For Eternity - Edited Version

Chapter Eight - My Lady

        Your mind felt foggy and mouth fuzzy as if cotton balls had been placed within it during your slumber. Eyes slowly fluttered open as your drug induced sleep wore off. Your joints cracked in protest as you stretched your stiff muscles, arms overhead as you lengthened through the balls of your feet. After lowering your arms, you took the chance to rub your (e/c) hues. It took you a few moments of staring into the darkness of the room for your eyes to adjust, but you were finally able to make out objects in the inky blackness. The realization that this was in fact not your bedroom at home hit you like a brick. This was Luciano's room, a place you had hoped to have escaped when you made a mad dash for it earlier. Earlier? How long had you been out? Had more than a day passed? Was it the following night or the morning after? You didn't know, but what you did know was you were not alone. Your eyes drifted down to your torso at the feeling of shifting not caused by you. A pair of arms tightly wrapped around your waist, holding you in place. Your eyes soon met with half lidded magenta ones, the later set glowing dimly.

        "Go back to sleep, mia principessa..." Luciano mumbled into the crook of your neck as he nuzzled his nose against your skin, causing your pulse to beat out of control. "Stop moving..." he hissed as you frantically began thrashing in his hold. "It's too early for struggling. It's not like I'm hurting you either."

        The words left his lips in a sigh, arms repositioning to hold yours against your sides. Your wiggles only grew more wild as you tried to shimmy out of his grasp.

        "You're not, but you're making me highly uncomfortable. Let me go," you growled, attempting to pry his arms away from your body.

        "The more you move, the tighter I'll make my arms around you, so stay still..."

        Huffing, you cease wriggling and laid limp in his hold. His grip was no longer one of iron as his arms limply hung around your waist. He was basically snuggling you at this point. He didn't seem so high and mighty with his relaxed expression, messy bed head and fangs poking over his bottom lip through slightly parted lips. Charm and suavity were his expertise. He knew what could make the ladies swoon and fall for him. He had centuries to perfect his techniques, and this was his time to shine, to have the only thing he longed for. You had to admit, the almighty future king of the vampires in such an adorably vulnerable state did have your heart fluttering. Whether from fear or possibly love, you weren't positive, but you were fairly certain it wasn't the latter. Not now. Not ever.

        One thing you could at least admit to yourself was that Luciano was attractive. There was no denying it. He had devilishly good looks, but his attitude was horrendous. Who could love an asshole like him? Sure, he had everything a girl could want in a guy: money, power, and a handsome face. However, you knew he had a ton of baggage mentally, emotionally, and probably physically, and his treatment of you so far was worse than subpar. Despite your possible attraction to the vampire prince, you still could not get past the uncomfortable feeling he caused by invading your personal space without seeking your permission first. You remained still until you presumed he was asleep. Carefully maneuvering from his hold, you attempted to slip out of bed. You managed to reach the edge of the mattress when you felt the bed shift on his side.

        A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. Your body froze as his eyes scanned over your form. He wordlessly got out of bed and walked over to the large double doors of the room, rapping his knuckles against the one. You couldn't help but stare at his impressive physique given he was only wearing pajama pants and presumably underwear.

        The door soon opened ever so slightly, causing the prince to side step to avoid being hit. He poked his head out into the hall through the crack in the door, whispering to whoever was on the other side before closing it once the conversation concluded. Luciano returned to the large bed and sat beside you. Scooting away was the first thought to cross your mind, but the elder vampire already knew every thought running through your head it seemed. He placed a hand over top of yours, causing you to freeze stiffly. His touch was oddly gentle give his rougher treatment of you the day before, which unnerved you. He was an unpredictable force of nature, and you were nothing but a helpless creature caught in his path. Luciano hesitated for a moment, contemplating how he should proceed. Your hand shifted under his, prompting him to pull you closer in a sort of side hug, your hand now free but his arm wrapped around your shoulders.