Chapter 246
~ NYSSA
They drove further into the woods until the trees became sparse and there was only rocky road. The car lurched with each movement and my ribs burned from how violently they dug into the edge of the chair.
After what felt like hours, they pulled up towards a structure that made my jaw fucking drop. It was like a palace built into the side of a mountain. The palace itself was pitch black with sharp peaks and snow capped tips. The mere sight of it sent shivers down my spine, and as I was pulled out of the car, I stared up with apprehension.
Around the base of the mountain were a few guards. They did not wear armor or even have weapons by their sides, but they had nails the length of talons and when they smiled, they revealed teeth sharp enough to rip through flesh.
“Move,” one of my captors snapped, tugging me towards the mouth of the cave.
At first, I was greeted by complete darkness. It lasted for all of two minutes before we stepped into what seemed to be some kind of grand foyer. I lifted my head, taking in the entire room only to feel something sink in my stomach.
The ceiling had very familiar webbing, like the kind I saw in my dreams. This whole time I just thought it was the king trying to scare me but no, he was showing me what his palace looked like.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked as I was tugged towards a flight of stairs going upwards.
I tried to dig my feet into the ground, hoping it would stall their movements and it did, only for a second before I was lifted unceremoniously over a shoulder. I tried to slam my elbows into his back but he didn’t even budge, he just kept moving up the stairs like I was merely an inconvenience.
He passed by doors and women dressed in maid costumes.
The women did not glance upwards once, neither did they pay any heed to me, but I did not miss the way their frowns would deepen as I passed or how they scurried away from me as if I were some kind of plague.
The guards walked through a door and the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air.
I landed on a weirdly soft mattress with a bounce and bared my teeth at the guards with a growl.
“You think I wanted to carry you?” he asked incredulously. “You smell like wet dog p>
I scoffed. “How rich coming from you. If the smell fucking bothered you so much, you could have left me at home p>
He just rolled his eyes. “You have a long night ahead of you. If I were you, I’d conserve my energy p>
My spine straightened and a sense of unease washed over me. “What does that mean p>
He didn’t respond, he just turned on his heels and walked away.
I cursed loudly when the door slammed behind me, screaming after him to let me go, but my words went unanswered.
Once I realized I was well and truly stuck, I took a good look around the room.
If I weren’t a prisoner, I would be able to appreciate the beauty of the space. The bed was a large four poster with a dark lace canopy hanging over the sides. To my left my a large vanity, with a massive mirror and some products I didn’t recognize sitting on the dresser.
I realized that if I could just shatter the mirror and get one of the shards, I’d be able to free myself of the ropes around my body and perhaps get out of here.
With a huff, I swung my legs over the bed, pulling myself to my feet with considerable effort.
I took in a deep breath before hopping forward, trying my best not to fall over until I got to the damn vanity.
I was panting as I leaned forward, wrapping my teeth around the edge of the mirror.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you p>
I stilled, heart hammering as I glanced over my shoulder and locked eyes with a young woman. Her hair was tied in a bun at the back of her neck, and her eyes were soft but tired. She wore the same stupid grey fabric I saw the other maids wear and when I glanced at her hands, I found that her nails were trimmed short.
She was beautiful despite how simply she was dressed and as she stepped further into the room, I could tell she was no vampire.
“We were all given a… test,” she began slowly. “If you break that and try to escape, there are guards waiting in the foyer who will do… terrible things to you p>
She shivered, as if remembering some of the terrible things that were done to her.
A part of me wanted to call her bluff and shatter it anyway, but the longer I thought about it, the more wary I got because what if she wasn’t lying.
“What would you suggest then?” I asked.
“Obedience,” she said softly. “The King keeps the nicer girls. The stubborn ones get sent to his men and… well, let’s just say the guards can be a bit cruel p>
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. “I’m not going to be one of his girls. I’d rather die p>
“I thought like you once,” she smiled wistfully. “You’ll learn soon enough that it’s easier to comply. The king is nicer when you don’t fight him. He seems to have some kind of interest in you. That makes it easier p>
“I have a mate,” I snarled. “I don’t care what fucking interest he has. The only way he’d get me is over my dead fucking body p>
She went silent for a moment, her head cocked to the side in curiosity. She stared at me like I was a puzzle she needed to solve.
“If you’re not here to help me escape then you need to fuck off,” I snapped at her, turning back to the mirror.
“I can’t do that actually, because I’m here to help you get ready p>
“Get ready for what p>
Her answering smile did not quite reach her eyes. “You’re having dinner with the king p>