Lilac
My eyes widened as I gaped at a shocked looking Jake, while his words travelled through my mind.
"I- I don't know…" I finally responded as he dropped his hands and stepped back to give me a long look from head to toe before shaking his head.
"It just doesn't make sense. You look so small… I can't comprehend that you'd be able to resist my compelling ability. That's almost insane to think about." He explained and I shrugged because I didn't know what to say to that, but I was also confused, because I couldn't point out why I was able to resist the compulsion those large guards hadn't been able to.
"This must mean you're special, cause there's no other logical explanation as to why that was possible." He pointed out and after a few moments, I let out a laugh that had him frowning.
"You can't be serious." I told him and he frowned harder.
"I mean it. There's no other way it would have been possible . Where are you from? Perhaps that has to do with it."
I swallowed and glanced away for a moment.
"From… around, but I still don't think I'm special. It was probably a fluke." I muttered and he rolled his eyes before stepping forward.
He repeated a word and tried compelling me again, but it still didn't work, further unnerving me and he gave me a pointed look. "See? Definitely not a fluke." He affirmed as we resumed walking.
"I don't know… I still don't think it has anything to do with me being special. Except if special is the new word for freak." I mumbled as I fell into steps beside him.
"Huh?" He muttered but I shook my head.
"Nothing."
A little bit of silence stretched out between us till I broke it.
"So… Can you compel people for me? Since we're now friends." I inquired and he snorted.
"Are we friends now?" He drawled and I shrugged.
"I think so, or at the start of a friendship, I guess." I pointed out and he hummed
"I already helped you tonight, that's all you'd get till further notice. And besides, I don't abuse the power of compulsion, I only use it when completely necessary. So, the answer to your request is no."
"I'm not asking for a selfish reason, it's really important." I counter and he snorted again like he didn't believe me.
"Who do you have in mind?"
"The… crowned prince."
As soon as those words left my mouth, Jake stumbled to a stop and turned around to stare at me.
"Are you stupid? The crowned prince?!" He echoed and I winced.
"I just thought…" I began but he waved me off.
"You thought wrong, Lilac. My weak compulsion definitely wouldn't work on someone like the crowned prince, and I don't even have to try to confirm. Do you know that I can sometimes feel how powerful someone is? And while speaking to those guards, I could feel the power from inside the building. It was something my mind couldn't even comprehend, so no, I can't help you about this, I don't think I'm ready to risk my life that way."
I let out a shaky breath once he was done speaking, while my hands gripped my shirt tightly. Just listening to him speak about the crowned prince with fear had my heartbeat accelerating, especially on remembering that I'd have to see him again tomorrow.
"That reminds me, how was your encounter with the crowned prince since you said you were assigned to clean his room today." He spoke this time and I exhaled again.
"Scary."
A sympathetic expression crossed his face as he sighed. "I really wished I could help, but I can't. Sorry,"
I swallowed and nodded. "It's fine, you've helped enough "
As we resumed walking, a thought suddenly hit my mind and I perked up again. "Can you help me compel Iris then? And make her take me off the list of those working in the prince's wing and make her forbid the seniors from forcing me to go work there."
This time, Jake shook his head sadly before responding. "Unfortunately, I've already compelled Iris, so should we exchange words again, that compulsion would be broken and I can't afford for that to happen." He revealed and I felt the hope drain out of me once again.
"Oh," I mumbled slowly while he nodded again.
"Yeah, I compelled her right after I got here to always disregard my reports that would be made to her from anybody about me and to always sing my praises whenever anyone asked about me."
I nodded numbly. "That makes sense."
We finally got back to the slave quarters. I was surprised to still see so many slaves hanging out on the open area there. Jake snorted when I mentioned it.
"Most of them are miserable throughout the day, this is the time they get to forget most of their worries and let loose. Parties are sometimes hosted and everyone is usually invited. It's pretty chill here if the seniors and bullies are taken out." He explained as we stepped into our room. Our roommates weren't asleep like we expected, they were talking but suddenly fell silent and visibly grew tense.
I awkwardly cleared my throat and headed towards my bed, then I laid down and tried getting used to the fact that I'd always have someone here in the room with me at all times. Goodbye, privacy.
"Good night, lilac." Jake called out and I smiled a little. He was a really chilled guy, and surprisingly sweet and compassionate.
"Sleep well, Jake." I called back as my eyes fell close.
I didn't fall asleep immediately. I let my mind wander. I thought of my former life, I thought of my sisters and I wondered how they're currently fairing. I wondered if Hailey got punished by our uncle once I was out of the picture and if that's the case, I hoped Kira was strong enough to come to her rescue.
After that, my thoughts shifted towards the crowned prince. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him tomorrow and I tried to wonder how he'd act around me tomorrow. If he'd strangle me first again, or just outrightly snap my throat off. An image of those golden eyes flashed through my mind before sleep slowly engulfed me.
Hot. It was so hot. I couldn't breathe properly.
Lips dragged over my bare throat, and as fangs sank into my throat, it was like what was blocking my voice got moved away and a high pitched sound got wrenched out. The sound was so needy and desperate, it felt utterly mortifying to me, but I couldn't stop the second sound when it got knocked out of my lungs when hot lips began to suck on that bite mark. My brain felt like it was about to explode and my entire body was tingling from head to toe.
I was gasping this time, and my back was arching uncontrollably. I wanted more. More of whatever this is. I was so desperate, it felt like I might go up in flames.
My eyes were squeezed tightly and I struggled to blink my eyes open despite the hundred sensations running down my spine.
When I managed to blink my eyes open, golden eyes which were glowing, were staring right back at me.
With a startled gasp, I jolted awake, in a pool of my own sweat, with my heart racing and my entire body tingling.
What. The. Fuck.