Marked by the Vampire Prince: I’m His Mate, Not His Baby Maker!

Lyra's POV 

= Nineteen Years Ago =

Schools in the Slumber Hound City are not exactly known as a ticket to success. When kids go to school, it's only because they should learn how to read, write and calculate numbers. We were taught to learn how the world works and that's basically it. 

Some kids go to school out of boredom while others go there to learn how the world works.

I was neither of those.

I only came to school because it was my only escape from my mother and her clients. At least for eight hours straight, I got to be with other kids around my age and not with the sight of my mother being fucked and tossed around by multiple guys everyday.

So, although school wasn't going to lead us to happiness or a future like the movies or books had taught us, it only existed to kill time. 

The teachers were just there because it was the only normal job that didn't make you insane. Despite earning nothing from this, they were happily content with free accommodation and food. 

At one point, I was considering being a teacher when I grew up. But then again, let's be honest here: I'm as dumb as a fucking mule. I barely could understand numbers for the heck of it and it took me three fucking years to master reading.

Despite my distaste with these lessons, History was the only one that piqued my interest.

Especially when Mrs. Carpenter—old, frail with a limping leg—talked about the world when we were once the dominant species.

A world with skyscrapers, airplanes, ships and what the sea looked like! We could only see them in picture books but Mrs. Carpenter was the only living survivor of her generation in Slumber Hound City to experience these luxuries. 

Was. As she passed away when I turned twelve. 

"Is the sky really blue?" Eight year old me asked.

Mrs. Carpenter laughed. "That depends, honey. If you're livin' in the city, all that smoke and mess covers up the sky. But out on a farm? Mm-hmm, you step outside and it's just wide open blue, like the world's takin' a deep breath."

On cue, the laughter erupted in the classroom. 

"Then, why are we here, Mrs. Carpenter?" The smart girl—err, Daisy, was it?—raised her arm. "When will the creatures forgive us so we can go see the sky like you described?"

Mrs. Carpenter's expression shifted swiftly into despair but forced herself to smile. The kids noticed her changed demeanor and they stared at her, anticipating her response. 

"Listen here, kids. Do you still remember what I've said about Julian Czarnel? A vampire who solely annihilated half of the population of humankind? 

We slowly nodded. Who hadn't heard of Julian Czarnel? Even he was the bad guy in every storybook, songs we kids invented or a name secretly made fun of.

"Was he strong?"

She nodded, solemnly. "Yes, he was, still is. Vampires are immortal, I am sure Julian Czarnel is still around above."

"How strong is he?"

"Strong enough to gutter a human head with his bare hand, manipulate the blood of his enemies in his own sick, twisted way, torturing them before his prey experienced death…too many to mention." She turned pale. 

"I know 'cause I witnessed it myself as a kid. I saw how that monster killed our hero, Gregory Miller right before our eyes…before we lost that war…" she shook her head. "It was devastating for us, for the entire mankind to lose a great man like Gregory Miller."

He was the only human who was brave enough to fight against creatures and protect humankind. When he died, the era of freedom died with him.

"So…" I spoke again as I stared at Mrs. Carpenter. "Why did Julian Czarnel hurt him before... you know, killing him? He had a reason, right, Mrs. Carpenter?"

For the first time she said one thing from someone who had the answers.

"I don't know."

She paused before continuing. "But when I saw his eyes, that monster was mad with fury. All I could say is…he is no human and there is no logic to that monster's actions."

Seeing her fists clenched tight on the cane, I could see Mrs. Carpenter's frustration and agony as she said, "Remember this, kids. Julian Czarnel should never be trusted."

= Present time= 

Looking back, Mrs. Carpenter didn't know the details during that war. With Julian's words, that memory of my history class resurfaced.

He pulls away, not daring to look at me as he mumbles, "We will be leaving tomorrow. Get some rest." 

It seems it has been settled without my say so here. 

Yet, I don't utter another word. Not because I don't want to. But because if I open my mouth, I know that I'll ask.

And they say curiosity kills the cat.

So, he walks ahead like he hasn't just dropped a weight into my chest. Like he hadn't just told me I was the descendants of the humans who killed his entire race.

And I—

I follow his orders and rest.

Sleep is all it takes for me to forget the worries in store for me. 

=================

When the elevator opened, I rushed out—or trying–as my whole body trembled, like a newborn fawn. My feet were sluggish while at the brink of tripping down. Once I reached a nearby plant tree, I thanked every deity as I dropped to my knees and dumped all the nausea there.

Eyes of disdain and contempt gazed at my direction but I didn't give a damn about common courtesy.

"Is s-she a human from the Slumber Hound City? What is she doing here?" I could hear one of the female creatures–an elf as I gave a sideways glance–muttered next to her companion. "I thought they were not allowed to be here."

I groaned once more as I vomited in the poor tree plant now reeked with my bile.

The stench probably threw them off as they got farther away from me.

In the midst of my agony, a familiar chuckle escaped from his lips and I was nearly tempted to punch his face.

"You went dizzy with just an elevator ride?" He mused. "Are humans these days this weak and pathetic?"

I turned to give him a cold glare. It only brought him more amusement each time I did.

 Beside him, his trusted servant—Jakub, was it?—glanced at him with a mixture of worry and confusion. 

"For the record," my voice hissed while wiping my mouth with my sleeves. "It's my first time riding one and not to mention it took fucking 10 minutes to go up!"

"Fair enough, you have been stuck in the depths of the underground all your life."

Before we could have another round of bantering, Jakub handed me a clean towel and I reluctantly accepted it as I cleaned myself up.

Now seeing him in a cheerful mood, it felt like yesterday's conversation hadn't crossed his mind. Or he intentionally forgot what he said.

And for the sake of my sanity, it would be best to appease him. That way, I could gather more answers from where we are heading.

"So, are we going to see the sky?" Despite the fear of marrying this man against my will, I was more excited to see it finally in person.

He chuckled. "That's all you ask? Not about where we are heading or our wedding venue?"

I shrugged. "Fine, where are we heading then, vampire?" I still wouldn't call his name, challenging him.

He smirked. "To my home, of course…" he reached to cup my cheek. "Our home."