"Leave."
The maids instantly fled the chamber, shutting the door behind them.
Ares cocked his head, staring at the little bird with full interest and fascination. Uncertainty and anxiety were building in those enthralling ocean blue eyes... Her hands were trembling... Her heart was pounding so hard... so loud. She was...
He walked towards her. She stepped back, lowering her eyes.
"Yo... You do not have to come so close." She stammered, inhaling a tremulous breath.
Ares halted, taking no further steps. Rather, he took the white cloak off his shoulders, laid it gently over hers, and tied the top rope into a delicate bow.
Eleanor's eyes trembled slowly as she looked up at him. "You..."
"You look beautiful, Little Bird," He breathed, his crimson eyes changing to a silvery shade that held a chilly warmth.
She was so stunning that he could not help but be awestruck of how well the dress suited her. His intention was to present the cloak to her in the carriage; however, he did not anticipate that she would call him to provide an accompanying lift.
Stepping back yet again, Eleanor took a deep breath to quell the flood of emotions coursing through her entire being. "I... Before all of this, I have never truly stood beneath the sky, on hard ground, with the wind blowing around me. I have always wanted to go out there, but now that I have what I want, I am terrified."
Ares nodded slowly. "How you feel is beyond my understanding. Sincerely." Then he took a deep breath and rested his hand on her shoulder. "However, I am willing to help you in any way I can until you overcome your anxiety."
Eleanor smiled, a small smile that lit up her eyes like a diamond. "I was afraid you would call me a wuss or something."
"You are a wuss. You have the charming appearance of a creature that can be wiped out with a single blow."
Eleanor scowled. "You are merely a monster, nothing more."
Ares laughed at her retort. If only she knew how endearing she was. He was so tempted to prod and pinch her cheeks, but he restrained himself.
"This monster will hold your hand." He reached out his gloved hand to her. "You can call on me whenever you are feeling down."
Eleanor locked her gaze on his large hand. Her eyes quivering slightly, pride and pain churning in her heart. "You brought me into this predicament."
Ares nodded, expecting her to say something like that.
"Expect nothing in return." She hissed, glaring at him like he had wiped out her entire race. He did...? Nevertheless, she found her hand on his and gulped as he held her tenderly.
His cold hypnotic eyes glinted sinisterly as he smiled. Even so, she could not take her gaze away from him. He was breathtaking. His face was flawlessly sculpted, his dark hair was styled into a single braid with strands dancing elegantly across his forehead, making a valiant effort to conceal those eyes.
"Now, Little Bird," Ares babbled, his hypnotic, giddy eyes full of mirth as he gripped her chin.
Eleanor recoiled at that unexpected action.
Ares scowled, not sure why she had jolted so suddenly. He thought that she was becoming somewhat at ease in his presence. At least some progress. Despite his disappointment, he held onto her chin.
"Once we arrive at the castle, you must not leave my sight under any circumstances." He stated.
Eleanor knitted her eyebrows. "Because it will be crawling with bloodthirsty monsters?"
"Because it will be crawling with bloodthirsty monsters. Bloody hell! you are so clever!" He taunted.
"Oh?" Clueless, Eleanor widened her eyes in curiosity. "Then, why should I accompany you?"
"Regretfully, it is a family tradition. I must introduce you to my family. If there had not been a birthday ball, they would have found a different method to lure me back to the castle because of you."
"Does this mean you will be living with your family?"
Ares' eyes darkened slightly in response to the question. Thank goodness for the innocence that lingered in her sweet light voice.
"I can not become king without a queen; it is a fact of life. All you have to do is stay by my side. Nothing else." He divulged impishly.
The gloom in his eyes intimidated Eleanor beyond belief. So much so that she was beginning to second-guess giving her hand to him.
"Are you going to kill me?"
"Are you interested in dying?"
Eleanor pursed her lips. Why was he being so straightforward? "In all honesty, no."
"Then I will not." Releasing her chin, Ares tightened his hold slightly on her hand before averting his eyes to the door. "Are you all set?"
Eleanor heaved heavily, her heart pounding. "No."
Ares smirked. "Oh." Then he let go of her hand, moved to stand behind her, and put his hand over her eyes.
Eleanor gasped. "What are you doing?"
"Blinding you until we arrive outside. Waddle forward now. Go on."
Reluctantly, Eleanor took a step forward. She felt shivers down her spine from the extreme cold of his hand and stiffened seeing only the darkness of his hand.
Suddenly, she sensed his arm wrap around her body and jolted in terror.
"Do not worry. I simply want to get this over with." She heard him say and became conscious of her back pressed against his hard, clothed chest.
"Oh, I.. Okay." Her face flushed with embarrassment.
Ares smiled, trying hard not to laugh out loud. "Do you feel scared?" As he asked, he gently raised her up making sure her legs were only a few inches off the ground.
"I am quite CU...rious!" Eleanor squealed in between her words, not expecting him to lift her.
The next thing she felt was a strong wind.
"Now..." Ares trailed off, placing her to her feet.
There was a slight crunch as her feet slightly sank into the ground and she could perceive an odd scent that filled her nostrils. It smelled like winter and blood...?
"What is..."
"Go in, Little Bird," Ares abruptly removed his hand from her face, revealing a large gothic royal carriage drawn by four horses.
Eleanor parted her lips in surprise, looking down at the snow-covered ground. She peered eagerly at the sky, which was partially clouded, with a lone crescent moon and sparkling stars.
"Amazing." She let out a boisterous giggle, her chest exploding with happiness.
Ares observed her with a subtle grin that accentuated his curiosity. "Go in." He said to her as he pulled open the carriage door.
There was no time to admire the outside world, not yet.
Eleanor smiled, giving him a quick glance, and he gently guided her into the carriage by holding her hand.
When she was seated, he shut the door and went to the front of the carriage, where he saw the guard from before sitting there looking pale and motionless. His scarlet eyes were dilated with sheer terror, seemingly traumatized.
Ares's face took on a grave expression, his eyes darkening to a baleful shade of ruby, and he murmured, "Once you return to this place, toss the bodies away, I have no use for them. Rest assured, your demise will come after."
The guard shuddered, giving a rapid yet stiff nod. "A... A.. as you wish, your highness!"
"Hang in there."
Returning to the carriage door, the vampire prince opened it and slid inside to take a seat beside his betrothed, who was still smiling sweetly.
The moment he shut the door, the carriage started to move out of the massive royal mansion's compound, which was now home to the viciously dismembered bodies of guards and maids, as well as the bodies of Estelle and Jennifer.