In His Cold Embrace

Chapter 6

Inside the dining room, a flurry of audible chatter started up the moment I walked in. I felt giddy because of all of the attention I was getting because of my appearance.

"I heard that she might become the Lady of Domayria," one servant girl gossiped as I glided past.

"Aye, so I heard," agreed another.

"Nonsense, Cecile has been stating it to the entire kingdom that she is to be the Lady of Domayria!" Another servant girl argued.

I rose my brow and my curiousity and pride got the better of me. I paused to address the speechless gossipers.

"It is not nice to gossip, but I will admit it is just as bad as eavesdropping," I said calmly and looked each of them in their eyes."However, I am not nor will I ever be, the Lady Domayria."

When no one made a move to speak at my shocking comment, I had time to realise that the entire room had gone silent.

Ryder stood staring at me with a mixture of anger and amusement."Why Lady Simmons, I am pleased to have gotten a chance to be in your presence once more," sarcasm dripped from his tone.

Ryder was dressed in a black dresscoat and matching black breeches up to matching black,velvet moccasins. He looked sinfully delightful.

His fangs gleamed at me and I swallowed noisily. My palms began to sweat and my mouth ran dry.

"People of Domayria, I present to you Lady Harding of Domayria." He smirked as he said the words. I fought the urge to slap him.

Gasps and chatter rose once more in the big room. I felt my cheeks burn as persons stared at me.

"Shall we?" Ryder murmured in my ear. I jumped at just how close he was to me now.

I took the pro offered arm and stiffly walked out of the dining room with him.

"How dare you," I whispered angrily at him and smacked his arm.

He tightened his firm grip on my hand."How dare I what?"

"We are not to be married," I argued and a carriage rolled up before us on the outside.

My words earned me a strong boost into the carriage that sent me sprawling into the corner.

I turned angry eyes on him."How can I ever get married to a pig of a man like you!"

Ryder sat down gracefully infront of me and cocked his head to the side thoughtfully.

"I am not beyond forcing your hand into marriage,beautiful."

"Don't call me that," I snapped and folded my hands into my lap."I shall ask my father to come for me."

Ryder began to laugh suddenly and I frowned in confusion.

"Your father was about to disinherit you when I had paid him a visit to claim my betrothed. That same morning when you had been deemed missing, only to find out that you had vanished.

"Being a vampire, is quite useful for me and I must admit though I've yet to bite you, I long to very much. Anyways, I simply tracked your scent to the inn and you had been so close but yet still I'd allowed you to escape. Why? Well I knew you would end up being mine so I decided to allow you to play your little game."

"Then you caught me by the pond." I filled in for him and felt my face heat up.

"Ah, that I did. It had not been my intention though, I must admit."

"You were not attracted to me then though." I said the words bitterly.

"Aye, princess you are wrong," He murmured and leaned froward to grab my gloved hands in his cool, bare ones.