The Vampire King's Hybrid Mate

Chapter 7 - Deal

I paced around the room, waiting for him to return from his clan 'meeting'. He was going to ask his revenants, whether they were willing to help me or not. I had made a mental note, that if they were to refuse, I'd make sure to become their Queen and make them all suffer for it.

I heard his footsteps in the hallway, and I rushed to open the door, my eyes full of hope. He stepped inside, and I backed away to give him space, as he gently closed it behind him.

"So? What did they say?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

I was certain he could hear my hammering heart as he leaned back against the door.

"They're... confused." He chose his words carefully. "They do not know why they should help."

"What?" I felt my heart sink. "You... You didn't explain it to them?"

"I did. They're unsure of you."

"What do you mean they're unsure of me?"

"To them, you're just a random girl their King brought to the castle. Technically, you're not their Queen, and you're from a werewolf pack, asking them to help find a werewolf pack. They have no interest in helping." He shrugged.

I lowered my gaze. "So I'm on my own?"

"Yes. Unless..." He trailed off.

"Unless?" I asked, glancing at him again.

He pushed off the door, taking a small step closer to me. "Unless we get married. That will make you their Queen, and they'll do anything for you. Eros was the one who suggested it."

My mouth hung open.

"Are you shitting me right now? Why do I have to get married to you for that? Can't you just tell them that I'm your--" I stopped myself before the word could leave my mouth.

His eyes twinkled with amusement, and he raised his eyebrows in question. "You're my?"

I gulped, before clearing my throat. "I'm not even eighteen yet. How can I get married to you?"

"You'll be turning eighteen pretty soon. And you think your age matters to them, my Love? There is no concept of age in revenants. We stop aging when we turn. No one even knows how old they are, and honestly, even I'm not certain that I'm really twenty."

I pursed my lips, an uneasiness spreading in my chest. No, this was out of question. I was not giving him myself so easily. What kind of a stupid condition was that? "You're their King, Draco," I said through a clenched jaw, "pull some strings."

"I may be their King, but there are rules even I cannot break."

"So this was your plan," I muttered, glaring at him. "This is how you want to bound me to yourself forever? By blackmailing me, presenting me with impossible choices?"

"I don't need to do that," he stated, looking at me with distaste. "You're already bound to me. Don't forget, we're mates."

"Then tell your stupid revenants that and convince them to help me."

"This isn't how mates work in our world, Imara. The wedding ritual is important. It has to be official."

"What's... What's gonna happen if we go through with it?" I asked softly.

"Nothing," he replied. "You'll just become my Queen. There won't be any physical changes, if that's what you mean. Those only happen if I mark you, and I won't, until you tell me to."

I let out a shaky breath, uncertainty clouding my mind.

Draco clicked his tongue, moving closer to me. "Don't think so much. Why can't you just trust me, Imara? I won't touch you until you're eighteen, I promise. I cannot ask my clan to fight for a werewolf pack. Not until you're my wife, not until you're their Queen."

I clenched my jaw, my eyes narrowing at him. "You cannot? Or you just don't want to?"

A chuckle escaped his lips, his pointed canines almost shining under the light. He looked to the side, before meeting my gaze again. Draco stepped closer to me, and I backed into the wall, a small gasp leaving my lips at his sudden change in demeanor. His hand rested on the wall beside my head, and he leaned in, his eyes slowly turning a deep crimson. I gulped, a shiver running down my spine as his gaze held mine captive.

"Maybe," he whispered, his hungry eyes flickering down to my lips.

"May--maybe what?" I muttered, finding it hard to breathe as my heart pounded in my chest.

"Maybe..." he trailed off again, leaning in until his warm breath traced over my lips, and his closeness littered my skin with goosebumps. "Maybe I just don't want to."

I let out a shaky breath, closing my eyes shut as sparks erupted through my skin. He was not yet touching me, but the proximity of his body to mine was enough to stir me up. His index finger traced over my cheek, and I shivered against his touch, opening my eyes. He was closer than I remembered, and my heart raged wilder, my teeth digging into my lower lip.

"We are getting married, Imara," he whispered, leaning in to my ear. "You will be my wife, because there is no other way to protect you, or to find your family. It has to happen anyway, sooner or later, so you decide when. I will make you very happy I promise. Emotionally, and physically. Your body yearns for me just as mine longs for you, and every, wildest fantasy of yours, I will make true. All you have to do, is trust me, and give in to your instincts." His placed his hand on my waist, and I froze. "But I won't do anything until you beg me to."

"I... I can't trust you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don't know how to, not after the things you've done."

"Then trust yourself, my Little Dove," he replied, gently cupping my cheek. "Your heart will tell you what it wants, just listen to it. I will be waiting for your answer. If it's a yes, the wedding will take place tomorrow morning, and by nightfall, all of my strongest warriors will be at your disposal." He pressed a kiss to my forehead, before walking off, leaving me shaking with electricity running through my body. It was the first time I felt those sparks so properly, and I placed a hand on my heart, hoping to calm it down.

What do I do?

- - - -

I bit my lip, fidgeting with my hands as I stood outside his door. I had made up my mind. It had already been decided. Yet I couldn't bring myself to knock, or to call out to him.

"Do you need me to knock, Miss King?" The grey eyed revenant asked me.

"No, thank you," I replied, before taking a deep breath. I stepped forward, before raising my fist to the door, when I decided to screw it. I pushed it open and walked inside unannounced, the doors closing behind me automatically. Draco had his back to me, and he was standing near his bed, looking out the window. He didn't acknowledge my presence, and once again, I felt my confidence subsiding.

No, I could not allow that to happen.

I cleared my throat loudly, hoping to gain his attention.

"Have you made up your mind?" he asked after a short moment, not bothering to turn to me.

"I have," I stated, my voice loud and clear.

"And what's your decision?" He turned around, and leaned against the window, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"I... I'm ready to marry you," I muttered, my voice failing me.

"What was that?" He raised his eyebrows. "Didn't hear you."

Now that was a lie. I knew he had heard me loud and clear. The man enjoyed toying with me. Jerk.

"I said I'm ready to marry you," I said again, louder this time.

"Your heart beat is too loud, I can't hear your words over it. Can you come closer and say that again?" I could see the mischief in his eyes even at that distance.

But I wasn't falling for his stupid traps.

"Well, that's too bad," I said sarcastically, smiling at him. "I guess I'll have to change my mind then." I turned around to leave, and in a second, he was in front of me.

"You're not changing your mind," he said, his tone commanding.

It was my turn to cross my arms now, as I smiled up at him. "Why? I thought you didn't even hear me."

"Alright, I'm sorry," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "I heard you the first time. I heard you even before you spoke."

"Good." I smiled smugly.

He smiled back, his gaze turning gentle. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For deciding to trust me."

I let out a chuckle, shaking my head. "Yeah, nope. I don't trust you one bit. Which is why I'm marrying you on my conditions."

His face fell. "Conditions?"

"There are multiple."

"Begin." He shrugged.

"One, I'm not sharing a bed with you."

"I won't let you sleep on the floor."

"I won't."

"I'm not sleeping on the floor either."

"Why would you? We'll have our separate beds, and our separate rooms."

"Yeah, no," he chuckled. "That's not possible. It is imperative for us to share a room, and we can't have two beds. The clan cannot find out that this is a marriage of convenience."

"Oh trust me, it isn't convenient at all," I said bitterly.

"I'm aware. But that condition is impossible. What's next?"

"No next. I'm not moving on until you agree to it," I stated.

"May as well not get married. You're free to leave. Bye." He walked past me, and I gaped, turning around to glare at him.

"Are you serious right now?"

"Yes," he replied, plopping down on his bed. "You're the one who needs this marriage. Not me. Stop making stupid demands."

"This isn't stupid!" I exclaimed. "I can't live in the same room as you."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't trust you."

"What do you think I'm going to do you, Imara? You think I'll take advantage of you when you're asleep? You think I do not know that you can fight me off? Even if you couldn't, and I wanted to force myself onto you, I could've tried to while you were awake. Why would I wait for you to fall asleep?"

"I don't care. I'm not sharing a bed with you."

He raised an eyebrow, standing up again, and stepped closer to me. "Is it me, who you don't trust, or yourself?"

I frowned. "What?"

"Tell me the truth, Love. Are you just afraid you'll end up giving in to your heart's desires, if I'm sleeping beside you?"

My stomach flipped, but I clenched my jaw, staring at him incredulously. "For a man trying to win me over, you're a real jerk, you know that?"

"Thanks. I've been called worse." He smiled.

"I'm sure you have," I snapped, before taking a deep breath. Calm down, Imara. He's right. You need it, not him. "Alright, your argument makes sense. I'm strong enough to rip your head off if the need be, and I'm certainly not afraid of giving in to any 'desires', because I don't feel any. We... We can share a bed."

His lips curled into a grin.

"But," I said loudly, causing his stupid smile to falter, "you touch me inappropriately even once, I'll leave. And I'll never come back, even if that kills me."

"Deal," he said instantly, pushing his hands into his pockets. "You don't even have to say that. I already told you I won't touch you."

"I have one more condition."

"What's that?"

"You'll let me leave as soon as I find my pack."

The air filled with tension almost instantly. His eyebrows furrowed, and his face fell.

"You want time to think it over?" I asked, sensing his hesitation.

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "It will be tough for me, Imara. I'll get used to your presence, I'll get used to waking up beside you..." His voice trailed off as he stepped closer to me. I could see the desperation in his eyes, and I almost felt guilty for it. A part of me wanted to comfort him, but the more reasonable part of me kept me still in my spot.

"I need your promise, Draco," I said softly. "That neither you, nor your clan will try to stop me from leaving. Can I have your word on that? I'm not staying here for my entire life. Think it over and let me know."

I turned to leave, but he stepped forward and took my wrist. I faced him again, ignoring the fluttering of my heart as his scent filled my nose.

"You have my word," he promised. "But I have a condition of my own."

"What is it?"

"You will try to look past our differences in this short time, and try not to hate me."

I blinked. "I don't... hate you."

"You don't?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I strongly dislike you, but hate is too harsh."

He chuckled, shaking his head at me. "Then you'll try not to strongly dislike me. Deal?"

Hmm. That would be better for both of us.

"Deal." For the first time, I gave him a genuine smile.

He smiled back, his thumb gently caressing the back of my hand. We stared at each for a short moment, before I realized it, and stepped away.

"Anyway," I cleared my throat, gently pulling my hand out of his grip. "I should go now. Need my beauty sleep before my wedding day."

He laughed. "You're already too beautiful, my Little Dove. You couldn't get prettier no matter how much you slept."

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I lowered my gaze, unsure of what to say to him. "See you in the morning, I guess."

"Good night, Imara. Sleep well."

"You too," I replied, before walking out of his room. I rushed back to mine, and closed the door, leaning my back against it. My breath was heavy, and my heart was pounding.

Was I really getting married to him? Goddess, how did I end up here?

- - - - -

Tell me about yourselves in the comments! Are you single/committed/married? Is your boyfriend/husband anything like Draco? ;)