Bound by Desire

en years old

y I was never allowed to even go out. Ever since I could remember, my parents had always told me I was special, that I had to stay inside. The whispers around the castle said I was to be

he maid entered, her face a mask of formality. "M

tifact. I followed the maid, feeling the familiar weight of everyone's gazes as I entered the grand hall. Their eyes followe

no one got too close. I stood there, watching them all. They greeted me so kindly, treating me li

feet carried me to the playground. But it was empty now, the children gone. The swings hung

any of it. I didn't

ad always been told that I was different, that I had to be protected. But protected from what? I never saw any danger lurk

rents had dressed me in a beautiful gown, and I had been presented to the crowd as if I were royalty. I had tried to play with the ot

oners," I overheard someone say that da

n. Tutors came to the castle to teach me, and while they were kind, it wasn't the same as being with o

I wished for answers, for someone to explain why my life was the way it was. I wis

I have ever gotten wa

I turned to see one of the guards approaching me. "Mi

my room. As I lay in bed that night, I thought about the children, about their laughter and freedom.

find out why they won't let me mingle with

m, reviewing some documents. "Mother

child, What is it?" She look a

y can't I mingle with other people ? Why do I have to stay

ossed her face. "Eve, you are special. Yo

ressed. "I'm just a teenager.

nderstand. Your birth was... significant. There are people who would seek

on't want to be different. I want to do thin

"I know it's hard, Eve. But you have t

futile. I spent the rest of the day thinking about what she had said. Ther

ids, the tutors, even the guards, but no one would give me a straight answer

med out of place. It was dusty and worn, the title barely legible. "The vampires

altreated by vampires, how vampires are

he book is about this world, brings that suck blood of humans, humans are

leaned back in my chai

that the knowledge my tutors were imparting was not just for my education, but for my future role. I began to understan

ll watched the normal ladies from my window, still dreamed of chatting with them. I wondere

s pas

cular fondness for the ancient texts and histories that lined the shelves. Today, I was deeply engrossed in a book about the ancient kingdoms, the

ge voice startled

ed far older than me, with dark hair and piercing red eyes that seemed to see ri

asked, my voice t

room. "Little Eve," he repeated, bending to his knee

ed. The word felt foreign

ching out to touch my hair. "Who d

led away from his touch, my heart racing. "

"Interesting. I was told there was a special child

epping back. "I think you should leave,"

idn't reach his eyes. "Very well, little Eve

interest" wha

stepping back but I couldn't, fear grip my legs, his hands touch my hair and I meet his gaze " no matt

are

you grow, grow into my mind of woman, then I promise to be back "

him frightens me and I do believe h