Cinderella Fallen: Twisted Loyalties

Aiera's POV

"What did you just call me?"

As he unfolds himself from his throne, he stalks towards me with the grace of a panther, his inky black hair cascading down his back.

The entire court is silent. They wait with bated breath for what their Monarch is going to do.

"Your majesty, Razar." I replied.

The title of 'great one' was never part of the original court etiquette of the vampires. It was one of the many things I learnt while training to be Kael's bride.

I push down the lump in my throat. This is not the time to break, not when I'm in a room full of blood sucking predators.

He stands at an imposing height of over six feet, his large frame, encased in an open blood red coat that showcases his chiselled body.

"You are aware of the title you just called me by, are you not?" His deep voice is fluid and pleasant but I can hear the hint of a threat beneath his calm veneer. He is standing directly in front of me now.

"Answer me." He says smoothly.

He brings his large, slender fingers under my chin and tilts my head to meet his gaze.

I gasp at the sight in front of me. His smooth alabaster skin, exposed to my gaze, is almost translucent, like all the blood has been drained from him.

If Kael is a sun god then Ryean is a god of the underworld that could seduce anyone into eternal slumber.

This isn't the time to be distracted by the beautiful allure of the vampire King. His beauty is just another dangerous weapon in his arsenal.

I need my head bowed low, "Yes I am, but his your majesty not your majesty, or was I mistaken?"

There is an overwhelming silence, the air is ripe with tension then suddenly, he bursts into laughter but the entire court is silent, still waiting with bated breath.

"Oh you really are amusing" He says, bemused. His voice drops dangerously low. I can feel the hairs on my body stand on end.

Lightning quick, he wraps the fingers that were under my chin around my neck and squeezes, lifting me up into the air with unnatural strength. I flail and scrabble, trying to loosen his choke hold on me but it's no use.

"Do you think your insolence will not be punished?" He chuckles darkly.

"P-please." I wheeze out.

"You must believe your actions would cause me to pay attention to you hmmm?"

"No.....I.....dare...not." I choke out.

"So why did you come in through the Eastern border then? It was clearly to attract my attention. Well, you are in for a rude awakening because you just earned yourself an execution.

I suck in precious air as he releases me from his grasp. I glare at him and bite out, "I'm not a spy."

His ruby-like eyes gleam with a sort of other worldly fire at my defiance. Honestly, I'm surprised at myself. I actually thought I would be shivering in fear but something in me wants to push him, to see his reactions.

"I believe you." He says then his luscious cupid's bow mouth -I don't know why I noticed that- curves into a cruel smirk.

"Very well, execute her. He says dismissively and starts walking back to his throne.

The guards make their way towards me. No, I can't die. Not now, not when I haven't fulfilled the prophecy.

"Wait!" I say, panicked.

He turns his head and grins.

"Are you ready to say why you have come here, Bride of the Lycan King?" Murmurs break out amongst the court.

My mouth widens in shock. So he knows who I am all this time?

"Y-yes, I have brought you the blade of Astar'. He motions for the guards to release me. I quickly unsheath the dagger and present it to him.

"Is that so?" He turns on his heel and stalks towards me again.

"If what you say is true, then you are a guest not an enemy." His lush lips tip upwards.

His mouth is smiling but his eyes clearly aren't, They tell of a different story, a far more cruel one.

I shudder to think what would befall his enemies if he treats his 'friends' like this. I'm just glad I have his attention.

"How do I know this is the real dagger?" He queries. My lips curve up slightly. He would not want to risk it if it is not. I need to be careful though.

"It is real, Razar. The blade pierced the flesh of Alpha King Kael himself." Murmurs break out from the court. They must have heard the rumors too but me confirming it is a whole different matter.

"You turned this blade on your mated mate knowing it could bring harm to him." He sounds intrigued, like I'm a new source of entertainment for him.

"Yes, Razar." I respond evenly.

"And he is no longer my mate. The bind has been broken.

"He stares at me with a calculating gaze, one that analyzes how useful or how much of a tool I can be to him.

"Interesting."

"And what do you want in exchange for this dagger?"

I lift my eyes to meet his cruel gaze.

"I want to belong to you. The dagger is a token of my sincerity and allegiance to you.h"

He lets out a bone chilling dark chuckle that chills my bones.

"Oh, it has been centuries since I've been this entertained." He cups my cheek in his hand. His skin feels ice cold.

He takes the blade from my hand and unsheathes it, inspecting the blade. He brings his lips close to my ear. I flush at our proximity.

"I like you a lot, mate ift the Alpha King. For that reason, I will grant you your wish."

Relief, like I have never felt before floods me.

"Thank y-" The words of gratitude that tumble out of my lips are cut off when I feel a sharp pain in my stomach. I look down to see the blade lodged in my stomach, blood seeping from it.

The last sight I see before I surrender to oblivion is that of the cruel Vampire King who has a look of delight on his face.b