Lylah
‘Micah is my mate, my fated mate,’ I say to Lord Talon, barely in a whisper.
He becomes pale, swiftly retreats from the bed, picks up his clothes, and exits the room.
I‘m relieved he fled. I feel like I’m betraying Micah when he is around me, but I can’t stop these thoughts I have of Lord Talon, no matter how hard I try. It has completely drained me. I’m exhausted from fighting myself from wanting to touch his skin, kiss his lips and more. I shouldn’t be feeling warm and fuzzy around him. It’s like something is wrong with me. I approach an arch-stone-shaped stain-glassed window and push it open. I look down and instantly regret it. I’m so high up. This is a situation I don’t want to be in.
Mateless, grieving, kidnapped with feelings towards my captor… Wait a minute! Isn’t that an illness? Finding your captor attractive and developing feelings towards them? Wands! This explains everything. I have Stockholm syndrome! A huge sense of relief overcomes me, knowing why I have forbidden feelings towards my captor and mate's murderer. I need to focus again. Now I have an explanation. I don’t feel so confused. I just need to keep ignoring and fighting off these feelings and focus on Micah’s revenge. Being here, kidnapped, might not be such a bad thing after all. I can use this to my advantage and kill Lord Talon. His attraction toward me is obvious. I think even Nadia and Soren have also noticed. I’ve got the perfect plan. I need to get my dagger back from him and pretend I’ve lowered my guard down, and then I will strike him with my dagger. Once he is dead, the Stockholm syndrome might stop. Then I can return to my pack and live out my days as a pack warrior with at least having the peace that Micah’s murderer is dead. Yes, this will be my plan. I nod to myself. First things first. My dagger.
There’s a knock at the door as I swing my legs out from the bed.
‘It's me, Nadia,’ she says and enters the room holding some clothing items. ‘Is Lord Talon okay? He looked like he had seen a ghost when he raced out of the room.’
‘I don’t know why he reacted like that. He asked me who Micah was, and I told him, and then he fled. It was like he didn’t know he had killed my mate.’
‘Wait! You have a mate?’ Nadia asks in clear shock.
‘Did have until he killed him.’
Nadia stares silently at me for a whole minute.
‘Is this why you kept trying to kill, Lord Talon? Because you think he killed your mate?’
I nod.
‘I see, but Lady Lylah,’ Nadia says, daringly taking a step closer to me. ‘Lord Talon never killed, Micah. He has never killed a soul. He is gentle and kind and has a good heart.’
‘Why are you even here, Nadia? I don’t need you to babysit me.’
‘I brought you some clean clothes to wear since your clothes from yesterday are covered in mud. I thought you would appreciate some clean clothes to wear,’ Nadia says and lays out three dresses on the bed.
I laugh at the fancy vintage silk gowns. ‘Sorry, I don’t do dresses. So I’ll stick with my muddy clothes, thanks,’ I say, crossing my arms, turning my back to her and approaching the window again.
Nadia sighs, ‘At least wear one just for today while I have your other clothes washed.’
‘Fine,’ I reply, lacking the energy to argue with her.
I storm into the bathroom. The lighting is dim. There are a few bundles of candles on each stone ledge. The tiles are black with gold patterns, just like all the furniture in Lord Talon’s room. Even his four-post bed is black with gold embellishments, swirling up the posts and along the bed frame.
Once the elegant clawed tub is filled with warm water, I remove the oversized long-sleeve shirt over my head, toss it aside and step into the bath. On the ledge beside some candles, I see a bunch of bottles. I reach for each bottle and smell them until I find the lavender.
I lather my body and sink under the water, holding my breath for as long as possible. Then reach over for a towel and step out. Nadia is still standing by the bed.
‘Oh look, you’re still here?’ I say with sarcasm.
‘Someone needs to lace up the back of your dress for you,’ she explains.
I step back, clinging tighter to my towel with a worried expression. My scars are my own to see and not for anyone else to look at. There is no way I’m letting these vampires see my constant reminders of Micah.
‘I don’t need your help. I will manage it myself,’
‘but, Lady Lylah,’
‘Stop calling me Lady Lylah. You make it sound as if I’m in charge around here. I told you to go, now go,’ I point to the door. Nadia nods and leaves.
I sigh in relief and loosen my grip on the towel as I walk over to the bed. I put the undergarments on, and then the sound of a moaning cry and wail echoes throughout the castle. I shiver. Who in the wands is that? I heard it yesterday as well. It had completely creeped me out, but I forced myself not to seem bothered by it around Lord Talon. I saw the sad stares they gave each other at the time. Whoever, it sounds so sad, so lonely, so… broken. I wonder what his story is. Why is he so sad? Maybe he lost a loved one like me? His wailing cry resonates through me. A tear forms and rolls down my cheek as I feel the same pain, loneliness, empty feeling, and brokenness. The cries stop.
The dresses are way too fancy. I take the floor length, A-line, maroon velvet dress and step into it. The neckline is low and accentuates my small breasts. There is gold lace that runs underneath my bust. The same lace graces the ends of the sleeves. I frown at the scars on my wrists. The sleeves only reach three-quarters down my arms leaving my scars exposed. I peer at the other dresses, but the sleeves are much shorter, only sitting over the shoulder. It’s probably going to look a little silly, but I decide I don’t care what the vampires think. I take my leather braces and put them on. Then I reach around my back to pull on the lace and tie it up. Looking over my shoulder into the mirror, I see the back is poorly pulled and tied. I shrug, deciding it’s good enough. I comb my fingers through my hair to neaten it as much as possible. Now for my mission! My stomach suddenly grumbles with hunger. Fine, breakfast and then I can focus on getting my dagger back from Lord Talon. I open the chamber door and gingerly skip past Nadia guarding my door. She watches me confusingly, then chases after me but keeps her distance. Damn, Lord Talon. Making Nadia follow me. It's like Mum and Dad always having Theo and Leo follow me or wait for me after school. It’s utterly ridiculous.
I walk through one hallway after another and one hall after another and realise I’ve been walking around in circles when I notice the same gallery wall full of goth-like portraits.
I turn around to face Nadia. ‘Why didn’t you tell me I’ve been walking around in circles?’ I growl.
‘Oh, I thought you were doing it on purpose, admiring all the decor and portraits.
I burst into laughter. ‘Do you think I really care about any of that? I’ve got far more interesting things to do than admiring the décor of the castle I’m held prisoner in.’
‘May I ask what you would find more interesting then?’ Nadia asks.
‘The kitchen,’ I say as if the answer should be obvious.
‘Oh, down those stairs and then take a right,’ she says, flinging her dark silky hair over her shoulder.
I silently march down the stairs. I notice Nadia constantly gazing at me. So, I stop at the bottom of the stairs.
‘Why do you keep glancing at me? It’s beginning to frustrate me,’ I ask her.
‘Oh, I’m just surprised. That’s all.’
‘Surprised by what?’
‘Now that you aren't covered in dirt and wearing a dress. You are actually quite fascinatingly beautiful to look at. I wasn’t expecting you to look this beautiful,’ she smirks.
‘Really?’ I say, stepping closer to her. ‘What were you expecting? Huh?’
‘I-um…’
My glare deepens, and she takes a step back.
‘Nadia,’ Soren says, saving her ass.
He wraps his arms around her and kisses her passionately. Occupied eating each other's faces, I take this opportunity to sneak away from them again.