The sunlight coming from the outside irked me to no end. I creep around my bed to the window skillfully closing the curtains so the sunlight wouldn't touch me. How I hate the sunlight.

Ever since the orbs' disappearance I've felt more and more agitated than usual. I can feel myself getting weaker and I detest weakness.A tiny ray of sunlight leaks into my room, hitting the ground.

Curiosity strikes and I decide to check if I'm still immune to sunlight. I walk towards it carefully and stretch my palm slowly towards it but as soon as my skin comes in contact with it my skin sizzles and burns.

I hiss in pain, retracting my hand.

My hand is red and fried and I bite my lips in anger.

Blasted sunlight!

“You're more foolish than I thought” Calix's words from yesterday echo in my head.

“Be quiet!”

I need a drink.

I dash to my wine collection that's right by my bedside. I pour myself a tall glass of my favorite wine, its flavor invigorating my senses as my tensed shoulders loosen. I watch my hand slowly recuperate feeling each sting that comes along with it.

I haven't felt that in a long while.

I gulp the last drop, wiping the trails of wine on my lips with my sleeve.

I need more. Something stronger.

I push the rest of the wine bottles out of the way looking for the last untouched bottles hidden in the back.But they're gone.

I run my hand through my hair in frustration and I fling the bottle in my hand to the wall and the shards of broken pieces bounce to the ground.

How am I supposed to think when I can't even drink in peace?

The only person capable of this is mother. I've warned her never to do this! Who does she think she is?!

Someone knocks at my door and it feels like I'm being banged on the head.

“What is it?”

Truth be told, I expected a small timid voice from one of the maids to come fourth but mother comes bursting through the door.

She covers her nose and looks at me disdainfully.

“What?!”

“Why are you still undressed?”

“I am dressed, where's my wine?”

She looks away “dressed like that?”

“Where is it?!”

“I got rid of them! Look at yourself, you reak of wine and it's barely even dawn. The last thing I need is for the nobles to know how much of a drunk you are”

“Oh are you ashamed of me now? Can't I have a drink anymore?”

“Where did I go wrong with you?!” She screeches “You know what, just get dressed”

“Stop worrying about me getting dressed, that's the servants’ job”

“We don't have servants, I sent them away”

“And why on earth would you do that?! You have no right-”

“I have every right!”

“I can handle the castle perfectly, you're interfering in my reign”

“Just take a look at yourself, this is only day one of the crisis and you're already breaking down, you're weak.” she spits.

“We don't need the servants seeing us like this. This must not get out”

She walks towards the door.

“This was Calix's idea wasn't it?”

“Get dressed” she says shutting the door.

I run my hand through my hair pissed at the situation.

I'm the bloody king!

I need some fresh air.

I step out of my chambers not knowing exactly where I want to go until Freya steps out of her chambers. Her eyes holds a seductive glare as she stood at her door flirtatiously. I wouldn't have given her much thought until she brings out a bottle of wine from her robe.

I'm beginning to see why I loved her.

I go over to her room as she lights up making a smirk spread across my face.

She takes me by the hand leading me into her room as she shuts the door behind her.

“I knew you wouldn't resist” she smiles

“Don't get ahead of yourself woman”

I take a swig of the bottle feeling invigorated with the content

“But you can't, because the rumors are true” she says, walking flirtatiously towards me “whoever holds wine owns the king-”

I grab her by the neck the second those words roll out of her mouth.

“How dare you,you little slut”

She laughs in my face infuriating me even further as my hands squeezes tighter around her neck.

“So it is true-”

“Shut your mouth” I spit

“Do your worst”

I fling her across the room out of my sight.

She's not worth my time.

I walk out of her room leaving the wine behind. The first thing that comes to my mind is Eris. I need to let off some steam. She knows better than to override my will.

My legs find their way to Eris's chambers as the door swings open.

She sits by her window like she always does probably looking at the splendor of the castle.

As soon as she acknowledges my presence she stands submitting herself to me like I know she would. Like I know she should.

That's my girl.

A smile creeps on my lips as I take slow strides towards her. I take my time to watch her small frame struggle to stay still. This is the amusement I need.

“What may I do for you master?”

I pull her close ready to devour her at any moment from now.

“Nothing you haven't done before”

My nose buried itself at her collar bone as I take in her scent. She smells like honey. So sweet, so delicious, so edible.

But nothing compares to blood.

She has blood and I want it.

No!

What am I doing? This isn't what I came here for.

I push her away running my hands through my hair.

“M-master, what's wrong?”

“Get away from me”

I find myself out of her chambers slamming the door. My heart racing with adrenaline.

No this can't be I'm stronger than this.

Just take a look at yourself, this is only day one of the crisis and you're already breaking down, you're weak!

No!

I'm not weak. I'm the king!

I burst back into to the room, pushing my cravings to the side.

“Master?-”

I'm stronger than this.

I lift her up and pin her to the wall.

My hand snakes around her neck and I kiss it ever so tenderly. I can feel even vein in her neck hyperventilate, I can feel her rapid heartbeat.

I feel it pumping blood.

She trembles under my tight grip as my hands sneak down her thigh.

My tongue ravishes every part of her chest and neck.

I've never needed her like the way I did now, my senses takes over and every part of her feels like a treat.

But I want more.

Maybe if I'm quick enough no one will notice.

The door suddenly swings open much to my unpleasant surprise.

“Zyran, a word”

I bite my tongue at the sound of Calix's voice

You old bastard

I drop her letting her land on her two feet.

“What do you want?” I ask, my head turning without looking at him

I click my tongue at his screaming silence.

I give her one last look, her delicious need calling me to taint it just a bit.

“Zayrn!”

Curse you!

I walk out of the room not bothering to give him a glance.

“You're playing too close to the sun”

“Oh please, I was just having a little fun”

“Indeed you were” he replies, the sarcasm in his voice evident.

“Let's just get this over with.”

It doesn't take long before dawn arises, the dull rays leaked into the ballroom. Where it all started.

Mother and the rest of the nobles stand at the corner watching the send off unfold.

The ceremony bored me even further just as Calix hands over a stick to Eris and she slips it into her cloak before walking out of the palace.

“You have sixty days to bring back the orb or die by the mark” Calix says outloud.

She turns and I can swear that I saw the smallest smirk creep around her lips just as she nods and before I knew it she was out of sight.

“She'd definitely come back alive” says Calix as he walks away.

“She'd better” I hear mother mutter.

“But what do we do now?”

“We wait”