FACE TO FACE WITH NIKO

CEDRIC'S POV

Something awakened me in the middle of the night and I sat up on the bed wondering if Ma was being naughty again and prodding my mind with her powers. I was startled to the realization that it was Niko who was pushing through my mind link.

" What the fuck do you want " I cursed.

A loud chuckle was the only response I got and then all was silent.

I sneaked out of bed, ensuring not to disturb Fabian, and left the room. I tiptoed slowly along the corridors of the inner court and hid behind the pillar as the guards patrolled.

" I never expected the guards to be this active," I whispered to myself.

" I have a feeling you will be caught " NIko's voice boomed again in my head.

" Shit" I cursed as a guard stopped and turned in my direction. I leaned on the pillar and held my breath.

" I heard some noise" He spoke to the guard next to him.

"You are dreaming " The other guard uttered and dragged him along.

I stood still for a couple of minutes before I heaved a sigh and made a plan of how I was going to rush back to my room.

" Wait" I heard Niko's voice in my head.

In a few seconds, the two guards were back walking along the corridor of the inner court.

" Fuck" I cursed again and this time the response from Niko was only a snicker that was loud enough in my mind. " I don't need your help" I added.

" Do you know the punishment for slaves who are caught sneaking around in the inner court? I bet if the guards report it to the vampire enforcer, he will be happy to punish you" Niko's voice in my mind held a teasing tone.

I huffed and surveyed the corridor and then made a dash for it. A strong arm was laced in my waist and my mouth was covered as I was whisked away and then pressed into the corner wall. My eyes widened as I realized that It was Niko who had saved me.

His eyes flashed at me and then he pushed the words through my mind" Keep quiet if you want to stay safe" I could only nod but then I realized that my body was pressed to Niko's body. Heat radiated from my body and I was surprised to realize that Niko's body was cold.

I stared at him in shock and he smirked and pushed words through my mind " You seem to be having evil thoughts about me "

" You wish " I responded through the mind link.

" Why are you causing me trouble? Do you know that you could be beheaded if they find you? " He scolded me.

" So what? It would be one less slave in your inner court" I retorted.

He pushed my body up with his arm and the realization of how strong Niko was, was evident as I felt the muscle underneath my arms. My eyes raked his arms and Niko watched me with piqued interest and then my body betrayed me trembling with need.

" Oh my" Niko whispered.

I swallowed hard and blinked twice pushing his hand away from my mouth. I attempted to open my mouth and speak and he shook his head in warning.

" I need to go back, " I said in my mind.

" Two minutes " He answered and we stood in waiting. His eyes flashed, nostrils flaring as Niko tilted his head and stared back at me in wonder. I felt Niko's power envelop my body and every hair in my body stood up in shock. My mouth opened involuntarily and my head tilted as I felt enthralled to be in his arms.

Time stood still and desire hit my body, my cock stirring and Niko's arm dropped from my waist and he pushed me back, his eyes flashing in shock.

"Go"

The words came through my head and my feet took off as I rushed back to the quarter and closed the door behind me slowly. My feet gave way and I sat on the floor trembling like a leaf. I closed my eyes and used the magic powers to enhance the mind-protecting wards in my head. I was lost in the realization that Niko was no ordinary human. His body was solid rock and it complimented his handsome features.

My eyes snapped open and I smacked myself. I needed to snap out of whatever haze Niko had put me in. How could I be attracted to my enemy? I sat for a long time on the floor pondering how powerful Niko was for him to hear my thoughts. I was glad that he could not read my mind and could only hear the thoughts that I spoke out loud in my mind.

" Why the fuck are you seated on the floor in the middle of the night Cedric?" Fabian whispered and I raised my head and found him standing by the bedroom door in shock.

I hurriedly got off the floor and then walked to the bedroom door, pushed him back in, and closed it.

" Did you sneak out? " Fabian whispered.

" I did. Something woke me up from my sleep and I went out of the room. The inner court has guards who patrol after five minutes. I almost got caught" I explained in a whisper.

" Cedric, are you crazy? " Fabian smacked my back.

" Sorry, I was reckless " I rubbed the back of my neck.

" Did you discover anything else?" Fabian demanded.

" I suspect that the three Lords of the castle have powers. And the most powerful one is Niko Sith."

" Are you sure? " Fabian moved close, eyes wide and his nostrils flaring.

" Yes. I am one hundred percent sure." I nodded.

We heard sounds outside our quarters door, which made us get back in bed and lay low. It must have been an hour or so when Fabian finally spoke up and said " Cedric, I think that my dad and your ma hid information from us. There is more than meets the eye in the castle and we might find ourselves in deep waters that we can swim out"

I never responded to him and remained mute because he was right. I was already in deep waters.

I could not deny how my body reacted to Niko Sith. Fatal attraction that made my body burst with need and desire. Fucking foolish. That was the only way to describe myself.

Early the next day, we got to our normal routine but when we got to Guardian Lenora's office her eyes flashed at me angrily and I knew that she had discovered I had sneaked out of the quarters.

" Do you have something to confess ?" She walked over and stared at me.

I bowed my head and said " Forgive me, Guardian. I left the quarters at night because I heard a noise outside and could not sleep. But no one saw me and I rushed back to the room. I will accept whatever punishment you bestow me"

"Mmmh" She snickered. " You are lucky that it was one of my loyal guards that saw you. Go back to your quarters as you are grounded for the next three days"

" Yes Guardian" I bowed and turned around to leave but standing at the door was Enforcer Warin Alaric. He had a large grin on his mouth and I heard the intake of breath by Guardian Lenora and the muttered curse under Fabian's breath.

" Guardian, is this the right way to the Sith castle? A slave who sneaks out of the quarters deserves to be whipped ten times" He drawled and the happiness in his voice was so evident as he walked into the room and stood staring down at me dread filled my body knowing well that what was to come next was not going to be pleasant.