"No! Please let me go." I hoped he would just listen for once. I didn't know what he meant by 'not again' but I didn't want to find out either. "I said I won't hurt you. Stay still." He stated while he tightened his grip on me. It hurt due to his strength.

"Stop." My shoulders shook as I sobbed. I didn't want to be touched. His touch burnt my skin and his close proximity wasn't pleasant at all. All I wanted was to be left alone for a while. He could have allowed me to go back if he wanted to.

"Look at me." He commanded shaking me out of my crying. I continued to look down at my trembling hands. "I said look at me!" He repeated.

Didn't he know that we were not allowed to?!

"I....I can't." I whispered.

"Fuck!" He growled angrily. I jumped at the sudden change of his tone. I know I was supposed to be used to it by now, but no matter what, one could never figure out or expect something normal from the Dark Prince.

He noticed me jump and loosened his grip ever so slightly. He was quiet after that. I wished he would just leave. I hoped the King or the Queen or even Lady Esther would call him out.

None of that happened.

I didn't know how long we stayed like that in the bathroom but eventually my breathing evened out. Me body calmed itself due to tiredness. His grip on me however stayed the same. I knew he was just staring at me the entire time. I felt like some sort of an object. An object he gets to keep and do whatever he wishes with. That's exactly what he was doing to me. I tried to slowly wiggle my arms out of his hold but that didn't work either.

Instead he held me even closer.

"Get into the bath."

W...what?

Those four words almost caused my heart to explode. He couldn't be serious. He just couldn't. I can't do that. My entire body stilled. Everything from the inside out. I sat there frozen with fear. All the blood must have drained out of my face. "Do you want me to carry you in? I want you to get into the bath Little Flower," he said while he ran his fingers through my hair. Words would not come out of my mouth. I wanted to slap his hand away and scream at this face but I couldn't. I couldn't do anything.

"Are you listening to me?" he pressed on. I started to slowly shake my head while looking down. "No?" he asked still playing with my hair. I shook my head again frantically this time.

"No you're not listening to me or no you won't get in the bath?! Open your mouth and speak to me Little Flower." I kept shaking my head 'No' because it was the only thing I could manage to do. He then gripped my jaw and made me look straight. My eyes were on his chest again. My hands and legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

If he wished, the Dark Prince could easily strip me and put me in the bath himself and I'd have no say in the matter. Just imagining that, I couldn't take it. I shuddered at the thought of it.

"Answer the question Little Flower," he ordered me. I willed myself to form the words and after a few seconds I spoke.

"I..I'll bathe myself p...please." My voiced cracked but it was enough for him to understand what I meant. He let out a chuckle. "You can't even walk. Your body is still hurting," he said deadpanned.

"I..I can d..do it, please." I pleaded as much as I can until he let go of me. I honestly thought I had pissed him off but then he shouted Ms.Odelle's name instead. The amount of relief which flooded into me almost caused me to fall off the counter.

Not long after, my personal superhero appeared. I jumped down the counter not caring about my weakened state. I just wanted to run towards her. I didn't have to because she came to me not wanting me to fall face first on the marble floor. "Ssshh I'm here now." she whispered softly even though we both knew the Prince could hear every single word we spoke.

She helped me into the bath and repeated what she did last night but this time a little faster. He was waiting for us in the room. Ms.Odelle's orders were to bathe me and immediately leave the room. That shattered my spirit but I'll have to just accept everything and if I'm lucky enough, I wouldn't last long in this messed up world that we lived in.

I was seated at the table, Ms.Odelle was gone. My only company was the darkness that always surrounded and confined me. I dreaded whatever was about to happen. He casually walked over to the head of the table and took his seat. I was right next to him.

He opened the cover on the tray and revealed another big meal. He started to take a little bit of everything and piled my plate.

I can't eat this much. No one can!

"Eat unless you prefer me feeding you," he said observing my face. I didn't want him to feed me so I grabbed the fork and started eating the noodles. A few mouths later, body refused to take in any more. My eating slowed down.

I was completely unaware of what to do at the moment. So I slowly and carefully put the fork down. He began drumming his knuckles on the table which made me more anxious.

The longer he looked towards me, the more he understood that I wasn't going to eat anymore so he dragged my chair closer to him until we were less than a feet apart. I barely moved to the side of my chair when I heard a ferocious, animalistic growl.

"Don't. You. Dare."

That made me maintain my original position. I fisted my hands on my lap in order to stay put.

"Why?" he suddenly asked. I was confused at first. He wanted to know why I moved?

"I..I wasn't going t..to run Your Highness," I stuttered out.

"Why won't you eat the bloody food?" that took me by surprise. Why couldn't he understand that none of the servants were able to suddenly eat so much. They made sure our bodies would only be able to take a minimum amount of food or nothing at all.

"I..I can't...."

"And why the hell not?!!" I flinched before replying. "My s..stomach, I..I'll throw...."

He cut me off by moving forward bringing his body even closer to me. I could feel his hot breath fanning my face. I kept my gaze down, not moving an inch. "But you're human, you are getting skinnier and you're not healthy. So you need to eat! Isn't this the way?! I'm trying to get food inside you and you refuse. Why?!"

Was he serious?

His voice sounded so serious but there was an underlying tone to it. He almost sounded like an adamant child. If I had not known better, I would even call it innocence. How can a few centuries old being not know anything about us humans??!

Does he not go out? Surely this is a common thing that everyone would know how to deal with. Or not deal with at all.

"Answer the question!" He grumbled when I remained silent.

I didn't know if he was playing but I had to explain it to him how I understand it. I took a deep shaky breath before I began hoping he wouldn't hit me.

"Our s...stomachs, we can't digest so much food so s..suddenly. We've b...been given very little," my voice was soft, stiff and hesitant altogether. I could feel his heated gaze on me.

"Certain days, close to n..nothing. So we are already used to taking in only a...a little amount or nothing...."

I stopped explaining as he slowly stood up. Honestly, this was the most I've ever spoken to him. Maybe I spoke too much and now I've irritated him.

"Who's we?" he asked then took a sip from his chalice.

"W...we? Us servants Your Highness."

"Servants," he repeated. His voice sounded cold and distant. "You're a servant," he spoke softly, mumbling to himself. He then walked towards the large windows.

He stared out the window for a while deep in his thoughts. I wished I could just slip out but that would be suicide. He then abruptly turned around and stormed back to the table. "You're a servant. You're a servant, yes but you're still my servant. Mine and only mine and I will do as I see fit. From now on you will only leave this room if and only if I grant you permission," he spoke icily.

What did I ever do to deserve this from him?! I tried to the my job the best I can and so far it has brought me to my lowest.

I shakily began to stand up and I slowly backed away from the table. This brought a mocking laugh out of his lips.

"You really think you can run away from me? What are you compared to a creature like me, my Little Flower?" he stared taking big steps towards me and before I could blink again, his massive form stood centimeters away from me.

Before I could think of taking another step back he placed both his hands on either side of my head and everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kyle's POV

I went straight for the kitchen. It was already nine and I was so done with work. I finally ended my day with the brattiest vampire in the world. That little toad was practicing his so called vampiric gifts all damn day. Since Timothy could actually move things with his mind, he tried moving me around. I ended up being bashed against the wall twice! He apologized but I didn't give a damn. Instead I gave him the stink eye.

What a spoilt moron!!!

As I neared the kitchen area I saw Alex and Bess along with some others cleaning up. They seemed like they were almost done. My beautiful Henri was there too watching Alex clean and having small talks with the two. As I walked closer I began to wonder why hadn't Eve met up with us until now. It's been a bloody long time since I last saw her. I kind of missed her. I missed her a lot actually. Her care, her warm welcoming smile. Her strong will to always survive in any situation.

Damn it where the hell are you?!

"Hey man," Alex greeted me. Bessie looked up and only nodded with a tight smile. I neared Henri and placed a kiss on her forehead. She smiled up at me for a few seconds then continued to talk to Alex. "How was your day Henri?" I asked suddenly remembering her collapse on the floor outside Lady Esther's room. "It was fine, I managed thanks to Alex over here. I don't know what I would have done without him," she said thanking Alex again.

"Yeah, thanks Alex. How did you manage to sneak out?"

"It was only for a few moments. No big deal," he shrugged.

"Hey I was wondering, what happened to Eve, I haven't seen the little red head for a long time," Alex immediately stilled. His eyes had a faraway look. I could clearly see he missed her too.

"Hello? Alex?"

"Um yeah, she's fine I guess. Maybe a little busy. Her work is tough Kyle, she'll see us soon."

"Soon?! You mean you haven't met up with her too?!" I yelled. What is with this guy.

"Stop shouting Kyle," he said. I didn't care though.

"Alex why wouldn't you go see her?! You haven't met Eve in such a long time, dude aren't you worried for her?!"

"The last time we spoke she said she had extra work so she can't visit us often...." Before he ended I heard Bessie let out a snort. Clearly we shared the same thought. Alex could be a dumbass at times.

"And you fucking believe that?!! O Gosh Alex, you know her better than all of us. To Eve, family comes first, especially you. Why would you believe her if she said she had no time. She's hiding something and you better figure it out. Maybe she's in trouble!" He listened to me without saying a word. Even when I finished he just continued to look at me. He was deep in his thoughts. Henri, me and that Bessie girl kept staring at him.

"I don't know what's going on in that head of yours but you have to talk to her! I thought I was the only one who missed out!" I then turned to the girls, "Do you guys meet up in the quarters?"

Henri shook her head looking down while Beth immediately turned away from me. "Hey Bessie, do you see her or not? You guys are close right?" she looked at me a little mad.

What did I do?

"She comes in later than anyone else and she wakes up extra early and leaves for work," her answer was short. Too short. No room for questions.

"And my name is Beth." She gritted out.

"So none of you know anything about Eve or what's happening to her?" Bessie looked away again. That girl was definitely hiding something. Henri didn't look too worried for some reason.

Was I the only one who cared right now?!

"Did you guys like decide to forget about her? She's like our sister too Alex," I asked glaring at him. He was always the matured and protective one. Seeing him like this now, it was all too funny.

"Why are you coming after me?! She's the one who keeps saying that she doesn't have time and she might get in trouble because of her demanding duties!! What the heck am I supposed to do about that?! Eve works for the most dangerous hybrid in the world. Maybe we should just let her concentrate on her work and stop bothering her," he ended. He sounded like a lunatic all of a sudden. We don't meet for more than a week and this happens. Alex never spoke like this.

"No time? Demanding duties? Bothering her?!! Have you forgotten everything about your beloved Eve?! What you said makes no sense and does not connect with the girl I know! And you should know better!" I banged my fists on the table which made Henri jump in surprise.

Bessie kept her steady gaze on Alex the entire time I spoke. It was as if she was figuring him out. I also noticed her observe Henri every once in a while.

What the fuck had I missed.

"You know what? Screw you guys." I shifted my gaze from Alex to Bess. "What time does her work finish?"

"Around nine thirty but the Dark Prince might keep her longer," she said the last part softer.

"Why? How will I know if she finishes early or not?"

"I don't know why and you won't. It always depends on the Prince," she continued to keep her answers short but I knew there was a whole lot more than she was letting on. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Both Alex and Henri remained silent as I spoke. I couldn't believe no one has seen Eve in such a long period of time.

I must talk to Tonya about this. Maybe she's seen her recently.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eve's POV

I woke up to the sun streaming down my cheek. The heavy comforter was pulled up to my shoulders. My surroundings were quiet. Peaceful even. Despite all this, something else caught my attention.

There in the vase, were three beautiful, healthy looking white roses. Just by looking at them, it brought about a serene feeling within me.

I woke up without a horrible headache. I woke up with no pain. It was a first in very long time. However, I still felt a little weak. I pushed myself up in a sitting position and looked around.

I knew I was in his room. Last night's events were still fresh in my mind. How could one forget? That brought my mood down again.

He wanted to completely make me his. Just like he swore he would. We were already slaves I know but how could someone make it even worse?

I felt even less than a slave. More trapped than ever.

What's worse is that I miss my family so much. Including Beth and India but mostly Alex. A sudden pang of loneliness hit me.

How long has it been?

Too long.

I looked around one more time. After confirming that I was the only one in the room I quickly got up. With shaky legs I walked up to the doors. I turned the big knob but it wouldn't turn all the way.

No!

I twisted the knob again and again to no avail. I then tried knocking the doors from inside.

Maybe someone will hear me and open the doors.

I knocked and knocked but no one came. My heartbeat quickened. I went full out, banging the door with both my fists.

"Hello?! Is anyone there?!!"

Silence.

Don't stop.

"HELLO!! Open the doors please!"

I continued shouting.

As more time passed, my throat began to hurt and my voice sounded hoarse. There were small bloody cuts on my knuckles as well.

Completely drained out of energy, I leaned against the door and slid down hugging my knees to my chest, I couldn't control my tears. So I let them flow.

Petals fell from the roses.

Turning into a dispirited brown.