8. Kai

I mauled over what happened in the garden while I sat on my head. I wanted to go back to the garden just to see if I would see my mystery man. Every now and then, I caught myself touching my lips and smiling. At that point, I was ready to admit that some black magic was involved.

Another part of me was angry at Athena for taking my flower. It felt personal, like a gift, and she took it. I shook my head and decided that all that free time was affecting me.

The door opened and a girl entered. Her eyes were cast down and she looked scared. She was a human girl and she looked very young, around sixteen. She had a glow on her skin and sadness settled in the pit of my stomach because I knew it wouldn't be there for long.

She was new.

" Madam Athena asked me to tell you that the king is waiting for you in his room, " she said in a soft voice.

She sounded like she was about to cry.

" What's your name? " I asked, my heart aching for her.

Her head whipped in my direction and she had a panicked look on her face.

" Please, don't tell Madam Athena! I'm so sorry! " She exclaimed, tears already gathering in her eyes.

" I'm not going to tell Athena because you haven't done anything wrong. I just wanted to know your name, that's all. " I reassured with a soft tone.

I wanted to go and comfort her but I knew if I stood up she would panic. Anger burned in me. We were more than human labor and blood banks. We had potential and they stole it all by taking us away from our homes.

The girl scurried away and I made up my mind to confront the king for perpetuating the behavior of their kind. I stomped out and headed towards the East Wing. I was certain there was smoke coming from my ears due to how angry I was.

I opened his bedroom door without knocking and made sure to slam it. I knew I was pushing it but at the moment, the adrenaline rush was running wild in my body. I spotted him near the balcony seated on a stool with a blank canvas and paint.

I couldn't deny that he looked hot in the dirty white shirt he had on that was paired with dirty sky-blue jeans. The clothes were soiled with paint. He was barefoot like he always was. I walked closer to him and he looked at me. My breath hitched and my words were caught in my throat. My anger was disappearing at the sight of him.

A pair of hazel eyes stared at me, holding me in place. My mouth felt dry and a shiver ran down my spine. His gaze looked sinful, dangerous, and forbidden. I don't have to tell you what they say about forbidden fruits.

His raven black hair was neatly trimmed on his head and his eyebrow had a slit. He had an eyebrow piercing as well. Tattoos were peeking from his chest to his neck. His mouth lifted and I spotted a ghost smile on his face making me blush.

I looked away embarrassed that I had been caught ogling the one person I had to hate. He stood up and walked towards me. His tan skin was glowing in the sun. The vampires in the castle seemed impervious to the harsh rays of the sun.

He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to the balcony. My body started burning up due to his hand on my body and I cleared my throat. I knew he heard how fast it was beating.

He sat me down on the chair that was on the balcony and started pulling the right strap of my dress down. Panic settled in my chest but he lifted my chin and looked at me. I had a feeling that I could trust him and I didn't understand why I was feeling that way.

He left my right sleeve down and turned me so I was facing the side. He pulled my leg up and gestured for me to hold it with my hand. After straightening my shoulders and making sure I was posing, he went back and sat down on his chair.

I don't know what compelled me to pull my bulky hair to the side and strike a pose but I did. I was momentarily ashamed for going along with whatever it was he was doing but I couldn't bring myself to defy him.

He used his vampire speed to paint me. The curtains that blew with the wind in front of me didn't give me a great view of him but I knew they would add to the beauty of the painting. I maintained my pose even as he stood and continued painting me.

When he finally put his paintbrush down, I knew he was done. I stood up from my seat and walked out of the balcony.

" C-Can I s-see the painting? " I asked

He looked at me and smirked. He walked towards me and pulled the sleeve of my dress up in a slow manner. He proceeded to use his finger to stroke my cheek slowly as he stared into my eyes. His touch ignited a fire inside me.

" No, " he said and walked away from me.

I stared at his powerful back as he walked away from me. It was the first time I had heard him speak. It sounded raspy and velvety. It was the type of voice you could listen to for hours.

When he sat back down on his tool and continued painting, I took that as my cue to leave.

I closed the door behind me and started heading for my room when a hand pulled me back. It was the other mistress.

" You don't look satiated. He's a savage in bed, isn't he? " She asked.

I raised my eyebrow at her to express my confusion.

" Kai, of course. Did he not fuck you? " She asked and I scrunched up my nose to express disgust at her crude words.

Were we really going to fight over a guy and seal who he wanted most between the both of us?

" That's too bad. He's really good. I've never met a man who knows how to work someone's body better than him. I can't wait to go to his room tonight. Maybe he doesn't like you. You better start packing up your room. I have a feeling it's going to be mine soon. " She said and left.

My nose was flaring. A part of me was jealous but the better part of me was happy to get less attention. Unlike her, I didn't enjoy life in the castle and I wanted to leave. The sooner I found a way to escape the faster I could escape my misery.

It was still early in the day so I decided it would be best if I went back to my room and relaxed. As I neared my door, I felt a feeling of dread creep up my body. My hands were shaking and goosebumps rose on my skin. I was quick to notice that my guard was not outside my door. I convinced myself that he would appear soon.

I was scared and I didn't even know why. Still, I willed myself to open my door so I could retreat to the safety of my room. Little did I know, my room was not safe.

The first thing that I came across when I opened my room was a box on my bed. The box was black and it had a red ribbon tied around it. On top of the box was a purple flower. I knew immediately who had left the little gift for me.

I walked towards it slowly but every time I neared it, my skin felt itchy. There was a strong metallic scent that came from the box. I had a wild guess of what I would find inside but I still had to see it for myself.

There was a note beside the flower. I took the note and opened it to read its contents.

I'll always protect you, my delicate flower.

~your secret admirer

I put the note on the bed, grabbed the lid of the box with shaky hands, and lifted it. When I saw what was inside, my face went pale. It was nothing as I had imagined. I let out a blood-curdling scream that was enough to wake the dead.