86

"Hey, scarface. Enjoying your food?" Allegra spoke, her voice venomous as a serpent, "We really missed you, you know? We couldn't sleep. Vesper didn't. Neither did his highness."

Regan felt embarrassment creeping up her cheeks. She didn't dare to look at any of them. She had been very brave lately, but somehow, her courage was washing out.

"And?" he said.

"What do you mean 'and'?" Vesper demanded, "What is the meaning of this? This isn't normal."

"What's not normal?" he asked, his voice stoic, his face blank.

"She's your fucking enemy and you brought her here. She almost took one of your dominions and you....you brought her to eat. Are you out of your mind? Who is she? Your lover?!"

Regan felt her anger flutter again. She couldn't believe they were calling her his lover, "Watch your tongue," she warned.

"Watch it yourself, scarface. We know what you're doing," Vesper retorted with her poisonous voice.

Vlad felt the tension escalating between them and he looked at Sirius, silently asking if there was the need to interfere, but Sirius gave him a look to stay quiet and calm.

"I'm not doing anything!" Regan snapped, her anger palpable, "I hate being here. I hate being on a table with idiots like you."

"We also love to be on a table with slaves like you," Allegra retorted, her voice dripping with mockery, "And if you think he loves you, you're wrong."

Regan felt her stomach twist in shame and anger. She didn't dare to look at him but she could feel his eyes on her. She wanted to disappear, to vanish into the dense air. She didn't know, why the hell he relished so much to make her feel embarrassed like that.

"Why are you here then?" Vesper snapped.

"He brought me here!" she retorted.

He leaned on his chair in interest, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at her.

"Why don't you say anything? Have you gone deaf?" Vesper sneered, looking at Sirius, "Or are you pleased with the fact that you like a slave?"

"I'm not a fucking slave." Regan said through gritted teeth, gripping the tablecloth in anger. "You are his slaves."

"We are not his damn slaves." This time Circe spoke, her voice matching her sisters.

"What are you then?" Regan asked, her jaw clenching.

Vesper looked at Sirius, who held his usual smirk on his face, "Does this look funny to you?" he hissed, "Say something, damnit! Why is she here?"

Sirius's expression turned blank as he took a sip of his drink. He placed the glass on the table, his expression careless. "Well, it's not like I own any explanations to you. I could put you all inside a cage and let you beat the hell out of each other. But I'm feeling generous today, and I'm not willing to waste my time on insolent fools. Now, shut your fucking mouths and eat." He threatened, his eyes at no one in particular.

The witches blood boiled in their veins, their frustration reaching its peak. "You can't just order us around," Circe said, her voice low but frustrated, "We're not servants here. We're your allies and we don't accept bringing her here."

"Who asked?"

"I asked," Vesper spat, "you can't just pretend like everything is normal here."

"I do whatever I want," he retorted, clenching his jaw.

"Really? You casually give her your coat and bring her to eat? What are we supposed to think?" The blonde hissed, her face contorted with anger.

"I don't care what you think. I do whatever I want, I bring whoever I want, I give her whatever I want and the least I'm going to do is ask you. I'm the ruler of this land and you're just some witches who think they have power. But let me remind you, your power only exists because I allow it to."

Their faces flushed with rage, their eyes burning with indignation.

This is my last warning," he said, his tone icy cold, "if you three dare utter another word...." He let the threat hang in air, as he gestured to the guards from across the room.

The witches glared at him, their fists clenched in anger, but they remained silent, knowing better than to provoke him further.

Regan felt herself drown deeper into awkwardness. She didn't want to be part of this. She didn't want to be there. She hated them all. She looked down at her plate, she hadn't eaten anything. What did he call her earlier ? Love. That made her feel even more confused and angry. It seemed like a joke. A cruel joke meant to taunt her.

Suddenly, she felt her hand being clasped. She looked up and it was him. "Eat," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Regan snatched her hand away, her eyes filled with anger, "I'm not hungry!"

The witches watched, their faces filled with rage and disdain but they didn't speak.

"Damnit." He cursed and stood up, pulling her as well. Regan tried to shove him away but his grip on her arm was tight and unyielding. He led her to the kitchen. She hadn't seen the kitchen before.

It was warmly lit and spacious with so many counters and cupboards. The wood was made of the finest oak, polished to the core.

There were some servants around and he sharply ordered for them to leave, which they did, almost stumbling on their way.

"Sit," he ordered, pointing at a chair next to an island counter.

Regan's face was filled with anger and embarrassment at the same time. "No."

He stepped closer, his expression menacing, "Sit."

"No."

He grabbed her arm again and sat her down on a chair. She frowned, feeling shame and anger course through her whole. Shame because she was embarrassed of him and anger because she was He towered over her, his icy eyes looking down at her with an unreadable expression.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, his voice cold. "Do you want me to send you back to that fucking fortress?"

"Which fortress?" Regan asked, her voice slightly trembling.

He put his hands on the counter, leaning forward, his face awfully near hers. "The fucking vampire's fortress."

Regan felt the chills creep up on her whole body. She would rather die than turn back there.

"You wouldn't do that," she said, a wave of fear washing over her.

"Why not?" he smirked, "you're not fond of me and I'm not fond of you either. And you need some sort of punishment, don't you? You think I'm going to take care of you when you work against me? When you defy my reign? When you're my enemy? When you're the daughter of Cortez?"

The thought of being sent back to that fortress was terrifying. She knew he could do it. He had the power. "I don't need you to care about me," she spat.

"But you want me to, love?" he asked with a mocking voice, a smile forming on his lips.

"No," she sharply retorted, swallowing up to think of what he called her.

"Why don't you go back there then?"

"Because I don't want to!" Regan hissed, standing up. "Because I hate them all! I hate you all. You're all the same. You are all males that have concubines and other crap. He had a wife and was cheating with a fucking servant. You on the other hand...." she trailed off, her cheeks heating up in shame.

"You don't know what you're saying," Sirius said coldly, his expression hard as stone. "You don't know anything about me. You're clueless."

"I'm not clueless," Regan hissed, anger coursing through her veins. "You have no honor. You have no respect. You're all the same. You all care about-"

"I'm not the same," he growled and caught her arm, yanking her closer, "You're blind and you're a fool. You see what you want to see."

Regan tried to let go but his grip was hard as a stone. She cursed herself for even starting this. She didn't have to start this again. She wondered why. He leaned down closer, his other hand grabbing her other arm. His face was very close to hers and his breath was fanning her face.

"I'm not blind and I'm not a fool either. I know very well what you're intentions are." Regan snapped, her anger palpable. She forgot the fact that he was very close to her. She was just angry with him, she thought he was honorless and she hated him. She didn't know why she got so caught up with that, but she couldn't keep it anymore.

"I'm not what you think I am," he said through gritted teeth, "I'm not like them. And certainly, I'm not like your father," he added, his grip softening slightly as he held her shoulders, steadying her.

"M-my father?" Regan mumbled, the color leaving her already pale face. She didn't even know her father. She had no idea, no memory of him. She only knew that he was a king once and then disappeared with her mother.

A cold smirk appeared on Sirius's face as his gaze bored on her, "Yes, your father. He was a bastard."

"What?!" Regan snapped, "How dare you?" she hissed as she tried to pull away.

"I dare so. You want to know how your father was? He was a coward."

"You don't make any sense." Regan snapped. She didn't know what he was saying. She tried to look away but his eyes kept her captive.

"But I do," he said as he released her. "First, he had a wife. He had a daughter with her. But he wasn't pleased. He wanted someone powerful and wealthy. He was a prince and so, he married your mom, who was a princess. But he wasn't satisfied yet. He got mistresses because he wanted a son. And then, I stepped into the scene and eliminated them all. And I wanted you eliminated as well. But you weren't."

His words pierced her like sharp daggers. Her face was filled with shock and uncertainty as she couldn't believe what he was saying.

"What the hell are you saying?" she exclaimed. Her eyes watered although she hated it. It wasn't the time to feel overwhelmed, "You're lying!"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But I know what I've seen. I've seen so much. And you, you've only seen your own delusions." He leaned against the counter, his expression cold.

"So....? How many....wives...kids did he have?" Regan stammered, not believing that her own biological father had been like that. She didn't want to believe him. She was skeptical as always but she didn't even know her own father. She didn't know what to think.

"You're the only daughter of the queen," he answered calmly, "As for Artemis, she's your half sister. I don't care if he had other kids. Even if he had, they don't count in my hit list. They're insignificant."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She never thought that Artemis was her half sister. Maybe that was the reason why she didn't hold the same fire power.

Suddenly, she felt her blood boil, fire coursing through her veins, "Well, you know what? I don't fucking care. I don't care if he was a bastard or a dissolute man. I don't care if he was evil and terrible. And I don't care if he had other kids. I'm nothing like him and my mom would never be. I'm going to find her and I'm going to end you as well. You're nothing better. You're a criminal and you have mistresses as well."

His expression was clouded in darkness, but there was a hint of pain and hurt. However, she wasn't going to believe that now.

"And since when have you been so interested in my life? Since when have you been counting how many mistresses I have?" He asked, his voice cold.

She opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. She couldn't think of anything to say. She felt like a fool. "I didn't mean it like that," she mumbled, her cheeks crimson.

"What did you mean then?" He said as he stepped closer, "Why are you so interested in me? In my life? Or....are you jealous? But you don't have to be. I don't have any mistresses anyway." He smirked, his voice taking a huskier edge.

"I'm not jealous." Regan took a step on her right, her face burning in embarrassment. She didn't even believe what he said, "And I'm not interested in you. I've said these things to others as well. It's not only you."

He chucked, shaking his head, "You're a terrible liar, Regan. Keep telling that to yourself. Why did you start this in the first place?"

She didn't answer. But she could say she loathed him so much that she could hit in all the ways around. Or just find something to loathe him more.

He didn't say anything either. He stormed out of the kitchen and she thought she was finally going to be alone. But he turned back again, a servant girl behind him. She looked scared.

She hastily brought the tray of food on her island counter, her hands shaking. Then, she quickly left. He stayed.

"Eat," he ordered, his expression stern and cold.

Regan felt exposed, the shivers creeping up on her, although the kitchen was warm. She didn't want to eat when Iris was suffering.

"If you don't eat, I'm going to kill your friend. You'll never see her again. I'll make sure you see her die. I have no mercy for anyone." He threatened on his cold voice, leaning on the doorway, his hands on his pockets.

Regan felt her blood run cold and fear wash over her. She didn't know what she'd do if Iris would die because of her. She hated herself already for bringing Iris in this.

So, she started to eat. She didn't know what the food was made of, but it tasted nice. Like some sort of spiced steak and french fries. She could feel his gaze on her and it made her even more embarrassed.

"What are you looking at?" she snapped.

He smirked in response and didn't speak. He stayed like that for a long time. Time seemed to stretch endlessly and when she finished eating, she felt like a fool. The silence was awkward.

"You know...." He trailed off, still leaning on the doorway, "I have a proposal for you."

"Proposal?" she repeated, her expression alarmed, "What proposal?"

He tilted his head, as if studying how she'd react. "Marriage proposal."

"What?!" Regan snapped, her eyebrows furrowing. She felt her blood drain her face, however, she felt it boiling as well. What did he mean by that?

Sirius's smirk widened, "Your face is priceless," he mocked, "You think I was willing to marry you?"

Regan's jaw clenched and her eyes filled with anger, "No, I didn't!"

"Imagine if it happened. What would they say? The ruthless married his sworn enemy. It'd be epic," he sneered.

Regan felt her veins bulging, her anger uncontrollable, "Why don't you go and die?" she snapped, "Why don't you go and fuck off?"

"But where would the fun be then?" he chuckled, "Seeing you furious is the only thing that's worth my amusement."

Regan knew he was doing it only to provoke her and he was having it. She really was uncontrollably furious. That was what he wanted. So, she tried to control her anger and appear cool. Maybe that way he'd stop.

"And? You think I was willing to marry you?" she retorted, not believing how she could even say those words.

"But you wouldn't want to marry anyone else," he said, his smile only making him more beautiful.

It was true, she didn't want to marry anyone. She hated marriage and she hated being used around. She hated being a tool to serve a male's needs.

"And? That doesn't mean I'd-"

"You'd be willing to marry me if it meant saving the life of the ones you love," he interrupted, his tone turning serious, "you'd do it."

"Are you out of your mind? Are you threatening me with that now? Well, it's not like I have ones that I love." Regan said, her voice furious.

Yes, she knew she cared about Iris and her aunt, but nevertheless, she didn't know who her mother was and right now she was alone. She could shake the melancholy that stirred inside her. "You've taken them all from me."

"Oh, my princess," he drawled, his expression gentler, "I haven't. You can have them all back. If only you be on my side. If you are on my side, I'll help you find your parents. Your mom. Your everything." His voice was melodic and smooth as silk and she found her own resolve weakening for a moment. But it was just a moment.

"I'm not your princess and I'll never side with you. I have my own resources and I don't need anyone's help." Regan spat, her frustration reaching its peak. She strode towards the door and tried to step past him but he caught her arm and led her away.

He led her through the hallways and stairs and they reached a set of doors which opened themselves. Then, he pushed her inside and said, "I could have put you inside the dungeons, I could have tortured you down there or I could have just gotten rid of you. I could have made you beg me to kill you. But I'm not doing it because I don't want to. And I never will. If I ever get rid of you in the end, I'd do it lovely in some other way."

Regan crossed her arms, her eyes filled with defiance, "You think you could but you couldn't. I'm not some toy you can play with. I have my own powers and strength."

He shook his head, "You're not my toy." And with that, he stepped outside and slammed the door shut.