(James)
The cold splash of water was sprayed over me, the servants of my brother called out to help me, but actually, to watch me to make sure I didn't escape.
The servants were dressed nicer, making me feel envious. Even though they were servants, they were getting paid, and had a bed to sleep in, while I have to sleep on a hard floor.
I sighed, shaking my head. Don't think about it, or you'll be miserable.
The servant washed me roughly. I had to hold my tongue back from crying out when they rubbed against the wound on my chest, and they nearly rubbed the bar soap everywhere on my body, including my private parts. I was slightly embarrassed. I wanted to tell them I can do it myself, but they would give me a stern glare and tell me to shut up.
Pulled out of the bathtub and dressed in a servant's clothes, I was dragged into another mess. The hall was quiet, but loud whispers could be heard along with the tinkling of glasses and wine, and laughter in the air. The laughter was faint, but I could hear my heartbeat as if it were in my head.
When I got stuck in my thoughts, they pushed me forward so I would go faster, and the doors would open. My body feels tightened, nearly on edge. It's been a while since I've been in front of people and displayed as a slave trophy.
Why is my brother doing this? I don't know. Maybe he just likes me to be in pain and embarrasses me. But the more I ponder it, what if it has something to do with that vampiress?
The door opened wide, the creaking sound nearly hurting my ears, but the stares in the room distracted me. The stares filled with curiosity and hunger like a palpable weight.
I was pushed into the room, my back turning ramrod straight, and my heart kept racing. I turned to my brother, who was sitting on a throne, the throne large enough that it filled out the area, and he wore a thick black fur coat around his shoulders. His eyes were trimmed, and his hair cascaded down his shoulders.
I was pushed down in front of him, and my eyes nearly filled with hatred consumed me. I knew if I showed anything on my face, he would attack me outright.
So I kept an empty expression like I was broken all these years. The chains around my wrist were lost as if mocking me, like I can't run anymore.
My brother's booming voice, "Peace requires sacrifice. So, I brought mine. My brother is bound, broken, and still breathing."
His tone was tinged with amusement. "Consider it a gesture of goodwill… or amusement."
The shame nearly had my head down, but I had no reason to be shamed. Sure, my brother, who was known for his cruelty and playing with people's lives, can never break people unless they are broken in spirit.
I closed my eyes. It's not over. Brother, Kale. You will pay back every pain you brought forth to me.
A soft voice laughed in the air, "This is the broken heir?"
The voice was cold, intrigued, and amused. I turned my head, and the woman with the wildfire hair stared at me with cruel amusement within her gaze. Her body radiates with a languish aura like a lazy cat. She tilted her head, sending a shock wave at me.
My head was pressed to the ground by a hand, my brother's hand. "Forgive the way he looks at you, my queen. He hasn't yet learned what reverence truly means." His tone was filled with a hint of respect and unease if he didn't want to offend her.
She smiled from the corner of my eye. "So, he's beyond your control? Then give him to me. I prefer my toys untamed."
The room filled with gasps. Sharp. My brother pressed my head further to the ground, and I couldn't breathe, and I had to twist my head to the side, which pushed me to see this vampire woman who's known as the vampire queen.
Cruel.
Bloodthirsty.
Ruthless.
She leaned against the chair, her sharp red eyes glinting with curiosity, "What? You're not willing?"
Although she was smiling, the tone in her voice turned sharp with displeasure, and my brother frowned, "My queen, although I tamed him, he's not fully obedient, and I'm afraid he might harm you."
She laughed, her tone rich with madness, "Don't worry, I won't break. He's not the first toy I had."
She stared intensely at me, "I want him, you know what happens when you refuse me?"
Her tone sharp and deadlier, the room was silent, like waiting for a bloody storm to come. Then my brother's voice above speaks raspy like he was trying to hold back something, "Of course, my queen, I wouldn't have the courage to stop you."
I was speechless at the contrast in my brother. With me, he's bloody confident and cruel, but before her, he's obedient and submissive as a cat.
"Good, now release your filthy hands from him."
My brother, Kael, resisted, "My queen–"
Her eyes turned darker, "Did I stutter?"
He shakes his head and removes his hands from my head. I pushed myself up, and I was able to breathe again, and I felt uneasy because of all the stares around me, but the most uneasy I felt was before the vampire queen. She watched me intensely.
I wanted to escape, but I had nowhere to go. I looked back at her with no expression, praying she won't ask anything crazy of me.
She smiled, "Come here."
I rose to my feet, but she spoke, "No, crawl like a dog."
She held her hand underneath her chin, "I mean, you are a dog, so you might as well act like one."
She smiled, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Heat crawled up my neck. I wanted to disappear, but the chains held me in place. With a silent sigh, this isn't the first time I've gone through a humiliation phase.
Just get through it.