Dream  

[Catherine's POV]

"Drink."

I didn't register what he said. I was hypnotized by the thick red blood dripping from his hands. No amount of blood potion was able to control my thirst, jabbing hard at my stomach. And if I didn't drink his blood now, every nerve in my body would rip me apart.

I swayed forward and grabbed his hand. My tongue slipped from my mouth, beyond my control, and I took my first taste of him.

"Ahh . . ."

It was so good!

Better than sex.

His blood was enough to send me to euphoria that I forgot everything else.

My fangs elongated, and I was dying to taste more but stopped and backed away.

I covered my mouth and uttered, "I-I'm sorry . . ."

I couldn't do it.

Won't do it!

I was afraid that if I indulged myself with his blood, I would get addicted. I would surely get addicted. That was an irrevocable fact.

I was already at the mercy of his control. I didn't want to be at the mercy of his blood too.

Or else . . .

He would become a part of my life that I couldn't get away in the future.

Charles's smile disappeared. "So stubborn."

He bit his wrist and sucked a mouthful of blood, and before I could react, he was in front of me. He grabbed my hair and pulled it over, tipping my head for him to take my mouth in his.

I gasped and choked when his tongue pushed his thick blood into my throat, forcing me to drink his blood.

The first drop of his blood was enough for me to forget everything and as I gulped a mouthful, all I could do was moan in pleasure. I reached my tongue inside his mouth, licking every last bit of blood I could have.

I was greedy for more, and I knew it was the start of my doom, and I hated him for it.

However, I couldn't stop now.

I grabbed his hand and sucked on his wrest. He gently caressed my head, and all I could do was indulge in his blood until I was full. My heart pulsated rapidly that I feared it would break my ribs –– then everything just went dark from there.

"Catherine . . ." I heard him whisper my name. It was like a lullaby in my ears, and the next thing I knew, I was floating.

". . . Rest well . . . my love . . ."

----

In the dark hallway, I found myself in my nightgown. I didn't know where I was nor what was happening.

"H-hello?"

No one answered.

The silence was deafening.

And then I saw a light at the end of the corridors. A shadow holding a lamp and entered the left fork of the pathway.

"Excuse me," I called and ran in that direction.

The shadow paused in front of a door before opening it and entering inside.

I grabbed my nightgown and ran after it, stumbling at the end in front of a golden door with intricate carvings. I opened and entered inside to find a room just like mine. The only difference was, in place of the bed was a coffin in glass with gold embellishments and moldings surrounded by flowers in deferent shades of blue.

I made my way towards it with shaking steps. Peering through the little light of the blood moon, I stumbled back upon recognizing the woman inside the coffin.

ME?!

The thunder crashed hard outside the window, and it stole my attention towards a giant painting on the wall. A painting of a woman with golden curls of hair and bright blue eyes together with a handsome man with the same golden hair tied in a ponytail, resting at the side of his shoulder.

I gasped and lurched forward from my bed.

*pant

*huff

Droplets of sweat coated my face, and my nightgown was in a tangled mess. I clawed for the sheets and covered my body, giving comfort to my thoughts.

It was a dream . . .

Just a dream. I assured myself.

I rubbed my eyes and wiped my sweat with the blanket. I took in a deep breath and looked around to find myself inside my room. Still trapped in a vampire's castle.

At least the pounding in my head had ceased, and the jabbing pain in my stomach was gone. Was it because I drank Charles's blood?

Recalling what happened, I forgot about the dream, and my face went red, burning from my body's heat.

We kissed!

That was all I could think about as I skimmed my lips. I couldn't remember the sensation since the overpowering taste of his blood dominated my mind.

I composed myself. I didn't know what I was to him or what my role was, and I wasn't interested in knowing. Somewhere deep in my heart, I was afraid that I was like the others.

I smiled bitterly at myself.

Of course, I was like the others.

I was dull, and there was nothing special about me.

I was his mistress. One of his many women. It was obvious.

I lay on the bed and took a deep breath. I tried to imagine Benjamin's face but worry just flooded my heart. I wonder what he's doing right now. Was he asleep? Did the nanny feed and bathe him?

Benjamin couldn't sleep at night when I didn't cradle him in my arms and sing him his favorite lullaby.

My tears blurred my vision, and I covered my eyes with my arms. Then and there, I wanted to go to him and ignore all consequences if I was caught.

My hate for Charles ignited once more as I thought of my son. I must not forget that he was the reason why I was forced here –– away from Benjamin and father.

Father was already old. I was afraid about his health and . . .

I scrambled into a sitting position when I noticed someone inside my room.

"Can't sleep?"