My Auctioned Human Bride

Chapter 12

The transition was painful, and I hardly slept through it, Greta was a wonderful help keeping ice and cold rages available throughout the night. When I woke this morning, Arthur was waiting with the human who was sent by the King. I drank from her, once I was finished, she thanked me and left back home. To say the whole encounter was odd would be an understatement.

“Rose, there are 6 men in the office waiting for you.” Arthur said from outside my door.

“I will be out in a moment; can you please have Greta send tea up?” I asked.

“Yes Ma’am.” Said before he shuffled away downstairs.

I got up and dressed, cleaning my face and taking a moment to look at my reflection. Everything about me was different. My skin looked like untouched porcelain, my eyes a brighter green with a bright white circle in the middle and my hair looked healthier than before. Ripping my eyes from the mirror I walked out of the washroom towards the bedroom door and the office. I walked in to find 6 exceptionally large men standing there waiting for me.

“Rose, thank you for allowing us to enter your home.” The first man closest to me said.

“Thank you for coming, did the King send you?” I asked.

“Yes Ma’am. He told us of your plan for Hendrick and could not wait to help you.” He replied.

“It will be and honor to avenge him.” Another man said.

“What do we know of his whereabouts?” I asked taking my seat.

“The last known location for him was in the North woods, he has a small keep there.” The second man said.

“Is he still there?” I asked.

“Yes ma’am.” Another said with a smile.

“Good, I think I may pay him a visit. Does he know your faces or mine?” I asked.

“No ma’am, he does not know you exist.” The first man said.

“Interesting, Let us send him a formal notice saying I will be traveling through the area, and that I am in need of shelter for the evening along with my 6 guards?” I asked.

“Very good Ma’am.” The second man agreed with me.

I looked around the room to see them all smiling and nodding in agreement with my plan.

“What about your staff?” The first man asked.

“I will have my friends keep an on them, they will not accompany us it is to dangerous.” I said as I pulled a piece of parchment paper out.

“Very wise ma’am.” He said, “We will go fetch our things and return in 20 minutes.”

“Thank you.” I said as I wrote the letter.

As the pen hit paper, I began writing the best tale I could, it read:

“Lord Hendrick,

      Myself and 6 guards will be traveling through your territory the night after next, I ask you for shelter for the evening if it is not to much of an interruption. My name is Rosalie and I am on business. Thank you for your kind consideration I look forward to meeting you.

-       Rose”

Short and sweet to the point, it took a lot of effort to write with without threats of death, I needed to play this as cooly as possible for the plan to work correctly. I folded it up and placed it into an envelope, sealing it with red wax and stamping it with my seal.

“Arthur?” I called.

“Yes Miss?” He said coming into the office.

“Have a messanger get this to Lord Hendrick quickly.” I said handing him the letter.

“Of course, Miss.” He said taking it and leaving the room.

I picked up the phone dialing Misty’s number in and placing the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” Cameron answered.

“Cameron, it is Rose. I need to ask you for a favor?” I said.

“Anything.” He said.

“Please care for my staff while I am away.” I said.

“Of course, Rose please be safe.” He said.

“I will.” I said. “I will see you soon my friend.”

I hung the phone up and leaned back in the chair looking at the paintings of Colter that hung on the office wall, as I looked each on I remembered his touch, the sound of his voice, the way he curled his lower lip when he was concentrating on something of importance. Nothing prepared me for the privilege of being his, and nothing prepared me for losing him. I was going to live for him, and only him. No other man would ever be good enough to take him place.

“Miss, they are back.” Arthur said interrupting my thoughts. “I have taken the liberty in packing your bags.”

“Thank you, Arthur, please stay safe while I am gone.” I said standing up.

“You do the same Miss, please come soon.” He said as he escorted me down the stairs and out of the house to the waiting SUV.

I got in while he loaded my bag. Closing my door, I looked out of the window to see the three of them waving goodbye as we drove away. It warmed me knowing they would be cared for as they cared for my home and all the important pieces remaining to remind me of my love. We started our long ride to the north mountains and it was the most interesting ride of my life, the men explained different weapons, different ways to dispatch the man who killed me mate, the way we can get his men to turn or to kill them as well so the keep would be ours. All of which were exciting and anticipated.

“We are here.” The man driving said. “Are we all ready?”

“Yes.” I replied looking out of the window to see a man standing at the door waiting.

The man driving parked the car at the steps as another got out and opened my door. I had changed in the car; I was now wearing an elegant white down with gold accents trying to make myself seem like and older vampire. Once I stepped out and looked up, he was staring at me with hungry eyes that made my stomach feel unsettled. He walked towards me skipping a step as he did.

“Rose, it is lovely to meet you.” He said as he took my hand and kissed it.

“Thank you for hosting us My lord.” I said with a forced smile.

“Of course, Lady Rosalie.” He said as he took my hand leading me towards the front door.

My men feeling unsettled followed closely behind. This caught Hendricks attention as we walked in, he stopped taking measure of each one before smiling.

“Mayhap your men would like to rest in their quarters, and we can get to know each other better in the drawing room?” He asked.

“We are well rested sir.” One my men said.

“Very well.” Hendrick said with disappointment. “Would you like to see your room first?”

“Yes please, I would like to wash up and then I can join you for tea.” I said pulling my arm from his.

“Very well.” He said bowing his head before leading us to a rather large room decorated in gold and black satin. “Will this due?”

“Yes, my lord Thank you.” I said entering the room with my men.

“Their quarters are on the other side of the keep.” Hendrick said.

“We prefer staying near our Lady.” One of the men said stepping to my side as the other brought luggage into the room.

“If that is what you wish.” Hendrick said with more disappointment. “I will leave you to get freshened up.”

“Thank you again my lord.” I said with a smile before one of my men shut the door.

I looked up at them with a disgusted look. They all returned it before they went back to unpacking.

“What is your name?” I said softly into the first man’s ear so no one else could hear me.

“Karl Miss.” He replied just as quitely.

“He gives me an uncomfortable feeling Karl, please do not leave my side.” I said.

“I will not.” He promised.

We unpacked our bags and sent one of the men out to scout, we needed to know how many men Hendrick had protecting him keep and where they all were. I changed into another seductive dress before Karl and I left the room to join Hendrick in the drawing room for tea. As we waked in Hendricks excited expression fell seeing Karl closely by my side.

“I hope you like pastries Rose.” Hendrick said with a forced smile.

“I do thank you, Karl do you enjoy them as well?” I asked.

“They aren’t my favorite Ma’am.” He said.

“Very well.” I said taking my seat on the sofa across from Hendrick trying to keep my distance.

“So, how long will I have you in my company?” Hendrick asked.

“Only a few days, we are on our way to the Kings realm.” I said with a sad face.

“Does this not please you?” He asked.

“It does not.” I said as I picked my glass of tea, as I put it to my lips, I could smell the Valerian Root, I acted like a took a sip and set the cup down.

“How is your tea?” He asked.

“Good, thank you.” I said with a smile. “Are you here alone?”

“No, I have 4 guardsmen with me, the others will be here in a few days.” He said picking up a pastry and biting into it. “Why are you going to see the King?”

“Formalities, I moved here a few months ago and to avoid conflict I have to unwilling pledge my loyalty to him and his mate.” I said.

“This displeases you?” He asked c*****g his head.

“It does, I am sorry I offend you saying these words.” I said looking down.

“You do not, I dislike his as well.” He said leaning back into the sofa. “Are you not mated?”

“I am not.” I said.

“How is that? A stunning woman such as yourself?” He said with a smile.

“I was mated, but the man I loved was taken from me.” I said with disgust.

“What happened?” He asked.

“He was murdered.” I said simply.

“That is a shame.” He said rubbing his chin. “Mayhap you are looking for another?”

“Mayhap I am.” I said with a slight smile.

“Would you like to take a walk?” He asked.

“That would be nice, I must relieve myself first.” I said standing up.

“Take your time.” He said with a sly smile.

I stood up acting as if the valerian root was taking effect, I took hold of Karl’s arm before we walked out of the room. Once we were in the room we were assigned for the visit, I looked around at the other men and then the room spotting a few cameras and a possible hidden door. I kept my hold on Karl incase Hendrick was watching.

“Karl, please help me to the bed. I am feeling dizzy.” I said.

“Of course, ma’am.” He said playing along.  

“I am going to lay down for a little while, can you please inform Lord Hendrick I will have to skip our walk.” I said.

“Yes Ma’am.” Karl replied before directing the men outside to stand guard.

I laid there and closed my eye pretending to sleep with one hand under my pillow holding a dagger. I waited for him to enter my room, he tried to drug me for a reason.