The Lycan King's Hideous Mage

I open my eyes in a dimly lit room. The thatched roof shows signs of wear and tear. There are wooden cardboard in between the gaps. I can smell blood, bandage, and that unmistakable tartness of alcohol and a wound that's trying to heal. I scrunch my nose. Even my face is aching.

I touch the bed and blanket that I am lying on. Rough, no silks and velvets. Even the pillow is so hard that I am sure I will have a stiff neck if I sleep too long. I prop myself up by my arm. All my muscles are sore and aching. Understandably, I have depleted my magic until it shaves off part of my lifespan. And all for what? For a Kingdom that refuses to accept me? For a husband who can't love me and even had the gall to cheat on me? And to my in-laws who used me until I am of no use to them anymore!

I am foolish and a fucked-up pushover!

I sit up as I feel my blood boil in anger but I groan as pain registers in my battered body. I doubt my body will still allow me to use my magic at its best. I doubt Sacrarium will still accept a depleted mage who has fallen from grace!

My magic activates, and the wind around me rises. I cough as dust rises around me. The door to the room opens, and a muscular, handsome man comes in.

I snort. Even at the castle, I am surrounded by attractive men, but none ever looked at me with desire! And so I glare at him. I know this man. Caius Liddicoat, a vampire prince of a rival Kingdom. Is he the reason I smell blood?

"Miss Serra, I know you've always been an amazing woman, but I will advise you against using magic when you are still half alive."

I glare at his always impassive face, cold and emotionless like most vampires. He doesn't look or sound upset or angry, just dead severe and matter-of-fact–as though this is some routine business transaction - like buying vegetables or bread or water. As if he cannot see that my life has been destroyed beyond repair!

I pull back my lips and purse my thin mouth into a tight line before responding flatly, "What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

"Don't play coy with me!" I scream at him. "Why did you save me?! For what ends?!"

He forces a smile - a gentle looking one and I hated that gentle smile, especially the ones who come from those who want to kill me! It makes me feel helpless. Weak. Alone. And very much scared!

"We have our reasons," he says as he sits beside my bed. "I also have my reasons."

"Care to share what those reasons are?!"

I take a deep breath as my chest feels constricted. My body aches, and my muscles are sore. The pain radiates through every part