Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 71

After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the palace and my mouth fell open at the sight of it. It’s the biggest palace I’d ever seen and though the exterior wasn’t particularly captivating due to the grim appearance, I felt drawn to it.

It’s good to see that Vampires stay true to their dark nature and this darkness despite horrifying has a certain allure that draws you in completely. I instantly shake my head, mentally kicking myself for having such thoughts and as I do this, one of the vampires walking behind me smirks and I look down in embarrassment, envisioning the possibility of him having read my thoughts.

How am I going to deal with this?

“Come along now.” The mean Vampire who was still tugging at my shackles drawled and pulled at the chain, making the hard metal rub harshly against my already red, swollen and irritated skin and I winced, nearly falling over.

“You don’t have to be so hard on her.” Carter said but didn’t look back and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Maybe he’s not all that bad or maybe I’m just overthinking this.

We got into the palace and it was so much more grandiose than even the exterior and if I hadn’t gotten so used to receiving baffling surprises, I would have gasped and marveled at the beauty of the palace’s interior but it still didn’t stop me from marvelling at the skilled architecture of the place.

The walls were sculpted in gold and they each held a beautiful drawing of designs and people, who I probably think are vampires or had something to do with vampiric history.

“Sir Carter, I see that you’re back from your nightly patrol. And who might this cute little thing be?” Another intimidating but not less good looking Vampire dressed very elegantly showed up.

“She’s just a homeless wanderer we caught roaming around the streets past curfew. I believe she doesn’t have a master yet and since she’s so good looking, it would have been a shame to just kill her without submitting her to his Majesty first to see just what she might be useful for.” Sir Carter said and the other Vampire laughed.

“Good thinking sir Carter but I don’t think his highness will have any use for this scared little thing. She’s not worthy enough to have his fangs buried deep into her neck, sucking out her juicy nectar and neither is she good enough to warm his Majesty’s bed so what else could she be good for? Instead of taking her to his Majesty when it’s apparent that he would simply have her killed, why not just hand her over to me and I’ll take care of her. I’ll train her well and teach her to be a good little pet that wants nothing except to please her master ” The vampire spoke with laughter in his voice and his words made my stomach twist in disgust.

What exactly is the meaning of this? Who does he think he is? I’m standing right here and he’s speaking so raunchily of me. He’s lucky we’re in the vampire world or else…….. I stop myself when the realization that I’m thinking too much pops in.

If any of them focus on me and decide to read my thoughts, I’d be a goner. I’m glad that they’re apparently too busy deciding what use I am. Disgusting.

“That’s enough Sir Lance. She’s his Majesty’s property now. Only he can decide what her fate will be. Only he can decide if to make her his b***d slave or take her to his bed as he pleases. Even if he chooses to kill her, it should be none of your business. A little word of advice, it would be wise for you to cast your covetous eyes away from the things that belong to his Majesty. You already have more than enough slaves and that should be good enough. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to bring her to his Majesty.” Sir Carter said and made to keep moving and though his words weren’t better in any way, they felt weirdly liberating.

I don’t want to be anywhere near the likes of Sir Lance. Only his lascivious gaze on me makes me feel so dirty.

“Well, I regret to inform you, Sir Carter, that his Majesty is quite busy at the moment and cannot attend to such trivial matters. He’s attending to matters of personal importance and wishes not to be disturbed.” Sir Lance informed us and I drew in a deep breath and sighed in relief. The thought of standing before the very feared and revered Vampire king, waiting for him to decide my punishment when I really hadn’t committed any crime had my heart cartwheeling in my chest but the knowledge that I don’t have to face him immediately is a temporary relief but the fact that the crisis is not yet averted makes me feel weak in the knees.

“Oh, is that so?” Sir Carter questioned, maintaining a firm gaze.

“Yes, it is and I believe you have no reason to doubt me but if you still feel the need to ascertain the truth of my words, you can go ahead and take a look in his Majesty’s bedchamber but whatever consequences you get for violating his personal privacy for something as inconsequential as a human slave will be all on you because I warned you.” Sir Lance said and I saw Sir Carter glare at him.

“I never knew you actually cared for my well being and for that, I thank you but your fake concern is not needed. I’ll lock her up in the dungeon and bring her before his Majesty in the morning.” Sir Carter said and I couldn’t miss the malice in his voice even if I wanted to. I could clearly sense the tension between them and I can tell it’s not just about me, which I’m kind of grateful for. They seem to have been at loggerheads long before my arrival here but since I’m supposed to be like the good fairy that turns everything right, maybe it might be better with me around. But I don’t really care since they’re not the reason why I’m here in the first place.

“I’ll be on my way then, Sir Carter. It’s always a pleasure to converse with you.” Sir Lance said, the sarcasm thick in his voice. He turned around and walked away, not leaving room for any further discussion.

My attention was quickly diverted to Sir Carter when I heard him g***n. “That nasty little crap always finds ways to ruin my mood, doesn’t he? I can’t believe he thinks so highly of himself. He’s lucky he currently has his Majesty’s favour or I would have made quick work of him and taught him a valuable lesson. The scoundrel.” Sir Carter mumbled and I had to bite down on my tongue in order to stop myself from laughing.

I always thought vampires were fierce and cold, possessing no emotion whatsoever but to witness them fighting like children is almost more than I can take. Control Evelyn, you need to maintain control at all times. I heard my instincts warn me.

“What are you smiling about, you little wench?” The mean vampire snapped at me and I instantly wiped the smirk off my face.

“Let it be Jared. Just take her to the dungeon and lock her up for now. I have things to do.” Sir Carter said and turned around towards the opposite direction.

With every step he took, I became sadder as reality consistently dawned on me. He was leaving me with this monster named Jared.

But he suddenly stopped in his tracks and spoke without turning backwards, his words providing me with the much needed relief.

“And Jared, don’t do anything stupid. She’s going to stand in front of the King in a few hours and she is expected to be in tip top shape for his Highness’s personal inspection so don’t be too hard on her or you might just draw unexpected consequences to yourself.” Sir Carter said and continued walking until he disappeared.

The third Vampire who had been quiet most of the time finally spoke up.

“I’ll leave now and let you get to it.” He said and left as well.

I stood there, brooding over what could happen the next day when I felt a tug on the shackles once more.

“Come on, move along. You don’t expect a special invitation, do you? You’re lucky that Carter seems to care about your physical wellbeing or else………” He threatened but paused while I just followed him to the direction he went.

We walked past several halls before we finally came to a scary looking black door and no one had to tell me that this was the dungeon.

He opened the door and immediately he did, a terribly putrefying odour hit my nostrils which instantly made vomit rise up my stomach.

“Gosh, what is that disgusting smell?” The Vampire by the name of Jared questioned and immediately covered his nose whilst making a pained face and then I understood, the realization almost made me laugh. He must have it bad due to his incredibly awesome sense of smell.

“Where the f**k is the jailer? A prisoner has died here and is rotting away but the jailer didn’t care to dispose of the corpse. I said, where the hell is the jailer?” He yelled and almost immediately, a fat man came running in.

“Oh please forgive me my Lord, I’ve been off duty for a few days due to ill health and I only returned tonight. I took a small bathroom break but I haven’t checked up on the prisoners yet. I deeply apologise I had no idea that someone had died.” The jailer went on his knees and apologized despite being an elderly man. He’s aged so I know that he’s human. It’s only sensible that they’d decide to use their human slaves for such odd jobs.

“You work in the King’s palace and you dare slack off? You don’t deserve to live.” The Vampire spat with disgust.

“Please forgive me my Lord and…….” The man began pleading but didn’t even get to finish his sentence before the vampire elongated his fingernails which instantly looked like sharp claws.

In the blink of an eye, he dug into the man’s chest with his bare hand and ripped out his heart.The Vampire clutched the man’s still beating heart in his hand and licked it with a sadistic grin, just like a monster from hell while the man fell down in a gushing pool of his own b***d, his face was contorted in horror mixed with pain and his dilated pupils and dread filled expression as he laid dead on the floor would haunt my dreams for a long time.

It all happened in front of me and I couldn’t take it, I couldn’t bear it. The vomit finally rushed up my throat and came out of my mouth as the scene kept replaying in my head over and over again.

I threw up all over the floor and after I did, I felt light headed not because of how weak I was feeling, but because of the terrible scene I’d just witnessed. Fear gripped me like never before, the adrenaline making it hard to breathe. My fears threatened to consume me as I moved backwards slowly. I shook my head with tears running down my cheeks. I can’t, I can’t do this anymore.

I can’t stay here, I can’t. I have to get out of here………..

I must have stepped on something because I suddenly lost my balance and fell.

Time moved slowly and I could count the seconds before I hit the ground. I felt a sharp pain radiate within me, especially at the back of my head as the scene finally started to disappear from my mind, piece by piece. But as the memory disappeared, so did my consciousness as my eyelids began to close on their own.

My eyes felt heavy with tears and as the tears finally fell, so did my eyes shut and everything instantly disappeared.