The Kiss of Death

Chapter 13

Eleanor's POV:

    When my mind lifts from sleep the first thing that registers is that I am cloaked in a thick, heavy warmth and that my arm is numb. The second thing that clicks is that I can hear the birds chirping outside and feel the sun shining on my face, so I know it must be early morning. I sigh and begin a lazy morning stretch before I even open my eyes. When my arm collides with something very solid and not at all like a pillow, I'm startled enough to open my eyes and have a look. On the bed beside me, not even a foot away, is a man. His eyes are closed so I know he's still asleep. His legs are tangled with my own and he has one arm thrown around my waist.

    When my eyes settle back on Will's face, I can't help but release a sigh of relief and then a bubble of quiet laughter immediately after because of my own silliness. How could one really good night of sleep cause me to forget completely about William? I mean I knew I slept hard, but I didn't know I slept that hard. The light shaking of my shoulders seems to bother his sleeping form and I notice how he scrunches his nose and his eyes flutter softly. I try to stifle the sounds and though I can hold back most of the giggles, I can't quite contain them all, and very soon after Will pops one eye open to glare at me accusingly.

    "I'm trying to sleep, what are you laughing for?" He grumbles, closing his eye and snuggling closer to me in an attempt to go back to sleeping. It seems that Will can be a grump bucket in the mornings. I never would have pictured that, he's usually so... gentlemanly. I smile and reach out to brush some loose hair away from his face before letting my fingers trail down his cheek and across his lips.

    "Good morning to you too." I whisper in my sweetest morning voice, cupping his cheek with the palm of my hand as I press a soft, warm kiss to his lips. He grumbles approvingly in response and brings a hand up to lift my chin slightly, allowing him to push for a deeper kiss before he drops his hand back down and opens his eyes. Apparently my kisses work wonders for improving his mood because already there's a lazy smile to replace his earlier scowl.

    "I could get used to waking up like this." He murmurs, stretching slowly before using his forearms to hold himself up enough to turn his head and look out he window. "What time is it?" He looks back at me, eyes wide as if he's sure he's late for something. Who knows? He may very well be. What time is he due back today?

    I turn to look at the side table behind me and find that the alarm clock reads 7:32am. "It's 7:30. Are we on a time limit or something?" I roll back over to lay back down beside him, planning to allow myself a few more minutes to soak in the warm glow of the morning with Will but before I even manage to complete the move, he's already up and moving about the room.

    "I mean technically I make my own schedule, but I'm pretty sure I told Matt that we would be leaving around 9am to head back to the castle. I want to order some room service so you have time to eat, shower, dress, and pack before we get back on the road." He removes his shirt and shorts, standing in the middle of the room in only a pair of boxer's as he sifts through his bags in search of something to wear. I take a moment to check out his toned butt since his back is to me and I'm happy to say that he doesn't disappoint. 

    My eyes travel up his muscular, well toned back and arms before coming to a stop on what should be the back of his head. But it isn't. I blush brightly and look away, having been caught obviously ogling him like he's some kind of man candy. Well, he kind of is but still, it's embarrassing to have been caught red handed checking out his butt. I refuse to look at him, even when I hear him chuckle out a response.

    "Babe, you're allowed to check me out. What do you think I'm doing every time you walk away?" He laughs out loud, taking his clothes into the bathroom and starting the shower up, disappearing from view for only a few minutes before he strolls back out and makes to move toward the phone. I open my mouth to respond but I honestly can't think of anything that wouldn't be mortifying to say so I let it fall closed once again.

    "What would you like for breakfast, love?" He murmurs, looking over the menu as he dials down to the kitchen and waits.

    Whew. This line of questioning I can handle. I'm starving. "Do they have French Toast?" 

    He skims through the menu for a moment and then looks at me and nods before someone picks up his call and he begins to place our order. While he is busy with that, I stand up and head to the bathroom, quickly using the restroom and washing my hands before he can monopolize the room for his shower. As I stand at the sink drying my hands, I look up at my reflection and notice the sparkling black diamond collar still gracing my neck and tilt my head. How did I sleep with that on? I take just another moment to admire it's beauty before turning away to hang up the hand towel. When that's finished, I head back out to the bedroom and find that he's still on the phone conversing with the kitchen staff so I try to find something useful to do with my time.

    I scan the room for any stray items and help by packing them away neatly in his suitcases. As I drop the last wayward item into his bag, I can't help but run my fingers longingly over one of his light blue button-up dress shirts. I bet he looks so damn good in that one, I think to myself as I slowly zip up his bag and move away to look for my own clothes. I find them sitting on the chair by the desk, folded and clean and ready to wear so I pick them up and move across the room to place them on my bedside table. Hopefully I won't forget to grab those this time when I finally get my chance to take my shower. I wonder when he managed to sneak those out of here?

    When I turn back to look for Will, I find that he's no longer on the phone and is sitting at the dining table, a smug smile on his face as he watches me move throughout the room.

    "What?" I smile sheepishly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

    "I just can't believe that you're mine. What did I do to deserve you?" He questions me, moving to stand and making his way across the room to stop in front of me. He lifts a lock of my hair between two fingers and lets it fall gracefully back down before pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. "I'm going to take a shower. Breakfast should be up in a minute, if I'm not out yet, just tell them to set it out on the table for us." He turns and strolls into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him.

    I shake my head and smile to myself, wrapping my arms around my waist and squeezing tight for a moment before flinging myself down on the bed and letting out a slow yet happy sigh. He is so perfect for me it's almost hard to believe he's real. I lay there for a few minutes, basking in the happy morning glow when suddenly there's a knock at the door. That was fast, I think to myself, that must be the food. 

    I stand up and walk to the door, pulling it open without even looking. "You can just put the food over there." I say, pointing to the table before looking out into the hall for the first time. s**t.

    I drop my eyes as quickly as possible and stare at my feet. That is most definitely not room service. Damn it, Eleanor, why didn't you look before you opened your fat mouth? It might be all sunshine in rainbows in here, but let's not forget that there's still a whole world out there that views you as nothing more than some pet, I mentally scold myself.

    I look up at Matthias as he strolls into the room, bumping his shoulder hard into my slight frame, knocking me to my knees from the force of his shove. I cry out softly as I fall and gasp when my ankle begins to throb. I must have twisted it on the way down by trying to catch myself. I glare up at him, rubbing the offended area. 

    "Wow, looks like you're learning pretty quickly. I didn't even have to ask and you're already down on your knees where you belong." He laughs, turning to search the room for his friend. "Where's Will?"

    "Do you get off on trying to torture me or something?" I growl out at him, moving to stand back up, settling most of my weight on my uninjured foot and pushing my hair out of my face angrily. I've just about had enough of this ass-hat pushing me around. How many times has Will already ordered him to mind his own business? How many times do I have to get beat on before he backs off?

    "Excuse me?" He turns back to look at me, his eyes darkening with malice intent as he takes a few long strides over to me so that he's so close, his nose is touching mine. Uh oh.. Way to keep your mouth shut El.. Didn't we just go over this? I mentally chastise myself yet again, taking a step away from Matthias, my back smacking into the open door.

    I look down at my feet, avoiding eye contact. I should've kept my mouth shut. "I-I'm sorry.." I blurt out, knowing that my only shot at avoiding more confrontation is to keep my head down and try to be respectful. I was there when Will told him not to try to punish me anymore, but I don't know Matthias well enough to think that he might follow those orders. Just when I think Matt might either drop the issue or become violent, I hear the bathroom door open and look up in time to see Will enter the room. His eyes meet mine in a moment of panic before he quickly schools his features and his gaze flickers to Matt.

    "Can I help you with something?" He questions, moving further into the room, carrying an arm full of toiletries that he proceeds to drop into his overnight bag. "Last I checked we weren't meeting until nine." He turns back to face us, pointing daggers at Matt which causes him to take a step back and turn away from me completely.

    "Right." Matt stutters. "Nine." He steps a little further into the room, running his fingers across the top of the dining table as he walks by it to stand by and peer out the window. "I was just stopping by to remind you." He pauses again as he flicks the curtain between his fingers before letting it fall still again and turning to face Will directly. "I didn't expect your pet to come to the door. Have you been having trouble with her training friend? She was pretty damn disrespectful just now. You might teach her to watch her tongue in the presence of her superiors. Just because I've been instructed not to touch her doesn't mean anyone else wouldn't lash out immediately at that kind of back talk." 

    I wince and look down at my feet again, damn my bad temper. I'm going to get myself killed because I can't hold my tongue. I feel rather than see Matt make his way back to the door, not waiting for his friends response before he walks out and pulls the door closed behind him. He pauses just before the door clicks shut and leans his head in. "I'll see you at the carriage at Nine O'clock sharp, buddy. Don't keep me waiting." Then the door closes and we're left alone again.

    A sigh of relief escapes my lips and the tension leaves my body just as quickly as it arrived the second that Matt walks out of the door. I look up and find Will is already in front of me, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. 

    "Are you okay?" He whispers quietly, aware that Matt may still be within hearing range as his footsteps recede down the hallway. I nod, breathing a little shakily as my nerves continue to settle. Man, I really hate that guy. "What did you say to him?" He questions, leaning his head down slightly to catch my gaze with his own. I shake my head.

    "It was stupid, I should've known better. He just pisses me off." I stop and glance back at the door. "I thought he was room service so I answered the door and told him to put the food on the table. When he walked in he shoulder checked me and I fell. I think he said something about me belonging on my knees or something and it just set me off." I look back at Will again to see him studying my face closely, worry evident in his eyes.

    "What'd you say to him, El?" He presses for answers again, his tone changing from soft worry to a slightly rougher demand. I swallow nervously and my eyes fall back down to the floor.

    "I just asked him if he gets off on torturing me.. Or something along those lines." I murmur so quietly, if he wasn't a vampire he may not have caught it, but when I look back up at him I can tell that he's heard it. I don't know how I expected him to react, but his anger certainly wasn't what I would've guessed.

    "Damn it, Eleanor." He turns away from me and makes to stand by the bed, running his fingers through his hair in an agitated manner. He turns back to face me and I can tell that he's trying to remain calm with me. "I'm doing everything in my power here, to keep you safe. I can't have you mouthing off or losing your temper while we figure this thing out." He sits down defeatedly and motions for me to come to him, so I do. I stay standing in front of him, not comfortable sitting next to him when he's obviously not happy with me at the moment. 

    He sighs. "Matt is an ass, and he's been warned not to lay a hand on you, but he's not wrong. Any other noble would've had your head for a snide comment like that." He grabs my hands and pulls them up to his mouth to press light kisses to my palms before having me rest them on the sides of his face. He watches me intently, the anger gone and replaced by something else. A mixture of fear and love shines through his eyes as he begins again. 

    "I know it's hard to play this part like you're some kind of animal with no standing, but El it's absolutely essential that you at least try to pull this off. I can't stand the thought of someone hurting you, or taking you from me. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, but I need you to do the same."

    My lip quivers slightly as his obvious distress gives me the sudden urge to break down and cry but I bite my lip in an effort to hold it back. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. And you're right, I promise I'll do better." He nods and swiftly pulls me into his lap, tucking my head under his chin and hugging me close. We stay silent for a few long minutes as we both try to collect ourselves from that surprisingly emotional moment but another knock at the door pulls us immediately out of our funk. 

    "That must be the food." Will states, moving to place me back on my feet and giving me a soft little nudge in the direction of the bathroom. "Why don't you go wash up while I get breakfast ready?" 

    "Okay." I murmur, sniffling as I grab my clothes off of my side table and begin to make my way to the bathroom as he makes his way towards the door. I stop and turn to look at him just before I cross through the door frame. "Will.." He stops to turn and look at me just as his hand grabs the door nob, his eyes curious as they fall on me once again. 

    "I love you." I say quietly, my voice sad and apologetic. He offers a small smile and mouths the words back to me before turning back to open the door. I smile and make my way into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind me. I don't waste time getting showered, dressed, and ready to go as I don't want my food to get cold. As soon as I'm finished, I step out into the room and head toward the dining table where Will is already sitting, eating his food and reading through some paperwork.

    I smile sweetly, hoping to restore the pleasant mood from earlier, as I sit across from him at the table and remove the silver plate cover from my food, starved and ready to dig in to my french toast. As I pick up my fork, I take note of the fresh strawberries and whipped cream and my stomach grumbles loudly. I can't wait to taste this, it looks delicious. I drizzle the syrup over my food and cut off a bite, quickly plopping it into my mouth. "Oh my god.." I moan out, "This is so good."

    Will chuckles and I look up to find him watching me with a big grin on his face as he takes a hearty sip of his morning coffee. "I'm glad you like it. Eat up, we haven't got much time until we have to meet Matt out front and get back on the road again." He looks back down at his work, begins to jot something down as he continues. "It shouldn't be a long trip today. A few hours more and we should be back to the castle. Then Matt will take care of the girls while you and I head up to meet with my father."

    I stop midchew on my fourth bite, looking up at him with what can only be my best impersonation of a deer in headlights. "Your father?" I mumble around a mouth full of food. "Why do I have to go with you to meet your father? Isn't he the Vampire King of Irodon?"

    Will looks up from his work once again, offering a goofy side smile as if he's deeply amused by my comments and obvious trepidation. "I'm the prince, so yes, my father is the king. It would be strange for me to leave my pet alone in my chambers, you'll likely come with me to most if not all meetings from here on out." I swallow my food as he reaches across the table to rest his hand on top of one of mine. "Don't worry, he probably won't even notice you."

    I nod hesitantly and he lets go, returning to his task as I return to my food and mull things over. I figure as long as I'm on my best behavior, everything should run perfectly smoothly and then we'll be out of there before I know it. We enjoy the rest of our breakfast in silence, both lost in thought. Soon after breakfast is finished and cleaned up, someone has come to pack Will's belongings into the luggage cart, we've shared a short kiss and a last intimate moment, then we are headed out to the cart to start back on our journey to the heart of the kingdom, Irodon Palace. 

    As I settle into the carriage with Will and Matt, I turn my head to stare out the window, knowing that I should remain silent unless spoken to, and wonder to myself how much longer it'll be before we can resume our search for Eddie. The longer that we waste time handling Will's responsibilities, the more I can't help but feel that Ed's time is running out.

    The carriage jerks into motion as we get back on the road and I sigh, silently hoping and praying that we find her before it's too late.