NIKOLAS POV
It was still dark outside, the clock on my nightstand reading 3:47 AM but I couldn't sleep. My mind was still swirling with thoughts through my head like a clock.
I tossed and turned trying to shake off the lingering fear from the dream but it still clung onto me like a damn shroud refusing to let go.
"Get a grip, Nikolas," I muttered to myself. "It was just a dream."
But the words felt unconvincing. The dream had felt too real, too vivid. And the figure's words keeps repeating "You are not who you think you are, Nikolas." "You are powerful."
I needed to distract myself as I walked over to the window and stared out into the darkness. The sky was still a deep, fore boding grey, the stars hidden behind a veil of clouds.
"What do you want from me?" I whispered into the night feeling a sense of depression creeping in.
And there was no answer only the wind rustling through the trees like a soft whisper.
I turned away from the window and began to pace again Who was the figure in the dream? What did they want from me? And what did they mean by "You are powerful"? I thought.
The questions swirled through my head like a bicycle and I couldn't take it anymore. The dream, the questions, the feeling of being on edge it was all becoming too much. I needed to talk to someone, to share my fears and doubts with someone who could offer me some guidance some reassurance.
I thought of my best friend, Luca He was always the level-headed and rational one and I needed that right now.
I slipped out of my room carefully to avoid the guards who patrolled the halls at night making my way to Lucas room in the slave quarter I quickly hid behind a tape stone holding my breath as a guard marched by. I waited until he was out of sight before continuing on my way thinking I had avoided detection but before I could take another step I was pinned to the wall a strong hand gripping my shoulder.
"Little human sneaking around the castle, you have guts," a menacing voice whispered in my ear.
I struggled to break free but the grip only tightened. I was face to face with the wall.
"Let me go," I demanded
The guard only chuckled. "Oh, I don't think so human because you are coming with me."
My heart sank as I knew I was in deep trouble. The vampires are notorious for there punishment to slaves, and I had no idea what is installed for me.
I was dragged into a room the guard's grip on my arm like a rock. The room was not that impressive with stone walls and a single table in the corner but it was not entirely unpleasant either as there is a wooden chair sitting in the center of the room.
The guard threw me into the chair and I winced as my back hit the hard wood. The guard stood over me his arms crossed and a sneer on his face.
"So, little human," he said, "what were you doing sneaking around the castle?"
I tried to think of a convincing lie, but my mind was a blank. "I was just... um... looking for a book," I stammered.
The guard raised an eyebrow. "A book? In the middle of the night? In the slave quarter."
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But before I could answer, the door opened and a tall, imposing figure strode in.
"Ah, Captain," the guard said, bowing his head.
The captain's eyes narrowed as he looked at me. "So, this is the little human who thinks they can sneak around my castle," he said with his voice dripping with disdain.
I swallowed hard trying to meet his gaze but his eyes seemed to bore into my soul as he spoke. "When it's morning, you are going to receive your punishment," he said.
I wondered what my punishment would be . would I be imprisoned or worse killed..
The captain smiled a cruel smile as if reading my mind . "You will find out in the morning," he said. "But be rest assured, it will be fitting for your crimes."
With that he turned and left the room, leaving me to wonder what the morning would bring. The guard remained, watching me with a mixture of hatred and hunger.
As the hours ticked by, I couldn't help but think about my situation. After the whole mate thing with Alexander, I had been avoided him since and yesterday he had went to Asia for the travel he told me about.
****
I gasped shocked and sat up with a start as I was wakened up by a bucket of very cold water being drenched on me. I did not even know when I slept. The last thing I remembered was sitting in the chair waiting for my punishment.
The guard stood over me with a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Rise and shine, little human," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's time for your punishment."
I shivered the cold water seeping into my bones as The guard dragged me out of the room down to an exit of the castle.
I was dragged out to a clearing and there I saw Lady Victoria sitting on a chair, surrounded by other people who looked like nobles. They were all dressed in fine clothes, and they regarded me like I was dirt.
Lady Victoria's eyes narrowed as she looked at me. "We meet again," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "I hear you have been causing trouble again."
I tried to speak, but she cut me off. "You have been accused of disobeying the rules of the castle," Lady Victoria continued. "And now, you will face the consequences."
I looked around trying to find maybe xaiter as he was my only hope after saving me last time, but he is nowhere to be seen.I knew that I was at their mercy as the guards held me firm.
Lady Victoria's eyes seemed to bore into my soul as her smile grew wider showing me her sharp teeth. "Your punishment is death," she said, "And how you die is from me draining you."
"No, no, no," I pleaded struggling against the guards. "Please, you can't do this."
Lady Victoria laughed, "Oh, but I can," she said. "And I will. You escaped the last time but now I think you will be more sweet and there is no one to stop me ."
"Please,don't kill me." I begged
Lady Victoria's eyes seemed to gleam with excitement at me begging. " I will give you a choice. You can either die quickly, or you can die slowly. The choice is yours."she said
"Huh?" I managed to stammer as I was stunned I thought she will spare me but before she could say anything else, a figure emerged from the trees. It was Xaiter , praise God.
"Ah, Xaiter," Lady Victoria said, her voice dripping with annoyance. "I wasn't aware you were invited to this little gathering."
Xaiter shocked me by bowing low to her . "Forgive me, Lady Victoria," he said. "But I heard rumors of a punishment being given out, and I had to see it for myself."
His eyes locked onto me and I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was something unsettling about his gaze.
"And what do you think, Xaiter?" Lady Victoria asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you think the punishment fits the crime?"
Xaiter's eyes never left mine. "I think the punishment is harsh, my lady"
Lady Victoria's face turned red with rage. "What?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the clearing. "How dare you question my judgment?"
Xaiter stood his ground "What I mean is that killing him means disrespecting the king," he said "We all know that this human here is the king's personal servant. And with the king's absence, killing his servant will make the king less interested in you, my lady."
Lady Victoria's eyes narrowed. "So what do you suggest?" she spat. "That we leave him without a punishment?"
Xaiter shook his head. "No, my lady. I say we punish him, but not with death. There are other ways to punish him that will not offend the king."
I was stunned Xaiter was defending me but also allowing me to be punished WHY I didn't understand.
"Fine," Lady Victoria spat. "I will spare his life. But he will still be punished."
Xaiter bowed low. "Thank you, my lady. I will take him into my custody and ensure that he is punished accordingly"
As Xaiter turned to leave, Lady Victoria's voice stopped him. " oh no xaiter I want him punished in my presence and now"
Xaiter bowed low again. "I understand, my lady."
Lady Victoria's eyes turns back to me as she spoke. "I spared your life, but your punishment is to be flogged hundred times."
I felt horror at her words. Flogged? I had heard of such punishments but never have I thought I would be the one to face it.
"No, please,"
Lady Victoria's smile grew wider. "You should have thought of that before you broke the rules," she said. "bring in the whip ."
one of the guards present nodded. "As you wish, my lady," he said.
I felt despair wash over me as the whip was handed brought in ,It was a long, leather whip with metal tips designed to cause maximum pain on the receiving end.
Lady Victoria gestured to a nearby post. "Bind him to the post," she said.
The guards obeyed, binding my wrists and ankles to the post. I was helpless, unable to move or escape.
Lady Victoria raised her hand, and the flogging began. The first lash struck my back, sending a wave of pain through my body. I cried out, unable to help myself as Lady Victoria watched.
The first lash was like a fiery blade slicing across my back, leaving a trail of agony in its wake, the second and third lashes followed, each one more painful than the last.
"Ah what a delicate skin " Lady Victoria said. "I do hope you are enjoying this, Nikolas."
I gritted my teeth, trying to endure the pain, but it was no use. The lashes kept coming, each one tearing into my skin like a razor.
"Please," I begged, my voice hoarse from screaming. "Stop. Please."
But Lady Victoria just laughed. "Oh, no, Nikolas. You are only at 20 lashes. You have 80 more to go."
I lost count after 50. The lashes became a blur of pain and suffering, each one blending into the next. My shirt was torn and bloody, and I could feel my skin at my back being opened with each lash.
" Make sure to strike harder," Lady Victoria said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I want to see more blood."
The enforcer obeyed, striking me with even greater force. I felt my skin tearing, my muscles screaming in agony but still, the lashes came. I was a mass of pain, my mind numb and my body broken. I didn't know how much more I could endure.
But Lady Victoria showed no mercy. She watched, her eyes gleaming with excitement, as I was flogged within an inch of my life then I black out .