Ava’s Pov

It was almost like I could hear imaginary bells.

Completely zoning out the moment Tabitha jumped. Holding my gown, with my both hands shaking.

Through the linings which supported the balcony, I peeked and saw Tabitha’s disfigured body.

“Oh no…”

She was already dead.

It was an eye sore.

Right beside her down, were Francesca and Cicilia. Seems like they intended to stop her from jumping so they won’t be exposed.

I knew Tabitha was right, that instant. Clearly, they were both responsible.

In fact, they have been feeding on her.

“Lady Ava…”

I wondered who was calling me.

“Lady Ava!!”

Someone jeered me out of my thoughts, shaking my arms steadily. I looked only to see Cassandra.

“You need to get a hold of yourself,”

She said.

Thankfully, she had followed me unknowingly.

She definitely saw it too.

She dragged me from the scene, escorting me to the front of the beast’s chambers.

“T-the girl, she was f-from my district...she died,”

I held her saying, pointing towards where it happened.

“W-what if everything is effortless? What if we’re all fated to die at the end?”

I sniffled in tears, asking her.

My eyes were red and bloodshot, hands shaking. Some liquids of sorrow drizzled down from my nose.

“You all can’t be fated to die? You’ve come this far, Lady Ava. Don’t give up,”

“Not yet,”

She said, bringing out some handkerchief. Holding my chin, she used it to wipe my makeup stained face and also underneath my nose.

“She died goddamit, I wanted to save her.”

I cried more.

“But she didn’t listen to me. She was so traumatized!”

“Those people…what did they do to her?”

What did they do to her?

Seems like they broke her… beyond repair.

“You really have to calm down. Brace yourself up so you’ll have a clear head to survive.”

Cassandra muttered.

Holding my hands, she tucked the handkerchief in it.

I looked at her frizzy brown hair and her face with the beautiful freckles.

She looked lost too. And was barely holding herself.

“Thank you...”

I trailed out, kindly looking into her eyes.

“It’s my duty to serve you, Lady Ava.” she replied with a bow.

Somehow, Cassandra was one of the sincere people I met in this castle. She seemed diligent and didn’t have any inner motives.

I knew I needed to do something about it.

If I didn’t more people would die. More innocent girls out of the 25, would die.

But what?

Where did I start from?

“I-um, need to go. I need to see the beast now.”

With a firm look, I said to her. I hoped seeing the beast would change something. That I wasn’t just making a fool of myself.

“Okay, Lady Ava. I’ll leave to meet Jaskier now to see if he has any information.”

She bowed, walking away.

The minute she left; I entered the beast’s room.

As I walked in, everywhere was silent. I couldn’t hear a pin drop sound.

But the air had a hint of sea water smell, and a bit of alcohol.

I heard some growls and muffles. I looked around only to see Caspian on the floor with a bottle of alcohol. It seemed like he had been drinking.

“Mate…”

“You’re here.”

He slurred in his speech, saying.

I wondered what was wrong. I knew he only drank when he was sad. So, what was the matter with him?

“I guess I am.”

“You summoned for me,”

I remarked, holding the hems of my gown and walking to sit with him. Back then, I would definitely be afraid.

But somehow, I wasn’t.

Not anymore…

This mark on my neck made me feel connected to him. It was like I could feel his emotions.

“I want you to stay Ava. I want you to stay with me.”

He said.

“You very much know I can’t, Caspian. Back there, lots of people depend on me, you know.”

Piper…Emily…

Your mum.

I discreetly thought.

“Then how long do I have to wait?”

“My beast fights me, torments me. He wants to mate with you. He wants you to bear our pup.”

At his words, I looked away with my eyes searching.

His pup…?

Would I be able to take in a child at these circumstances?

I mean, Tabitha just died. What if I was next? What if any of the people I intend to protect was next? What would I do then...

“One of the girls died.”

I gulped.

Caspian froze at his spot at my declaration. He reached for his bottle of rum, drinking from it. His face wore a dejected look, so did his legs shake with his hands.

It seemed like he cursed himself inwardly, from the growls I heard.

“24 remaining.” He suddenly stated.

“Yes milord,”

He stood up staggering at his spot.

I immediately followed suite to support his movements. I took the bottle from his hands, dropping it on a nearby cupboard.

I noticed the buttons on his shirt was undone. I could see the hairs that crept sexily around his chest. There was a way his dark hair stuck around his face in strands that made him look desirable.

What was I doing?

I erased those thoughts immediately.

“Pains me I can’t do anything about it…”

“You can, can’t you?”

“You’re the King, Caspian.” I firmly said, as I dropped him on the bed.

“Make a decree. Send the girls back home safely. That way, no blood would be on your hands.”

“It’s not as simple as you think Ava… I need an heir to put an end to this. My father...”

His father?

Was he responsible?

“He’s so powerful, you know. As the previous King of this Kingdom, he still cares deeply for a successor. He started this policy.”

“Putting an end to it means war,”

“Then we’ll fight it together.” I said.

“It’s not as simple as that, you know. King Teta is the King of the Sea, powerful both in sea and on land. He’s really dangerous,”

So, this was it.

The reason he didn’t have a say in it.

“He visited today; you know. To remind me of my place, to remind me of my dark past and sins.”

Dark past and sins?

“I can’t go against him.”

What did he mean by that? Was there something he wasn’t telling me?

“My King…”

I let out, cusping his face lovingly. Sparks and vibrations flew immediately from the bare body contact between us. I looked inside his silver-gray eyes with a trustworthy look. Also, at the way his long, dark hair cascaded down. His bushy eyelashes.

“I understand it now, because you’ve explained. Thank you for trusting me.”

“You’re welcome mate.” he answered, with a mysterious expression.

“But I need to request something from you.”

I stated.

“What is it? Ask, even though it’s half of my Kingdom, I would give unto you.”

“It’s about Francesa and Cicilia…”

Caspian growled powerfully at the mention of their names. His hands snapped angrily and he got away from my grasp.

“Bad.”

“Bad.”

“Do not mention their names!”

He roared at me. Guilt filled his eyes. I sensed it was because of the fact that he turned them.

“Please listen to me--”

“Not them.”

“Not them, Ava.”

“They were responsible for the girl’s death! Tabitha…they fed on her blood and made her hate herself.” I let out.

“I need to know what creature they are! What did you turn them to?”

King Caspian was silent that instant. It was almost like he absorbed everything I said and was contemplating it. After a long while, he finally spoke.

“My beast has different abilities.”

“You’re lucky you took most of its genes, Ava.”

“Thus, you were turned to a powerful wolf. Completely harmless to humans unless when pissed. Just like me.”

“But them?”

“Because took the cunning way out, they are something much more dangerous to humans.”

“Much more perilous, unsafe and hazardous.” he added.

“Something that feeds on blood.”

My mind wondered at his mentioned of blood, and Tabitha’s paleness.

“Vampires.”

I stated immediately, with a lost look in my eyes.

“Oh no…”

My hands began to shake at that discovery. So did tears fill my eyes’ rims.

He took a hold of my shoulders. It seemed like he was starting to become sane again.

“Don’t fret mate. I’m always here to protect you.”

“Always and forever.”

As he said those words, his gaze shifted to my breasts which pumped from my garments. He reached for them, and I let him.

Maybe just once, I could forget everything…

***

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