From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Elara

1 watch the world outside through the small window of the carriage.

I’d much rather be on horseback, feeling the breeze on my cheeks, the birdsong around me, and the sun kissing my nose. In here, I can’t shake the feeling of being trapped. Luckily, the ride isn’t long, and when I step out, I feel like I can breathe again. I try to retain as many scents as I can..

–

—

The man assigned to watch me -no matter how much Ciro insists he’s here purely for my safety- offers his hand to help me down. I’m not surprised to find myself in front of a huge and flamboyant mansion. The three representatives of the founding families Draven, Amery, and Death- possess great wealth. Their homes, of course, are proof of that

I don’t let the place’s beauty dazzle me and keep walking, very aware of Ciro’s man behind me, Between two majestic columns flanking the entrance of the mansion stands Walter. He’s smiling broadly and bounces on the spot with childlike excitement. When I’m within reach. he grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a tight hug

“I honestly didn’t think they’d let you come,” he says enthusiastically. “Seems Ciro is far more decent than Cassian. Actually, not even Veron would have let me visit you without him.”

Thave something like a bodyguard, I murmur.

Walter glances behind me and curls his lips into something like a wicked smirk.

“You could always find another use for the man. He winks at me. From here, he doesn’t look half bad.”

I haven’t stopped to look at him properly, and his hood doesn’t reveal much anyway, I just know that, had this been with Cassian, he would’ve chosen his ugliest guard. Scratch that he would’ve come himself. When I don’t answer, Walter continues.

“Unless you’re planning to give Ciro Amery a chance?

He raises and lowers his eyebrows playfully, earning a smack on the arm from me

I’m not thinking about that”

“You’re not? No one would blame you for wanting to have a little fun with the man you’ll have to see and serve for the rest of your life.”

Only that, if his word means anything, I won’t spend my life serving him. One month separates me from freedom, though deep down I know that’s wishful thinking. I won’t be free as long as so many threats hang over my head. And more importantly, will Cassian ever see me as an equal?

“Well, let’s go inside.”

He pulls me without warning, and I’m surprised to see Walter greeting all the staff With nods of the head. The truth is, back at Castle Draven, everyone is so afraid they never lift their gaze from their tasks, let alone talk to each other. It’s a castle full of ghosts obeying the will of the villain who rules them.

Of course, I had to go and get attached to him.

“Are there more, aside from you? You know.” I ask as he leads me into a small sitting room where a table and two steaming tea cups

I’m the only feeder for Aeron.”

“Just you? And how do you… I mean, isn’t that exhausting for you? It might even be bad for your health.”

Walter flops into the chair and suppresses a chuckle. He looks out the window into the gardens, eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Not all of them are like Cassian, Fara Aeron only needs to feed once a day, preferably at night, and he doesn’t take much–just enough to quench his thirst without knocking me out.”

Cassian really was starving at my side I never truly fulfilled my duties. He only drank from me a handful of times, and most of those moments had more to do with sex or intimacy than feeding

The memory of us in the library, with him between my legs drinking my blood as i climaxed, makes my cheeks flush.

4:3 PM

Chapter 146

I clear my throat, as if that could erase the vivid image from my mind.

“The other night you mentioned the situation was tense. What did you mean?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation

Walter sighs and lifts the teacup to his lips.

“It’s all a huge mess. When I don’t respond, he continues, ‘See, the Council isn’t happy with Cassian. Tensions have been rising for a while, but I think the loss of the Diluted because of him was the last straw.”

“Because of him?”

“Cassian told the Council there was an attack and he had to defend himself, sending many Diluted to what was practically certain death. Several Purebloods were also injured. Look, Flara, aside from the three founding families, there are smaller houses–some still wealthy, others ruined by time. Many of the ruined ones pledged servitude and have since served as guards for the founding families. Usually, it’s the Diluted who take on those roles, thanks to the armor Arron crafted centuries ago that protects them from sunlight.

Now’s not the time to lose more of them, especially with the rebel Diluted growing in numbers. I’m sure you’ve heard of the reproduction issues they’re facing

“I’ve heard a bit.

Meron’s leading the experiments to create new Purebloods–experiments Cassian has openly opposed many times. All of this has led to widespread discontent. Not to mention how annoyed he is that you’re now Ciro’s feeder. Things are heating up–and that’s an understatement,”

“And what are those experiments about?”

slides

A cold sweat slides down my neck. The threat of what could happen to me if any of them discover what I really am, and what I could mean for their species, hangs over me like the sword of Damocles.

“I don’t really know much. Aeron doesn’t share too many details with me.” He glances at my untouched teacup. They’ve tried altering the genetic makeup of other species, injecting higher amounts of Purelilood DNA into humans or Diluted, but it doesn’t seem to be producing positive results.

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