The Bastard Prince

8 Making him kill the prince.

Dominic paced the length of his room feeling like he was going to pass out. He never imagined that he’ll meet the man who destroyed his and his sister’s life by killing their parents and their relatives so soon. Not here anyway.

He’d known that the Duke was part of the grand society of the country. That he had some connection to the Grand King, but he also knew that he shunned the society. That he lived in the country and had no business with the Grand Court.

Dominic never thought in a million years that the man he hated with all his might will come to him.

“Oh God,” he pressed a hand to his stomach as every piece of food he had eaten roiled inside his stomach. His head started to pound, and pain shot through him. And he felt suddenly dizzy.

Shit…he needed to sit down.

Dominic stumbled until he dropped into the bed. He rolled to his back until he was staring up at the lace that was draped over the four posters, as it drifted softly in the breeze.

He should take Bella and go back home, Dominic thought, they didn’t need to stay here after all. She has found her mate just as the oracle said that she would

But she was bonding with her mate. They couldn’t rush it. This was the most important part of the mating. They needed to be on the same page, so that her mate could give her what she needed.    

Dominic groaned not sure that he could handle seeing Lionard without wanting to kill him.

Is that the only thing you fear? as small voice asked. And he knew he didn’t want to think about that.

Because if it’s true and Lionard knew of their vampire secret. They couldn’t stay. Not when they risked exposure.

And it has shown that humans don’t like anything that’s different if they did, their parents would still be alive.

Dominic sighed.

He couldn’t leave, and he couldn’t stay.

What were they going to do?

He closed his eyes trying to think.

The door bust open as Bella rushed through.

She was back.

He sat up and took her in. His head rebelled as pain shot through him.

Fuck he hated this weakness. If he was at his best he could easily heal this stupid headache and every minor thing that plagued his body like he was some human. But since his days were limited he had to live with it.

Dominic pushed his worries aside and concentrated on Bella. At least something good was happening.

She looked so happy that Dominic forgot his fears for a minute. Seeing his sister so alive, and so happy cancelled any concern about the man he hated with all his heart.

“For someone who didn’t want my help with her mate, you look very happy,” Dominic said pulling her down onto the bed. She squealed happily.

“Tell me everything,” Dominic said feeling suddenly excited. Bella’s happiness was infectious.

“He kissed me,” she said covering her face as she blushed. “And it was amazing.”

“Oh, I am so happy for you,” Dominic said wistfully. It’s not that he was jealous of his sister. It’s just he wanted the same thing. He wanted to be kissed and feel amazing inside. But it wasn’t in the cards for him. The best he could do was help Bella get settled with her mate and then return home to die.

Bella touched his cheek turning him to face her.

“We will find him for you too, I promise,” she said looking sad.

“No. Don’t. Tell me more about being with your mate. You seemed like you couldn’t take your hands off each other,” Dominic said changing the subject. He has long ago accepted that there was no one out there for him. So there was no use talking about it.

“Yes. It’s this crazy pull that I can’t resist. And I want to bite him too. I haven’t heard of that happening. Have you?” Bella asked with a frown.

Yes, it was strange. They were hybrids. Blood does not rule them.

Dominic stared at her thoughtfully. There was only one explanation he could think of. “Maybe it’s part of the mating, he’s going to be yours, maybe you’re going to connect in every way. That’s why you’re craving his blood.”

“That makes sense,” Bella said with a sigh. “I’m going to tell him everything about us. He needs to know why he’s reacting to me the way that he is. He asked me why, and I couldn’t explain it to him, I got scared.”

“I understand,” Dominic touched her arm. he closed his eyes, knowing that there was another threat coming their way.

Dominic didn’t know what they were going to do about that. The Grand King might just blow everything for them. Bella needed to talk to her mate as soon as possible.

“I am afraid he might not understand what I am,” she said with a sniff.

“He’s taken with you. Just talk to him. You might find that he doesn’t care,” Dominic said even though he wasn’t so sure. Humans have proven to be cruel, especially when they think they are right and others are wrong. Dominic wrapped his arm around his sister. “Lie with me for a bit,” he said closing his eyes.

“Are you still feeling weak?” she asked turning to him.

“Slightly. But I am glad our trip here was not in vain. Now everything will be alright,” Dominic said letting himself sink into the bed, as sleep took over.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Derrick walked Karic into the house.

He hadn’t been allowed into the house so far. He hated that he was being treated like a servant.

Yes, he was a servant, but he wasn’t the kind of servant that is kept in the servant’s quarters. He was King Stefan’s messenger for goodness sake. He deserved to be treated as such. But the duke, even though he didn’t like society and its many rules, he applied them like lived in the Grand Court, where everyone knew their position.

No matter, Derrick thought disdainfully as he looked around the house. It wasn’t as posh as his rooms in the castle.

He came to a stop in front the room given to Phillip. He knocked and walked in when someone bid him enter. He closed the door behind him and Karic.

Phillip walked into the room from an adjoining room. He had his jacket taken off, and he was wearing a simple shirt that hung lose over his slight body. He was such a small man, one would think he wasn’t his father’s son.

King Stefan was big, and intimidating more like Karic. But Phillip….Derrick shrugged stopping his train of thought.

His brothers the lapdogs sat on the only two chairs in the room next to a large window.

“The bastard son has returned,” Phillip said his eyes running up and down Karic’s body. He could never stop himself from sizing him up as if he envied every inch of Karic.

Derrick rolled his eyes, and moved to stand next to the window. He stared outside at the rolling lands full of livestock that the Duke of Marinne owned. 

“When are you thinking of accomplishing the task that father gave you? The betrothal celebration is day away,” Phillip asked.

Karic stared at him not hiding his disdain for him. “I won’t. I don’t want to. You can run to the King and tell him that I refuse to kill for him.” Karic said turning back to the door.

Derrick turned so fast to look at Karic that he almost fell. “What?”

Phillip raised his hand to silence him.

“You think to defy your King?” he asked taking a step towards him.

“He’s not my king,” Karic said staring Phillip down.

Phillip clenched his jaw not liking the fact that he could easily look down on him.

“It’s princess Bella, that’s making you act so defiant,” Phillip laughed when Karic flinched. “You think I didn’t see you all over her. You think you have a future with her. She promised you the world, and some small isle kingdom. If you don’t want her to die. You will kill her brother. You will do as my father commanded you to do.”

Karic turned and made to charge at him. But Phillip’s brothers got up and flanked him. He knew he could take them. But he didn’t want to cause a scene in the duke’s house.

And beside he hasn’t spoken to Bella about his intentions yet. Everything was happening too quickly between them. But their connection was weird, and so strong that he just felt like it was a done deal.

They are going to be together.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Phillip said with a shake of his head. “I can get you thrown out of this house. And then where will your little Bella be if you’re gone. But you can save her by killing her brother.”

Karic stared at Phillip his nostrils flaring.

Now, he regretted not following his first instinct before the oracle talked him out of it. He should have killed them all.

Now, he was stuck with these evil people. Silence reigned as Karic stared at them. He could kill him here and now. But like he said. They can throw him out, and Bella will be left all alone.

The remaining fools will kill her, following their brother’s wish. David and Ronald didn’t think for themselves. They worshiped Phillip and they would do anything for him – even kill an innocent woman.  

“It’s simple brother. You kill her brother, she’s remains alive…see simple,” Phillip said with a laugh.

Karic turned and left.

Derrick watched after him. His rubbed at his arms smoothing over at the goosebumps that were dotting.  It had gotten tense there for a minute. “Do you think he’ll do it? He hardly knows that woman.”

“He’ll do it,” Phillip said with confidence. His father will be forced to respect him now.

“And what about the Grand King’s guard. If they are here. No one will be allowed into the house.”

 “That’s for Karic to worry about,” Phillip said with a laugh. He stretched his arms above his head, moaning at the delicious stretched. He was finally enjoying himself. “Cheer up Derrick. I’ve just solved your problem.” He said slapping Derrick on the back. “And besides if he gets caught we deny any knowledge of the mission.”

And if he gets caught he’ll leave Bella all to me, Phillip thought to himself his smile stretching his face.

“You look too happy for something that hasn’t happened yet,” Derrick said still fussing. Phillip sighed pointing him to the door. He was souring his mood with doubting him.

Derrick walked out the door.

“David, follow Karic I want to know everything he does,” Phillip said to his brother.

“Yeah sure,” David said walking out the door.

Phillip rubbed his hand already anticipating the next coming days.