Mated To The Dead Prince
Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Chapter 51

The lingering warmth of their bodies slowly faded as Cassius stepped away. Rose watched him move with a strange mix of longing and resentment swirling within her.

His words, his possessiveness, stirred something within her, a confusing blend of fear and a reluctant thrill.

She stood for a moment, the echoes of their shared intimacy still clinging to the air, before turning and stepping into the bathroom.

The warm spray of the shower was a welcome contrast to the chill that had begun to settle over her. As the water cascaded down her skin, she couldn’t help but replay their encounter in her mind, the raw pleasure, his intense gaze, and the possessive growl that vibrated through her.

’He truly believes I belong to him.’ she thought, a shiver tracing its way down her spine. The idea was both terrifying and, inexplicably, a little intoxicating. She hated that she felt this way, hated that he had this effect on her, but denying it felt like a futile exercise.

She realized that she had gotten trapped in the seduction of a vampire.

’I really didn’t touch her,’ The words echoed in Rose’s mind.

What did he mean by that? Surely, he didn’t mean that he didn’t have sex with the Elf, right?

There was no way she would believe that even though her mind was begging her to believe and save it from the torturous ideas she’s been having since she left that room for them. She really wished she would believe him; she wanted to believe him, but, he was a vampire; who trusts a vampire? Exactly, no one, and she wasn’t about to become the first.

What Cassius must have meant was that he wasn’t the one who fucked the elf, she must have been the one who rode him out, giving his position before she left the room.

’Jerk.’ She frowned as she wrapped herself in a towel.

She stepped out of the steamy bathroom to find Cassius gone. The room felt empty without his imposing presence. A lingering scent of something ancient and powerful still hung in the air, a constant reminder of who and what he was.

She looked around for the dress she had worn the previous night but couldn’t find it, she almost gave up and was about to settle on a chair and wait for him to return since she didn’t want to parade around naked, but a green dress and a pair of black, flat shoes on the table caught her eyes.

She slowly stood and walked over to the table, furrowing her brows when she saw a small note on top of the folded material.

She picked it up and read what was written, "No one sees what’s mine. Cover up." She whispered with a frown.

It was undoubtedly Cassius’ handwriting; no one has such a majestic glyph-like handwriting except him; however, she didn’t understand what he was talking about, why and what should she cover up?

With a curious frown, she picked the green, folded material and walked over to the tall mirror by the side of the room. She hadn’t seen herself in a mirror since last night, and now she couldn’t help it after reading Cassius’ instructions.

She stared at her face as she let her towel drop to the floor, "Oh..." She gasped in surprise as she saw the red marks beside her neck and under her breasts; she twisted her body and also saw a few more behind her neck, waist, and arms.

She then understood what Cassius meant when he asked her to cover up.

Rose gently spread the material in her hand, but she doubted it would be able to cover anything since they only gave her exposing dresses to wear, people would still see those marks.

"What?" Rose whispered when she saw something fall from the unwrapped dress; she picked it up and smiled, it was a skin-colored hose. She held it and further spread the dress, marveling at how long it was, no one would be able to see her legs in it, and the turtle neck collar and hands were just as long; no one would ever see those marks when she wore this.

She found it funny.

This was the most modest she’d dressed since she found herself in the dark world, and why was this? Because some vampire king was suddenly feeling possessive over her.

What if she decided not to wear it? Just to go against him. She did want to wear it for her dignity but if it was something that would get him mad, the idea was tempting.

She sighed and shook her head.

She dressed quickly, her movements mechanical as she fixed herself inside the soothing dress and hose; staring at herself one last time in the mirror, she realized that the dress wasn’t as bad as she thought; it made her look like a modest lady, she felt preserved.

She picked up the towel and folded it, leaving it on the hanger beside the mirror.

Their encounter was catching up on her, it left her feeling drained, both physically and emotionally. The intensity of his desire, coupled with his casual assertion of ownership, was a stark reminder of her captivity.

It was time to leave.

As she walked out of the room, she wondered where he had gone to feed, didn’t he always feed in his room? Or, was he doing something else? Something that vampires loved to do while they fed?

The thought of him sinking his teeth into another being, even if it wasn’t the elven slave, sent a pang of something akin to jealousy through her. It was irrational, she knew, but she couldn’t shake the feeling; what if he made love to her while feeding from her?

She walked down the stairs and found herself wandering through the silent corridors of the mansion, her footsteps echoing softly on the stone floors. The grandeur of the place felt oppressive, a gilded cage holding her captive. Each ornate detail served as a reminder of the vast difference between her world and his.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the figure standing in the shadows until she was almost upon them.

"Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there," Rose apologized.

It was Eliot; his eyes, usually filled with calmness and care were now shadowed with concern.

"Rose," he said softly, his voice a low murmur in the stillness. "Are you alright?" He asked.

Rose was startled slightly, but she pulled herself back to the present. She forced a weak smile. "Yes, Eliot, I’m fine. Just... thinking."

Eliot studied her face, his gaze perceptive. "He... he didn’t hurt you, did he?"

The question caught Rose off guard. There was a genuine concern in his voice that surprised her. She hesitated for a moment, the memory of Cassius’s tight grip on her chin flashing through her mind.

"No," she said finally, her voice barely a whisper. "Not really."

Eliot seemed to sense her reluctance to elaborate. He nodded slowly. "He is... intense. Be careful, Rose. I don’t want you getting hurt."

Before she could respond, a sharp, cold voice cut through the air. "What are you two doing?"

Cassius stood at the end of the corridor, his eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Eliot’s hand, which had instinctively reached out towards Rose’s arm.

The possessive aura around him was palpable, a silent warning.

Rose felt her heart flutter, she was scared and excited at the same time. His voice now had a double effect on her, and as he approached her, she realized that might just have missed his presence beside her.

"What are you doing with my slave, Athan?" Cassius stopped beside Rose, his arm drawing Rose to his side possessively.

Rose bit her lips as she felt the tension between the brothers, "He wasn’t doing anything -"

"I didn’t say you could speak yet," He bit out, his steel eyes warning her to be quiet.

Rose slowly removed her face from him, embarrassed.

Eliot sighed, "Cassius, you don’t have to treat the poor girl like this; if you have a problem with me, I’m right in front of you, you don’t have to take it out on her," He spoke quietly.

Cassius smiled, "She’s my slave, Athan; I will treat her however I please," He replied coldly.

Eliot chuckled, "A slave? Then you shouldn’t worry if your elder brother speaks to your slave unless there’s something more, brother. Is she starting to warm your cold heart, brother?"

"Eliot," Rose called, shaking her head.

"Don’t be ridiculous," Cassius’ expression turned angry.

Eliot smiled; he had said it to see his brother’s reaction and he wasn’t disappointed. Cassius wasn’t capable of love, whatever he felt for Rose was pure possessiveness and nothing more.

"That was ridiculous indeed, brother. Forgive my jesting. Rose, I apologize," He reached out his hand to touch her but Cassius blocked her with his body.

Eliot paused, shaking his head, "You have to let her go someday, brother. She doesn’t belong here; her world can never be joined with ours, you know this. I’m never going to hide the fact that I’m in love with Rose, it doesn’t matter what you have with her, at the end of the day, I’ll be waiting to take her home and heal all the scars you’ve given her," He spoke clearly and tapped Cassius’s shoulder.

"I have come to speak to you about something, Cassius, I’ll be in your study," Eliot gave Rose one last gentle look and walked away from them.

Cassius slowly turned to face e Rose, his face unreadable, his eyes swirling with a mix of emotions as he pinned Rose with a steady stare.

Rose licked her dry lips, plastering her back to the wall. What was Eliot doing? Didn’t he realize he was causing more problems for her confessing his love so openly in front of a possessive vampire?

"You heard him?" He questioned with narrowed eyes.

Rose slowly nodded, "I did." She blinked up at him.

Cassius hissed, causing Rose to move further away from him.

His hand found her waist, drawing her flush against him, "And what do you have to say?" He whispered.

"Are you also waiting for when you’d be free from me so you can run into his arms?" His voice suddenly had a hint of vulnerability to it.

Rose was surprised to see the change in his eyes; he looked hurt, why would he though?

"I’m not going to lie to you, Master. I do want my freedom. I do want to meet someone I love and who would love me back, someone I’d be equal to... it was never my choice to be here, to become a slave, your slave. Eliot; I did have feelings for him in the past; I don’t know if I can still find those feelings for him in the future, but right now, I don’t want to have anything to do with a dark creature, I want my life back. I don’t want any of this, I don’t even know why you’re keeping me here," Her heart was racing as she spoke her honest mind, hoping it didn’t get her in trouble.

Cassius frowned; all her words dug right into his cold chest, it hurt him in ways he didn’t know was possible.

His hand gently traced her cheek, and his face leaned closer, "You said you wanted me..." He whispered.

Rose’s heart skipped a beat, "The same way you want me, Master -"

"Cassius," He corrected.

He was starting to feel a certain kind of gap between them each time she called him master, he didn’t want it.

Rose gulped and nodded, "Just the same way you want me, Cassius. Just for pleasure, but that’s all it can ever be between us, we have so much hatred between -"

"Shhh..." He shushed before he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Rose felt a sweet shiver run down her spine, charging her cold body. She felt Cassius trying to deepen their kiss by prying his tongue into her mouth but she moved her face away, placing a hand on his chest.

Cassius sighed and placed a hand on the side of her face, "And what if you weren’t my slave?" He asked suddenly.

Rose’s hope arose; this was the first time Cassius ever asked such a liberating question.

She looked into his eyes and replied, "If I wasn’t your slave, I’d go home, Cassius, back to my life," She said.

Cassius gritted his teeth, his thumb pressing her cheek, "Then prepare to be my slave for all eternity. You’re never leaving me, Rose. You’re mine... you belong to me now." He whispered and suddenly vanished from her front.

Rose gasped, surprised at Cassius’ little trick.

What was she thinking? He’d just declare her free and ask her to leave?

"Now that you’re free, come with me, I can feel the urgent need for your powers to be set free," Felonious appeared beside her, startling her again.

"Oh, greetings, Felonious," She greeted.

Felonious nodded, "Follow me, Rose, you’re getting dangerous to us as the day goes by," He said and started walking away.