The Curse Of A Stranger's Gift 28 Witnesses

Zheira was stiff in her chair as the horde of the visitors surrounded them. Most of them were busy conversing in low murmurs while few of them were eyeing her with frank curiosity. Her grip on the spoon tightened, bending it slightly. She's uncomfortable enough with the king's presence, and they're boosting her irritation.

The king snapped; silence ruled at once. "I'm so glad all of you arrived safely," he whispered; his feathery voice carried out at the dining hall, making Zheira's rage bubbled to its peak.

A p.r.o.nounced vampire glided swiftly. He lowered his left knee and bent the other while letting his hood dangled at his back, revealing a pale, pointed diamond face that was graced with a hooked nose, thin red lips, and crimson eyes. "It is because of your grace, your majesty." His voice was too soft it felt like a woman was speaking rather than a man.

The king issued a raspy laugh. "Of course, of course! How could I forget? Truly, time makes most memory fade." They both laughed with utmost coldness.

Some strands of hair on the back of her neck stood at its end. Their enthusiasm was way too creepy for her.

The man slightly raised his head. "Forgive me, your majesty. Can a mere servant like myself be lucky enough to ask a query?" Then he looked down abruptly.

"Ask it away, my faithful man!" he said with a grin. Eleanor and Louise looked at each other, and quite suddenly they glared at the man.

'Hmm. Maybe no one is allowed to ask questions to the king,' Zheira thought savagely.

"Why is a mere mortal dining in with his majesty? Although, I could feel a slight difference she has with humans, I could still feel her heart pumping fresh blood. Is she his majesty' s guest or just his food?" His mouth watered, so he licked it.

A deafening silence crashed through the atmosphere. Vladimir has his fist clenched while gnawing his teeth. "Who are you to question that?" His lips were quivering slightly while he glared at him.

"The question is not directed to you, young prince. The king gave his permission and his heir should not oppose it as well. Am I right, your majesty?" The man said while staring at the king. He slightly turned his head to show off an evil grin.

"Right again, my faithful man!" His eyes lingered at his son who stared back with the same ferocity. He put his hands together before diverting his gaze back to the guest. "This young woman over here will not be mortal for long. I believe, my son had her drink his blood while she's still an infant, saving her from ultimate destruction. Thus, betraying our clan." He rolled his head, making it crackle before narrating once more. "Like my son, it took eighteen years for the blood to blend with her mortal blood. Lately, her soul was ready to take over her body. However, she's too weak to accept immortality. That's why she's still human, and the fact that he's my son's fiancée gave her the right to dine with us."

The man simpered. "Oh, I'm sorry! I haven't heard about that news, so I'm quite fl.u.s.tered." He laughed while brushing his nape.

"It's quite alright," the king whispered coldly.

He stood and go back to the corner. With a last nod, he concealed his face with his hood.

Zheira stared unblinkingly at Vladimir. Her heart was erratic, and she knew that everyone in the room could feel its rapid beat, but she took no notice of what they would think. What she wanted was to confirm what the king had said about the fiancée thing.

"Let's go, Zheira!" Vladimir shrieked with gritted teeth. He grabbed her wrist. His grip was way too strong he might as well break her bone. Aside from that, he could feel a lot of irises following their every move, yet, it did not matter. The sudden outburst of sparks in their entwined fingers was the only thing she could be interested in.

"Sit down!" a cold, mysterious, ancient voice commanded with too much authority; it easily caught Zheira's attention, steering her away from comprehending the spark she felt.

"I said sit down!" There was menace jumping through the scars in the king's face, and it gave off shiver to Zheira's skin. Without her knowing, she's already back to the chair, but it's not the same for Vladimir whose stares were impa.s.sive.

"Stop giving orders, father! You're only the king of Volioirae, but you're not my king!" he spat. His ears were both reddish.

"Vladimir," Eleanor hissed, "Lower your voice. You are talking to his Highness." Her eyes were flickering while shook her head.

"Ssh, ssh, It's okay, my dear!" The king opened his palm towards her. "You want me not to give orders? Fine, my son! I'll give you what you want."

"But, your majesty—"

The king snapped, stopping Louise from ranting. "Let him be."

With a last glare, Vladimir dragged Zheira away from the surrounding vampires whose looks were of pure venom.

They exited hurriedly. Her wrist was throbbing with his grip, but she didn't say a thing when she heard the king shouted, "What an ungrateful b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Soon enough he'll have to face this ordeal alone, and I'll make sure that he will kneel down here at this place while wearing his d.a.m.n crown." His firm statement was followed by the slamming of the table, which resulted in it to crack. She could hear the slits sizzling from the impact.

She closed her eyes as the pain coming from her wrist made her groan. "Vladimir," she whispered with a wince.

He stopped while catching his breath. "What?" he yelled.

"You're hurting me," she murmured, staring at her reddish wrists.

Breathing heavily, he let go of her hands. "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay." She ma.s.saged her wrist. "I understand you're angry, but don't vent it on me. I'm still weaker than you are."

"I'm sorry, but I think it's not safe for you to be here." He looked away from her.

"Huh?"

"I'm taking you away from my father."

Zheira shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Listen to me—"

"No!" She stomped and pointed him with her small forefinger. "You listen to me, Vladimir. I will not leave this place unless I see the king's downfall. He took my parent's life, and it would be ungrateful of me to not return the favor."

Vladimir pulled his jet black hair. "Zheira, there's no time for being hard-headed. You are no match to the king—"

"And do you think you are?" Her cheeks reddened. "You can't even save your sister. What makes me different? I can handle myself. You don't have to babysit me." Her breathing quickened. She couldn't fathom any words she's saying. Her judgment was clouded by madness.

He's rooted to the spot. He gulped before looking down; he played with his hand as tears were started to fill the corner of his eyes. Guilt waged inside her consciousness. It was then that she realized her words were beyond the lines. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." She tried moving closer to him, but changed her mind inches from him. "Look. I may not be as strong as you think, but can you at least have faith in me? You've trained me these past few weeks, and I think I deserve to fight for what I think is right. For once, I want to risk my life. I've had a share of concealment under my adoptive parent's care, and now that I've learned more than enough, I want to know how much I could carry."

He sniffed. "Forgive me for being so protective of you—"

"I understand and I'm really grateful. Just give me this one. I know I can survive." She put her hands together, pleading for him to give her a chance.

Sighing heavily, he murmured, "Fine. Promise me you won't die?"

"Promise!" She jumped excitedly towards him. "Thank you for trusting me." Her arms wrapped towards his body, and she felt him turned rigid.

Their short moment was interrupted by a slow whistle. They turned and saw the tactful guest. "What do you need?" Vladimir asked, relaxing his arms to Zheira's shoulder.

He smirked. "Nothing of significance." He shook his hands and in a blink, he was already standing in front of Zheira. It was too late for her to move back when the man tried touching her hands. The moment their skin came in contact, the walls of the castle lowered down like curtains; replaced by a wide field filled with tall gra.s.ses. She have had a brief look at a man standing on another man's shadow who looked exactly like the king, before she was knocked to the ground by the guest.

Her brows puckered. "What was that?"

"So, it's true?" His eyes were bulging as he looked down at her.

"What did you do to her, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" Vladimir punched his chest. He was thrown three feet backward with the impact. Still, he kept his eyes to Zheira.

"Never in my wildest dream have I seen a vampire with such a gift." A genuine smile crept in his face; it made her shiver. "You're such a gifted child."