WARHAVEN

Fifty-Eight

I scrambled out of the bed as I watched the two men start an all out brawl. Teeth clashed, blood spilled, fists flew.

"Stop! August! Stop!" I tried to get in the middle of it but they were moving so fast I couldn't keep up.

This was nothing like watching the calvary practice. This was real. They wanted to hurt one another, Augustus wanted to kill Roman, I could feel it in my bones.

Augustus pummeled Roman, throwing fist after fist and Roman took it, black blood spraying out onto the ancient rug.

I pulled at August's large shoulders, screaming for him to stop. He pushed me off of him with all his force and I flew, hitting the bed post. It hurt like a bitch.

"Are you fucking serious?" I was seething. Yes it looked bad, but he didn't know the situation and he was overreacting. I let a tear slide down my cheek at what was happening in front of me.

It felt like my fault, if I had just put my pride aside and went to his suite...this never would have happened.

He hit Roman twice more and rose. He kicked him in the stomach, wiping the blood from his hands.

"Get the fuck off my lands. If I ever catch you here again, I will slaughter you on sight." He snarled at Roman who was trying to recover. His face was bloody and beaten. The thick black liquid spilled down his chest.

He spit the blood from his mouth and stood, swaying a bit. And he laughed. He cackled, nearly falling over himself.

His laughing settled and even Augustus seemed surprised. Roman made his way to me, offering me a hand to stand. I went to take it but August intervened, shoving him harshly and standing over me.

"Leave. Now." August's hands were trembling with rage as they lay at his side. He clenched and unclenched them.

Roman put his hands up in surrender and threw me a wink.

"See you soon, doll." He went to leave and I yelled after him.

"Roman, I meant what I said."

He just shrugged and continued, leaving the room.

August looked at me and I could feel the hurt and disappointment from him, "Gus, nothing happened."

"Just stop, Davina." his shoulders fell, and he looked so exhausted. He turned, leaving and slamming the door behind him. I knew he was upset, but he walked into a situation he knew nothing about. And I had no energy left to fight with him. Let alone try to salvage what we had. I just walked to the bed, collapsing on top of it, and falling asleep out of exhaustion.

——

The next morning I woke up exhausted. I had spent the night tossing and turning, being ripped from my sleep with images of the feast at the ball. With images of August beating Roman. And of Roman leaving.

I spent much time by the side of the toilet, hurtling my guts out as the images would flash through my mind while awake as well. It was sickening.

I eventually decided to take a cool bath, calming my nerves. I fell asleep in the tub and later pulled myself out, not bothering to dry my hair or get dressed. I slipped into bed and passed out once more.

When I was finally up for the day, I showered once more and found a dress that had been left over in the back of the wardrobe. I thought about how much I missed the suite. I have always enjoyed having a space to myself to think and decompress.

I was finishing my hair and adjusting my red dress, apparently that I made. It felt so odd being in clothes that were made by my hand, that I had no recollection of creating.

Small knock sounded on the door, and I went to open it.  Camara stood there, a small smile on her thin lips, "Good morning, my lady. I've been sent to fetch you. The King has a private breakfast ready."

"Oh, alright." I mumbled. My heart kicked up and I stepped into the hall, closing the door behind me. A private breakfast made me nervous, apparently Augustus had decided that he and I were ready to talk.

We made our way down the halls and upstairs, approaching the dining hall. The guards opened the doors, and Augustus sat at the end of the table, just like our first meal all those months ago.

I walked, rather slowly, avoiding his gaze. I pulled up the chair, and a servant girl filled my chalice with thick, warm blood. Then, I grabbed the chalice and chugged it. It had been too long since I had drank. I let my mind wander to what it would be like to drink from the van, which brought back memories from the ball, and I was reminded of how exhausted I felt. I hated that I was a vampire, a monster.

"I think we should talk." He mumbled.

"Me too," I said, finally making eye contact with August. He looked tired, slightly dazed. We sat in silence for a few moments, and I filled my plate, setting it down and examining the fruits and eggs.

"Roman is never allowed back in my kingdom." His voice was tight, and I could feel a small bit of rage building within him at the thought of Roman.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that the goal of this conversation was resolution. It seemed fair that he wanted that.

"Okay."

"Clearly you cannot control yourself around him." It was pretty clear to me that all he wanted to do was argue.

I scoffed and crossed my arms, "That is not the case, you don't even know how we got into that situation. And once again, you overreacted without getting all of the information."

"And I don't care. You never should have been alone with him, let alone in bed, undressed with him. Out of respect for me and our relationship. And honestly yourself." His angry build and I nearly let myself feed off of it. "Everything points to infidelity and the only reason I haven't accused you of that is because I searched your mind."

"Although I don't appreciate you searching my mind, and I have asked you not to several times, I do understand what you were saying and I apologize for being in that situation in the first place. I had no intention of being unfaithful."

"And now I know that he is your mate," His teeth clenched and he nearly growled, "but you are with me. From what I have seen, I have to ask. Are you planning on being with him?"

Disgust and sadness filled me. I looked him straight in the eye and told him the truth,"Absolutely not. We are in a relationship and I love you, we're nearly engaged." I rolled my eyes softly at his question. How could he even think that?

His shoulders relaxed slightly, it seemed he was so tense at the possibility. He softly mumbled, "Okay."

"August, I want to be with you, and I love you. I fully intend on marrying you...one day. But, I need...some space." My nerves kicked up, I was extremely anxious thinking about his reaction.