Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) (Completed)

10 ~ War of hearts

A few of Elijah's men rush toward us, their footsteps barely audible against the thick, muddy forest floor. The air is dense with the scent of pine and damp earth, the fog curling around the trunks like spectral tendrils. Elijah must have sensed them approaching because he had already moved away from me before I noticed them.

"Take her back," he commands, his voice steely and unyielding, before stepping aside to make a phone call.

"Yes, King Elijah," responds Alrich, his right-hand man, with a respectful bow. His stern face is a mask of unwavering loyalty.

I drag myself up from the ground, wincing at the discomfort of my open shirt and the cold, wet mud clinging to my clothes. The chill of the evening air bites through the damp fabric, making me shiver. Elijah finishes his call, tucks his phone away, and approaches me. He shrugs off his leather jacket and gently helps me into it, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill seeping through my clothes. The scent of leather mixed with his cologne—woodsy and spicy—provides a strange comfort. His eyes lock onto mine, intense and unwavering, a silent promise of protection.

"You haven't told me who attacked you," he says, his gaze almost hypnotic, making my heart race as I recall the searing intensity of our kiss earlier. The memory of his lips, warm and urgent against mine, sends a shiver down my spine.

"It was—" 

I begin, but my words are cut off as Beverly rushes up, throwing herself into his arms. "Elijah, I hear you encountered vampire hunters," she says, her eyes scanning his torn t-shirt, the sight of my blood staining it evident. Her gaze then shifts to me, sharp with recognition and something more—malicious satisfaction.

She knows it's my blood. Of course she would; it wasn't long ago that she drove a knife into me."Why is she here?" Beverly's voice drips with disdain as her eyes flick over Elijah's jacket on me, jealousy flashing in them.

Elijah's tone is calm but firm. "I found her here, with a knife close to her heart." He looks between me and Beverly, suspicious. "How did you find me?"

"I was securing the area when one of the guards told me you were here, so I came to check," she lies smoothly, making her even more dangerous in my eyes. Her voice, though sweet, has a razor-sharp edge that sends a chill down my spine.

"I'm fine. You should go back; all the vampire hunters have been dealt with," he says dismissively, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I heard you caught some," Beverly says, her curiosity too piqued to be innocent.

"You should go back, Beverly. You know I don't tell you everything," Elijah insists.

She turns to me with a sneer. "What happened to you?"

"As if—" I start to retort, but she interrupts me.

"You should go back to the royal castle. I'll take you," she says, a false sweetness coating her words.

Alrich steps forward, lifting me effortlessly. "King Elijah instructed me to do it."

As he carries me away, I hear Elijah's parting words to Beverly. "You should go back too."

"I can't wait to become your wife," she says, her voice sickly sweet with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

Does she even care about him, or is it just about power and riches? I wonder, my heart aching at the thought.

Alrich begins to use his vampire  speed, the world around us blurring into streaks of green and brown. The rush of wind in my ears drowns out any further conversation. The sensation is disorienting, a dizzying mix of speed and silence.

Once in my bedroom at the royal castle, Alrich sets me down gently. The soft, familiar scent of lavender and clean linen fills the room, a stark contrast to the forest's damp and decay. He whispers, "You should forget what happened between you and King Elijah."

"You saw?" I ask, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"I was there before the others," he admits, his voice low and comforting.

"Did you see who stabbed me?" I inquire, my voice trembling with the effort to 

keep it steady.

"I arrived milliseconds after Elijah pulled out the knife," he explains, his eyes reflecting my pain.I hesitate, unsure if I can trust him with the truth about Beverly. "I need to clean up," I say, hoping he'll figure it out on his own.

Before leaving, he comments, "I find it strange that the king knew you were in trouble. One moment we were heading back, and the next he was using his vampire speed to reach you."

"Maybe he smelled human blood," I suggest, my mind racing with possibilities.

"We were too far away. Even for him, it would have been impossible," Alrich muses, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Abraham and Ellie find me after my shower. The warm water had done little to wash away the feeling of dread that clung to me. "Are you okay?" Ellie asks, inspecting me closely.

"I'm fine," I assure her, though my voice lacks conviction.

"We're taking you away from here," Abraham states, packing my things with efficient precision.

"Elijah agreed?" I ask, bewildered.

"He's getting married in a few hours and doesn't want any chaos," Ellie says, wiping away a tear that slides down her cheek.

"He's still marrying her?" I ask, shocked and hurt.

"Why wouldn't they? You look pale," Ellie says, handing me my sneakers.

I feel faint, the weight of Elijah's true feelings pressing down on me. As Abraham picks me up and we head out, he asks, "What happened in the forest?"

I think about the kiss, the intensity of his touch, and feel a wave of nausea. "Please hurry," I urge Abraham, my voice breaking.

"What's bothering you?" Abraham asks, his concern evident. "You were attacked again. I could help you forget, or you could tell me who did it."

"No, I need to remember," I insist, my resolve hardening.

"It was a woman," I recall, the memory sharp and clear.

"A woman? Interesting," he remarks, his curiosity piqued.

"It was Beverly who tried to kill me," I confess, the truth finally out.

"Are you sure?" he asks, shocked and disbelieving.

"She doesn't like the way he looks at me," I explain, the bitter truth hanging between us.

"Keep this between us. Don't even tell Ellie," Abraham warns, his voice a quiet command.

"Why not?" I ask, confused and anxious.

"Ellie might accidentally let it slip," he reasons, his eyes serious.

"I'm glad I told you," I say, feeling a small measure of relief.

"Elijah saw the birthmark and kissed me, saying he knew I was her," I admit, my voice trembling with the weight of the admission.

"Did anyone else see?" Abraham asks, his tone gentle.

"Alrich did," I reply, my trust in him growing.

"You can trust him," Abraham assures me. "But why would Elijah still get married?"

"Obligation," Abraham says as we drive away, the night enveloping us in its dark embrace. I look into the mirror, wondering where Elijah is now. Does he care for me enough to choose me over duty?