Dedicated to her, xoxo

■ ELEVEN ■

"Celene" a calm, deep voice asked, drawing my attention to him and not the windows I was cleaning.

"My Lord?" I asked surprised to see him.

He was supposed to be out of the castle for another day but I guess he came home early. "How was your trip?" I asked.

His eyes shifted away before looking down at his hands. I looked down also to see him holding out a box. "I know it was your birthday yesterday and I thought you might enjoy this" he said, before clearing his throat.

He seemed flustered. I took the box carefully, putting my cleaning utensils down and unwrapping the gift. The King shifted uneasily. It revealed a leather bound book, probably as old as the King himself.

"What's this?" I asked, afraid to open it and damage anything.

"A missing diary of Leonardo Da Vinci" he replied.

My mouth dropped open. "You knew Leonardo Da Vinci?" I asked, surprised.

The King seemed to cough. "I knew the man people called Jesus" he replied before looking away.

"Brag" I replied, smiling as I looked down at my book.

A grin crossed the King's face before I could blink it was gone. "Thank you for the gift" I said, touching the spine of the book carefully.

"You're welcome, walk with me" he said, being more of an order than a question, I followed him.

"Celene, I know it hasn't been the best for you here and I haven't been the kindest to you but I hope to change that," he trailed off.

I swallowed but kept pace with him. We walked towards the front doors. "I've been alone for a very long time and a part of me still wants to hurt and hurt everyone for my own loneliness" he continued as he led me to the gardens.

I had never seen them close up, just from the windows but I could barely glance at the flowers. I focused on the King and I could sense how uncomfortable he was. "It's okay, my Lord" I said gently.

He looked up, our eyes catching. "Mekhi" he said gently.

I raised an eyebrow. "My mother named me Mekhi, I'd prefer you kept that just between us" he replied, turning away.

"Of course" I replied, confused.

Why would he tell me his name when no one else knew?

"Celene, I want to ask something of you," he said, sounding unsure.

My heart beat wildly and I knew he could hear it. "I want you to be by my side" he said, looking back at me.

Shock coursed through me before confusion. "I am? I'm your maid?" I asked, confused.

"Not as my maid, as my wife" he said firmly, seeming to pull his sudden shyness under control.

I stepped back and sat down on the wooden bench that overlooked the garden. "What?" I asked confused.

"I've never been turned down, and I'd hate for you to be the first to do so" he replied, the authority leaking back into his tone.

"I don't understand why? I'm your maid, that's all!" I exclaimed.

He sighed. "You were never just a maid, since I saved you, you've been under my watch and you were always destined to take the Queen's crown beside me" he said firmly.

"But I was hurt, beaten and you expect me to just forget all that and say hell yeah to being your wife? I think not!" I exclaimed.

"Celene.." he trailed off.

Anger overtook me. "You don't care about me at all, you didn't care about my birthday! You brought this book to soften me up and lower my defences!" I snapped.

I stood up and pushed the leather bound book into his chest. He stumbled back, somehow graceful. "Celene" he said firmly as I began to walk away.

"You cannot deny my order! I am your King!" He snapped.

I froze and turned my head to look at him. "No, you're no King to me, I'm not one of your mindless Vampire slaves, I'm a human being with a heart beat and feelings!" I exclaimed back.

"You seem to think I wanted to be like this!" He snarled.

I studied his face. "I had a wife and child! I had a family and I was happy!" He exclaimed before his voice broke.

He cleared his throat as he walked towards me. "Keep the book, believe it or not.. it was a present for your birthday.. one day you'll learn that not everyone is your mother!" He said, pushing the book into my hands.

He pushed past me and disappeared back into the castle. I glanced back down at the book in my hands. Opening the book gently, a loose piece of paper almost fell to the ground but I caught it.

Elegant scroll was scrawled across the note.
To Celene, for your love of ancient languages.

I bit my lip and glanced up at the castle before sighing. Making up my mind, I began to run. I knew he had vampire speed but I had a feeling he wasn't in the mood to use it.

I ran into the castle foyer and saw him walking up the stairs before disappearing from view. Sighing, I felt something heavy clink in my pocket.

His bedroom key!

I raced for the nearest door and spilled into the King hallway, almost knocking over a maid. I ran towards the King's door, I skidded in front of it and grabbed the key. Shoving it into the lock,I turned it and fell into his room.

"What happened to knocking!" A snap called from the room.

My eyes widened as a very shirtless King had his back to me. He quickly pulled a hood over his head and turned around. My hands shook.

"What do you want?" He asked, as I closed the door.

He shoved back his hood so I could see him clearly. "I know you're not my mother, and I know you're cruel.." I trailed off.

He narrowed his eyes. "I sincerely hope you are going somewhere with this Celene" he growled.

"Yes" I said firmly.

He appeared confused. "Yes what?" He snapped.

I didn't say anything just looked at him and suddenly it dawned on him. "Yes" I repeated.

A/N

CLIFFHANGER!

BOOM!
I wanted to torture you and I am. I hope your enjoying your days in hell.. cause it's about to get a whole lot hotter!!

Hehehe.
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Lots of love, Tavana xoxoxox