The Vampire King's Sacrifice | 18+ | ON TEMPORARY HOLD

9

Third Person POV

Aiko's pulse quickened as she knelt before the King, the weight of his command pressing down on her like a tangible force. Her fingers twitched against the cold stone floor, hesitating before reaching out to begin restoring the room to its former state.

She reached for the scattered items, starting with the chair she had overturned in her frantic search for Shadow. The silence in the room stretched on, thick and oppressive, as the King watched her without a word. His eyes tracked her every movement, a reminder that even in this simple task, she was entirely at his mercy.

Each object she placed back in its rightful spot felt heavier than it should have. The weight of the collar around her neck was ever-present, a suffocating reminder of her position beneath him. The King's presence behind her was palpable, cold and commanding, as if his very existence demanded submission.

When she finally stood, her knees ached from kneeling on the hard floor, but she couldn't help the sense of relief that washed over her. It was done. The mess she had caused in her panic was cleaned, and the room had been restored to its previous state of eerie perfection.

"Is this to your satisfaction?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, but obviously sassy as she glanced back at him.

The King stepped forward, his boots clicking softly against the floor as he approached. He surveyed the room with a critical eye, lingering for a moment on the chest where the collar had been stored. Finally, his gaze settled on her, sharp and unyielding.

"Better," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "You're learning."

She tried not to shiver under his gaze, standing as still as possible while waiting for his next move. She didn't have to wait long. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the large door, his dark cloak trailing behind him like a shadow.

Moments later, the door opened, and a servant entered. In their hands was a silver tray laden with food. Aiko's stomach twisted in hunger as the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the room. She tried to suppress the gnawing ache that had been growing in her belly for days, but it was impossible. The King watched her reaction with a faint smirk, clearly aware of her desperation.

Aiko's pulse thrummed in her ears as she stood before the King, the air between them charged with tension. Her gaze flickered to the silver tray, the aromas from the food wrapping around her like a cruel temptation. The bread was golden and soft, the roasted meat glistening with rich juices. Her stomach clenched painfully in response, the gnawing hunger too intense to ignore.

But still, she hesitated.

The King noticed immediately, his cold eyes narrowing as he took a step toward her. His presence seemed to consume the very air around them, leaving no room for hesitation or defiance. His voice cut through the silence like a blade, low and commanding. "Eat. Now."

The force behind his words was undeniable, and Aiko's heart jolted at the edge of his tone. His gaze bore into her with an intensity that made her legs want to buckle beneath her again. The underlying warning in his voice was clear—disobedience would not be tolerated.

She bit her lip, the taste of fear mingling with the hunger that gnawed at her insides. Slowly, she approached the tray, the King's eyes never leaving her. The moment she reached for a piece of bread, her fingers trembling slightly, his smirk deepened—a knowing look that sent a cold shiver down her spine.

Aiko forced herself to take a bite, the warm bread melting in her mouth. It should have been comforting, a moment of respite from the torment she'd been enduring. But it wasn't. Not with him watching her every move like a predator circling its prey.