2#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Flower) (2 page)

Esral
showered and changed and on any other day she would’ve made her way out into
the forest. Spent time running and dancing among the trees. Only once her legs
ached from exhaustion, would she have gone for a swim in the great lake. Basked
in the sun. Unfortunately at the moment, doing any of that would mean having to
run into others. Having to face their snide comments while watching how they
talked about her amongst themselves.

She
felt such enormous sorrow. Overcome with fear for her father. Scared for what
the future held. She still had no idea what had happened earlier with Xavier. She
didn’t know if she had done something wrong? He ran out of her chamber like his
back end was on fire, it had hurt so bad inside to watch him leave in such a
way. He had given her a gift, shown her what being together with him could be
like. The reality of which was so much better than any of her fantasies. She
felt closer to him in that instant than she had ever felt to anyone before.

Xavier
had admitted that he had feelings for her, but maybe she had misread the whole
thing? Only heard what she wanted to hear. Maybe it was just lust. Though if
that was true then surely he would have taken it further? It appalled her to
know that if he had not stopped them then she would’ve given him everything.
Her
thorn, her future, her very honor.

There
were two taps on the door and Esral heard it open and then close with a soft
click. She could hear footfalls behind her but didn’t bother turning around.
From the strong scent of daffodils, she knew it was Cheri who had entered and
now stood just behind her. The last thing she felt like doing right now was
dealing with
this
female.

“What
are you doing holed up in here?” If she didn’t know Cheri better then she might
have actually thought that she could hear true concern in the female’s voice.
“You really need to be out in the sunshine, in the fresh air. Staying closed up
in your chamber is not good for the baby.” There it was—the female’s voice held
a sharp edge. Her words cut.

Esral
squeezed her eyes shut. If it weren’t for the fact that her father was so ill,
she so wouldn’t put herself through all of this.

“Please,
Esral…” Four seasons in one day. It amazed her how soothing and sweet Cheri
sounded. “Let me help you. Who is the father of your baby?”

Esral
pursed her lips, feeling her blood reach boiling point. It was becoming more
and more difficult to find control. With reluctance, she turned to face the
female. “Let’s cut right to the chase. What do you want? We both know that my
thorn is very much intact and that I’m not pregnant.” She took a deep breath. “Why
is it that you seem to be making it your mission in life to destroy my
reputation? To bring shame to the royal tree?”

Cheri
actually smiled and Esral’s blood turned cold. “All I want is for your brother
to be happy. That is my life mission as his future mate. The last thing I want
is to bring shame to
our
royal house…”

She
had to fight not to roll her eyes at Cheri’s inclusion of herself as a member
of the royal family.

“I
don’t know how many times I need to say this to you, Esral, but all I want is to
resolve this. I greatly look forward to taking up my rightful place at your
brother’s side and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.” Her eyes
narrowed, irises flashing red. Then she smiled, quickly schooling her emotions.
“You need to mate, Esral. The quicker, the better. Take one of those
bloodsuckers and head back to the vampire castle. Don’t get in my way and we
will be just fine.”

“I
will stay at my father’s side until he is well. As for taking a vampire mate, I
told you that there is someone. The announcement will be made soon.” Her gut
churned with worry after Xavier’s abrupt departure, she only prayed that the
feelings she had seen reflected in his eyes were true. That the male she had
grown to love would be the one at her side at the blossoming ceremony. She
couldn’t picture herself spending forever with anyone else. “My brother can
mate with whomever he wishes. We may not always see eye to eye, Cheri, but I
would never stand in the way of his happiness.”

 Cheri
smiled, looking more evil than the devil himself. “Well, I’m really glad to
hear that.” She paused. It looked as if she was contemplating whether or not to
tell Esral something. Then she took a deep breath. “I met the vampire prince
today. I certainly hope that he is not the male of which you speak. It makes
sense that he would be since he is vampire royalty, on paper at least, the best
choice for you.”

Panic
gripped her as she fought to keep her breathing even. This was another one of
Cheri’s ploys. It had to be.

Cheri’s
smile broadened. “Still tightlipped I see. Well, I suggest you find yourself
another mate if he is the one you’ve set your sights on. That male tried to
touch me earlier”—she smoothed her robe, her lips pursed—“even though I wasn’t
wearing yellow, he must’ve thought I was one of the servers because he offered
to rut me.” She shivered in obvious revulsion. “Despicable creature even took
my hand and put it between his legs. As if I would ever lower myself to that
level.” She shook her head, her beautiful locks flew about her face. Then she
giggled, locking eyes with Esral. “One thing I can say though, if the vampire
prince was anything to go by, they are certainly well endowed . His root was—”

“Thank
you. I think I get the picture.” She was surprised to hear how calm and clear
her voice sounded even though chaos spun around inside of her head.

“I’m
not going to tell your brother. He hates those vampires enough as it is.
Something like this could start an all out war. I won’t do that to
my
people.”

Esral
tasted bile, she swallowed down the bitter tang praying that the small amount
of lunch she had consumed would not come back out.

“Oh
yes, I almost forgot the reason for my coming to see you.”

There
was more?
May the gods of all that was green keep her sane
because she didn’t think she could handle much more.

“Your
father has asked to see the family. He has something he would like to announce.
Do you think maybe that you should change your robe?” She wrinkled her nose
while looking down at the perfectly fresh, bright garment that Esral was
wearing.

The
robe she had only just put on. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Suit
yourself. Let’s go.”

“Right
now?” Although she tried to speak in a normal tone and to remain calm, there
was a slight quiver to her voice and Cheri definitely noticed it.

The
female both smiled and narrowed her eyes at the same time. “Yes,
princess.
He is waiting. You don’t want to keep your father waiting do you?” She made the
title sound like a swearword.

Esral
shook her head, what could she say? They left her chamber. She was momentarily
taken aback when she saw that York had replaced Gideon. He threw her a smile
and gave a nod in greeting. Esral nodded back, noticing how he fell in behind
them. The royal chambers were built into a cluster of great white oaks so they
didn’t have too far to travel.

Her
mind was reeling from what she had just been told, her hands were shaking. She
knew surely that Cheri had to be lying about Xavier, yet Esral still couldn’t
help but to feel a knot of worry in her gut. Xavier had been with many females
over the last few months. He had said himself that he was a male that had needs.
Had he sought the female out before or after she had asked him to honor her?
Would the answer to that question make any difference as to how she would feel
about it? She hoped and prayed that Cheri was once again being her conniving,
lying self. Esral would seek him out, as soon as the family meeting was over,
and gain her answers. There had to be a reasonable explanation and in order to
make it through the next few minutes, she would hold on to that thought.

This
helped to calm her, somewhat. This meeting could not have come at a worse time.
Her mind was a jumbled mess.

 Esral
knocked on her father’s door while forcing a smile. Her greeting died on her
lips when she saw Xavier standing next to Keto. What was going on?

Her
heart was ripped from her chest when she saw recognition flare in Xavier’s eyes
as Cheri walked in behind her. So Cheri had not lied after all. What a big
surprise that the first time the female actually spoke anything of the truth
was now. As if in confirmation, Cheri narrowed her eyes at Xavier and pulled
her robe closer around herself. The female pursed her lips in disgust. She
lifted her chin, turning her eyes from Xavier.

Esral
took a shuddering breath, pulling her shoulders upright while working hard to
keep her lip from quivering and her eyes from welling with tears. There was no
way she could feign a smile but the best she could do was try to look indifferent.

Xavier’s
forehead creased with…
concern
. His eyes narrowed in question and he gave
a small shake of his head.

She
must look a mess because even her dear father’s expression turned to one of
concern as she approached him. “Are you feeling all right? We can postpone this
meeting if you are unwell.”

Keto
immediately stepped forward with a jerk of his head. “No,” he growled. “This is
not something that can wait. Five minutes is all that I ask. If you are capable
of attending this meeting, father, then I’m sure that Esral is too.” He looked
pointedly at her.

She
nodded, moving to her father’s side. The only way she would survive this,
regardless of what this gathering was about, was if she kept her focus on him
rather than on the other three present in the room. If she so much as looked at
Xavier or Cheri again, she would lose it.

“Since
both you and father are unwell, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time and I’m going
to get straight to the point.” He clenched his jaw for a few beats. “Tell us
the name of the male that you plan to take as your mate? I’m not sure why you
insist on keeping this a secret.”

She
heard Xavier shuffle his weight from one boot to the other and back again.

“I
am beginning to think, sister, that you are withholding this information on
purpose.”

“It’s
not true.” Esral whispered, wishing she was anywhere but here. She couldn’t
deal with this right now.

“Well,
then why not just say who he is?” Her brother didn’t wait for her response.
“Our dear father has heard some upsetting information.”

Esral
couldn’t help the gasp that escaped her lips. She looked down at her father,
his gaze was firmly on his lap. His lips were set, his eyes more watery than
normal. Esral noticed that his hands were shaking even though he had them
clasped tightly together.

“It’s
not true.” She said, standing taller.

Her
father took a deep breath. His eyes lifted to hers. “Please, Esral. Tell us who
this male is so that we can plan the blossoming ceremony.” He swallowed hard.
“I do believe you, but we need to fix this.” His lip quivered and he seemed to
try to conceal it by taking his hand and covering his mouth with it. Her father
sat like this for a long while and it broke her heart to see him so upset. “I’m
sorry,” he finally said. “This is all my fault.”

“Oh,
father.” A single tear fell and her voice shook badly.

Xavier
cleared his throat. “The rumors are completely untrue and unfounded.” She could
hear how angry he sounded. “It’s not right to rush the princess like this.
There is a male, but I assure you that their interactions are honorable. It is
only a matter of time before an announcement will be made. Please, as the
vampire prince and appointed guardian of Princess Esral, I request that she be
given more time.”

“Look
at where time has gotten the princess,” Keto growled.

She
had to bite down on her lip when she saw Keto pointedly glaring at her midsection.
It seemed that her moron of a brother now actually believed that not only had
her thorn been taken but that she was pregnant as well. What next? The problem
was that she didn’t know what to say. There might not be a male anymore. She
desperately needed to speak with Xavier. If what Cheri had said was true then Xavier
may as well be dead to her. His trying to rut with Cheri was not something she
could ever forget or move on from. Cheri, for one, would never allow it. The
look the two shared as they entered the room was not the look of two strangers.
Fear and confusion had her feeling light headed.

“Tell
me who he is.” Keto growled and Esral couldn’t help but to whimper. She was at
a complete loss of what to do. She wished that the wind would pick her up and
carry her away.

Just
then, the door opened and York entered. “Forgive me for the intrusion.” He
bowed his head. “I have something that I would like to say.”

“Get
out. This is a closed family meeting
. I invited the
vampire prince to represent your species. You are a lowly guard and your place is
outside that door.”

“Come
in, York.” Xavier growled, his eyes firmly on Keto. Her brother’s face reddened
and he clenched his jaw. At first she was sure that he would attack either
Xavier or York but then he stepped back in submission.