ZOLA'S P.O.V
I woke to a light peering down on my face. I could feel the warmth from the sun radiating against it. I blinked my eyes several times before everything started to become less blurred. The sun was peeking through a window at the opposite end of the room. I wasn't sure of where I was or how I got here. But one thing I did know was that Theseus drugged and kidnapped me.
I pulled the blankets off, realizing I was in a silky nightgown. When did I change? Better yet, who changed me?
A soft tap at the door snatched my attention. I chose not to say anything, hoping that whoever was on the other side would just leave. But to my dismay, they didn't. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a female. She had strawberry blonde hair with pale porcelain skin.
"Oh. You're up." Her voice came across as bitter. "You must be hungry. Whatever Theseus gave you really knocked you out."
"Where am I?" I asked, ignoring her choice of topic.
I will handle Theseus later. For now, I just wanted answers.
"The Vaughn mansion, of course. Had he not told you?"
"Why would a captor tell their prisoner anything beneficial?"
My voice was a bit harsher than I intended it to be. It wasn't her fault Theseus kidnapped me. She hadn't given me a reason to be hateful. I just couldn't help it. My predicament wasn't ideal, and the situation overall pissed me off.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Of course."
Her tone didn't sound sincere in the slightest. She then turned away, scanning our surroundings in a nervous manner. Or maybe she felt as awkward as I did right now. However, when her eyes were back on me, her entire demeanor suddenly shifted. As if she were a different person entirely. She clutched the black zip-up bag a little tighter than before.
" Kiren has selected a beautiful dress for you."
"And who exactly is Kiren?"
She had a puzzled look plastered on her face. As if she were baffled by someone not knowing who this man was. Was he famous or something?
"Only the most powerful immortal being alive."
I let out a small chuckle. I could tell she truly believed her statement.
"I don't mean to be so-"
"Rude." She said, cutting me off.
"Right. I don't mean to be so rude. It's just that he, in fact, is not the most powerful. He may act as if he is, but he isn't." I replied while allowing a little sass to shine through.
"Look around you. He is very much a big deal."
"Money doesn't mean power. I guess to some it may, but power is more than that. I've never heard of Kiren and I know all of the powerful werewolves."
"Who said anything about werewolves?"
"Theseus is a wolf."
"So you just assumed that we all were too?"
"Are you not?"
She belly laughed while clutching her stomach dramatically.
"They wished they were as powerful as someone like Kiren."
I was starting to get a bit irritated. Who was Kiren and what the hell did he want?
"Why am I here?"
My voice mirrored my irritation.
"Kiren saw something in you. Don't ask me what, because you clearly don't value being the chosen one. Any of us would die to be picked. But here we are."
"If you love him so much, why don't you marry him?"
Her face looked mortified, as if my question stung her to her core.
"Because he decided long before you were even an apple in your parent's eyes that he would never take anyone from here as his. Lucky you though. You just happened to land on his doorstep." I swallowed the saliva I had pooling in my mouth at her response.
Lucky was far from what I would describe my situation. Why would someone that claims to be powerful settle for a forced marriage? If he was this big-shot guy, why didn't he take someone willing like…Shit I didn't even know her name.
"Who are you?"
"You have a way with words, don't you? No, hello my name is Zola, what's yours? What is this hostile behavior anyway?"
Well, one thing was certain. They knew me. Or at least my name.
"Are you trying to tell me that you'd be kind to people who are holding you against your will?"
"You aren't chained. What makes you think that we are holding you against your will?"
"After declining to come willingly, I was drugged then forced here. If that's not against my will, I don't know what is."
Were they all this delusional?
"Trust me. When you meet him, you'll beg him to take you too."
She speaks as if she already has.
"I don't give trust easily. Also, I find that statement hard to believe."
She closed her eyes and let out a grumbling groan before opening them back up to look at me.
"Look, let's just start over."
"Why? Were you sent here to befriend me?" I asked while laughing.
Her face looked almost surprised for a brief moment before masking it with humor.
"No, why… Why would I do that?"
That's all she had to say to let me know that she was indeed sent here for that purpose. What did this man think, that he could send a friendly face, and I'd be more open? Did he not know that the woman he sent would rather be in my place than be my friend? Clearly, he was not the sharpest tool in the shed.
"Fine. Go on then, start over. You know me. So, who are you?"
"Not exactly the start over I was implying."
"You've dodged my question twice now. Why won't you tell me your name?"
"Because I'm nobody important."
For a brief moment, I felt bad for her. But that was all it was, brief.
"Get dressed. He expects you to be at dinner within the hour. You look more dead than the dead themselves. And that speaks loud."
She tossed the black bag at me before turning to leave, still not telling me her name. I've watched enough criminal minds with Irelyn to know that in this type of situation I had to play along. Which meant that I had to wear the dress. And might I add, DAMN, was it a gorgeous dress. I put it on and looked at myself in the mirror. I in fact, did look like death. Specifically, like I had died and come back to life.
I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go, so I decided to follow the smell of food.
While walking down the stairway, the big front door came into my view. For a moment, I considered bolting. But if this place was anything like back home, I wouldn't get far. Plus, I felt as if I needed to know why he wanted me. So, as crazy as it sounded, I chose to stay.
I continued to follow the smell of food while simultaneously admiring the beauty this place held. The walls were filled with artwork and painted portraits, not a bare wall in sight.
I finally reached an open door, as if it were asking to be entered. A long table in the middle of the room was already set for two, but had the option to host dozens. That meant that we'd be dining alone. I wasn't sure if I should be scared or excited. Which ultimately concerned me. As I made my way down to where the table was set, it felt as if eyes were watching me. I quickly whipped around coming face to face with vibrant violets. Eyes I'd only ever seen in my dreams.
"What, do you like what you see?"
The sound of his voice sent goosebumps all over my body. It was alluring yet captivating. When I didn't respond, he spoke again.
"You know, peach. Your hungry stare has a sexual tension to them. I don't think that's the vibe we're going for tonight. So, unless you don't plan on doing something about it, I'd look away."
I stood there gaping like a fool. Unable to speak or move. What the hell was happening?