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PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFERS BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
Please- Part 3
Madeline was this close where she could see her father. She wanted to go and talk to him, asking if he was doing alright and she wanted to meet her mother and sister. When they were in the carriage, it is what she thought she would be doing, which was why she looked at Calhoun with her eyebrows drawn together.
"I will return back. I won't escape, and you are here," she reasoned. They had finally come here, which is why she didn't know why he was only letting her see her father from afar to only take her back to the castle.
A smile rose on Calhoun's lips, "My sweet girl," he said, raising his hand to touch her face but Madeline took a step away from him, "This is the reason."
"I do not understand your reason," replied Madeline because she didn't.
"It is like us, sweetheart. You are with me, and I have done nothing but watched you," he explained in a calm voice.
"That's a lie! You have touched me!" exclaimed Madeline to hear Calhoun tut at her.
"That's a huge accusation at the King. Do you think that I have touched you the way I want to touch you?" he asked, his eyes skimming to look at her face and the dress she was in. Madeline had taken a step away so that if a person were walking past them, they wouldn't think wrongly about their relationship, but Calhoun wanted people to know Madeline was his, even though there was still time for her to give her heart to him. He took a step forward, testing her and he could tell she wanted to take one step back.
"I thought you- that I was going to meet my family," said Madeline, her eyes pleading at him.
Calhoun chuckled, "You thought wrong, Madeline. How can I let you go? Consider it to be a trade. You will be allowed to go meet them when we have made some progress." On his words, Madeline looked at him with a look of betrayal in her eyes, "Sshh," he said when he noticed her eyes starting to sparkle, "I brought you here to show that I have upheld the word which I gave to your family."
"What about me?" whispered Madeline, "I need people of my own!" her emotion changed to one where she now glared at him.
"You have me."
Madeline closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. He was vexing her as no one else had ever done in her life. She was not someone to feel like this, but Calhoun was pushing her.
She didn't know what to do with Calhoun. She was so convinced by his words today in the carriage that she would get to see her family. To talk to them and hug her mother. It seemed like the King didn't know how to love, "You claim to be in love with me, but this is not the way you do it."
"I guess you haven't been listening to me closely. Love doesn't have to be the same. We have our approach," reminded Calhoun, "Some are sweet, some harsh and some twisted."
"Twisted," whispered Madeline as she opened her eyes to look into his dark red eyes.
"Why do you resist?" he asked, "If you want to meet the tailorman, we can do it. Especially the way you both were looking at each other back there," and Madeline gulped hearing this. When did he notice it?
"So that you can scare him or embarrass me?" asked Madeline.
A wicked smile graced on Calhoun's lips, "I don't think I have to scare him. There's no point in scaring someone who is already scared. But I would love to check the progress of the garter."
"What makes you think I am going to wear it?"
"You will. It is just a matter of time you make another mistake." He then pushed one piece of her hair behind her ear, his finger trailing down behind the skin of her ear before letting go, "I am just waiting for it."
"I need to see my family…" she trailed.
"And you did that," was his response where she shook her head.
"You know what I mean. I won't take long and will spend only a few minutes," she pleaded with him. Her heart ached that she had come this near to only be pulled away, "I will cook for you," she said, and Calhoun stared at her.
"I have cooks for that," he answered.
Madeline clenched the sides of her dress and said, "You said yesterday it was different when the person you liked cooked for you"
"I am sure those were not my exact words," Calhoun said, his eyebrow raising and waiting for her to fix the words and tell him exactly what he wanted to hear. Though this wasn't a mistake he was waiting for her to make, it would be a lie to say he wasn't intrigued by the idea of eating what she made for him.
Not knowing what else to do, she bowed her head, "Please. Allow me to go and meet my parents, and I will cook the best I know for you," she then added, "I have never cooked for any man except for my father," she hoped he would listen to her request.
"Raise your head," he ordered, and Madeline listened to him, her eyes anxiously looking up at him, "Don't think it will be that simple," he warned her, letting her know he would be taking the privilege to have more than just the food.
She quickly nodded her head, "Okay."
"Come then," he finally agreed, and Madeline was quick to go to where her father's shop was set up while Calhoun sauntered to see the happiness bounce on the girl's face.
Before Calhoun could twist and change anything more, Madeline ran to the shop, "Papa!" she greeted her father. In the shop, it wasn't just her father, but there was also a man who was helping her father.
"Madeline?" her father looked utterly surprised, and he got out of the shop, making his way to her. Madeline hugged her father, and her father hugged her back, "What are you doing here? Did the King let you go?" he asked, not noticing the King's presence behind him.
Madeline didn't want her father speaking about the King when Calhoun was right behind him. She pulled away from her father to shake her head and say, "He gave me the permission to see you, mama and Beth."
"Oh," her father nodded his head while trying to take in the sight of his daughter, who had returned. She was dressed in rich fabric of clothes and jewels around her neck, "For how long?"
"Nineteen minutes," came the reply from behind and her father turned around to see Calhoun who was standing behind. Her father bowed his head. "Madeline said she missed her family. As we were in the village, we thought of dropping by." Calhoun gave a polite smile to her father.
Madeline wanted to correct that it was after minutes of negotiation Calhoun had agreed to let her see her family where previously he was not keen on her meeting them. With the way he said it, it appeared as if he had willingly brought her here to meet them out of his kindness, and thoughtful gesture.
The King was cruel, cunning, and a scheming man. She didn't know if he had stopped her initially from meeting her father so that he could take something out of it in his favour. Knowing she would agree and try to be on his good side. If his words to her father were true, that would mean that she had walked right into his trap again.
"Where is the other man who was appointed?" asked Calhoun, as there was only one helper in the shop.
Mr. Harris answered, "Henry has gone to drop the woods at Mr. Swayers house." Calhoun gave him a nod.
"Thomas, look at the shop while Mr. Harris invites us to his home," ordered Calhoun to the helper who was assigned by the King to help Mr. Harris. Calhoun had a broad smile on his lips when he turned to Mr. Harris, who bowed his head to lead them to the Harris' house.
Madeline heard her father say to Calhoun, "If I knew Madeline and you were coming to visit, I would have asked my family to prepare something of your taste, my King."
"I wouldn't like to impose on Madeline's family," said Calhoun.
Her father's eyes met hers, and she smiled, not wanting him to worry about her, "How are you doing?" asked her father whose voice lowered for only Madeline to hear but the King had sharp ears.
Madeline nodded her head. She was trying to come back but Calhoun was obviously not going to leave her here. Therefore she decided to keep her words to herself for now. Speaking to her father in the presence of Calhoun felt strange, "I am okay. How are you doing?" she asked.
"I hope you are doing better now, Mr. Harris," interjected Calhoun, "As Thomas is helping you with the logs of wood."
"Yes, milord. Thank you for your generosity," agreed the older man, "He has been very helpful. It must have been some important work for the King to grace our humble village," said Mr. Harris. Now that Madeline was in the castle, he had to make sure that he didn't offend the King so that it would not affect his daughter's well being. Not that he would have tried to do it in the past either.
Calhoun then answered, "Yes. I came here to witness the maid from the castle to be beheaded," and then there was silence.
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Nothing goes unnoticed- Part 1
Beheading people that had been taking place in the towns and villages was not anything new, and it was something that had been taking since from many decades which was why everyone was used to it and didn't look shocked. Instead, there were a lot of them who indulged themselves in it as they enjoyed people being punished for committing crimes and sins while praising the crown as they believed the higher-ups could do nothing wrong.
But the Harris' family weren't like that which is why Madeline wished that Calhoun had not presented his words to her father that blatantly. His words, instead of easing the atmosphere only made it tense and uncomfortable, and Madeline didn't utter another word while her father looked taken aback before nodding his head.
"Oh," was all her father could respond to Calhoun's words.
Madeline truly didn't understand how the King's head worked. He said he loved her and wanted to court her but what kind of courting was this?! Scaring and daunting her father about what they had witnessed in the centre of the market. People were usually nice with the thought to impress, and here Calhoun was only trying to scare people and not impress them.
"The person must have deserved it," her father said, trying to fill up the silence as they walked closer to the house. The King was walking with them, which was already a big thing for him. Not to forget, his daughter was living in the castle under the protection of the King.
"She did," chimed Calhoun, and thankfully he didn't elaborate more on it. Madeline didn't want her father to be worried that someone had tried to poison the King during the same time she was present where there was a possibility of her having the same food.
When they reached the small gate of the house, her father was the one to open by walking forward that left Calhoun and Madeline behind. She took a sneak at the King, and Calhoun was quick to turn his head to look at her. There was a smile on his lips, and she only hoped he wouldn't say anything embarrassing about the things that had taken place in these last few days between them.
"What a lovely house," Calhoun complimented as he stepped his foot inside and Madeline's father smiled, "This must have cost you a fortune," he said as his eyes looked around the humble house of the girl with whom he was in love with.
"It was given by my maternal aunt. She had two houses. One which is in the town and the other is this one. She didn't want to give it to a stranger, and that's how the house came into my possession," explained Mr. Harris, looking at the King now and then.
"Interesting," said Calhoun, and before he could step inside the house, Mrs. Harris had stepped out upon hearing the voices at the front of the house.
Madeline's eyes lit up even more on seeing her mother, and so did her mother's before it fell on the King. Mrs. Harris bowed her head to offer her respect to the King of Devon, the land they lived in, "My King, we didn't know you were going to visit our humble house. Please come in. Let me make something very quick for you to have if you will allow me," said the older woman, taking a couple of steps behind to make way for the King and her daughter who followed the King.
Calhoun, who stepped into the house, observed the things that were around him. His eyes leisurely fell back on Madeline's mother,
"That won't be necessary. We are here for a short visit and will be returning to the castle as we have finished the work that we came here for. Please sit. The last time we met we didn't get to acquaint ourselves enough." He gave them his charming smile, but Mr. and Mrs. Harris looked tensed. Not only was he the King, but the last time they had met, he had threatened them to leave their daughter in his care. One mistake from their side would result in their daughter being harmed.
"That is alright, milord," said Mrs. Harris, quickly pulling out the best chair that was in the room. Starting to dust it for him to be able to sit. Seeing this, Madeline walked forward to help her mother and Calhoun finally took a seat while the rest stood in front of him.
Madeline stood with her hands folded in front of him, just like her parents. She wanted to spend time with her mother. Maybe alone but with the King who had refused to eat anything, it had only ended up with her mother staying in the hall that took away the opportunity from the young girl to follow her mother to the kitchen, so that she could speak and spend some time with her.
She looked around the rooms in the quiet house, "Where is Beth?" inquired Madeline to her mother.
"She had gone out to the market to fetch some vegetables. She must be returning back. Oh! There she is," her mother exclaimed as Madeline's elder sister stepped inside the house with a basket of vegetables in her hand.
"My King!"
Beth greeted the man who was sitting on the chair with his legs crossed. She then raised her head and shifted her eyes to look at her younger sister, who was dressed just like a doll. With clothes that were made of silk. Her sweet sister now wore jewellery around her neck that she had only dreamed of having. She walked towards her sister.
When Madeline had wished to come and meet her family, she had been utterly worried about how Beth would take her current position. Madeline knew that in Beth's eyes, she had stolen her place and the last time when they had spoken in the castle, Beth was furious and upset. All Madeline wanted was her older sister to understand that it wasn't her intention. On the same thought, she wanted Beth and her relationship to be okay.
"Madeline," greeted Beth.
"Beth…" said Madeline to suddenly be wrapped around by Beth's arms.
"I am glad to see you here," whispered Beth and Madeline couldn't stop the smile on her lips. Her eyes slightly teared, and she hugged her elder sister back. She had missed her. With her sister hugging her, it only meant that they were okay and nothing had changed in between them which relaxed Madeline's shoulders, "I was worried and thought I would not see you. Thank you, my King," said Beth after she pulled away from her younger sister.
"That was no trouble at all," said Calhoun with a crooked smile on his face that stole even Beth's breath.
The elder daughter of Harris noticed the stark difference between the King and the background he sat in front of. He was like a dream. There was a time when women and girls, even men at times who spoke about how the King looked. Various different rumours surrounded him on how he was the devil's reincarnation because of how he looked. Beth didn't take in the entire rumour which she had heard. It was not only about his physical appearance but also his nature which was like a devil- cunning, evil and someone who would trick any person.
"There's still a good six minutes left before we leave for the castle," said Calhoun and this had Beth's face fall. Not because she was sad that she wouldn't be able to spend more time with her sister but because her sister was going to continue living in the castle.
Beth smiled at this, "Will you bring her here again? We miss her," she said to Calhoun, her voice came off a little too strong which Calhoun didn't like.
"Why?" asked Calhoun, the smile on his face had fallen, and his dark red eyes stared at the lowly human.
Beth's eyes shifted from the King to look at Madeline and then back at the King because she had given the reason in the same sentence which had been blatantly ignored, "Madeline might be missing home too."
"She has the castle now which is more spacious. The comprise of the same walls and ceilings," he continued to say, "I doubt you will be staying here long too, Miss Harris as you will be getting married to stay in your husband's house. Right?" he asked Beth.
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Nothing goes unnoticed- Part 2
Beth smiled before bowing her head.
Because of the King's invitation, she had hastily written a letter to Mr. Danvers that she wouldn't be seeing him anymore. And before she could fix it, the letter had reached the man. Neither was she able to form an alliance with the King nor with Mr. Danvers, who was the potential man to marry when the King was not in the picture. But now it was different. Beth was the elder daughter, and she believed she deserved the same attention as Madeline.
Calhoun observed Madeline's sister, her eyes looking at the ground where she appeared to be thinking something. He noticed how the two sisters had a stark difference when it came to looks as well as the demeanour which they didn't share. The elder sister was a brunette. Her features sharp and attractive. He could also tell that she was an outspoken girl compared to her younger sister, who had to be poked to get an answer. Compared to Beth, Madeline was gentle not only in her behaviour but also her features which could easily be overshadowed under her elder sister's presence. But too much of anything was something Calhoun was not interested in.
"You look slightly upset, Miss Harris," stated Calhoun and Beth's green eyes snapped back to meet the King's red ones.
Beth shook her head, "No. I am not." With Calhoun's continuous glaring eyes, the family had a hard time to breath in the King's presence, "Why do you think that? I am just going to-"
"It wasn't a question for you to answer," interrupted Calhoun that had Beth stop speaking because the King was not interested to hear what she had to say, "It seems like you have a hard time in following words." It was something even Madeline found it hard but at least the girl didn't speak out of turn.
Mrs. Harris was the one to speak, wanting to ease the possible tension that was approaching, "Forgive me, milord. Our daughter Elizabeth is a very outspoken girl," said the older woman in the room, turning to look at her daughters and then at the King, "I hope Madeline is doing well in the castle."
"You can ask that to Madeline," said Calhoun before his eyes met the blonde girl's eyes, "You said you wanted to talk to your family. Go ahead. We have four minutes left," he smiled, looking at Madeline.
When Madeline had said she wanted to spend time with her family, she had meant it in a place where she could sit down, take her time and then speak. Not like she was under a time restriction.
"I am doing well in the castle, mama," answered Madeline to her mother's question. She brought up a smile on her face that only faltered.
"Have you been eating and sleeping well?" asked her mother, and Madeline nodded her head.
"How about you, mama?" asked the younger daughter, and the woman took a step forward to hug her daughter.
"I am doing much better as I have seen you now."
Calhoun parted his lips, bringing up his hand to yawn as he was already bored. He had expected something more interesting to happen, but humans were always so bland, and the only colourful thing in here was the flower which he had plucked for himself.
As Madeline pulled back, she felt her mother push a small paper into her hand on the other side where Calhoun could not see, "Do not worry about us," said her mother and Madeline slightly furrowed her brows wondering what her mother would have pushed into her hand, "Okay?" asked her mother and she nodded her head.
"Okay."
By feeling the paper in her hand she could tell it was a small one which made Madeline curious, yet she tried to act normal like it was nothing but a simple hug.
"Mr. and Mrs. Harris," spoke Calhoun to gain their attention. Just by a look at them, it was evident that they were worried as the King had addressed both of them, "I was thinking about pulling down this house and reconstructing it. To something much better."
"That would be very kind of you, milord, but we are happy with what we have here. We wouldn't want to leech on your generosity," answered Madeline's father.
Calhoun gave him a nod, "There's no hurry for it. If you ever decide to change your mind, you can let me know," said Calhoun to receive deep bows from the elderly couple and Beth.
"How is the picking of suitors going on for your elder daughter?" asked Calhoun.
"We are looking for a good man for Beth, Milord," answered Mr. Harris and Calhoun cocked his head to the side.
"Hm? What happened to Mr. Danvers?" Calhoun asked and the family looked slightly surprised that the King knew about the man who had come to meet their daughter Beth. When Calhoun had asked to enquire about Madeline, Theodore had found out every available information until the time when the family had arrived at the castle to have lunch with the King.
Madeline looked at Beth who looked like she didn't want to talk about it. Even her mother appeared disappointed, but the disappointment was possibily because of Beth's action.
Calhoun's lips slowly started to pull up, noticing something finally interesting here.
Mrs. Harris said, "Actually we had to drop Mr. Danvers proposal to Beth."
"How rude of the man to meet and reject her," said Calhoun with a tsk, "Would you like me to go speak to him? I would be of your help."
Beth was the first one to shake her head, and Calhoun smiled.
Mrs. Harris said, "Beth was the one who rejected him. She wrote a letter to Mr. Danvers, and I doubt it is salvageable. Thank you for your kind gesture," the woman bowed her head.
Calhoun uncrossed his leg and pushed himself up the chair he had been sitting in, "Your daughter is a beautiful girl. She will get a suitable suitor." He assured the parents, then looked at Madeline, "It is time to leave."
Madeline didn't have the heart to go. She was home now, and the castle was not her home. She looked at her family who offered her a smile, and Madeline smiled back. After saying her byes for the day, both Calhoun and her stepped out of the house. And just when they were out, Madeline felt Calhoun's hand slip into her hand in which the paper her mother had given was present.
She was alarmed by him holding the same hand, which she was sure that, he knew something had been passed on to her hand, but the smile on his lips didn't fall. She could feel her heart thumping and even though her family didn't notice it, Calhoun had heard the very first beat of her heart that had spiked up.
Mr. Harris was about to accompany them, when Calhoun said, "You can rest, Mr. Harris. Madeline and I will be leaving," and the family bowed their head at the King.
"I hope you have a peaceful trip back to the castle," Mr. Harris said, his heart heavy by not knowing when he would able to see his younger daughter again. Though the King did have a point when he said that the daughters in his house wouldn't be here forever with him and his wife, he had wished it was someone his daughter was okay to marry with.
The King was a powerful man who could make or break a person in his or any other person's kingdom. Such was his status and power.
At the same time, Madeline's hand which was held by Calhoun was turning sweaty, and when he finally let go of her hand, the piece of paper which her mother had slipped into her hands was not there anymore. She panicked, noticing his hand slip into his pocket. Her eyes wide, she looked at Calhoun, and before they could leave, Calhoun said,
"It is good that you have educated your family as a lot of them don't consider doing it. Their aunt was it? Who taught them," hummed Calhoun before saying, "It turns out to be very handy when it comes to writing letters and notes, isn't it?" Calhoun's eyes moved to look at Mrs. Harris as well as Beth, his smile broad and cunning on his lips.
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Nothing goes unnoticed- Part 3
Music Recommendation: Do it for me by Rosenfled
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The ladies didn't have to be told directly what the King meant because he had spoken those words for each and every one of them, bringing the look of guilt in their eyes. Madeline wanted to have a look at what her mother had given her, but with Calhoun who took it away from her hand before she even had the opportunity to look at it, she gave him an anxious look.
"Yes, she has been generous to teach the girls," said Mr. Harris, who was oblivious to Calhoun's underlying meaning of words.
"Indeed. I am sure Madeline would love to receive letters from her family. Please feel free to write," said Calhoun, his eyes going to settle on Beth.
Mrs. Harris was the one who had written a small note to her daughter, but Beth looked far worse than her mother or her younger sister. It was because somewhere deep down, she felt that the King was not talking about the letter which her mother had mentioned that was written by her to Mr. Danvers. But it was about the letter she had handed to Mr. Heathcliff. Did he know? Asked Beth to herself but he couldn't have known.
Not wanting to get caught, Beth was quick to school the expression on her face to a calm one. The elder daughter of Harris had always aimed to be part of the high society and didn't want to stay in this village. She had learned how to change and modify her expressions as well as her words to be pleasing to the ear.
"Shall we?" asked Calhoun to Madeline, who slowly moved her head to a yes before leaving the house and walking out of the gates.
The carriage had already appeared in front of the house, and Madeline confirmed her suspicion that Calhoun had indeed planned to let her see her parents, but in return, he had tricked her into making her do something for him. Upon seeing the King and the lady arrive, the coachman pulled the carriage's door open. Madeline couldn't help but take one more look at her family who stood outside the house, looking at her and she then got inside to be followed by Calhoun.
Once the door of the carriage was closed and before the coachman could start the carriage, Madeline who was looking at Calhoun asked,
"Please return it to me," she didn't know what her mother would have written in that piece of note which was small. She had thought it had gone unnoticed by him as he was sitting on the other side, and her mother had been cautious while giving it to her.
Calhoun, who leaned his back against the seat, asked in a calm voice, "What are you asking about?" he turned to meet her gaze and gave her a curious look.
Madeline softly gulped, "The piece of paper that you took away from my hand when you were holding my hand earlier."
"I am sorry I don't know what you are speaking about," came the reply from Calhoun, "I don't think you were holding any piece of paper when we left the castle or when we left the market. Unless you are telling you received the piece of paper when you were at your home, which would be unnecessary. You did meet them," he pointed.
Madeline was more than curious to know as to what her mother had written down to her, which she couldn't tell in front of the King. With Calhoun who had mentioned the notes and letter, she knew he was speaking about the little exchange that took place in his presence.
"The paper which my mother gave to me," answered Madeline to have Calhoun chuckle.
"It is better you don't see it. Who knows what conspiracy might start. Next thing we know you would be the one who is going to poison me," came the playful words from Calhoun's lips.
Maybe she would if he kept taunting and kept her prisoner like she was some kind of bird that was to be placed in a cage.
"And there comes the thought," Calhoun didn't look pleased as it didn't take a lot of time for him to figure out what she was thinking, "Can you guess what will happen if your mother has written something against me?"
Her hand clenched hearing this. Madeline knew it would be considered as another form of treason, and any betrayal was never overlooked when it involved the King. It would lead to a direct punishment.
"She would not do that," whispered Madeline. Her mother was not someone who wished anything wrong towards any person.
"Then what was the need to write a note? Considering she was in the same room as the rest of us, it was a prewritten note," stated Calhoun, "It looks very suspicious."
"Maybe she didn't feel comfortable to tell it in front of you, and it was only for me to hear," with the King with them, it was difficult to pour out their feelings.
"Okay, I won't see it," he nodded his head but then said, "I will let the court ministers decide if the note is something that is against the King or just a harmless one."
Madeline looked alarmed, "No!"
"Why not?" asked Calhoun with an innocent expression on his face that he was far from, "You said your mother is not someone to wish ill upon, but I wonder how she feels about me. To have her precious young daughter being forcibly made to stay in the castle."
"So you agree you are making me stay against my will."
"And you agree that your mother might have brewed hate towards the man who is keeping her daughter with him," stated Calhoun, "Just to avoid trouble," he pulled out the piece of paper that was given to Madeline by her mother earlier, and his hand reached towards the open window.
"No!" But Calhoun had freed the note from his fingers and was thrown outside the window. She lost the chance to know what was written in the note!
"There. Let's believe that the paper didn't exist with a message in it," Calhoun said unfazed to leave Madeline speechless.
She turned to look at the small window, which was behind them, noticing how the piece of paper flew away before getting lost. The carriage moved out of the village, and Madeline's speechless look on her face turned to anger that was directed at Calhoun.
"You look beautiful when your eyes flare up with anger. There's the spark that excites me," Calhoun complimented her, and the anger fizzled out right away by those words of his, "I can tell, you want to strangle me."
"It could have been an innocent, harmless line meant for me!" something to keep her sane while she was around this insane vampire, "You could have read it. There was no need for you to throw it!"
Calhoun's lips twitched in amusement as he saw how Madeline looked at him like she didn't know what to do with him, "We can go back to look for it," he suggested, but they had come far away from the village and who knew where the small paper would have flown to.
Madeline leaned back against the seat. Crossing her arms to look outside the window, "Are you pouting?" she heard Calhoun ask her.
"I didn't get enough time to speak to them," not the way she thought she would. But it was also good to know that her father had his shop.
"I didn't stop you from talking to them. I fulfilled my words of making you meet and spend time with them," he responded to her.
At the same time, she felt Calhoun's hand brush the back of her head with such gentleness that it scared her because his actions and words were a mixture of hot and cold. He was patting her like one would with a pet animal. Madeline didn't know why Calhoun was the way he was. It made it hard, and it felt like she had to keep up with him else she would only trip and fall into his trap.
"You make it very hard to like you," she whispered.
One side of Calhoun's lips pulled up, "It is good to hear that you want to like me," and while Madeline had her face turned away, he pulled out the piece of paper from his pocket that he had tricked her into believing that he had thrown it out of the window.
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Cliff- Part 1
Music Recommendation: Sea Change by Stephan Moccio (note- play it on loop)
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Madeline sat with her arms crossed, staring outside the little window that was next to her. She was angry and upset, but at the same time, she was worried about what her mother would have written in the little paper that could not be told in front of the King. Something that was prepared beforehand and she wished she knew. One part of her was somewhat relieved at the fact that even Calhoun had not had the opportunity to look into the content of it.
The ride back to the castle was quiet as Calhoun didn't poke her further and Madeline sat with her head facing towards the window so that she didn't have to see him, but it was hard not to. Not when they were in the small space of the carriage, riding together and she saw the reflection of his face from her side of the window.
Madeline knew the man was handsome but never had she taken a moment to look and admire Calhoun's features. With him trying to vex her for his amusement, she had done nothing but glare at the man time and time again. In the soft shadow that fell on his face that held strong features, her brown eyes continued to look indirectly at him through the window, which was not clear but enough to see.
He sat there with a relaxed expression on his face, a look of arrogance lurking in there with confidence which not many could carry.
Like her, he had his face turned to look at the trees that kept passing one after another as the carriage rode, making its way back to the castle. Madeline wondered what Calhoun might be thinking right now. What did the King think? Asked Madeline to herself. And as if on time, his eyes that were looking outside noticed the reflection of her brown eyes that were looking at him.
When Calhoun's dark red eyes reflected on his side of the window which Madeline was looking at, she realised the King had caught her staring, and she quickly turned back to look at the many trees.
A smile rose on Calhoun's sinful lips, and he asked, "Peeking at me when I am not looking at you. Are you shy to look at me directly?"
On his words, Madeline didn't turn to look at Calhoun. She hadn't meant to stare at him for such a long time, and now that she had done, he had caught her. She turned her head towards him and said, "I am not. Why should I be shy?"
"I don't know. You tell me, Miss Stealing-glimpses-at-me. Look at me directly in the eye, Madeline," he stated to her, "All you have to do is ask."
"Even my freedom?" she asked him.
Calhoun's lips widened into a smile, "Are we back on that? I thought you forgot about it as you didn't bring it up."
"You were the one who said I need to ask…"
"And you know that when I say you can ask me anything, it comes with terms and conditions applied to what I say. There are a few things I cannot give you like your freedom. I would be very sad if you were to leave my side," came the thoughtful answer from Calhoun.
Madeline knew that. She was only testing her luck, wondering if the door that was closed was open so that she could leave as she didn't have the key for it.
"What are the other things that you cannot give?" she asked him, as her attempt for asking her to leave from the castle had been brushed away.
Calhoun liked the question. If it was still their first day, Madeline would have stopped speaking to him but here she was asking him a question without her realisation that she was indulging in a conversation with him.
"My life," answered Calhoun, "The kingdom, Devon."
"People in love often say that they are willing to give up their life," replied Madeline, her brown eyes trailing to look at both his eyes and the sharp nose on his face.
"Only foolish people would say that. You have been in the wrong company. It is good that you have me as your company now, to wisen you up," Calhoun's lips twisted further, and Madeline only stared at him, "Why would one give up life, why even ask when you plan to spend the rest of your life with the person?" he questioned Madeline.
"I don't think anybody means it literally, but if a condition like that comes up, it is obvious they would do everything to protect the person," she answered him. He tilted his chin up, his red eyes gazing down into her brown eyes.
"I can protect you without needing to sacrifice my own life. I would like to live and spend time with you, Maddie. Are you telling you are ready to sacrifice your life for James?" he asked her, a hint of amusement in those eyes of his.
With the question that was asked to her, she honestly hadn't thought about it. Would she give up her life for James?
"Your silence only means that you don't care enough for him, as much as you think you do. You are holding on to an idea out of pure stubbornness," said Calhoun to have Madeline frown at his words.
"You don't know that," she replied, "Everything takes time to bloom, and if I weren't here with you, I would have been there with-"
"Ah ah ah," Calhoun interrupted her, "Do you really want to complete that sentence?" and though he kept a playful atmosphere around her, Madeline had to hold back her tongue from saying anything more, "Always going ahead and running your mouth without knowing if it's going to cause any harm. One of these days, we should put that sweet mouth of yours to better use," Calhoun had raised his hand forward to place it below her chin, and Madeline moved away.
Madeline was in a position where Calhoun wanted things to go on his terms. Anything that didn't work in his favour was considered to be invalid. She took a deep breath and continued what she was going to say earlier,
"If his life can be spared, then I don't mind taking the risk."
Calhoun retrieved his hand back which was right in front of Madeline's face, "A courageous and brave girl, I am sure if it was possible I would have added you into my army of men, but I prefer you here with me like this. Getting back to what you said, maybe if we remove the tailorman, there will be no need for you to risk your life, isn't it?"
"Are you always going to threaten me like this?"
"Hm? I was merely stating the possibilities," said Calhoun before he knocked the front of the carriage which was behind the coachman. The coachman pulled the horses to have the carriage halt in the middle of the forest, "Let me give you a little test," he said as the coachman pulled open the carriage door.
Madeline didn't know what Calhoun had on his mind, and they both stepped down from the carriage.
What did he plan by stopping the carriage in the middle? Asked Madeline to herself. There was nothing but trees which were part of the forest. The coachman stood with his head bowed at them as Calhoun took hold of Madeline's hand to walk into the forest. His hold was not harsh on her but it made it difficult for her to walk as the hem of her skirt was long, and it had started to pick up little sticks that got stuck to her dress.
"What are we doing here?" asked Madeline to have Calhoun turn around to meet her eyes.
"You said you would do anything to save James. I think it is only right to see how much you are willing to do it," answered Calhoun, the tone of his voice was nonchalant, and it somewhere scared her.
"I said I would try to risk," cleared Madeline while being taken further into the forest, "I didn't say I was going to die right now!" The King was crazy who was out of his mind.
She heard Calhoun tsked, "Now that is not good that you are going back on your word. Does it mean you don't have those feelings for him then? Hm?" he questioned, the smile breaking through his lips which was frightening.
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Cliff- Part 2
"What is wrong in saying that I want to save people whom I care about?" she asked him. Wouldn't people say that in general?
"I never said it was wrong. I just want to show you what your words actually mean," he replied as they continued to walk away from the carriage and into the forest, deeper and deeper where the trees looked similar. If Madeline were to be left alone here, she was sure she would find it hard to get back towards the road again.
When they finally reached towards an open space, which was out of the forest, Madeline caught sight of the sun, which was up and high. She noticed how there was another set of the forest below them, but that was not what got her attention. There was a cliff ahead of them, and Calhoun stopped only when they reached to stand near the edge.
Madeline automatically took a step back from Calhoun when he let go of her hand. The scenery in front of her was breathtaking as it was covered in greenery and some parts that were colourful because of the coloured leaves in the trees. She looked at Calhoun, who was watching her. She doubted he had brought her here to admire the scenery.
Gulping down the anxiousness in her throat, she asked, "What do you want?"
"You." Madeline should have known that would have been the answer, and she saw the smile that radiated from his face, "You can ask silly questions, sweet girl."
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked him another question, and the smile on his lips finally lowered down.
Calhoun walked towards the steep of the cliff closer and closer until there was no space between his feet and the edge of the cliff.
"When I was young, I used to come here often when I needed to sort my thoughts out," said Calhoun to her and she quietly listened to him, "This is my favourite spot. You know why?" he asked her.
"Because it is quiet?" she asked him back.
"Just because there's no one here, except us doesn't mean it is quiet," and when he moved, Madeline felt her heart jerk with the little stones that fell off the cliff. She wished he could stand away from the cliff because even though she wasn't fond of him, she wasn't comfortable with the thought of him falling off the cliff, "When you are in a quiet place, the noise only increases," he raised his hand to place his finger on the side of his temple, "You hear things which you like and don't like. But then that is not what I was going for," he chuckled.
Calhoun took two steps forward impossibly close to the edge of the cliff, and he could hear Madeline's heart beating loudly that made him smile.
It was evident that Madeline was brought up with love, tenderly, where she didn't want anything bad to happen to anyone. The foolish little thing believed everyone was good around her, but the world was not a place as she imagined it to be. She cared for everyone. The kind of person who cared about everyone, wishing them happiness and luck, but not everyone could have that. She cared for the tailorman like the next thing.
And somewhere it gave him joy that Madeline didn't hold the same feelings towards him as she held for the rest of them. There was a fragile line between hate and love, and it could be changed with one snap at any point in time.
"This is a good place to throw things," said Calhoun and Madeline's face turned pale, "Sometimes people don't listen, so it's good to throw them from here too."
Madeline's brown eyes widened, and she took another step back to only stop when his eyes moved to look down at her feet.
"A-aren't there trials and execution for that?" asked Madeline and she saw Calhoun finally leave the side of the cliff to make his way to where she stood.
"There are some of them who don't deserve the execution. Sometimes you wish they are just gone," came the reply from him, "It is good to hear them scream until you hear the body finally fall straight on the ground because of the gravity. The bones are broken, the other body parts smashed into the forest floor with blood where the person turns to food for the little and big animals."
His description was on point that she had imagined the gory image he had painted in her mind. But Calhoun was not done speaking.
"Sometimes the body doesn't land on the ground," and he paused letting her question his words before continuing to say, "Because of the heavy rains or the strike of the lightning, the trees break from the top to leave only the lower half with a sharp edge."
Madeline who was unable to contain the bubbling nervousness that was growing in her body with his every word, asked him, "Are you planning to kill me like that too?"
Calhoun sighed, "Where did you get the idea about that?" He was seriously asking her the question when he had brought her to a place where he killed people! "I told you...I have other things I would love to do to you but killing you is not on the list right now."
Was that a yet kind of statement? She asked herself.
"Let's assume what if the tailorman's life is in grave danger. The big bad wolf wants to tear him apart so that the wolf can have a happily ever after with his red riding hood. Now you can save him only if you jump off the cliff," and Madeline waited for him to go on but that was all he had to say.
"I am not a bird!" Madeline reminded him.
"I know that sweetheart," replied Calhoun with a calm voice, "Don't worry, you won't fall. I will make sure of it, but if you want to save the man's life, the only opportunity you have is to jump from the cliff. What are you going to do?" he asked, his red eyes looking at her with intrigue in it.
Madeline pursed her lips as she stared into Calhoun's red eyes. As they were no more in the castle which had shadows, she could see him much more clearly and she realised he was either the devil himself or the devil had made him.
"What did you mean I won't fall?" she asked him, fretting internally at the thought that she was going to be pushed down. Was this her last day? She was no bird to fly!
"It is what it means," was his short reply and Madeline was not satisfied with it.
She knew she was not supposed to favour James Heathcliff in front of the King, but every time she tried to resist the urge of saying anything, Calhoun would make sure to stir and anger her, trying to push her to the edge. But now he wanted to do it literally. And somewhere she did it to provoke the King but every time that had only ended up in her disadvantage, but she liked pushing his buttons and she noticed the reaction for a second before it disappeared to be replaced by something sinister.
He said he didn't plan to kill her and she didn't know how she would come back.
"Go on," he said, putting both his hands in his pocket and Madeline could feel the heat of sweat forming on her forehead as well as on her back now, "You have claimed James to be the one for you and how unfair you feel that I took you away before the non-existent relationship would grow. It is time for you to prove."
"This is not how you court the woman you love," Madeline reminded him and he smiled at her words.
"Stop favouring other men," he rolled his eyes, "You are holding on to something that does not exist, but is barely an idea. Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe there would be some habits of his that you wouldn't like about him?"
"No one thinks about those things."
Calhoun stared at her, "I knew you would be stubborn, but I am willing to accept it," he said with a solemn look, "We can stand here all day. The sooner you jump, the sooner we leave."
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Cliff- Part 3
She would be dead! Madeline didn't have any plan to die here, especially not in the way which he had described. Maybe she could go to the edge and behave like she was going to fall and he would stop her from falling? After standing there for a few more seconds, Madeline finally started to move her feet.
Walking towards the end of the cliff, she finally stopped to turn and look at Calhoun who didn't appear like he wanted to stop her from walking. With a sigh and a gulp, she moved closer to where Calhoun had been standing before. She tried not to look at the deep steep that was beneath her as her heart started to beat loudly.
"How do you feel?" asked Calhoun, his gaze calm on her.
"What do you think?" Madeline shot back listening to her heart beating loudly in her ears. The wind breezed in such strength that she had to keep her feet glued to the ground. Both Madeline and Calhoun in someways where the same where they were not ready to back down. Calhoun had got her easily cornered, and he admired the fact that she was still staring right into his eyes.
Calhoun then walked towards her, closing the large distance that had formed in between them, "You look scared. Are you questioning if it's worth saving the man's life for your own?"
"If no one killed anyone, there wouldn't be any need for it," she whispered, the wind pulling out the small pieces of her hair from her braid that started to sway in the direction of the wind. Even Calhoun's inky black hair had been ruffled where some of them moved back while some came to stand in front of his forehead.
"You are right," he agreed before saying, "You must hate me so much now."
"I don't get you," she said to him, "You say you like me, but you do things that cause anxiousness in my heart."
"Why do you defy me by speaking about the man when you know it's going to anger me," he raises his hand to run the back of his finger over her cheek, "You know it well yet you try to provoke me. Going so far as to side with him when I am patient by not beheading him. You're doing great so far," he praised her.
Madeline wasn't sure about that. Her legs were shaky, and the wind was pushing her, which made it worse to stand. She had closed her eyes when he had touched her, waiting to be pushed but when he retracted his hand back to him, she opened to look at him, "Have you ever jumped from this cliff?" she knew it was a stupid question, but she asked it.
"I have," he surprised her by his answer, "Many times before. The first time you are scared. The second time you remember the fear and the third time you still do until the next time you find it to be nothing but exhilarating."
Madeline doubted she had even a grain of interest in jumping right down the cliff through air. His expression was calm, and with the wind that continued to blow, Madeline tried to remember his words.
"You look like a lamb being taken to a butcher," his comment made her eyes flare-up.
"Is it anything less now?" she asked and saw him smile. She was going to fall on the ground in a few seconds, and he was smiling?
"Recollect my words. I will give you a minute for it," he said, and she frowned.
She did as she was told. There was no point in questioning it when only more seconds would be lost. He said it was a test, but then he told he had done it too, was he under some test too?
Calhoun had brought her here to let her know how she felt about James, a man she knew only from a distance and not closely. He had made her believe that he had thrown the little note from her mother, and she had been angry about it, an anger she didn't know how to put out. She had favoured James, and she had achieved provoking the King. And then he had made up a tale between the red riding hood and the bad wolf…
If she went by his words, he said he would not let her fall. She didn't know if a minute had passed because she continued to look into his deep red eyes that had texture in them because of the light that was present around them. He stood waiting for her. Madeline took a deep long breath, placing her foot where there was no surface behind her for a fraction of a second before her body started to free-fall in haste. She saw Calhoun standing up there looking at her falling. Scared she closed her eyes and the wind moved against her.
When she had crossed half of the distance, something swooped past to catch her. Madeline was frightened, and it took her sometime before she opened her eyes to find herself in the arms of the man who had asked her to jump off the cliff. Noticing something flap behind his back, her eyes that were wide caught sight of a pair of black wings behind his back.
The adrenaline rush had not come down from her body, and her heart continued to thump in her chest wildly. When they finally made it back on the surface of the cliff, this time away from the edge, Madeline was placed back on the ground. Her knees were too weak with fear and shock that it almost gave away if it weren't for Calhoun's arm that caught Madeline's waist.
Seeing how the wings started to close in to hide behind his back, her eyes finally moved up to stare at him, "Y-you have wings," she stuttered.
"I did say I won't let you fall down. I am glad that you stepped back," he said, a satisfied smile came to settle on his lips.
Madeline couldn't believe what she just saw. This was something she had never heard about and her adrenaline rushing through her veins which was making her head dizzy due to the fall she just had.
"H-how?" asked Madeline.
"I happen to have them." She had not screamed, and he had seen the look in her eyes as if deep down she trusted him, not to let any harm befall on her. All she had to do was to trust, and he was pleased that she indeed had put some faith in him knowingly or unknowingly, "Communication and trust are what builds a relationship. I will protect and keep you safe," she heard Calhoun say while his arm firmly wrapped around her waist.
"You were the one who asked me to jump off the cliff," she said, her eyes darting behind him to see if those wings were visible but they weren't.
"I did tell you that it was a test," said Calhoun, his eyes took in the expression that was passing on her face.
So the test was not about James? Asked Madeline to herself. Jumping off the cliff was not about what she said, but it was about her putting her trust in Calhoun. Now it felt as if the King said something but meant something else.
"There are easier ways to find out and make someone trust you." His ways were dangerous. She had hoped he would jump as he had spoken about jumping off the cliff in the past.
"That wouldn't be fun," stated Calhoun. Madeline finally placed her hands on his chest in an intent to push him away as she felt her legs more steady than the last few minutes. But Calhoun pulled her to bring her more close to him. The wind blew strongly where they stood and she found the unruly hair at the front of his forehead moving every now and then, "I don't trust people that easily, Madeline. Don't break it." There was no playfulness there and his words were serious, along with his eyes that didn't deter.
Madeline was an average girl. At least compared to her sister, Beth, and some other girls around her age she had always been the person who wasn't someone who stood out in the crowd. She didn't understand Calhoun's interest.
"You can have anyone you want," she said.
The sharpness in his eyes mellowed at her words, "Then I choose you. You are the person I want."
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Thirst for blood- Part 1
Music Recommendation: Crossing Paths by Lake Isabel
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Madeline didn't know what to say as her heart was still beating loudly in her chest whilst she stared at Calhoun, who had caught her before she would have crashed right on the ground. Her brown eyes continued to look at his red eyes in such proximity that somewhere she was curious, and at the same time, she was frightened with what just happened.
Her eyes now and then darted to look at Calhoun's back to see if the wings were still there. She had never heard of the night creatures to have wings because if they did, wouldn't they be flying up in the sky like birds? Asked Madeline to herself.
"What is your answer to my question, Maddie?" asked Calhoun whose arm was still holding her snuggly against him before he loosened his hold on her. It took her some time to wrap her mind around before she was able to finally take two steps away from him, staring at the King who was different.
"Question?" asked Madeline, who felt overwhelmed. The feelings he had for her, they were sudden and rushing, which even she could feel from his side which she was overwhelmed with.
Calhoun didn't get annoyed at her wanting to hear the question again because he would say it until he got the answer he wanted to hear from her, "Be mine."
They were two simple words, but they were heavy, heavy enough to weigh on her shoulders now. Madeline wanted to say that she didn't feel that way towards Calhoun and she would have taken James name, but she decided to bite her tongue on it. Calhoun had made a point to have her reflect on her feelings if she truly liked James or if it was just an idea which she was holding on to.
The King's red eyes stared at the beautiful dainty little creature that stood in front of him. Her eyes wide and as he expected, she shook her head. He heard her say,
"Maybe you are right, but you might be wrong too."
"What makes you think that?" asked Calhoun, his words patient while his eyes were alive and attentive, "Is it because you jumped off the cliff for his sake?"
"The cliff was a test for your gain, and it had nothing to do with James," said Madeline to only see Calhoun's wicked smile grace on his lips, "Isn't it?" she asked, a whisper of doubt leaving her lips.
"You stepped back from the cliff, falling. Did you think of the tailorman? You said people are often ready to give up their life for their beloved one. Isn't it only right that you think about the people whom you care when you are nearing death?"
Madeline frowned at his words, "That's not right."
"How so? You care enough to give up your life but not think about them by having it to be your last thoughts?" asked Calhoun who started to twist her words again and she could feel her head muddling like every time he would start doing it, "If I were breathing my last few breaths, my thoughts would be filled with nothing but you."
The words Calhoun spoke were direct and weren't sugar-coated. It was something that left an impression on Madeline, her cheeks turning red, "You don't have to do that!" she said, "You asked me to jump off the cliff and then save me, wanting to know if I can trust you."
"And you did great. Not many dared to jump down, and one's who jumped didn't make it because I didn't care about them. Also, they deserved it," answered Calhoun. There was the unspeakable interest that was in his eyes as he continued to gaze at her.
Madeline turned to her left side, walking towards one side of the cliff but not enough to reach the edge to say, "You stole the opportunity of something that could bloom. You cannot say that I don't feel anything towards the man when there's an obvious affinity that I share with him, and he feels the same way."
"What do you propose then?" asked Calhoun, the smile lowered down from his lips.
"Let me go."
Hearing this Calhoun chuckled, "I have another proposition. Let's have him killed so that I don't have to hear the broken violin crying every time when you start speaking about freedom."
Madeline clenched her hands together, trying not to speak something that she would regret, as who knew when Calhoun would actually push her to only pick her up in his arms again.
"He did nothing to you."
"I wouldn't say that," Calhoun disagreed with Madeline, "He is stealing my time with you, and quite frankly it's annoying. What do you think would be an easier punishment for him? Have him beheaded on the scaffold, throw him in the dungeon and have him tortured. I wouldn't want to throw him because I wouldn't enjoy an easy death for him. So tell me, Madeline." He started to walk towards her. Madeline quickly stepped away, keeping a safe distance between them, to hear him say, "You can run as far as you want, but I will always catch you."
"At least I will be away from you for the spare time of it," Madeline responded back.
"Please go ahead with it. I enjoy the chase. Especially when it involves someone as beautiful as you. I am waiting for you to do it so that we can start the game of chase which will stop right in my room on my bed," said Calhoun, his eyes flickering with something dark and Madeline gulped.
"You said you wouldn't do something I don't like," she said, before stopping from walking any further and let him close the distance that she had created a few seconds ago.
"Everything comes with terms and conditions. If you are so hell-bent on defying me, I won't hold back in exercising some ground rules so that you won't ever forget it," he whispered to her. As he had neared her, he didn't stop to stand in front of her but walked past her to say, "We both have enjoyed the scenery in here. Let's head back to the carriage."
Madeline stood there for a few seconds, her head turned around to look at Calhoun who continued to walk towards the forest, stepping in and she sighed before following him while not getting too close to him. On their way, Madeline stared at Calhoun's back with curious eyes. The shirt that he wore didn't have any tear mark, and it looked perfectly crisp and fine.
How did the wings come out? She asked herself, without realising that while she had her eyes trained on his back, Calhoun had slowed down his footsteps to let her catch up. A twisted smile adorned his lips as he heard the distance reduce between them.
As she walked, she felt like she was releasing the stress she had been carrying so far. She didn't know if it was because of what she had spoken to Calhoun or if it was because of her falling down from the cliff. She didn't want to do it again. She could still feel the jerk of her heart when the foot she had moved backward had not felt the surface that had led her to fall.
Madeline parted her lips to speak, but closed it as she was upset with what Calhoun did. Only an insane person would ask the person they loved to fall off the cliff, without informing how they would be saved. Calhoun wanted her blind trust and faith to be placed in him. She looked at his frame, staring at it from behind. His shoulders and body with every step that moved forward appeared to be proud and confident.
"Walk beside me, Maddie. It is boring to walk alone," said Calhoun as he raised his head to look at the birds that were chirping in the trees.
"You said you walked here before," actually jumped from the cliff, thought Madeline to herself.
Calhoun knew what Madeline was going to say. He said, "I am used to walking alone here, but I don't see why I should stop myself from having you next to me as my company. Come now," he paused his footsteps and waited for her to catch up.
And when Madeline did come to stand next to him, Calhoun walked along with her towards the carriage.
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Thirst for blood- Part 2
When Madeline and Calhoun arrived back in the castle, she wasn't sure if Sophie had returned to the castle with Theodore or if they were still in the market. With just two of them now walking down the empty corridor, Madeline couldn't help but remember what Calhoun said about the mind being loud when a person was in a quiet place.
The maids and other servants who were working in the castle stopped by to bow their heads at them.
"How many times did you get poisoned?" she asked him curiously.
"A couple of times in a year or two," Calhoun who was looking ahead, shifted his eyes to look at her who had turned to look at him.
Madeline wondered if Calhoun didn't worry about death because he appeared to be calm about it or maybe it happened too often that he didn't care about it. Noticing the look of worry that came to shadow over her face, Calhoun took great pleasure in it.
"Why do you look troubled?" he asked her, one corner of his lips pulled up.
"Are you not bothered that one day they might be successful in poisoning you?" asked Madeline.
"If I am unable to save myself I would be an unfit person to rule Devon." He appeared to be confident in his words as if no harm would ever come to befall on him. Calhoun didn't fear death, thought Madeline to herself, "It is good to see you're worried about me."
"I was only curious," her words were quick to disagree with what he just said.
"Whatever you want to believe," came the dismissive tone of Calhoun, "The poison was sent by someone from outside the castle who specialised in knowing about the night creatures. The maid was only helping or following the orders."
Madeline's eyebrows furrowed. This meant Calhoun was not safe, and in the future, he would be attacked again, but he seemed unfazed about it. When Calhoun stopped walking, Madeline stopped too.
"Are you planning to give me your blood to drink?"
"What?" asked Madeline at the sudden question as she hadn't done any mistake after coming from the cliff.
Madeline had been busy asking her questions that she didn't realise that she had been following Calhoun like a little cat. Calhoun leaned forward to her and said, "The doors that you see on the right is a room that is used by me to feed on blood," and her eyes widened, "You can still choose to be the only person from whom I have to drink the blood from."
"You can take it from someone else," Madeline quickly said, her feet taking a step back when she noticed how his coarse tongue that had licked the surface of her wrist had peeked between his lips.
She didn't forget the coarsens of it, and her cheeks burned red in embarrassment. He could take the blood from anyone he wanted, and she would not stop him so that he wouldn't sink in those fangs of his into her own skin.
"Are you sure about it?" he asked her as if she would have a problem with him sucking someone else's blood.
"Yes," she answered, and he gave her a nod.
"When a vampire consumes blood from the person, it is not always about having blood and many more things happen behind the closed doors," stated Calhoun, his dark eyes staring at the girl who returned his stare.
"Why closed doors? Are you worried that someone will see it?" she asked him, and the words were only meant to be as a retort, but Calhoun used it for his advantage.
"If you are interested, you are welcome to stay and watch," his lips widened with delight when her cheeks turned further red.
She grinded her teeth, "I have no such interest!" Was that how Calhoun viewed her to be? Asked Madeline to herself, her eyes holding a spark of fire in them.
"Pity," replied Calhoun, his eyes continuing to look at the girl before he said, "Go have fun in the castle unless you change your mind to join in the room to watch," came his deliberate words and Madeline only glared back at him. He could do whatever he wanted except touching her. Maybe it would be good for him to be with another person and maybe he would change his mind?
But then who was she kidding. Deep down even Madeline knew it was too late for him to have a change of mind or heart. Though Madeline didn't want to do anything with him, she was interested in those wings that had caught hold of her attention. The large black wings that were made of feathers which she had never heard about.
Noticing Calhoun raising one of his eyebrows in question of what she was still doing here, Madeline bowed her head before turning around and walked away from him.
She didn't turn back to take a look at Calhoun if he was still standing there, watching her or if he had stepped inside the room. Stepping into another corridor, she finally felt she could swing her arms as there was no one to notice her do it. With the day that was moving past her and the others, somewhere she was relieved after seeing her family that they were doing well.
Two years ago when Madeline had been waiting for her father to return in the evening from his work, her father had been terribly late and he had not arrived even after the time of the supper. This had led her sister Beth and her to go to the market to see if he was there. Later, he was found in the forest where he was carrying back the log of woods on his shoulder. Back then she had hoped that there was something she could do for him. Now that he finally had two men helping him with the woods where all he would have to do is do the dealing, a smile came up on her lips.
But that came at the cost of her having to stay in the castle against her will, where she was forced to love the man who had turned her as a prisoner. Madeline didn't grow up thinking she would end up here, at least not where a night creature would have taken an interest in her as the village she lived in was one for the humans. She continued to walk when she heard the sharp clicking sound of heels on the floor.
Raising her head, she caught sight of a beautiful red-haired woman who was accompanied by a servant man. She wore a blue dress that flowed at the back of the hem on the floor. As they were walking from the opposite direction, Madeline realised this was the woman, who was going to accompany the King with his meal and other favours which she refused to accept or offer.
Love, he said, thought Madeline to herself with her eyes narrowed. She knew she had told him he could do whatever he wanted, but if he really meant every word he spoke, he would have shown some self-restraint as a proof to her.
When Madeline was walking past them, her eyes couldn't stop looking at the woman who looked like a naturally carved statue because of her features. The woman's eyes snapped at her, and Madeline quickly looked away as it was rude to staring at the woman continuously.
Before Madeline could reach the end of the corridor, she couldn't help herself from looking at the woman who had walked past, seeing the woman's red-hair that was let down. She frowned at the thought of the King's debauchery. She had heard about how the night creatures survived on the blood from the humans, but Madeline was unaware of how many times a vampire had to suck a person's blood. She wondered if the woman would be sucked dry until the very last drop of her blood.
Remembering the words of the maids of, how well they knew what the King liked and how he was rough, she pursed her lips thinking that the King was going to do something behind those closed doors.
How shameful of him to ask her to join to watch it!
Shaking her head to get rid of those thoughts, she walked away from there.
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Thirst for blood- Part 3
In the room, which was wide and spacious it was dark as curtains had been drawn over the many windows, Calhoun walked towards the table where different types of liquor bottles were placed. Picking one of them, he pulled out the cork to pour the liquid into the empty glass before taking a sip from it.
He was pouring wine into the glass again when he heard the doors of the room open and he turned around to find the woman standing at the front with a smile on her lips. He took a sip from the glass and saw the woman bow her head.
"Long live the King," she said before raising her head up to look at the King of Devon. The servant closed the door behind after the woman entered the room.
Calhoun walked towards the couch and sat down, he leaned his back and then crossed his legs, "You are late," he said, his eyes calm and collected as they looked at the beautiful woman.
Hearing the nonchalant words fall on her ears, the woman noticed the King sitting there with leisure, and she went to answer him,
"My apologies for arriving late. I didn't mean to make you wait," and she walked forward. She leaned forward when he raised his hand up for her to hold and kiss the back of his hand, "I thought you would have started with your appetiser," she said as she had noticed a blonde girl coming in the direction where it looked like the girl was leaving.
"She's not the appetiser," answered Calhoun, taking another sip from the glass. To a vampire, blood was a vital source of food, they mainly depended on but to curb the hunger or thirst for it, one could use alcohol to replace it for a few hours before the blood would have to be replaced back into the system to quench the thirst.
The woman turned her head to the side as if in question. She moved towards the table when Calhoun raised his hand to direct her towards the many bottles of alcohol that were placed on the table along with empty glasses kept upside down.
"No mood to have the girl or me?" she asked him.
Calhoun only hummed, seeing the woman make her way towards the table to take one of the glass. She picked up the knife that was placed on the surface of the table, to run the knife against the surface of her hand, letting the blood dripped down to fall into the glass. She let it reach till it filled half of the glass before taking the napkin to hold it in her hand for the blood to stop.
"Have you known any time when a vampire has ever lost the desire to have sex or to have blood?" asked Calhoun to the red-haired woman who returned back to him with the glass of blood in her hand with a smile on her lips.
She handed the glass to the King.
Calhoun's eyes had moved up to look at the woman who had black eyes. There was no smile on his lips like the one he carried around the human girl who had left his side a few minutes ago after he had tried to taunt her for his amusement.
"It is very rare to find night creatures like that, milord. Unless something has happened," she replied to the King's question with a polite tone.
"Sit," the King commanded and she did as she was told.
Calhoun who had taken the glass of blood brought it to his lips, sipping it. But as he thought, he wasn't satisfied with the taste of the blood because he craved for someone else's blood. After tasting the blood from Madeline, he knew this was going to happen. The blood he took in felt bland, that had no taste in it. It didn't excite him the way Madeline's did. The truth was he wanted to drink every drop of her blood.
He had never tried to control his thirst and he took things always by force. But he knew, force was not what would make Madeline willingly give herself. As much as Calhoun was entertained and amused by Madeline's reactions he didn't want to push her off the edge. He had told Theodore to arrange for the next possible quality of blood which was not from the maids as it wouldn't suffice him. His thirst was growing and the need to have Madeline was something that he was trying to tame.
"How is your mother doing, Julianne?" asked Calhoun when he had taken in another sip from the glass.
"She's doing well, my King," the woman named Julianne bowed her head. Most of the times she had been called to the castle, it had been to entertain the King physically and to offer her blood to him, "Are you unwell, milord?" she inquired.
Calhoun finished the glass of blood to hand it over to the woman who took it in her hands, "Do I look unwell to you?" he questioned back, a smile upon his lips, "I wonder if I am..." he chuckled.
Julianne stood up to make another glass of blood for the King, as her body had the ability to withstand the blood loss.
Curious about the girl who had walked by, as the King had said she was not an appetizer, the woman asked, "Is she your relative? The blonde girl."
"She will be," Calhoun answered which the woman didn't understand and neither did she ask to clarify it.
"Would you like me to stay back in here for more blood?" she asked to have Calhoun turn to look at her.
"That won't be necessary. You can leave once you are done with that glass," came the nonchalant voice of Calhoun who wasn't in the mood to talk to her or any other person. The woman bowed her head before she stirred the glass and handed it to the King to leave the room. She found it quite unusual that the King was dismissing her right away after she had spent less than ten to twelve minutes in the room.
As she was walking through the halls, she was getting down from the large stairs when she caught sight of the King's cousin and his right-hand man who were stepping out of the carriage.
When Sophie noticed the red-haired woman, she didn't hide the look of distaste forming on her face, "Lady Julianne Harper. I didn't know you were going to visit. Here to offer your blood?" asked the vampiress staring at the woman.
Julianne bowed her head to offer her greetings to both of them, "Yes, milady."
"How is your mother doing? She had a bad fall last time," said Sophie, her red eyes flickering to look at the human in front of her, "You should be by her side," smiled the vampiress.
"I was asked to visit the King today, milady else I am always there by her side," answered Julianne which was indeed true.
"Leaving this soon, Lady Julianne?" asked Theodore who had a slight questionable look on his face. It was Calhoun who had asked him to call a woman to satisfy his thirst but it seemed like the King had dismissed her quite soon.
The woman smiled, "Yes. I will be taking my leave. Excuse me," she bowed her head again and Theodore gave her a nod.
Sophie didn't stop glaring at the woman, "Brother Calhoun can have other's blood in the castle. Why is he calling her?"
Theodore didn't want to be involved or fuel the vampiress, "I don't know, milady," came the solemn answer from him.
The vampiress didn't look happy and she turned around to quickly make her way up the stairs and inside the castle. There were many humans and some vampiress from whom Calhoun drank the blood and Julianne was one of the women who was the Duke's daughter. Coming from a fragile family of humans, her mother had slipped down the stairs and broken her back, turning the woman to be bedridden.
Though a lot of them considered it as an unfortunate accident, Theodore had come to believe that Miss Wilmot had a hand in it. It was because whenever there was a possible interest seen from the King's side, the females and their family often turned to be a possible target. He had tried to find out evidence but there was none which only left it to be a hunch and if he was not wrong, Calhoun was already aware of it which was why the King had showered the family with wealth as compensation.
The carriage left and Theodore turned back to walk inside the castle after the tiring time he had spent with Lady Sophie keeping her away from the King, by keeping her busy in the market.
Back in the room where Calhoun sat on the couch, he had his head leaned back and he now looked at the plane ceilings of the room. He pulled out the note from his pocket which he was yet to read. Bringing it up for him to play with it between his fingers.
Leaning back forward, he uncrossed his legs, deciding to open the note to see what was written inside it.
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