Chapter 35: A Play

Without notice, it had become nightfall. The stars covered the sky like a blanket and the ocean grew louder below. The pair sat side by side, leaned against the balcony edge pillars.

Ezra's crimson eyes projected a low glow, sending shivers through Katerina's body.

"Your mother and father.." he spoke.

"They were killed." Katerina finished the sentence. "At the least, that is what I was told by my Aunt Annie and Uncle Kieran."

Ezra avoided gaze from her, feeling an emotion of pity for her. She had experienced tragedy from birth.

Ezra claimed that the two should spend time together, but Katerina did not know that it meant they would be conversing on the balcony all the while.

Ezra told her what royalty was in the realm of vampires and what the different classifications of them were. There were the royalty, pure bloods, and half breeds. While royalty and Pureblood were vampire born, half breeds were humans turned into vampires.

The strength of a half breed can be very powerful, especially a newborn—newly turned. They can be as powerful as a Royal, and most dangerous.

Ezra also explained to her the roles of a pet and how vampires treat them. He then promised he would never treat her the way other vampires expect him to.

Katerina was intrigued by the complexity of their society, no matter how terrifying they may be. Vampires can seemingly be gentle creatures if they so choose.

She wondered why Ezra was so gentle with her. He told her his past and how menacing he really was. It still seemed to be that way, but it also seemed that he was evolving. Could it be because of her? Or was he just bored of the current life he lived?

Katerina led a simple life up until this point. She told Ezra the memories she had left of her biological family, but was still concerned for her cousin.

"We can track her down." Ezra stated.

Katerina looked up, shocked by what he spoke.

"You..can what?" Her words fumbled, but her thoughts ran hopeful. She wanted to make sure her cousin Bethany was alright.

Ezra nodded. "I will see what I can do." He assured her.

Katerina genuinely smiled and Ezra watched her with a gratefully expression.

"I need to know.." his voice trailed off.

Katerina gave him her attention.

He continued. "What were you doing with Alessandro?"

Katerina felt an uncomfortable memory cloud her mind, making her close her eyes.

"I was attempting to retrieve the collar.." She finally explained.

Ezra let out a soft sigh. "You shouldn't put yourself in such danger."

Katerina nodded in agreement then looked at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry." She instinctively reached over to put her hand on top of his.

Ezra clenched his jaw by the unexpected touch. She was finally opening up to him.

After a moment, he relaxed his body and accepted her hand, interlocking their fingers together.

Katerina didn't know why she forwardly did that, but her intentions were pure and hoped he would accept.

"Come." Ezra commanded and without thought, Katerina stood and followed behind him.

"Where are we going?" She questioned.

Ezra spoke to some of the maids to get the carriage ready.

He looked back her, "There is quite an exquisite play happening tonight. Would you care to join me?"

Katerina was taken aback by the offer. He usually just commands her to go where he wants, but now he's asked her.

After being held up in the bedroom for some time now, she believed it would be best to leave. She enjoyed plays as she read many of them as a child. It would be her first one to attend in person.

Katerina nodded her head in response.

"Good." Ezra replied. "You need to be well dressed."

He motioned the maidens to enter his room, "Fetch her a gown from Victoria's room."

They nodded and then left.

"My dear sister has many things in her closet. She won't notice one is missing." He then began to unbutton his collared shirt.

Katerina turned away simultaneously as she realized what he was doing. She had never seen a man unclothed.

Ezra perked up at her embarrassment, listening to her heart pick up in pace made him smile.

"You may watch if you desire." He waited for her to respond but only her skin flushed a shade of pink.

He continued to unravel himself from the clothing, pushing the doors open to the expanded washroom attached to his room.

Katerina fiddled with her finger nails, twirling them slowly unaware of what she was to do.

She heard the squeal of a faucet and then the fast flowing of water into the porcelain tub. Her eyes looked up at the ceiling in an attempt to no have the temptation to turn around.

She wanted him to give her a simple command of leaving, anything would be better than this second hand embarrassment.

Even with their intimate conversations to learn more about each other, she still could not see him in such an arousing state. She hadn't felt that emotion with someone yet, or if she ever would now.

Ezra was fully nude now, his chiseled backside rippled with muscles. He wanted him pet to see, but knew she'd never turn around on her own accord.

"Katerina." He spoke, exaggerating her name through his accent to grab her attention.

Her shoulders shrunk slightly, as if she was trying to avoid his call.

"Katerina." He repeated, lowering his voice as to shift dominance.

"N-no." She replied softly.

Ezra raised a brow, "We just had this talk. You must do as I say." He turned around to face her, but her back was still facing away from him.

"Katerina." He said once more.

She shut her hazel eyes before turning around, hopeful he'd be satisfied.

A chuckle escaped his lips, "Open your eyes, Flower."

Katerina shook her head, defying his demand. She was afraid of what he'd do if she continued to disobey, but even more afraid of what she would see before her eyes. She held on to her innocence.

Ezra blinked his crimson eyes, holding on to the small thread of patience he had left. This woman was going to drain him of the rest if she continued.

He then walked over to her quietly so that she wouldn't hear him. He stood inches away from her and she felt his presence near.

Her eyes shut tighter and she clasped her hands together in front of her.

"Katerina.." His voice trailed off, leaving him to reach up and caress her skin with his fingers.

"Don't you think that now we've understood each other that we should-"

"No!" Katerina blurted out.

Ezra ran his fingers up to her jawline then pinching it towards him with his hand. The resistance she gave him exhilarated him. She was exceptionally unlike any other being he's met.

"Open your eyes." He commanded.

Katerina quivered under his grasp, opening her eyes slowly. She saw red orbs staring down at her. She could see his shirtless torso through her peripheral, but that was all she wanted to see.

Ezra smiled. "Good girl, flower." He praised.

He only wanted to break her defiance. He had no intentions of defiling her anytime soon, unless she asked him to.

His hand released her as maids began to come into the room with the gown they were told to get.

As if they'd seen Prince Ezra naked before, the maid only blushed as they entered and exited the room.

Katerina set her eyes on them as if they were to never have a sense of privacy in this castle.

Ezra could tell her emotions had changed. "Are you jealous other maidens may see me exposed?" His lips curled into a devilish smile.

"Get dressed." He demanded once more. He turned around and disappeared into the washroom, doors closing behind him.

Katerina let out a substantial sigh. The maids entered once again to assist her into the gown. Her eyes skimmed over the black lace overlay design. Without sleeves, her neck and shoulders were bare and exposed for everyone to see.

She shivered at the thought of anyone attempting to make her a meal again.

Once the corset was pulled together and tied, one of the maids began to put Katerina's hair together in an updo style.

She let out another sigh as her curls would not be hiding the skin of her neck.

The maids allowed few pieces fall from their position to frame her face. Once done, they exited again.

Katerina waited for Ezra to escort her to the carriage. Surprisingly, she was anticipating the play and happy that she would be experiencing something she enjoyed.

Ezra entered the room in a prince-like designed suit. The puffs of his white sleeves and shirt tucked neatly into the folds of the golden paisley vest. He wore fitted trousers and auburn boots.

He glanced over to Katerina, who stood in wait for him. Her appearance made his heart skip a beat, but he would never express that to her. He groaned softly in anger that he felt that way.

"Let's go." He opened the wooden door and they both went to the castle entrance.