Chapter 2
The crowd hushed in silence at the deep rough voice. Holding her breath, she wondered who would have the audacity to interrupt the execution. It was very rare when a sentence was interrupted and it only meant that the person was found innocent.
But in her case, everyone knew that she had killed the King. They saw his blood on her hands. Why would anyone think she was innocent?
She yearned to know who had interrupted the sentence but continued kneeling, not moving an inch from there.
"Prince Cassius!" The chief commander suddenly knelt down, bowing his head.
Her brows knotted at the name. What was he here for? To witness the execution?
Or did he come here to kill her himself. She felt cold course through her veins and she began to tremble as she knelt down.
Prince Cassius, the heir to the throne is known to be dark, brooding and evil. He doesn't let things slid easily. Anyone who dares to mess with him would be punished.
Even the very whisper of his name was enough to put everyone on their knees shivering. Most people even describe him more powerful than his father, the King.
Slowly turning her head, she shivered at the sight of the powerful Prince standing before me. His cold expression was enough to keep her trembling.
He walked forward, glancing at the people before returning his gaze to her
"You blood won't be on the head of the executor, but me," he spat. "Your life is mine to take."
"Her death is written but I would be the one to decide her punishment not the executor," he said to the people.
Murmurs and whispers began amongs the crowd. No one dared to stand up and confront the Prince. He and his father was the second generation of vampires thus they were feared by all.
His dark eyes bore into her, as if he could see her soul.
What fate does he have for her? She felt her heart sink thinking his words. His punishment would even be more worse than being executed. He would surely take her life but it would be a slow unforgiving death. She should have known better than to attend the ball party. Now she will have to pay for what she did.
She killed the King! Everyone sees her as a traitress.
She felt my body trembling in fear as he approached her. For a moment, she thought he was going to strangle her to death. But then, she saw him stare at the pendant necklace around her neck. That was a gift from her mom to protect her from turning into a mermaid if water touches her skin.
He opened his mouth to say something before shaking his head and she felt relief flooded into her heart.
"Follow me," he said.
She quickly stood up from the ground and followed Cassius to the other side of the castle. She continued to walk with him, guards trailing behind them. She thought of the kind of punishment he had for her in his mind. She wanted to ask but she knew that would cost me my head.
It is better to stay curious than to be killed by this Prince. When they reached the tower which was located at the far end of the palace, she saw Cassius walked in.
If this was where she would be punished, she would be a lucky one for staying here. She and her mother were very poor that they could not afford a good house.
They lived in her late grandmother's cottage house, where some parts of the house would be flooded during raining season.
She followed Cassius inside the tower, walking upstairs. The stairs was very long, and it would be hard for her to escape if she was locked here.
When they reached the top, Cassius pushed the wooden door opened and he strolled in.
The room was an enormous one with medium bed, a wardrobe and table. This belonged to the late Queen who love spending most of her time here before she died.
"This would be where you would be living until you eventually die," he spoke up.
"Why did you bring me here?" She finally had the courage to speak up.
"Because you are my food," he responded. "You see, your punishment is not an easy one and it would be far worse than being executed. I will be sucking your blood everyday until you die."
Her eyes widened with shock at his words. She could feel her legs trembling with each passing second. Being executed was better than this.
She quickly fall on her knees, her eyes burning with tears. "Please, Your highness….. I didn't mean for it to happen…. I didn't—"
"Quiet," he ordered, his voice, cold like ice. "My father's death doesn't concern me. What concerns me is that I will be the next King of Blackwood Kingdom."
Her eyes widened in confusion, surprised that he was not concerned about the death of his father.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"You see, my father was growing old and weak. With his death, I would be the next King of this Kingdom," he replied.
Her face paled at his words. "You wanted your father dead."
"No," he shook his head. "I'm only concerned for the throne."
"Then why punish me?" She questioned, not understanding the Prince.
"You are here to pay for the price of being…. helpful," he smirked.
Her expression turned into anger. Her brows furrowed and her lips were set into a thin line. Cassius hadn't brought her here to punish her for his death but for being helpful. She knew she could not do anything. She was like a slave to him and he would do to her whatever he wants.
"Now enjoy your stay here before you meet your death end," he smirked before turning around. When she heard the door shut, she squeezed her eyes hoping to wake up from the horrible dream.