I hope you guys have been enjoying the frequent updates. I've been in a writing mood lately if you couldn't tell!

Enjoy!

"I don't think I can watch," Marley groaned as they sat in what was very similar to a stadium. There were bench-like structures carved from the stone of the mountainside that they were sitting on. In front of them, there was a massive arena were Thierry, Ulric, and eight men were standing.

Ulric told Amaryllis before arriving that the arena was built thousands of years ago, when vampires would fight each other to the death. Usually over property battles or ownership of slaves, or traitorous behavior against the kingdom. Today, they had come up with more humane ways to solve those issues, all except for the last one.

Marley squeezed Amaryllis's hand for support and Amaryllis squeezed back to offer her comfort. Amaryllis didn't want to watch either, but she knew that the people of the Kingdom were looking at her as a symbol of leadership now that she was mated to Ulric. Even if she wasn't feeling it on the inside, she tried her best to appear strong on the outside.

"It'll be okay," she assured Marley with a very disingenuous smile. She looked to the sides of her and behind her and saw everyone sitting completely still in grave silence. The arena hadn't been used in many years. The last time it was used was when Ulric assumed the throne and a competitor challenged him.

"Do you think they'll kill them all?" Marley asked.

"I don't know for sure, but if I had to bet, I would say yes."

"Oh gosh," Marley groaned. "Amaryllis, why are you laughing at me?"

"I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at the fact that you're a werewolf and I'm some weak human, yet I'm the one trying to calm you down."

"I'm sensitive, okay," Marley huffed. Amaryllis tapped her knee against Marley's and smiled.

"Girls, they are starting," Henderson- one of Ulric's cousins and closer acquaintances- said to the girls. Lawrence usually watched after them if Ulric or Thierry were busy, but Lawrence was down by the arena, waiting to help drag off the bodies. So, Ulric appointed Henderson.

Amaryllis looked around again and saw that the entire stadium was full. People all around the kingdom were required to come to the event today.

"As King of this prevailing kingdom, I don't take lightly to traitors who seek to both topple my rein and steal my mate from me," Ulric boomed.

She heard many gasps arise from the crowd around her. Not all of them were aware that she had been kidnapped by the men on trial.

"Nor do I take it lightly when there were plans to steal General Stirks betrothed." More gasps from the crowd.

"Treason is one thing, an attack against us, but to attack the mates of those you have issues with is a weak man's move," Thierry said.

"Today will be an artistic portrayal of the consequences derived from such actions," Ulric boomed to the crowd. Shivers went up Amaryllis's spine at the power he exuded.

"Levi and Charlie, come forward," Ulric demanded. Lawrence unshackled the two men from the arena wall, and then locked their two chains together, so they were connected to each other via the chains. They picked themselves up and hesitantly walked toward the two most powerful men in the kingdom.

Amaryllis gulped as anxiousness attacked her mind and body. What were they going to do, she thought to herself.

Levi and Charlie stopped in front of them. Thierry dropped a wooden steak in front of them. "Fight to the death until one of you is the lone survivor. Or we kill you both," Thierry said.

"This seems dangerous," Amaryllis whispered. She was pretty sure Ulric heard her because his eyes snapped to her's as she spoke.

"There's a wall built around the stadium to protect the prospectors," Henderson said from behind them. She looked up and saw a line in the air when the wall must begin. She reached her arm out and stopped when her fingertips pressed against a clear surface. She knew Ulric wouldn't let any harm become of her, but knowing there was something separating her from the wooden stakes flying around eased some of her worries.

Levi and Charlie looked between themselves, Ulric and Thierry, and the stake. They were unsure of what to do. "Fight!" Ulric boomed so loud she jumped from her seat slightly.

Levi reached for the stake but was quickly knocked out of the way when Charlie jumped on him. Charlie landed a few blows on Levi but was bested when Levi flipped them and landed on top of Charlie. Levi once again reached the stake, this time successfully grabbing it.

Before he could use it though, Charlie head-butted him and flipped them so Levi was on his stomach and Charlie had Levi in a headlock. The stake was pinned under Levi.

Levi extended his fangs and ripped into Charlie's arm, tearing the skin away, causing Charlie's grip to loosen. Levi stood up with the stake in his hand and pulled the chain so Charlie moved with him.

The two men were both standing, but Levi had the advantage of the stake. Charlie lunged for Levi's legs and knocked them both down, then forced Levi's arms toward his chest. The stake in Levi's hands slowly approached his chest as Charlie pushed down. Levi fought against him, but Charlie had the upper hand from being above Levi.

Amaryllis could see the top of the stake push into his chest, but she looked away after that. She couldn't see a man die. She saw Marley with her eyes closed as well, but she wasn't sure how much Marley even watched.

When she looked up again, she saw Charlie sitting next to Levi's body. A look of remorse and devastation crossed his face as he stared at Levi's lifeless body. At least he was loyal to his friend, Amaryllis thought. She felt horribly guilty about all of this. She knew they were bad men and they were the cause of this, but she didn't think they deserved to die such a torturous death.

Lawrence came and drug Levi's body away, while another man that she'd seen speaking to Ulric before came out and pulled Charlie back to his original position- tethered to the wall.

"Owen and Julien," Ulric called and the process repeated. Thierry dropped a stake on the ground in front of them and Ulric told them when to begin. Their fight lasted much longer than Charlie and Levi's.

The previous fight wasn't very long because Levi got cocky when he held the stake and let that distract him from the danger in front of him, allowing Charlie to win. Neither Julien nor Owen were cocky like Levi was. Eventually, Julien won the fight when Owen lost his footing, giving Julien the upper hand.

"Jasper and Isaac!"

The stake landed between their feet.

They looked between each other before both diving for the stake.

Jasper couldn't hold his ground when Isaac slammed his hand into Jasper's chest cavity.

The stake dropped from Jasper's hand to the ground, rolling toward Isaac's feet.

Jasper fell to the ground and Isaac stood victorious.

Each time, Amaryllis looked away when they lowered the stake into their victim.

The only two left were Silas and Reynold. Except for this time, Ulric and Thierry didn't do the same thing as they had the last three times.

This time, Ulric walked over to where Reynold was chained to the wall. He ripped the chain from the wall and drug Reynold to the center of the arena behind him. Then he hoisted Reynold onto a table and strapped him down. Reynold fought against him, but Ulric easily quelled him.

Then Thierry pulled Silas over to Reynold and connected his chain back to the floor. Thierry handed Silas a hatchet. "Dismember him," Ulric ordered. Silas hesitated, looking around as if there was a way to get out of his punishment.

"Would you like the same fate as Levi, Owen, and Jasper?" Thierry asked as he pulled a stake.

"No," Silas answered. He stepped forward, closer to Reynold.

"Don't do this Silas!" Reynold begged as Silas raised the hand holding the hatchet. "I gave you everything you wanted!"

"Everything I wanted?" Silas scoffed. "There was a slight chance at power, power I know you would've taken for yourself anyway. Look where it got us. Half of us are dead."

"Don't do this, you bastard!" Reynold cried.

Silas raised the hatchet and Amaryllis heard the impact and the scream. She couldn't bear to watch though.

She heard several move thuds as the hatchet connected to bone and to the table. After what seemed like ten years, the hacking sounds stopped.

"Would anyone else like to admit to treason, or conspiring behind closed doors?" Ulric asked the crowd.

"No, your highness," the crowd spoke unanimously.

"Hopefully this will teach those of you wishing to do my mate or rein harm, to not. I will find out, as I have done previously, and as I have today. I wouldn't recommend that anyone try again," Ulric announced, his voice calm yet threatening.

Ulric then picked up three wooden stakes and threw them from where he was standing in the center of the arena, to where the men were chained beside the wall. One of the three stabbed each man in his heart, killing them immediately.

Amaryllis still hadn't looked up. She didn't want to see Reynold's body or what was left of it nor did she want to see the three dead men chained up. She hadn't seen Ulric kill them, but she heard their groans of pain.

"As for Silas, he will spend the rest of his days dismembering Reynold each time his limbs grow back," Thierry said.

"You all are dismissed," Ulric announced.

As the crowd stood up, applause began to ring out. She heard multiple cheers and people screaming that they 'love King Posillico and General Stirk.' They were applauding them for their dismantlement of the traitorous group. Applauding them for keeping the Kingdom safe. Amaryllis could tell how much the people of the kingdom respected their rulers.

"Let's go, girls," Henderson said to Marley and Amaryllis after most people had left the stadium.

Henderson took the girls back to Ulric's quarters. "I'll be right outside until the King and the General come back," he said. "Come get me if you need anything."

"Thank you," both girls replied.

A few minutes later, the doors opened and both men walked in. Ulric walked to Amaryllis and scooped her up in his arms, hugging her to his chest. "Hi, my sweet girl," he greeted as he tugged one hand through her windblown hair.

"Hi," she said back but her voice was muffled because her lips were pressed against his neck. Not that he cared.

"I'll see you later Ulric. I'm gonna shower and get her something to eat," Thierry said as he held Marley's hand.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Ulric responded.

Amaryllis yawned against his neck even though it was only 12 in the afternoon. He hadn't gotten home until late last night and she couldn't sleep without him, so she stayed awake until he came back.

"What were you doing last night?" She asked.

"Always so curious," Ulric said. She just huffed out a breath of air in response.

"Thierry and I had our fun with the captives before their deaths. You don't need the details," Ulric said and she believed him. She didn't want to know the hell he must've put them through before today. She knew it had to be terrible though because Ulric loved tormenting his prey. She spoke from personal experience.

"What is wrong, mate? I feel that you are uneasy," Ulric asked with concern.

"Those men. I feel guilty about their deaths."

"You should not. Those men suffered the consequences of their own actions. You are not responsible for their behavior," he said.

"I know, but..." she said, not able to finish the rest of her sentence because she knew Ulric was right. They did this to themselves by committing treason against him.

"I guess I just don't like death, even if it is deserved."

"Death wouldn't have come to them if they didn't do what they did," Ulric said with a shrug of his shoulders. "But that is why you are a good person, Amaryllis."

"You are a good person, too, Ulric. You do what you have to in order to protect your kingdom. I'm just glad that I'm not in your position because I wouldn't be able to do what you do."

"You'll never have to do what I do, sweet girl," he said and then pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Come, join me in the shower," Ulric reached down to grab her hand and she followed beside him. A shower did sound nice.

Ulric lifted his shirt off his body and then dropped his jeans and boxer briefs as well. Amaryllis pulled off her shirt and jeans then all of her undergarments. They stepped into the large shower once the water heated up.

Ulric squeezed some of her shampoo into his hand and gently massaged it through her hair, spending extra time massaging her scalp. She gripped his forearms as he washed her hair for support because his gentle caress was making her extraordinarily sleepy.

"Someone's tired," Ulric noted. She only nodded her head. He then tipped her head back so the stream of water hit her locks and washed the soap out. Then he conditioned her ends and washed that out after thoroughly coating each strand. She loved his caring touches.

He then washed her body with a washcloth and soap. Making sure to softly scrub every area of her skin. He crouched down in front of her to wash her legs. He picked each leg up and ran the washcloth up and down the length of it. Then he nudged her knees apart slightly and ran the washcloth over her core. She squirmed as the washcloth made contact with her.

He pulled her body forward so the water washed the soap away. Then he leaned forward in between her legs and placed a delicate kiss on her clit.

She gasped at the contact and watched as he stood up. She leaned against the shower wall, watching him wash his hair and body. When he was done, he stood in front of her so their bodies were touching. He dropped his mouth to her neck, sucking at the skin there.

One of his hands worked its way done to her core, where he used the pad of his thumb to barley graze her sensitive button.

Then she felt the sharpness of his fangs grazing her skin as his tongue flicked out to taste her. His finger moved down her slit toward her entrance and when he punctured her neck with his teeth, he slid a finger into her at the same time.

He toes curled in pleasure and she arched her back while releasing a breathy moan. She gripped one hand in his thick hair and the other behind his back to support herself. He pumped one finger in and out of her opening, while continuing to rub her with the pad of his thumb.

Eventually, he slowed the movement of his fingers, much to her displeasure, and removed his fangs from her neck. He licked the area around the bite wounds and sealed the wounds shut.

"Sit down, sweet girl," Ulric said while leading her toward the carved out bench in the shower. Ulric bent once more so he was level to her center. He pulled her legs apart with a firm grip of his hands. Then he kissed the inside of her thighs, gently biting at each of them, before running his tongue along her center.

He pulled his finger away and placed another soft kiss on her clit again. A movement that had her absolutely soaking. She couldn't understand why, but that little kiss was so erotic.

Ulric noticed her affinity toward his kisses, so he continued to provide her with what she wanted. He inserted two fingers into her and continued pressing kisses all around her button, sparking multiple moans from his little mate.

She ground her hips upward and tried to push his head down to make more contact but each time she moved her hips, he pulled his head away. He placed the hand not inside her on her abdomen, preventing her from moving herself.

After a little while more of him simply kissing her, his tongue began to slide around once again. He pulled his fingers from her and used his tongue to penetrate instead. He rubbed her button up and down, side to side with his finger.

"Ulric!" She whined, closing in on her release. She reveled in the feeling of him worshipping her body. He shoved his tongue back inside her and pressed down harshly on her sensitive button, causing her to cum all over his mouth and fingers.

She leaned her head back against the wall of the shower and took a few deep breaths. This bliss was much needed after the stressful day she had.

Ulric stood up, licking his fingers and lips off, making Amaryllis blush. "You taste so fucking good," Ulric groaned. She looked down at his body and saw his member erect, very erect. She could see the angry red head pointing up, waiting for release.

"Do you want me to..." she asked, gesturing toward his member with her hands.

Ulric walked closer to Amaryllis but swatted her hands away when she reached up to him. She looked back at him with confusion written all over her features.

He reached behind him and shut the shower head off. He didn't have to worry about Amaryllis getting cold though, because the walls and floors of the shower were heated.

He reached down and grabbed his cock in his hand, harshly tugging his hand up and down as he stared at Amaryllis's naked body. She's so beautiful, he thought to himself, and all mine.

He gripped the back of her head in his hand and pulled her toward him. "Open," he said. She opened her mouth, all while staring directly at the head of his cock.

Ulric slipped the angry head just past her lips and nothing more. "Suck," he commanded and she obeyed. Soon, with her sucking his tip and him tugging the length, Ulric shot his semen into her mouth.

"Such a good little girl," Ulric praised as she swallowed everything. He pulled himself from her mouth and then reached out of the shower door to grab towels. He quickly dried his own body off before wrapping a towel around Amaryllis while he used another towel to dry her hair.

"I think you need a nap," Ulric commented as her eyes kept closing while he wiped her body off. Once she was dry, he brushed the tangles out of her hair and then hung the bath towels on the drying rack.

He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom where he laid her on the bed. Then he pulled the curtains closed, completely darkening the room so they could sleep. He slid into the bed beside Amaryllis and pulled her to his body before pulling blankets on top of them both.