2#Awakened by the Vampire Prince (Flower) (4 page)

The
male stiffened. Xavier watched as his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared.
York’s hand went to the hilt of the sword at his back and his feet widened.
Every muscle in his body was bunched and ready.

Xavier
walked down the narrow bridge hearing the creak of the boards, feeling the sway
with each footfall. A cool night breeze ruffled his hair.

York
visibly relaxed as he caught sight of Xavier, he released a long breath. The
male removed his hand from behind his back and closed his eyes. On cue, Gideon
arrived, making quick work of the bridge on the opposite side of the tree. The
three of them met in the middle, outside the princess’ chamber.

York
bowed his head. His eyes flashed with momentary fear as Xavier stepped towards
him. The male must’ve seen anger written on his face, he certainly felt the
emotions coursing through his veins.

“You
guard the princess with your life,” Xavier growled at Gideon. “You follow me.”
He glanced York’s way and then turned and started walking, not waiting for the
male’s reply. The footfalls behind him told him that York followed as
commanded. Xavier could hear that the male’s heartbeat was accelerated. By now
he had a good idea how to make his way around Pulamor. Within a few minutes
they descended down a stairway that wrapped itself around one of the giant
oaks. Taking two stairs at a time, it wasn’t long before he felt soil
underneath his feet. This was a discussion he didn’t want to have anywhere near
prying elven ears and eyes. Besides, if York didn’t give him the answers he
desired then the male was going to bleed.

Thank
the gods for super-human vision, it was pitch black under the thick canopy of
trees. Not even the winking of a single star could be seen above them.

Once
they were far enough away, Xavier turned to face York. “I thought my rules were
very clear. So basic and simple that even a child could follow them. No
touching the princess, no talking to the princess, no looking at the princess.”
His voice deepened as he spoke. “Obeying of those few simple rules ultimately
means no fucking mating with the princess. What possessed you to claim her?”
Xavier took a step towards York and was impressed when the big male stood his
ground. He did however lower his eyes. “What were you fucking thinking?” Xavier
was breathing hard by the time he finished. Although his hands were clenched at
his sides he somehow found it within himself to not hit the male. He had
decided that he would first hear him out. York was good, one of the best.
Xavier was sure that he had acted with the best of intentions and couldn’t
penalize the male for that, as much as he may want to.

“The
princess asked me to,” York said.

Xavier
took a step backwards. It was the last thing he had expected to hear and his
heart stopped beating for a second, his palms turned sweaty, his blood ran
cold. “What do you mean she asked you to? Asked you to what… mate her?” Xavier
could feel how his brow was creased. The sound of his own heartbeat rang in his
ears.

York
nodded. “Please try and understand, Xavier. With all the terrible things that
everyone was saying about her, she’s been so worried that her father would hear
crazy rumors. That he would think less of her and ultimately blame himself.
She’s worried about his health more than her reputation. I don’t think she
would give two shits otherwise.” The male swallowed hard. “You were there. Her
worst fears were realized. She asked me to—”

Xavier
growled, unable to help himself. “Esral approached you and asked you to consider
mating her?” It seemed surreal.

York
nodded. “Yes, yesterday before you arrived. She did it out of desperation. I
know that the princess doesn’t have feelings for me, but she told me that our
union would work based on friendship, that she would give me young. I’ve always
wanted to be a father. She put up a good argument.”

Xavier
had to grit his teeth to stop himself from roaring. The thought of Esral
carrying another man’s seed was almost more than he could take. Is that what
yesterday had been all about? Why she had invited him into her bedroom? Had
allowed him to…

Had
the whole thing happened because she was trying to find a mate? It didn’t
matter whether it was York, himself or possibly another male?

“I
wasn’t sure whether I could be with a female without testing compatibility.
Also, I kind of hoped that my mate would love me but I couldn’t stand to hear
how she was being bullied yesterday. It wasn’t for the first time either,
Xavier. Princess Esral is a good female. I can see myself being happy with her
and raising a family with her. I promise to do my best to keep her happy in all
ways.” York’s eyes heated. The male was thinking about touching Esral, of…

A
terrible thought crossed Xavier’s mind. He couldn’t help but to grip York by
the collar, shoving him up against a nearby tree. His hands were pressed
tightly against the male’s throat, York made a strained noise.

“Did
you touch the princess?” Xavier growled, low and deep.

York’s
eyes flashed with panic. Xavier had to force himself to release the grip he had
on the male’s throat, just enough so that he could speak.

“No,”
York croaked. “I promise,” he added when Xavier failed to release his grip
fully.

On
a low growl, Xavier let go of York before moving away from the male while he
could still think clearly. He paced in the opposite direction while running a
hand through his hair. “This is so fucked up.”

“I
can see how angry you are. You need to know that the princess specifically
mentioned that she didn’t want you before I would even listen to what she had
to say. You have feelings for her, don’t you?”

Xavier
kept his back to the male. Too angry to answer.

“I
don’t know why you didn’t just claim her yourself,” York said. “You should’ve
pursued her, tried to change her mind.” He made a frustrated noise. “Did she
ask you to mate her too?” York paused for a long time before finally carrying
on when Xavier didn’t answer. “She told me that she would ask one of the others
if I turned her down, so it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Xavier
choked down the low growl that clawed at his throat.

“I
waited outside that door for you to step forward and claim her. You never did.
She was under the gun. Her barbaric fucker of a brother had her backed into a
corner.”

“I
was trying to buy fucking time.” Xavier growled, taking another step away. “You
should’ve kept your fucking mouth shut. It was not your place.”

“It
was my place because the princess came to me for help.”

Xavier
could hear a thud as the male beat his chest.

“I
felt obliged. I had already decided to take her up on her offer anyway. It’s
done now. The princess is mine, or she will be in three days time. With all due
respect…” York was breathing hard. “You had your shot and you blew it.”

“Don’t
say another fucking word.” Xavier spun around, pointing a finger at York. His
fangs felt long and sharp, his nails had erupted into deadly claws. If he
started beating on the male now, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop. The
princess had asked York to mate her and the male had ultimately accepted. As
much as he wanted to kill York for this, he couldn’t.

“Let
me make one thing crystal fucking clear. If…and it is a big fucking if… I
decide that I want the princess, I will have her and there is fuck all you or
any of these elf pussies can do about it.” When York sucked in a breath, Xavier
held up his hand. “Fucking save it.”

He
turned and walked away, while he was still able to. At least he knew where the princess
was this time. They were about to have a long, in-depth conversation. It seemed
that Esral had some explaining to do.

****

There
was a knock on the door. Esral felt like barricading herself in. If only she
could take one of her father’s Ferraris and head into Sweetwater. She would
purchase a basket full of locks and deadbolts for her door to keep them all
out.
Was a moment of privacy too much to ask?

As
true as all that was green, her door opened. She cringed, expecting the scent
of daffodils and was surprise when she scented water lilies instead.

“I
hope I’m not disturbing you, princess,” a familiar voice said. There was a light
thud as the person put something down on the table next to her bed. “I brought
you something to eat.”

She
knew she was being rude, so she lifted her head. A familiar face stared back at
her. Large doe like eyes, curly chestnut hair and a bright warm smile. Glendril
had been serving the royal oaks for many years. A few years older than Esral,
she remembered how they would often talk together, she had once considered the
female a friend.

“It
is good to see you.” Esral said, making to sit. “Forgive me, it has been a very
long day.”

The
female squinted her eyes. “That’s not why you’re so upset, you have never been
able to hide your true feelings from me, princess. I can see that you are upset
about something in particular. Surely this must be one of the happiest days of
your life.”

Esral
forced a smile. “Like I said, it has been a very long day and I feel drained.”

“May
I? “ The female didn’t wait for a response and her bed dipped as Glendril sat
down. “We have known each other for many years, and at least I consider you to
be a friend. Please do not misunderstand”—the female touched her yellow robe—“I
understand my place. It’s just it looks like you need somebody to talk to right
now.”

It
irritated Esral when her bottom lip quivered. She had been doing so well to
keep the tears in. Though it all suddenly overwhelmed her. The worst of all of
it was Xavier. She felt so betrayed. How could he? And with Cheri no less. She
knew she was being unreasonable, Esral did not have a hold on him. The whole
wanting to rut Cheri incident could’ve happened before she was with him. It
didn’t matter. York had stepped forward when she needed him and she had
resigned herself to mating with him. Not just that, to being the best possible
mate that she could be. Making sure that she was grateful every day for what he
was doing for her.

It
was clear that Xavier never planned on stepping forward himself. Why then did
it feel like her heart was being ripped from her chest? There was only pain
left in its wake. She sobbed, feeling her face crumple, Esral put her hand over
her mouth.

“There,
there, princess.” Glendril cooed as if she were a small child. The female
tapped Esral on the knee. “Tell me all about it and you will feel so much
better.”

Esral
shook her head and only cried harder. “I can’t.” She sobbed. It had already
been announced that her and York were to be mated. She had decided and resigned
herself to the fact. It would be wrong on so many levels if she told another
living soul about her feelings for Xavier. She could never slight her future
husband in that way.

“Is
it another male?”

As
much as she hated it, another even louder sob was torn from her as Glendril’s
words made her think of Xavier. He had the most beautiful smile, she loved how
it brought out the little groove in his chin. Loved how his eyes had shone in
those rare moments. Esral clasped her hand tighter around her mouth, whimpering
as she tried to control the sobs.

Her
father was so happy, he had looked younger and more healthy in that moment. It
actually gave her hope that he would make it through after all. It was on that
thought that she sniffed, removed her hand from her mouth and finally managed
to find some sort of control. She was a princess, from the royal oak, she could
do this, would do it. Even if it killed her.

She
realized that she would probably never be able to love York but she definitely
liked the male. Very much as a matter of fact, and that would have to be
enough. At least he would never be able to hurt her, would never be able to
make her feel this out of control. That was a definite consolation.

She
tried to smile through her tears and sniffed again while using the back of her
hand to wipe away the moisture.

“Here.”
Glendril handed her a tissue.

She
nodded in thanks. “There is just so much to do. So much planning. It’s all a
little overwhelming. I’m still very worried about my father.” She ended with
the truth. “You must forgive me, Glendril.”

“I’m
sure it’s a lot more than that. Let me pour you some juice and you can tell me
all about it.”

“I
assure you that I’m perfectly well. There is nothing to speak of. I’m just a
little nervous about the up-and-coming ceremony.”

The
server nodded her head. “As you wish, princess. Please know that if you ever
need me, I’m here for you.”

“Thank
you. I will remember.”

The
female stood and bowed deeply. Her beautiful curly hair falling about her face.
She gave Esral a big, warm smile before saying her goodbyes.

****

Xavier
made it back to her chamber within minutes of leaving York. He took four stairs
at a time and flew so quickly across the walkways that they barely even creaked
under his heavy weight.