The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 570. Chalk-white

Chapter 570: 570. Chalk-white

Mauve lay on the bed with her hand across her stomach. She was alone in the room. The windows were open and she could clearly see it was dark outside.

She dragged herself upwards, wondering how long she had been asleep. She didn’t think it was for very long. She felt a little lightheaded and tired even though she just woke up.

She instinctively checked her arm, hoping the pale part she had seen earlier was gone. However, it was too dark to tell for sure.

She dragged herself to the other side of the bed where the bedside table stood and she stretched her arm towards the light sitting atop the table.

Simultaneously, the door opened and Jael walked in. Mauve tried to adjust but it was obvious he had seen her.

"What are you doing?" He asked, his tone was a combination of worry and confusion.

"Just checking my arm," she replied and pulled it closer to her body, hoping he wouldn’t ask to inspect.

"Is something wrong with it?" Jael asked as he got closer.

"Not exactly," she whispered.

"Does it hurt?"

She shook her head, wondering how she could draw his curiosity away from it.

"Let me see," he said and Mauve reluctantly stretched it out to him.

She didn’t want to but she could tell it would only make the situation bigger than she wanted it to be.

Jael took her hand, holding it by the wrist. The cold sensation of his hand on her skin was startling at first but quickly became soothing.

With his palm around her wrist, he sank into the bed. His eyes zoomed in immediately on the white patch.

"This?" He asked, looking up to her face for confirmation.

"Yeah," she whispered.

His forehead creased and he looked back to her arm. He used his finger to trace it. Mauve twitched a little.

He stopped his movements and looked up at her, "Does it hurt?" He asked.

"No," she laughed. "It just tickles when you touch me like that."

He laughed, "Sorry. Do you know what it is?" He asked.

She shook her head, "Mill noticed it while she helped me dress up."

"Would you like me to ask Kieran?" Jael asked.

"No," she whispered, pulling her arm away. "Jean will be here soon, I can wait. Besides, it doesn’t hurt. It might just be the effect of the fever."

Mauve knew she was rambling, she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Jael or herself.

Jael’s frown deepened but he didn’t argue. "Alright," he said, reluctantly letting go of her arm.

He looked up at her face, his gaze intense. He tilted his head a little as he stared.

"What?" She asked, unable to meet his eyes.

"Nothing," he whispered and touched the side of her face. "How’s the headache?"

She leaned into his palm. "Still there," she said with a loud sigh. "And I don’t think it’s going anywhere any time soon."

"Sorry, would you like something to eat?" He asked. "You didn’t eat much before sleeping."

Mauve shook her head, she could just tell that if she tried to eat, she would end up throwing up.

"I don’t think I should eat," she replied.

"Of course you should, if you’re not taking any drugs you should at least eat."

Mauve nodded, "Make it something easy to swallow, like soup or some oats."

"As you wish."

Mauve heard a soft sound and she opened her eyes. It was another night and by the terrible way she felt, she was still as sick as ever.

She looked around and saw Jael getting out of bed. He was dressed, and she figured he wanted to leave the room.

"You’re awake," he whispered and glanced at her.

She nodded but did not attempt to change her position. She didn’t think she had any energy to move.

"How do you feel?" Jael asked.

"Not great," she whispered.

"Can you sit up?" He got back into bed.

"Where were you going?" She asked instead.

"It is almost time for the first meal. I need to speak to the guards before then."

"Oh," she replied. "Is it the special guards that attack Palers?"

"Yeah, Danag isn’t around so I have to check on them. I did put someone in charge for the meantime but I have to address them this morning before they set out."

Mauve nodded, "That’s okay."

"Would you like me to ask the servants to bring anything for you?"

Mauve shook her head, "Maybe later."

"Alright then, I will send in Mill to help you clean up."

"Thanks," she said and watched Jael leave the room.

He wasn’t gone five minutes when the door opened and Mill walked in.

"Did you sleep well?" Mill asked.

Mauve shrugged, "More or less." She lay unmoving on the bed.

Mauve did get a good sleep but if it made no impact on her current state, could she call it a good sleep?

"That’s better than nothing," Mill replied as she walked to the side of the bed.

Mauve wanted to argue that it didn’t and that she was starting to get tired of being sick but she simply nodded.

Mill gently scooped Mauve’s upper body and helped her out of the bed.

"I want to try to walk," Mauve said.

Mill nodded, dropped Mauve to the ground, and patiently guided her to the connecting door even though Mauve walked as slowly as a tortoise.

Mauve got to her room and sat on the edge of her bed, exhausted. She wondered if she should have let Mill carry her after all.

"Let me help you out of your clothes."

Mauve nodded and slightly lifted her bun from the bed as Mill pulled the dress up.

Mill gasped as Mauve’s dress came up. She frowned wondering what was wrong.

"What?" Mauve asked but her gaze was already following Mill’s.

She didn’t need more light to see what the issue was. On her stomach were several patches of chalk-white skin.