Chapter 2

Red, redder...

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I see blood all over the room and hear screams. Why am I feeling pain? Stop it, someone screamed. I run, but it seems I never got to where she was.

Amilia POV

Bang, bullseye!

I'm the diamond of the kingdom, trained by assassins. They trained me at a young age, making me a dangerous woman, a dangerous princess. Mother taught me to be ruthless, bloodthirsty, and to fear nothing. I became the leader of the strongest army in the kingdoms after her death.

No one knows why my mother made me trained with assassins, but training with them makes me feel relieved. My grandfather Elder Cornelius loathed me for being an assassin. He always said I should be a proper princess. But he knew there was nothing he could do but accept me the way I am.

Bullseye!

I've been training for the last three hours. I'm so stressed after that morning's conversation with my grandfather about the Ball. I have to run away. Not planning on going to that event, and especially not with Caspian.

"Mate" that simple word that makes me want to kill someone. I wouldn't say I like it, I don't want a mate, and I can't have one. He's dead, and I can't have a second chance. That person destroyed everything I ever dream of. I've been mateless for the last five years, and I'm keeping it like that.

I see Raphael heading this way. He must have something important to say. He knows I hate to be disturbed during my training time.

"Excuse me, your majesty," Raphael said, "Your brother Prince Caspian is expecting you in his room."

"Now?" I asked, annoyed.

Couldn't Caspian find some other time to disturb my training?

As we headed to Caspian's room, I felt frustrated. I know Caspian will talk about the Ball. I hope he understands that I'm not fucking going.

Caspian is my brother, he's a year older than me, and we share a powerful bond. We have a deep love for each other and a powerful connection. Werewolves call it an imprint. We vampires just call it a bond, similar to a mate's band.

But it's different; we understand better; we feel what the other may feel, and our priority is towards each other.

Caspian is tall with broad, muscular shoulders, his hair is jet black, and he has blue eyes with a hint of gold. He has a small mole close to his lips that can only be visible from up close, and he carries a great six-pack that makes all the girls from the kingdom drool. Which is annoying, slutty leeches?

Slam!!

As I throw the room door, there next to the fireplace seats my dear beloved brother, Caspian, in all his glory. He's wearing a dark blue suit that compliments his sky-blue eyes, and he has his jet black hair in a bun. And has a deadpan look on his face.

I got to admit I love my brother a lot, even though the fucker enjoys getting me annoyed. He knows deep down I love and care for him.

Caspian is also next in line. I was supposed to be the next in line, but I rejected the position, and Caspian is the one in charge now. My grandfather wasn't happy, but I couldn't care less. Caspian has all the traits of a king, humble, lovable, handsome, strict, and ruthless. While I'm cruel, stubborn, an assassin, a bloodthirsty leech, and I'm anything but lovely.

"So I imagined you're aware the Grand Ball is in less than a week," Caspian said as I took a seat.

"So?" I said, playing with my phone, "If you're expecting me to go, you got it all wrong. I am not planning on going at all."

For the last years, I have been neglecting the event, and Caspian knows it. I know he's been wondering why but dares not to ask.

"Amilia, look, I know you don't wish to go, but you have to, and this is the end," Caspian said, looking annoyed.

"You are going as my partner that night, and as you're aware, I'm not mated, and I need a queen to rule," Caspian said, looking straight into my eyes.

It seems like I must run away again. Last year I ran away, and Caspian found me two days later. But he did, which earned me to get grounded for three weeks.

"Which reminds me, starting from today, you will be 24/7 with me, Amilia, and don't even dare to run away again. If you don't obey, I will use my last resort, and you know what it is," Caspian said, glaring at me.

The actual fuck! No way I have to run away. Caspian isn't taking me to that damn Ball to find a "mate." I don't need one, what part can't they understand. He will have to chain me if he wants me to go.

"Amilia, are you listening?" asked Caspian.

"Yes, Caspian, I'm listening," I said.

"Very well, now let's go," Caspian said, standing up.

"Where to?" I asked.

As we walked down the hall, I tried to think of a way to escape. I can't have him take me to the Ball; Caspian will use force on me if he has to. I think I should just outrun him.

◼◼◼

"Caspian put me down!!" I said, screaming, "I SAID LET GO OFF ME NOW!"

"You dared to run away. Now prepare for the consequences, Amilia," Caspian said while carrying me like a potato bag.

I tried to escape.

◼◼◼

Twenty minutes ago, we arrived at the library. The library is one of the most extensive libraries in the kingdom; we get many visitors every day. There are about 60,000 books, from black magic to history of any type. Caspian said he had some work to do, and we would stay here for a while. I had my plan all ready to escape. I just waited for the perfect timing. And it came, Raphael came in with an urgent call, which Caspian had to take. That was my queue.

I remember my father showed me a passageway that leads to the forest. Caspian doesn't know about it. So I made my way and as expected Raphael was already waiting for me there.

"If Caspian asks where I am, you don't know, are we clear, Raphael?" I said, getting a small bag.

"But Princess this..." trailed Raphael.

"Enough," I ordered.

Raphael is my right hand and my general. Assassins trained him from a young age and were my mother's bodyguard. After my mother's death, he pledged his loyalty to me when I became their leader. Raphael is a bulky person; he's very tall, has muscles, and is always serious. He has pale skin and brown hair, and his eyes are green.

After I finish giving some orders to Raphael, I make haste through the passageway. I use this passage when there is usually an attack in the castle, and we want to ambush people. It's a long underground passageway with no lights and no ventilation, but you can still hear everything that's happening inside the castle.

As I head to the exit, I hear Caspian's Voice, and he sounds pissed as fuck. It seems he knows I escaped. I have to be quick; I froze on the spot beside Caspian as I'm about to make it to the exit.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Caspian says way too low.

"Amilia?" Caspian warns, "I'm asking you a damn question. Where are you going?"

"None of your business, Caspian," I said, trembling a bit.

"Stop lying, Amilia!" Caspian said, getting closer.

"Or what?" I said, turning around, "You know I can kill you, Caspian."

I never got to finish what I was saying cause the next thing, my back is hitting a tree. Caspian dared to slap me. I hit a tree, and he has never hit me before. Caspian must be mad.

"I warned you," Caspian said, pulling me from the hair.

As we walked back in, Caspian is pulling my hair still. It hurts. I feel chains around my neck. He used a silver chain. Silver burns our skin awfully. Caspian chains me when I don't obey his rule. He's ruthless, but he has his limit.

"PUT ME DOWN, CASPIAN!!" I said, screaming.

"Shut up, Amilia, you got this upon yourself," Caspian said, smacking my butt.

"Caspian, please let me down," I begged.

I'm begging, but I know it's useless. Caspian won't budge, I thought I could escape again, but Caspian was fast, now I'm chained, and I can't even use my magic. Also, my skin is burning, and it doesn't smell terrific.

"FUCK YOU CASPIAN, I HATE YOU," I shouted.

"I'm sorry," Caspian said.

"Sorry for what Caspian, for chaining me, oh don't worry, I had it worst. So don't give me an, I'm sorry Ok?" I said, closing my eyes.

◼◼◼

The following days went fast. Saturday morning came the day of the Ball.

I wake up to Caspian's voice. For the last four days, I've been staying in his room. Caspian room is enormous. It has a round canopy bed, two armchairs, a fireplace, a bookshelf, a desk, a vast walking closet, a bathroom, a bathhouse, and a small bar. His room is dark blue and gray, not my choice of color, but it will do.

"Get up, now, Amilia," Caspian said.

I rolled down from bed, looking like a bird's nest. After breakfast, I spent the rest of the day getting ready for the Ball. Caspian had the hairstylist grooming me from head to toe. Honestly, I haven't been behaving at all during this insignificant beauty moment. I already smack the shit out of one assistant. I'm way beyond annoyed and pissed. It may look like childish behavior, but it's a way to make Caspian regret his decision to take me to the Ball. I'm a stubborn person, but I don't care.

I'm not happy; I'm feeling sad. All this pressure is making me go back to those memories I want to forget. I want to cry, but I promised I would never cry again for that. I wouldn't let this feeling be a weakness.

After two more hours of getting groomed, I'm ready. I'm standing in front of the mirror. And I wouldn't say I like it at all.

I'm not too fond of all this.

"Your majesty, you look lovely," The hairstylist said.

Without thinking twice, my hand moves, and I slap the hairstylist. When Caspian was coming in, he saw everything.

"Amilia!!" Caspian shouts, "What do you think you're doing? Everyone leaves us now!!"

We stood quietly; I know Caspian was furious.

"Sometimes I don't recognize you, Amilia," Caspian said as he approaches me.

"And sometimes I wish you weren't my brother," I spat.

Caspian looked stunned. I know my words hurt him badly, but I had enough of everyone trying to pressure me. I can't; even though I regret what I said, I won't apologize to him.

Caspian removed the silver collar, and without looking my way, we left. As I was walking behind Caspian, I noticed he's looking handsome. He's wearing a silver suit, with a side cloak, all gray with a small sapphire brooch on his neck, instead of a tie. His hair combed attractively, and they shave his beard. He will find his mate tonight.

As we reach the stairs, Caspian holds my hand without saying a word. And at the end of the stairs, my grandfather is waiting for us. I didn't know my grandfather would go. This means there's no way for me to escape.

A black SUV awaits us. As we get on, we drive away. I'm nervous. I have this odd feeling that something terrible will happen.