Chapter 40: A Bond Must Be Broken

A thunderous roar echoed through the stone halls of the castle, rolling through the empty corridors and bouncing against the stained glass windows. The beads of water planked against the brick and slid down to the edges in a stream-like fashion to soak the ground below.

One of the worse rain showers of the season, plummeted through Caine for the first few hours of the day. Soaking every inch of the garden, patios, and anyone outdoors at the time. Stretches of gray sky draped over the Kingdom to where it seemed as if it was nightfall. The lightning radiated a shadow against the walls and Vampires had closed their doors and windows to stay safe.

Katerina stood in the study that Ezra was in. His attention was poured into scraps of papers scattered across the desk with only a few ill lit candles within the room. Katerina's hands were neatly folded into the front of her dress, head hung low as to not disturb him. Even with such concentration to be quiet, her mind ran wildly loud with thoughts.

The memory of his lips against hers sent a pleasuring shiver down the backside of her body, forcing an upbeat in her heart.

"Stop." Ezra mumbled. His brows were raised in agitation of the noticeable change in her body language. How was he to work with the woman acting in such a way?

With a disgruntled huff, Ezra pushed the papers down in front of him. The urge to fulfill daily duties suddenly dissipated when he wanted to be closer to her.

Before she could look up, Ezra appeared in front of her. The tips of his slender fingers pulled her chin up to lock gaze with the hazel eyes.

"I said stop." He commanded with more pressure. Katerina opened her mouth to speak but he quickly shushed her with one finger. His crimson orbs explored her features, absorbing the smoothness of her pale skin and curly locks of ginger. She was sculpted like a goddess, paved to perfection just for him. He yearned for another taste.

Katerina was grounded by his touch, watching the movements of his face leaning in. This was what she wanted again and her breathing hitched.

Their lips brushed against each other for a mere moment before the study doors were pushed open.

"I cannot believe you've been having to much fun withou-" A tall vampire adjusted the collar of his shirt as he immediately stood in awe.

Ezra knew someone was coming even when there was a loud storm. Katerina fell frozen, attempting to escape his grasp.

He was positioned with his hands clasped against Katerina's cheeks, thumbs pressing either side of her cheekbones and fanning her lips with his breath as he turned his head towards the man.

A smile crept upon his face. "Hello, Dimitri."

Dimitri quickly covered his face as if trying to hide what he was seeing. A vampire and the pet?! It wasnt uncommon for vampires to do what they wish with pets, but never as loving as Ezra is right now nor do they show affection outside of the bedroom.

Ezra released Katerina and stepped forward with a smirk. "Don't be such a child."

Dimitri let out a nervous laugh then peeked through the slits of his fingers. "It's illegal so I want no part in it!"

Ezra shook his head. "I'm the prince." He spoke with confidence then glanced over to Katerina. His thoughts of her were indescribable, but he kept it to himself for now.

"That's the problem." Dimitri sighed as he pulled out a wrapped parchment from his drenched coat. He unraveled it to reveal a public newsletter from town.

"What is this." Ezra took it and began to read. After a few moments, a laugh rose from within him.

"This is rubbish, cousin." Ezra quickly crippled the paper into a ball. "The council has no legality within these walls."

Dimitri looked at Katerina. "You know that's not true.." he took a gulp. "They want her to be in trial."

Ezra had his eyes closed during the conversation, filling with rage, but Katerina's voice broke the trance.

"What is it that's going on?" She questioned. Dimitri kept quiet, surprised that she spoke.

Ezra rolled his eyes. "You've been summoned to appear in court before the council. I've been accused of breaking a council law." He sighed before continuing. "Astrid will be there. I'm assuming she's the culprit. Another will be testifying."

"Who?" Katerina questioned again.

"…No one important." The thinned parts of his eyebrows twitched before he turned back towards Dimitri.

"I'd like for you to get me any and all information on what exactly Astrid has spilled over the past few weeks."

Dimitri nodded then bowed before leaving.

Ezra stared at the doors, avoiding eye contact with Katerina.

"The distance between us needs to be lengthened." He spoke, but Katerina was conflicted. The bond between them just began and now it would suddenly temporarily end.

"But we-" Katerina spoke but Ezra swiftly turned his gaze to her, eyes glowing intensely. The sudden fear immediately forced her to close her mouth in surrender. The palms of her hands gripped one another and folded into the front of her dress.

Katerina bowed her head in submission while closing her eyes.

"Yes, Prince Ezra." She spoke softly, enough for him to hear.

The first moment she's ever listened to him, pained him. He didn't want to stop the feelings between them as much as she did, but in order to protect her—he had to forget her.

"Come." Ezra demanded as he left the room. Katerina didn't speak but she followed him.

"We will be going into town. Public display of our unaffectionate relationship will assist during the trial."

Katerina could only imagine what the rest of today would entail, but the sudden shift in behavior made her nervous. The entirety of the situation has left her mind in endless thought, contemplating on how this will end for them.

Katerina was led away by the maids of the castle to properly dress her for the outing. The storm was subsiding and left a sunny, humid temperature behind. Katerina was clothed in a long dress, tied in a bow around her waist and her hair was lifted into a bun. Before she left the room, an apron-like overlay was tied around the front. Signifying of what she was—a pet.

With a sigh, Katerina followed the maidens to the front steps of the castle where Ezra was already waiting for her inside the carriage, not offering to help her inside.

Katerina pulled herself up the steps and into the seating area where she sat across from him. His eyes were fixated on the fields of grass through the other side of the curtained window. He didn't budge to glance over to Katerina.

The carriage began to move down the gravel path towards the town. A long silent moment was interrupted when Ezra spoke.

"Let's be clear as to what we're doing." He stated plainly. "You're a pet. You cannot speak unless I give permission."

Katerina nodded, avoiding eye contact and swallowing the lump in her throat. It was as if everything before was a dream and she was back to the first day she'd met him.

The horseman pulled the reigns smoothly as they finally made it to town. Before Ezra made his way out, he removes something from his pocket. It shined as the sun rays bounced against it.

Katerina furrowed her brows, "No.." she whispers but Ezra ignored her.

He truly didn't want to treat her in such a way, but in order to save her life, he needed to until he could find a way for her to escape this.

Ezra maneuvered to the same side Katerina was on, their knees touching gently as he reached over towards her. His arms slithered around her shoulders and up to her neck where he quickly snapped the piece of metal around it.

"This will have to do until I retrieve the collar from Alexander." The man's name left a horrid after taste on his tongue.

Katerina could feel herself peel away, losing her voice and entire personality with it. This collar was a dominating object that would strip her away of any dignity left.

Ezra's hands lingered against her collarbones as their eyes locked for a mere moment.

"Do as I say." He genuinely spoke with care this time, dimming the crimson hue of his eyes. After a few moments, Ezra leaned closer to her face, lifting her chin up with his right hand. He wanted to kiss her again—to feel that indescribable sensation once more. Her lips were wet, perfectly positioned for him to take over if he wished.

With the curtains closed, blocking view into the carriage, Ezra swiftly scooped her mouth with his for a monumental kiss. The overwhelming emotions drifted away as the woman returned the kiss with equal effort.

"Let me protect you." He spoke breathlessly against her skin.

Katerina didn't reply, but her expressions were solid in agreement as she pulled away awaiting for them to exit.

Ezra quickly opened the door and stepped out. The soft after rain breeze blew the edges of the long cloak he wore- a fitted suit underneath and a black wooden Caine in his right hand.

Katerina hesitated for a moment then stepped out after him, head low and eyes closed once she stood next to him.

Lingering eyes of vampires within the town began to creep over the prince and then to the woman in a collar beside him. His supernatural hearing could detect the whispers and gasps, wondering why they were out in public with what was in the newspaper. Some were whispering about the length of time it had been since Ezra owned a pet. Others gossiped about the cruel behavior Ezra displayed years ago because of it.

Feeling annoyed, Ezra smirked at the crowd then began to walk down the sidewalk, Katerina in tow.

Vampires bowed and greeted Ezra as he passed by with him nodding back in response.

As they continued further down the path, a familiar voice called from behind them.

"What a delightful sight." The melancholy voice was harmonious, enchanting.

Ezra turned around and pulled his lips into a smile. "It's a pleasure to see you Duchess Rosalie."

A young vampire possessed a sweet smile on her face, clasped hands and gesturing towards him. The long blond locks of hair curled at the ends mid waist. Her eyes were black in color like all pure bloods but they were radiating with brilliance.

She wore a full bodysuit, burgundy in color with a laced cloak on top. The boots she was wearing clicked against the stone path as she stepped towards Ezra. Both of their arms reached out in unison to greet each other with a kiss on each cheek and with a quick glance, Ezra could see the other vampires watching their interaction.

"I knew if I wandered long enough in town that I'd find you." Ezra pursed his lips, ignoring the quickened heart beat inside Katerina as it was too distracting.

The intimidating scene happening before her forced a large, burning gulp down her throat. An ever so unwanted feeling, the mentality of the dilemma overwhelmed her.

As tears welled in her eyes, Katerina gritted her teeth, forcing a stop to an attempt of crying. Her hands gripped each other so tightly that there was a whitened ring around the skin.

Ezra and the woman hadn't released either one's hands until she spoke.

"I thought I'd never see you with a pet again." The woman takes a step back to fully absorb Katerina's appearance. Her eyes widening with interest as she flashed a fang filled smile towards her.

Ezra quickly attempted to divert the attention away from Katerina, "She's a rare species, so of course I had to have her."

Rosalie wrinkled her nose as if taking in the scent of the human before she begins to walk away. "Rare indeed, Ezra. Shall we?"

Ezra nodded his head and followed after her as did Katerina.

"I'd love to hear about you after all these years. Since you terminated our wedding, it's been lonely." Rosalie gave Ezra an innocent look, pretending to feel heartbroken.

Katerina almost choked on the words that rolled out of Rosalie's mouth. Unbelieving of the history between the two, Katerina knew this was going to be a painful moment of her life.

Ezra cleared his throat and rustled the white locks of his hair. "I suppose so." He agrees.