Hybrid Princess

Chapter 15

Zaus and I had continued to train since that day. We both were more relaxed around each other and often joked together. I was beginning to think this engagement might not be such a bad deal after all. The engagement party was tonight and different vampire and hunter bigwigs were arriving.

I was now wearing a red dress that was fitting up top but fanned out as it reached my ankles. My hair was brushed out straight with the exception of the two front pieces of my hair.They were braided and pinned together in the back. On my feet were silver heels to match the silver overlay of the dress. I heard a knock at my door and went to open it.

I felt a familiar tingle, but shook my head. It had been a while since I felt anything through the bond. I had checked but after two months my checking had grown less frequent. The door opened slowly and I felt my chest constrict and my body froze to a stop. I was not expecting to see those piercing blue eyes or that brown hair again.

"It's been awhile", Flame said with an awkward laugh.

"W-W-", I stammered as I tried to get my brain to come up with a response.

"What are you doing here", I heard Zaus say in an enraged tone.

Flame stiffened and turned to look at Zaus, "I have a duty to the princess. It is my job to see it all the way through and I would appreciate it if you would not get in the way."

"Really? It's your job to see it all the way through? You didn't seem to care about it too much when you left her for those two months. You know how upset she was when you left", Zaus said with balled fist.

"I had some duties to attend. I am thankful that you watched over her in my absence but make no mistake", Flame said as he took a step closer to Zaus, "Your duties have ended. You are no longer needed to watch over her. Your only position is to be the man she is forced to be with."

Zaus flinched as the words hit their mark. Not letting it phase him for too long he took a step towards Flame. "Really? She is forced to be with me? She didn't seem to mind my company all those times we were training together."

Flame stopped and spun on me in shock, "You took him to our training ground", he snarled.

"It's not your training ground anymore. You've been replaced and booted out. Rightfully so if you ask me. You don't know anything about her anyways."

Flame started laughing at that and Zaus narrowed his eyes, "What's so funny?"

"You don't know anything you stupid hunter", Flame said as he tried to fight the laughter, "You didn't tell him anything did you Raven?"

I unfroze at the realization of what was beginning to happen, "I was going to tell him."

"Tell me what", Zaus asked as he glanced between Flame and I.

"Should you do the honors or should I", Flame said with a wicked grin on his face.

"Flame don't", I shouted.

"Flame? Isn't that your dog?"

"Actually I'm a wolf. Well, wolf isn't exactly right either. More like a wolf demon", Flame said with a smirk.

"Raven what is he talking about", Zaus said with a confused look on his face.

"Yes Raven tell the man what I am talking about."

I felt as if the world was on shaky ground and one wrong burst of air could send it crumbling away. "i-it's a little bit difficult to explain."

"Try", Zaus said with a suspicious look on his face.

"W-Well you see....um....well.Flame is both the wolf and my guard."

Flame spoke up over me with the smirk still on his face, "but wait, there is more. Let's pause on me for a second. You want to know what's interesting about your bride to be?"

I got ready to say something but Flame covered my mouth and kept me from biting him, "No No No You had your chance. You see your bride to be is not just one of the monsters you hate. Nope, but she has one of the most closely guarded secrets in this whole kingdom and you want to know what it is? She isn't a full vampire. She is the product of what happens when a vampire and a human fall in love."

Zaus looked at me and hurt came over his face, "Raven...is this true?"

Flame let me go and stepped back with that grin back on his face.

"Zaus just let me explain", I said as tears gathered in my eyes.

Zaus held up a hand and stepped away from me, "You couldn't trust me enough to tell me this? I had to find this out from him", he pointed at Flame as hurt filled his voice.
"I was going to tell you"

"Really? When? On our wedding night?"

"No! I just was trying to find the right time to tell you.."

"The right time", Zaus gave a sad laugh and shook his head, "And here I thought we had grown closer? Guess that was only a one way street huh?"

"No! Zaus please don't do this!"

Zaus had begun to walk off but hesitated at my crying voice. Finally he spoke up, "I will go to the dinner tonight because it will cause chaos if I don't. That is all I am willing to do for right now."

I bowed my head, "I understand", I said as I bit my lip. The tears dripped slow at first but then like a faucet as Zaus walked away.

"Ah come on Raven, don't cry about that guy", Flame said as he went to touch me.

I snapped and slapped his hand away. The sound echoed and Flame looked at his hand in shock. "Don't you dare touch me", I hissed with violet eyes. Flame stepped away from me and I could see the cowering in his eyes as I stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door.