A Love Soaked In Blood

chapter 36

The night has fallen, the wind is playing a soothing melody with the trees, washing off the exhaustion of today.
All the vampires bend a knee and bow their heads with a palm to their chests as soon as I step in our area
Elias whistles "now isn't that impressive?"
I grin "they are welcoming the heiress of the lord what do you expect?" I must admit it's a nice feeling.
I hurry to the castle where father is standing at the doors, seeing him beaming jogs my memory and my grin is gone.
"Welcome back daughter" he says when I reach him. He nods once, his eyes are inspecting me from up to down then leads me inside, I motion for Elias to follow and the doors close behind us.
"I've missed you" he says as he guides me to a hall where his throne is and sits "tell me everything"
"First father" I curl my fists "did you send Fiona to the borders?"
He doesn't answer right away, thick seconds pass "you mean that maid? Yes, I did"
"She died" I say through gritted teeth
"It was necessary, I had to give that human a push, otherwise who knows how long you will stay there?"
"She is not your pawn. She had a life!" I shout
He gives me a disappointed look "all the vampires are my pawns and since when do you care about your servants?"
"They are my people whom I'm supposed to protect!"
"And that's why I had to make a sacrifice, we need to know our enemies tactics and destroy them" he raises an eyebrow "I assume that's what you did? Or her death would be for nothing"
Blood drops from my fists "I did just now, the humans no longer possess anything other than the old, traditional silver weapons"
Father grins "excellent, as much as I want to know more but you should get some rest before the battle, we will set off to the west soon"
"We are fighting there?"
"Yes" he crosses his legs and rubs his chin "it's easier to move there since it has lesser trees, an open field besides, we prefer to keep the south in the dark since the humans troupes didn't reach it"
"I only wish it didn't take a fight to the death for you and Ikaros to agree on that" I say in sarcasm
"We managed" his eyes shift to Elias "and you? Were you helpful?"
"He saved my life several times" I say before Elias has the chance to speak and step into father's sight "he was more than helpful"
"Is that so?" father stands and walks ahead of me
I blink and hear metals clash before I see father in a fighting stance in front of Elias, holding his sword just inches away from Elias' throat while the other's knives are blocking it, trying to keep the sword away
"Father!" I rush to him and shove his sword away. What the heck was that? I can't believe I have the urge to point my knife at my own father.
He laughs "I just wanted to make sure his skills didn't rust"
"Oh I'm honored your highness" Elias says with a grin, his tone is sarcastic
"But he is still rude" father sheathes his sword and looks at me "do you still want to keep him?"
"Yes. He is mine so back away" I walk to the doors and take Elias' hand on the way "I'm going to rest in my room"
~♥~
I take off my heels and throw myself on my bed, I've missed this place
Elias chuckles "you can finally sleep without my magic"
"You did that on your own I didn't ask for it" I say without looking at him
"I don't need your permission" he sits on the end of my bed
"You are really getting on my nerves now" I sit up and cock an eyebrow
"I know, what can I say? It's amusing" he laughs
I stare at his dimple and catch myself off guard as I scoot over to him and hold a finger to touch it. His eyes widen but doesn't say anything or move, as if he fears I will pull away.
"It's beautiful" I blurt out without thinking
His eyes soften "Father always hated it, said it's a flaw in the face" he kisses my finger then takes my hand and rests his face against it "but as long as you think it's beautiful then I don't give a damn about what he said"
"Why?" I ask softly "this and everything else, why?" I have to know, I don't want to assume anything
He avoids my gaze so I reach out with the other hand and cup his face "your words, your touches, your gestures and your actions" I look deep in that beautiful silver of his "and your eyes. They plead something"
He closes his eyes and lets out a shaky breath before he opens them again "you're right. I plead something" he whispers "I plead your love. I want you"
If I was standing, my legs would have given out
"I love you Sylvia" he takes my hands from his face and holds them to his chest, his heart is racing "when I touch you it's so difficult to let go, when you blush I want the time to halt just so I can look at you more and when you smile" his lips quirk upward and his eyes are glimmering with affection "I get so high I'm smitten with it" his smile falls "but I'm afraid. I'm afraid to hurt you but I can't tolerate it when you're away from me. All my senses beg me to stop hoping and depart, but my heart just screams your name and longs for you" he reaches for my face "I tried so hard to keep it within me but one look at your alluring, crimson eyes was enough to let it all out" he strokes his thumb beneath my eye.
His hurt palpates through me, everything that happened to him, from his sister's death to his parents' disownment has made him build walls around himself. But he slowly dissolve them to reach me.
He loves me, but he believes he can't be loved and that he deserves it so he fought against his feelings. It shatters my heart.
So I say the first thing that comes to my mind
"I'm not afraid" I hold his hand "fear is the last thing I feel when I'm with you"
"But I--"
"No buts" I shush him with a finger to his lips "I will never forgive it if you push yourself away from me. If you build walls around yourself again then I'll tear them down one by one"
He lets out a soft laugh before he leans forward, his gaze is a mix of relief and desire "what do you feel then?"
I wrap my arms around him and whisper in his ear "warmth, devotion and yearning"
He draws in a breath then returns the hug fiercely "will you run from me?"
"I will run to you"
"What if I hurt you?" He tightens his hold on me as if he is afraid I will let go
"You will heal me like all the times you did"
"What if I--"
"I'll be there for you" I know what he is going to say so I cut him "you're mine"
His shoulders relax and a lot of tension falls off him "I've been yours more than I care to admit" he says before his lips skim my ear then bites it gently, I dig my fangs in his neck
He chuckles "is that a revenge?"
"Unfortunately it can't scar so yes, it's a revenge" as soon as I say it the door knocks. Even here we are interrupted. Huffing, I let go of Elias and open it.
A maid is standing with her head bowed slightly "your highness, the lord requests your presence. It's time to leave"