124

Isla snuck out of the local prison only to bump into Madam Negro. She shot her a small smile before trying to manoeuvre the fat lady. She didn’t move.

“Miss Torver, I was hoping we could have a word.”

‘It’s Mrs.’,she wanted to say but waved it away, frowning. “I am listening.”

Madam Negro looked around. “Not here. Maybe somewhere private. I would have said we should talk in your place but I’m not so sure what impression it would give for a woman of my status to be seen dining with um…a prostitute.”

Isla’s frown deepened. “I’m a worker Madam Negro. You can’t address me as a prostitute simply because I earn a living from cleaning bar stands.”

The stout woman snorted. “I can and will address you however I like. Just because your daughter has been seen talking with the king doesn’t make you any higher than an omega.”

Isla stifled a smile. “So this is what this is about. Look Madam Negro, I didn’t force my daughter to the royal family. I didn’t beg the Vampire King to take an interest in her. I didn’t ask him to race with her. She won, in the eyes of many, and unlike you with all your acclaimed status, I’ll forever be the mother of the girl who raced against the Vampire King and won. Due to my daughter’s brilliance, the king along with his family members have piqued interest in my daughter. She’s now sought by the queen herself.”

She paused, gauged Madam Negro’s expression before adding, “I’m telling you all these because I want to make something clear to you. Being an omega doesn’t mean I will remain in the dark for long. It’s my turn to step out in the limelight Negro. Remember that.”

The woman glared. “The queen has demanded that your daughter－the one you so fondly speak of, join her this morning as quickly as she can.”

Pleased, Isla smiled. It was genuine this time. “I’ll be sure to pass the message across to her.”

….

“Do you think she has seen?”, Amar whispered to Toreh as they watched their mother arrange Christmas presents. It was for the Omega union, or whatever little group the omega females had formed for themselves.

“No, of course not. The delivery man would take two hours before he would drop off our present at the palace,” Toreh replied.

“If that;s true, then why did she send for you?”

“I don’t know Amar,” Toreh answered tiredly. “I don’t know what goes through her majesty’s head.”

“I’ll be fine Amar. Plus, I doubt Eloive would let anything happen to me.”

“Your belief in that boy is sickening. I wouldn’t count on anyone for your safety lil sis. So do what you’ve got to do and get out of there.”

Toreh smiled. “I’ll be fine okay? Geez, you worry so much these days, I’m scared.”

Amar glared. “After what you’ve done, you better be!”, she snarled. “Mother! Toreh is ready now!”

Isla turned to her daughters, her smile faltering when she looked at their outfits. “That… that is what you are wearing to meet the queen?”

Amar frowned. “What is wrong with our outfits?”

“Everything!” Isla screeched. “Toreh, that fabric has faded and Amar, you can’t wear crazy jeans to meet the queen.”

“Yes she can. Mother stop obsessing. After all, I once tied wrapper to dine with the royal family,” Waxlyn coaxed.

Isla looked ready to faint. “You know what, wear whatever you want. Just don’t blame me if you get ridiculed.”

Amar sighed. “Mother we’ll be fine okay? Who knows, maybe if Toreh gets this tutoring job and starts getting paid, we’ll be able to change out wardrobe.”

Isla snorted. “It’s still an if.”

Toreh sighed. “Mother, can you not be so pessimistic right now? Your teenage daughter is going to get her first official job. The least you can do is to be happy for me.”

“I am happy for you Toreh. You know what, when you return, we’ll open up our presents.”

“Okay see you later then.”

Amar and Toreh stepped out of the house and into the cold. “Are you sure we would be fine?”, Amar asked, her tone low.

“Of course we do. If you’re so afraid, maybe you shouldn’t come with me then.”

“I’m not afraid, just worried,” Amar defended.

“You need not be Amar. It’s just the palace.”

And that was the problem.

….

Massa rubbed his eyes as he staggered into the East Wing. He was damn tired. All he needed right now was a warm glass of milk and painkillers. He cursed softly as his head throbbed. Yep, he definitely needed painkillers.

He stopped shortly before his chambers surprised to see servants, four in fact, carrying out a burnt mattress. He cursed again before stopping one of them.

“What happened here?”, he asked, addressing the servant.

“I cooked,” Prita replied as she stood by the doorway, smiling coyly at the prince. His eyes widened. She was sanding there, unbothered by the fact that they had seen.

As though she had read his mind, she said, “Not to worry prince, they won’t say a word.”

Now he was worried. Abandoning the servant, he walked up to her, and grabbed her arms. “You…”

“Are the best mate ever,” she finished, smiling at him. He released her, running his fingers through his hair. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Well for starters, you could let me go.”

He looked at her. “I did that a minute ago.”

“You know what I mean Massa.”

“That’s not an option homey and you know it,” he snarled, pushing his way into his bed chambers. A new bed, courtesy of Prita. She followed him inside, shutting the door behind her. Massa kicked off his crocs before proceeding to take off his joggers.

“I am not asking you to break the bond, only that you allow me go back to my home.”

“You consider that tomb your home?”

She glared at him. “Well sorry, not all of us are lucky with ice palaces,” she snarled before softening her tone. “Massa please.”

“And I said no!”, he yelled in her face. “You are not going back to that tomb, not now, not ever.”

“You can’t keep me here forever.”

“I can!”, he sneered. “Do you know why? It’s because I am your prince. You accepted me as your prince the very day you agreed to my father’s terms! I have been awake all morning and I’m very tired; meaning that I do not have the energy to argue with you. So please refrain from making noise.”

She gaped at him. “I’m making noise? Massa, I’m talking about my wants, needs and desires and it’s noise to you? You’re such an asshole! I fucking hate you!”

Her words cut through him like a searing hot blade. He turned sharply toward her. “Take it back.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“Take it back Prita!” he yelled, veins threatening to burst.

She remaining quiet. He heaved a sigh, breathing heavily. “You know what? You can leave but you will only go with your things and nothing of mine.”

She rolled her eyes. “Good to hear,” she said heading over to the wardrobe to retrieve her satchel before turning to the door. Till today, he still didn’t know what was in the satchel.

“I did say you shouldn’t leave with any of my belongings, and that includes the clothes on your back.”

She huffed, facing him. “You’re kidding. I can’t go out naked.”

He arched a brow. “I thought you’d do anything to go home?”

“Fine! You want me naked, then I shall be naked! I’ll go out there bare before your people, under the close scrutiny of every male or female I pass. They shall behold me under the sunlight, fantasizing how my skin would feel under the moonlight. And if per say, one dares to offer me his or her robe for a night with him; Prita who has been scourged with the Northern winds and snow, will not refuse.”

He clenched his jaw, pissed. “How cruel could you be? Leaving me without giving me a present?”

She rolled her eyes. “I got you a new bed. More befitting for your numerous whores.”

He flinched. “I don’t want a bed Prita. What I want is for you to stay.”

“I can’t do that now that those servants have seen me.”

“You said they won’t say a word.”

She arched a brow. “Are you really going to trust the compulsion of a tomb vampire?”

“Is that what you call yourself?”

She ignored his question. “I’m not staying Massa. There’s nothing for me here.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, touching her cheek. “I am here Prita. Me, your mate. And I want nothing more than to share this new bed with you. So will you…” he paused, brushed her lips, adding, “grant my request?”