Chapter 258
~ NYSSA
I scoffed and immediately burst into a fit of laughter.
My shoulders shook and I gripped my belly to soothe the ache that came from laughing so hard. A few vampires stopped to look at me, they probably had never heard such vibrant laughter around here in a while.
I wiped a tear from my face as I finally managed to catch my breath. “That’s a very funny joke. Why did you really call me p>
The king’s expression remained blank. “I don’t know why you believe that this is a joke, but I don’t have time to waste convincing you otherwise. You will return to your room and get dressed for the feast p>
My smile slowly faltered as I realized that he was being serious. My insides twisted uncomfortably and a dark, bitter feeling curled inside of me.
“You must be fucking insane if you think I’m going to marry your son. In case you forgot, I already have a mate p>
He waved me off. “That can easily be retified. The breaking of the bond will hurt, but it will not kill you… it should not p>
“I don’t think you’re hearing me. I will not p>
A hand wrapped around my throat and sharp nails dug into the side, drawing blood. Vampires stilled around, hungry eyes trained on me like I was some fucking snack at their disposal. For the first time since I got here, I felt true and genuine fear.
“It is not up for debate,” he growled. “If I have to drag you there fucking kicking and screaming, make no mistake about it… I will. You will return to your room and you will not put up a fight, do you understand me p>
His words were like honey, smooth and enticing as they settled over me slowly. I didn’t know what compulsion felt like, but I could bet my entire life’s savings that was exactly what he was trying to do to me.
I felt it settle in my mind as it warred with my brain. It was like a battle was ongoing in my mind and the king used that distraction to his advantage. He handed me over to a guard and whispered something to him. I could only watch in surprise as my body moved of its own accord.
As soon as the bedroom door closed behind me, it was like the spell was broken. It felt like ice water was doused over my head and my cheeks heated as I realized just how easy it would be for him to get whatever the fuck he wanted from me. I was powerless against his compulsions.
The door creaked open and the maid from earlier walked in. “It is time p>
I didn’t bother to fight her, I just sat still as she gave me directions. She poked and prodded and pulled at my hair, and not once did she utter a single word. I kept my eyes on the mirror in front of me, watching as my reflection transformed into a woman I did not recognize.
She put me in a dress the color of blood that stuck to me like second skin. It matched my lips but somehow made my skin look pale.
“The feast is about to begin,” she said slowly. “I must take you there p>
I glanced out my window, staring at the dark sky. There were no stars out, almost as if the night was mourning with me.
I didn’t know much, but I knew that I would never mate another man, not while I was alive.
There were only two ways this night could possibly end.
I rose to my feet and followed her towards the door. She pulled it open and my eyes widened when I saw Allister standing there.
His eyes ran down my outfit before settling on my face. “You clean up nice p>
I bared my teeth at him with a snarl. “What the fuck do you want p>
He turned to the maid. “Leave p>
She hesitated. “But, the King p>
“Did I fucking stutter? Leave p>
She nodded and bowed before scurrying off, presumably to tell the King that she had been dismissed. I used her departure as an opportunity to fully take in Allister. He wore a black robe, similar to the one his father wore. His eyes were hollow and his jaw was tight.
“Walk with me?” he asked, holding out his hand to me.
As much as I wanted to spit in his face, I knew better. I reluctantly took his hand, wincing as I realized just how fucking cold it was. He led me down the hallway quietly. Only the sounds of our feet echoed.
“I need you to trust me and follow my lead tonight,” he began softly.
“And why the fuck would I ever trust you p>
“Because I’m the only person in this palace that doesn’t want to mate with you or feed you. I have no interest in starting a war with the lycans. I have a plan p>
I snorted. “Your last plan didn’t work so well, did it p>
He pulled us both to a stop and turned to me. “You can be pissed at me all you want, I get it, but the truth is, I am the lesser evil. I am the only one who wants the same thing that you do. We have to work together p>
My lips pressed into a thin line. I wanted to ask him to go fuck himself, but unfortunately, he was right. I needed him, much more than he needed me actually.
“Whatever,” I mumbled. “Let’s just get the fuck out of here before anything else goes wrong p>
He straightened his robe and we continued the journey down the hall. We passed through corridors I had never seen before and we went lower on the steps, a cold draft seeped in, making the hair on my arms stand on edge.
We finally came to a hallway, and at the end of it were two large double doors.
Behind it, I heard noise and music. Laughter echoed in the distance and my stomach twisted with unease because I knew exactly what awaited me in there.
“Breathe,” Allister said. “Just… go with the flow and stick by my side. For tonight, you’re my betrothed, and no one will harm you p>
“Somehow, I don’t believe that p>
He just smiled, a soft, cruel smirk that had shivers going down my spine. As we approached the door, the guards pulled it open and the noise ceased instantly.