Chapter Forty-Five: Nightmares Of Childhood.

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[The Vampires Diaries is one of the shows that got me into writing and the supernatural/fantasy genre. The final episode after 8 years of pure perfection had me in absolute tears. I am an emotional wreck. So yeah... This chapter is dedicated to The Vampire Diaries and the best 8 years of TV it provided!]

IMPRESS.

Chapter Forty-Five: Nightmares Of Childhood.

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Harrison's POV~

Many jaws dropped at what was occurring centre of the dancefloor, the couples that had been dancing all elegantly shifted out the way and helped form a circle around the Demon King Preston and my best friend Natalya.

Preston had his hands restraining her head from backing out of the passionate kiss that had my fists balling.

That was meant to be me. Since day one, I had always been there waiting for her to tell me if she felt anything for the boy who'd shower her with compliments every day.

Although she was taken back, Natalya was responding to Preston, falling into his alluring nature and moving her lips against his- giving him the dominant control of where the kiss would lead next.

My brother stood beside me, his shoulders tensing and his grip tightening around the glass he had filled with blood in his right hand.

Across from where we stood, Princess Cathryn, Prince Zachary and their bastard brother Alexander were witnessing the moment, as shocked and as taken back like everyone else.

The princess frowned, her eyes glazing with disappointment and averting to Zacs. I watched as her hand reached up to squeeze his shoulder comfortingly.

Whilst Alexander frowned, heartbroken for obvious jealousy reasons... Prince Zachary's ears were shooting out invisible steam as he glared at the Natalya and Preston.

His eyes were blazing with red flames, his jaw was tightening and his fists were clenching to the point where his knuckles were as white as snow.

"I'm glad I fucked that bitch when I had the chance," my brother muttered.

His words didn't register in my head for a long while since I was too busy being distracted envying the demon king's lips on the girl I'd loved since childhood.

Preston smirked against Natalya's lips after feeling the eyes of thousands watching them. His eyes opened showing a glint of satisfaction, connecting with the prince's eyes and sparking silver with fulfilment.

A grunt sounded from the infuriated prince as he shoved his shoulder forward, brushing his sister's hand off him before storming off to the exit of the ballroom where the castle gardens were.

Straight after disappearing, a familiar blonde I knew by the name of Ella went rushing after the prince in desperation. Natalya's guard Derek had no choice but to follow after the prince in case anything would happen to him.

And that's when my brother's words clicked in my head, my eyes widening in horror. I felt my body freeze leaving only my head to slowly twist and face my brother.

"What did you say?" I lowly asked through gritted teeth, not sure if I had possibly heard my brother correctly.

I had invited him to this ball because it was his 23rd birthday and I thought he'd like to apologise to Natalya for pestering her all that time back in Icilia.

Fredrick laughed out nudging my arm like what he had said was nothing, "lay off me brother, it's my birthday after all."

I glared at my brother and felt my eyes swirl until they were darkened orbs.

"Did you just say you 'fucked' Natalya?" I spat, feeling my voice rising in anger.

My brother shrugged with a cruel smirk, "of course I did brother, if you had eyes back then you would have too-"

Before he could complete himself, my hard fist had already collided with his jaw.

Frederick's face flew to the side as he stumbled back and it seemed that the impact of my punch was powerful enough to steal the attention from Preston and Natalya and bring it to myself and my sick excuse of a brother.

"She would have never let you touch her!!! You twisted bastard!" I raged grabbing my brother by the collar and glaring into his inner, non-existent soul. "You raped her, didn't you!?"

He may be related to me by blood but no brother of mine would stoop that low, especially knowing that I loved the girl he supposedly 'fucked'.

Natalya hated Fredrick, so if what my brother said was true... All those times I had found her crying after having encountered him alone added up.

He could have possibly abused my best friend more than just physically and verbally. Without my knowledge whatsoever...

Fredrick cracked another stupid smirk before headbutting my head, pushing me off him and launching his fist into my abdomen.

"It isn't rape, if she liked it..."

Natalya's POV~

I had forgotten where we were. My mind was led into a frenzy which left me thinking that as long as Preston's lips were on mine, we were alone in a fairy wonderland.

For possibly the best minute of my life, we were floating in a magical sphere that was igniting with dazzling fireworks. A place that created ease in my heart, security in my mind and protection of my body - making me feel of some worth and importance.

His lips were soft, his touch was tender and his voice was delicate in my mind, repeating the words you are beautiful in my mesmerised mind.

But, of course, as you would expect...

The moment was destroyed and soon crushed by an outbreak of madness that had begun to take place in the ballroom.

Preston groaned as my lips left his. He pulled my bottom lip towards him only releasing it as I backed away, allowing me to focus my attention on the massive crowd that had formed nearby the floor.

Among the gathered guests, there was a mixture of gasps, roars and chants encouraging what I assumed was a fight due to the chaos I could hear going on.

Glass shattering, table breaking, bone crunching.

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at Preston questioningly.

Blake and Kai suddenly appeared at his side mirroring the same questioning look I wore, Preston shrugged and tightly held my hand before leading us to the commotion.

The large crowd circling the fight parted like the red sea as soon as they saw me approaching with the King Of Shadows and his two brothers.

"Let's see what foolishness rudely interrupted our moment," Preston angrily brushed through the gap that was created for us, keeping his grip on my hand firm.

Kai and Blake followed behind. I could feel one of their hands on the small of my back, helping me get past through all the wild guests.

When we reached the front, my mouth dropped opened when I found out what all the commotion was about. And my eyes widened when I recognised the two brothers who were the reason for all the loud chants, gasps and awes.

"This is nothing compared to the brawls back home," I heard Kai laugh out to Preston and Blake in mocking amusement.

I gasped and covered my mouth, horrified when I saw that Fredrick was on top of Harrison, punching the life out of his brother.

It doesn't take me a second to think and transform into full defence mode for my best friend. I yanked my hand out of Prestons and rushed towards the two brothers that were having a very unfriendly brawl in front of the noblest of guests.

"Fredrick, get off!!!" I screamed clawing at his shoulders angrily in hope for him to climb off his younger brother.

The shock of my life came when I was shoved to the floor by Fredrick. A very monstrous Fredrick at that.

Thankfully, Preston and his brothers came to my aid and helped me from the floor. Blake picked my mask up and passed it back to me. When I turned to quickly thank them, I stumbled back finding that Preston was already marching forward towards the brothers with murder spiralling in his eyes and fire replacing his pupils.

We all watched as he violently yanked Fredrick by the sleeve and dragged him up to his feet.

Clearly alarmed by this, I rushed over and pulled Preston's hand from Fredrick's sleeve. Preston didn't argue with me, instead, he looked down at me and his inky black eyes softened as he dropped Fredrick and shoved him back.

However, since we had Fredrick distracted, Harrison stole the opportunity to hit his brother from behind. "I don't want you near her again!!!!"

Near who? I have never seen Harrison this furious before... What was he so angry about, what could Fredrick have possibly done now?

Nothing new, I'm guessing.

When Preston and his brothers were threatening to get involved in the brawl again, Cathryn and Xander came pushing through the crowd, catching all the guests off guard.

I watched Cathryn observe what was going on first and saw her eyes grow when she witnessed Harrison repetitively punching Fredrick's face. Xander seemed to be enjoying the show, but I know he wouldn't have been enjoying it if he had seen Fredrick throwing me to the ground.

The princess sighed before shutting her eyes and reopening them to reveal purple streaks running through her irises. I instantly knew what she was doing... And that was confirmed by the groaning that came from both Harrison and Fredrick as soon as she opened her purpled eyes.

They both struggled to their feet, finding it hard to steady their bodies because it seemed their minds were being manipulated with.

"What is that?" Fredrick twisted and turned his head in agony, pressing his hands on either side of his head. "Ahhhhhh... Stop!" He growled at no one in particular, he had no idea the princess was using her deadly ability.

Harrison was reacting the same, he was loudly groaning and hugging his head in hope for the torture to end.

"Okay troublemakers, if you want to keep your heads on those nice bodies of yours, I suggest you save the fighting for elsewhere that isn't here where we are trying to keep it classy for our special guests," Cathryn spat and kept her ability going on.

I went over and acted as support for Harrison who's face was bleeding and who's legs were shaking from the agonising torment of the princess' ability.

"Noble born or not. I will only stop twisting those tiny brains of yours once you apologise to everyone you've managed to disrespect, especially our special guests," Cathryn emphasised motioning over to Blake, Kai and Preston who each approvingly smirked at her in response.

Harrison's arm was around my neck when he strangled out, "so- sorry, we meant no disrespect, your honour."

"Yes, my apologies that my brother's temper is shorter than a toothpick," Fredrick although in extreme pain managed to blame his brother for what he had most likely provoked.

I sent Cathryn a pleading smile suggesting she stop using her ability on Harrison at least.

"Thank you, Cathryn. And apologies to you, King Preston. You see this is my best friend and I just have to take him outside momentarily and snap some sense back into his brain," I exaggeratedly smiled and Preston was humoured by it.

"I'm a patient man, take your time Natalya. Meanwhile, I shall crack some sense into the other one," Preston darkly said and I arched my eyebrow worriedly.

What does he mean by that?

"Don't worry I won't do anything you wouldn't approve of." His voice echoed in my mind and I flushed, before strictly instructing Harrison to follow me outside so we could talk about what the heck had just happened.

***

"What the heck just happened?" I crossed my arms, sternly eying my injured friend who exhaustedly leant his back against the railing outside.

Harrison wiped his lips before his darkened eyes flickered up at me. "I can't understand you, you are human yet you are the strongest person I know..."

His eyes flashed and resumed to the original colour, brightening and softening at the same time, "thanks Harrison, but what had you so vexed in there. I have never seen you so angry and so violent and just so- I can't explain it but man, you were so mad at your brother." My hands were in fists as I expressed what I had just seen out in the open.

When I was about to breathe and look away from my best friend for a moment, my wrist was grabbed and I pulled back to my place where I re-met Harrison's big blue eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Harrison asked, still onto my wrist and staring at me dead in the eye.

I was very confused to what he was talking about. I quickly searched my mind for an idea of what he could possibly be referring to and many ideas came shooting to the front of my mind. All ideas that involved all the bad things Fredrick had done to me in the past.

But, where could I really begin?

He had done everything bad you could possibly do to a person to me, all except for murder.

"Tell you what Harrison? You are really worrying me," I shakily said with concern.

Harrison signed quietly, his breath visible in the cold and lowered his eyes to my wrist he was holding. It seemed he didn't want to say what was bothering him and that made me very anxious.

I placed my mask in my other hand onto a nearby table and used my hand to rub my best friend's shoulder reassuringly. "Please, it hurts seeing you like this Harr. Tell me what's bothering you..." I softly whispered.

Harrison slowly nodded whilst biting his bottom lip. It caught me off guard when he wrapped his arms around me in an instant and hugged me until the tip of his nose was brushing the crook of my neck.

"Natalya... I'm so sorry," He sadly breathed out, "I swear to you, I never thought my brother would stoop so low and hurt you l- like that."

My heart broke when I heard Harrison's voice crack. I closed my arms around him tightly and rest my head on his warm chest. I was at a loss for words and so, I remained silent as my best friend freed his sorrows from his mind.

"Why didn't you just come to me Natalya, I was always there waiting for you to cry on my shoulder when you needed? But, instead. You kept it bottled up Natalya, I don't know how you did it. A lot of people put you through a hard time, and my brother- just happened to put you through the worst," he was crying now and all I could do was keep him close, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there Natalya..."

He shed tears. I felt a few droplets trickle onto my skin and wet my shoulder.

My voice was almost inaudible, and my throat was completely dry. Dry because of the repulsive, traumatic and nightmare of memories that came bolting back to mind. Nostalgia hit like a bitch and made my eyes water.

My best friend was telling the truth. A lot of people led put me through a hard time back in Icilia. Being poor gave me and my parents the lowest of status and no class whatsoever. Leaving us to be controlled and dominated by the rich.

Remember when I said all my other relatives died of many reasons such as starvation, village fires and animal attacks. Well, although I was able to jump over all hurdles of death, this didn't mean I lived a happy life.

Now, remember my list of people I just wanted to wipe from existence: Anastasia-White Harris, Jamie Hayes (RIP), Lord McLaren (RIP), Charlotte Viana, Tyler Matthews, Drew Walters, Nicholas Steele, Fredrick. And of course the new additions: Aunt Roslin, Ella Bourne and the person who betrayed and killed my parents. All these people made my life a living hell the most. (A/N: Go back to chapter three part one if you've forgotten what they did.)

Fredrick was the worst.

He not only bit me every day and beat me when I didn't want him to.

Fredrick he-

I hate thinking about it. After two years of depression, I promised myself I wouldn't think about it and so far, I had done a good job but now- I realise it isn't healthy to keep it locked up. Especially something so serious like this.

I guess what I am trying to say is...

Fredrick Redwell raped me.

There it is.

I- It makes me feel disgusted to say it and thinking about it makes my whole body shiver. I'm not proud of that day, it was almost three years ago now. It was the week after my brother left for Aeralin and I think I was turning 16.

My mother sent me to get water from the well for the first time ever and on my way back from the well Fredrick saved me from being kidnapped by three high-class vampires Lord McLaren, Jamie Hayes and Lord Nicholas Steele. I was so happy at the time that he had saved me.

Once he chased the bad men away, it was like Fredrick flipped a switch. He said I owed him one, and when I was obviously scared by his sudden mood swing and tried to run back home, stupid me underestimated vampire speed and Fredrick was able to grab me by the throat and take us to the outskirts of Icilia.

Somewhere no one would hear us, find us and even think to look for us. I think he had planned it, to be honest. He had been waiting for my protective brother to disappear and for the right moment to target me and have his way. Bare in mind that Fredrick was four-five years older than me at the time.

It took all my strength to recover from that day. And till this day, I can still feel him pulling my hair, harshly instructing me to take my garments off and forcing me to submit to his selfish desires. I know I know- I shouldn't feel sorry for myself so much because there are other people who have it worse than me.

I know that...

Rape was a reoccurring thing in Asten and oh how I wish it didn't exist. Every second I spent trapped with Fredrick was torture, every inch of skin he touched burned and every time I saw him after that was painful. Utterly painful.

Too bad no one else knew. Not even my parents, not even Alaric and not even Harrison.

Fredrick Redwell was the nightmare of my childhood.

My eyes stung and my head suddenly ached.

"My brother raped you, didn't he?" Harrison lowly asked and I couldn't hold myself together for any longer, I didn't realise how much I had been bottling up since that day. I had bottled up so much.

So much that I broke as soon as I nodded.

Tears spilt from my stinging eyes and I started to sob.

Derek's POV~

"I am the worst cousin ever," Ella whispered out, her hand covering her mouth in pity for Natalya. "I wish I knew..."

My mouth was still ajar and my eyes were still wide at what we had just heard Harrison say and seen Natalya confirm. My eyes flickered in shock from Ella to Natalya who was crying her eyes out into Harrison's chest.

I wish Zac hadn't sped off somewhere else when we found him because I am sure he would have wanted to hear this himself. I could only imagine how he would have reacted.

You know, I liked Natalya more than just a friend but Zac, he loved her. Despite the despicable things he'd done to her there was no denying the truth. The prince had fallen for the sexy little human who just so happened to be his best guard's sister.

Now, how the fuck can I compete with a Prince who will be King soon?

"Do you know a Fredrick?" I said angrily, my jaw clenched.

I wanted to beat the shit out of the idiot who'd raped her. I wondered if Alaric knew about this. I had to tell him, like now. He had to speak to his sister, give her his family support and comfort.

Ella nodded vigorously, frowning at her cousin crying.

"I know who Fredrick is," Ella confessed, "but I really don't think we have the right to confront him without Natalya's permission. I know I wouldn't want to find out that someone eavesdropped on me in a vulnerable

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