ONE

ALANNA

  I take a deep breath, my gaze wandering back and forth; my heart skipping a beat each time I hear small sounds. Walking along the empty streets, late at night isn't exactly my favorite thing. I'm all alone and it scares the shit out of me. I begin to hum slowly, trying to relax as I quicken my pace. I hadn't planned to work late. Robin, my co-worker, had fallen sick and I'd taken his shift. More work, extra pay, I think it's worth it. I live alone. I don't exactly have anyone to care for me apart from my best friend, Samantha and dearest Robin who is such a sweetheart. Now it's close to midnight and I'm walking home. Stupid, right?I clutch my bag tighter, my heart beating faster. The air becomes cooler and I shiver unconsciously. The streetlights begin to flicker and I increase my pace, nearly bumping into a still figure. I yelp in surprise, taking few step backwards when he doesn't move. He's wearing a black cloak that's covering him completely. Fear creeps down my spine as the cloaked figure stares at me intensely. My heart is beating so fast, I think I'm starting to hyperventilate too. Oh stupid, Alanna! Look what you've done! He's probably going to kidnap and kill you! You should've slept at the bar!

I notice a pair of eyes from underneath his hood. Violet. Oh my God! His eyes are Violet! I'm hallucinating, right? Wake up, Alanna! He still hasn't moved and I'm panicking big time."W-who are y-you?" I stammer, tears filling my eyes. He slowly tilts his head to the side, not taking his eyes off me. Two other cloaked figures appear behind him and I whimper, moving backwards. Run! Run! I scream internally but my legs just won't cooperate with me.

"S-stay away from me" I whimper, shakily moving backwards. Four gloved hands reach out to grab me and I let out a bloodcurdling scream. It's over.

My life is over.

I am doomed.

Through blurry vision, my gaze meets the gaze of the violet eyed man. Gasping, I slowly sink into oblivion.

....

I groggily open my eyes only to find myself lying on an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. I stumble out of bed immediately. How did I get here? The floor is so shiny and everything in the room looks so perfect. It smells like..... royalty. I try to open the door only to find out that it's actually locked. I let out a frustrated scream, banging my fists hard against the door."Get me out of here! Open the damn door!" I yell."Let me out!" I scream. Exhausted after hitting the door severally, I lean against the door, tears filling my eyes .I'm trapped here. I'm going to die.

I quickly stand uprightly as soon as I hear footsteps coming from behind the door. The door opens and standing there, is one of the most beautiful man I've ever seen. His blue eyes glow so bright, his lips are a light shade of pink. His jaw and cheekbones are well defined. His waist-length blonde hair shimmers in the light. His beauty is inhumane. "Are you done staring?" He asks with a husky voice. I blush, lowering my gaze. "What's your name, little one?" He asks and I bite my lower lip, frowning a little. Little one?

I mean, he looks like he's older than me by two years. "A-Alanna" I mumble.

He smirks. "Well Alanna, I'm Valdrin and the king asked me to make you comfortable" he says and I gape at him with disbelief. King? What king? Am I in some sort of castle? What's going on? "Where is this place? What am I doing here?" I ask. He crosses his arms across his chest, an amused look on his face. "You're in the underworld, sweet heart. The winter kingdom to be exact" he says. "W-what? No, you're lying" I breathe, my eyes widening. Winter kingdom?

It's just a myth right? There's no such thing as werewolves, vampires and fae! "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Valbin-" "Valdrin" he says, giving me a smug look. "There's no such thing as winter kingdom" I frown. "I'll let the maids get you a dress and maybe, if you're a good girl..... I might give you a view of the fae world from the roof" he says. "Albina! Taera!" He calls out, looking down the hall. A door opens and two beautiful women step out. "This is Alanna. She is very important to the king. Make her comfortable. Get her some dresses and run a bath for her" he says to the women. "Yes, Lord Valdrin" they reply with a bow. "Dinner will be brought to you, soon" he says to me and leaves.

....

Right now, I'm both frustrated and pissed off. Valdrin never showed up to take me to the roof. I've been stuck in this room, completely bored. I must admit, they've got really good food here. Even though I still don't want to fully admit the fact that the fae world exists, I'm starting to believe that I was wrong. The door opens and Taera walks in with a tray containing grapes and apples. "Thank you" I say to her, giving her a smile. She's been really nice and I like her. "Can I ask you something?" I say and she smiles. "Okay"

"What is the king like?" I ask and she stiffens. "The king is not well. He hasn't been well for a long time now" She says with a sad look on her face.

"What's wrong with him?" I ask. "No one is even allowed to talk about him. If the Lords hear it, they'll punish the offender. Although the king is mostly bedridden, he's dangerous. He's the most dangerous king in the underworld" I stare at her, my curiosity spiking up. "Did he bring me here?" I ask. "Yes"

"Why?"

"Lord Valdrin asked us not to tell you yet, my lady"

"How long will I be staying here?"

"I really don't know but please, don't tell anyone I told you about the king"

"I won't, I promise"She nods, giving me a small smile before leaving the room. I've made up my mind to see the king. I need answers and I'm not going to get them by staying in this room. Slowly, I twist the door knob, opening the door. Peeking out to see if there's any one in the hallway, I sigh with relief when I'm met with an empty hallway. Quickly, I shut the door behind me and start moving down the huge hallway. There are chandeliers hanging from the ceilings but they are nothing like the ones I've seen before. These are powered by some sort of magic. Swallowing hard, I walk further. There's a huge door at the end of the hallway and it's open. Taking a deep breath, I walk into the other side. I gasp when I take in the place. It's beautiful, so perfect. One thing hits my mind.There's no guard or maid there. Where did everyone go? What's happening? As I move on, heart pounding in my chest, I slowly come to a stop in front of a golden double door that is wide open with glowing curtains covering the entrance. This must be it, I think. The king's chamber. Taking a deep breath, I move the curtains aside a little and peek in. I cover my mouth to stifle the loud gasp that escapes my lips when I finally set my eyes on the king. He's lying on the bed, his head on a woman's lap. There are several guards as well as maids standing by the corners of the room. They don't notice me because they are all staring at their king. He's shirtless, that's the first thing I notice. His abs are well defined, pale skin glistening with sweat. My eyes trail upwards. His red lips are stained with what seems to be blood and his eyes are closed, long dark lashes framing his eyelids beautifully. His long, midnight black hair is sprawled all over the place. He's undeniably the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. How can he be so beautiful? The woman sitting on his bed with his head on her laps, has tears in her eyes. Tears that roll down her cheeks and turn to little ice crystals. I'm amazed. Who is she to him? She looks so young. Perhaps, she's the queen. Or his sister? I stifle another gasp when he suddenly vomits blood on the floor of the room. He's shaking so much, pained groans leaving his lips. "Get the healers!" The woman orders one of the maid. A maid then runs off without noticing me."He's in so much pain. It kills me to see my son like this" she sobs. I let out a low gasp.

No way. That woman is his mother? How?

She looks too young.The king looks like he's in so much pain and he's practically wheezing. My blood runs cold when Lord Valdrin's gaze meets mine. He smirks, his gaze intense. Oh God, I'm doomed. He doesn't say anything. He looks away, pretending as if he didn't see me. I avert my gaze back to the king. He's shivering at this point. His mother strokes his long hair, telling him to be strong. Three men rushes in with the maid who'd been sent to get the healers. I watch them place their hands on the king's weakened form. One of them shakes his head sadly. "Queen mother, the king is dying. He has a few months left. He has been holding up for centuries but he is rapidly fading away. He has to find the cure"

Centuries? How old is he, then? And how old is his mother? He looks no older than 20. The queen mother bursts into fresh tears. Valdrin's gaze softens as he grips the king's right hand. He whispers something in his ear and his eyes slowly flutters open to reveal violet pupils. Oh my God, it's him. His gaze falls on me and my knees buckles. He's seen me. The king has seen me, but to my surprise, he doesn't say anything. Just like Valdrin, he looks away. Okay, I have to leave before anyone else sees me. "What are you doing here, human?!" A guard demands and in a split second, all eyes are on me. Alright, it's official. I'm dead meat.