Chapter 17 (Edited)

Chapter 17

It's been just over a week since Casper found out Sapphire was helping Jasper. Casper's tried to talk to her a few times, but so far hasn't had any luck.

There's only six days until the wedding and I'm starting to get nervous. Casper asks me if I'm nervous all the time, but I tell him I'm not. I don't want him to think I'm going to back out because I do want to marry him, I'm just scared about everything else. Will I be made to change into a Vampire? Will Casper always love me? Will he get tired of me when I age and he doesn't?

I decided to walk around the palace gardens. It was nice outside today, the sun was shining. I realized that didn't happen often, especially over the last few weeks. It's usually raining, which it looks like it's getting ready to start.

Casper was going to try to talk to Sapphire again today, to try and figure out why she had done it. She hasn't been talkative lately, she mostly just stares at the wall. I didn't want to be there while she was being questioned, because I had been friends with her. I guess that just goes to show that you really never know someone as well as you think.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize someone was beside me, until I heard them clear their throat. I turned my head to my right and saw Jasper standing right next to me. I tried to scream but by the time I opened my mouth, Jasper's hand was already over it. He quickly picked me up and ran towards the wall that separated the palace from the forest. I tried to pry his hand off my mouth so I could scream, but I couldn't manage it. I also tried kicking and biting his hand, but I didn't have any luck considering how strong he is. He just kept resisting all my attempt to thwart him off, effectively leaving me helpless.

I closed my eyes and mentally screamed for Casper to come help me. I knew he wouldn't hear me, but I desperately wished that he could. I prayed someone would realize I was missing soon, at least then Casper would have a good idea of where to find me.

After was seemed like a considerable amount of time, Jasper decided to stop suddenly. We were still in the forest, although I couldn't tell you where.

“Finally, I have you all to myself.”, he whispered in my ear.

“DON'T TOUCH ME!”, I screamed.

“Now why would I listen to you? It would ruin the fun if I did that.”

“CASPER WILL KILL YOU!”, I screamed in his face.

“That's only if he finds you in time.”, he said.

“He will!”

I was so scared right now, and I knew Casper would look for me. I also knew that he'd kill Jasper for sure, given the chance.

“Please find me”, I thought.

Jasper grabbed my arm and pulled me further into the forest. He drug me to this cave that was built into the side of a cliff. I should have known he'd come after me again. I should have stayed in the palace, but why didn't the guards stop him?

“To answer your questions, the three guards that were on duty are dead. That's why they didn't inform my brother in time, or try to stop me.”, he said with a smug look.

“He will kill you!”, I shouted. I didn't have time to see it coming, before I knew it my face was stinging. It took my brain a minute to realize that Jasper had slapped me. I quickly put my hand where he hit me, it stung so much and was starting to swell.

“Don't touch me.”, I said in a strong tone. Deep down I knew that I shouldn't have said anything.

I went back to the time Casper had told me about his brother.

“Remember how I was before, well Jasper is worse and he's like that all the time.”

I was standing in the corner of the cave, which was being lit with a single torch. It didn't seem like much, but it was enough to cast a slight glow all over the cave. I could see Jasper a few feet in front of me, he was pacing in circles like he was waiting for someone.

“Why are you doing this?”, I whispered. I knew he could hear me so I didn't yell, because I didn't want to anger him again.

“Because my dear brother is going to pay, that should be me taking the throne not him. He is nowhere near strong enough to lead our kind.”, he said in a bitter tone.

“He will make a great King, I believe in him.”, I replied.

“You know nothing your just a ploy to lure my dear brother here, so that we can finish this once and for all. Besides you know nothing of our kind, and you don't know anything about our history. So please, do tell me how you plan to rule our kind by his side. You don't even want to become a Vampire, so why should you become the Queen of our kind?!”, he shouted.

He started to walk closer to me and I could feel my heart begin to race, I knew I should keep my mouth shut but I couldn't help myself.

“I'm marrying your brother, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.”, I said out loud. I didn't yell or scream, but I spoke loud and clear.

“Don't push me. I could kill you so quick, you wouldn't even see it coming. I'm not going to do that though, not yet at least. I'll wait until your precious Casper tries to save you, and then I'll kill you. After you're dead, I'll kill him and get everything I've always wanted.”, he spat in my face.

Before I had a chance to say anything, I was thrown against the wall and pinned by my throat. Jasper's hand pushed hard, and I couldn't breathe. I felt as though I were going to pass out, but he released me before I did. He continued to keep a strong hold of my neck though, and brought his mouth down towards my neck.

“No please don't!”, I begged. I didn't want him to drink from me.

“I don't like beggars.”, he whispered.

Damn he sounded so much like Casper when he said that. What if he drinks from me and doesn't stop?

“As I said, I'm not going to kill you just yet, but I am a little thirsty.”

That's when he sank his fangs into my neck, I tried to move away but couldn't and the pain was unbearable. The more I tried to move, the worse it felt. I could feel my skin ripping, and I tried to fight the pain as much as possible. In the end the pain won and I passed out.

“CASPER PLEASE HELP ME!”, I screamed. It was like the same dream I had a while back, but this time I was in a cave not a forest.

“He can't hear you, he's not here.”, said the voice that was hiding in the shadows.

I knew who it was instantly, he said he'd come back for me and he has! Why is he doing this to me? Why me? Was all this because of Casper? All because Jasper wants the throne? Why am I thinking of all these questions, I know the answers already.

It was because I was human and marrying the Vampire Prince, soon to be King. It was mostly because Jasper thought he should be the King instead of Casper.

I couldn't help but think that I didn't really want Casper to come to my rescue. I don't want him to die because he tries to save me, I'd rather die than see him get hurt. “Please don't come Casper, please don't rescue me.”, I thought.

I tried to stand up and make a run for it, and I knew I had no hope but tried anyway. I couldn't stand up, I felt completely paralyzed. I couldn't even move my arms, and I started to panic. I need to get up so I can run.

“Oh god please let me get out of here, let me get up.”, I begged.

Just like nothing had happened, my eyes closed and all I could hear was Casper.

***CASPER'S P.O.V***

I was in the dungeons speaking with Sapphire, well at least trying to. She wouldn't say a word, and I was getting sick of her not listening to me.

“IF I DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR, YOU WILL BE EXECUTED. HE WAS OUR FATHER, HOW COULD YOUU DO THIS?!”, I screamed at her.

But like every other time, I didn't even get a reaction out of her.

I could hear a guard running down the steps. I had a feeling it was important, as I had told them not to interrupt me.

“What is it?”, I asked before the guard even made it to the bottom.

“Sorry for interrupting sir, but we have a problem. Three guards are dead, and Miss Crystal is missing. The guards have searched the palace, and she can't be found anywhere.”, the guard stated.

I didn't bother to respond, I ran as fast as I could out of the palace. Once I got outside I could smell her scent in the gardens, there were eight guards behind me.

“This is where she was last.”, I stated.

I knew the other scent all too well, as it was very similar to mine.

“Jasper has taken her and I want her back safe and sound, and I want Jasper dead!”, I shouted.

They've been gone at least thirty minutes, they could be anywhere by now. It doesn't take very long to travel, considering how fast we can run.

“I know my brother, he would have stayed close. He knows that I'll come looking for her, that's what he wants.”, I told the guards. With that we made out way to the forest.

“We'll find them sir.”, replied one of the guards.

I began to follow the scent of Jasper and Crystal, and at one point that had us going in circles.

“He's trying to distract us.”, I said to the guards behind me.

“We know sir.”, the replied.

“We'll find them and she will be fine.”, one of the guards said.

He must have been able to tell by the sound of my voice, that I was getting anxious. Our wedding is in six days, I need her back safe and sound. I need my pretty girl by my side, I can't live without her.

We've been going around in circles for fifteen minutes, but we can't seem to find them. The scent isn't as strong as I need it to be. “Please be okay Crystal.”, I thought. I couldn't bear to loose her, it would kill me.

Just when I thought I'd never actually find her, I came across her scent. I followed it down a path that I knew lead towards the cliffs, her scent was now getting a lot stronger. I could smell her, she was hurt and bleeding. The closer I got the more worried I became. Was she badly hurt? What had Jasper done to her? I knew he was still there, because I could smell him too.

I knew Jasper could tell I was close, so I stopped my men and told them.

“He knows we're here. He'll attack me and then come for the rest of you. None of you are to kill him, he is mine!”, I told them.

“Yes sir.”, the all agreed.

“One more thing, when we move in you go straight for Crystal. Get her our of here as fast as you can, do you understand?”, I said pointing to one of the guards.

He acknowledged me with a nod. I knew he'd do as he was told. Jasper will be out numbered,

he doesn't stand a chance in hell!

I held my fingers up, three...two...one. We moved in and entered the opening of a cave on the face of a cliff. I immediately saw Jasper to my right and I was right, he was alone. I looked over to my left and saw Crystal on the floor, she wasn't moving.

“Get her!”, I shouted as Jasper ran towards her.

“Don't you dare touch her!”, I growled. I ran at him and slammed him into the wall before he could even make it near Crystal.

“You're too late brother.”, he said with a sickening smile.

“You're lying, did you forget that I can hear her heart beat brother?”, I asked with a smile.

Before Jasper had a chance to respond, I grabbed his head in both of my hands, and twisted as fast as possible. You could hear his bones and ligaments cracking and snapping, as I twisted his head off his shoulders. His body fell to the ground and within seconds, he was nothing but ash.

I turned around and realized all the guards but two, had left the cave along with Crystal. I need to see her, I need to know that she's okay. I rushed out of the cave, and saw the guards surrounding her body. She lay on the ground and I was by her side within a second.

“Come on pretty girl, it's time to open your eyes.”, I said to her.

I continued to try and get her to wake up for five minutes, I know she isn't dead so why won't she wake up?

“She's lost a lot of blood sir.”, one of the guards said.

“I know.”, I replied.

I thought of giving her my blood, but I wasn't sure if Jasper had released venom into her system when he fed from her. If I give her my blood and she has venom in her system, the she'll start the change. “Is it worth the risk? I don't even know if she wants to be changed.”, I thought to myself.

I couldn't risk her life, I released my fangs and bit into my wrist. Once the blood started to drip out, I placed my wrist to her mouth. I rubbed it slightly to try and get her to latch on. After a minute she finally opened her mouth, and let my blood pour in.

“That's my girl, drink up.”, I whispered.

“Mmm.”, I heard her moan.

I tried to pull my wrist away, but she had a pretty tight grip on my arm.

“Come on pretty girl, that's enough.”, I spoke gently.

She finally released my arm, and pulled her mouth away. Without thinking about it I placed my mouth on hers, and kissed her deeply. I broke the kiss and picked her up to make our way back to the palace.

“Where is he?”, she whispered tiredly.

“He's dead, he won't hurt you ever again.”, I replied.

“Now sleep, you'll be home in a minute.”, I told her.

She didn't hesitate and within seconds he heart beat was steady and her breathing became deeper.

“I love you. I can't wait to become your husband, you had me so worried today pretty girl. I don't know what I would do without you.”, I whispered to her as I laid her down in bed.

I lay next to her and let sleep over take me, and soon I was sound asleep holding the woman who owned my heart.