His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 13

It takes me a few moments to maneuver through the crowd, and towards the punch bowl. I could feel many pairs of eyes watching me when I was in the crowd and I can still feel the eyes as I fill two cups of punch. Some were more discrete than others. I force down the urge to twitch under their gazes, and plaster on a stoic face.

“Hello there,” a unknown, sauce, voice chirps next to me. I turn slightly and, to my surprise, I find a male lord pixie addressing me. He appears to be around masters age and just as tall as master, with mint green hair, and mint and white feathers, all coupled with a charming smile on his face.

I’m torn at what to do for a moment; on one hand master told me not to speak to others, but at the same time I’m not sure what the proper thing would be to do without master here. I’m still just a slave. I realize I have no choice, but to break masters orders.

I lick my lips nervously.“Good evening my lord, I’m sorry but I must be getting to my master,” I excuse myself gently, grabbing the two cups and turning towards the last area I saw master.

He isn’t there.

In fact, I can’t find his eye-catching red suit anywhere.

The pixies steps in front of my vision. “Looks like your master has disappeared, I’m sure he won’t mind if I keep you company for the time being.” He comments lightly, almost sounding pleased of my masters disappearance; I frown. “I’m sorry, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lord Dmitri Uluosliv of Nebia, which is the home kingdom of the water elementals.”

“I’m Bunny,” I answer hesitantly.

“Bunny, cute.” He grins, my face heats a little; he must charm many people. “How have you been enjoying Silvonya, now that you’ve been able to experience some of it?”

I hesitate, smiling sheepishly. “It’s pretty, and the people are nice.” I answer , though I haven’t truly experienced enough of the outside world to make an opinion on it, I did mean it. Even though the other creatures stare a lot, they often never say or do anything towards me, even when master isnt around. I think they’re more curious than afraid.

“It is quite a nice country,” Dmitri compliments sincerely. “I do enjoy visiting Silvonya. But Nebia is something else.”

I can’t help it, my interest was caught. “Really? What’s Nebia like?”

The pixie smile widely. “Water galore. Most of Nebia is built over a giant sea. There are dozens of pristine blue waterfalls you can visit, and many islands with gorgeous, white beaches.”

My smile turns genuine. “It’s sounds beautiful.”

“Just like you are tonight, my dear,” Dmitri suddenly compliments. “I must say, that red is dazzling on you. The color perfectly matches those beautiful eyes of yours,” he coos, while walking around me. He fills another two cups of punch, and attempts to hand one to me.

I look down to the cups in my arms, and slowly set them down. Maybe master wanted some space from me, so maybe he wouldn’t mind if I stayed here for a moment. I take the cup from Dmitri hands.

“To new friends,” he toasts, double tapping the tip of his cup with mine.

A wave of shock goes through me at “friends” so I just smile unsurely. Dmitri takes a drink of his but I don’t touch mine. Dmitri either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, taking it in stride.

“So Bunny, tell me about yourself?” He asks, taking another drink.

His questions stumps me. The first thing that comes to my mind is “slave,” but that’s can’t just be all that I am… is that really all I am?

My relief from the questions comes in the form of master, who I notice is striding through the crowd straight for Dmitri and I. His face is calm but his red eyes hold a silent fury. I wonder what angered him? I bow my head in greeting when master approaches.

Master goes straight for me. “Thank you Bunny for getting me a drink,” he says almost gently to me, the fury is his eyes gone. I smile back. Suddenly, master turns back to Dmitri, the fury back in his gaze. “Dmitri Uluosliv.” His tone is cold and short, .

“Marcillian Verdinin! Long time no see,” Dmitri greets back in a friendly light tone only betrayed by his cruel smirk. “I was just keeping the lovely lady company since she lost you in the crowd. And my, what a lucky fellow you are Marcel.”

I notice master fists his hand but quickly lets it go. “Surprising to see you Dmitri, last I heard you weren’t going to come; that you said Nebia was too far from Silvonya to make a trip for some ball. So, why did you come? Run out of tail to chase in Nebia so soon?” Master mocks.

Dmitris tightens his jaw. “I started to think about it, and decided I wanted to visit. It’s been too long from Silvonya, and I thought I would drop by Picaria, and make my yearly blessings.”

“How convenient,” master mutters in a tone that suggest otherwise. “Well, you kept my slave company, but as you can see your presence is no longer needed. So if you’ll excuse us,” master says, offering his arm towards me. I hurriedly set down the cup and take masters arm.

As he leads us away, Dmitri calls to us with a wicked grin, “see you next time Marcel, oh and I’ll see you soon Bunny, nice meeting you.”

I’m not sure what he means but I don’t think too deeply about it.

Silently, master leads us from the ball room down to the ground level of the castle. As we head to the front doors, I discretely glance around to check for other creatures then glance up at master. His eyes are no longer as furious as before; they still held a bit of fury, but it was mostly calmness and determination in his red eyes.

“Master, where are we going?”

Master doesn’t answer for a moment, staring off ahead, then he finally meets my eyes. “You’ll see soon my Bunny,” he says mysteriously. He pushes open the front doors.

He nods to the guards and starts leading us into forest. Despite the darkness of the night, the moon glazes just enough light in the sky to see parts of the forest. I look around in awe at the thickness of the forest, tree after tree after tree.

I wonder where he’s taking us?

Eventually, we arrive to a lighter area of the forest, where a ruins of what appears to be an old manor lay in a deserted field.

Despite the ruins non-existent roof, and crumbling top floor, the bottom two levels of matte black stone appeared to still be in good condition. My eyes stare at the ruins in awe, circling the red discoloration on some of the black stones. Master leads us up into a once-double doored entrance, and I stare around the inside. It looks the same as the outside, matte black stones, but there was more red on these stones.

“This is an old castle of Silvonya,” master explains softly, “ it was abandoned 10,000 years ago for the one were living in today. It’s older than even my uncles life time,” master chuckles for a moment and I can’t help the smile. “It’s not open to the public all the time, only certain times of the year, to persevere its beauty. However, unequally, it’s completely open to royals year round, since royals have been trained and taught on how to preserve its beauty. I used to play here a lot when I was a child; this place holds the few good memories I have of my childhood.” I stare at master as he tells his story, entrapped and sympathetic. I can understand, it’s how I felt about the garden at my old masters.

I miss the garden.

“It’s gorgeous,” I breathe genuinely, turning to stare at the quietly crumbling relic.

“Would you like to dance?” Master suddenly asks, holding his hand out. His eyes are determined and calm, almost gentle. He has to be joking though.

He’s not joking.

I blush. Dancing with me? A slave? A human? … I don’t know what to do. Is this one of his mind games? “What are you trying to do,” I ask seriously, growing slightly angry at the thought of being roped into his mind games .

“To make another good memory here,” master answers seriously and truthfully. My anger quells down instantly.

I look at my feet in shame. “I don’t know how,” I admit.

“I’ll show you, just follow my instruction. Our hands will go here,” master helps me get in formation, and I blush feeling his arms around my waist while mine are around his shoulder. He pulls us closer than we’ve ever been. I feel enclosed and comfortable.

I move my feet in tune with his and soon enough we’re dancing. I stare at my feet, unsure of what to do and thoroughly shy at being so close to master. His scent fills my nose; whisky, musk, and pine; it’s oddly soothing.

Master suddenly chuckles. “Relax jumpy bunny,” he commands gently. “You’re doing great my dear, trust me, you don’t need to worry about my feet.”

I peel my eyes away with a small blush, his gaze is heavy and focused solely on mine.

“Yes master.”

“Don’t call me master, call me Marcel,” master suddenly encourages and I pull slightly away in shock, confusion and curiosity.

“Why? Why are you doing all of this?” I demand, a bit of anger slipping through to my voice. I expect to be back handed, for him to yell at me, but he does the complete opposite. Master smiles, a sincere, humorous smile.

Like he thought my anger was cute or funny.

“You know why, just think about it Bunny, I know how smart you are,” master suddenly urges with sincere encouragement in his voice. My eyes widen and I step fully out of his arms in shock. I quickly school my features.

I try to think of an answer, but my mind comes up blank. I sigh.

“No I don’t know what you mean,” I insist firmly.

Master laughs in cold disbelief. “Come on Bunny you know, just think about it. You know me enough by now, have I ever played a mind game on you?”

The time he randomly threw me into isolation, but I realize it wasn’t really a mind game considering there was no sick moral to it. He always has some sort of twisted moral to his mind games, but I never understood why he got so upset that night. In the end I chalked it up to him being upset about something else, and taking it out on me.

“How do I know that that isn’t the whole sick mind game, this whole charade of being nice to the slave girl isn’t some sick mind game?!” I suddenly hiss, surprisingly even myself with the level of emotion I just threw at my master.

Masters eyes widen minutely, but instead of getting furious, his face turns pleased. That small action alone refills my anger, feeling as if I was being made fun of. “And how would loyalty of a slave benefit a lord? Who easily has the loyalty of many other lords with just a gold coin and smile?” He asks genuinely.

I hesitate. I try to think of a rebuttal but none come to mind; he has a good point. But then, what are his intentions? I’m the only one he doesn’t play mind games with other than his close friends, but then he still doesn’t treat me like that. He sometimes snarks to them, but he never does that to me.

And even though he commands me around like a servant he’s never treated me I’m actually a slave. He has conversations with me, he lets me talk and ask questions, he wants me to address him by his name, he… cares for me … he can’t mean he wants to make me his l-

No that’s not possible it can’t be that.

“I really don’t know Marcel.”

The vampire didn’t seem to believe me from his expression. “Since you’re so stubborn, I’ll give you hint.” Marcel grabs my hand and pulls me closer, I let him, and he embraces me gently, arms around my waist. He eyes are peering seriously into mine; I want to pull mine away but I can’t, their entrapped by his ruby gaze.

And… I don’t want to pull away.

“I care for you Bunny, and I want to continue caring for you for the rest of my life.”

My eyes widen, and my cheeks burn, badly.

I was right.

“Have you figured it out yet,” master asks, moving a hand to caress my face.

Suddenly shy, I turn my gaze to his chest. “You can’t mean…” I trail off, not courageous enough to finish.

Ducking his head near my cheek, his breathe dances on my skin. “Say it, fully,” master-Marcel urges.

I swallow. “You can’t mean… a life mate,” I whisper.

Marcels fingers are under my chin, he tilts my head towards his. His red, mesmerizing eyes are filled with seriousness and warmth. “Yes, I want you Bunny, as my life mate.” Marcel states firmly.

I can feel the genuineness in his voice. I stare at him in open shock, overwhelmed by the suddenness and by confusion. He wants me as a life mate?! I’m not even sure what a life mate entails, I hadn’t even heard of it till I met Marcel.

But I have figured out that a life mate is a huge deal, and I have no idea how I even feel about him.

“I… don’t know what to say,” I finally muster out. Marcel nods his head, with a small, understanding smile.

“I know, that’s why I don’t want you to answer yet. There’s something I must do before I ask for your answer. I just want you to be aware of how I feel about you.” Marcel whispers, caressing my hair and cheek.

I furrow my brow, unsure of what those feelings he’s talking about even are.

“Why?” I ask suddenly, unsure of what I’m asking why.

“I don’t think you’re quite ready to hear me say it yet. I think my hint and life mating, is enough for now for you to figure the rest, eventually.” I frown at the elusive answer, but I can see he isn’t going to budge.

“Then, thank you for giving me time,” I answer gently. Marcel nods.

“I want you willing and with a clear, free mind,” he continues mysteriously, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. “But for now, think on what I’ve said.”

I raise my brows, suddenly feeling brave, I softly tease, “what you’ve said? You made me do all the talking before.”

Mas-Marcel laughs, his eyes soft as they peer at mine. “I guess you’re right.”

“Will you at least tell me what a life mate is?”

Marcel smirks weakly. “I think it’s best that I’m not the one to explain that to you.”

I don’t push it anymore, and Marcel pulls me closer as we dance. Eventually my head is resting on his chest and his head is resting on top of mine. The moment feels surreal, and all I suddenly want is to just stay in this moment forever.

But both of us were unaware that our moment hadn’t been as private as we thought.