The Vampires Mate (editing)

Ch. 12

Kierra's POV

   I wake up a bit chilled and see an arm wrapped loosely around me. I follow up to the sleeping owner. Damian looks so relaxed it's adorable. I don't move for fear I might wake him, but eventually, I do shuffle around to see him better without straining my neck.

   He stirs but doesn't wake and I let a sigh of relief out. His features are smooth and chiseled. Like he's a marble statue. I smile when he leans in closer to me. I don't know why, but it feels better when he's closer.

   Gingerly I move so my arm is under his head and I start patting his hair. I do this until I hear a low grumble, followed by the sleepy gruff tone that seems to suit Damian well.

   "And why is my pet petting me?" He lazily looked up and I giggled. He didn't seem mad or annoyed so I kept doing what I was doing. He was joking with me and it made my heart flutter.

   "I believe in equality so I thought I would see how it feels to be petting someone," I smirk as he raises an eyebrow.

   "Equality huh? Then you won't mind doing all of my paperwork today do you?" My face blushed and he grinned.

    "Ok, equality can wait." I stop petting him and try to move my arm but he stops me.

    "Maybe we can do it a bit at a time?" He pulls my hand back and I smile as I continue running my fingers through his hair.

    It's odd, I never thought I would be this comfortable with a vampire. I never thought I would even be comfortable! But Damian has a soft side to him that makes him more attractive. His perfect lips are peach-colored and look just as sweet. I wonder if they taste as sweet as they look...

    I shake the thought from my head and clear my throat. "So what are you doing today? More meetings?" I try and make the topic on something other than the one that was in my head.

   Damian sat up and my hand fell from his hair. It saddened me, but I don't say anything. He sits on the edge of the bed and looks at the ground. I can't see his face but I can tell he's struggling with something. His body seems tense and he hasn't said much. His playful attitude is replaced with a stronger more serious one.

   Finally, he stands and turns towards me. He points his finger to the ground but a few feet away. "Off" his tone was slightly harsh and commanding. I stare at him stunned.

   "Don't make me repeat myself..." he folded his arms and I'm still shocked. I do as he says tho, I slide off the bed and I go stand in the area he pointed at earlier.

   "Ok, now what?" I'm confused as to why we are doing this.

   "Pets do not talk unless otherwise told to. And if I tell you to do something I expect you to do it right then. Understood?" He doesn't face me fully and the harshness in his voice is still there.

   I was confused by his sudden change in behavior. What happened? I stood there unable to move, staring at him in shock. He looked up and his eyes felt like ice daggers that pierced me repeatedly.

   "I asked you a question. I expect an answer." He took a step forward and I nodded quickly, regaining my composure.

   "Um, yes? I understand." Uncertainty in my voice I watched him.

   "Master." He stated. Looking at me expectantly.  "I want you to call me Master."

   I nod and quickly change it to a spoken answer. "Yes, Master." The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Like it wasn't the right thing to do. Like it wasn't supposed to be used like that.

   He nodded and walked to the bathroom. I heard him shuffle around and he came out a few moments later looking crisp and clean. He went to the closet to change a shirt and then walked past me to the cage.

   The whole time I was frozen in place, unable to move. I was trying to process what was going on and what exactly was happening.

   "Pet! Come over here." He demanded and I quickly did as I was told. He was starting to worry me. Was there such a thing as a bipolar vampire? He clipped the leash on me and watched me with a scrutinizing look. "When we leave I expect you to always make yourself presentable. I'm an important Vampire and I can not be having my pet look like she crawled out of a dumpster." He tugged the leash and began walking even before he was finished.

   I jerked against the leash but was only dragged. "Yes, Master," I said quietly. Tears were beginning to form but I held them back. It was going to be fine, soon he would act as he did before, right? The nice Damian.

   We walked down the hall and down many stairs. My legs were sore at the bottom but nothing I couldn't take. Being on my own and running from other rogues and citizens I was used to being a little soar.

   We went to a big fancy looking room with lots of tables and settings. I followed Damian to the end of the middle table and stood beside him while he sat. There were already quite a few vamps there conversing on different topics and conversations.

    A glass was placed in front of Damian and he didn't even bat an eye at the server who gave me a questioning look.

   I shrugged and kept looking around. I see Damian sniff and taste the liquid in the glass. He nods and sets it down. More and more vampires start to enter and they each take a seat. Once the dining hall was fairly filled Damian stood.

   Immediately hushed tones silenced and all eyes focused on him. "Let us enjoy our meal, for once again we are grateful for another harvest." He raises a glass and others follow. They all drink at once and he sits back down.

   "Pet.. come sit." He scoots his chair back just enough for me to sit across his lap. I hesitantly do so, but I'm not fast enough. Damian grabs me and pulls me the rest of the way. I'm a statue on his lap.

   Food is brought out and 2 plates are set before us. One is a piece of Salmon with brussel sprouts, while the other looks like red jello. I know it's blood though, some of the vampires dig into it greedily while others act like it's a fine dish. Damian takes a fork and begins to cut and eat his meal. After a few bites, he looks at my untouched food.

   "Eat now... I will not have a malnourished pet. You need to be in peak condition." He stares me down until I take a bite. The fish was mouth-watering good. I took another bite and my stomach growled its hunger. I ate a few brussel sprouts and made a face. I didn't particularly care for them. I still ate them when Damian glared at me, however.