The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 278. Obstacles

Chapter 278: 278. Obstacles

Jael got to the front of the castle just as the sun poked out of the horizon even though the sun wasn’t fully out yet, Jael felt it prick his skin and his mind instinctively screamed that he should hide.

The sun wasn’t even over him and he could already feel the heat biting into his skin. It annoyed him how much of an effect the sun had on him.

He would sustain more significant damage if he stayed as long as any other vampire in the sun. He was glad they made it in time, sunburn was nasty to heal from.

"We made it," he heard Danag say as the front doors were thrown open.

"Hmm," Jael grunted but wasted no time rushing up the stairs and through the front doors.

The guards quickly closed the door behind him. Everyone was pretty much aware of how susceptible he was to the slightest sunlight and took imperative care to make sure that nothing was out of place.

"Welcome back, Sire." The guards greeted.

"I was afraid, we would have to dig the ground and hide in it." Erick groaned coming in behind Danag.

However, Jael wasn’t listening to either of them as his gaze was locked with Mauve who stood at the top of the stairs. She was looking at him, her expression neither showed happiness nor sadness.

"Jael," she called and hesitated before walking down the stairs.

He frowned, he was expecting some excitement from her. He took his time as he approached her, stopping at the bottom of the stairs.

She stopped two steps before she got to where he stood and mumbled, "Welcome back."

There was a hint of a smile on her lips but with her head bent, Jael didn’t get a proper view. Not to mention the fact that most of her hair fell forward, hiding her face from him.

He grabbed her arm and tugged she yelped as she fell against his chest. He grabbed her to himself as he steady her on the ground.

She stayed there for a while and then pulled away from him, still refusing to look at his face. "How did the meeting go? I was afraid you wouldn’t make it before sunrise." She said, her usual soft voice was even softer.

Jael grabbed her chin and lifted. Her eyes immediately looked away from him. Jael’s frown deepened and stretched out his hand to tuck her hair to the side.

She grabbed his hand and pulled back. "You didn’t answer my question. How did the meeting go?" She asked again.

Jael shrugged, "As expected neither good nor bad," he replied.

"That doesn’t sound very good," she mumbled with a soft frown. Jael could only see one part as the other was covered. Was she hiding her face?

"It’s better than outrightly bad," he mentioned and took a step forward. Jael noticed Mauve slowly take a step back. She kept her gaze straight.

"True," she chuckled.

"Did something happen?" He asked.

She slowly shook her head, "No, why?"

"Well, for starters..." he dragged out and closed the gap. Mauve jumped slightly and tried to move backward. "Stop moving away from me."

Left with no other, she placed her face on his chest.

"Are you hiding something from me?" He asked, annoyed.

"Nope, it’s not what you think."

"Is that so? Then you should be able to look me in the eye then." He replied and tried to pull her from his chest.

"Promise, you won’t be angry." She mumbled into his chest as she grabbed him tightly, refusing to let go.

Jael’s frown deepened some more as several thoughts ran through his mind.

"I won’t," he said without hesitation even though it was partially a lie. "Out with it."

She slowly pulled away from him and tucked her hair. Jael’s eyes opened in horror. There was a graze on the side of her forehead. It didn’t look deep but with how red it was, it must have bleed substantially.

"What happened?" Jael asked, his voice falling several tones.

"I tripped", she pouted. Her hands fell to her side as she looked at her feet.

"Where?" He asked, his gaze darkening.

Her eyes darted around for a second, "On the stairs." Her hands gripped her dress and held.

"Where was Mill when it happened?" He took a step closer, but she didn’t back away instead she lifted her head to look at him.

Mauve immediately looked panicky, she quickly let go of her dress and waved her hands in front of her. "This isn’t her fault. It’s all mine, she was telling me to be careful and I wouldn’t listen to her. I tried running out of her grip and then I fell." She rushed out.

Jael took another step closer, "Why then did you think I would be angry?" He asked.

"Because if I had just followed Mill’s request, this wouldn’t have happened."

"I see," Jael said softly and touched her forehead. She felt warm against his palm and compared to the sun, it didn’t hurt when her warmth was pressed against him.

"I’m sorry," she mumbled.

"It’s fine, I am glad you’re alright." He didn’t see the reason why she should apologize. "Did it hurt?" He asked as he carefully rubbed his thumb over the surface of the graze.

She winced slightly, "Not so much, and Mill helped me stop the bleeding."

"I leave you for a few hours and you end up like this," he replied with his hand still on her forehead.

She pouted and let him touch her. "I don’t think it would take too long to heal and since it isn’t so deep, the scars should disappear on time."

Jael nodded absentmindedly, "Just how fragile are you that you’ll try over some stairs."

"Anybody can trip," she retorted. "And I’m not fragile."

"I have never tripped," Jael announced, boldly.

Mauve gasped, "That’s impossible. You must have tripped at least once."

"Nope," he replied and his hand moved to her right cheek. "Because, unlike you, I look before I walk."

"I do too," she responded glaring at him.

"That’s even worse either three is something wrong with your vision on you need constant care because you can seem to walk properly."

"I can walk just fine..." she started to say.

"Sire," Danag called out, interrupting.

Jael slowly turned to look at him, his annoyance unhidden. "What?"

"I thought we would have a brief meeting about the special unit before your retire for the night."

Jael groaned, "I understand your enthusiasm Danag but I’d rather not hold another meeting right now. Unlike you, I am exhausted and would like to get some rest. I have had my fair share of meetings today, would you agree?"

"Yes, Sire." Danag reluctantly nodded.

"Good, I am sure it can wait until sundown."

"Yes it can, Sire."

Jael smirked, "I am glad we are on the same page Danag, or better still. You lot can have a meeting and give me feedback by sundown." Jael grabbed Mauve’s wrist and led her up the stairs.

"Tell Herbert to prepare me a hot meal and I’d like to have my bath now."

"Yes, Sire. They both said in unison.

Mauve didn’t know what to say as Jael pulled her up the stairs, from the air around Danag, she could tell something had happened. However, it was hard to get a read on Jael.

He had seemed like he was in a terrible mood when he first came in but now, he seemed in happier spirits.

As much as she wanted to know what happened in the meeting she knew it was better not to bring it up again. Besides, she was just glad he wasn’t angry.

It had been hard to lie and she was afraid she would slip up and mention that it had happened outside but somehow she had been able to pull through.

He also didn’t seem angry with Mill which was good on her end but she could tell something wasn’t right. Something he most likely wouldn’t tell her about.

They got to the top of the stairs and his grip on her wrist tightened, not in an uncomfortable way. He pulled her closer and she had no choice but to lean on him.

He walked past her room and didn’t stop until he got to the door of his room. pushed open the door and walked inside.

The room was dark, it hasn’t been occupied all day. She could smell, some perfume and wax but nothing else. The darkness was distracting.

He walked in without hesitation while Mauve’s steps slowed, she could see a thing, it was hard to plunge in even though he was holding her hand.

"I got you," he said. "I will tell a servant to bring some light soon."

She nodded and walked in with him. Mauve instinctively stretched out her hand in front of her, afraid she might bump into something.

Suddenly, she was lifted off the floor and she yelped. Jael had carried her across his hands. "This way, we’ll run into the obstacles together."