Chapter II

She sat wearily in the dungeon. Her pink lips were chapped, there were sores and blisters over her once delicate skin. Worst of all, she was weak and malnourished. Her once bright, lively amber eyes were dull and sad, counting the days to her death. She heard approaching footsteps, making her scramble to the end of her cell. When she saw his deep blue eyes, she relaxed.

"What do you want this time?" She asked. He gazed lazily at her figure. She looked weak and brittle. It was worse than he had thought. "Your daughter says hi."

"Really? Did she say anything? Or did she leave a message? Do tell." She crawled from the end of the cell to the bars, clutching them tightly.

"She says she misses you dearly. You husband has gone nuts since you left, the pack is practically mourning the loss of their great and powerful Luna, although they don't show it facially," he blabbed. His response amused her. The feeling felt foreign, she couldn't remember the last time she laughed since she was brought there. "Did she say anything about Kathryn?"

"She said she's fine. According to her, she's been taking her medicine, although she's becoming more inquisitive."

He paused, noticing the happiness on her face. "You know, you can always change your mind, get married to Claudio. You can still see your daughters, probably."

She laughed once more, her body slightly quivering. "Do you seriously think he would let me see them? You're still very young Clifford, you wouldn't understand. You will one day, that is when you find love. Or if you find love. But you will understand, one way or another. Take care of Kiana for me, but don't get too close. And most importantly, don't get caught! You may decide to ignore the other things I said, but not the last!"

He dusted his jeans as he got up. "You don't have much time left Laverne, make a wise decision."

"I have made my decision, now go and leave me alone!" She said adamantly, shooing him off. He sighed briefly before finally walking out the dungeon.

****

Laverne squinted when she felt the sun rays hit her face. She couldn't remember the last time she saw the sun, the feeling felt foreign. She was led into the throne room. She stood before the king, waiting to hear his judgement. He looked at her sickly frame and couldn't help but feel pain in his heart. She was his sister after all, but she was being incredibly stubborn. "Well Laverne, what's your decision? We don't have much time, and you've wasted more than enough of it."

"I haven't changed my mind brother," she spat, "I'm not getting married to him!"

"What exactly is your problem, Laverne? I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself!" He said, slamming his fist against the armrest.

"I don't need your pity brother! Nothing you do will change my decision!"

"Take her back to the dungeon, it seems dear Laverne hasn't learnt her lesson. She will come around soon."

The guards dragged the kicking and screaming woman out of the throne room. Clifford buried his palms, not wanting to look at the scene taking place. "This isn't good," he thought.

Laverne sat wearily in the dungeon. She heard the door open. She squirmed to the end of the cell when she saw his cold, emotionless eyes.

"Scared? You should be," he chuckled. "You don't look too good, Laverne, you're all skin and bone. No need to worry, once we are wedded, you will become healthy once more."

"I won't get married to you, Claudio," she spat. He chuckled once more. "You will get married to me Laverne. Or else you will die."

"Then let me die! Death is better than spending the rest of my life with you!"

"Your words hurt me Laverne. But you will come around."

He cupped her face in his palms. He planted his lips on hers. Irritated, she bit his lips roughly. He angrily pulled away, feeling the wound on his lips. He left the dungeon, not saying a word to her. She wept softly in her cell, suddenly feeling so alone. The door opened once more. Seeing his familiar blue eyes, she felt less tense.

"Were you crying Laverne?" He said concernedly.

"I was um..."

She hurriedly wiped the tears off her face. "You can still change your mind, it's not too late."

"My mind is made up. I'm not getting married to him!" She shouted, her voice echoing off the dungeon walls.

"Very well, Laverne."

He turned to leave but was stopped by Laverne. "Tell her I will always love them," she sobbed. He nodded and left the dungeon.

****

Weeks passed since the incident. After putting Kathy to sleep, she crept out the window and into the courtyard. She found him there, waiting. "She's dead, isn't she?"

He nodded his head. A tear fell from her eyes. She quickly wiped it off. "It's probably for the best," she said calmly. He pulled her into a warm hug, gently caressing her face. She looked up, her eyes meeting his. He softly cupped her face, taking in her features with his eyes. Their lips met, she felt hiss fangs bite her lower lip. They were so lost in the moment that they didn't hear the approaching footsteps.

"Kiana?"

She pulled away from the kiss slowly. Her father and his guards had seen her. Seeing the shock on his face made her knees buckle.

"Father, I ..."

He landed a slap on her face before she could finish. Her blue eyes met his, welled in tears. She could see the disappointment on his face. Clifford rushed towards him but she stopped him. "I'll be fine," she assured him. He watched as she was dragged to the pack house.

The council met the next day with regards to Kiana's case.

"There is no need for debate, she was spotted with a vampire, she should be killed!" Council man Griffin wailed. The others seemed to agree with him as they cheered in unison. The king looked hopelessly at the council members. "But she's still my daughter, I can't put her to death!"

"If it was another, your Highness," Griffin said, clearing your throat, "You wouldn't hesitate to have them hanged. Why should it be different?"

The king didn't know what hurt him more. The fact that his dearly beloved daughter was found with an enemy, or the fact he was going to sign the bill that would end her life. He sighed and signed the bill, before leaving the throne room.

Kathy was in shock when she heard the verdict of the council. She snuck to meet her sister in the dungeon.

"Why did you do it? Did you forget what they did to Mother?" She wailed. Kiana lifted her head, revealing her sullen blue eyes.

"They're not all bad, Kathy. We shouldn't blame a whole nation for one man's mistake." She looked at her sister for one last time before she left.

Two days later, Kiana was hung. She didn't bother attending, the last thing she needed to see was her sister being hung. However, she couldn't help but reflect on her sister's words. "Kiana has always been crazy," she said, shaking the thought off.