Chained A Fated Mate Romance

~E~

I’d never actually run away from anything, but I was more than willing to flee the bath and the angry man I left brooding alone inside it. He was so close, we were so close, and sitting on the bed, I could still feel the heat from his body still lingering on my skin.

Covered in a towel, I’d grabbed on my way out, I held my head in my hands, reprimanding myself. What in the hell was I doing? I knew nothing about this man other than he looked like chiseled granite and had some anger issues. Those measly three sentences just now, were the longest conversation we’d ever had. I didn’t even know if I could pronounce his name properly for Christ sake. So seriously, what was wrong with me?

Taking a couple deep breaths to calm myself, I quickly realized it wasn’t my mind I needed to get ahold of, it was my body. It was quivering as I sat here alone, my heat aching with need. I’d never experienced this before, this instant physical connection that hadn’t stopped since I noticed him in the Great Hall earlier today. Our desire for one another was so thick you could almost see it manifesting between us. And the closer we were, the stronger it got. Even after separating, the longing stayed, dulling only enough to allow for a piece of sanity to return in its absence.

Remembering at any moment he would be joining me in the bedroom I got up and tried to distract myself with other things. Leaving the bed, I noticed a wardrobe with some of the most gorgeous dresses I’d ever seen hanging inside. There were even, a couple of them laid out on the bed, which honestly, made me ten times less likely to choose them. I didn’t want him or anyone else here thinking I would be that easy to tame.

My fingers running across the different fabrics, they stopped at a red and black gown near the middle of the wardrobe. Pulling it out, I gaped at its beauty. It had a sharp sweetheart neckline and was form fitting from the neckline to the knees, where the fabric relaxed, then flowing to the floor. On the hanger attached to it were two arm cuff sleeves meant to be put on separately, providing a shoulder less dress look overall. The cuffs themselves were made of gold with black and red stones throughout as decoration, while the fabric of the sleeves were a see through fabric that mirrored the colors of the dress, starting with red at the top with a gentle gradient to black at the bottom. Before pulling on the dress I searched for underwear of some kind but, of course, there was none to be found. Men. The top of the dress was fitted enough I didn’t need a bra, but now I desperately hoped the fabric was not going to be sheer enough for my butt to be on display all night.

After pulling the dress on and examining myself in the mirror my worries subsided. It was definitely form fitting, leaving very little to the imagination, but the sleeves were the only truly sheer pieces. Staring in the mirror, I saw a lady, wearing a dress made for specifically for my body, a rarity really. Given my height, most gowns were always a little short. This one, however, was perfect and the more I looked at myself the more confident I became. Wanting to add to this feeling, I went over to a nearby vanity, the top of which held jewelry and makeup options. Sitting down, I proceeded to apply black eyeliner on my top lid and mascara as gently as I could. I’d only done this a handful of times in my life and was petrified I’d poke my eye out. A fear I developed after hiding in the stalls of a club when I was younger, listing to women older than we whine about how bad it hurt when the bristles scratched their eyes on accident. Continuing I added a deep red lip stain that matched the deepest red on my dress and a pair of dangling, red stone earrings. As a finishing touch, I chose a pair of simple black heels, only about an inch high so I wouldn’t be stumbling over myself all night.

Returning to the full-length mirror by the wardrobe, I smiled at the sight. This was probably the best I’d ever looked. My long, blonde hair had dried naturally, causing it to cascade down my back in loose beach curls. The makeup made my eyes and lips the focal points of my face and the elegant but simple earrings kept me from feeling too done up for my first evening in the court. Not that I really cared, but the more normal I looked, the less likely I’d be focused on.

Hearing the bath water ripple as I admired myself, I remembered I wasn’t alone. Not wanting to face him yet, or the left-over aggression that caused him to break stone at the end of our last interaction, I turned to leave. Though, if I’m honest, it wasn’t fear of him that had me booking it out the door, but the risk of my appearance being ruined by the deep yearning that would flood back once he was near me. Quickly glancing back and giving myself one last look in the mirror I opened the door and left, just as I heard the water draining from the other side of that velvet curtain.

“Miss.” my eyes adjusting to the lighting change from the room to the hall, I found myself face to face with the same guards that brought me to the room earlier. Bowing, they showed me respect, probably only due to the ‘attachment’ their lord and I shared.

“Hello,” I smiled. “Is dinner in the Great Hall?” I asked, pointing towards it.

“It is, we’ll escort you.” the one on the left nodded.

“No, that’s not necessary, I know the way.”

The guards stiffening shared a look before turning their attention back to me. “We have strict orders from his highness, wherever you go, we go.”

I thought for a moment about arguing, but I was hungry, so I let it go this time and allowed them to lead me to dinner. Standing on either side of me, we made our way through the center of the hallway. Those around us not even given a passing glance by my guards as we forced them to the sides. Along the way, I could hear their whisperings and feel their eyes fixated on me. I was the new toy at court. Some made comments on my looks, nice ones that made me smile slightly as I passed, while others had more vulgar things to say. One comment that hit me harder than I expected, was one made by a couple court males who openly enjoyed the presence of me as we approached. Skimming over my appearance as if I’d done myself up for them, I listened closer to their conversation.

“I wonder if Cerberus has defiled her yet.” the first spoke.

“Or how many times? I’m surprised she can walk.” snickered the second as grins laced both of their faces.

Unable to control myself, I stopped abruptly in front of them, my guards staying in step with me and turning as I did to face them. Boring into them, their grins quickly faded from their lips while a smirk crossed mine before I went into proper lady mode.

“I’m so sorry, gentlemen, were you speaking to me? If so, speak up. I shouldn’t have to strain my hearing for you.”

I spoke louder than normal, purposefully grabbing the attention of others in the hall. My voice dripping with contempt as what I took as fear flashed in their eyes.

Stumbling on his words the first male spoke. “My lady, I’m honored at your attentions, as is my cousin,” bowing, he continued. “We were merely…”

“You were merely mocking me openly in the hall.” I interrupted.

“No, no we would never.”

Oh goody, it was fear in their eyes and seeing it clearly now only egged me on.

“Are you saying I’m lying? Did you not just make a crude comment about the private matters between his highness and I?”

I wanted to trap them, to put them on display for everyone and show my strength.

Their fear turning to panic, I felt an unexpected slickness between my thighs as they focused in on something behind me. Shit.

The guards by my side acknowledging the presence behind me as well, I turned already knowing who stood there. Keeping my voice strong and the smile on my lips I greeted him.

“There you are, I wondered how long you would be.” I said playing as if we separated on good terms.

Raising an eyebrow at me, before returning to a stoned expression, he regarded the males in front of us. Before speaking, he slid his arm around the small of my waist, squeezing tightly, and worsening the sensation between my thighs.

“Your Highness.” they both bowed, practically trembling. From the looks of it, whoever they were, they were not accustomed to speaking with someone so high ranking.

“You seem to have displeased my mate.” his voice lowered them further.

“Your Highness, we merely…”

“Enough,” his voice boomed through the hall, forcing many onlookers to avert their gaze while others simply left the area. Now that was power. “The proper response to my mate’s presence would have been to grovel at her feet. Anything short of that is an outrage.” turning to one of the guards he continued. “Remove them.”

The guards responded, immediately taking the men into custody and pulling them away. Attempts were made to apologize as they disappeared around a corner, but no one provided even a glance of pity in their direction. Once gone, the hall returned to the typical bustling expected before dinner, as if the imprisonment of fellow courtiers were nothing.

His grip still tight to on my waist, I gulped, not sure if I was also in trouble. Gently touching his hand, I squeezed it slightly, hoping he would understand its meaning. Loosening his grip, he kept his arm in place as he took the lead and escorted me to dinner himself.

After a couple moments of silence, that I didn’t feel like I could break, he leaned in whispering only one word in my ear. “Stunning.”

Moving forward, I wasn’t willing to react, but as we rounded the corner and he switched sides behind me, the bulge in his pants rubbed against my body and I couldn’t help but let out a lust filled breath at the arousing chill it sent down my spine. Catching the sly grin, that traced his lips at the sound, I wanted to hide again, but reaching the Great Hall almost immediately, there was nowhere to run.

Shifting my focus, I stared at the hall that looked just the same as before, however, the back banquet table, once holding candlesticks and table dressings, was now filled to the brim with delicious looking meats, breads, sides, and deserts. Starving I could barely refrain from drooling at the sight but looking around very few were doing more then pick at the food. Reading the confusion on my face, Cerberus explained something, I should have remembered.

“Vampires,” he reminded me, keeping his voice low so others would not hear. “The food is just to demonstrate the grandeur of the court. It’s edible though, so enjoy,” he said, motioning for me to go indulge when he quickly tugged back on me for a moment. “The chalices with a black rim contain blood; all others will be an alcoholic beverage of some kind.”

Nodding, a gentle warmth washing over me at the small kindness. It was nice to know; he didn’t want me looking like a fool any more than I did.

The food was edible, but not fantastic; still a meal is a meal. I filled my belly with as much as I dare, given my fitted gown and washed it all down with two glasses of wine, considering the only other option was probably a dude named Doug. This was the longest I’d been alone in the public of the court, once I was done, I found myself looking for Cerberus but finding him, I wasn’t pleased.

There he was, standing in one of the dark corners of the room, with three scantily dressed, but still elegant women surrounding him as if they had a right to. They looked to be speaking with him, though I didn’t actually see him engaging much. Regardless, I felt myself being taken over by what I can only describe as rage, as I watched every flirtatious movement and near touchings of him. Becoming irate, my logic was losing as it tried to calm me. It didn’t make sense; I hadn’t and wasn’t going to let him have what he wanted, but the possibility of another female wanting to, was not acceptable. I knew, somewhere inside that I should be looking at this as a temporary solution. But instead, the sight caused me to toss back another chalice of wine and beckoned my pride forward. If he was free to gallivant, then so was I.

Surveying the room, I found a satisfactory target near the edge of the beverage table. He had a cup lined in black, so I knew he was already getting his fill in blood and sauntering over to him, I began to engage.

“Good evening, Mr…?” I said with a tone full of feminine vulnerability, calling his eyes to meet mine in an instant.

“Lord Donavon, house of Mirth. Good evening, my lady.” he bowed, but only partly.

It was strange but I noticed shortly after being kidnapped that the size of the bow correlated to the ranking system here. Soldiers always bowed the lowest, middle ranked nobles bowed halfway and this gentleman in front of me only lowered himself about a quarter of the way down, meaning he was noble enough to be able to really sell the revenge I was trying to take.

His voice tearing me from the vindictiveness of my mind, he spoke again. “Did you enjoy the food?”

Hmm, interesting. He’d been watching me.

“Well enough for a first meal. I plan on meeting with the chef and giving him some pointers though.” I smiled, allowing a flirty twinkle in my eye.

“Great, I’m sure your culinary gifts will add to the lusciousness of the court.” he practically purred, slowly letting his sights linger over my figure.

Swaying my hips, I glided a little closer. “You have no idea,” I smiled in almost a whisper. This was so ridiculously easy.

Our conversation flowing as I wanted, I made an effort not to look at Cerberus. If he’d seen, my plan was probably working and if he hadn’t then at least I’d started networking already. It was never too soon to make an ally.

My companion making a joke, I reached out, touching his arm and letting it linger as a welcoming smile covered his face. More suddenly than I was ready for, the heat between my thighs began burning again and a strong, firm hand seized my wrist from my companions’ arm. The companion in question ditched me immediately, while I came eye to eye with my very aggravated ‘mate’. If I were smarter, I might have been more cautious but seeing as I was still pissed from earlier, I met his aggravation with indifference, and watched the composure in him, die.

~

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