Page 92 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

“I’m sorry…” I hear her murmur to my skin. The girl is trying so hard to resist the bond.

It doesn’t hurt, Nel,I want to tell her so she wouldn’t be so tormented. But I know it’s useless because this is just who she is.

This divine creature is so full of light and innocence. She is now right here in my arms, ripe for the taking. A forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden.

My dark soul is twisted beyond salvation. There is not an ounce of good in me. I know I will never go to heaven if there is one.

So fuck it, I’m stealing her.

Chapter 14 Rhianelle

Istartle awake in a strange, unfamiliar room on an unfamiliar bed.

When did I change into this satin nightgown? I’m wearing nothing underneath, so someone must have done it for me. I have no recollection of how I got here.

My eyes scan the dim bedroom quickly. Black chandelier with candles the size of my arm hangs from the ceiling. A small table lies at the foot of the bed, with a water pitcher and a metallic food cover on top of it. The bedding I’m lying on is moth eaten but it’s clean. I push the heavy duvet from my lap and slip out of bed.

Nothing is more disorienting than waking up and hardly remembering anything from the night before.

I head straight for the large wooden door.

It’s locked…

I try to jam the handle again, fighting the fear cascading down my spine. There is no keyhole from this side and my blood chills at the possible meaning.

No, no, no.

I release a shaky breath and storm over to the lone curtained window next. Five metallic bars are embedded in the opening, crushing any hope of escape.

No… I shake my head and back away.

True horror sinks in the moment I glimpse the chains on each end of the bed. What kind of sadistic monsters live in this place?

I curl into myself at the dark corner of the room.

Tears sting my eyes, but I don’t cry yet.

Not yet.

Does Rainer and my knight know I’m here? If Svenn is here, he can easily break the metal bar on the window.

“Svenn!” I scream his name at the top of my lungs. “Help!”

A sharp pain flares through my chest when I suddenly recall what I tried to do to him.

Heavens above…

I had bitten him like a were-beaver.

After weeks of pretending and repressing my feelings, I caved in to the bond’s weird cravings and attacked him. How am I any different from the witches who abused him?

I feel dirty and disgusting. But he’s probably the only person who can save me right now.

“Svenn!” I scream again without shame. “Help!”

Even if he hates me, he’s still my husband. I know he will come for me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you… I didn’t mean…” My voice falters. “Svenn… I’m sorry! Please…”