Melora sat up as the lock on the door jiggled. She prayed to whoever was listening that it would be Drystan opening the door and telling her that this nightmare was over. Her heart dropped as the door opened, and she realized it wasn't him. It was Alathic.

He stood proudly in the doorway, staring at her. "How is my queen doing?"

Melora glared at him. "I'm not your queen."

Alathic shrugged as he walked around the bed to stand in front of the large window. "You will come around to being my queen. Once the bond between you and my son is shattered, you'll be mine."

"I'll never be your wife," she spat.

Alathic chuckled. "They always resist at first." He turned around to look at her. "But none ever survived the change. I do have my son to thank for that. His love for you made him ensure you survived the change." He smiled, showing his fangs. "I wouldn't show much care." He stared at her for a while, tilting his head. "You're hungry."

Melora instantly shook her head but knew he was right. She was hungry, but she wasn't going to take any blood from Alathic or his guards. She couldn't help the scream that came out of her mouth as he charged toward her. He gripped her arm and drugged her out of the room. "Let me go!" she yelled at him as she tried to rip her arm out of his grip. "I'm taking anyone's blood."

Alathic stopped suddenly and pulled her close to him. "No. You won't take anyone's blood, but you will take your mates."

Melora glared up at him, her chest heaving with anger. "I'm not doing anything you tell me."

Alathic sneered down at her. "You will." He leaned down, and Melora had to control herself not to cringe away from him as he sniffed her. "I will have to figure out a way to break this fucking bond between you and my son without killing you. I had thought that killing him instantly would have broken the bond, but not without damaging you." His sneer turned into a sadistic smile. "I don't want my future queen to be damaged." He straightened and turned back down the hall. "You will take his blood. He will be kept alive to give you sustenance until I figure out a way to break that bond."

"You won't be able to break it," Melora sneered at him. "Drystan will-"

"Will what?" Alathic whirled around. "He can't do anything to protect you anymore. He can't save you. You will never be his again." He pulled on her arm harder, shoving her in front of him as they entered the room where he was keeping Drystan. "Look at what your mate has succumbed to. How pitiful." He let go of her arm as Melora sank to the ground.

Drystan looked as if he was dead. Burns covered his body. Deep cuts crisscrossed his chest. His skin looked pale. His head was hanging, and he didn't even look up when they entered the room. Melora looked to see if Alathic was watching her, but he wasn't. She took the opportunity to run over to Drystan. She gently placed her hands on either side of his face and picked up his head to look at him. "Drystan," her voice cracked.

Drystan eyes bore into hers as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, my love. I failed you."

"No," Melora croaked. "Please, Drystan, don't say that."

"But he has," Alathic chuckled. "He has failed you. If you were my mate, I would have done everything in my power to ensure that you were safe and away from harm. But he didn't. He left you vulnerable."

Melora's blood boiled as Alathic continued to talk. She rose to her feet and turned to him. "Would you fucking shut up?" Her eyes shone red. "Just fucking shut up!"

Alathic's red eyes glowed brighter as he stepped toward her. "What did you just say to me?" He started to raise his hand against her as she felt an intense arm wrap around her middle and pull her down. Alathic's hand slapped against Drystan's head, the power behind the slap causing his head to snap to the other side.

"Lay another hand on her, and I swear, Alathic," Drystan growled. He spat blood out onto the dirt floor and looked up at him. "I will get out of these chains and kill you."

Alathic shook his head and rolled his eyes. He pointed a long, bony figure toward Melora. "Fine. Suppose you want to stay with this weakling, fine. It'll feel better breaking the bond as you watch him die." He turned on his heels and stormed out of the room, locking the door on the other side.

Melora gently began to run her hands over Drystan's injuries. "Drystan," her voice cracked, tears threatening to fall out of her eyes once more. "Drystan."

"Melora," Drystan's hand came up to cup her face. His eyes turned red as he stared at her cheek.

Melora covered his hand with hers. "What is it?"

"Bruise," Drystan growled. "I'm going to fucking kill him." He paused as his eyes moved back to hers. "I promise. I won't fail you again." He leaned back against the wall, bringing her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face into the nape of her neck. "Tell me what happened." Melora started to shake her head, but he growled, "Tell me, please."

Melora wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed him in. She loved her scent. Being around him calmed her, almost making her forget about everything that had happened. "It's not Draco or Dante's fault."

"I'm not blaming them," he sighed. "I just want to know what happened."

Melora took a deep breath. "All I know was when I woke up from my nap; three men rushed through the door. They pinned me down and injected something in me that caused me to black out. When I woke up again, I was here."

Drystan shook his head. "I shouldn't have left you."

"You had to, Drystan." Melora gently moved his head, so he was looking at her. "None of this is your fault. It's my father. He didn't listen to what you and I had told him. He wanted his money more than to see his daughter happy with someone she loves."

Drystan's eyes softened at her words. "You still love me?"

Melora smiled down at him. "Of course I do."

Drystan's eyes snapped down at her mouth. "You're hungry, Melora. I know you are."

Melora shook her head. "I can't take your blood, Drystan. I could kill you if you're weak."

Drystan gently gripped her chin. "You need to feed, my love. If either of us can get out of here alive, I need it to be you." He pressed a soft kiss against her lips. "Please, Melora."

"Fine," Melora sighed as she leaned down and ran her tongue over her spot. "They'll be here soon, Drystan."

"Who?"

"You'll see," she responded as she sunk her fangs into his neck.