Page 61 of The Depraved Prince
“Hayden,” he scolds. “What did he say?”
“He said that I’m pathetic because I search for a sense of family through my teachers because I go above and beyond with my studies. That I’m undeserving of loyal friendship and compassion and that I’m so worthless that my own parents and brother feel the same way, too. That nobody will see me like a man, but only a monster who says please too much when I ask for things. I’m just being polite, which got me into a fight.”
“Ignore them, Hayden. But don’t ever stop standing up for yourself. Defend yourself and your light. Don’t let a cruel world beat you up until all you feel is anger. Be stronger than that.”
I snap out of my thoughts and close the door before she can respond. I don’t know if Millie was going to or not, but I’d prefer if she didn’t have an answer.
21
MILLIE
“That was verystupid of you, Millie. To run away when you’re safer here than anywhere in the world. People know about you now. Bad people that want to kill you for your blood. I’m the only one in this world that can protect you!”
My fever disappeared after a week, and Hayden has been spending all his time with me, watching movies or even lying together in silence when he isn’t busy with work or taking care of his bloodlust. His presence is enough for me to feel okay.
I hate being alone.
But tonight, we’re having our routine back-and-forth moment where we argue about me wanting my freedom back. Hayden Drago is gone, and The Depraved Prince is back.
I’ve never been so confused in my life. There’s a dark chemistry between us, and I’m unsure what to do about it. He hasn’t touched me like the night of the festival when he ‘punished’ me even though I want him to.
He’s beautiful in the way he talks, walks, and moves. He craves me and brings my darkest fantasies to life. It’s like he knows what buttons to push, and I’m letting him.
I’m drawn to this game, and there’s no more denying it.
“And you’re telling me that you aren’t bad? You want to kill me too! What makes you different from everyone else?” I drawl, pointing my finger at him. His shoulders fall in a guilty fashion.
Silence. He doesn’t reply. How can he? He knows I’m right.
I decided to pour out all my inquiries, desperate for answers. Maybe there’s still a way to go back home, and maybe we can both pretend this never happened. He killed southern vampires like it’s a sport he’s good at. Perhaps they took the message and will steer clear of me.
I walk up to him when he doesn’t answer, only stopping when we’re practically chest-to-chest.
“Why did the entire Cathedral look like a tornado went through it?” I bristle. He goes rigid, his face turns to stone, and he looks down, meeting my inquisitive gaze.
I woke up that night of the festival when he had me in his arms after he slammed the front door shut. The entire place was torn to shreds, and glass was everywhere. Furniture destroyed and ripped open. A headless body on the ground…
I couldn’t move or speak, so I stayed still and tried to go back to sleep. Sleep has been my only place of solace here lately, but that’s changed. Now I feel a haven when I’m only around Hayden after witnessing so many attempted assassinations on my life.
“What are you talking about?” he groans out, frustrated, furrowing his brows and waving his hand before me like I asked him something wild. Maybe he doesn’t remember.
“The Cathedral was trashed that night of the Halloween festival,” I point out, not backing down.
He sighs and shifts on his feet. He palms his hips after running a hand through his dark hair. He looks away from me, ashamed.
“I…I don’t know. Sometimes, when I’m enraged, I black out and can’t remember. Kallum told me I destroyed everything andkilled one of our guards when you left me.” He gets closer to me. “And I would do it again.”
Shivers run up and down my spine. I swallow the nerves that possess me when he tells me this with a dark, cruel tone.
“What is so special about me, Hayden? Why does everyone call me a Valkyrie?”
“Because Millie!” He roars, flashing his teeth, his eyes igniting into red flames. His true self emerges and explodes with fury. His beauty is still there…but it’s also terrifying. He starts walking forward, forcing me to walk back until my legs hit the bed, and I scramble away from him. He’s pissed.
I flinch at his rusty outburst and sit up until my back hits the wooden demon-carved headboard. He stands from the bed in a split second and paces in front of me by my vanity with a large window full of luxurious cosmetics that fit my tone. I haven’t touched it to spite him.
“You’re just going to have to trust me on this. Your blood is the rarest in the universe. If a vampire is lucky enough to find one, they kill them, and there hasn’t been a Valkyrie in a really long fucking time. It’s illegal in our world, but that still doesn’t stop anyone. You hold a vampire’s treasure beyond just blood that runs through your veins.”
“Explain! Please. I deserve answers,” I declare, trying to reach for his face to cup his sharpened jaw, but he pulls back before our flesh can connect.
