Father had returned. He could fill it from the way the hair on his arms stood straight right down to how his pencil broke whenever he attempted to draw. He gritted his teeth, dusting his pants as he stood up from his hiding place- behind a tall tree in a secluded garden located in the castle grounds.
His amber eyes turned into slits as he ran towards the courtyard, the blush on his cheeks being the only color on his rather pale and neutral skin. His silver glittery hair was a curly mess on his head as he spied on the soldiers who had just arrived.
He hated every one of them, the metal armors they wore that weighed twice or thrice of his own body mass, the smell of dirt and blood stains on their faces, their weird middle names and most especially he hated that he was the son of the man who led these men.
He would never become one of them, that he had sworn since the day he began taking his lessons. He clutched his sketchbook tightly to his chest as he watched his father's white horse emerge from the crowd, his lips twisted in an intense frown.
Then suddenly, his frown disappeared. There was something riding on his father's horse. Not just something, it was a person, a girl. His brows knitted as he watched his father carry her down his horse, his steps quickening as he followed his father's movement, watching him from a safe distance as he was determined to know who the little girl was.
. . . . . .
Layla's eyes fluttered tiredly, her arms stretching above her head as she stirred awake. She felt a dull ache in her head as she pulled herself to sit up. Her body was weak and her fingers were red and swollen from the burns.
The pain was intense, but that was the least of her concerns. She was too bothered trying to figure out what and who she was as she looked at the surroundings around her.
The walls were covered in tapestries, the materials in a deep shade of red, the scent of burning incense gave the room an eerie atmosphere and the wooden furniture was in black. There were a few candles flickering at a table top, the light casting shadows in the rather dark walls and ceilings.
As Layla's head revolved around the room, her eyes suddenly caught sight with a glowing red light. Only that it was not a light, it was the eyes of a young boy who stood at the corner of the room. Her heart raced in her chest as she stared at him, barely seeing his body from the shadows. Just the glow in his eyes and the silver strands of his hair.
He had not expected her to awaken. Not when he had not taken the chance to observe her while she slept. Father had left the room some minutes ago and he had to wait for a while before sneaking in after him.
He was dumbfounded when he found her lying on his father's 'bed', but was quick to hide when he had seen her move awkwardly. She would not see him, so he had thought. The humans could be as blind as a bat, but then he was shocked when her eyes suddenly fell on his. His stomach twisted in something far from disgust as he stared at her.
"What are you ?" he asked, demandingly as if to show his authority. Layla thought for a while, her eyes fixed intently on his. Her head was a blur, there was nothing she could remember aside from waking up in this dark room.
"I am not sure," she replied.
"What do you mean you are not sure?". He was totally surprised by her response. He moved swiftly and within a second, he was on the bed with Layla.
Layla had not seen him move, but suddenly the boy was sitting next to her, his knees pressed on the bed next to her leg as he bent forward, sniffing her. The lights from the candle captured his features now, his skin a glowing contrast to the darkness.
"You smell awful, not like the humans I am quite acquainted with, but your blood," he paused, sniffing her again, this time taking his nose from her neck to her forehead.
"smells sweet" he concluded, his fangs tingling, but he clenched his hands, trying to resist the urge to attack.
"I would not drink from you so do not be scared. I would rather die" he spat, hiding his thirst with disgust.
"Is that a part of your skin? The cracks on your face I mean"
"It's mud". Layla had said, though she was not sure how she knew of that information.
"Who are you ?" she asked, her brows knitting in confusion.
"I am prince Lucien Krov, and I am a vampire" he said proudly, sitting back on the bed.
"And you…" he thumped her chest, causing her to let out a small sound.
"You are a measly human and I am superior to you, understand ?" he stated.
"Human ?" Layla repeated, tilting her head.
"Are you dumb ? I just…" Lucien trailed but stopped immediately his ears picked the sound of footsteps approaching.
"If father asked, I was never here" he warned and just as he had arrived, he disappeared into the shadows, sneaking out of the room as quickly as possible.
His skin crawled when he thought about the look the girl had on her face. She looked at him like he was stupid and his words didn't frighten her as he hoped it would. He surely would make her pay for that, for now he has to avoid being seen by his father.
...
Layla was still trying to process what had happened and how the boy could move so fast, when King Krov returned with a maid. His eyes fell on Layla's before darting around the room. His son had been here, he could tell by his scent which was still present in the room.
She couldn't recognize the face of the people that had just arrived and that made her feel even more confounded.
"Take her to Castle Rose. Do so without anyone's knowledge" Krov instructed the maid and she nodded quickly.
He walked towards Layla before sitting on the bed. Her eyes followed his movement, her gaze heavy on his as usual.
"Where does it hurt ?" he asked.
"Everywhere".
Krov dug his finger under the mattress, pulling out a dagger. Layla's eyes widened as she watched him slit his palm, fresh blood spilling out in a thin line. As a vampire, his blood was imbued with powerful healing properties.
He placed his hand on her forehead, rubbing his blood over her muddy face. The scratch on her forehead closed up quickly, same with the burns on her fingers. Some werewolves possessed healing qualities too, but hers had not manifested yet. At least, that was what he thought as he watched her mouth circled in amazement.
"You are fine now, Layla" he said, placing his hand on her chin and lifting her face towards his.
"The woman over there would take care of you, I would come see you in a few days" he concluded, before getting up and taking his leave.
The maid whose name was Rhea picked Layla up from the bed before clothing her in an even bigger cloak.
"We are going to leave now, do well and stay quite, okay ?" she said as she placed her on her shoulder.
Layla nodded, closing her eyes tightly as the woman carried her out of the room. She could have sworn she had heard those words before, but she could not tell where. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep as the carriage rode them steadily to Castle Rose.
In the courtyard, Lucien stood, curiosity in his eyes as he watched the horses gallop away.
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