Chapter 10 – Fallen Queen

TPOV

Josef was making me laugh as we sat in Mikhail's dining room. Talking about everything I went through took a lot out of me. If Savannah didn't get me out of the room, I was going to lose it. Josef came into the dining room, "Damn, chick, you are hard core." I laughed, almost choking on my tea, "Why would you say that?" He sighed, "Gutting a vampire, seducing a king to get out of his kingdom, then planning and organizing your own death. I bow to your brilliance, Your Highness." I laughed even harder, "Please, don't call me 'Your Highness." Josef took the seat next to me and shrugged, "Ok, there's also 'Queenie,' 'Princess Bad-Ass,' the list is endless." I couldn't stop laughing; Josef was so sweet.

I sighed as I held my teacup, "Please, don't feel bad for me, Josef. I am choosing to look at it as 'what doesn't kill, makes you stronger' right?" He looked at me, "Wow, you are amazing, Red." I smiled to myself, "Hey, I made it out alive, didn't I? I've literally been to hell and back and here I am, talking with you. So it can't be all bad, right?" Josef breathed slowly, "It's just not fair. You didn't deserve any of that."

I used to think the same thing all the time. The hopes of me escaping all that madness were the only thing that kept me going. Josef took my hand in his, "Hey, look, you're right. You're here now. You don't have to think about that jackass anymore." I laughed, "Jackass? I always thought he was an ox." The both of us laughed; laughter kept me from crying. To relive those memories was harder than I thought. I just hope I didn't dream about any of them. Josef kept me distracting by telling me about his brother, Benjamin.

I tried no think about Ben. He was someone else I cared about who was lost to me. Josef loved his brother and parents, even though he was adopted. I sighed, thinking about how much alike we were. Both our parents were gone, but the difference is, his parents died, not having a choice when it came to leaving him, while mine choose to leave me. Another family took in Josef, the same way I was but he was loved, while I was nothing more than a ward they were paid to care for. But all that was over now and I could focus on making a future for myself. My choices were endless.

The door slid open and Savannah came in, "Hey, Tempest." My heart skipped as she smiled at me. The dark hair and blue eyes reminded me of Vivienne. Savannah was almost bouncing, "So, we want to help you. You need us and we won't let anything happen to you. Thanks to blabbermouth over here," she glanced at Josef, "You know what we are." I nodded, "I know and I'd like to learn more about that." Behind her, Savannah's aunt Shea came into the room, smiling, "You are officially under the protection of our family."

My heart soared that I jumped up and hugged Shea, "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me." Shea hugged me back, "We couldn't do anything else but help you." Tears streamed down my face; I was going to be all right. I dreaded coming here for finding out that I might have been let down.

Shea sighed, "You've had enough people in your life that let you down. I won't be one of them." Shea grasped my shoulders, pulling me backwards and she brushed a tear from my face, "Now, with your new life, you're going to need a new car. I know Natalie gave you money, a home and clothes, but that's only the beginning. Come with me. I'm going to make sure you have everything you need." I couldn't fight my smile as Shea took my hand; I knew I was going to love living here.

BPOV

She was dead. My love was dead. Her sweet addictive blood was gone. She was mine and now, she was gone. Sofia was to be mine to make more immunes, but more so, she was mine to do with whatever I wanted. Where was I going to find another immune? Sofia was a rare find and she was just given to me. No, it was more than that. I loved Sofia so much, I should have kept a better eye on her. Why didn't I lock her in the bedroom while I was training? Ingrid said I should do that. Ingrid…. She wasn't going to handle this well. Mine or not, Sofia was Ingrid's daughter.

I thought about what I went through waiting to find her after those years. That fearful child, her green eyes large with fear when I first saw her. It was those same eyes she had as she was brought to me nine years later. But now, Sofia had grown into a supple woman. Red hair fell down to the middle of her back, smooth skin and ample breasts that I could sink my teeth into. Dressed in white, by my order, to represent her purity as a virgin. I could hardly wait to take her as my own. Defiance rang in her eyes as Sofia looked at me, showing the engagement ring that was given to her by my nemesis. Damn you, Derek Novak; he claimed her virginity. That maidenhead was meant to be claimed by me, but no matter. I still wanted my immune bride. Watching the pain in Sofia's eyes, watching Novak fall only cemented my hold on her. She wasn't going anywhere.

The night before the wedding, I barely slept. The corpse of a redhead was cold in my bed. She was a distraction, but it wasn't the sweet blood that was pumping through Sofia. My skin was hot with need. I wanted my immune in my arms. If it weren't for Ingrid standing between me and her daughter, I would have Sofia now. But she was worth the wait.

Sofia floated as she walked down the aisle to me. Even I couldn't deny how beautiful she looked. And her shivers made my bride irresistible. The human boy stood, watching her. He casted glances at me, clearly mad. The boy wanted Sofia for himself, this Benjamin, but she was about to promise herself to me and me alone. After the wedding, I had special plans for Benjamin. He would never lay eyes on Sofia again. Enjoyment rose within me as I watched her entire body shaking with fear. Yes, baby, fear me. It was better that way. Sofia's eyes pinched closed as I spoke my vows to own her for the rest of her days. My little Sofia refused to speak her vows to me.

Whispers came from the crowd and I had to put a stop to it. Taking her hand in mine, Sofia pleased me as she winced in pain. I felt the bones in her hand breaking. She whimpered in pain; music to my ears. Through her pain, she spoke her vows like a good girl. I smiled as she cried out in pain as I placed my ring on her finger. Benjamin stepped forward, but one guard stopped him. He fought the hold on him, "Stop it, you monster. You're hurting her."

The guard dragged Benjamin out of the ceremony, down to the dungeon. I would deal with him after I've had my bride. Sofia was all mine now and she would not deny me. She cast a glare at me as I took her hand, "Obey me, Sofia."

The reception bored me; sycophants granting their fake well-wishes to myself and my bride, but most of them wanted to see her. Sofia was the center of attention during the reception; all eyes on her. I kept her close; between her dress and blood, Sofia was too delectable. She silently shivered for most of the night; sweet blood coloring her cheeks. Ingrid approached us and hugged Sofia. I smirked as Sofia pushed Ingrid away, staring daggers at her mother. Sofia had fight in her. Our wedding night was going to be fun.

Ingrid ignored Sofia's refusal and smiled at me, "Enjoy you first night together. The first of many." "Oh, God," my Sofia cringed. She swallowed and turned her face away from me. Anger clouded my mind. Sofia would submit herself to me. During the reception, Sofia refused food and drink. She was only making herself weaker, good girl. There won't be much fight in her tonight.

She was becoming too distance from me. Not how a wife should be with her husband. She should be embracing me, being a dutiful wife. I grasped Sofia's hand, tugging her to come to me. Her body stiffened as she refused to move. A growl ripped from my throat and I pulled her roughly into my lap. Sofia fought against my hold, so my arms tightened around her until bones cracked, "Be good, Sofia. Remember your vows. You are mine and mine alone." Green eyes glared at me, "I didn't mean a word of it. I will never be yours."

I smacked her hard across the face, the sound echoing to those standing nearby. Others looked at me with my new wife, but I didn't care. She's going to obey me. "Meant it or not," I spoke quietly into her ear, "You spoke them making you mine." I grasped her broken hand, but there was no pain on her face. Someone healed her. It was then I noticed the marks from my bite on her neck were all healed. I caught her chin roughly, "Who gave you blood?" Sofia shook her head, "Get off me!" My grasp on her chin tightened, that would cause bruises, "Obey me, Sofia, or you will only make things worse for yourself. Who healed you?" Sofia breathed out slowly, "She left."

My eyes scanned the room; only one guest left, Natalie Borgia. Anger surged through me. How dare she heal my bride? There was nothing I could do about Natalie. She was a respected rogue who answered to no one. Sofia trembled as I held her. Well, on the bright side, I could make fresh bites tonight without wasting too much of blood. Each drop was precious to me.

The reception continued, but I couldn't wait any longer. The feel of Sofia in my arms, wearing my revealing dress was torture. I had images of her body consume my mind as she would lie in my bed. The thin silk curved to her delicious body and I could feel her every movement as she tried to move, but I wasn't let her go. It was time to retire with my bride to consummate our marriage. I rose from my throne, carrying Sofia. "Put me down," she cried. Guards laughed at her cries, "Poor thing is nervous." I laughed as I carried my new wife from the throne room to our bedchambers.

Her breathing was strained and her entire body was shaking in my arms. Once locked in my chambers, I dropped Sofia on the bed and leaned over her, looking into her eyes, "Now, we are husband and wife. Let's make it official." Fear spilled out of Sofia's eyes as I moved over her body; she was going to be so good.

The memories of our wedding night raised my spirits but only so much. She wasn't here now. My fists clinched as the bodies of the servants were burned and buried. That damn cook should have stopped her from running outside. Why did I leave her alone? To hell with training my guards, I should have been drinking from Sofia as much as I could.

Entering the Oasis, I ignored everyone who stood at the gate to greet me. Whispers of Sofia not being with me grew as I walked to my throne. She was not here and I couldn't take it. Every room I passed held a memory of Sofia. Everywhere I looked, I saw my redhead, smiling with servants, trembling with fear when I came close. That taste of her blood haunts me every moment I was awake. "Welcome home," Ingrid greeted as she entered. I didn't look up at her. She looked too much like Sofia, but she wasn't Sofia. My sweet Sofia. She was coming into line, being obedient and not denying me what was mine. She was learning from me, inflicting pain on those who were disobedient. She was becoming a better wife than Vivienne was.

Ingrid stopped at the steps before me, "Where's Sofia? Is she resting?" My head shook, "No." Ingrid knew me too well, "What's the matter, Borys? What can I do?" I sighed; she was starting to irritate me. I just wanted to be alone and think of the sweet blood that I no longer had. Her eyes looked at me, "Borys? Please, what is it?" I growled, "You want to help me! Find me another immune!" I never lost my temper with Ingrid. She was nothing but caring, but I couldn't deal with this. Another wife gone. Another ridicule I would have to face. Ingrid smiled, "What did she do?" Her voice was condescending. When it came to Sofia, Ingrid was cold and distant. She truly didn't care for her daughter. My hand brushed my forehead, "She drowned."

Ingrid was silent for a moment, "What? Who…. who drowned?" I looked at her, seeing the confused expression on her face, "Sofia. She drowned in the river. She's dead, Ingrid." Ingrid stumbled backwards, slowly shaking her head, "No, she's not. No, she's not." I didn't look at Ingrid. It was out of character for her being upset. Perhaps she did care after all. Ingrid hid it from everyone but I saw she was anxious to see her daughter again when Sofia was brought here, but now, she was gone. Ingrid began to cry, her hands covering her mouth, "I trusted you and you let her die. What happened to my child?" No one spoke to me like that, but I said nothing. Ingrid had a right to be upset. I was upset; my Sofia was dead. Her and her blood; I would never have again.