Chapter 3
1096 Words
**Jasnah's POV**
That night I had a dream. I was running, bare feet on a cold floor, my lungs was burning as my heartbeat increased. Something was chasing me, it's breathing ragged and inhuman.
A dark figure slipped from the shadow. Its eyes were red like blood, fixed on me. Its fangs gleamed when it parted its lips. It stretched its hand towards me, its nails looked more like claws, long and sharp enough to tear someone's skin.
"No..." My voice cracked into a shriek as I stumbled back, panic rushing through me.
"My lady! My lady!" a gentle voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp and found Kael looming over me.
"You're ok, " He assured, brushing something away from my face. "It was just a dream. "
I was panting and sweat dripped down my face. I was scared and confused.
Kael pulled me to his chest. He held me in his arms and stroke my hair. "It's alright. " He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep.
Eventually, as I lay in his arms, my heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm.
When I woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Kael.
I was surprised at the fact that I was still untouched. He hadn't even tried. He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape.
Maybe I should talk to him and tell him that I wasn't ready yet, I thought. The question was how.
I got out of the bed and the maids helped me bathe and get dressed.
"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady, one of the maids informed when she was done with my hair.
"Lead the way," I said.
The maid led me to the garden just outside the room. There Kael was standing with his back toward me and his arms crossed behind his back.
"Your Highness?"
He turned around and I couldn't understand why my heart skipped a beat.
"My Lady, did you have a good night sleep?"
"I did, Your Highness. How about you?" He probably didn't, but it felt courteous to ask. I must have disturbed him with my dream.
"I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?" I didn't expect him to be so polite.
"I would love to, I answered with a smile.
The breakfast smelled and looked delicious. it was roasted meat, bread and fruits. But because of the knots in my stomach that still refused to go away, I couldn't eat much. Instead, I just glance at the garden now and then.
It was beautiful. There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, daffodils.
We had a beautiful garden back home too, but it was nothing compared to this.
Suddenly Kael stood up from his seat and walked over to me, holding his hand out for me to grasp.
"Walk with me," he said and I blushed. He must have noticed me stealing glances at the garden, but how could I not.
Back home I rarely went outside because of my fathers' strict rules and now I was walking through the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.
"You never go out?" He asked with a curious expression.
"No, my father would not allow it."
"So you have always been at home?"
"Yes," was my short reply.
"Well, you can walk around here anytime. It's our personal garden." He said with a charming smile.
"Really?"
My voice was colored with excitement and surprise. He nodded.
After walking for a while in silence, I decided now was the best time to bring up the wedding consummation.
"Your Highness?"
"Yes?"
"About the wedding consummation, I... I'm not ready yet." I looked down quickly, afraid to meet his gaze. My heart pounded in my ears as I waited for an answer. A laugh, an angry exclamation, anything.
"I know, it's alright," he said gently. I looked up in relief and breathed out.
"l could just go to one of my mistresses to satisfy my needs." He added.
The smile on my face died and I clenched my fists. Why was i getting angry?
He could go wherever he wanted and fool around with whoever he wanted. He could go to hell.
Suddenly he laughed. What was so funny?
"if you don't want me to go, then tell me." He said, leaning closer.
"I don't want you to go." I repeated.
Shocked at my own outburst, I put a hand over my mouth. He laughed again.
Eventually, He stopped laughing. "Jasnah" he said holding my hands.
"I promise you one thing and I will stand by my word. I will treat you well." He then took my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles, his flaming eyes never leaving mine. My heart fluttered inside my chest.
Dropping my hand, "I have to go, make yourself at home." He said before walking away.
I went Inside our chamber, there were doors that led to other rooms. The maid opened one of them and I went inside. It was the dressing room from yesterday.
"This is the boudoir. It's your personal room when you want to be alone, My Lady." She explained.
"His Highness has one too. She continued gesturing to the door at the other end of the room. I decided to take a look once the maid left but the door was locked. Why did he lock his room?
During lunch time, the maids served me lunch which include baked potatoes and grilled chicken with vegetables.
After having my lunch, I went to the white swing in the garden and lay down while looking up the sky. I had many questions and thoughts that bothered me.
What was that dark figure in my dream? Why was it chasing me?
"What makes you worried so?" A familiar voice came from nearby.
"Your highness." I inclined my head. He had surprised me. I moved over to create a space for him to seat. He took a seat beside me and put one arm over the seat back.
"How was your day?"
"It was fine, your highness... I mean Kael." I corrected myself.
He just smiled.
"Kael, can I ask something?"
"Yes!" He replied
"Is the rumours true about you being a half-vampire?" I asked while keeping my voice low.
He just looked at me for a while before finally replying.
"What do you think?" he asked at last, and there was no laugh in it.
"I don't know," I said flatly.
- Writer
