Lizbeth

[Charles's POV]

There was something strange today. I could feel it in my bones. My nerves were tingling for some reason, and I couldn't be more agitated in my seat.

Did something happen to Catherine?

Rhazien just left yesterday, and I planned to make Catherine mate with me for this one year. I knew she would agree. It was only a matter of time and one year was more than enough to get her heart and body to submit to me.

The best way was to use her family and spoil her. I didn't care about her family, especially that little critter she called a child. If not that I knew the little boy was the key to her heart, then I had long exterminated him.

That child was also keeping Catherine from claiming her life. Emilia didn't have something like that before. Something strong enough to make her live even if she was turned into a vampire against her will.

My fangs were itching, and I closed my eyes to make that thought disappear. That boy was a reminder that another man held Catherine, and I wanted to rip that man thousands of times over if I could.

"Charles."

I knew Lizbeth had entered my room. She was the only one who could do that without asking for my permission. I had a soft spot for her because she was Emilia's little sister.

I calmed myself and faced Lizbeth with a smile. "What is it?"

My eyelid twitched when I saw her in a thin nightgown. Her poker face was a beautiful contrast against her petite frame. But I was not too fond of the lustful way she looked at me.

Her advances were met with my silence and disapproval every time. She could enjoy life here in the castle without restriction, but I would never touch her. She was Emilia's little sister, and I turned her upon her request because she was on the verge of dying from her sickness.

"Is there something wrong, Lizbeth?" I asked again when she just stared at me with her languid blue eyes. Though they have the same hair and eyes, Emelia and she didn't look the same.

It would have been easier if they did since I knew that Lizbeth had feelings for me.

I shook those thoughts away.

Because she was Emelia's sister, I treated her as my little sister. A family. She was Emelia's only living relative. Their family was burned once news got out that Emelia and Lizbeth were turned into vampires.

That was one of the reasons why Emelia took her life. She had nothing left. Her family was dead, and her only sister was turned into a vampire like her.

Not a day went by that guilt didn't eat me. I could have done things differently.

I have always been level-headed and calm, but upon seeing her with her beautiful golden curls and deep blue eyes, I knew that she was my mate, and I lost all control.

It was the same for Catherine. The moment I got a whiff of her scent as I strolled in the human territory one night, I knew she was my mate even before I got a look at her. And when I did see her, and she looked exactly like Emelia, I lost control once again. Then and there, I turned her into a vampire.

However, this time, I was given a second chance to make it up to her, and I would do everything in my power to make things right this time.

I will protect her and her family if that is what it would take for her to stay alive even as a creature of the night.

"Charles . . ."

I was pulled out of my thoughts at Lizbeth's voice.

She pulled the lace of her nightgown, and it cascaded to the floor like silk on marble. Her pinkish tips stood erect, and her pale skin looked soft to the touch.

She was a beautiful lady.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel any lust or desire for her.

"When are you going to claim me like the others?" She asked, voice accusing.

I sighed under my breath and turned to the window. Thunder clashed together in the dark sky.

It was going to rain. I thought.

"I think I made it clear enough that you're not my mistress Lizbeth. You're a guest in this castle." Even if she went around suggesting that she was. All that she did and said, I didn't object. I let her do whatever she wanted and gave everything she asked except for my body and heart.

"Charles . . ."

I felt my back heated and her arms wrapped around my chest. Her soft breasts pressed against my back, and I bit back a groan of protest.

"I don't care if you see me as a little sister. But at least don't pretend that you don't know how I feel about you.

"My only wish is that you look at me as a woman. Can you do that for once?"

". . ."

"I . . . I love you, Charles. From the very first time I laid eyes on you."

Yes. Every lady claimed that was the case. They love my looks and the power associated with my title. But the only lady I wanted to hear those words didn't love me at first sight. How ironic.

Her fingers clenched against my vest. "It's okay too if you look at me as Emilia as long as you give me a little bit of your affection."

My eyes turned to slit not because of what she said but because of what I saw.

Amidst the dark, thunder, and rain, a figure was dashing forward in the forest. Her flocks of golden hair were the only color amidst the black and white, and I sharply gasped her name.

"Catherine!"

I bolted out of my room without looking back while Lizbeth fell on her butt. I didn't care. She became invincible the moment I caught sight of Catherine.

How did she get out of the castle? It was a maze and series of corridors and rooms.

There was only one explanation.

Broken shards of glass were scattered on the floor, and I knew she jumped out of the window to get out. I thought of it before, but I actually didn't think she had the guts to escape through the window.

I underestimated her.

"Find her." I hissed through the gap of my gnashing teeth when Mille and Millie kneeled behind my back. "No one gets back in this castle until she is returned to me. Unharmed."

"Yes, my lord!" all the servants disappeared, and streaks of shadows flew out in every part of the mansion.

I leaped out as well and ran after her. The sun was going to set in two hours, and if they couldn't find her by then . . .

This was the vampire's territory, and my land was vast and far, but with Catherine's speed, I had no doubt she would be out from my area in less than thirty minutes.

And once she did . . .

I shivered at the thought.

She was not marked nor had any jewel or proof that she belonged in my house. She was prey for all sorts of vampires.

I hasten my speed. My heart was pounding so loud I couldn't hear anything else, but that drumming thumped.

I sniffed the air and followed her scent. My eyes bled crimson when she ran into Duke Vein's territory from all the direction she could have taken.

Vein was a ruthless pureblood whose ability was controlling shadows at will. He had a perverted hobby of taking joy in seeing others in agony, even if it was his fellow purebloods.

His hobby attracted distaste and eerie amongst us, but there was nothing we could do since it was strictly forbidden to kill purebloods, and Rhazien wouldn't allow it no matter what.

He made it clear that the pureblood was his priority.

But if Vein does something to Catherine.

A snarl pushed through my throat.

I will kill him even I had to make all the vampires and Rhazien my enemy for breaking that one golden rule.