Page 73 of The Depraved Prince
The entire time I clean myself up, I stare at his bitemarks and scrub them with a loofah, hoping and wishing they would disappear. Then I scrub the one that is a permanent scar on my neck until my skin is raw. But no matter how badly I wash, they’re there. I think it’s time to accept that I’ve become his own personal supply of morphine.
After taking a shower,I realize it’s already past noon. Being kept up late at night is starting to catch up to me. I’m getting closer and closer to staying up all night and sleeping all day like Hayden wants.
As soon as I open the door to Hayden’s room with the skeleton key, two Kingsguards are waiting for me. They escort me down to a luxurious dining room. Red stained glass is everywhere. Showering red rays of the sun at a very long vintage wooden table that looks able to seat about twenty people. There sits a fresh breakfast plate with naturally squeezed and pulped orange juice.
Chilaquiles.
“Um, this is one of my favorite meals. I haven’t had it in forever. How?—”
“Hayden gave us a list of all your favorite meals.” As if the Kingsguard can read my mind, he mumbles behind me with a deadpan look.
Of course, Hayden knows. He knows everything somehow. My stalker turned vampire captor.
I clear my throat as I stare at the meal before me. My mouth waters, and I go for the fried pinto beans first.
My grandmother made this for me growing up when I would spend every weekend with her because I couldn’t stand being around Santiago.
After scarfing down my breakfast, I care for Hayden’s mother’s garden. I water the plants, and the anticipation of watching them bloom pulls at my heart. I don’t know why, but it makes Hayden’s mother happy to have me here…taking care of her plants.
I love peonies.
It’s a few minutes before sundown. I smell the air, and if nature has a scent, this is it. Woods, dirt, the sound of the river flowing, and waterfalls are the white noise I dream about coming to life. Birds are singing, and I close my eyes, enjoying the outdoors. I purposefully take longer outside to enjoy nature. I’ve never been to this part of the country, and it hits me.
I need to travel more.
The sky is dark, full of shades of blue and purple mixed together. The air is fresh, warm, and perfect for a walk.
But that’s a fantasy because as long as I’m here, I will always be a prisoner without freedom.
“Hurry up, Ms. Flores!” Charles barks from the door.
I grimace at his voice. Rolling my eyes, I mimic his commands like a petulant child with an immature mockery of silent words.
Charles is following me everywhere I go. As soon as I enter the Cathedral after watering the plants and caring for the garden, I see Queen Drago.
Hayden’s mom.
“Isn’t she such a delight?” She’s dressed in gothic black garments. A long dress that goes down past her knees as she watches me. I walk in shyly.
“All watered. Should expect to bloom very soon.” I smile, rubbing the leftover dirt from my hand on the sides of my clothes.
“Millie. It’s been a while since…” She chokes up, and I swear I see blackness enter the whites of her eyes like she’s about to cry.
“Since what?” I murmur softly.
“Since my son has smiled—a true pure smile he got from not inflicting pain on others. It’s been a while since something came into this Cathedral that made usallfeel something good. You belong here, Millie.”
I don’t know what to say. It seems to me that they all want to keep me here…except Hayden’s dad. Speak of the devil; he’s down the hall. I peek over Cordelia’s shoulder, and his eyes flash red. It seems to me he’s trying everything he can not to murder me as the ends of his lips tremble from disgust.
This man hates me…
“Cordelia!” He shouts at her with a low growl that bounces off the black walls.
Her smile slowly fades. I stand there awkwardly, and she reaches for me. I tense up as her cold knuckles collide with my cheek.
Is she going to hurt me?
But then she slides her hand up and down, soothingly, like a mother would to her daughter—something my mother has never done. The gesture is unfamiliar but warm.
