Chapter 1
Run?
If that were actually possible, I would have done that since the moment I was born.
And right now, going to the room of the vampire queen, my future mother-in-law, with some guards holding me like a prisoner, running isn't even possible.
I took a hard swallow, and when the two guards left me all alone, I slowly opened the door.
After taking a step forward, our eyes locked, and I didn't bother to look away. Rumour has it that Fauzia hated it when people looked straight at her.
Well, since Fauzia hated it, I would gladly do it.
This was the first time I would be entering her chambers. Although she had betrothed me to her son years ago, Fauzia hated me.
Being betrothed to the future king of the biggest vampire clan in the world, the Naqam Clan, was absurd. Even I knew that.
And because of that, everyone silently wished for my death.
I was treated like a slave, made to bow to people while still being called the prince's future wife. And me being human made it worse.
At first, I didn't understand why Fauzia did it, but after years of suffering, I knew why.
No one would ever accept me. Instead, they would hate me, treat me in the same way Fauzia thought I should be treated.
Like a betrayer's daughter.
Like a slave.
Fauzia loved seeing me miserable. Luckily for her, the moment my parents were killed and I was taken hostage here, I became more than miserable.
I walked closer to her and sat on the floor, clearing my throat.
"Stand."
Her voice was cold and commanding, as expected.
I stood up and forcefully lowered my head.
"You called for me."
"I know."
Fauzia moved around the chamber, caressing everything her hands touched as she spoke.
"The elders and I had a meeting, and surprisingly, it was about you."
I raised my head.
What bad thing is about to happen this time?
"It was about your position. The prince's betrothed wife." One corner of her lips formed a cold smile, like she herself didn't believe what she was saying.
"They called you a weak human, a weakling too weak for my son."
I swallowed, no words coming out.
"Their points were really valid. Will a human, a weak one for that matter, be able to rule us?"
"I'm not weak." The words came out without warning, surprising even me.
Fauzia laughed lightly, but the sound tormented me. She took two steps forward and touched my chin.
"You are too…" She tilted my head, making me meet her cold gaze. "...weak. And the worst thing of all, you are the only remaining daughter of Damon's family. You are the daughter of that coward, lunatic, betrayer..."
Her smirk deepened.
"Damon. So, Dlera, don't be stupid." She dropped her hand and turned her back to me. "You are nothing but weak. And if you keep thinking like this, you will end up like your parents. Dead and hated."
My fist clenched, and I yearned to break her. But that was impossible. A human like me was no match for her. For a vampire.
I released my fist.
"Are they taking my position from me?"
"They want to, but I don't."
My eyebrows raised.
"What? You said it yourself. I'm weak. I don't deserve to be the prince's wife, so why not, since this is a perfect opportunity, take it away from me?"
I took a step forward.
"I am Damon's daughter. The whole kingdom would go nuts if I actually married your son. There would be chaos if a human became queen, and I'm sure you don't want that."
My voice was calm and controlled, trying not to show the anger in it.
I don't want to be a queen. I don't want to get married to the prince who made me drink dirty water because I broke a plate, who made me kneel for hours because I didn't finish a job on time, who made me a mockery for the whole kingdom to see.
I can't be his queen.
I can't be any more miserable.
Fauzia inched closer, her eyes on her nails.
"The whole kingdom would go nuts? I accept that. But chaos? That wouldn't be quite possible."
"There would be massive chaos. In fact, it could even result in war."
"There would only be hatred. They would hate you, maybe try to harm you, but my kingdom would not be affected."
My fist clenched. Of course, this was another way of making me miserable.
"Since you are not weak, I'd love to see how you will survive all this."
The way she said it told me that me being queen wasn't all. There was more to this, and I wished I knew what it was.
"The wedding is in three days."
"What!" I blinked, too shocked, too confused, too complicated to speak. I had a lot of things to say, but I knew it was a waste of time. Fauzia was determined to make me pay for what my family did, and my only solution? Run or die.
Running would kill me anyway, so right now, there was literally no other solution for me.
I forced myself to turn around and retreated from her room.
When I got out, I expected to see a guard who would take me back to my room, but I saw no one. I didn't bother to wait for any guard. I started to walk.
I kept walking alone, with no one watching me. Me walking alone was something that rarely happened to me.
I was always watched.
Always followed.
I walked for a while, then took the left, then the right, and then the right again. I stopped and looked around, trying to use my memory to recognise where I was.
This wasn't the way to my room.
Oh God! I'm lost.
I observed the whole place, and the absence of guards made me realise that I was in the low-servant area. The walls were cracked and old, while the floor was made of weak wood.
I turned to leave. Then, immediately, I heard footsteps. I hid.
Shit.
