Page 56 of Lycan King's Captives
And now, here we are, standing in my old bedroom—a small, sparsely furnished room that had once been a storeroom before I had moved back in here, and now it’s Sienna’s.
Sienna watches from the corner, her eyes wide, her face reflecting an array of questions I’m not willing to answer. Not now. Not when we are on the brink of something that could break us or bind us forever.
Once the room clears, I turn to Sienna. Her presence is a calming balm to my restless soul. I help Sienna with the TV, hooking it up to the Wi-Fi and handing her the remote. Once I see she has mastered it, I lay on the bed, pulling her with me. “You need to remember, Sienna, no back talk, no getting in her way, not a word to upset her. Just try to go unnoticed,” I instruct, my tone clipped. The rules seem harsh, but I know my mother. And I know what Sienna must do to survive in my absence.
In the middle of our conversation, a knock interrupts us. My attention is drawn toward the door, which I open to find Carina standing on the other side. She says nothing, her gaze fixed on the corridor. As she and I leave the room and the castle, I’m filled with a sense of worry I try hard to suppress.
Reaching the stairs, I see Javier waiting at the top. I grab his arm, holding him back as Carina strides ahead, pulling my phone from my pocket. I send the photo of the phone number I took to his phone. His phone bings and he pulls it from his pocket. “Look into this number for me. And keep an eye on Sienna,” I demand, holding up the spare key to her bedroom. His nod of understanding doesn’t completely soothe my concerns. “My mother’s promised to do the same.” I add, my voice lower, grimmer. “Don’t leave her alone with my mother; you are to remain with Sienna at all times well, except the bedroom, but?—”
“I’ll sleep in the hall, got it,” Javier tells me, If I trusted anyone else, I wouldn’t put this all on him, however, Javier is the only one I know who would keep her safe even against my mother. Nodding, I stride out to the car and climb in.
Carina’s excited chatter is the soundtrack to the drive, her voice a relentless wave of words and mocking laughter. I tune her out as much as I can, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Sienna. I grunt occasionally, nodding to show I’m listening. The truth is, I can’t wait to get back to Sienna and away from her incessant voice. She is like an annoying chihuahua, constantly yapping with all her falseness; it is sickening.
We arrive at the castle as the sun begins to dip in the sky. It’s an imposing structure, centuries old, complete with towering turrets and sprawling gardens.
The castle is decorated in rich, deep colors of reds and black. It looks exactly what one would picture from the outside, what a vampire’s crypt is expected to look like. However, inside the place is vastly different. The floors are a polished honey oak, and nearly as old as the castle itself. Situated in a vast valley with mountains to surround it, the castle is both a fortress and a monument.
As we step inside Carina’s parents’ castle, Queen Anita’s words echo in my ears. “Rehan tells me you two are trying for a baby,” she coos. Anita leads us through the corridors. The long hall is lined with heavy oak doors and hung with drapes of red velvet. Her words replay in my mind until we are seated in the huge dining hall. The news throws me off, even more so when Carina eagerly pitches in, describing the nursery and her plans. My mind reels at the implication, the thought of touching Carina far from appealing.
Dinner is halfway through when Javier’s call comes. Everyone at the table looks at me and Carina kicks me under the table. I glare at her and turn my head into her father. “If you’ll excuse me,” I say, not waiting for an answer, heading to a corner of the room for some privacy.
“Javier,” I answer.
“The number belongs to Toby Donovan,” Javier reports, his voice steady and neutral. A surge of fury rises within me, the name bringing a wave of anger rushing through me. I fucking knew it. “I’ll handle it when I get back,” I growl, before instructing Javier to ramp up Sienna’s security in my absence.
As I end the call, I take a moment to glance back at the dinner table. Its lively atmosphere is a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me. Walking back to the table, I retake my seat.
I hardly hear any of the conversation. It feels like I’ve gone into autopilot mode. My mind is stuck on what her words mean. Is she going to try to run off with him?
“Xandros?” Carina’s voice pulls me from my head, her hands trailing up my thighs. I glance around, finding I am in her room. I don’t even remember walking here or remember her showering. I peer down at her where she kneels between my legs, her fingers pulling at my belt. I stand abruptly. “What are you doing?” I snap at her.
Her touch I find repulsive along with her scent.
Carina stands and steps closer to me, her hands coming up to rest on my chest.
She looks up at me from where she kneels before me, her lingerie obscenely see-through. Her nipples peeking out of the lace fabric. I avert my gaze; she is not Sienna.
“Xandros,” she whispers, my name sounding like a purr on her lips.
I take a deep breath as I calmly take her wrists in my hands and push them away from me, stepping back from her advances. “No,” I say firmly. “I cannot be with you.” I urge her to understand. Carina is not a rational woman at the best of times.
“No, Carina,” I say firmly, pushing at her shoulders.
“You haven’t touched me since she came along, at least try to make this marriage work,” she says pleadingly.
I shake my head, regretting the guilt that rises in me for hurting her as much as I do. “That’s the thing, Carina, I don’t want it to work, I don’t want you. Still you keep trying to force my hand,” I snap at her.
Carina takes a step back and looks away, her eyes brimming with tears. I realize how cold and callous my words sound and I sigh, taking a moment to regain control of my temper before sitting back down on the edge of the bed. The moment I do, she is crawling in my lap. Her bare skin against mine is like acid.
I try to push her off, when she entwines her arms around my neck. I can feel the discomfort in my chest and can’t help feeling angry at myself for ever giving her a chance. It was never going to work.
She kisses me, her lips moving in desperation against mine. I try to pull away, and she deepens the kiss, her hands roaming my body. This is not what I want, not what I need. My mind is consumed with thoughts of Sienna and the safety she needs. I have to focus on her, keep my mind clear and sharp for the task at hand.
“Carina, please,” I say softly, “I can’t do this.”
But then I think of Sienna, and my anger rises once more, pushing Carina away from me with a force that leaves her on the floor. She stares up at me with hurt in her eyes, and I know I’ve made things worse between us.
I can see the glint of anger behind her teary eyes. Likewise, she stands too, facing me.
