The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

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I sit quietly on the sofa watching Richard glare at me from across the room as he leans back on the other one. Aldéric leans lazily against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest and his expression unreadable as he stands opposite Richard, Richard's gaze shifting to him as he silently fumes.

Silence passes a moment longer until Richard finally snaps, "Why the fuck would you want to buy my mistress?"

Yes, why do you?

To be honest I'm desperate to know. I mean yeah, I am really grateful he had saved me from complete humiliation and shame but I doubt that's why he offered to take me away from Richard. Just like all the others, he must have his own agenda and I want to know it now rather than find out later and realise I'm worse of.

I avert my gaze from Richard's when his eyes snap to mine and stare at the floor like it is the most interesting thing in the room.

After Aldéric had stopped Richard and made the announcement to take me, he insisted that we all go somewhere private. This living area was the closest private place. It is quite big for what it is. Just a few comfy couches facing a fireplace and some random chairs that are pushed against the walls for decoration.

"I don't need to give a reason," Aldéric's tone is authoritative but deathly calm as he speaks, "you of all people should know that." 

Richard looks like he is going to burst with fury, a muscle in his jaw ticking continuously. "But she's mine." He growls.

So childish.

I roll my eyes but keep my focus on the ground. I hate how my future is being decided right In front of me and I'm unable to do a thing about it. They speak of me as if I am an object rather than a person with intrinsic value.

Aldéric is blunt when he corrects, "Not anymore."

I suppose being a vampire prince gives him some leverage where he doesn't need to explain his intentions. I allow my eyes to drift up slightly, meeting with almost black orbs. Everyone had something about them which gave you an idea of their underlying nature, letting you know whether it is good or bad.

But he doesn't. It's like staring at a blank page.

"I'll give you one thousand ramans for her."

Richard's eyes widen, clearly interested in the offer. I couldn't disclose my own surprise as a gasp escapes my lips. I have no idea how vampire currencies worked but I didn't need anything else except Richard's reaction to tell me it was a lot of money. The surprise soon dispersed from Richards face as he looked back at me, his reluctance evident, "Rosalyn's way too valuable for me to just give her away."

Damn. 

Perhaps I would be stuck with him after all.

"Okay," Aldéric nods, "how about I give you one thousand ramans for her and you get to keep your position." His tone is challenging and deathly serious, "How does that sound?"

"You can't do that!" Richard yells, his hands fisting the fabric of the couch as he grips it in anger.

Aldéric stares Richard down, dominance flashing in his eyes and radiating from his body intensely, "You know very well I can and I will."