The Vampire Extraordinaire Book 1

45. Awake...Alive!!

My eyes burned so bad that I could hardly open them. I sat up on one elbow and sighed. All the hell of hangover, but no fun of drinking. I jerked the curtain back and dropped my feet off the bed. Someone had bathed me and dressed me in warm, cotton pajamas. I slipped my feet into the slippers and stood up. I knew there was blood somewhere nearby. I could smell it. I pulled on the robe and tied it. I ran my hand under my hair and pulled it out of the robe. Was it possible that it was longer? I looked down at the floor, I felt taller. I went to the bathroom and turned on the light. I somehow looked older. Was that possible?

"Marcus?" she called out from the door.

I went to the doorway and smiled, "Hello Anna."

Her eyes filled with tears and she touched her trembling lips with her fingertips. "Oh," she moaned and ran towards me. I took two steps into the bedroom and caught her in my arms. I hugged her off her feet and she wrapped her arms around my neck as I swung her around.

"Anna," I sighed and stood her on her feet. I held her head in my hands and kissed her softly.

"Marcus," she sighed and I kissed her harder. She broke the kiss, "You should be in bed."

I lifted her off her feet again and walked with her, "You're right."

She looked over her shoulder and back at me, "That's not what I mean!" she laughed.

"I do," I shrugged and fell into bed with her.

"Marcus!" she laughed and playfully slapped my arm.

"I've missed you," I said softly and kissed her neck, "You are the only reason I stayed alive. I had to come back to you." I moaned and put my face in her neck.

"I'm glad you came back," she hugged me tight.

I raised my head and frowned at her, "Where's Dad?"

"Resting," she shook her head, "He was in worse shape than you when he came here."

"He has a lot of explaining to do," I raised up on one elbow and laid on my side.

"He already has," she squeezed my arm in her hand and I looked at her. "Marcus, he was hiding you from Ellawyn until we found her."

"Did you find her?" I frowned and she shook her head. "So I'm still in danger of being kidnapped from my own Father!" I sat up and slid off the bed.

"Marcus," she sat up on the bed,"he was scared for you. He did what he thought was best."

"It was terrifying," I paced.

"He was scared," she said softly.

"No one knew where I was? Why didn't Amanda come here for help?" I asked angrily as I paced.

"Michael held her prisoner too," she said and I stopped to look at her. "He sealed you away in that coffin and chained her to it. For months you two were right there," she pointed her hand at the balcony doors.

"You didn't know?" I whispered.

She wiped the tears from her face and shook her head. She thought for a moment and looked up at me, "Ellawyn did horrible things to him, Marcus," her voice was low with sadness, "I don't think he'll ever be the same."
Her eyes filled with tears, "None of us are the same. Marcus," her tears fell, "I'm so sorry," she put her hand over her face and sobbed.

I went to the bed and sat next to her, "Why are you sorry?" I took her hand.

"I failed you," she cried and avoided my eyes, "You counted on me to protect you; you all did and I failed. I failed miserably. I've no business being Queen."

"Stop that," I caught her chin and brought her face to my lips. I kissed her gently, "You haven't failed me."

"I am supposed to protect the Second House," she broke free of my fingers and turned from me slightly, "I can't protect anyone."

"Anna," I whispered.

"I don't care if I killed the old King, Father is more suited to rule the Second House than I am," she snorted a laugh, "I do what he suggests all the time. He runs this house through me anyway."

"Do you care?" I laughed.

"I welcome it!" she gasped.

"How DID you kill the first King?" I asked softly. Her head whipped to me and her eyes danced with new tears. I took her hand and squeezed it, "If you're not ready to tell me, I understand."

She blinked, "No. You should know."

"I'd like to know," I said, gently squeezing her hand again.