CHAPTER 13

Isabella sat in the dining room with King Alessandro and Kieran. After her and Alessandro’s conversation in the past week, things between them had been different, they had been able to come to a mutual understanding.

She could never understand why there were wars and killings, she didn’t know why her father had killed the queen, thinking about it she realised she didn’t know him well. She couldn’t justify Alessandro’s actions, many innocent lives were put on the line for him to achieve his revenge.

However, she fully understood the reason why he did what he did. She would have done the same if she was in his place. She hadn’t forgiven him but she knew plotting her escape was impossible. She had just two options, live this new life or as she hoped one day be whisked away from this life.

Her breakfast of Cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate was placed before her. The king chose that moment to walk in, he quickly spotted her sitting in a lower chair between Alessandro and Kieran, “Wow Alessandro we now share breakfast with the prisoners, how lovely", he remarked sarcastically.

“She is not a prisoner, she is a pet", he reached toward her to smooth her hair, “She will be anywhere I want her to be".

She flinched at his statement. Malcolm ignored him and sat at the head of the table, she noticed he looked tired, even though he still looked young and fit. His tired look and sunken eyes gave away the grief that was eating him up.

Servants scurried about serving all kinds of food on the table, a servant poured the red liquid into Alessandro’s goblet, she shuddered as the coppery scent of blood wafted through her nose. Although she had mentally told herself to keep shut throughout the dinner, she couldn’t help it when she blurted out, “Whose blood is this?”

“Do you want to know?”, Alessandro asked smirking.

She studied his amused expression, “No".

“Good".

“She has a lot of nerves for a pet", King Malcolm spoke gruffly.

“Father get used to having her around. She’ll be at the ball”, Alessandro answered in a bored tone.

“You wouldn’t dare!”, Malcolm barked.

“Can I eat elsewhere”, she said in a very low voice.

Kieran gulped the contents of his goblet and stood to his feet, “I’ll take you away Isabella”

Alessandro looked like he wanted to protest, Kieran butt in, “I’ll just take her to your chambers, Sam will stay with her”.

Alessandro grudgingly nodded his approval.

Kieran took Isabella’s hand, “Cecily will bring breakfast for you". She took his hand and let him lead her out of the dining room, she gave a quick bow at the foot of the table. When she was almost out of the door she heard the king’s voice, “She stays in your room, what else is happening that I’m unaware of?”.

Kieran glanced at her when they were out of the door, “I don’t think we have officially met. I’m...”.

“Kieran”.

He smiled, “You seem to be the cause of most of their fights.

“I wish I wasn’t”, she stated.

He chuckled, “Alessandro seems to have a soft spot for you”.

She looked at Kieran with a surprised look, “I highly doubt that".

“He almost had my head when I threw the knife at you at the ball. I mean it was a part of the...”

“You were the clown who threw the knife at me?”, she asked shocked.

“Yours truly”, he gave a mock bow.

“I officially hate clowns", she stared at him, “I’m not even sure if I should be mad at you or not"

He opened Alessandro’s chambers before answering her, “I just saved your life, you can’t imagine how that would have turned out so that makes up for it”, he led her inside, “Sit put, I’ll send for Cecily and Sam"

“Thank you, Kieran"

He nodded in response and exited the room. Sam and Cecily showed up. Cecily greeted her and placed breakfast before leaving the room.

Sam just stood at the far corner and watched her eat. She rolled her eyes, “Seriously, do you still think I’m going to run away?”.

Sam smiled showing his teeth. He didn’t have fangs, she noticed, “You’re not a vampire?”.

“I’m very much human as you are", he replied.

“I don’t know who is what anymore", she shrugged.

“I understand your plight”

She smiled at him, “How did you end up working for them”.

He hesitated for a while.

“If you don’t want to share, you don’t have to...”

“It's okay", he interrupted her, “When I talk about it, I just relive it. My mom was constantly abused by my father and his family, it was brutal. I lost my sister to his gruesome cruelty. One night my mother took me away and ran to Isles to seek shelter...”

“Even if they were vampires?”, she questioned.

“She figured my father would not be able to get to us here and she was right. The queen sheltered us and I took up a position as a royal guard here. I would protect the royal family with my life if I have to".

“I’m sorry", she said overwhelmed with great sadness.

“Thank you", he smiled.

“You all are lucky you know, you have stories about these people saving your lives”, she mused, “I don’t even know how long I have left to live"

“I think you’d be alive for a very long time"

“Yes, so Alessandro can torture me all he wants?”, she asked before sipping from the goblet.

Sam shrugged in response, after a while he spoke, “I think he cares about you".

“I keep hearing that", she replied, “I’m just his pet, a vampire's pet. I don't even know how that works. This is all his plan to repay my father, this is all...”

“I think you’re worth more than a pet and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t see it.