CHAPTER 3: TRUE FEELINGS.
Prince Ramakrishna roamed around aimlessly for what seemed to be hours on end before he found himself climbing through a window and into Sanchia Redfern's bedroom. He didn't know why he was there, but part of him felt like he had to protect her. He felt as if it was his duty to protect her.
Prince Ramakrishna took in his surroundings. In one corner of the room, there was a pink bean chair and beside it, there was a purple bean chair. How girlie of her, Ramakrishna thought, a little amused by the idea of bean chairs. He had never owned one, but then again, he never felt the need to own one. He tore his eyes from the odd bean chairs and took notice of the posters on Sanchia's walls. He recognized some of the artists--hell, he had met half of them. Prince Ramakrishna would normally have been happy at that thought, but now that he thought about it, biting someone like Stacy Anne Ferguson(Fergie) wasn't exactly something to brag about, not unless the person who did it was bragging to a monster even worse than him. Prince Ramakrishna tore his eyes from the posters and unwillingly, his baby blue eyes landed on Sanchia, who was in her bed. He didn't have to walk closer to her to see that she looked so peaceful in her sleep, like the princess he had always denied she was. Prince Ramakrishna could no longer deny that he found her beautiful.
Like most witches, Sanchia had a creamy pale skin color, not like the vampires(but just as beautiful), emerald green eyes that sparkled when the moon was out, smooth and shiny charcoal black hair, and a perfect heart-shaped face to match her delicate features. She was a true Goddess, at least to him, anyway.
Prince Ramakrishna was no longer surprised by his own thoughts. He knew he felt this way for a reason, there was no use in fighting it, at least not when Sanchia was sleeping. Ramakrishna knew that if his brother ever found out about Sanchia, he would have Sanchia killed. So, he was going to have to tell her to leave. Prince Ramakrishna wasn't so sure that she'd listen to him, but hell, it was worth a shot. And if not, he would have to purposely frighten her, no matter how much he didn't want to. The idea of frightening Sanchia was no longer appealing to him, now it simply appalled him.
But because Prince Ramakrishna didn't feel like waking up his sleeping beauty at the moment, he decided it would be best to just sit and watch her until she woke up. That isn't exactly how it turned out, though, because minutes later, he, too, ended up falling asleep.
"You can run but you can't hide," a voice yelled to Schuyler from behind the bushes.
Schuyler's heart was racing rapidly in her chest. She had been running in circles for what felt like hours, but what couldn't have been more than thirty minutes. She didn't know what was chasing her, let alone who, and she wasn't about to find out. She wouldn't be able to fight someone tonight. She was too weak. Her head was other places. She could see his face perfectly in her mind--those lips, those eyes, those muscles. Her heart ached at the thought of him. She had to find him. She had to find Prince Ramakrishna.
Schuyler found herself running into a rosebush. The powerful witch fell on her back, not feeling half as powerful as she knew she could be. And that is when the creature appeared.
Prince Leon.
Schuyler gasped, but no sound came out, as Prince Leon lunged at her.
Schuyler awoke screaming. She sat up quickly on her bed, and stopped screaming long enough to see someone sleeping in a bean bag chair. The screams returned when she recognized who it was. That's when he woke up.
Prince Ramakrishna shot up out of his sleep when he heard screaming, not realizing that Sanchia was awake until he had yelled, "Sanchia, Sanchia, are you okay!?"
Schuyler's breathing was heavy. Her charcoal black hair fell past her shoulders once she sat up. Prince Ramakrishna was taken aback by her beauty. He had known that she was beautiful, but seeing her up close and not being able to touch her, made his heart ache with longing and something else... love.
Schuyler glared at the vampire once she had finished screaming and calmed down. Why did vampires have to be so adamant about hurting a person? Couldn't they just stop being so vengeful? If it weren't for Schuyler's new found love for Prince Ramakrishna, she would have found him disgusting and been more than glad to defeat him. Now, not so much.
"What are you doing here?" Schuyler asked coldly, deciding to play the good cop, bad cop card. She couldn't make him believe in the soulmate principle just yet. She would have to work her way to that. Right now, she just had to keep him from killing her. That was more important than convincing him that he loved her.
"I didn't come here to kill you," Ramakrishna blurted without giving himself any time to think about it. He wasn't about to talk himself out of what he had so obviously come here to do.
Schuyler was taken aback by Prince Ramakrishna's words. He wasn't here to kill her?
"Well, then, what the hell are you here for?" Schuyler asked, still confused by his statement. She didn't have time for this right now. She was too tired.
"I came to tell you that you have to leave. You have to leave, Sanchia. Please," he begged, his voice cracking with vulnerability.
Schuyler was shocked at the vulnerability in Prince Ramakrishna's voice. She had felt that vulnerability when the two had been linked by the silver thread. She could even feel the silver thread attempting to pull them together. She wasn't fighting it, but she knew that what was keeping them apart was Prince Ramakrishna. He was fighting it and she knew then that it wasn't going to be easy to get him to give into his feelings. Can't teach a tiger new tricks, or whatever the hell that saying is. Schuyler pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and focused on the task at hand.
"Are you insane!?" Schuyler shouted at him. "I can't leave. And why the hell should I have to leave just because you can't deal with what's happened between us? I'm not leaving just to help you."
Ramakrishna let out a sigh of frustration. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Sanchia, that isn't what I mean. You're right, I don't accept what has happened between us, but I know that something has. That being the case, you have to leave. My brother is going to try and kill you and I can't stop him. So, leave. Go live with Circle Daybreak, yes I know about that, and let them take you somewhere safe. Leon is a monster, Sanchia. If you think I'm a monster, than you're most definitely going to think he is a monster. I won't let him kill you. So, you have to go."
Prince Ramakrishna's eyes were gazing into Schuyler's and Schuyler felt as if they were boring into her soul, confirming her worst fears and sympathizing with them. There was something in Ramakrishna's eyes that Sanchia had never seen before. It was the look of someone needing to protect the person they loved. And that's when she knew, without him having to say it, that he loved her. He could deny it all he wanted, but the proof was in his eyes.
Schuyler shook her head, more determined now than ever to fight for him.
"No," she stated simply, being her usual stubborn self. "I won't go. If you want him to leave me alone, then protect me from him yourself. I know that you want to, so stop trying to fight it."
Prince Ramakrishna shook his head, being as stubborn as usual. He wasn't giving in. He couldn't allow himself to give in. He couldn't love a witch, especially not the witch who killed his father(even though that had been more like a favor rather than a betrayal.) Still, his brother thought it to be a betrayal and he had to listen to his brother. They were family. And if there was one thing Ramakrishna had learned from his negligent and airhead of a father, family came first.
"I don't want you to get hurt, Schuyler. If you don't want to leave willingly, then I guess I'll just have to take you out of here myself."
A smile formed on Schuyler's lips, confusing Prince Ramakrishna, and after a moment, he spoke up again.
"What the hell are you smiling about?" he snapped, ignoring the thought he was having about how beautiful she looked when she smiled.
"Oh, I don't know... it's just, well, when you touch me, you very well know we can't move. That silver thread thing kind of makes it impossible, especially when it's fresh and we haven't used it very much. You could always try and carry me out, but I doubt it would work. The silver thread makes us both powerless, Ramakrishna."
A sigh of frustration escaped Prince Ramakrishna's perfect mouth.
"I guess I will just have to risk it," he mumbled under his breath as he stood up and walked over to Sanchia. He could already feel the silver thread pulling him closer to her, but he fought if off, blocking his thoughts the best he could as he hoisted her from the bed and carried her out the door and down the stairs. Thankfully, her mother wasn't there to see this. He didn't want to have to hurt anyone in Sanchia's family. He would never forgive himself for that, not that he would ever tell Sanchia that. She would hold it over his head forever, even if they never saw each other again after this.
Schuyler smiled as Prince Ramakrishna held her in his arms. She was still in her Halloween costume and part of the dress was falling over his side. But at least it wasn't covering his face--that she could see perfectly. The silver thread was pulling at the both of them, stronger than ever, forcing them to communicate. But Ramakrishna was blocking his thoughts, which Schuyler hated. She let out a 'hmph' as he walked out her front door and into the night. Schuyler had no idea what time it was, but it was pitch black out and there were stars. The moon shone in the sky. Schuyler smiled as she looked up at the moon and the moon shone on her eyes, making them more visible than anything else in the night. They would soon turn violet, the natural eye color of the witches.
You know, you may be blocking your thoughts, but I can still hear some of them, Schuyler's mental voice said.
Prince Ramakrishna continued to block his thoughts, but he spoke to her mentally, anyway.
Oh, yeah, and what can you hear?
Schuyler laughed as she heard the vulnerability and the sarcasm in his voice all at once. She knew this was hard for Ramakrishna, but hell, no one said it was easy for her, either.
Yeah, well, you witches have it easier than a lot of us. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Prince Ramakrishna's mental voice snapped. I have things to be embarrassed about because of this. You witches could care less. You can just run off to Circle Daybreak and they'll protect you. I don't have that choice. His mental voice sounded sad even to himself.
Schuyler felt Prince Ramakrishna's pain and it hurt... a lot, her mental voice whispered to him. Schuyler wanted to help him. She remembered what she had seen last night, or rather, earlier tonight. She remembered what she had felt. His father had betrayed him. He had treated Ramakrishna like a subject, rather than a son. He wanted Ramakrishna to follow him. He had never let Ramakrishna think on his own. He had never been his own person. And if Prince Leon, Ramakrishna's brother, had anything to say about it, Ramakrishna would never think for himself. Schuyler wanted to kill Prince Leon at that moment. She was surprised at the hate she had for a person she had never even met. Well, she'd met him in her dreams, which were scary enough, so she couldn't imagine what meeting him in real life would be like. Probably scary...
You've seen my brother in your dreams before? Ramakrishna's mental voice asked, sounding more concerned rather than harsh.
Schuyler let out a barely audible sigh. Yes.
What did he do to you? Prince Ramakrishna asked angrily. Schuyler had never heard him so angry before.
It wasn't real, Ramakrishna. It was just a dream. Don't do anything stupid. As evil as he may be, he's your brother. If I've learned anything in all my seventeen years, it is that family comes first. Schuyler couldn't believe she was saying this. She should have been telling Prince Ramakrishna to defeat his brother and to stand up to him, instead she was telling him to do the exact opposite. She knew it had something to do with the thoughts running through Ramakrishna's mind. Ramakrishna hated his brother, but he had a respect for him, too. Maybe she could change Leon after she changed Ramakrishna.
You will do no such thing! Prince Ramakrishna snapped.
Schuyler felt herself jump a little, but she realized she couldn't move. And that is when she remembered that she was being carried, taken away. To where? She had no idea.
Prince Ramakrishna, where are you taking me? Schuyler's mental voice whispered. She was growing dreary. She could already feel her eyes closing, so she just let them. Her subconscious was still talking to Ramakrishna and that was all that mattered.
Prince Ramakrishna continued to walk. He was walking at super human speed, something all vampires could do.
I don't know, Ramakrishna answered honestly. He had no clue where he was taking her, all he knew was that he had to get her away.
You don't have to do this, Ramakrishna. We can be together. I know you want that. You can change. You don't have to run anymore. I can give you all the things that you've been wanting your whole life. I can make up for the things your father did to you. Let me help you. Schuyler's mental voice was weak, but her voice(mental or out loud) had never been filled with such emotion, such longing. She wanted Prince Ramakrishna now more than ever. She wouldn't be able to breathe without him. He had to know that, didn't he? He had to know that they were destined to be together and that there was no way of running away from this. I'd rather die than be away from you.
Prince Ramakrishna came to a halt at those words. He had been listening to her thoughts the whole time, but those words seemed to affect him the most.
Don't you ever say that! Prince Ramakrishna's mental voice exclaimed as he sat her gently on the ground.
It felt as if an arrow had been aimed at Schuyler's heart. She didn't want to be away from him. She needed that physical closeness, without it she felt a sharp pain in her chest. She needed to be near him. Gosh, it so was not fair that he was fighting this. It shouldn't have to be like this. Frustrated, Schuyler scrambled onto her feet, attempting to regain her balance as she opened her eyes and pointed her emerald green's right at Prince Ramakrishna. She was staring into his soul and she knew that he knew that.
"It's true," Schuyler managed to choke out, though her voice was barely audible. She was weak from lack of sleep and she was still frightened because of her dream.
"No, it isn't true," Prince Ramakrishna exclaimed, forcefully grasping her shoulders. He shook her once and she looked up at him with terrified eyes. He stopped shaking her, but he didn't remove his hands from her shoulders. "Take it back," he demanded harshly.
Schuyler shook her head. "No," she whispered.
"Do you seriously have a death wish? First, you say we're soulmates and instead of walking away from me like any sane witch would, you fight for me. Second, when I tell you to leave, you argue with me some more and say that it's best for you to stay. Third, you tell me that you're having dreams about my brother, so I try to keep you safe by taking you somewhere he'll never find you, and you still want to be with me? I don't understand you, Sanchia. Why are you so hell bent on destroying yourself? I should be nothing to you," he yelled, trying to knock some sense into the beautiful witch standing in front of him.
Tears were welling in Schuyler's emerald green eyes. Her heart was racing in her chest. She could hear her heart beat mixed with another's, meaning Ramakrishna's.
"I'm not hell bent on destroying myself, Rama," she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. She could barely get out his full name. "I want you, every part of you. I need you, Rama. I want to give you all the things that your family never gave you. I can't be away from you, because I love you. I'm in love with you. I can't let you walk away from me, because I don't know what I would do without you. I didn't ask for this to happen, but now that it has--I can't just let you walk away from me. I love you more than anything in the world."
Prince Ramakrishna's face held something along the lines of disbelief, but his eyes betrayed him. His eyes held longing and love. He didn't want to fight this anymore. He didn't want to fight her anymore. He just couldn't. So, he did what any sane person would do, and gave in.
His lips pressed against hers and a shock was sent through her entire body. The silver thread had pulled them together. Schuyler was inside his head, feeling everything he was feeling, all the while writhing in pleasure at the way he kissed her. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was if she were having an outer body experience while still being in control.
What made you change your mind? her mental voice whispered, as the two continued to kiss. They were falling, like really falling. She could see what he was seeing, hear what he was thinking, and feel every desire he had, every fear, every ounce of anger inside him. And worse, she could feel his pain.
You made me change my mind, Schuyler. I can't deny it anymore. I love you. I'm in love with you. I want to be with you. Prince Ramakrishna was shocked at the sound of his own mental voice, but he didn't care about what Leon would do to him. They would fight if at all possible. He wasn't about to let Prince Leon take Schuyler away from him, not now that he knew he loved her. Hell, he had known all along. That's why I have to get you out of here. We can go somewhere to keep ourselves safe. We can start a new life together. Please, Schuyler, let me take you somewhere.
Unwillingly, Schuyler pulled away from the kiss. She felt a stab in her heart after doing so, but the stab disappeared when Prince Ramakrishna sat down with her and continued to hold her close to him. She could still feel and hear everything. It was like being psychic, only without having to go through all that ritual shit.
i can't let you take me anywhere, Rama. I can't leave my family behind. My mom needs me here. I can't just leave her. I can't leave Jacob, either, or Circle Daybreak. They all mean too much to me. Schuyler's mental voice was strained and the need to fall asleep in Ramakrishna's arms was overwhelming. Schuyler's eyes closed as she continued to talk to Rama through her mind.
They're vermin. You'll eventually forget them, Ramakrishna argued.
I won't forget them! Schuyler's mental voice shouted, making Ramakrishna stagger a little from where he was sitting. They aren't vermin, either, and I really wish you would stop referring to humans as vermin. They are people. They get hurt. They have families, friends, and people who care about them-- all the things that you want. If you had those, would you want anyone to take that away from you? Schuyler didn't mean to be so harsh, but she wanted Ramakrishna to get it in his head that humans have feelings. They belong on the earth as much as the creatures of the Night World do, maybe even more so than that.
Prince Ramakrishna let out a sigh of frustration. He knew Schuyler was right. If he were human, he wouldn't want anyone taking his family from him. He had wanted a family his whole life-- a normal family. All of his life, he had strived to be what his father and brother wanted him to be. He never did anything for himself. He never thought for himself. He had only ever done what they wanted him to do. It didn't seem fair that he should deprive Schuyler of the love he had never had. Prince Ramakrishna opened his eyes and turned Schuyler a little so she was facing him. Schuyler opened her eyes.
"I won't take that away from you," he said aloud, while also thinking it. He wasn't going to take that from her. He refused. "But you do know what this means, don't you?"
Schuyler nodded, fear engulfing her as she gulped. We're going to have to fight, she thought, still too weak from lack of sleep to speak aloud.
Prince Ramakrishna placed a kiss on Schuyler's forehead. When he pulled away, Schuyler could still feel the tingle from where his lips had touched her.
"I love you, Sanchia Schuyler Redfern. I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise."
Ramakrishna's words were so sincere that she had no choice but to believe him.
We're going to be okay. I promise you that. Schuyler let out a barely audible yawn as her eyes closed even tighter. She felt so peaceful in Ramakrishna's arms, but she was too afraid to sleep.
Go to sleep, Prince Ramakrishna's mental voice whispered as Ramakrishna bent down and kissed her lips softly one more time before she drifted into a sea of endless dreams.
The next morning, Schuyler awoke, only to find herself completely unscathed and lying in bed. Schuyler chanced a look at her clothing. She was still wearing her witch costume, only now, it was covered in dirt and she smelled horrible. Schuyler scrunched up her nose and coughed when she took in the aroma of dirt and dried grass. Gross, she thought.
"You're right, babe, it is gross," a voice sounded from somewhere in the hall. Schuyler's eyes shot up and a smile formed on her pale lips as she took notice of Prince Ramakrishna standing in the doorway.
"You know," Schuyler started, "you don't have to stand out there. You can come inside," she continued.
Prince Ramakrishna laughed. It was the most melodic sound Schuyler had ever heard. It wasn't like the laughs she had heard from him before. When they used to fight, Prince Ramakrishna would laugh, but the sound that escaped his mouth then was evil, pure evil. Schuyler shivered at the thought and immediately pushed it to the back of her mind.
"I prefer to stand outside the door. It makes it easier for me to admire your beauty," Ramakrishna suggested, smirking now.
Schuyler rolled her eyes. "My beauty?" she questioned. "I'm covered in dirt, not to mention, I smell like dirt. Goddess only knows what is in my once perfect hair. I haven't even had a shower. So, how the hell do I look beautiful to you?"
Prince Ramakrishna smiled now, more softly this time, as he advanced into the room and stood in front of Schuyler. He took her hands in his and stared into her gorgeous emerald green eyes.
I think you are the most beautiful witch in the universe, Ramakrishna's mental voice reassured her. "And I think the dirt is cute," he joked.
A melodic laugh escape Schuyler's perfect lips. "That's sweet, Rama, but I really do need to take a shower now. I can't walk around like this all day."
Prince Ramakrishna sighed. "Fine, fine. And what am I supposed to do? Just sit here?"
Schuyler shook her head. "You could always join me."
Ramakrishna's eyes widened in disbelief slash shock at Schuyler's suggestion.
"You are just joking, right?" Ramakrishna asked hesitantly. He wasn't inexperienced or anything, but he wasn't so sure that they should do anything so physical so soon.
Schuyler giggled at Ramakrishna's shock and nodded. "Of course I was only joking, Rama. I love you and all, but I am nowhere near ready for that kind of physical relationship. I need time."
"Thank Goddess," he muttered.
A smile formed on Schuyler's lips as she looked up at Ramakrishna.
"What?" Ramakrishna asked as he unwillingly pulled away from Schuyler and sat at the end of her princess looking bed.
"Nothing--it's just, well, you said Goddess. I think it's cute," she said, leaning down to kiss him quickly on the lips before skipping out of the room.
That left Ramakrishna alone to think of a plan. If they were going to be together, they would have to fight.
Footsteps startled Ramakrishna, but his heart stopped beating rapidly as he noticed an unfamiliar woman standing in the doorway.
"Who are you?" Ramakrishna asked curiously.
The mysterious lady looked at him. Fear flashed across her face, but it disappeared in an instant. She had blonde hair that fell past her shoulders in waves, unique hazel eyes, and a round-shaped face that sort of reminded him of Cameron Diaz. She was definitely petite and had curves. She looked to be about thirty-five to thirty-eight, somewhere along those lines. And she looked nothing like Schuyler.
"I should be asking you the same question, young man," the blonde lady snapped. "Why are you in my daughter's room?"
"Your daughter?" Prince Ramakrishna asked, sounding puzzled. "Sanchia looks nothing like you," he said, using Schuyler's first name.
The blonde lady flashed him a smile and then her face hardened. "She is my adopted daughter, but my daughter, nonetheless. Now, are you going to tell me who you are?"
Prince Ramakrishna nodded. "My name is Ramakrishna Jedare. I'm your daughter's boyfriend," he said, smiling at the word boyfriend.
Now, the blonde lady was smiling. "Schuyler didn't tell me she had a boyfriend. Well, it is very nice to meet you, Rama... do you mind if I call you Rama?"
Ramakrishna chuckled and shook his head, happy that she had decided to call him Rama and not Krishna for short. "Not at all."
"All right, and you can call me Alysia or Aly, either is fine, really. Where is Schuyler? I just got back this morning and haven't seen her anywhere."
"She's in the shower." He saw the concerned look on Alysia Scottsdale's face and smiled reassuringly at her. "No worries, I promised to stay here while she gets ready for our date." Prince Ramakrishna felt oddly giddy at the word 'date' and he wasn't so sure it was ethical for a guy, let alone a lamia vampire, to be giddy. He was strong and a vampire, nonetheless, and it definitely wasn't right for him to feel giddy. Still, that is what he felt, and he was just sick of fighting his feelings.
"Well, have fun on your date," Alysia said, smiling at him as she walked out of the room and shut the door quietly behind her.
Prince Ramakrishna let out a sigh of relief, glad that was over. He was beginning to feel a little dizzy and light-headed. He instantly knew what was wrong. He hadn't fed in nearly twenty-four hours. He had been too busy worrying about Schuyler and saving her. He didn't regret that, but he also didn't like feeling thirsty. But he also couldn't allow Schuyler to find out about his thirst. That would scare her away and well, now that he had admitted his feelings, that was the last thing he wanted to happen.
"I love you, Schuyler," he whispered to no one but himself and then he added, "but I have to feed."
Prince Ramakrishna wrote a quick note to Schuyler saying that he would be back in a bit and then he opened the window, jumping out, and taking off at super-human speed to find his prey. During his hunt, something inside Ramakrishna didn't feel right. He knew immediately that hunting and killing a human for blood was wrong. He had never felt that way before, but in less than one day, Schuyler had gone and changed his mind about everything. He wanted to please her. More than anything, he wanted to do right by her and change his ways for her. He would do anything for her. Kill for her, die for her, fight for her, and cry for her. It didn't matter what it cost him, as long as she was happy. That thought made him feel sick to the stomach as he came across a human in an abandoned alley. This was wrong and he knew that. He couldn't do this. But he was thirsty, like really thirsty, and he couldn't ignore that. Vampires weren't supposed to ignore their thirst, it was a horrible idea. But he couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it.
I'll get a doner, he thought. It was the only logical and moral thing he could think to do. Schuyler couldn't hate him for it.
Prince Ramakrishna searched for a while before hearing some faint footsteps behind him. He turned, only to see Thierry Descourdes and two others that he didn't recognize heading his way. Oh shit, he thought. This wasn't going to be pretty.
Prince Ramakrishna planted his feet on the ground and rested his hands on his sides.
"I'm not going to hurt anyone, I promise," he choked out, immediately feeling the need to defend himself to those of Circle Daybreak.
"We don't want any trouble," Thierry Descourdes assured him in a soothing voice. He pointed to the two others standing on either side of him. "The girl on my right is Thea Harman, a true witch and the girl to the left of me is a made vampire, Poppy North. We are here because we know about you and Sanchia Schuyler Redfern. We're here to help you, because we know you're frightened about what your blood lust will do to your relationship with her."
Thea Harman stepped forward, positioning herself a few inches away from Prince Ramakrishna. Confusion flashed across his delicate features as the witch who called herself Thea held out her right hand and pointed her wrist towards Ramakrishna. He gulped as he took notice of the blood flowing through her veins. Blood lust engulfed him as he staggered back.
"What are you doing?" Prince Ramakrishna asked, startled as Thea stepped closer to him. His eyes shifted between Thea and Thierry. "What are you trying to do to me?" he snapped.
"I'm going to let you drink my blood. The other witches and myself always donate our blood to those vampires who aren't used to not feeding for hours at a time. This way, their soulmates don't have to be frightened by them. Now, Thierry is going to carefully slit my wrist and you will drink the blood." The witch stepped closer to him. This time, he took one step closer instead of taking one step back.
Thierry stood beside Thea and pulled a knife out of his pocket. Thea closed her eyes. "As you know, Thea, this will sting a little, but Hecate will protect you," Thierry promised as he glided the knife over Thea's wrist in a professional manner, as if he had been doing it his entire life, and then he cut her. The blood started to seep from her wrist as Thierry took a step back and stood beside Poppy.
"You may drink now," Thea whispered as her chocolate brown eyes met Prince Ramakrishna's baby blues. She flashed her pearly whites in his direction and nodded, letting him know it was okay to drink.
Prince Ramakrishna hesitated a moment longer before pressing his lips to Thea's wrist and he began drinking the blood. A million thoughts ran through his mind. Witch blood tasted so much different than human blood. It was sweet, like human blood, but the thing that separated human blood and witch blood was that witch blood tasted like power. After all, he was drinking blood from a Harman, a direct descendant of Hecate, Witch Queen. He could feel the power of the witches now running through his veins and fear overcame him. He wasn't sure that he could quit drinking her blood, and then he heard a scream.
Thierry and Poppy jumped, as did Thea, who pulled away from Ramakrishna. Ramakrishna turned his head and he felt ashamed when he saw the way Schuyler was looking at him. But how had she found him? He would never live this down. She was looking at him as if he were a monster... as if they were all monsters. He felt a ping of guilt and suddenly, he didn't feel so good.
"What are you doing!?" Schuyler shouted as she chanced a look at Thea's wrist. It was bleeding, but not as badly as it had been seconds before when her soulmate had been drinking Thea's blood. A shiver slithered up Schuyler's spine as she reluctantly tore her eyes from Thea's wrist and her eyes met Ramakrishna's face. His mouth was covered in blood and he was frantically licking his lips to get rid of the 'evidence'. Evidence of what? She wasn't sure, exactly. All she knew was that he had been drinking her friend's blood and it disgusted her, though she had seen it many times before.
"How could you?" Schuyler asked as tears began welling in her eyes.
Prince Ramakrishna could barely look at Schuyler's eyes. He didn't want to see how much he had hurt her. But he had only been taking an easier way out. He didn't want to have to kill a human or drink a human's blood. Taking Thea's offer seemed easier, but perhaps it had hurt Schuyler even more than he thought it would.
"Schuyler," a sharp voice sounded. Prince Ramakrishna looked up. It was Thierry Descourdes. "I know what you're thinking, but please remove those thoughts from your mind. Prince Ramakrishna was merely taking Thea's offer. He was thirsty and trust me, for a vampire, it is hard to control thirst. He didn't want to hurt an innocent human, because he knew that it would hurt you. I assured him that the only way to not hurt you was to take Thea up on her offer and use her as a doner. It is only temporary, until he learns how to control his thirst. It will take time, but you can't be angry with him. After all, he really is only seventeen years old."
Schuyler sniffled, no longer angry at Prince Ramakrishna. Hell, she hadn't been angry with him... she was just upset that he hadn't come to her.
Schuyler took Prince Ramakrishna's hands in hers and gazed into his baby blue eyes. They were so lovely, he was so lovely.
Ramakrishna smiled, happy to hear Schuyler's thoughts again. He was also happy that she wasn't angry with him, but it hurt that she was upset over it.
"I'm sorry," Ramakrishna mouthed. "I didn't mean to upset you," he said, this time loud enough for Thierry, Poppy, and Thea to hear him. He turned his head a little to glance at Thea. "Thank you, Thea Harman."
Thea flashed him a smile. "Anytime, but don't take that too literally," she joked. That got Ramakrishna to smile, which had been what she wanted to begin with. "I guess we should probably go," Thea mumbled as she faced her friends from Circle Daybreak. "I think these two need to talk."
Thierry smiled a knowing smile and then nodded. "We will see you Friday, correct?" Thierry asked as he glanced at Schuyler.
Schuyler nodded. "Yes, I will be there. But uh--do you mind if I bring a guest?"
Thierry shook his head. "I don't mind at all. However, it is up to you," Thierry said, facing Ramakrishna, "Prince Ramakrishna, to decide whether or not you want to join Circle Daybreak. I can't force your hand, but I do suggest that you join us, not just for your safety, but for your soulmate's as well."
"Blessed be," Schuyler whispered as she winked at Thierry, Thea, and Poppy.
All three winked and then whispered, "Blessed be." Then, at super-human speed, Thierry took off with Thea and Poppy following close behind them. Once they had disappeared out of sight, Schuyler faced Ramakrishna, who she had grown to love more every second, but was now upset with.
It was a quiet walk back to Schuyler's house. It was about noon when one of them decided to start talking. Schuyler was sitting in the center of her bed and Prince Ramakrishna was sitting at the end of her bed.
"I wish you would talk to me," Ramakrishna started, his voice cracking with vulnerability. "You haven't said a word to me since I drank Thea's blood. What's wrong?"
Schuyler lifted her eyes to look at Ramakrishna. He was sitting at the end of her bed, staring at her with his baby blues, which were filled with complete and utter concern for her. They had both changed. Schuyler was now wearing faded blue jeans that brought out her curves(like all of her clothing did) and an emerald green halter top that brought out her eyes. Her charcoal black hair was pulled back into a bun and she still looked as beautiful as before.
Prince Ramakrishna had taken a shower and washed all of the dirt out of his perfect dirty blonde hair, which was messy in a sexy way(the way Schuyler liked it.) He was wearing tan khakis and a plain white t-shirt. He looked as gorgeous as ever and he still had a devastating quality about him that made it hard for Schuyler to keep her distance from him. But she tried.
Schuyler sighed, ready to answer Ramakrishna's question. She owed him that much.
"I guess it just upsets me that you didn't come to me first and tell me that you were thirsty. I couldn't sense it in your thoughts and I can understand why you wanted to hide it from me, but what I don't understand is why you didn't ask me to donate my blood. My so-called mother was a Harman, meaning I have the same blood as Thea. I wouldn't mind being your doner."
"That's why I didn't want to tell you," Ramakrishna whispered. "I could never drink your blood, Sky. I would never forgive myself for that."
"But why not?" Schuyler whined. "Do you think my blood is going to taste bad or something because I'm a Redfern?"
Prince Ramakrishna stifled laughter at how ridiculous Schuyler sounded. He couldn't laugh at her, though, so he bit his tongue(not literally.)
"It isn't because you're a Redfern or because I don't think your blood will taste good. It is because I don't want to hurt you, Sky. I don't want to have to drink your blood. I love you too much to let blood lust ruin what has happened between us in the past twenty four hours, or more... or less." He wasn't exactly sure how long he had been around Schuyler, but he guessed that it didn't matter. All that mattered is that he would always remember that he had met his soulmate on All Hallow's Eve.
Schuyler bit down on bottom lip, hard. She opened her mouth, revealing the blood that was seeping from her bottom lip. Ramakrishna's heart started racing in his chest. He couldn't drink Schuyler's blood, could he? Wouldn't that be wrong? Well, maybe not.
Ramakrishna crawled to where Schuyler was sitting on the bed. He took her bottom lip in his mouth and sucked the blood, all the while Schuyler was writhing in pleasure at the way his tongue caressed her bottom lip. Yes, this had been a very good idea.
You were right. Your blood does taste like Thea's, only better. He smiled at her and then finished licking the blood off her lip. But instead of letting him pull away, Schuyler pulled him to where he lowered himself on top of her and the two began kissing one another passionately.
Tell me how sweet my blood is, Schuyler's mental voice whispered seductively as Rama's hands began running up her thighs. She moaned.
Your blood tastes like candy, well, better than candy, actually. I have never tasted anything like it before, Rama's mental voice whispered, growing weaker as Ramakrishna started to pant.
As if remembering that they needed to breathe, the two came up for air, and the two gazed into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Sanchia Schuyler Redfern," Rama whispered aloud, staring into her emerald green eyes, which were burning with passion, and he was sure that his were doing the same.
"I love you, too, Rama. Make love to me," Schuyler whispered, not giving herself enough time to think about it.
"Are you sure?" Ramakrishna asked, not wanting to do anything that Schuyler didn't want to do. He didn't want to hurt her. He would never forgive himself. Schuyler whispered something when she looked at the door and Rama heard a sound that signaled the locking of the door. That was all the answer he needed.
Prince Ramakrishna pressed his lips against Schuyler's, forcefully but gently, and the two entered a world of pure ecstasy.
Oh, young love.
Too bad a million hardships lay ahead.
WOOHOO, Chapter three is finished. I hope you liked it. It was messy like this on purpose. Action will most likely appear in chapter four(meaning fights and stuff for those of you whose minds are in the gutter.) It will get better, I promise. This story has just begun and is nowhere near finished.
Read and review.