A Vampires kiss

Chapter Five

"Now," he walked her up the steps of a gazebo. In the center was a lovely garden table piled with tea cups and small pastries. Two maids stood behind the table, bowing as they stood. "Shall we," he smiled sweetly to her. All she did was nod, Caius helped her to her seat. She was going to have to learn to sit in such a large skirt. He sat across from her, crossing his long legs. He snapped his fingers as the maids poured their cups with tea.

"Thank you." She whispered to the maid closest to her. The maid looked startled, her hands started to shake as she sat the teapot back on the cart. And with the wave of Caius's hand both girls hurried away with the cart. They all act afraid of him. Katherine thought.

"I have some rules," Caius stated as he gestured for Katherine to take a sip, which she unsurely did. She tried hard not to wrinkle her nose at the bitter taste. "Rules that you must follow," his voice was flat. Void of any emotion, Katherine pressed her lips together as she listened to him. "My first rule is, you mustn't travel the halls alone. Either go with your maid, with Marian or myself." Katherine rested her hands in her lap, done with the tea she was drinking. "My second rule is you're not allowed in the basement."

"The basement?" She repeated slowly, why would she go into the basement? She was afraid of them after all. In sixth grade she had a slumber party at a friend's house and as a joke they all locked her in the basement, and since then she has been terrified.

Caius's face was blank as he stared at her, his violet eyes taking in everything. "My third rule is when I am not here and there are guests you will stay in your room," his voice was flat. "It's for your safety." He tapped the fingers in his right hand against the table top. His other hand gripped the top of his cane. "Other than that, you're free to go where your heart desires." He smiled again, Katherine blinked at the sudden change of his emotions.

"Oh, okay." Katherine glanced down at her hands. He's bipolar. She thought, but she felt grateful to him since he saved her and if he only had the three rules she was determined to follow them. After all it was way less rules then what her mother had. Caius took a sip of his tea, watching her as if he was studying her. Embarrassed, she avoided his gaze.

"Caius?" She asked.

"Yes, my dove?" He sat the cup gently against the table.

"When can I go home?" She looked back at him, his face was blank again as the cup shattered. She yelped as shards of glass flew in every direction, barely missing her. He snapped his fingers as Ancelin approached them with her hung low.

"Take my mate back to her room." His voice was flat. Ancelin nodded quickly as she helped Katherine back to her feet and to guide her back. As the two girls walked away, Katherine looked back at Caius watching him pull out a metal case from his waist coat pocket. Ancelin pulled her hand away as they hurried through the garden and backed through the corridors. They made their way back to the grand staircase, Ancelin didn't say anything until they made their way back to Katherine's room.

"My lady," Ancelin gasped as she closed the door, confused as Katherine sat on the vanity chair. "Y-you mustn't say anything to upset the master!" Ancelin scolded her, kneeling in front of her. "You don't understand the things he can do, I could be punished in your stead if you insult him." Tears began to form in the corner of Ancelin's bright green eyes.

"All I asked him if I could go home." Katherine whispered. Ancelin's shoulders fell as she closed her eyes and sighed.

"I'm not allowed to say anything." She whispered. "But you can't return back to the Mortal Realm."

"W-why not?" Katherine's voice shook as the color faded from her face.

"If you return, you could die, my lady." Ancelin spoke softly as she squeezed Katherine's hand. "Time moves differently here," she continued, "while you are here, you stop aging completely. And when you go back, your aging process becomes faster and you could die. And it could kill him if you die." Tears started to slip from Katherine's eyes. "Asking to go back, is like asking if he could die."

"Ancelin," Katherine's voice cracked. "I would like to be alone." Ancelin nodded, understanding. She stood and left Katherine alone in her room. As the door shut, Katherine wasn't able to hold the tears back. She laid on her freshly made bed, hiding her face in her pillows. She wouldn't be able to see her parents, her friends. It felt like her heart shattered as she cried and eventually she cried herself to sleep.

A knock came to the door, startling her awake. She could feel her face swollen from the tears. "My lady," Ancelin's voice was gentle as she walked into the room, in her arms was a tray of food. "I brought you lunch." Katherine sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes.

"Ancelin, what time is it?" She asked, scratching her head.

"Around two o'clock." Ancelin sat the tray on the table. "Are you alright, my lady?" Katherine nodded her head as she slowly walked to the table. "Master would like to see you after you have your lunch." Ancelin removed the lid.

"Why?" She asked her, this time the food looked edible. Vegetable beef stew, and a slice of buttered bread. It was still warm, she could see the steam coming from the soup.

"I'm not sure, Mr. Marian informed me on my walk from the kitchen." Ancelin turned towards the wardrobe. "Perhaps we should change your dress," she said as she opened the doors. "Your dress is quite wrinkled."

"Is he still angry?" Ancelin paused.

"My lady, might I confine myself to you." Katherine laid her spoon back down, watching a shiver go through Ancelin.

"Master took his anger out on a few maids." She looked behind her, fear flooded in her eyes. Katherine didn't dare ask what happened to them, but by the look she could only guess.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"It's best not to anger the master," Ancelin warned her. "After all he is the second most powerful man of the Dark Realm, next to the king of course. That's how he is the Grand Duke, after all."