Olivia
Struggling to open my eyes, I feel a heaviness in my body, as if Iâm weighed down by a pile of rocks. The ache is almost unbearable. I quickly realize Iâm not in my usual bed.
This one is far more comfortable, as soft as a cloud. Not that Iâve ever touched a cloud, but I imagine it would feel like thisâsoft and fluffy.
The murmur of distant voices reaches my ears. Two people are talking, one voice I recognize instantlyâBrayden. I strain to focus on their conversation, but the tantalizing aroma wafting through the room is a distraction.
âI still canât believe heâs doing this.â The voice is familiar, but I canât quite place it.
âHe thinks of it as a business transaction but we both know how that will pan out.â
Thatâs definitely Brayden.
âDoes she even like him?â
Wait, she? Are they talking about me?
âI seriously doubt it. Sheâs probably just doing this for power. So âDaddyâ has power. If she thinks sheâs going to be Queen⦠it boils my blood to even think about it, Kaden!â
Definitely not about me. Kaden? The vampire from the dining hall? Queen? I thought that was a thing of the past.
âWhy is he doing this anyway? Why canât he just take her?â
The room falls silent for a few minutes. It feels like an eternity before I sense a presence near me. My eyes are still closed, but I know someone is standing there.
Suddenly, I hear a shuffle and feel a hot breath close to my ear. My body tenses, and in a panic, my eyes fly open. After blinking a few times, Braydenâs face comes into focus.
âGood morning, little eavesdropper,â Brayden chuckles.
I furrow my brow at him, âI wasnâtââ
But his finger lands on my lips, silencing me. âNo sense in lying, little Olive. Weâre vampires, remember? I may not be able to read your mind, but your human heartbeat and breathing give you away.â
He smiles and slowly stands up. I push myself up and look around, realizing Iâm in Coleâs room, on his bed. Strangely, I donât feel panicked. It feelsâ¦natural.
I swing my feet over the edge of the bed. They just hang thereâIâm too short to touch the floor. Brayden steps back, looking at me with a sense of wonder.
I hop down, barely landing on my feet. Heâs there to catch me, gripping my arm so I donât fall. Why do I feel so weak?
âCome. Cole wishes for you to eat. Youâre very weak right now so eat slowly.â
I follow him to a small dining area where Kaden has already sat down with a large plate and a tall glass of a red liquid. Blood.
Brayden guides me to a chair, far from Kaden. He begins to build me a small plate, mostly fruits and cheese.
He sets the plate in front of me and pours me a tall glass of water. He doesnât eat or drink, but instead watches me. He tries not to be obvious about it, but I still notice.
The smells are amazing, and it doesnât take long for me to finish eating. Brayden quickly refills my plate with different items. This time, I take my time to finish.
Soon, a couple of human servant boys enter the room. Theyâre younger than me and seem surprised to see a pet sitting at the table.
âClean this room up and then be on your way,â Braydenâs tone is harsh.
Iâve never heard him be so direct and unpleasant before.
He turns his attention to me, looking at me and then heading for the door. I know Iâm supposed to follow him. Kaden, of course, is still eating away, even as the servants begin cleaning the room.
I follow Brayden to my room where a set of clothes is laid out for me.
âShower. Get dressed. Weâre going on a tour of the estate. If anything ever happens and you get lost, you can find your way back.â