Ch 6: Deal with the devil

Aribella POV

A stabbing sensation in the center of my forehead wakes me from a deep sleep, and a deep groan bubbles from my chest.

I was having the loveliest dream of sipping cocktails on a beach while the sun baked my skin. I haven’t been to the beach in so long. The first and last time Stephan and I went was the beginning of the end for our relationship.

I’d worn a bikini, something he said nothing about beforehand, and the moment we got home, he pushed me against a wall, screaming that I was a whore who wanted to show off my body for other men to look at.

I haven't been back to the beach since.

“Go away,” I swat at my forehead, but my eyes snap open when my palm connects with leather.

The guard with unnatural golden eyes stares at me with an unamused expression. “Mr. Locksley regrets to inform you that Mr. Whitehall is not interested in meeting with you.”

Kaelar Itsuki. Head of the Royal guard and a vampire.

I forced myself out of the bathtub quickly, and Kaelar backed away, “I refuse to accept that. Where is Emrys anyway? He couldn’t bother coming here to let me down in person?” I scoffed, “Coward.”

This wasn’t how this was meant to go. Clearly Emrys saw something in my face or heard the desperation in my voice, or he wouldn’t have bothered bringing me here, so why could he not convince Rhory? They were obviously close enough for him to have an influence over the man, so why in the hell had neither of them showed up here to at least let me down in person? Hear me out? Anything would have been better than being rudely awoken by a guard member to let me know with indifference that my presence wasn't appreciated.

“The royal family is preparing for the annual royal gathering. They have little time to deal with you,” Kaelar looks bored, and it grates on my nerves.

“Take me to them.”

“No,” he retorts immediately.

“Why the hell not?”

“My job was to inform you that you would not be meeting with Mr. Whitehall and escort you to an awaiting carriage. That’s it,” Kaelar’s expression continues to annoy me.

“I’ll find him myself,” I spin on my heel, but Kaelar’s leather glove grabs my upper arm. “You are a guest in this castle. You will not be meeting with Mr. Whitehall unless permitted to do so. My job is to make sure you leave immediately.”

My body trembles beneath Kaelar’s grip, and he releases me almost immediately. He didn’t hurt me, but the memories of Stephan’s hands gripping my body are still too fresh. Every time he touched me it felt like a new scar was seared beneath my skin. They may not have been visible, but I knew they were there.

This body hasn’t been tainted by his hateful touch, and I don’t plan to let any man treat me like Stephan did all those years.

“Touch me again, and I’ll,” I start, but he cuts me off, “You’ll what?”

I shook off the feeling of fear that I felt moments ago and straightened my spine. “You don’t scare me.”

“Was I supposed to be scary?” Kaelar stepped closer, and on instinct, I stepped back. His expression hasn’t changed, and I want to scream. His presence is infuriating, but I can’t lose my cool.

I need that stupid meeting.

“Did you come here to take me back to the ranch?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll grab my things.”

I hadn’t bothered to unpack, thank goodness, since this was a massive waste of my time. Rhory Whitehall was a dead end in my quest to make sure I didn’t die again.

I motioned towards the door, mumbling sarcastically, “Lead the way.”

Kaelar went back to silence, walking down the hall with me following closely behind.

As we entered the main area of the castle, Mael was speaking with a few of the staff members. His eyes spotted me immediately, and he abandoned his conversation, waltzing over towards Kaelar and me.

“What are you doing here?”

A lightbulb went off in my head, “I wanted to formally apologize for my behavior this morning,” I bit the inside of my cheek until copper coated my tongue as I bowed before Mael.

When I rose from my bow, he was staring at me with an unreadable expression before a mask slid into place. A warm smile plastered over the harsh, thin line of his lips, “You came all this way to apologize to me?” he chuckled, “That was hardly necessary, sweetheart.”

“Your highness,” I softened my face as much as physically possible while feeling like I was going to vomit on this man's face. “It was very much necessary. I had a terrible night of sleep and allowed my sharp tongue out. I truly am sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” he smiled. “Your bag suggests you were planning to stay. Why is Mr. Itsuki escorting you off the premises?”

The way he spoke Kaelar’s name gave me chills. Could he possibly be one of the humans who felt hatred for the vampire guard? What sense would that make considering they were the sole reason he had protection?

“I was informed that my presence was poorly timed due to the royal gathering. I didn’t want to disturb the preparations, and figured I’d come back at a later date.”

“Mr. Itsuki,” Mael glared at Kaelar, his eyes narrowed in contempt. “Escort Ms. Voss immediately back to her room. She will be my guest for the gathering.”

My lips twitched with the urge to smile.

I’d make a deal with the devil in hopes of finding myself in Rhory’s presence.

He will hear me out.

I will not die again.

“I’ll have a gown delivered to your quarters as well as a servant to get you ready for the evening,” Mael smiled. “I look forward to getting to know you better, Ms. Voss.”

“Likewise.”

Gag.

Kaelar obeyed orders, quietly escorting me back to my room without another word. I slammed the door in his face, flipping him off the moment he could no longer see me.

“Sometimes you have to break your own rules to win.”