Enjoy this revised chapter! Comments are welcome!

~*~

His question rang out in that deep soothing tone, a crease forming in between my eyes as I took in his words.

"You really don't remember me? He asked, a tug at the corner of his lips as if he were taunting me.

"No." I shook my head slowly, contemplating if there were an underlying meaning to his question. "I've never met any of you." I whispered.

He let out a sigh as he rose to his feet and squatted down in front of me, looking into my eyes with his fierce crystal blue ones. I was so hypnotized by those eyes, so beautiful. They seemed to change colors with his moods, I was slowly realizing. They had been bright blue earlier, similar to his father's. Now they were almost a clear blue, like tropical waters. It was breathtaking.

My lips parted in surprise at his closeness as he placed his cool hands on either side of my jaw, tilting my face up to his slightly. Even kneeling, he was still taller than me.

"Remember..." his warm minty breath fanned my neck.

I felt my eyes glaze over and memories, that I had never experienced, came rushing back to me like it had just happened yesterday.

It was my sixteenth birthday and I had just matured and filled out. Sebastian was.... the same age he is now, 24. Mother had forced me to attend a party with her at some hotel for some important person and there were people everywhere. I was never introduced to anyone, just told to stay out of the way. I had gotten bored and wandered to the elevators to explore the hotel. As I was walking down the hall of the top floor, I wasn't paying attention and ran into a hard chest. I looked up and met a pair of stormy blue eyes – darker than what I've witnessed.

It was Sebastian.

He looked down at me with a cold hard glare and I shrunk back.

"What are you doing here." He seethed, his gaze scrutinizing me, assessing me up and down. As his eyes ran down my body, a hunger formed in his stare and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. I hadn't known what this look was at the time, but I was afraid.

"I-I just needed to get away from all the people..." I responded shakily.

His eyes remained that deeper blue but flecks of silver popped through here and there as he rose his brow and a teasing smirk tugged at his full lips. "So, you decide to come to the lion's den? Not very smart, Isabella.

I was stunned. "H-how do you know my name?"

He leaned in, cocking a brow. "How is it that you do not know mine?" He was teasing me with riddles that I didn't understand.

Giving up, I decided to go back down to the party. I didn't want to upset this man and have him telling mother that I was a nuisance. "I wasn't wandering anywhere In particular. Just walking. I'm sorry, ill return." I said with my head down.

As I was turning around, he grabbed my arm roughly and jerked my body into his, catching my lower back with a large hand as I gasped, his eyes trained on mine.

"Since you are already here you may as well see where I'm staying. Come. My room is right here." He dragged me into the room at the end of the hallway, the presidential suite. I was afraid of what he was about to do. He was frightening, but he was so handsome. He was a man though... so I was a little nervous when we went into his room. Mother always told me to stay away from men.

Once inside, I was in awe at how massive this suite was. Anyone could live here and never want for anything. I wanted to explore the suite, but then I remembered who it belonged to and that fear rose in my throat, worrying what he wanted with me.

He turned toward me as we stood in the foyer, his eyes roving down my body, lingering on the curves that had basically appeared overnight. The dress mother had picked out for me to wear this night was low cut, showing a bit of décolletage, while the length was short, stopping at mid-thigh. A black, thin strapped number.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to bite." He smiled at his own secret joke and it was such a beautiful smile. "You are Isabella correct?" He asked.

"Y-yes. B-but people call me Sienna." I stuttered as he sauntered toward me. I took cautious steps backwards until my back hit the wall and I had run out of places to go.

He hummed "I like that better. Did you know that this party you are here for is for my birthday? We share the same birthday. Isn't that just perfect considering you will be my wife one day? So technically you are mine already." He spoke lowly as he inched toward me, alcohol on his breath. "Maybe Delannah brought you here as an early birthday present." He mused.

'Was he insane'? I thought.

'Please don't ràpe me. Please don't ràpe me.' I thought over and over.

He frowned slightly as he stood with only a few inches between us, dressed up in a black suit. "Calm down. I'm not going to ràpe you." He cocked his head to the side, studying me as I just stared at him with wide turquoise eyes of innocence.

His finger pressed under my chin, lifting my face to his. "I wouldn't just force a woman... Or in your case, a girl, to lie on her back for me. You couldn't take it anyway, not yet, little virgiin. Just relax, human." He chuckled, causing a shiver to run up my spine. What was he doing to me?

I was so still and scared, so I stood still as he looked me over, his now, bright blue eyes, were probing into me, sifting into my soul.

"Strange. Even as a child, you were so flawlessly beautiful and perfect. Now here you are, right in front of me, as flawless as ever, if not more. I would swear that you aren't even human sometimes. Not a freckle, not a mole, not a stray hair in sight or open pore. Just.... Flawless." He breathed out in awe.

He knew me as a child? I still didn't even know his name.

He pressed my body between the wall and his chest and my heart sped up, pumping hard as butterflies beat their wings in my stomach.

I stayed still as he dipped his face down to my neck and inhaled. My skin goosed and my eyes fluttered closed as he let out a purr through his chest that was more like a rumble.

"You're mine, little human." He whispered seductively in my ear, giving me more chills.

The pad of his finger gently touched my cheek bone and slowly slid down my jawline, skimming down my neck until he was tracing my collar bone while his eyes bore in the side of my face. I could feel him watching me, but I didn't dare open my eyes to look.

My skin was getting hot as my body betrayed me and I felt a sensation in my lower belly, one that made me feel strange. It was something I had never felt before in my life..

Was this lust?

His hand slid to my waist and gripped me, pulling me even closer, if that was possible.

My eyes flew open and I peered up at his intense stare.

"Don't move. I want to try something."

I stood stock still. I couldn't move my body at all even if I wanted to because he was pressing me into the wall.

I felt his warm breath on my neck. It sent chills all over my body and I felt his chest vibrate again. His lips brushed past my ear to my neck. I felt my pulse quicken instantly, unsure what he was about to do. He was too close but at the same time, it felt so good. His scent was intoxicating.. expensive cologne mixed with his natural scent of vanilla, cloves, sandalwood and leather. It was amazing how good he smelled underneath that French cologne.

He sighed, relaxing his muscles and his hold on me as he inhaled my neck once more. I felt his lips kiss my pulse at the base of my neck and he just kept kissing up my neck. Soft, sweet, delicate kisses up toward my jawline causing me to let out a soft moan.

My insides were churning with what I assumed was desire and my panties were becoming moist. I distinctively felt something hard between us, rubbing into my stomach and I knew he was turned on as much as I was.

His grip tightened, pulling me into him so close. My head lulled to the side in pleasure and his hand instantly went to my hair, grasping my roots firmly as his soft lips trailed up my jawline toward my mouth now. My chest began to heave faster as my breaths came out in pants.

"What.. what are you doing to me.." I asked, but it came out as a breathy moan.

"Just relax. I won't do anything you don't want me to. I'm just....trying something." His voice was now deep and husky against my neck.

He raised his face to meet mine, looking deep into my hooded turquoise eyes, searching for something. His gaze wandered down my neck slowly, stopping at my cleavage, barely covered by the tight black dress that mother insisted I wear.

His deep blue swirling orbs met back with mine and he gazed into them with raw lust as he sniffed the air and a small smile spread.

He wanted me.

I was feeling like I wanted him too, But no. I couldn't do that. Mother had strictly warned me never to let a man touch me. I wasn't allowed to date until I was move out of her house when I turned eighteen. She said I would be tainted and I would have to reap the consequences if I were to ever lose my virginiity.

Besides.... This man was six years older than me. I'm just a teenager...

He half smiled as if he knew what I was thinking and leaned down before I could protest, his lips brushing mine gently.

I let out a surprised huff as his lips pressed into mine more firmly, his arm around my waist while his free hand skimmed up and down my side. An involuntary moan was caught by his full lips and he inhaled sharply, pausing his movements.

He pulled back once more with a confused expression. He seemed to be out of words and the look on his face said he really was truly confused. The crease between his eyes and his parted lips as both orbs darted from one of my eyes to the other, confused about me.

But the moment I lifted my face to his, desperately wanting to feel his kiss again, he fiercely crashed his lips against mine as those strong hands cinched around my waist.

His lips worked with mine so synchronized, teaching me how he liked to be kiss with every move he made. This was my first kiss.... Hopefully he knew that.

Despite not being able to move my body, I could move my lips with his, my body responding further to his heated touch and my inner thighs becoming heated with moisture.

He was so... experienced in kissing. A man so much older than I, kissing me, a sixteen-year-old girl.

I felt his tongue seek entrance to my mouth, so I complied, parting my full lips. His tongue thrusted inside my mouth causing me to moan into his as they danced together. I was learning how he liked to be kissed by the way he kissed me. Nibbles to the bottom lip, deep caresses insides my mouth with his tongue.

He pulled away, out of breath, just to look into my eyes as he panted. "You may move."

Those spoken words seem to lift the imaginary bricks from my body and my limbs felt light, to the point where I could touch him if I wanted.

His lips found mine again and I willingly parted mine for him. My arms reached around His neck, pulling him into me tighter. A growl emitted from his chest and suddenly his hands were on the backs of my thighs. He jerked me up the wall and out of instinct, I squealed and wrapped my legs around his waste, pulling him tightly into me so I could feel his arousal between my legs. He groaned, my dress riding up exposing my asss and his hands slid up the back of each thigh to hold me there.

Locking my legs around him as tight as I could while my hands were busy in his hair, I pressed my aching, saturated-lace-covered-core against the bulge of his pants, having no fear. All that was between us was passion. Raw passion. It was wild as his hands dug into my read, lifting and grinding me against him.

The room filled with pants, grunts and moans as he kissed me senseless. So passionate and intense that I would probably do anything he said right now. No one had ever made me feel this way. I wasn't allowed to be around other males. He was the very first man I have ever had an actual conversation with that lasted more than 'hello' and here we were, mauling each other like wild animals.

I moved my hand, placing my thumb on his cheek as I cupped the side of his face while his hands roamed up my bare thighs to my hips. I gasped into his kiss and felt him groan, pressing into me harder and harder.

He pulled away from me abruptly leaving me breathless. The room around me seemed to spin as I gazed down at his swollen lips. The magic hadn't died, I was still sinfully wrapped around him like ivy vines on an oak tree, pressed against the wall, my ankles crossed around his back with my stilettos still on.

I looked up into his eyes which were still swirling deep pools of dark lust as I held the side of his face in my hand, one still in his hair. That was when my brain started working again and my eyes widened in shock. He also looked down at me in shock – but, also confusion – like I was some great enigma.

I didn't even know his name and here we were doing.... Things I'd never done.

His voice came out thick and husky, "I'm Sebastian Lecreaux. And you my dear, are my betrothed. Next time I won't be so gentle....and there will be a next time." He breathed, searching my surprised face.

This was gentle?!

"See you in a few years, little lamb." He pecked me one last time on the lips and let my legs drop to the floor. He then, straightened my dress, pulling it down over my rear and fixed my hair with his fingers, his now brighter blue eyes gazing into mine.

Hypnotic.

"Forget this happened and forget who I am. We will see each other again before too long. Remember to listen to your mother and stay away from strange men. All aside from me, kitten." He teased me, my eyes glazing over at his command.

With that, he pulled me off the wall, opened the door and shoved me gently out of the room before returning inside and leaving me standing in the middle of the hall looking flustered.

I stood there dumbfounded as to what I had been doing in the middle of the hall, or how I had even gotten there, forgetting everything that had happened only moments before, including his name. Sighing hard, I began to make my way back down to the hotel lobby, noticing moisture between my legs had accumulated which made me pause and press a hand under my dress out of curiosity.

It came back slick with my own juices and I stood there in complete shock, not even remembering when I had gotten turned on.

***********

I remembered everything now as my eyes glazed back to the here and now, to the same man kneeling before me with his hands cupping my face.

"H-how did I." I started to ask but he interrupted me.

"I compelled you to forget. I've watched you for a long time now. I've known about our arranged marriage since you were adopted as a mere infant. I knew you then too, as a baby. I was the same age I am now, twenty-four. I don't care for humans as anything other than food, but since the day they told me you would be mine, I had been.... curious. You are mine. I have watched you for the longest and something about you confuses me because your blood not only calls to me but so does your body. You turned me on that night. My initial agenda was just to mess with you, to frighten you. But... You got to me. Never has a human affected me that way. You were very affected as well, if I do recall." He chuckled with a smirk on his lips.

I looked down to my lap in embarrassment. He put a finger under my chin, bringing my face up to his, his eyes a darker shade of blue now, which I now knew meant he was lustful.

"I can only imagine...." He trailed off looking down my body as he took his lower lip between his teeth. The singular act was very appealing.

What?

I touched my lips, remembering our kiss and he laughed in a whisper.

"Did I affect you that much, little lamb?" He brushed a strand of caramel highlighted hair behind my ear.

I ignored him as I took all this in. We shared a moment like that and he compelled me to forget? I never recalled one single event that took place in that room until the very moment he pressed his hands to my face and told me to remember.

"Why did you-"

"Because Sienna. I wasn't supposed to reveal myself to you. But I just couldn't help it. You were beautiful then... But now, you are so much more." He whispered, eyes boring into me.

I tried to ignore the swirling feeling in my stomach, but much to my dismay, it would be obvious to him.

He was a vampire, something supernatural. I shouldn't feel this way.

"So, can all vampires compel humans to forget?" My voice came out a whisper as his hands dropped from my face and rested on my knees, his eyes never leaving mine, flicking down to my lips every now and then.

"Yes. Both kinds. There are some things purebloods can do that low-ranking vampires, what we call changelings, can't do, but we will save that for another time.

I stared in shock.

Has mother done this to me?

"Come. don't be afraid. You have been amongst vampires your entire life. Your mother is one. We aren't going to hurt you. You're special. Your blood is special. And you are mine. For all eternity. Or until I get tired of you, whichever comes first." A secret smile played at his lips.

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but I didn't think he was.

Tired of me?? After all of that?

That's when the thoughts of all the training came into play. The training I've had that I would use to please my husband one day. It was to ensure my place by his side, if in fact he was serious about replacing me.

If you'd ask me moments ago, I'd say he was joking but the look in his eyes said otherwise.

I threw him a look of unsureness. "S-so.. That was the only time I have seen you? Or had interactions with you that you made me forget?"

He scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "No. But I'll save that for another time." He winked, rising to his feet and bringing me with him. I should have been afraid but I just.... wasn't

He leaned in slightly to whisper in my ear, "The last time was your seventeenth birthday." He chuckled as I gasped due to his closeness.

We have the same birthday.... June 9. Wow. How many times did this Pureblood in front of me have contact with me? How many times has he kissed me like that?

"Twice." He answered my thought, but gave nothing else away.

I cleared my throat, looking away. "So... You won't drink from me?" I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Not again. Not until the marking and binding ceremony." His voice dropped an octave or two, sounding all seductive.

Again??

He stood abruptly, towering over me and I followed him up with my eyes. He held out a hand.

"That's enough information for tonight so just... let's go back in and finish our discussion with our parents, kitten."

Shaking my head with widened eyes as all of this had been so knew and mind blowing, I placed my hand in his and he pulled me up with a swift motion, causing me to fall into him. I didn't miss his soft chuckle, my eyes snapping up and locking onto his amused bright blue orbs.

"Careful kitten. I wouldn't get too close." He purred, his hand running down across my back. I winced slightly as he stroked the fresh lash marks through my dress, it didn't go unnoticed. His concerned expression told me he was going to ask me what was the matter.

Time to divert his attention ... so I asked him the question that had been playing on my mind all night as I attempted to forget the memory he had shown me. That memory would be the death on me.

"Why are your parent's so young." My gaze dropped to his lips once more, imagining them on mine from the memory, his body pressed against mine.

He was still holding me from when I had stumbled and as if just realizing this, he cleared his throat, helping me to right myself.

"Hmm. Oh right, Vampires don't age. Well, Purebloods do. Purebloods age like a human until their 20th year, then it takes fifty years for us to age just one, hence, when you first saw me two years ago, I was still just twenty-four." He mused. "Today I turned twenty-five. Officially twenty-five. It has been fifty years since my twenty-fourth. Changelings like Delannah, are stuck at the age they were turned." His voice was a deep whisper as he stared into my eyes with a depth to them, narrowing them slightly as his head cocked.

I licked my bottom lip, not being able to look anywhere but at his.

"Why do you have to marry me if I'm just a human? If you are royalty, shouldn't you marry another vampire of your choice?" I rose a brow. I was curious. If he was so important, why wasn't he marrying someone of importance?

A frown furrowed his brows as he thought about my question.

"I should be able to, you would think. Under normal circumstances I would marry another Pureblood of high rank. Being royalty means you are usually betrothed to another pureblood of prestige and status... but this isn't a normal circumstance. They will explain inside. Come."

He nodded his head toward the glass doors we had exited and walked away, shoving his hands in his pockets. Gaping, I forced my limbs to work and followed him inside the lion's den, where all the vampires were waiting for our return.

Vampires. Such a strange and fearsome concept to me. Though, I can't say I felt truly afraid because apparently, I had grown up around them my whole life, but if they were anything like mother, I knew that I was doomed.

I trailed behind Sebastian into the living room where everyone was seated, having a nightcap. Keeping my eyes trained to the floor as I felt everyone's penetrating gaze on me, I sat next to Sebastian on the love seat we had previously occupied.

"Did the talk go well?" It was Serephine. I peered up through my lashes, seeing her startling green eyes once more but they held worry. Her broad smile suggested otherwise.

"Well she didn't run screaming so I think she will be fine." Sebastian sighed, leaning forward in his seat, his hands locked in front of him.

The room became quiet, all eyes on me. Mine, however, were trained directly on Delannah.

"So, everything makes sense to me now. I knew you never loved me. That much, I could feel. But my parents... what happened? What happened to them? Why did people bring me to you, just for you to torture me my whole life?" My voice held no waver as I boldly asked her the question that had been on my mind since she told me she wasn't my mother.

Her amber eyes narrowed on me as she pursed her lips, raising her head high as she glanced over to see Serephine's reaction. Serephine must be more important than Magnus or else she would have wanted to see the look on Magnus' face, which was like the one Serephine wore. Shock.

"I didn't not love you. I just do not know how to love. Especially a human. It's not in our nature to. You must understand I did the best I could for you. You never went without and were always protected." Her words seemed sincere, but with her, you could never tell. Those eyes, those were the only things that showed her true emotions and right now they were angry ones.

"Not from you." I whispered to myself. No one caught it but Sebastian. From my peripheral vision, I watched him eye me with question.

I shook my head with sadness.

"Why did you have to raise me? Why not a human family? And why isn't he marrying someone of his own choice?" I stuck my thumb toward Sebastian.

Delannah's features contorted to a pinched look as she glared at me. I was being rude."Now Sienna, you remember your place. I know this is a lot to take in but do not ever speak that way again. You know it is not an appealing trait." She said sternly.

"But to answer your questions, your parents were killed, if we're being honest. Your mother and father were together, but some rogue vampires killed them for their rare blood. You too, have rare blood, and were saved by the vampire council." She informed me with a straight face.

My jaw dropped at her statement but she continued. "They immediately brought you to me and then you were promised to Sebastian because your blood is so special, that you are the only human in the world who can procreate with a vampire. He will also be able to change you when the time is right, which it is very rare for a Pureblood to be able to change a human at all. Their bites kill. But you will be able to endure. Only a very small percentage of humans could endure a bite, but none could ever reproduce with a Pureblood. A changeling cannot have children period, but since purebloods are born, they can reproduce. You being able to bear the child of a Pureblood is something very rare and special. Since you are special, it is only right that you be betrothed to Sebastian. He was the only unmated Royal in the world at the time the Council searched for you a betrothed. The reason you were betrothed as a baby was for protection. That was the only reason you've been able to survive in this world, was being his future bride. So here we are." Her lips pulled up in a slight smile, proud of the fact her watch on me was finally over, I presume.

Serephine had this glow about her as Delannah spoke, a secret ghost of a smile on her lips. "Sienna, you being the only human in the world that can procreate with a pureblooded royal vampire is extremely special. The elders know of your blood line, so they know this for sure. You are special. Sebastian takes the throne at age 25, which is today. He has a six-month grace period to marry until he must take the throne or step down, which will allow another royal in our circle to take the throne. The next in line is a family that has no business being on the throne. All humans would be slaughtered if that were to happen and Sebastian cannot take the throne unless he has a beloved, to show that he is serious about his position and that he won't be a risk. His past makes the council feel uneasy about his future seat on the throne but with you by his side, he will be taken seriously. It only seems fitting that he begins a life with you. A human with rare blood. The only one that can have children with a vampire and go through the transformation! Do you know how special you are?" She beamed with pride.

Why am I different?

Sebastian has a past that makes the council feel uneasy?

A shiver ran up my spine, a red flag. If I didn't marry him, he would have to marry another in order to take the throne. I'm sure there are plenty of vampire women who would love to be in that position, so why me? Just because of my blood? Because I'm special? I am the only human in the world who could give him children and turn? That can't be true. I wasn't even sure how all of this vampire stuff worked, but surely if there were people like Delannah, a changeling, then there were others who could be turned by a pureblood. She said so herself, that only a few could withstand the bite! But supposedly I'm the only one that could ever give him children.

If I don't marry him and no one else does either, he would have to step down and another family would take the throne. Apparently one who would do away with humans – drink us till we ran dry. Demolish humans. The human race itself felt as if it were in my hands right now.

This isn't what I had hoped for my future.

All I've ever wanted, despite Delannah drilling it into my head that my husband would be unfaithful to me and may never love me, was to be loved. I wanted something real. Like the fairytale stories that Priscilla used to sneak me. I wanted someone who would love me and cherish my existence as I would his. Sebastian obviously didn't love me, he barely even knew me, though, he has known me since I was but a baby. That still isn't enough. But maybe he could eventually love me?

I shook myself out of my thoughts to point out the one thing that everyone seemed to be missing here. "But you just said that vampires can't love humans." I countered. "So, again, why are we being forced to marry. He doesn't want this I'm sure." I glanced at Sebastian whose expression was calm. "I'm not sure if I do either. Not with this bit of information."

I felt rather than heard a low growl beside me. Sebastian didn't like that very much, it seemed. Someone not wanting to be with him must have been a new thing for him. He's very handsome, but I don't think love should be based on how someone looks and can make you feel.

Delannah snarled. "He doesn't have to love you, Sienna. You just have to marry him so he can take the throne and have his children. Be the perfect wife and mother, and above all else, the perfect princess and soon to be Queen. That is all you are required to do. It's too late to find someone else. You are his. Love between vampires and humans doesn't exist because you feel too much and we don't feel enough. You don't have the same chemical makeup and you are food to us. Love for a vampire and human will never will exist. He may grow fond of you, but it will never be love. Not until he turns you one day and you have the genetic chemicals to make him love you. Then maybe he will, which if he's fond of you, I'm sure he will turn you." She coldly stated as she picked at an imaginary spot on her nails. "You may have special blood, but he doesn't need you around just because you will be the mother of his children, so I suggest you take what I've given you over the years and put it to good use."

My mouth fell open and the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes blurred my vision. It was true. There would be no love between us. He hated humans, he said so himself, and now it has been confirmed. I was special, so they wanted offspring between the two of us. Would that create some type of special vampire child? A hybrid of some sort? Would it even be vampire?

All this time, thinking I would be free – It was for nothing. Since birth, I was promised to him. If I don't go along with this, my life could be in danger anyways – vampires knew I was special. Whoever would take over if Sebastian was forced to step down would kill mankind as we know it.

This wasn't what I wanted. I didn't ask for this. I just want someone to love me.... To have someone to love. If I was going to go through with this, I wanted to know that it would turn out the way I've always dreamed but apparently, my dreams were just that; dreams.

I was just an incubator to these people. To Sebastian.

He would turn me if he wanted to, which meant that though he would never love me while I was a human, he could be fond of me and want me to stick around, changing me into a vampire. I would have to persuade him to do this? Even if we had children?

So, that's where all my training came in.... to please him. I understood now. Mother may not have loved me, but she wanted me to have the option to be able to turn, giving me everlasting life.

All those private classes on the art of seduction and how to please a man in the bedroom – that was what I needed in order to make him want to keep me around.

I felt Sebastian stiffen and I immediately regretted my thoughts, remembering he could read my mind. He now knew the sordid details of what Delannah has taught me over the years. The countless classes, watching couples together – intimately.

I looked down at my stilettoes, my vision blurry as the tears slid down my cheek. I had questions, but I dismissed them all. Who cares about my dumb questions when I've just been told I'm being forced into marriage and my future husband can't ever love me. I'm just a baby maker for him, a toy.

"Delannah! How dare you say such things to the poor girl!" Serephine stood, outraged at my so-called mother's little speech.

Serephine strode toward me, bending down so that we were at eye level. "Do not listen to that nonsense, child. You won't be trapped in a loveless marriage and you aren't just for breeding purposes. You are special. Sebastian knows you are important and he will care for you." Her hands found mine, squeezing them reassuringly but I couldn't look at her. She wanted to make me feel better, but mother never lied to me.

Magnus and Sebastian stayed silent and I gently removed my hands from Serephine's as she stood. I lifted my face to hers, tears staining my cheeks and she gave me a sad smile. "I have faith in the two of you." She smiled, giving a pointed stare at Sebastian. I didn't bother looking his way. I felt like a science experiment and I was embarrassed that we were even having this conversation.

The man I'm supposed to marry, sitting next to me, while I sit here crying over the fact that he won't ever love me. It was humiliating to say the least.

Serephine gave me one last tight smile before heading back to her seat.

Magnus cleared his throat as the tension in the air died down. "Sienna, you'll be living with all of us. It isn't just Sebastian that you will live with, but Serephine and I as well. There are also maids that work at the castle, human maids. You will get to meet all sorts of people from all over the world, go to balls and galas. I think you will like life at the castle." He tried to soften the blow, but it just wasn't going to work.

"Oh, for Christ sake." Delannah huffed, "Sienna, next week you are moving into the Lecreaux's castle and you will take your things with you. You will stay there until the two of you are married and then you two will take over the royal chambers once you both are crowned." She informed me, all business, no pleasantries. She never liked when Priscilla babied me, I'm sure she didn't like Magnus doing it either. She wanted me to be like her. Cold and regal with a hint of uncaring persona.

My eyes widened as I snapped my gaze up to her. "What? Next week?" This was all too much. I wanted to get out of here, but this was so sudden. I couldn't take it.

All these years of putting up with her beatings. Breaking my neck to make her proud... I couldn't be a lady anymore. I couldn't stay composed.

I let out the painful sob I'd been holding back and felt all eyes on me as my walls crumbled and came crashing down.

I jumped up in my high heels, glaring down at Delannah who sat with a brow raised at my actions. "I hate you, you cold hearted biitch." My voice was low and deadly – just how I felt on the inside. "I hate your guts. I hope you die a slow and painful death very soon. I hope someone beats and tortures you like you have done to me all my life and I hope the day you die, your body is burned so that none of your hatred and sickness touches this world any longer." I seethed.

I knew once everyone left, I would get the beating of my life, but I didn't care. I turned and stalked toward the stairs, not bothering to say my goodbyes to the Lecreaux's. Once I hit the stairs, the heels came off as I ran to my room.

I crumpled on top of my bed, sobbing so loudly and violently that my body wracked.

This can't be my life. It just can't.

This room was the only place in this entire house that I found comfort, aside from Priscilla's arms. It wasn't my décor, but Delannah did let me choose the turquoise accent color. This room was too grown up for me, but it brought me peace.

But it's not mine anymore.

Nothing will ever be mine.

Being a Queen is not something I want. I want to read about romance, experience it... But I was taught that love doesn't exist, that has been engrained in my mind my entire life. But Priscilla.. She's tried to tell me differently.

I don't know what I believe anymore...

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I hope everyone enjoyed this re-vised chapter!

Please don't forget to Vote!! And please feel free to comment! I love reading you guys' comments!

Did anyone notice a few things about this chapter? I look ... a smile... anything that leads you to think someone else knows more than the rest of them?

Hmm.. 

What could be so special about Sienna? The only human in the entire world who can procreate with a pureblood vampire. That's something. AND she can turn. Not many can and NO ONE can have a child with a pureblood except another pureblood. 

Changelings are like the vampires you read about. They are turned and they are basically "dead" but purebloods -- they are alive. We will find out how these beings came to be further on in the story.

These vampires have an amazing history of origings.