The Vampire's Bride

Chapter 11

Iris woke, still nestled into Jason's chest. She blinked and looked up at the prince.

Jason was asleep still, even though he was holding her against him. She smiled. This felt nice.

She gasped  as Kova jumped up onto the bed, making her jerk in surprise.

The dog had been missing for days! What on earth had he been doing?

Her movement caused Jason to wake up and groan. The prince blinked and began to rub the sleep from his eyes, looking at Iris.

The silver eyed girl hugged Kova, petting the dog's silky black fur. She frowned slightly as her fingers caught on a string of rough twine. Iris leaned back and found a letter forming a collar with twine around the dog's neck. She quickly broke the seal, staring at the parchment.

Iris,

It has reached me that you have arrived at court.

And also that Xavier has as well. You need to be cautious around him, far more cautious than anyone else. I will reach the castle in three weeks. Any questions or letters you want to send to me should be given to Kova- do not use a courier.

I'm sure that you have many, many questions- about your mother, how I know about Xavier, and the like.

There is much that I need to tell you.

-Alex

"My father is coming to court," Iris said, looking to Jason. The prince was playing with Kova's ears, with Kova looking less than amused. The dog looked at Iris with a look of Are you kidding me with this person? And shook his head vigorously. Iris smiled slightly and leaned back in the pillows.

"I'll let the guards know," Jason said. "In the meantime, we should find out what we can about Adelaide, and help you harness what power you have."

Iris tucked her knees into her chest and watched him pet Kova quietly. The hound quickly grew bored and left from the bed, pacing to the fire and curling up in a ball. The girl ran her fingers along the sheets before looking to Jason.

He was staring out onto the balcony, clasping his hands together in front of him. Iris felt a teasing smile grow onto her lips before she grabbed one of the smaller pillows and threw it at his head.

Jason looked at her just in time for it to hit him in the face.

"You did not just do that," he said, chuckling as he grabbed it from where it was lying on the floor and tossed it back at her. Iris squealed and nearly fell off the bed, gasping as the pillow exploded and feathers went everywhere.

"You broke it!" She cried, giggling.

"You started it," Jason teased. He caught her and pulled her into his lap, holding her still as he got a handful of the feathers and dropped them over her. Iris shook her head and laughed. She playfully hit him before turning around and kissing him.

She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he leaned back. He smiled up at her, reaching up to brush her blonde hair from her eyes. Iris smiled shyly in response.

Her eyes snapped to the side as Adelaide appeared. Her mother moved across the room, sitting apon the ottoman.

"It got cold in here," Jason said, tugging her to him and wrapping his arms around Iris. She nodded quietly, glancing occasionally at the ghost sitting peacefully. She remembered their previous conversation and breathed out slightly. Why was it so important that she become queen to her mother?

Iris looked back up to Jason as he lifted her chin, seeing that his eyes were now shadowed with worry.

"I apologize if I was too blunt last night," he told her softly.