章節 4: Annoying Bastard

When Elena woke up, she was met by a slightly pink ceiling. This one was different to what she was used to the last few days. She surveyed the place and found the heavy velvet curtains drawn to let in light.

I thought vampires didn't like light. Or maybe they did it because of her. She was about to move when she felt someone's presence beside her. Startled, she turned to find Gabriel seated on a rocking chair, a book in his hand.

"For a moment, I thought you were dead," he said without looking from his book. He snapped it close and met with her surprised face.

"I admire your appetite for sleep," he chuckled and rose from the chair.

Elena was confused by his statement. Exactly how long did she sleep? And as if he had read her mind, he answered.

"We arrived yesterday afternoon with you glued on my shoulders. I had to carry you from the carriage to our room. You should have seen the maids giggle."

Was he proud of that?

"I thought you'd wake up tonight for some hanky panky but I was wrong."

Elena's cheeks turned red. She was supposed to consummate the marriage yesterday night but she slept! Her brother would be so angry if he learned about it.

"I'm sorry," were the only words she could form.

"You should get your act together. The king wishes to see you in what he terms as a family breakfast," his voice was laced with sarcasm.

Elena stood there for a while confused by the whole 'get your act together ' stuff. What was that supposed to mean?

Gabriel had taken his book and buried his nose when he noticed an unmoving Elena. He placed the book on the table, a smirk dancing on his face.

"Should I do the honors?" He asked.

As innocent as Elena was in matters 'get your act together', she nodded. In two swift steps, Gabriel had already yanked her from the bed, carrying her in his arms like a child, and placed her in front of a mirror by the dresser.

"This one looks like someone ready to act a horror play and not meet with a king," he pointed.

And he was true. Her hair looked messy, and dark circles settled under her eyes. Her lips appeared dry as if water was a rumor to her. But despite her unkempt looks, her beauty remained intact, something that Gabriel had to admit when their eyes met in the mirror.

"Should I explain further?" He asked and only then did she get out of his hypnotizing gaze.

"I need to take a bath!" She declared.

"A fast learner I see," he commented. Today, his hair was down in waves covering the better part of his shoulders.

But where the hell was the bathroom? By the look of it, she could tell the dresser and mirror had been freshly installed. Did he do it for her sake?

A maid walked in at the same time holding a tray. The scent of pancakes invaded Elena's nostrils causing her stomach to grumble, which didn't go unnoticed by Gabriel.

"You can leave," Gabriel dismissed her, and Elena noticed she was human!

"That girl..."

"She's human I know," Gabriel purred. "I use to suck her whenever I feel the urge to. But now that I have a substitute..." He walked back to his chair, a smirk playing on his face.

Elena was conflicted between eating and taking a bath. Maybe I should eat first, she thought. The scent of food alone didn't make it easy for her.

"Just don't eat too much. The king expects you to clear the whole table. He expects that of humans." He briefed.

She moved closer to the table and started devouring the pancakes and tea. The fact that she was eating in someone's presence didn't settle well with her, but did she have a choice? This annoying stranger was now her husband! How long would she survive with her sanity intact?

The pancakes were sweet, reminding her of the meals she shared with her brother. He'd feed her whenever she didn't have the appetite. Oh sweet brother...

"Is something bothering you?" Gabriel enquired.

Elena cast her gaze downwards in embarrassment. He had caught her daydreaming! For heaven's sake she had to come to terms with the fact that she was not in her room again.

"How was your night?" She asked instead and noticed he hadn't touched his pancakes or tea either.

"Due to your snores, I never slept a wink," he placed the book in the shelf to meet her embarrassed face.

"I do not snore," she retorted.

"You do, loudly at that. I even created notes of music with the rhythm, and that's how I slept." He grinned.

"You should eat," she said when she was out of words. She just noticed Gabriel had a reply to anything, and not one she'd be pleased by.

"Yes I should," he admitted. "I'm waiting for my meal to finish her meal." Their eyes met and Elena would have choked on her tea but she chose to force it down her throat.

"The bathroom is there," he said pointing at a door behind her. "I'll be back." She noticed a change of his demeanor when he left, as if he had been pissed off. But by who?

Surprisingly, she ate all the pancakes despite her lack of appetite the last few days. But wait, wasn't she supposed to be afraid now that she was in the vampires territory? Gabriel Sinclair might be a good person, maybe, but what of the rest?

She noticed she had to up her walls. And she was supposed to meet the vampire king! Judging from what Gabriel had said, he disliked humans. She wondered what he'd make of her.

Pushing the disturbing thoughts at the back of her mind, she decided to take a bath now that Gabriel was not here. How could she afford to undress in front of anyone, a man at that! But this man was her husband!

She took the quickest shower possible and when she came back, she found a set of fresh clothes already laid on her bed. It was a blue dress! Vampires and colors. She rolled her eyes.

Just when she was about to flee herself from the towel, she spotted a little girl staring at her at the slightly open door. Judging from her eyes and slightly pale skin, Elena could tell she was a little vampiress.

"Hi," she greeted but the girl fled seconds after Elena decided to walk towards her. She checked for her in the hallway but there was no one.

"Weird!" She said closing the door behind her when she nearly bumped into someone, with a towel only wrapped around her!