The Rose

Chapter 10: The Preporations

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Draco's POV

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I could not help but smile as I watched her swim with the mermaids. I knew she was going to need to have a closer eye kept on her, I felt horrible.

Was I the reason she was going to have such a rough time? Who was my enemy that wanted her out of my life, why was my sweet rose under such scrutiny? I shook my head, this was nothing like what I wanted. She was not safe with me, yet anywhere else she was no better, even worse really.

I nodded to her and she made her way towards me. "Lets get ready, I need to talk to you about some things." She nodded and followed me.

"What is it?"

"We will talk when we are alone." I replied petting her hair. She nodded and followed close behind me. I heard a footstep, I stopped instantly, she bumped into my back. She hadn't noticed I stopped. I grabbed onto her tightly. I lifted my finger to my lips in hopes of silencing her.

She nodded fearful, I frowned grabbing her shoulders. I looked about trying to find the source of the footsteps. I could only hear her blood flow, heartbeat, and her thoughts.

She was scared, I wanted to take her to my bed and stop her worries, rock her and do anything else she desired. I looked about the room and saw movement between the drapes. I put her behind me. She shivered in her spot fearful of what was to come.

I got myself in a fighting stance, my teeth ready to bite anything that got in between me and my lover.

Another step and drapes moved, I pounced. I heard a scream, I looked at my victim. I dropped her quickly, I stared at the eyes of my mother my teeth no longer bared. I was fearful, would my father learn of what I had done? Would I be punished? Was my mother alright?

"Mother I. I didn't mean to I was trying to keep Roselyn saf-." I was shaking but she cut me off, my apology taken into consideration.

"Silence love do not worry. I have a job for you, I will keep Roselyn with me. I need you to find a sacrifice. Buy one of take one I do not care just get one please." She said softly taking my shoulders in her hands. I nodded softly realizing I had to do this. I had to get the sacrifice for my brothers, it was my duty. Just as my father had gotten the one for my ceremony I had to get one for theirs.

"Mother..keep her safe. Please." I begged, I turned and kissed her forehead and left. I saw her concern but I knew my mother would protect her.

I ran out of the house anger boiling within me. Who wanted her gone, who did I have as an enemy? I trudged past the bustling streets and into the woods behind our house, the shadow of the castle looming over the trees casting a ghastly shadow within.

I could smell those that had escaped mortal catchers, they were not the brightest staying so near to a castle, a vampires castle non the less. I hated this, I did not wish to do this, it would scare my sweet rose. My little mouse would see this boy as her kind.

I shook my head as I jumped over a few logs. I crouched down, my eyes working over time to see what I sensed.

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"Where is he going?" Roselyn asked as she was taken to her room.

The queen smirked. "He is going to get a sacrifice for his brothers fanging ceremony." She replied. "It is barbaric but it is tradition, you will have to partake in it even if you do not wish to. As my sons pet my husband demands it. For he believes that my son will disregard the rule he made. A rule that keeps the two of you apart, so if he does my husband at least wants you to understand our customs. I went through it as well many times as his slave and now as the queen."