"You know what the ceremony is?" His voice was low, almost lazy, his eyes still closed.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Maria explained it to me," Serena answered softly. Her hands trembled as she slipped off her jacket, each motion heavy with dread. She walked towards him, careful, hesitant, and stopped just in front of where he sat.
"Your Majesty, I—" she faltered, lowering her gaze. "May I ask a question?"
Alexander's golden eyes snapped open, piercing her with a gaze so sharp it felt as though he could see through her soul. He studied her for a long moment before giving the faintest of nods.
"What is your intention for buying me?" Serena blurted out, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound steady. The words tumbled free, and with them, the weight she had carried in silence. Did he buy her to use her as his bed warmer, as some whispered? Or as a personal servant? She needed to know.
But Alexander said nothing. He only stared.
The silence stretched, suffocating her. His stare unsettled her, a predator's calm amusement glinting in his eyes. Her chest tightened. Did I say the wrong thing? Is he going to kill me? Oh God, help me. Her heart pounded against her ribs, loud enough she feared he could hear it.
"It's not what you think," Alexander said finally, his tone even, unhurried. "And I'm not going to kill you… at least, not yet."
Serena gasped and stumbled a step back. How could he know exactly what she was thinking? And what did he mean by not yet?
"Do not worry," he continued, his voice silken with a dangerous edge. "It depends on how well you behave."
Her throat went dry, but she managed to nod, though her body trembled.
"What of Lord Marcus?" she asked timidly.
Alexander's gaze sharpened. "What about him?"
"Well… he bought me first, and—"
"He'll visit in two days," the King cut her off. His voice dropped, sharper now. "Do you wish to see him badly?"
Serena's expression faltered instantly, slipping into visible fear. Her blood turned cold.
Alexander caught the change. It intrigued him. Why was she so terrified at the mention of Marcus? What had the man done to her? Still, he said nothing of his thoughts. To him choosing his side was far more dangerous than you could imagine.
"I—I didn't—" she stammered, but he silenced her with a single word.
"Shh." His voice was low, commanding. "You talk too much. Sit."
Serena pressed her lips into a thin line. Her hands shook as she obeyed, lowering herself onto his lap. Her heart thudded wildly, and heat rushed to her cheeks. Every nerve screamed at her to run, but her body betrayed her.
Alexander's eyes slid closed again, his head leaning back against the chair as though he were resting. From up close, she could see every fine line of his chiseled features. Damn him… he was breathtaking. Her fingers quivered as she reached for his shirt, fumbling with the buttons just as Lady Maria had instructed.
The act felt humiliating. Wrong. Yet she forced herself on. One button. Then another. By the third, his hand shot up, seizing her wrist.
Her eyes widened in shock. He wasn't supposed to stop her. Why?
Slowly, Alexander opened his eyes. His golden gaze locked with her emerald one, unblinking, unyielding. He slid his other arm around her waist, pulling her against him in one swift motion.
The sudden closeness made Serena gasp. Her hands landed awkwardly on his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She couldn't understand what was happening to her, why her chest tightened, why her skin burned under his touch.
His hand roamed slowly over her back.
"How do you feel?" he asked quietly, his breath brushing her ear.
Serena closed her eyes, struggling for air. "I—I don't know," she whispered.
A faint smirk ghosted his lips. "Brace yourself."
Before she could ask what he meant, Alexander stood, lifting her as though she were weightless. Startled, Serena instinctively clutched his shoulders. He carried her to the bed and laid her down with a gentleness that contradicted every rumor she'd heard of him.
The silken sheets cooled her skin as she sank into them, but no softness could calm the storm in her chest.
Hovering above her, Alexander tugged her dress from her shoulders, revealing pale, slender skin and the curve of her collarbone. He pressed his lips to her shoulder blade, each kiss slow, deliberate, sending shivers racing through her body.
Serena squeezed her eyes shut, ashamed of the sounds slipping from her lips. Why am I reacting like this? Why is he making me feel—
Alexander could hear her heartbeat racing, smell the nervous heat rising off her.
Her arms wrapped weakly around his neck, her lips parted as his kisses trailed up her throat. Desire clawed at him, this was his first time feeling this way with a woman.
His fangs slid free.
Serena was given no time to process his words before he sank them deep into her shoulder.
Serena let out a cry, quickly stifling it with her hand. Her other hand clutched the sheets until her knuckles went white. Pain shot through her, followed by a strange, dizzying pull as her blood left her.
Alexander drank greedily. Her blood was unlike anything he had ever tasted sweet, intoxicating, pure. The moment it hit his tongue, his body stiffened. Power surged through his veins, more potent than centuries of human blood.
What the hell is this? he thought, nearly losing himself.
Serena whimpered, weakly trying to push him away. Her strength was nothing against his. Her body trembled, then began to grow limp. Her vision blurred. She could feel herself fading.
That was when he stopped.
He tore himself from her, breath ragged, crimson staining his lips. He stared down at her pale face, her chest rising in shallow breaths.
"Fuck…" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. He had nearly drained her dry.
Guilt twisted in his gut, an emotion he thought long dead. With shaking hands, he pulled her dress back over her body, covering her with the duvet. He stared at her for a long, haunted moment before forcing himself to step away.
In his chambers, Alexander stood before a mirror. His eyes glowed unnaturally, brighter, wilder than before. His veins thrummed with raw power. He clenched his fists, bewildered.
Her blood… what is she?
He touched his lips, tasting the last trace of her blood. His golden eyes darkened, a smile curling at the edges of his mouth.
"Interesting," he whispered,