Jasmine

Ava’s POV


I don’t know how long I have been crying, I’m not even sure what I’m crying about anymore, everything going on is just too much. My eyes run dry as dehydration kicks in and I finally pause to take in my surroundings in search of water. The room I have been left in is beautiful, there is a large 4 poster bed with beautiful red silk sheets, there is an intricately carved dressing table with a large round mirror and stunning paintings of woodland scenes on the walls. There are 2 doors aside form the one I came in by. I get up on shaky legs and open the first one, it is the biggest cupboard I have ever seen. It has rails and rails of beautiful dresses, shoes and jewellery.
I move to the second door, this one is a large bathroom, shining with white marble and gold trimmings. There is a large golden bath tub in the centre of the room and I feel it calling to me. Aside from the bath that Ash ran me, I have never had a bath, I have cleaned them in the pack house, but not been in one. I really hope the king keeps his word and Ash gets away with the scouts. I know he will be worried for me, but his duty is to get them home, it is why he came here in the first place. A small part of me hopes he will burst in through the doors any minute and carry me to safety, but I know that won’t happen. People like me are not meant to be with people like him.
I run myself a hot bath and get in, letting myself soak in the water and trying not to think about anything. Exhaustion takes over and I feel myself drifting off to sleep.
I’m woken my a gentle knock on the door. The bath water is only luke warm so I must have been asleep for a while. I jump out of the bath and wrap myself in a towel quickly before the door opens.
My mother enters the room tentatively. “Ava, I’m so sorry, I never wanted this life for you”. I run to her and hug her tight.
“I thought you were dead, I’m so glad you are alive” I say as tears fall down my face.
“I could not risk looking for you, I thought you would be better off without me, I hoped my father would leave you alone if I returned” She explains
“I was not better off without you, dad left me in a strange place alone. When he didn’t come back I assumed the worst. Not a single day has passed where I have not missed you.” I say
“You were right to assume the worst. Kato caught us, your father fought his hardest, but he lost” Her voice breaks as she speaks, becoming barely audible. “They tortured him to find your location, but he never gave in. He protected you to the end” She sobs at the memory and I join her in mourning the loss of my father.
“I only have vague memories of him. Can you tell me about him?” I ask.
“He was a prisoner of the war. Prisoners here are kept for breeding, especially the strong ones. I heard the girls fawning over him and as I was only young, my curiosity got the better of me. I did not know what went on at the time. I followed one of the girls, I heard him shouting fowl language at her, trying to make her leave, I looked in his cell and saw her on top of him. She looked like she was enjoying it, but he looked in pain, crying and trying to fight her off. I was horrified, I knew how he felt. I went to find the keys and I snuck back to his room later. He didn’t shout at me like he did her, he just stared, like he was memorising me. I know it sounds corny but it was love a first sight. I freed him and instead of fighting me, he kissed me. I ran with him to the forest, he showed me how to live life outside of the castle. He was funny and charming and so brave. He told me all the terrible things my father was doing. I decided to stay with him, when we had you we were already running from my father. He would never have accepted my choice to be with your father, all he cares about is good genetics.” My mother explains
“What do you mean?” I ask
She lets out a sob “I’m an only child, no matter how hard he tried, he could not conceive another. He killed my mother for giving him a girl. Since I was 15 he tried to impregnate me with the best fighters, spell casters or shifters. Nothing worked until I met your father. Nothing has since. I was his mate, once the bond is complete no other can compare. I’m so sorry Ava that this is now your fate. He will try to use you to create his perfect heir”
I shudder thinking about how much she has gone through and what will become of me. I squeeze her hand trying to comfort her. I focus my energy and I make the small white flower from my memory and hand it to her. She smiles, her tears ebbing.
“Do you know what that flower is?” she asks
I shake my head, it is not one I have come across.
“it is a jasmine flower. My name is jasmine. Before you could talk, your father called me jasmine instead of mum and you would make this flower to call me. You were always so special. You must hide that here. Do not show him what you can do.” She warns
“Do you have powers? Can you do this too?” I ask
“I am half vampire, half Fae I survive on food not blood and I can only be killed with an iron stake to the heart. I can read minds, but only when I touch someones head. It is a gift I sometimes wish I did not have, not everyones mind is something you want to understand.” She says
“So I’m part vampire, part fae, part werewolf?” I clarify
“That is right, although I hope for your sake you didn’t get much from that evil man”
“is he really that bad?” I ask
“You will see. For now play the part of a doting grandchild while I find a way out of here. Now lets get you dressed. You are going to be presented tonight at the ball” She says