Right before dawn we landed in a much larger garden than what the Sanctuary had. It was filled with a variety of flowers from red roses to the rarest flower in the world, a Middlemist's red camellia. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing, it had to be a hardship to be able to have found it and put this flower in your very own garden. Glancing away from the flower, a very large castle stood tall to house King Warrick. The high towers were littered with vines and guards patrolled the rooftops as if we were back in medieval times. The castle itself, though slightly ominous, was very beautiful and it had to have been brought to life from a fairy tale.

Apparently my soft snicker didn’t go by unnoticed by the King himself. “What are you laughing at, Raven?”

My spine stiffened in response. I hadn’t realized how close he’d gotten to me. I’d slipped up and allowed him into my personal space, to which I remedied rather quickly. I stepped away to turn to face him fully.

“I just thought of how fairytale-like this castle was and it had to have come from a book.” I shrugged and decided to continue looking at the variety of flowers surrounding me.

“I see. Have you ever seen some of these flowers before?” He asked me. Why would the King care about whether or not I saw flowers before? Oh. Right, he’s trying to get to know me better.

I pursed my lips as I faced him again. “You’ve only told me your name, I know nothing else but that you are a King. Which I’m sure you’ll explain to me what all of this means for me. I am here to learn about what I am, yes?” I crossed my arms against my chest and tilted my head in question.

King Warrick took a few steps closer to me, enough to make me question myself about questioning a King, let alone a vampire King.

“You're very curious and not very trusting when it comes to people who are not a part of the Sanctuary, aren’t you, little dove? I was asking because I wanted to know more about you but I suppose it could wait. We’ll have enough time for that since we will live for eternity.” He shrugged before walking around me and touching one of the flowers behind me. I frowned at his nickname but refused to call him out on it and turned to follow his movements. “You’ll learn more about me as the nights pass as well. Things like this take time and I have plenty of it. However, I did notice you ogling one of the rarest flowers in the world and I’m sure you were curious as to how I’d managed to get it for my own personal garden, am I right?” He glanced over at me with a smirk.

“Well, yes actually.” I quietly said and raised an eyebrow in hopes of finding out.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you and I would rather not have to do that. I know, I know. How cliche. It’s the truth though. How about we tuck you in and call an end to the night, shall we?” He held out his hand for me to take and I stared at it for a long moment before deciding to give in.

Once my hand touched his, a gentle warmth bled through my hand and followed each nerve ending until my entire body was burning but this time it wasn’t as bad as the first time we touched. It was almost pleasurable and that embarrassed me to the point I could feel a light blush forming up my neck and into my cheeks.

“Sweetheart, your blush is enticing. I wish to know what you’re thinking right now but I won’t push it. Come. Let me show you to your room and I’ll let you rest after the long day you’ve had.” He pulled me closer and curled my arm through his, resting my hand on his forearm and started walking towards the large doorway that led into the back of the castle from the gardens. He gently took my bag from me and carried it.

He kept his hand on mine the entire walk to my room. I didn’t really focus on anything but the feel of his hand on mine and the dark red hue of the carpets as we walked along them.

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King Warrick stopped in front of a large pine wood door and opened it for me. I carefully stepped away from him and took the scene in front of me. I could not believe what I was seeing.

The room had a large canopy bed that matched the color of the door, the woodwork across the headboard was magnificent. Intricate gold patterns ordained the wood to showcase the beauty of it. The wood carving was of a large mountain with a forest and a river beneath it. The entire room was lit by the fireplace and the banister was littered with gold along the delicate piece.

“I don’t think I could change a thing in this room.” I whispered in awe.

The walls were painted a light gray and the linens as well as the curtains were white. It seemed like he painted me as innocent just with how this room was decorated.

“When did you decorate this room? I can’t be the only one who’s stayed in this room.” I turned to face him, the shock still evident on my face.

He grinned at me with a hint of fang. “No one has slept in this room and they decorated it when I heard they’d found you. I had hoped you’d come to live here so you could learn more about yourself.”

“You did this for me? Why?” I frowned.

“You’re special, Raven. Even if you don’t see it.” He leaned against the door frame.

“Oh I see. Thank you for carrying this for me.” I carefully took the bag from him and nodded. I couldn’t trust myself to say anything more.

The duffel hung from my hands in front of my legs when the King stepped up to me and caressed my cheek with his thumb.

“You don’t have to thank me, Raven. Trust that I will take care of your needs in the best way I can. Goodnight.” He dipped his head and headed out the door but right before he closed it he said, “Raven, call me Warrick, please.” And shut the door behind him.

I let out a long sigh, relaxing now that I was alone. Going to bed was long overdue so I dropped my bag beside the bed and plopped down onto the soft mattress, burying myself beneath the covers and was fast asleep before I knew it.

****

Knock. Knock. I sat up quickly with my hair still haphazardly in my braid from last night that it was almost choking me. Unwrapping it from around my neck, I slid off the bed and opened the door to find a maid? I frowned.

“Good morning! I’m here to get you ready for your day. King Warrick is still sleeping since it’s daylight out and he won’t wake up until just before dusk. I was told to come fetch you for some breakfast and get you prepared. Oh! I already said that, didn't I? My apologies, miss.” She swiftly entered my room and rummaged through the closet, pulling out a long sleeved dark blue dress. It didn’t look like it would fit me because it was so thin looking around the waist.

She suddenly stopped and faced me. “Again, I apologize. My name is Frita and I will be your ladies maid. I will care for your preparation of a bath, your clothes, and your hair also. So whenever you need something just let me know and I will handle it.” She turned back around and went to find me another pair of shoes.

“Frita, I have my flats so there’s no need -” , I started when she quietly interrupted me.

“My lady, I must prepare the shoes as well as the outfit for you. If you like flats, I will find you a comfortable pair that matches the dress. If that’s alright.” She said rather quickly.

“Of course, I’m sorry. I’ve usually been the one to get myself ready first thing in the morning.” I sat down on the bed and waited, fiddling with my dress and getting the lint off of it. I couldn’t believe I fell asleep in my dress that I wore yesterday. I usually get ready for bed before actually going to bed. I must look frightful this morning.

“No need to apologize, my lady. This is what I’m here for.” She smiled at me and went about her task of getting me prepared to have breakfast. I took a bath and my hair had been pulled into a braid and into a flawless bun at the back of my head. The dress she picked out for me was a form fitting one where it flaunted my curves in all the right places. I wasn’t used to wearing dresses like this, mostly loose fitting ones. The sleeves were long and comfortable, it wasn’t skin tight like the dress around my midriff was, but it’s fine. The length was just how I liked it, down to my ankles and surprisingly it was very comfortable. The skirt around my legs had more flow and swished when I spun. I held back my smile because it was probably inappropriate to even twirl like that.

“Come, my lady. Let’s go gather your breakfast.” Frita said quietly and she walked briskly out the door. I followed behind her after shutting my door.