself back into the bed. I strategically positioned my body and hair.

My brother watched me in amasement.

Just then the door sprung open and he barged in.