Rejected By My Mate, Chosen By Fate
Chapter 76

My eyes fluttered open casually but the bright light from the window was so blinding that I had to shut them right back. I opened my eyes once more and blinked a few times before my eyes finally adjusted to the light. I tried to sit up but my head hurt like crazy and my hand came to my temple spontaneously, rubbing it soothingly. I waited a few minutes before attempting to sit up again so I could at least get a whiff of my surroundings. I looked around and found that I was in a huge, beautiful room and this left me completely puzzled. I tried to remember why I was here but no matter how hard I tried, my brain remained blank. Just then, the door barged open and a mean looking man came in. The glare he sent my way not only gave me shivers but also gave my memory the jolt it needed.

“Welcome back to the world of the living princess, do you need anything else?” Jared questioned and the sarcasm in his voice was as sharp as a knife’s edge. “Get the f**k up before I make you stand up!” He yelled at me and I instantly complied. He grabbed hold of my already sore hands and cuffed them back up and I had to restrain myself from complaining. “You’re lucky that Sir Carter came to your aid when you fainted you despicable little thing, or I wouldn’t have hesitated to drink all your b***d and feed your body to the crows.” He said with so much angst that I literally cringed as he pulled on my bounds, forcing me to follow him quietly. Last time I checked, I’m the one who’s being wronged here so why is he pretending like he’s the helpless victim here and I’m the nasty b***d sucker.

“Get ready to die human, I’m taking you to his Majesty right now.” Jared said with a certain ring to his tone and his words instantly set fear in me. I’m about to stand in front of the very feared Vampire King and only he can decide my fate. As if to compound my problems, he’s a mind reader and one stray thought from me could be game over.

We walked through the halls quietly and I desperately wished that time could stand still but as we came nearer and nearer to the huge throne room, my hopes quickly disappeared.

As we got to a large scary looking door that was sculpted to look like a lion’s head, I finally raised my head up and saw Sir Carter.

“How do you feel now?” He questioned and I almost began wondering if he was talking to me. When he glared at me, I got my answer and I quickly replied. “Yes, I feel better now.”

I almost couldn’t believe it, he actually cared. Unlike Jared who is all too eager to display his hatred for humans. “Good, you’d better be in good shape for his Majesty’s inspection or I’ll have to kill you myself.” He said and I sighed. Turns out I was wrong. Kindness and Vampire apparently can’t be in the same sentence.

“Thank you Jared, you may leave now.” Sir Carter ordered and Jared bowed slightly before leaving and the fact that he was gone gave me the slightest bit of relief.

I soon heard someone from inside the room announce Sir Carter’s presence and the huge doors pushed open while Sir Carter went into the room, dragging me behind him. I gasped as my eyes trailed over the huge throne room that was as intricately designed as the castle walls. At the end of the room stood a huge throne and seated on that throne was none other than King Cassius Von Drago, the vampire king.

Immediately my eyes saw him, I was held spellbound. His tall and well built frame was seated on the throne, clothed in all black, just like the devil himself. He wore a well tailored black suit that had a high collar, covering most of his milk coloured neck but not quite enough in my opinion. His suit was awkwardly different and screamed danger as the center, the chest region, had a huge engraved skull like emblem, sporting two fangs. His mantle was pitch black just like the rest of his attire. He had moderately long ebony black hair that parted at the side, and slipped to the right side of his face, almost covering his right eye. The left part seemed to have been cut and was significantly shorter but the short obsidian locks cascaded down his left side, falling just above his ear. His nose was perfect, just at the right angle and his thin pink lips were curved into a small but mischievous smile and finally his eyes, his eyes were absolutely the strangest but most beautiful I’d ever seen. Ruby red irises with a sharp glint. Those spectacular eyes held mine in a spellbinding gaze and I just kept staring, daring not to blink. It almost felt like he was looking deep into my soul and searching for something, reading me, my mind automatically went blank in that moment. I didn’t even realize when my cheeks turned pink but a sharp hit to my left cheek not only snapped me out of it, but sent me falling to the floor.

I nursed my bruised cheek and looked up to see Sir Carter glaring at me viciously, he’s obviously the one who had hit me. “How dare you look his Majesty in the eye? Have you lost your senses, human? Or do you truly have a death wish?” Sir Carter yelled at me and I looked down, trying to hold back my tears and wondering what had just happened. The man standing in front of me was undoubtedly perfect, he was too beautiful for words but I was pretty sure that I had prepared myself for anything so how had he done it? How had he managed to captivate me so effortlessly? I searched my mind for answers but found none. King Cassius chuckled lightly and I could feel his piercing gaze on me and that’s when I remembered, he’s a mind reader. He had just read my mind! The realization made me blush hard, amidst the pain.

“Let her be Carter.” King Cassius ordered. “As you wish, your Majesty.” Sir Carter said and stepped back while King Cassius finally stood up from his throne, he was much taller than I had expected.

He took long strides and in a few seconds, he was just in front of me, towering over me. “Stand up.” He ordered and I instantly obeyed, my heart beating wildly in trepidation. I kept my gaze down and only managed to breathe. He bridged any distance that was left between us and his intoxicating scent instantly wafted into my nostrils, invading my senses. He was surely the devil and he wasn’t afraid to show it.

“You have a very descriptive mind, kitten. I like it.” He said and I gulped, trying to keep my mind as blank as possible. I can’t afford to think in his presence. He kept staring at me for a few minutes before finally turning to Sir Carter for an explanation.

“Your Majesty, we found her wandering around in the city, late at night, past curfew. I’ve interrogated her and I’m certain she doesn’t have a master, yet. She has a pretty face and an awesome physique so I reasoned it would be pointless to kill her without first seeking your Majesty’s opinion on the matter. I apologize to your Highness for her insolence, she’s apparently a lost lamb and doesn’t seem to know her place yet, if your Majesty wishes, I’m willing to break her and teach her just how to behave in front of her superiors.” Sir Carter said and a chill ran down my spine. This person is certainly different from the Carter I had met yesterday, how had he changed so fast.

I realize now that Vampires are seemingly incapable of emotional attachment. They don’t seem to possess the right kind of emotions like love, sympathy, pity. My heart beat continued to increase as I waited for King Cassius’s answer.

“Thank you Sir Carter but that will not be necessary.” He replied and I released a quiet sigh of relief.

“So what should be done with her, your Majesty?” Sir Carter questioned. King Cassius turned his gaze back to me and I almost felt like shrinking.

How does he manage to have such an effect on people? Oh no, the thought slipped. I wonder if he read what I just thought. He sized me up a bit as if undressing me with his eyes and then he turned away from me, quickly returning to his throne.

“I have no use for her. You can do whatever you want with her.” He said with a dismissive wave of the hand and my heart fell to my feet.