Chapter 15 (Edited)

Chapter 15

I couldn't believe it Casper's father was gone and he didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. It's been a week since we arrived here, although it doesn't seem like it. Today the former King's ashes were released by a small pond on the palace grounds, where he spent the majority of his time right before he died.

Casper wasn't his usual self lately, he reminded me of the once scary him I knew. I didn't want to see him like that again, so I tried to keep my distance. When I wasn't with Sapphire I was in the room I was given when we arrived.

There was talk all over court about the big wedding that was going to happen within a few weeks.

“I should have told him that I loved him.”, I thought to myself. Instead stupid me had only said I like you, hopefully he knows that I truly do love him. I want to be with him, because I really do love him with all my heart, and it will be devastating to see him with someone else.

If he does marry someone else what will that mean for me, I mean my family and friends all think I'm dead. I saw on the news that they found a lot of my blood, hair and torn clothing. They think I was attacked by a bear and tried to hide in the cabin. The police are still searching for my body, but they told my parents to expect the worst.

Casper was still trying to figure out how and why his father died, and from what I've heard Casper thinks he was poisoned. So he has been searching the house to figure out what could possibly have caused all of this, but for the past week he keeps coming up with nothing. He is stumped and has no leads, and it's pissing him off.

I got tired of just sitting in my room, so I decided to go for a walk. I had a ton of places I could explore, but Casper requested that I stay with Sapphire. That was perfectly fine by me, but I hadn't seen her all morning. So I opened the door and walked to my left, because I knew that was the way to the main entrance.

As I reached the entrance and was walking out the doors, the guards were looking at me funny. By the time I had reached the gates, I heard Casper from behind me say,

“Where do you think your going?”

“I want to go for a walk and I don't know where Sapphire is, and I was bored since you've been so busy lately. I got sick of staying in my room, so I thought I'd come outside for some fresh air.”, I rushed out.

“Where would you like to go?”, he asked.

“Anywhere other than inside the palace, I just want to explore”, I replied.

“Okay, I know of a place. Come.”, he said and I followed him to the garage.

“Where are we going?”, I asked a little curious.

“To a place my father used to take me.”, he said.

The drive was peaceful and didn't take very long, maybe around twenty minutes. I was too busy looking at all the beautiful buildings, and the landscape. I was so mesmerized that I didn't realize Casper had been speaking to me.

“It's just around the corner.”, I finally heard him say.

“It's so beautiful here, I wish I had come to London under better circumstances.”, I said.

He didn't say anything so I kept my mouth shut, until he mentioned that we had arrived. He stopped the car and we both got out. We were at some sort of lake, and it was breathtakingly beautiful.

“This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.”, I said in awe.

“It is really beautiful here, but I can think of something even more beautiful.”, he said looking directly at me.

“What would that be?”, I asked.

“You.”, was all he said.

I was absolutely speechless. I know he said he loves me, but there is no way that I am more beautiful than this amazing place. The water was so clear and blue, and the trees and flowers were amazing. The glow of the sun starting to set made this place look magical.

I was staring at the lake when I felt Casper brush his hand down my right cheek, and I turned to look at him. He had a look of pure adoration on his face, and I hoped my face mirrored his. Before I could say anything he leaned in and softly kissed me, his lips felt amazing on mine. He licked my bottom lip asking for entrance, and without thinking I gave it to him. As soon as his tongue touched mine, there was this explosion of nothing but pure pleasure throughout my whole body.

He slowly pulled back and I was a little upset, I didn't want him to stop. Almost as if hearing my thoughts, he softly grabbed my face between his hands. This time he kissed my forehead, both my cheeks, my nose, and then finally pecked me on the lips.

“When I said I loved you, I need you to know I meant every single word. I do love you with all my heart, you are my soul mate. The one who is meant just for me, and I you.”, he whispered inches away from my lips. I knew that I should say those three little words back to him, but when I went to speak nothing cam out. Why can't I tell him that I love him? I know that I do with everything in me, and I need him to know it before he is forced to marry someone else..

“It's okay. You don't have to say anything.”, he said like he knew I wanted to say it but couldn't get it out.

So I said nothing, and sat down on the grass. Looking out over the lake, I watched the water change colors with the setting sun. My eyes kept drifting to this one tree, it was the most gorgeous tree I had ever seen. It looked to be many years old, but was still magnificent all the same.

All the sudden I had this urge come over me that I couldn't explain. I had to tell him how I felt, it was now or never.

“I love you too.”, I suddenly said. It felt so good to finally admit that to him, but I didn't get the reaction that I thought I would. I wanted him to kiss me again, to whisper that he loved me too. I would always want to hear him say those words to me, and I would never tire of hearing them.

After about five minutes had gone by without him saying anything, I finally began to get nervous thinking maybe I shouldn't have said it at all. Then in the blink of an eye he had grabbed me around the waist, and lifted me so I was sitting with one of my legs on either side of him. He looked deeply into my eyes, and I saw his love for me shining in them. Then his lips were on mine once again, and I felt that same rush of pleasure come over me. I moaned into his mouth and he reached up to tangle his fingers in my hair, as he slowly ran his other hand down my back. I reached up to run my fingers through his hair too, and it felt so smooth just like silk. He smelled amazing and that only added to my want for him and I knew I had to stop before I couldn't. As I pulled away, I looked over my shoulder at that tree again.

Removing myself from Casper's lap I asked him, “What is the name of that tree?”

“That's a Bloodwood Tree.”, he replied looking at it.

He suddenly became very still, and looked as if he were deep in thought.

“Are you alright?”, I asked.

“That's it!”, he replied.

“What?”, I asked confused.

“That's what killed my father!”, he said.

“A tree killed your father?”, I asked totally lost.

“Not the tree, the sap.”, he said.

“So someone killed your father with the sap from that tree?”, I asked just to make sure I understood correctly.

“Yes! You helped me figure out how my father died!”, he exclaimed.

“I only asked about the tree, because I thought it was beautiful.”, I said.

“Well then thank you for being so curious.”, he whispered then kissed me.

We made our way back to the palace, and immediately went looking for Sapphire. It wasn't too hard to find her, as it seemed that Casper could sense her.

“She's out by the pool house.”, he said.

We walked towards the pool house and were very surprised, as Sapphire wasn't alone.

“Leave now.”, Casper demanded.

The boy stood up and quickly ran out of the pool house towards the palace.

“Damn Casper, you sure know how to ruin a girls night.”, she said in a hurt tone as she tied her bikini top back on. Thankfully her back was towards us so we couldn't see anything. I know her body is perfect and all, but I really don't want to see her bare chest.

As she turned around her eyes zeroed in on mine and Casper's hands interlocked with each other.

“Crystal and I have figured out what killed father.”, Casper said to her.

“How did you do that?”, she asked with a weird look on her face.

“She asked me about a Bloodwood Tree and I realized that's where the poison came from.”, he stated.

“Bloodwood, how could I have not thought of that sooner. Especially since it's the only poison that can actually kills us.”, she said angrily.

“The question remains though, who would want father dead?”, she asked.

I didn't want to interrupt them so I stood by Casper's side and waited till they were finished discussing the issue.

“We need a list of all the guests that have visited the palace and have guards search all the rooms of the palace. I want it searched from top to bottom.”, he demanded of Sapphire.

She didn't argue with him at all.

“I'll go inform the guards right now.”, she replied and left the pool house.

“How about we get you to bed.”, Casper whispered in my ear. He then picked me up bridal style and I couldn't help but giggle.

“Casper, put me down.”, I said as I laughed.

“Nope.”, he stated.

I thought he was taking me to my room, but we went right instead of left.

“Where are we going? My room is the other way.”, I said curiously.

“Oh you're coming to my room,”, he said in a sexy tone.

“Hang on a minute. I am not just going to have sex with you, we have a lot to discuss.”, I said.

“As much as I would love to throw you down on my bed and ravish your beautiful body, I promise you that I will not force myself upon you.”, he said honestly.

Then it hit me that he is soon to be King, and for that he has to be married.

“When are you getting married?”, I asked as he carried me to his room.

“Soon.”, was all he said.

“Is your future wife beautiful?”, I asked though it pained me to do so.

Now I realized why I didn't want to tell him that I loved him, because he was to marry someone else and I'm going to be left heartbroken.

We reached his room and he walked us inside, closing the door behind us and placed me on the ground. He dropped to one knee in front of me and I was shocked to say the least.

“She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I'd be the happiest man in the world if she'd accept my hand in marriage. Crystal, I know it's sudden and I haven't even had the chance to date you. I'm sorry that I am asking this way I would love to do something more romantic, but I haven't been giving that kind of time. I love you so much and I would be so honored if you would marry me.”, he said looking at me hopefully.

I wasn't expecting this, as I really thought he would have to marry another Vampire, but he asked me!

“Yes I'll marry you, I love you.”, I said as tears ran down my face. I was getting to marry the man of my dreams, the one who owned my heart.

“I love you too Crystal, so much.”, he replied looking at me with nothing but love shining in his beautiful green eyes.