Damien made his way toward the wing where he was residing, with Bella nestled in his arms. Sensing that they were far from people, she began to struggle, trying to wriggle free from the vampire's hold.
"Oh, I almost thought you were dead or something," Damien said dryly.
"Please… let me down, Your Majesty. My mother must be worried about me," she pleaded, her voice trembling as she tried to sound as pitiful as possible.
"No." Damien's tone was firm, laced with irritation at her desire to escape.
Tears slid down Bella's cheeks, shimmering before they hit the floor and turned into a bright pearl with a soft sound. Damien paused, bending to pick it up. His crimson eyes narrowed with interest.
Sensing his distraction, Bella slipped from his grasp and bolted toward the nearest door without looking back.
The men behind him moved to give chase, but Damien raised his hand a silent command to halt. They froze in place, confused. Their king's patience tonight was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
Still crouched, Damien smirked, his gaze fixed on the pearl in his palm. The curve of his lips was amused, but the hard glint in his eyes betrayed his dangerous curiosity.
"Find the relics tonight," he ordered quietly. "We leave by morning."
The only reason they had come to this small kingdom was to find a divine relic hidden in the palace a thousand years ago.He made his way inside his chamber, sitting on a couch.
"Your Highness," Michael spoke cautiously, "what about the mermaid? Are you truly not interested in taking her?"
He knew the king's nature well. When Damien wanted something, he simply took it. But tonight… he seemed different calmer, unreadable, almost detached.
Damien tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Have you, perhaps, taken a liking to one of my possessions?" he asked, his voice calm but each word edged with displeasure.
"N–no, Your Highness! Forgive my imprudence." Michael bowed quickly, trembling in fright. He knew his life hung by a thread to dare think of coveting the king's possession, and though he hadn't touched the mermaid, he was grateful for that now.
Damien's gaze lingered on him casual, yet so intense that Michael shivered under it.
"Leave," Damien said finally.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Michael bowed once more and hurried out of the room.
When he was gone, Damien reached into his coat and pulled out the pearl he had picked up earlier. The faint trace of Bella's scent lingered on it. His eyes darkened, fangs extending as he took a slow, deliberate breath.
"Time to hunt," he murmured — and vanished from the room.
Meanwhile...
Bella ran through the palace corridors, which now felt like a maze ,her heart pounding. Her quarters seemed farther away than ever, and fear pushed her forward.
"Bella!"
A voice called out, but she didn't stop. The sound of footsteps behind her made her run faster.
"Bella, stop! It's me Marcus!"
At the familiar voice, she finally turned. Marcus rushed to her just in time to catch her as she stumbled, breathless and trembling. Relief washed over his face; he had feared the worst.
"You escaped…" he breathed. "Thank the heavens."
He scooped her up gently. "Let me take you somewhere safe."
Bella nodded weakly, still catching her breath. "Take me home… Lumi must be waiting for me. Mother will be worried."she managed to say.
"What if he goes there to find you ....and hurts your mother?" Marcus asked, his tone firm, eyes burning with protective intent. It was rare to be this close to Bella, and the thought of losing her again tightened something deep inside him.
He pulled her closer, possessively. No one will take her from me… not even the vampire king.
Bella, too exhausted to argue, accepted his reasoning and let her eyes flutter shut, finally succumbing to sleep as Marcus carried her away into the night.