Rhea POV

I sit on the shore of the lake with my knees pulled into my chest, tears running down my cheeks.

How could I be so stupid? He'd never want a girl like me. He's a cold hearted bastard and doesn't deserve to be loved in any way. He's just a stupid vampire!

When I hear the rocks shift behind me I quickly stand up and glare at the king. He stands there silently, looking out at the lake.

"Let's go back to the castle before the guards come searching for me," he looks at me and holds out his hand.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I slap his hand away.

"You don't have a choice," he grabs my upper arm tightly and tries to pull me close to him.

"Just leave me alone!" I shove him as hard as I can and run into the trees.

Within seconds my back is slammed against a tree with his hand around my throat. He squeezes my throat until I'm gasping for air, trying to pull his wrist away.

"S-sir... p-please.." I whimper and try to keep my eyes open.

He lets go quickly and instead wraps his arms tight around my waist, keeping me against his chest so I don't fall.

"You'll be the death of me you know that?!" he growls as he looks down at me.

My vision blurs and my body goes limp in his arms as I lose consciousness.

Severus POV

Maybe I am too rough on her...

I hook my arm underneath her knees and adjust her until she lays comfortably against my chest.

The walk back to her house was silent. The villagers that dared look at me went pale, most likely thinking she was dead.

Once we get back to her house I spot a few guards waiting by the fence. I walk over and pass her off the nearest guard.

"Take her to my chambers and do NOT harm her in any way."

"Yes your Majesty," he gets up on his horse and holds her tightly against him as he rides back.

Once they disappear I walk back into the house to make sure everyone else is ready to go. The guards carry out Rhea's belongings and everyone starts walking back to the castle.

As we walk back a small ball hits me in the side. When I glance up to see where it came from I see a small group of boys paler than snow.

I pick the ball up and brush past the guards that had surrounded them. The nearest boy looks up at me as I kneel down in front of him.

"Mind if I play?" All the boys' faces light up and nod eagerly.

I nod to the guards and they back off, leading everyone back to the castle. The boys all pull me with them and we play catch, tag, and a few other games.

For the first time in my life I actually got to experience what a real childhood was like. The boys were sad when I had to leave but I told them I had to go back to being an adult with responsibilities.

As I watch her lay in my bed, still passed out from earlier, I can't help but want to touch her.

My body started moving on its own, laying in the bed beside her with her back pressed against my chest. I wrapped my arm tight around her waist and buried my head in her hair and neck.

The scent of her blood drove me insane but I had no desire to drink. All I wanted to do was hold her and breathe in her scent. I was addicted to her.

I held her like that before sleep consumed me. The last thing I felt before falling asleep was her pushing her body back into me, causing a small smile to appear on my face.

Rhea POV

When I wake up I notice it's nearly nightfall. I try to sit up but freeze when I feel an arm around my waist. I slowly turn around and stifle a surprised gasp when I see the king.

He's so.. peaceful.

His features have eased greatly due to losing all the tension in his face. He was quite handsome up close. He had a strong jawline that was so defined. When I traced his jaw with the tip of my finger he stirred ever so slightly.

After a few moments of making sure he was still asleep I decided to keep examining him. I brushed some of his hair out of his face and tucked it behind his ear. A small smile spreads across my face as I slowly run my hand down his chest. When I slide my hand back up I notice the top button is undone.

I shouldn't... oh what the hell I'm in his bed cuddling him.

I slowly undo all the buttons and push his shirt off his shoulders. My hands travel over his abdomen and up to his chest. A small groan escapes his lips and I look at him fearing that I woke him up. He doesn't move besides a small pull towards him on my waist.

He's cute.

I smile and rest my hands on his chest, gently pushing him onto his back and straddling his hips. Before I can settle he sits up and wraps his hand around my throat.

"What are you- why is my shirt open?" He relaxes his grip and moves his hands to my hips.

"I'm sorry... you were sleeping and I just wanted to touch you," I look away as a blush spreads across my face.

"I don't mind you touching me when we're alone, but only touching. Nothing sexual or intimate."

"So no cuddling?"

"You can cuddle with me if you'd like," he grabs my chin gently and makes me look at him.

The blush on my face deepens and I can't help but lean in. He glances down at my lips then back up.

Fuck him and his rules.

I lean down and press my lips against his. I feel him tense up underneath me before slowly kissing me back.

The kiss quickly turns heated and I feel his hands moving across my chest. He rips the dress completely off in one swift move of his arms, leaving me only in my panties. I quickly use my arms to cover my chest, blushing a dark red.

"I've seen your body before, little one," his voice comes out low and husky.

"I-I know..." I look away as I whisper. "I don't know what I'm doing.. I've never done this before."

He takes his shirt off and wraps it around my shoulders, buttoning up the front so I'm covered again.

"You're a brat you know that? As soon as I tell you not to do something you do it anyways," he sighs and picks me up as he gets out of bed. "You are trouble."

"I-I'm sorry..." I hide my whine in his chest as I bury my face against him.

He carries me into the bathroom and gets into the water immediately, not caring about the clothes.

"Am I allowed to take the shirt off?" His voice is softer than before.

I nod and let him take the shirt off of me and watch as he throws it aside. I slide my hands up his chest and link my fingers behind his neck, pulling him closer and between my legs.

"Little one..."

"I know. I won't do anything... I just like you close to me," he nods and grabs some soap off the edge and starts to wash my body.

I swear his hands cause a fire in my body whenever he touches me.

Of course I want something I can't have.

I lean forward and rest my head on his shoulder. After a few moments I slowly fell asleep.