Xaviers POV
2017
"King Brighton."
"What do you want Authur?" I asked in an annoyed tone.
"I was told by one of the servants to inform you a painting has gone missing." Authur said scared I would punish him.
"The kingdom is full of paintings why should I care if one goes missing?"
"Sire, the servants are saying it is one from your private room."
I froze, dropping glass of wine I had been drinking. Ignoring the glass all over the floor I walked across the room and stood in front of Authur.
"Are they sure it was one of mine?"
"Y-yes sire." Authur replied.
"Tell the guard to find it and the person who stole it. I want them brought to me alive." I said in a cold commanding voice.
I watched as Authur scurried out the door. When he was gone I left to go to my private art room. As I walked in I examined every painting trying to find out which one had gone missing.
All of the paintings were different yet they were all the same. Each painting was done by me. They were all in different colors, painted using different techniques and materials. But one thing was the same in all of them. Her.
For the past 198 years I had painted no one but her. At first, I had burned the paintings as soon as I finished them but now I treasured them. They were my only way to remember what she looked like. I had only met her once but that was enough. I knew I felt something when I first saw her, it was only years later that I learned from my mother that it was our mate bond. That my vampire side had craved more than her blood. By then it was too late, I had stabbed her with the dagger and given her to the King and Queen.
When I found out that she was my mate I went to the kingdom to get her back. The King told me he hadn't taken the dagger out to wake her up and that he had hidden her body so she'd be stuck in an eternal sleep. When he wouldn't give up her location I killed him and his Queen automatically making me King. That was how things worked in the vampire world. I've sent the best of the best after her but no one has been successful.
Looking at the paintings I realize which one is missing. It is the first painting of her I ever decided to keep. It was from that day as she ran through the woods. Back then her dress pulled up to knees was quite funny. I could never have imagined a lady especially a princess doing such a thing.
I smiled to myself and walked out of the room and to the guards to check on the progress.
"Have you gotten any information yet?" My voice boomed into the room full of busy guards.
"Yes, my liege." My head guard said. "Some of the maid are saying they saw one of the townspeople in the palace but thought nothing of it. We're checking the cameras but you don't have any located in that hallway so it's taking more time."
I simply nodded my head and walked out. This was taking too long. I walked back to the hall where my art room was located and focused on the smell. I felt my fangs elongate and my eyes turn red. I smelled the scents of the usual maids and servants that clean here but then I smelled something else. It smelled of cheap men's cologne and cigars. The one smell that caught my attention the most was the herbs though.
I let out a dangerous roar my vampire side fully coming out and sped out of the palace using my vampire speed. Soon I reached a small cabin. The people who resided here were fake witches who made money selling fake voodoo spells, fake love potions, and giving palm readings telling people what they wanted to hear. But it was one of the only places in my kingdom to find wolfsbane, one of the herbs I smelled.
I walked in not bothering to knock. People in the cabin just went about their business. All but one. Smelling the air, I zeroed in on a shaggy looking man who had frozen and was now trying to keep from being seen. Sure enough it was him. I slowly walked up to him and grabbed him by the throat.
"Where is it?" I growled menacingly
"I don't know what you're talking about" he said smirking trying to play brave.
Squeezing his throat tighter I lifted him into the air and slammed him into the wall.
"Where is my painting?" I screamed.
By now everyone had stopped what they were doing and was staring at the scene in either shock or curiosity.
"It's in the last bedroom on the right under the floorboards." He gasped out struggling to breath.
I smiled coldly and drew my sword ready to kill him now that I had gotten what I wanted.
"Wait please I can help you find her. I can help you find the girl in the paintings." He yelled out making me lower my sword.
"How?" I asked looking for any sign of a lie on his face.
"Where I'm from they tell stories of her. The girl who sleeps forever. They say that no one has been brave enough to take the dagger out of her chest because they do not know what will happen. Some believe it will release an evil into the world like no other."
"Where are you from? Where do they tell these rumors?" I rushed out.
"In Valian, the realm of the witches." The man said.
I remembered going here with my mother. It was a beautiful place and despite rumors the witches were good people.
"You will take me there and if what you say is true I may spare your life." I said putting my sword away and ordering the guards to get a witch to transport us there.
"Yes, your highness" the man said looking relieved.
After a few hours we had found a witch to transport us and we had all packed our things.
"I hope you find her sire" Authur said carrying my bags down to me.
"I hope so too Authur" I said giving him a genuine smile "And Authur make sure my baby brother doesn't destroy the palace."
"Hey," Landon said in an angry tone hitting me in the arm "I don't need a babysitter Xavier."
"Whatever you say" I laughed ruffling his hair.
I went to stand by the witch and my companions as she started the spell to take us to Valian. Maybe I'll get to see my love soon I thought to myself as bright sparks shot up around us.
