Chapter 9
Lena’s POV
That evening, I spent some time going through the wardrobe in my chambers. They were full of things that would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in my former life. From intricately woven dresses to delicately crafted shoes, it was a noble lady’s dream come true.
While I was doing that, marveling to myself, Helen entered.
“Lady Lena, you should not be rifling through your drawers like that. You should act dignified. Are you looking for something?” She asked in a monotone voice with an eyebrow raised.
This is unbelievable. How is it undignified to go through my ‘things’?
“Helen, you don't have to be so stuck up. Do you ever just loosen up? I am just checking out my new stuff. Moreover, I am so, so bored here. I feel like I am dying of boredom. All I do is eat, sleep, and study documents. What do you guys ever do for fun around here?”
Helen just stared at me like I had suddenly grown two heads, and it looked like steam was coming out of her ears. She was trying to control her outburst. It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. It felt really nice to not worry about having to prove myself to anybody. All I literally needed to do was survive being the meal of the Vampire Lord.
Hmmm. On second thoughts, it sounds worse.
“Why do you even speak in that manner? You must speak like a proper young lady, much more so as the chosen Consort of Lord Alistair. You must not be so crass!”
Oh, whatever.
“Alright, alright. Don't get your panties—sorry, knickers—in a twist. But it doesn't change the fact that I need something to do,” I lamented.
Before Helen could respond, there was a knock on the door.
“Enter,” She called out, and a young lady entered with two trays, both balanced on top of each other. She looked young, probably about 17 years old. She was also very beautiful with blue eyes. She must be human.
She bowed low immediately when she saw me. “Lady Lena.” I hurriedly walked towards her. “Stand at ease. Is this supper?” I blinked at all the delicacies on the trays. She just nodded her head shyly.
I took the trays from her and went to the grand table. There were portions of food and a kettle of tea. The meal was incredibly delicious. As I ate, I asked the young lady to tell me about herself and I discovered that her name was Florence. She was the first of six children, and she volunteered to serve in the palace for a monthly pay which she could send to her single mother.
I really do not know why people that are not so well-to-do would have so many children. Six is a handful. After the introductions, we spoke about anything and everything. She was such a joy to chat with. If I had a friend like her in my former life, I would not have tried to kill myself.
Before long, I drank the rest of the tea in my cup and started to pack the dishes back onto the trays. That was when I noticed that Helen had left us to our devices. Florence hurried to collect them.
“Please, allow me,” she looked panicked that I dared to pick up a tray after myself, so I replied calmly while giving one of the trays to her. “Let me take these to the kitchens with you. I will carry one, and you can carry the other. Okay?” I smiled at her.
She unconsciously still tried to grab the tray, and I quickly moved it from her grasp, only for its contents to fall to the marble floor and break into many pieces. We both stared at it in shock.
She immediately knelt down to pick up the pieces, with tears already welling in her eyes, and I bent down to do the same. But by the time I picked up my second piece, the sharp edges unexpectedly cut into my palm.
“Ow!” I exclaimed painfully while dropping it back down. Florence jumped back up and attempted to grab my hand.
“Oh, I'm so sorry. Please hold on, I'll return with the medicine box,” she muttered in sadness and rushed out of the room. I did not want our good time spent together to end like this, but shit happens. I looked down at my still-bleeding palm and stood up to go run it under water in the bathing chambers.
The moment I turned my back and took two steps around the corner, the heavy doors to my chambers slammed open with a great force. I paused in alarm. What the hell? I hurried back, holding my injured left hand. I looked at the doors and my heart stopped in my chest.
I had previously thought that Alistair was scary, but now he was downright terrifying. He was standing there, breathing hard and looking like the angel of death. He was wearing a black robe and he looked completely ravishing, except that I couldn't exactly focus on that. My life was currently in danger. I swallowed hard.
“My... My Lord, why have you come?” I stuttered out. He did not respond. In fact, he looked like he did not hear me at all. His eyes were blindingly golden and fixated on my palm. It looked like his whole world was concentrated on my single palm. I glanced down at it and cursed at myself. How could I allow myself to bleed carelessly?
It was thrumming with pain, but I slowly moved my left hand behind me. Maybe I could break the trance the Vampire Lord was in. He took one step closer, and I nearly screamed in exasperation. That didn't work. I looked around, and there was no means of escape. I was truly fucked.
He took another step closer. His jaws were clenched like he was straining hard against something but losing the battle terribly. In a split second, he appeared directly in front of me and gripped my hand, holding up my palm between us. Oh goodness. I didn't get another chance at life only to be drained by a handsome vampire. Somebody save me! I tried again.
“My Lord, you do not want to do this. This isn't you. Please come to your senses,” I pleaded. The only indication that he heard me was his eyes shifting to mine before looking back down. His lips parted, and I saw two sharp teeth poking through. They looked like needles. Holy shit.
Despite his murderous intention, the way he was holding my palm was gentle. I waited for him to hopefully release me, but he didn't. “I am dying for a taste. Just one taste,” He whispered under his breath, like he was admitting to a shameful, forbidden desire, and without warning, he lunged for my wrist.