CHAPTER THREE
2164 Words
My title as king isn't as secure as it seems. According to our ancient laws, if a vampire king isn't able to find his soulmate within a certain timeframe, his title will be stripped away. It's because only a soulmate is able to give an heir to a vampire king. And at more than three hundred years old, the council is losing its patience. They aren't giving me any breathing room.
My mother always used to tell me that a soulmate is someone who understands you better than you understand yourself. Someone who loves you unconditionally, who would never hurt you, and who would even die for you. I truly hope I find mine soon. The clock is ticking, and for the first time in a very long time, I'm feeling a sense of panic.After two hours of driving, I finally arrived at her building. The place was small and unassuming. I looked over at her; she was fast asleep, her head resting against the window. Gently, I took her bag and unzipped it, carefully pulling out her keys. I had no time to waste.
I carried her out of the car, her weight surprisingly light in my arms. Her apartment was humble but tidy, filled with the faint scent of old coffee and something uniquely her. I laid her down on her bed, a small, simple space that felt so out of place for someone who had captured my thoughts so completely. I was about to go, to race back across town before the sun rose, when I felt her hand lightly grasp my wrist.
Her eyes were still heavy-lidded, but she looked directly at me. "Thanks," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
"You're welcome," I replied, a small, involuntary smile touching my lips.
"So," she slurred, her grip tightening ever so slightly. "Is Mr. Handsome going to add a name to his face?"
My smile widened. "Darius Knight," I said, my voice soft. "My name is Darius Knight."
"Nice to meet you," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut. "I'm Elisa Blackwood."
And just like that, her hand went limp, and she was fast asleep again. I just stood there, staring at her for a moment. Elisa Blackwood. A name. Finally, a name has been added to the beautiful face, the scent, and the mind I can't read.
A few hours later, Darius finally arrived at his sprawling mansion, just as the first rays of dawn began to touch the horizon. His second-in-command, Dimitri, was waiting for him.
"Why are you just getting home?" Dimitri asked, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the faint reddish tint on Darius's skin. "And I see you've got some sunburn. You've never been so careless before."
"Well, good morning to you too," Darius said with a weary sigh. "I had a long ride. Please ask Olivia to bring a nice meal to my room before bed."
"Yes, my king," Dimitri said, his tone respectful.
"Did you get the girl's friend home safely?"
"Yes, boss. She's resting at her home now."
"Good. Run a background check on Elisa Blackwood. I need everything you can find on her." Darius paused, the weight of his duties returning. "Any updates on the kingdom while I was away?"
Dimitri's expression turned serious. "I will get the report sent to you by morning. But last night... we were attacked by werewolves."
Darius's blood ran cold. "What?"
"We got rid of them, but this is becoming too frequent," Dimitri said, his voice grave. "We need to do something about them. We even lost five soldiers."
"No... no, no, no," Darius groaned, running a hand over his tired face. "f**k. Another busy weekend for us."
Dimitri chuckled lightly. "Yes, boss."
Darius looked up, his exhaustion replaced by firm resolve. "Have you passed the news to the families of the deceased?"
"No, my king. I was waiting for you."
"Do it first thing tonight. Now." Darius gave a weary nod. "Good night, man."
"Night, Darius," Dimitri replied, a familiar warmth in his voice before he turned to leave.
Werewolves again. The mention of them brought back memories I've spent centuries trying to forget. They are led by Alpha Logan Black, a cruel, greedy old bastard. Once, werewolves and vampires lived in harmony. We hunted together, celebrated together. We did everything as one, until they became envious of our clan. They couldn't stand that we were faster, stronger, and could so easily end their entire clan. Their envy turned to hatred, and they launched an attack that hit us where it hurt the most—they killed my parents, the vampire king and queen. I barely survived that night.
It took years for our kingdom to recover and get back on our feet, but I never forgot my revenge. In a brutal display of power, I killed Logan's parents, his only son, and his pregnant wife. I let him live, a final act of cruelty, so he would be forced to suffer with the knowledge that he was the cause of their deaths. Looking back now, I regret it. Perhaps I should have just killed him. I finally got to my room and stepped into a hot shower, letting the steam and water wash away the grime of the human world. When I was done, I put on my night clothes. Just then, my door opened quietly. Olivia greeted me with a respectful bow and placed a tray of food on a small table before leaving quickly. I ate my meal, but the delicious taste was lost on me.
My mind kept replaying the events of the night. Her scent, her defiant eyes, the way she had defiantly given me her address. Elisa Blackwood. The name echoed in my head, a constant, unwanted reminder. She was going to be the death of me.
Lisa p.o.v
It's been four days since my last embarrassing encounter with Darius Knight. At least I finally got his name. I still cringe thinking about how I acted that night. Sometimes I wonder what I would even do if we met again.
Today was surprisingly less busy at the cafe, so I was able to close earlier than usual. I was grateful for the chance to get home before dark and managed to get a cab right away. As soon as we pulled up to my apartment building, I saw a long, sleek black limo parked right in front of my garage. My heart started to pound. I wasn't expecting anyone.
That familiar, terrifying feeling of being watched washed over me, and I walked as fast as I could to my door. I fumbled with my keys, my hands shaking, and finally managed to get inside. Just as I was about to slam the door shut, a foot blocked it. I looked up and my breath hitched. Darius Knight.
Darius?" The name left my lips in a whisper.
He leaned against the doorframe, a low smirk on his face. "I see it's no longer 'Mr. Handsome.'"
I felt my cheeks flush and cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "What... what are you doing here?"
"Well, good evening to you too," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I came to see my friend nearby, so I thought I would drop by and see your beautiful face."
"Well, you've seen my face," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "Off you go." I tried to shut the door, but his foot was still holding it open.
"Aren't you going to invite or welcome me in?" he asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in his tone.
"Why would I do that? I don't even know you."
"I think we're making walking progress, aren't we?" he said, his eyes glinting with a hidden meaning I didn't understand.
I stared at him blankly. "I don't get you."
"Fine," he sighed, the playful expression falling from his face. "Can I come in?"
I hesitated for a moment, then, against my better judgment, I gave in. "Fine. Come in."
"Thanks," he said, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
"Suit yourself," I mumbled, moving to the side.
He looked around my small apartment, his gaze taking in every detail. "You have a nice place."
"Yeah, it's nice, I guess," I said, feeling a strange mix of discomfort and pride. "I'm going to order some pizza and coffee and then take a shower. I'll be back."
"Coffee?" he asked, his expression unreadable.
I met his gaze defiantly. "Don't judge. Coffee is the best."I quickly placed the order for coffee and pizza on my phone and went to take a fast shower. I got dressed in my favorite night wear—a comfortable, cute pair of pajamas—and went back to the living room.
He was sitting on my small couch, his long frame looking out of place in the cozy space. He was on his phone, and for a moment, I just watched him, captivated. The way the light from the lamp caught his dark hair, the chiseled line of his jaw. He was impossibly handsome.
He looked up and a smirk played on his lips. "You know it's rude to stare. Take a picture, it will last longer."
I snapped out of my trance and felt a blush creep up my neck. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
He let out a low chuckle, the sound sending a strange shiver through me. "So," he said, changing the subject. "What do I owe the honor of a surprise visit?"
I shrugged. "Well, nice to see you too." I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated by his refusal to answer my question. I was about to push him for a real answer when the doorbell rang, the sharp sound cutting through the silence.
"I'm coming," I said, turning and walking to the door.I opened the door and was surprised to see a new face—not the usual delivery guy. I asked him to wait, then quickly went to my room to get cash. When I returned, I paid him, took the pizza and coffee, and locked the door behind me. I made my way back to the couch and placed the boxes on the table.returned to the couch and placed the pizza and coffee on the low table between us. Just as I opened the pizza box, the warm scent of cheese and sauce filled the air.
"That was interesting," Darius said, a slight smirk on his face as he looked at the now-closed front door.
I glanced at him, confused. "What was?"
He shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Nothing." He gestured toward the food. "Let's eat.
After a while, the silence was broken. "I still don't know why I would let a stranger into my house and offer him dinner," I mused aloud.
He leaned back on the couch, a confident smirk on his lips. "We aren't strangers. We've met three times, we know each other's names, and for now, only I know your address. Like I said, we're a working progress."
"That still doesn't count," I argued, crossing my arms.
He laughed, a low, rumbling sound. "Well, it does for me."
I was about to retort when his phone began to vibrate on the table beside him. He glanced at the screen, and his face instantly hardened. "One second," he said, his voice now all business.
He answered the call. "Dimitri?"
I could only hear a muffled voice from the other end. Then Darius's expression became grim. "I'm on my way."
He ended the call and stood up abruptly. The suddenness of his movement took me by surprise. He was going. A wave of unexpected loneliness washed over me, and my stomach clenched. No, no, no, stop that, Elisa Blackwood. Darius Knight means nothing to me, I told myself.
"I'm sorry," he said, his eyes filled with a new kind of urgency. "But there's an emergency."
"It's okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Can we do this another time?" he asked, already moving toward the door. "Dinner will be on me."
I tried to sound nonchalant. "Maybe... I don't know."
"Think about it," he said, and for a fleeting second, his gaze softened. "Till then. And please, be careful."
He rushed out the door, and I was left here alone, once again. I locked the door, finished my now cold dinner, washed the dishes, and headed to bed, the quiet of the apartment now feeling heavy and empty.
- Writer
