Collias's Poison

Bowen was reluctant. He knew his strength could easily kill Collias without him noticing it. But Collias continued, "I know you can't. You are just a big-headed, arrogant bastard who parades himself as the princess's personal dog."

Bowen laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You want to fight me?" He laughed again.

Collias frowned, his anger boiling over. "Yes, I want to fight you and put you in your place."

Collias dropped his sword on the ground. "Drop your sword and fight me like a male."

Bowen smiled and dropped his sword. He was eager to get beaten. At least he could focus on the physical pain rather than the emotional torment he was feeling at the moment. Anything to distract him from the hurt in his chest.

Collias lunged at Bowen, but Bowen punched him squarely in the face, sending Collias sprawling to the ground. Bowen sighed in frustration. "Don't make this easy for me. Fight me with everything you've got. Beat me, punch me, just do something to me!" he yelled.

The news of the princess's engagement was breaking his heart. She wasn't even married to the young lord yet. What if she did get married? Was this how women felt when he parted from them? Why had no one bothered to lecture him on this pain?

Collias lunged at him again. Bowen caught him, thinking he was aiming for his stomach, only to feel a sharp pain. He looked down and saw a dagger sticking out of his abdomen.

The crowd gasped..

At that moment, Periwinkle stepped forward. He had been watching the fight between Bowen and Collias but did not expect Collias to coldly stab Bowen.

"Collias, you effing fool! How can you stab a male in a fair fight?" Periwinkle said.

Collias was afraid as he saw Periwinkle, he was so overcome with envy, he didn't notice the people that were watching the fight. He drew back in fear and wanted to run but Periwinkle yelled, "Seize him and lock him up in the dungeon." Some guards came and dragged Collias away.

Bowen looked at the dagger still stuck in his stomach. It wasn't as deep as he wished. Collias should have made it deeper. There was no blood coming out from the wound as his body was healing it.

Bowen sighed and muttered, "Bowen, you are a pathetic fool."

Periwinkle said to the other guards standing around, "Take Bowen to the infirmary. The physician needs to treat his injury."

Bowen raised his hand and said, "Leave it. I just need to rest."

He walked away with the dagger still stuck in his side. As he walked through the winding paths of the garden, he felt the eyes of the fairies on him, their whispers now mixed with concern and fear. The pain in his side was dulling, his healing ability working as usual, but the pain in his heart was as sharp as ever.

Bowen entered the privacy of Periwinkle's quarters and sat heavily on the bed. He pulled out the knife and stared at it, feeling a sharp sting as he examined the blade.

He hissed, "The bastard laced it with poison."

Scoffing, he muttered to himself, "If you want to hurt me, hurt me hard, not resorting to childish antics."

He shifted to his vampire form, feeling his body respond instantly. The wound sealed up immediately, his supernatural abilities working their magic. But his mind couldn't escape the turmoil. 'Out of everyone, it is that bastard she is getting married to?'

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Quickly, he reverted to his fairy form and walked to the door. Opening it, he found Ginger standing there with food and water on a tray, a small smile on her face.

'This female is not bright,' he thought, irritated. He was clearly injured, not starving, but he let her through.

Ginger placed the tray on the small table and said, "I heard what Collias did to you. That effing bastard, who does he think he is?"

Bowen waved her concern away. "I'm fine now. The wound wasn't that deep, so you can leave. Thank you for visiting."

Ginger shook her head and walked up to Bowen, touching his face with her petite fingers, her eyes filled with concern. Bowen could feel her presence keenly, not for the food she brought but for the blood coursing through her veins.

"Ginger, I need something from you," Bowen said softly.

"Whatever you need, my love, I am here for you," she replied.

A smile tugged at the corner of Bowen's lips. Even though she had no idea what he was going to ask, she was giving him permission. Using his hypnotic power, he made her even more compliant. Dropping his head to her neck, his fangs elongated. He pierced her skin, eliciting a low moan from her.

He began to drink from her, carrying Ginger to the bed as he did so. He switched to his vampire form, there was no need to keep up the guise when his food was already hypnotized. He realized he was beginning to enjoy fairy blood more than he had previously.

As he fed, he heard footsteps approaching but paid them no mind. It could be a maid going about her chores. But before he could react, the door swung open, revealing the last person he wanted to see in this position.

Alita's eyes widened in surprise and horror. She stood frozen at the threshold, her face paling at the sight before her.

"Bowen!" Alita's voice trembled with a mix of shock and anger. "What are you doing?"