The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

༺25༻

'Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defence.' - Mark Overby

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It's been two days since I promised to help Caleb, spending most of my time planning on ways I can free him from his prison. He's a vampire now which means it would have to be during the night when everyone else was awake, a sad disadvantage but still doable.

The next thing to think about is getting the key to his cell, knowing the guard doesn't carry any. However, once I know who does have it I can just compel them to hand it over and that is where the rest of my plan can be smoothly executed.

I've remained in the lounge, avoiding Aldéric along with the hope that Luther would be able to meet me here like he told me but he hasn't. At least not yet anyway. When I have seen him I've not been able to talk to him because of Prince Francis walking beside him, all he could do was give me an apologetic smile.

It wasn't his fault, the circumstances were just against us.

Now I find myself on my way to the guard, intent on finding out exactly where that key is.

Stepping out into the garden, there is a slight chill in the air, picking up the strands of my hair as it causes goosebumps to erupt across my skin, the first sight of autumn approaching. I catch the guards gaze as I head towards him, repeating the same stance he made the last time I approached him though he won't remember that.

I halt when the muzzles presses against my forehead, eyes wide with fear, acting like a normal person would with a gun pressed against their head. "By King Aurélien's order you are not to approach this area."

I'm quick with a response, my voice soft and overly persuasive, "Lower your weapon and remain still." I watch as he follows through, the same flash of confusion passing his eyes like the last time I did this to him, "Now you're going to answer my question and then when I leave you're not going to remember any of this conversation."

He nods his head, acknowledging what I've said. "Good, now who holds the keys to the cells?"

His response almost sounds automatic, understanding that his mouth is working of its own accord due to the fact his mind knows he shouldn't be blabbing this information to me, "King Aurélien keeps them in his office."

Shit...not good.

I turn around and storm back towards the castle, grounding my teeth in frustration. I have no idea how I'm going to get away with sneaking into Aurélien's office but I'll find a way. It's just going to take longer than expected, I only hope time is on my side.

I enter the castle, making my way back to the lounge to plan out how exactly I'm going to get my hands on those keys. I open the door, mumbling a plan to myself.

"Talking to ourselves now, are we?" I jump at the sound of Aldéric's voice. I look up to find him leaning against the back wall, arms crossed over his muscular chest as he watches me intently. Within seconds he's in front of me, trapping me between his body and the door. I blink up at him in shock whilst his eyes lock onto me, "You can't keep avoiding me like this."

"It's been working so far." I retort, attempting to move around him when his arm suddenly slams into the wall, denting it and locking me in at the same time. I flinch and stare up at him in fear, "Please don't make this harder than it is..." My voice trails off, trying not to get caught up in his dark gaze.