the sounds of both hers and Janes heels clicking against the floorboards echoed around them causing some maids to look their way.

The brunette felt slightly uncomfortable by their gazes which caused her to cover her exposed skin with the cloak that the female vampire had given her since it was chilly outside.

"We're here" Jane informed Estelle the two now standing in front of a large gothic looking door the hallway they were in was dark the only source of light was the candles that hung on the walls.

The human girl merely nodded her head, the female vampire couldn't help but notice Estelle's nervous look causing her to frown Jane prayed that nothing would happen, that Caius wouldn't do anything reckless.

Suddenly the large doors opened revealing the king himself, Estelle flushed slightly seeing that he was only wearing tight black trousers, his muscular chest was exposed and so was his V line

Jane however was unfazed by her masters attire, the short vampire sent a reassuring look towards Estelle before she walked down the hallways the sound of her heels clicked loudly before slowly fading into the distance

"Come on in" Caius stated moving aside to let his mate inside, taking a deep breathe Estelle entered the room only to gape at the beautiful decor, the room itself was as dark as the hallway but she couldn't help but admire how breathtaking it looked

Caius watched amused as his mate wondered around his room, watching how her hands glide over the dark wooden frame of his bed and the gothic decor that stood within the room as well as the book he was reading now sat on the edge of his bed.

"Pride and Prejudice?" Estelle questioned gently picking up the book careful not to crease any of the pages as she read what page he was on "I wouldn't have thought of you as a reading type of person"

The blonde vampire smirked closing the doors behind him as he walked towards his little mate "It is one of my favourite novels, do you read?" He questioned back

Estelle placed a bookmark on the page before closing the book, putting it on the desk beside the bed frame "I do..... I was actually in the library with Marcus the other night, we merely sat in a comforting silence"

Caius frowned at her words he could feel the jealousy build up within him due to the fact that his brother had gotten to spend time with their mate first however, guilt soon filled his mind remembering that HE was the one who caused her to not trust him..... to fear him.

"You wished to paint me yes?" Estelle asked the male vampire in front of her she was now stood near a large glass door which lead to a balcony "where would you like me to be?"

"I want you to be on my bed" Caius stated not seeing Estelle freeze slightly neither did he realise that his own voice had deepened "I will get my supplies ready while you find a comfortable position.

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It had been two hours since Estelle had been laid upon Caius's bed her eyes examined the male vampire, she watched as his eyes glanced over to her, how his tongue poked out to concentrate on his Mayer piece

At first Estelle thought of the king as evil, demanding..... a beast. But now as she sat here watching him in silence she knew that there was a side of him... a side that she wishes to see and know more of.

Estelle was spread across the large bed which in her opinion could fit four people, her long hair was loosely braided, the white nightgown that Jane insisted on her to wear hung off of her right shoulder exposing her collarbone her hand placed gently upon her cheek.

The brunette was too busy in her own thoughts of the king that she did not realise Caius had finished his work, stepping back he admired the portrait before glancing up, his eyes locked onto his mates form.

"Amore" at the sound of his voice Estelle snapped out of her dream like state turning her attention to Caius only to let out a loud gasp at the painted canvas that was turned for her to see.

The brush work was simply incredible, Caius made sure that the background simply darkened with black and dark blues yet that wasn't what caught her by surprise it was the actual portrait of herself

Caius had got her facial features correct he also caught the twinkles that were within her brown orbs something he adored about her, not to mention the colour of her soft plump lips, the lips that he wanted to touch with his own.

"Caius, this is simply amazing!" Estelle choked standing up from the bed she walked over to admire the portrait up close finding the kings signature marked at the bottom left of the canvas.

The king smirked proud that he had impressed his mate, however his eyes had darkened during his painting watching how his mate bit her lip so innocently it made the beast within him want out. Wanting to claim what was his.

But he wouldn't do that..... he didn't want to scare his mate, Caius wanted Estelle to trust him to forgive him for locking her into that tower something that he should not have done.

"Good" he stated deeply purring in delight when his mate locked her beautiful doe brown eyes with his deep red ones "because it will be hung within the castle along with many, many more to come"

As he spoke he stepped closer and closer towards the little human, Estelle slowly backed away due to how close Caius was coming until she hit the back of a wall..... she was trapped.

"Caius" Estelle whispered her body somehow didn't tense as she felt the males breathe fanning against her lips, or that his once red eyes darkened with something she could not describe hunger? No... it was something else

"Estelle...." Caius purred deeply his arm snaked around the humans waist as he pushed his body closer to hers both their breathed mingled together... Then their lips touched.