Chapter Forty-Six: The Ballroom Brawl.

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

IMPRESS.



Chapter Forty-Six: The Ballroom Brawl.

---

Natalya's POV~

"Is this true, Natalya?" Zac's softening brown eyes averted to my shocked ones, hoping what he was hearing was untrue.

Too bad it wasn't.

I wasn't moving, everything around me felt delayed. "I-"

Preston cut me off, "yes or no Natalya? And careful what you say..."

I- I- Fredrick's eyes were intensely burning into mine and pleading that I don't utter a word.

Zac wanted to move towards me and wrap me in his arms but he knew that he couldn't vex Preston in any way by showing too much affection to the "prize" he was offering him.

Instead, he sighed out running his fingers through his hair in frustration and shut his eyes momentarily. "Your silence only speaks yes, Natalya. Give us an honest answer-"

I wasn't going to confirm or deny anything. In fact, I was planning not to speak at all but...

Fredrick thought different, he really believed I would sentence him to death the first chance I got, and because he thought this way- he confirmed the rape allegations by getting ready to run.

Preston lifted his finger up and immediately, Blake and Kai had Fredrick trapped by their undeniably muscular arms.

"We are going to kill him... you hear me. We are going to rip that little piece of ginger shit apart limb from limb... And I order you to watch, Natalya."

Zac growled through his teeth and the edge in his voice had my lips quivering and toes twitching. He was speaking to my emotionless stance, trying to capture the attention of my saddened eyes.

Now...

You know those times when you just want to throw yourself into a river, the times when you believe life is against you and that it's only going to get worse... Well, I want to throw myself in a river right now.

Everything was muted for a long while as I felt every single eye of the countless noble guests scattered around the ballroom burning holes into every inch of my body.

I wanted to shrink into a mouse and hide in my own little cave, however, I didn't have the power to that. What I did have the power to do was turn invisible but that wouldn't pan well either.

The elegant ladies hooked to their male partners, surrounding this mad scene that had been created by none other than my traitor cousin Ella and my nightmare terror Fredrick, looked at me sympathetically - sending me pitiful eyes and pouts.

I knew they were trying to be compassionate but I couldn't help but feel awkward under their gazes.

Some ladies were less sensitive and instead, looked me up and down in judgement and distaste. They were the ones who made me feel like complete and utter shit. It was the same with the men, some were soft-hearted and some simply just shook their heads in outrage.

Harrison did have his arm around my shoulders before Ella opened her dirty mouth and spilt my secret to everyone! And I mean almost every high-class Lady and Lord in Asten. But, when Harrison felt my shoulders stiffen and heard my heart rapidly beat, he turned me around so he was embracing me in his arms once again.

I hadn't realised it until my vision became blurry that my eyes were watering and so, all I could make out from squinting over Harrison's shoulder as he hugged me was a huge crowd forming again. This time there was no chanting, just distant gasping and then roaring from two very very very veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery pissed off men I knew.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

Was the first thing I heard...

And then the clicking of a jaw echoed throughout the ballroom. I flinched at the snapping sound that followed and jumped when I heard a whisper in my head, "I'm going to kill him... and every single bastard in this ball-"

My vision cleared in time for me to see black smoke rising from where the crowd stood and my eyes gradually widened again. I quickly reacted and wiggled out of Harrison's arms before running towards the crowd and screaming, "Nooooooo! Preston don't do it-"

I pushed through the crowd and to the middle of the circle where I saw two furious demons, Kai and Blake holding back Fredrick so he was unable to move. Preston was pacing slowly in front of him as he murderously allowed a black, inky flame of liquid to hover above his palm.

The black flame seemed to be growing the more his darkened, silver streaked eyes concentrated on it. You could almost say the flame was going to burst if he continued to increase its size.

Preston's darkening eyes connected with mine when he heard my voice. They softened as he walked over to where I stood, cupped my flushed cheeks and kissed my forehead after brushing away hair that had fallen onto my face.

His thumbs caressed my under eyes getting rid of the tears as his lips left my skin. "Don't cry, baby."

I smiled, nodding slowly whilst his hands found mine and squeezed reassuringly.

My eyes wandered off elsewhere as the warmth of Preston's reassurance filled me, I hadn't even realised that behind Preston was more action taking place, the reason why I could hear loud gasps when I was being embraced by my best friend.

Fredrick's face was bloody all over and you could've possibly argued that it was broken and healing very slowly from the blows that were coming into contact with it. I gasped out, out of fear of Zac who's black veins were showing under his murderous eyes that rapidly flashed from black to red.

His fangs were lengthened to the max and were already dripping with thick blood that had come from Fredrick's neck.

I covered my mouth when I saw Zac consistently throwing his clenched fist to Fredrick's jaw. Zac violently yanked Fred's ginger hair so his eyes would make eye-contact with another fist heading towards his face.

"Zac!" Cathryn shouted. Her brother sent her a side eye to show he was listening whilst lifting Fredrick's bruised face, "kill him," she sternly urged.

Cathryn sure looked angry but not as angry as Xander who stood beside her ready to join his brother in beating Fredrick down.

I had never seen Xander so infuriated. And Zac- Zac was beyond that, he was enraged. The aggravation he felt was boiling within him.

He was completely locked in his own zone, launching his knee into Fredrick's gut and dipping his fangs to the ginger's neck for more blood. "You repulsive piece of shit, you shouldn't touch what's not yours! Did your excuse of a mother not tell you that!"

Zac lifted his head from his neck and wiped his bloody mouth with a wicked smirk, "you want to be quiet now, don't you? You are scared now, aren't you? Bet you weren't scared when you were fucking what's not yours!"

This time Zac's knee rose up and made a massive impact with Fredrick's chin and non-existent jawline. "You know what would make this fun, a bit of fire, chains, hounds and maybe, shadow magic," Zac magically waved his hands with emphasis on shadow magic in front Fredrick who's head was helplessly hanging low.

He looked dead already and I felt sick watching him suffer knowing that Harrison, his brother was present.

I guess I should be thankful that Zac wasn't using his disgusting ability.

"Preston, as our special guest, if you would do the honours, please." Zac walked over to us, his eyes falling on me and instantly stopping their rapid colour switch from black to red. They stopped on black and brightened in pain of seeing me stood here, broken.

Preston let go of my hands but I quickly pulled him back to me, "don't kill him," I quietly said to him and Preston smirked, "I wouldn't do such a thing. I'm just going to hurt him. A lot."

He held my cheek and kissed my lips before whispering just inches away, "and you are going to torture him for me, later."

I blinked, stunned at his words as his fingers slipped from my cheek and as he went off to torture my childhood tormentor.

As soon as his hands left, new hands found mine.

Zac's hands.

Hands that were stained and dripping with Redwell blood.

He lifted my chin up, allowing his enticing eyes to hold mine hostage. A cruel smirk crept to his lips as he swore to me, "he will die before the end of the week, I'll make sure of it. No one touches my property."

My breathing hitched when his lips brushed mine whilst no one was looking.

When I was about to object that he doesn't kill Fredrick for Harrison's sake, my eyes went to Preston who had begun pressing his smoking-black hands against Fredrick's cheeks. "There is absolutely nothing to see here ladies and gentlemen, please go back to your drinks and chatter," I heard Xander usher everyone away from where we stood.

The guests were moving away but they too were fascinated by the shadow magic Preston possessed.

Fredrick's head was tilted back and I could see his eyes growing the longer Preston kept his hands to his skin.

"Your hon- Your honour- you are burning my skin!?!" Fredrick was alarmed as he began to thrash in the arms of Kai and Blake, "please, your honour, my skin is burning!!" He loudly shrieked, hyperventilating after every exclamation.

I breathed out petrified by the acidic nature of the black ink that was sinking into the cracks of his skin and beginning to burn sections of his face.

My body had frozen again.

"Come, Natalya..." Derek placed his hand safely on my mid-back, "think you've had enough for one night."

Before Derek could whisk me away Zac had to grant permission for me to ditch the celebration, "next time you see him, there is a high chance he will have lost at least one sense, like the ability to see. But for now... Derek, take her to her bedroom. I will come by later."

I was still, walking stiffly when being led by Derek to the exit of the ballroom. I desperately wanted to look back for Harrison but my body was too numb. Was this reality really happening?

"Derek wait! I will escort Natalya to her room. I think it's better she is accompanied by a girl rather than a guy... Find Alaric and tell him the situation, for Natalya's sake, I think he should know."

It was Cathryn, her voice was concerned and a slightly shaky as put her shawl that came with her spectacular dress over my shoulders.

"As you wish, princess. Sleep well Lady Ascelyn," Derek bowed his head at me, a smile of sympathy permanent on his face before he departed.

Cathryn came into view and sighed out slowly, "come on, let's get you into some comfortable clothes."

I half-heartedly smiled and nodded, allowing Cathryn to pull me along by the hand and to my bedchambers. When leaving the hall, I passed the six boys I knew Xavier, Chris, Terrence, Douglas, Aaron and Dario - all who looked very concerned and commiserative of my tragic past.

---

"Do you want me to fluff your pillow again?" Cathryn desperately asked with a new helpful attitude, "I think I should fluff it some more you don't look comfortable. Come on let me-"

I waved my hands at her and shook my head, unable to hold in the small giggle that left my mouth. "There we go!" She clapped excitedly, "I got you to laugh... I think I deserve a prize."

Cathryn was being way too nice. She had practically helped my numb body get out of my dress and into the satin silk, white garments I wore for bed.

"You do," I admitted, "thanks for even bothering with me Cathryn since day one you've stood by me and I appreciate it."

Cathryn scoffed like it was nothing. "Don't thank me, I would do anything for a sister..." She lifted herself onto my bed and took a seat beside me with her legs tucked to her chest.

I pursed my lips and smiled again, but this time it reached my eyes. "Don't worry, Natalya. Although, Zac managed not to lose his shit whilst you were present. When he is alone with that idiot, he is going to tear the living daylights out of him."

Cathryn squeezed and gently shook my leg, "-and since I know that my brother is deeply in love with you, that idiot will barely be standing when you next see him."

"When I next see him?" I questioned.

"Yeah, my brother won't kill that fool unless your present I know that for sure and by the way the Shadow King reacted it all, I think he will want you to see too," She responded, "I know you don't want to see it but it is up to my brother, he makes the rules and once he is King we will all have to follow them."

I breathed out and wiped my eyes, stressed out and annoyed. "It's not that I don't want to see him dead. Its the fact he is Harrison, my best friend's brother."

"What kind of best friend can't tell that his sick ass of a brother raped his girl best friend, that's low even for a vampire..." Cathryn exclaimed and quickly added, "sorry," after realising how loud her voice had become.

I forgave her as soon as her apology left. "Natalya, I really hate to say this but Fredrick won't be the only one that dies before the end of this week..."

Cathryn was hesitant as she spoke and I furrowed my eyebrows at how serious she grew so fast. "What do you mean?"

What was she trying to tell me?

I'd rather hear it now.

"I know Fredrick or whatever his name is, is the only one you think is at fault Natalya but rules are rules..." She turned her face and looked at me unsurely, debating whether to tell me what she was thinking. "My brother- my father, they wouldn't want- they wouldn't want another Redwell boy causing the same trouble..."

"Cathr-"

"I'm sorry Natalya. Harrison... He is going to die too. And from the looks of it, I don't think my brother is a big fan of your best friend- he thinks he has bad intentions."

I widened my eyes, "bad intentions my ass! Zac is not touching Harrison, at all, zero chance."

"You won't see it coming, Natalya, one day you'll see Harrison and the next day you won't. The only way to save Harrison is to tell him to run now before it's too late. Because this is nothing I can prevent nor can the Queen or Alexander."

I vigorously nodded. "No one is going to take away the only good memory I have of Icilia. No way."

"I'll make sure they don't-"

I arched my eyebrow when I realised it wasn't Cathryn who had replied to me, and when I whipped my head round to see who it was...

Lurking in the darkness, where only two bright candles lit the room was none other than the Shadow King.

Preston.

"What the-" Cathryn was startled and so was I. My heart drummed so fast whilst I tried to catch the breath I had lost, "how did he-"

Preston smirked amusedly although his aura was dark and haunting. "I made the princess speechless, think I deserve a prize," he echoed the words Cathryn had said at the beginning of our conversation which had me worried more.

Had he been here the whole entire time? I could have sworn when we left the ballroom he was burning my tormentor's face off.

"May I speak to Natalya..." Preston requested with a scary edge in his low and ridiculously attractive voice... "alone?" He challengingly stared at Cathryn for a long while, wondering whether she would happily remove herself from the room.

I looked at Cathryn who looked at me worriedly. "Is that okay with you Natalya?"

Swallowing hard I nodded, "more than okay actually."

Cathryn still didn't seem convinced even though I was being truthful. "I will see you in the morning. Goodnight, Natalya."

I smiled, "goodnight..." She sped off after mentally questioning me again to see if I was alright with her leaving me alone with Preston.

As soon as Cathryn left, Preston swept me off my bed and immediately pinned me up against the wall.

It took me by surprise more than it should have. I didn't wince at the impact my back made with the wall, whether it was my body growing immune to the pain or the fact I was distracted by the closeness of Preston's lips to mine.

"I'm very angry, Natalya..." Preston announced, his ink narrowed eye piercing into mine, "very angry indeed..."

The way he was acting, I found it sexy.

If it was anyone else I would be shaking with fear, take Zac for example. But, with Preston, he just looked more attractive than he usually did.

So he didn't scare me as much as he wanted to.

"You know what happens when I am angry... Natalya?" Preston's finger ran down my face and stopped at the nape of my neck.

I shook my head, watching him intently... "no, your honour, no I don't."

Preston eyed me, almost succeeding at petrifying me with just the cruel smirk that found a way to his lips, "then I'll have to show you, Natalya... I'll have to show you what happens when someone angers me..."

Okay, now I was quite scared... Not because of the words that left his lips but the sinister tone they left with and the way his lips lingered over my ear as he delivered each word.

I had no idea what he was thinking until I saw his fingers slowly reach for the hem of my silk nightdress.



I'm getting a really bad feeling now...



A real bad feeling at that.


--

THERE YOU GO!!! ANOTHER CHAPTER UP FOR YOU ALL! HOPE YOU ALL LIKED IT!

Unfortunately, it's coming to that time where revision and coursework deadlines are my main priority. I will still be updating but I can't guarantee that a chapter will come every single Friday like usual. So, you will have to bare with. If I take a little longer than usual, take that time to look back on the other chapters and try spot clues of who could have killed Natalya's parents or just reread your fave chapters so far!

Qs: What do you think Preston is going to do? Can you still trust him? What state do you think Fredrick has been left in? And do you think Harrison will make it out alive?

Leave all your thoughts in the comments and any questions, I will do my best to answer! Don't forget to VOTE & add the story to your reading lists so you know when I update!!

Thank you & love you!!!

- Natasha xx

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net