Sold to a Hybrid Prince

Chapter 8

XYLA

"Use the cubicle. The right tap is for the warm water, the left one is for cold. I would suggest mixing the two, if you don't want to freeze or get fried. There's a small cabinet inside, with soaps, bodywashes, gels and everything. Use whatever you want, except the black ones. They're mine. Lay your clothes out on the sink, and wear the blue bathrobe when you want to come out. Oh, and, I placed a toothbrush for you too. It will be on the sink."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling slightly intimidated with the idea of bathing now. 

"Make sure you dry the washroom after you're done," Allister added. 

"I will," I promised, walking in and closing the door behind me. 

Since when did a simple shower need so many instructions? This dude seemed crazy at times. 

I glanced at the translucent cubicle, concluding that that was where I was supposed to shower. There was also a gorgeous jacuzzi in the other corner, but I figured Allister wouldn't like his pet bathing in that. Not that I cared. 

We never had one back when I was a kid. Not even the cubicle. Poor people showered without either of those, and even having a running source of water was considered a luxury. One, that I hadn't had in the last six years. 

I stripped down, placing my clothes on the slab of the sink, just like he had instructed. 

His bathroom was so freaking cool. Whoever built it had great taste. 

I glanced at myself in the mirror, my clean neck making me heave a sigh of relief. I had thought it would be covered with bite marks by now, but it was still as clean as it was when I came here. A part of me was almost anxious about it. If he didn't feed from me soon, or didn't like my blood, he would probably return me. I'd end up back at that shop, and God knows what Hedger would do to me. 

Allister was definitely kinder than him, much to my surprise. Here I had thought that the Royals were as bad as they get. Apparently, I had been wrong.

Or maybe, I just hadn't been proven right as yet. 

I made my way to the cubicle, my skin covering with goosebumps as I stared at the taps. In a daze, I turned one of them, causing icy cold water to splash at me from all sides. A loud squeal escaped my lips, as I quickly shut it off, already shivering. 

"What happened?" Allister's voice made me freeze, as I heard the door open. 

My eyes widened, as I quickly turned my head to see if he had seen me naked. But his head was turned away, and he only had a single foot inside. I also realized that the cubicle was half-way glazed, covering most of me. 

Heat still rose to my cheeks, tinging them a deep red. 

"No--nothing, I'm fine," I muttered, tightly hugging myself. 

"I told you to be careful," he replied, before leaving again. 

I heaved a sigh of relief, before turning back to the shower. Demonic device. I did not know showers could work like this. But I would be smart this time. 

I carefully turned the taps, realizing that along with the top, there were sprays of water on the sides too. 

Oh, how convenient for someone who knows this beforehand. 

I let out a sigh, before starting the shower again. 

- - - -

ALLISTER

Her scream caught my ears, and instinctively, I sped inside the bathroom. "Are you okay?" The words left my mouth before I realized she was completely naked, and I could almost see her entire top half. Even though her back was towards me, I turned my head away, my eyes widening slightly. 

"No--nothing, I'm fine," she said nervously. 

"I told you to be careful," I said, before closing the door behind me. 

What the hell is wrong with you, Allister? You don't just barge in when a girl is showering. 

But honestly, I was more concerned than ashamed. In the split second that I had seen her bare back, I had spotted more scars on her body. A bit above her waist, of what looked like claw marks. They looked as old as the ones on her ankles, and I found my jaw clenching at the thought. 

Why would someone hurt her like that? It couldn't have been a werewolf, because she would not be alive if it was. Werewolves never stopped at mere clawing. They weren't in control of their actions. 

Those marks were clean, as if they were made with precision, dragged slowly across her skin with the only intent of torturing her. 

No wonder she was so afraid all the damn time. 

I heard the shower start once again, and I figured she started bathing now. The image of it flashed in my mind, and I quickly waved it off, feeling ashamed of the thought. Just because she was human, and my pet, did not mean she did not have dignity. Often, most Superiors made their pets roam around stark naked, to remind them that they were nothing but animals to them. Just a free access of blood, or entertainment. I did not believe in stripping someone of their emotions, rendering them into mere meals or punching bags. 

Humans were so much more than that. They had feelings, they had opinions, and the ability to voice them. It's what made them far better pets than actual animals. With enough care, humans could be turned into trusted companions, who would be loyal by choice, and would lay out their lives for you. 

Not that I'd ever want Xyla to do that for me. 

If she'd only let me feed from her without passing out, that would be enough. But I had time. I could allow her to adjust to her new life first. 

I heard the water stop again, and plopped down on my bed, my gaze stuck on the door. She seemed to take longer than I expected, and a moment later, she stuck her head out. Her cheeks were slightly red as she met my gaze, before lowering it. 

"There isn't a blue bathrobe inside."

My eyebrows furrowed. "There isn't?" 

She shook her head. 

Ugh. 

Okay. 

Maybe I could allow it just this one time. 

"Wear the black one."

Her eyes widened slightly as they met mine. "Is... Isn't that yours?" 

"It is."

She paused for a moment. "Okay," she said softly, before hesitantly closing the door again. 

Woah. Did I just allow someone to use my bathrobe? 

That was gross. 

A moment later, she stepped out of the washroom, looking fresher than ever. Her skin looked clean and almost radiant under the lights, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. The faint scent of lavender and vanilla hit my nose, and I noticed how her wet hair was darker than even my robe. There were drops of water falling from them, trailing down to my carpet. 

My eyebrows twitched. 

Why? Why would she step out without drying her hair? God, she infuriated me at times. 

"Xyla," I said, trying to make sure I did not sound pissed. 

"Yes?" 

"Could you dry your hair please?" 

"I did..."

Hell. 

"Come here, and bring the towel," I stated before I could stop myself. 

Was I really about to do this? 

It was easier than watching her ruin the carpet. I didn't want a carpet to be the first thing I yelled at her about. 

She reluctantly made her way to me, her fingers gripping unnecessarily tight onto the towel. I stood up, instantly making her look like a midget, as I took the towel from her hands. "Turn around."

She did so, her heart beat spiking up. 

What? Did she think I was going to strangle her with the towel? How far did her mind run? 

I stepped closer to her, and gently used the towel to gather all strands of her silky hair. I wrapped them securely in the soft fabric, before gently squeezing the water out of her hair. 

"Next time, I would prefer if you would put your hair up into a towel before stepping out. I don't like the carpet getting wet," I said, as I continued to dry her hair. 

"Oh, alright. I'm sorry," she whispered. 

I unwrapped the towel, before placing it over her head and securing her hair in it once again. "Done. Go wear your clothes, and then give the robe and towel to the slave outside."

"Yes, Allister." 

- - - -

XYLA

I locked the door behind me, letting out a shaky breath. 

He dried my hair for me. That felt... weird, to say the least. No one had done that for me before. Then again, I had never been owned by anyone before. Not like this. 

I didn't really count Hedger. 

I walked over to the cupboard, and put on another one of his last pet's over-sized T-shirts, with jeans and underwear. I really needed him to get me new ones, they got really uncomfortable. I did as he had instructed, and stepped out, walking to the door and handing the robe and towel to the slave. He seemed almost surprised when I did that, his gaze moving to my wet hair before he took them for me. I frowned slightly, closing the door, and turning to Allister. 

He was still staring at me, his gaze unnerving. 

I tucked my hair behind my ear, looking away from him as I made my way to the couch. I sat down, waiting for him to shift his eyes away, but he didn't. 

I took a deep breath before glancing at him. 

"Are you mad at me?" I muttered, even the thought of it putting me off. 

He took a moment, before shaking his head. "Why do you think so?" 

"You're... staring." 

The corners of his lips curled up. "So? I can stare at you all I want, Xyla, you belong to me. I can do whatever I want with you." He shrugged. 

I felt a weird clenching in my stomach, and I gulped, lowering my gaze. "Right..."

I heard him let out a soft chuckle, before he stood up from the bed, and walked over to me. I stared up at him, my eyes slightly wide in confusion, as he moved a bit behind me, before his hands went under my arms. I let out a small scream as he lifted me off the couch, and sat down himself, setting me on his lap. I instinctively tried to climb off of him, but his arm wrapped around my stomach, pulling me flushed against his chest. 

"Relax," he said, his breath blowing on the back of my head. "I'm not gonna do anything."

I gulped, letting out a shaky breath as my heart hammered in my chest. 

"Calm down," he said softly, leaning his head back on the wall, as he stared out the window. "I really won't do anything."

I took a deep breath again, trying to reassure myself that he wasn't going to hurt me. If he wanted to, he would have already. It took me a few moments to relax slightly, and when I did, Allister loosened his hold on me. That helped eased my nerves further, as his arm around me was no longer to hold me in place, but more so a casual, tender touch. For some reason, I felt like he was trying to get me used to his touch. Probably so I wouldn't pass out whenever he would try to feed on me.

I didn't know how to feel about this. 

He was staring outside the window, so I figured I may as well do the same thing. It was better than letting my thoughts run wild, and tense up again deciding that he was about to snap my neck. 

I observed how everything looked warm and bright. I craved to go out, to run in the gardens, and feel the wind on my face. But that idea was too far fetched. 

For now, being alive was luxury enough. 

- - - - - -

Stay tuned guys! Next update tomorrow!