The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 121. Scared of Ants

Chapter 121: 121. Scared of Ants

"Mauve," he called gently. "Can you ride a horse?"

She immediately looked away, her face growing hot. "No," she mumbled. She has never ridden one.

"Have you ever been on a horse before?"

She shook her head. She never had any reason to. After she came to the castle with her mother, she never left it. They had walked to the castle, it had taken almost three days with her sick mother.

"Pray, tell me why you assume we would be using horses if you cannot ride?"

"I-I..." she started to say but immediately lost track of what she was saying as Jael closed the gap between them.

"I can’t hear you, Mauve." He was bearing down at her as he spoke, it made her slightly uneasy.

She used her free hand to adjust the scarf on her neck even though there was no need to do that. She cleared her throat as she tried to force the words out. "I thought I would maybe ride with someone."

"Someone?" He asked even though he could hear her clearly.

She nodded.

"Well, you are in luck. You get to ride with someone or should I say ride someone?" She could hear the amusement in his voice.

Mauve felt herself reddened at this point and her eyes darted around. None of the people around paid them any mind and Jael was close enough that she hoped his words could not be heard.

She slowly raised her head, "What does that mean?"

"Would you like to be carried on my back?" He asked instead. "Or would you prefer to be held in my arms or perhaps tossed across my shoulders?"

Mauve blinked rapidly as her eyes tried to keep up with his words. "You are carrying me all the way there?" She asked in horror.

"I believe I just said that."

Mauve instinctively took a step back, "I am sure a horse would do fine," she chuckled awkwardly.

"There is no horse, Mauve. This is the only mode of transport."

Mauve felt all her blood go to her head, if this was true why was she just finding out? Out of everything he told her, he had not thought to add that he would be carrying her for the entire trip.

She did not know how to feel about this. Besides, she was certain that even if she knew how to ride a horse it wouldn’t change this outcome, Jael looked pretty determined.

However, she was not giving up either, no way was she going to let him carry her like a little child. She knew she did not weigh that much but she was sure she had enough weight to slow him down.

"Only?" She felt annoyed. The amusement in his voice was starting to piss her off. "A carriage brought me here?" She blurted out.

"The road is steep and rocky. It won’t allow for a carriage ride."

"I’m sure there is another way to go about this," Mauve said and took a step back.

Jael closed the gap immediately, "Which is?"

"I don’t know. Maybe..." Mauve started to say but was immediately interrupted.

"Jael, we have to..." The words died on Jevera’s lips as Jael suddenly turned in her direction with a look that would frighten anyone.

His face relaxed immediately and he turned to look at Mauve, "I suppose we should get going."

The words were barely out of his lips when he swooped her into his arms. Mauve squealed and closed her eyes.

"Hold me as tight as you can," he said.

Mauve’s eyes flew open and she quickly wrapped her hand around his neck. He was looking down at her. His blue eyes looked darker in the night light.

"Are you ready?" He asked her.

She nodded but decided that it might not be enough of a reply. "Yes."

She didn’t like the idea of being carried the entire way of the trip but it was obvious now that her say in the matter was not going to make any difference and this was the mode of transportation Jael had decided for her.

She felt him leap off the ground and Mauve’s heart began to race. She closed her eyes tightly.

"Scared?" She heard him ask.

"Yes, she replied, still keeping her eyes closed."

"I find it a bit insulting that you think I will drop you."

"I don’t think you will drop me. I am just scared." She blurted out without hesitation.

"Hmm," he said.

Mauve could not say anything in reply as he was moving faster and all she could do was hold onto him tightly as she hid her face in his chest.

Mauve closed her eyes tightly, the last time she had opened her eyes, she had seen him jump from one tree to another tree. She did not need the visual, the sound was already more than enough.

She would pick the bumpy carriage ride over this any freaking day. She also thought the horse ride would have been a lot better than this. Next time she will ask more questions and learn how to ride a horse to avoid situations like this.

She did not know how long they have been running but it has been a while now. She felt slightly dizzy. It didn’t help with the way her stomach churned every time he landed.

She opened her eyes a little and all she could see were trees. She saw a mountain at some point but his fast movement didn’t exactly make it easy for her to see her surroundings.

Suddenly, he stopped and Mauve opened her eyes. "What happened?" she asked.

The sky was bright above her and she noticed there were trees all around her and trees were spaced enough to let the moonlight into the forest. She could see a little but her view was not exactly reliable right now.

"I figured you might need some time to rest." He said. "Can you stand?"

She nodded and slowly let go of his neck. He gently dropped her to the ground and Mauve staggered a little. He steadied her.

"I thought you said you could stand."

"I can!" She angrily replied. She let go of his hand and fell to the ground on purpose.

"Mauve," he called trying to catch her but she tugged downwards trying to pull him down.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Trying to pull you down."

"Ah, I see. You think you can?" He asked.

"Whatever," she said and let go of his hand.

"Hmm," he said. There was a slight pause before a creepy smile appeared on his face. "Aren’t you worried about ants?" He whispered.

Mauve jumped so hard she nearly injured herself while landing but Jael caught her. She didn’t pay attention to this as she vigorously wiped her behind as if her life depended on it.

"I was only making a joke. There are no ants, I promise."

"Are you sure?" She asked. There was water in her eyes as she clung to him.

"I am sure."

She looked down at the ground. She hadn’t even thought about ants as she sat down. She had heard the crunch of the leaves as Jael stopped and had looked down to see the stack of leaves, she had assumed it was safe.

Mauve’s brow furrowed, something wasn’t right. She gasped, "You know about the ant incident."

"Damon might have mentioned it during his report."

"How is that even necessary? I can’t believe you will use that against me. My rear was sore for more than a day."

"I did not know this."

"Wow! The great reporter Damon didn’t think to add this part and it still doesn’t make your joke less cruel."

She jumped and stared at the ground. She would have sworn something was climbing up her legs which wouldn’t have been possible for her to feel because she has boots on.

"There is nothing there," he mumbled.

"Easy for you to say. I can’t see past my hands." She could but there was no way she would be able to spot any ants in this light.

"Well, you have nothing to worry about."

She sneered at him, "I don’t trust you."

Jael’s face fell and she visibly saw him grow cold. Mauve almost face-palmed herself. Was he serious?

"I see," he said and he let go of her hand.

"Sire," Damon’s voice suddenly called.

Mauve jerked, she didn’t hear him until he spoke. "Did something happen?" He sounded concerned.

"No," Jael said immediately. "You both shouldn’t have come back for me."

"Well, you just stopped without saying anything." Lady Jevera muttered.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked sternly.

Mauve resisted the urge to roll her eyes, she could not believe he was acting as though she did something wrong.

"Yes," she said and looked away.

He picked her up and she yelped. "Hold tight."

You don’t have to tell me! She yelled in her head but she knew better than to say it out loud.