She shook her head. “You didn’t do this.”
“I’ve failed to protect you so many times…”
“Don’t do this, Derek. Just don’t. We have to get out of here—you, me and Ben. Staying here will be the end of all of us.”
Borys cleared his throat. “Much as I hate to break up this sweet reunion between husband and wife, I have to interrupt.”
Husband and wife. I creased my brows in confusion as I reluctantly let go of Sofia. Ignoring Borys, I bit into my palm to draw blood and coaxed Sofia to drink the blood so that the bite on her neck would heal. The moment the skin on her neck closed, I glared at Borys. “I demand the life of whomever it is that has tasted her blood.”
“You’re king of The Shade, Derek Novak.” Borys frowned. “But I’m king here. I’ve had a taste of your wife. Do you demand my life?”
“Yes.”
“You insolent fool!” Borys smirked. “She is my betrothed, offered up to me by her own mother since she was a child. She is mine. You never should’ve touched her in the first place, and because you did, because you spoiled her for me, I’ve invited you a day before our wedding so I could make a widow out of her.”
Sofia’s hand found my arm and she held on so tightly, it felt like she was trying to break my arm. “Derek…you can’t possibly take on this many men…”
“I don’t have a choice, Sofia.” I pushed her out of the way and the fight began. One vampire after the other attacked me. I was able to rip several hearts out, but I didn’t stand a chance. Though a lot of Borys’ men proved to be ill-trained and a lot weaker compared to the vampires at The Shade, I was simply outnumbered.
The moment they had me subdued and bound on the ground, I was sure that it was the end of me. I cast a desperate glance at Sofia who was being held back by Borys, delight evident in his eyes as he saw me fall.
“Kill him!” Borys gave the order, his eyes fixed on Sofia.
Sofia took one look at me, tears streaming down her beautiful face. She began shaking her head and I knew how difficult it was for her to do what she did next. She knelt in front of Borys to plead for my life. “Please…don’t do this…I will do anything you want me to do. Anything. Spare his life.”
Borys sneered as he gestured for the guards to wait. “Anything?”
“No, Sofia!” I yelled.
Sofia nodded and all I could think of was the horrors her agreement would put her through.
“Very well then.” Borys nodded. “Take the king of The Shade to level seven.”
I didn’t need to ask what level seven was. The terrors done within the walls of The Oasis’ dungeons were no secret to vampires.
“What are you going to do to him?” Sofia croaked.
“Whatever it takes to punish you for daring to bargain yourself in exchange for my enemy’s life, my beautiful bride.” His voice was cold and merciless. “You’ll soon find, my love, that there are fates far worse than death.”
CHAPTER 50: SOFIA
Borys pushed me into my chamber, a wicked grin on his face. Ingrid stood beside him, staring at me with blank disappointment.
I tumbled backward, attempting to balance myself from the force of his push. I eventually tripped and crashed to the ground, tears streaming down my face as I glared up at Borys. “What’s in level seven? What are you going to do to Derek?”
I groaned in pain when Borys leaned over and once again grabbed a fistful of my hair. “You’ll find out tomorrow on our wedding day, my love. Don’t worry about him. I’ll take care of him. Just get some beauty sleep so that you can be the bride that I deserve.”
I choked on my tears. “Please. We’re not actually married. We’re just engaged. Let him go. I’ll do everything you want. Please…” I sobbed.
“Kiss me, Sofia.”
I sealed my lips, sickened by such a horrible thought. “Please…” I whimpered.
“You let him touch you and you respond to his every touch, his every kiss, his every caress, don’t you? You shall not refuse to do the same with me—especially not after you’ve said your vows and surrendered to the inevitable. The immune will be my wife and you will show me that you enjoy everything I do to you.” He grabbed my jaw. “Do you understand?!”
I was staring pure madness in the face and all I could do was tremble as I nodded, wondering to myself how on earth I could survive even just a night with him without completely losing my mind. Everything about him revolted me. I couldn’t help but recoil with even just the thought of his touch. To even pretend and act the part of a blushing bride who found pleasure in his presence was sheer torment.