YOU WILL EAT WITH ME 

Freda’s POV

Her eye’s widened, trying to process what I just said. I could almost hear her thoughts and I shrugged when she planted a bewildered stare at me?

“What’s on your mind?” I smirked, enjoying her bewilderment.

“Bu…but you’re the queen. You’re Damien’s mate.” She stuttered.

“Damien’s mate? Probably. Queen? I don’t even want to be queen. I’m being forced to do this.” I scowled, folding my hands on my chest in displeasure. “And yes, I wasn’t lying. I’m a hybrid.

“Does the King know? About who you are?” She asked, her voice lowering.

“He knows, yet he’s still insistent.”

“But. But the vampires. They would never...”

“Believe me, I know.” I cut her off. “But he’s being stubborn. I have no choice in this.”

“I…I’m sorry your majesty.” She apologized.

“It’s alright. I’ll get through this.” I nodded and looked out the window, the sun had set, and the stars finally began to twinkle. The sight was strangely comforting and it made me forget about my depressing situation. Even if it was just for a brief moment.

“So..You’re just like me. A creature neither fully accepted by either race” I heard Christie whisper. 

“Seems that way. By the way, you can leave if you want.” I said to my maid, my gaze still fixed on the night sky. 

“But…you. Your majesty.”

“My name is Freda Christie. Let’s ditch the honorifics when were alone alright?” I tore my gaze from the sky and smiled at her. “Could you do something for me, Christie?”

“I’m here to serve to your every need your majesty.” She nodded.

I sighed hearing that honorific from her again. It wasn’t going to be easy getting her to quit calling me that seeing she must have probably been raised as a maid all her life.

“Tell me about yourself. What’s your story?” I asked, hoping to make friends with her. 

“You want to know more about me your majesty?” Christie pointed at herself.

A blush crept up her cheeks and the way her brown eyes darted across the room was so adorable.

“Of course I do!” I exclaimed, grinning widely. 

“But…..why? There’s nothing interesting about a maid like me.” She stammered, barely getting the words out.

 “Don’t be silly.” I said gently, “I’m a hybrid, you’re a dhamphir. I’m stuck here, you’re…well. You’re here. By a stroke of luck, we’ve met in this damning circumstances. Besides, I don’t want a maid – I want a friend.

My words hung in the air. Christie eyeballs widened, as if the word ‘friend’ was a foreign concept. I saw her eyes flicker with hesitance and I sighed, realizing that I might have taken this a bit too far.

“A friend? Are you sure your majesty?” Christie finally spoke up, my lips stretched in a slight grin when I saw the hope in her eyes. She wanted this just as much as I did. 

“Exactly.” I bounced on the bed. “We’ve got no one but ourselves, we’ll keep each other company and make life in this castle more bearable.”

Christie’s lips twitched for a second and then a small smile began to form on her lips. The first I had seen since she entered the room. 

“Alright but before that, you need to eat.” She pointed at the food trolley. “Food is getting cold.” 

 As if on cue, my stomach chose that exact moment to growl in a way that could rival a bear with a belly ache. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment but hunger gnawed at me, making me stare at the food trolley with a longing gaze. 

“I think you should eat your majesty.” Christie repeated.

“Good point.” I sheepishly grinned and launched myself at the trolley, nearly knocking it over in my haste. Lifting the silver cover, an intoxicating scent hit my nostrils making my mouth water. 

A whole roast peacock lay on the dish. Its feathers fanned out to resemble a sunburst and its golden skin glistened under the soft light. By the side, surrounding the bird were an array of exotic vegetables – jewel toned asparagus spears, plump purple artichokes, and bright orange baby carrots – all glazed with amber sauce.

It was indeed a feast for the eyes as much as the stomach. I salivating so much, gulping at intervals as I took a moment to admire the royal dish before me.

I couldn’t wait anymore. I picked up the fork and the side, cutting a generous portion of the peacock and popping it into my mouth. Flavors exploded on my tongue and I nearly leaped into the air in excitement. It was unlike anything I’d ever tasted before.

I attacked the peacock with much gusto and it seemed my feast must have been contagious because Christie’s eyes widened at my no so queenly display and her mouth watered. A deep rumble erupted from her tummy and she flushed in embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, Christie.” I said between bites. “There’s plenty for both of us. Come join me.”



Christie flushed crimson as her gaze darted between the food and the floor “But your majesty, I wouldn’t dream of…it wouldn’t be proper for a maid to….”

“Proper?” I waved my hand dismissively “I don’t care about that. Right now, my stomach is growling and I’m starving. I’m pretty sure yours isn’t much better.”

Another, urgent growl come her stomach and I flashed her a ‘I told you so’ look

“Come on,” I urged and gestured towards the trolley with a fork laden with peacock meat. “You must be famished after a long day of..well, whatever maids do.”

Christie’s lips pursed stubbornly but her stomach growled even louder this time.

“I’ll have my dinner soon your Majesty. Please just...” I cut her off with a finger.

“Nonsense. You will eat with me, Christie. That’s an order.” I commanded, sternly glaring at her. I did not want to resort to this but Christie was surprising stubborn for a softie. 

“An order, your majesty?” Her eyes widened in alarm. 

“Exactly,” I confirmed with a curt nod. “Now, are you going to defy the orders of your Queen?”