Lady Dhampir
Chapter 144

Milena had too many emotions going through her mind right now. She had a hard time controlling herself under a hurricane of anger, pain and sadness that was hauling her heart around. However, she was mostly angry.

Angry at those people who had been targeting them their whole lives, forcing their parents to take such desperate measures. She was mad that their status and race had made them threats, although they had chosen none of it. She was a defenseless baby, too young to understand anything. How could these people do this to a child? Milena hadn't chosen to be born as a Dhampir, and a potential Queen. Rayan hadn't chosen to be born as a Vampire Prince, either. Yet, there were so many politics involved just with their birth alone, it was like a horrible fate they had to face.

Milena was suddenly hit with the realization that it would eventually be the same for her children, and their children after them. It was like an endless circle for people born in silk sheets. She took a deep breath and stood up.

Slowly, she walked up to Ora, but the Oracle didn't even flinch.

"I do not regret, and you have to understand no weakness will save your life," she said.

Once she finished her sentence, Milena slapped her again. She wasn't so kind to hold back.

The slap sent her to the ground this time, and Rayan lowered his sword, letting his wife manage her anger by herself. Milena was furious, but not to the point she couldn't control herself. After slapping Ora, she didn't try to hit her again. She only glared at her, and took deep breaths to try and calm herself.

"You damn snake," she hissed. "I can't trust you. I'll never, ever trust you again, Oracle. I've had enough of your useless predictions, and that destiny that only seems to bend at your will. You're no better than these people, using me like some pawn!" "I... knew you'd be angry, but I... I know your..."

Blanche furiously growled as the Oracle tried to sit, warning her to stay on the floor. For the first time, that woman looked truly scared of the shape-shifter. Her face went whiter, and her eyes opened wide in fear. She crawled back until her back hit the wall. "Enough!" Said Milena, echoing Blanche's growls. "I've had enough of you! You were behind my disappearance, you were behind Lyriana's poisoning, you stabbed my brother and let my grandmother die! How can I trust a snake like you! You'd even made your way into the King's bed when his wife's body wasn't cold yet!"

"Milena, no..."

Rayan raised his sword again, aiming at her throat, and Blanche stepped forward again, the white wolf growling furiously in response. Both were standing between the Oracle and the Princess.

"Enough," said Milena. "I'm tired of your lies and your schemes. You're no better than these people. You don't deserve to be around any child, Ora. Rowena will stay with my brother, and he'll decide when you get to see her. Meanwhile, I'll leave you in my husband's custody, and I swear you'd better make yourself useful or we will get rid of you!" said Milena.

The Oracle was visibly shocked by Milena's decision and rage. If she had thought the Princess would understand and take her side, she was wrong. Milena had just come out of another life-threatening situation, and she wasn't willing to make any more compromises. Not when so many lives had been played with, not this time.

She couldn't afford to place her trust in the wrong people anymore, and Ora had done nothing but ruin the one she had given her so far.

Despite her protests, the Oracle was swiftly taken by Rayan's men. Milena didn't even spare her another glance. She sat on the sofa, waiting until she was gone and trying to get a hold of her emotions. Taking deep breaths, she pushed her fingers through Blanche's fur, and waited until Rayan returned to her side.

Once the door had been closed, and they were finally alone, Milena let out a long sigh, and covered her eyes.

"...Are you alright?"

She felt Rayan's gentle hand on hers before she opened her eyes. Her vampire prince was down on one knee in front of the sofa, looking up at her with a worried expression in his eyes. She felt her throat tighten up a little. "Aren't you mad?" She asked. "At how much we've been manipulated? I can't believe this. Your mother tried to trade your life for mine, and I even understand that! Because of this... rotten world we're in..."

He gently caressed her hand, waiting for her to calm down. He was well aware she just needed to vent her frustrations at that very moment, it was just a lot of revelations to take in all at once. Milena kept trying to calm down, but eventually, a few tears ran down her cheeks. Just then, Rayan sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and letting her cry against his chest. Like this, Milena cried silently, letting her emotions pour out. He gently caressed her hair, waiting for her to calm down. If he hadn't been there, maybe she would have had to contain it until the evening...

"I'm mad," he said. "However, I wasn't expecting anything from my mother or the Oracle. That's why I'm fine. I've grown in that place, Milena. These kinds of things... I'm not surprised by them anymore, and they can't hurt me. I have decided not to expect anything from people." "...What about me then?"

Milena sat back, looking at him with a conflicted expression, her eyes red and her lower lip twitching.

"Don't you trust me?" She asked.

He chuckled, and pushed a lost strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I'd entrust you with the world, Milena. With this Kingdom, even, without a doubt. However, it doesn't just depend on you. Our... people, even the ones we trust most. They can turn on you at any time."

Milena nodded to that painful truth. Yes, she knew that, she had experienced it one too many times already. Still, she looked up at Rayan and glared at him.

"I swear you'd better never betray me," she whispered.

"I wouldn't dare to," he said. "Didn't I promise you I'd never, ever betray my Princess?"

"Is that what you meant?"

"Always."

He gently approached his face to hers, and pressed his lips against her cheek. Her skin had a little salty taste as he licked it, and kissed her further down.

Rayan's cold kisses were like a sweet remedy to that weight in her heart. Although he didn't touch her lips, Milena soon found herself getting a bit impatient. He was too gentle, and she needed more than this. She grabbed his collar, and reached out for his lips, slowly kissing him. Their kiss was slow this time, and strangely tame. She just needed a bit of him, to taste his lips, feel he was close to her. She just needed the comfort of her partner's touch.

Milena caressed his scarred cheek, her fingers hooking behind his neck without thinking. Soon enough, Rayan's arms wrapped around her waist, and they were entangled with each other in an intimate moment. Neither of them wanted to stop. It was sweet, gentle and reassuring. As if their cruel world had paused to let them have this moment. Even Blanche had stepped away to go guard the door and leave them alone. The young couple was strangely sweet and delicate with each other. Maybe Rayan cared too much about Milena's health, or she was too tired for more. It was fine like this. His fingers in her curls brushed her hair gently, never too demanding or insistent.

When she finally had enough, Milena put an end to their kiss, their lips a bit sore. They both rested against the backseat of the couch, the Princess curled up in his arms with no intention to leave.

"...I'm happy to have you back," he whispered.

"It's good to be back. But it hurts a bit too."

Milena didn't regret those lost hours in bed, but she dreaded the moment she'd be thrown back into all the political conflicts, and it hadn't been that long. Ellias was definitely going to get back at them for that humiliation from earlier. Milena didn't care about his petty pride anymore. Things were not child's play anymore. There were a lot of lives and money at stake.

"I know..."

"It's alright," she whispered. "I'm well aware things are not going to be pleasant from now on anyway." Rayan had nothing to answer to that.

The War was almost at their doors. The giants had never been so close, and the decision to send the Army was only pushed back because of the King's health matter. No one wanted to take that decision before his Highness did. The first battalions had already been sent in the last couple of weeks to establish camps, mark the roads, send scouts and prepare the battlefield.

In the Capital, too, everyone was getting ready. Even while she was laying in bed, Milena had seen the orders for more weapons, gunpowder, and cannons. She had received letters from Chartiana and Rachael, both busy helping their families who were preparing for war. All the sons of the noble families were hurrying up to finish their studies, get their knighthood, or finalize their weddings before they were called to the battlefield. It would be considered an honor for them to wear their family's emblem to the North, and for their sisters to serve the Royal Hospitals and infirmaries.

Regardless of whether Rayan or Ellias were sent to the battlefield, Milena would have to sit at the War Council the entire time, and oversee the war efforts from the Palace.

It wasn't something she would ever be prepared enough for, but what Milena would need most was support. In the case, Rayan was the one sent to war and Ellias became King, her only way to oppose his decision, if needed, would be to get the most supporters among the Council. Thankfully, she was already in a good position towards the Senators, and her alliance with Rachael De Nova would be extremely precious too. Moreover, her family was the House De Crescent, one of the most powerful families in the Kingdom. Regardless of the current state of their home, no one could underestimate the Crescent Army and the Crescent Knights.

Milena sighed, admonishing herself for thinking so deeply about such things now. She stood back up, and very unexpectedly, climbed on Rayan's lap, straddling him. The Prince didn't hide his surprise by raising an eyebrow and grabbing her hips. "What is it, my Lady?"

"...I've missed you," she whispered.

This time, she left him speechless, and all intent to joke disappeared from his face. He took a deep breath, and nodded very slowly.

"I've missed you more, I think."

She chuckled, and once again came over him, to claim a kiss. With Milena on top of him, the Prince wouldn't even have thought of running away. Still, she could feel he was not completely giving in again, showing some restraint. She smiled against his lips, and demanded more. For once, the Princess was the one acting playful, tickling him with her tongue, teasing him as she knew exactly what was going on.

Rayan groaned a bit as their kiss got more intense, despite his best efforts, Milena wasn't an easy woman to resist. She was beautiful, and she knew how to show it. His face was facing her cleavage, and despite his best attempts to keep looking up, Rayan wouldn't have been able which of her face or feminine traits were the most attractive.

"...What are you doing?" He sighed.

"I'm working hard at enticing my husband," she whispered back, her hand slowly going down into his pants.

"Milena..."

But she bit his lip before he could add anything else. Milena's little fang got a little drop of blood from him, and sure enough, his grip wasn't enough to hold back her wrist. Still, he was making a conflicted expression, and it annoyed her. She kept kissing him, her lips going to his cheek.

"Milena, please..."

"Would you dare to refuse your wife?" She frowned.

"Of course not," he sighed. "However, I am concerned about your health. Your husband is cold-skinned, and you came back from a nightmarish fever that lasted three days. What am I supposed to do? You're making me a villain, wanting my wife when I'm just the right creature to make her sick again."

"Oh? I'm disappointed. I thought my husband had the confidence to warm me up regardless of your condition. I guess old age does get to you after some time. We've been married for, what, a few weeks?"

Rayan was left speechless, and visibly outraged, which made Milena very pleased with herself.

"My Lady, are you actually calling me old!"

"Old or powerless," she chuckled. "Up to you, my dear husband."

Rayan grumbled, and before she could oppose him, suddenly pushed her on the sofa, under him, making Milena chuckle in surprise. Still, the vampire Prince wasn't laughing. He buried his lips on her neck, and began caressing her all over, sending delicious chills down her body already. "You demoness..." he growled against her skin. "Tempting me like this..."

Milena couldn't stop smiling, very happy with herself. Submitting him to her power as a woman was exhilarating. However, she was soon overwhelmed with more feelings that she didn't have time to smile anymore. Rayan's hands were all over her dress, trying to get through the fabric and to her skin as quickly as possible. The fact that they were alone in that room, about to do something so vulgar, made it even more exciting. She undid his collar as well, opening his shirt as their lips kept teasing each other.

There were no more signs of their gentle kiss from earlier. The tears had passed, the anger had been digested, and now she was just hungry for another being to comfort her. She needed Rayan to make her feel he was there. No matter what, there'd be the two of them, together against politics, greed and fate.

"I'll be quick," he suddenly whispered against her ear.

She felt him caress her hips, her heavy skirt somewhat pulled over her waist, and shivered, feeling her body getting more and more angsty; When his fingers reached her intimate part, Milena bit her lip unconsciously. Rayan came to kiss that lip right away, forcing her to focus on their kiss as his fingers began moving. She shuddered, but received it, feeling her stomach answer instantly. She smiled, and caressed his lower back, pushing her hand against his shirt.

"You..." He groaned again.

She smiled innocently, but this time, the prince was not having it. He went down and suddenly bit her neck, making her cry in surprise.

"I try to be nice, and you just push it," he whispered under her ear.

Just then, he suddenly pushed in, making her whine and arch her back.

She had provoked him a bit too much. Milena felt that as he began plowing inside, making her moan and cry under his brutal assaults. She opened her legs a little, but her body was barely taking this, and she had no control. Rayan was going fast, hard, impatient. Milena closed her eyes and tried to hang on to his shoulder, and the cushion above her head. The couch was creaking loudly under them, making her ashamed of their raw love-making. His hips slamming against hers in a fast, shameful way had her redden uncontrollably. She couldn't even control her voice as he kept going, messing her up.

"S-slow... down..." she pleaded, out of breath.

He chuckled against her ear, but his hips showed no sign of slowing down.

"No... no, you... provoked me..."

Milena was regretting this a little right now, but she had no way to voice it out. Her hips were trembling as Rayan kept going, leaving her no rest. It was so rough and messy, she could barely breathe. His manhood was rubbing her insides without stopping, making her stomach twirl and heat up. His groans against her ear were driving her crazy, but she was more scared of her own cries echoing in the room. It was good, but it was so brutal, she felt like she was going to break, or maybe the couch would first. His waist was moving restlessly, pressing her against him. Cold skin? What cold skin, everything was so hot, she was burning between her legs. Milena tried hard to breathe, push him a bit, grip the cushions, but that fire between her legs didn't stop. There was no more gentleman, just a man taking her body at full force, at full speed, and the pleasure that was bursting like a tornado. She could forget about everything and just focus on those sensations, on this. All her extremities were tensed up, and she just wanted this, his power in taking her body brutally.

She felt when he was coming. The way his thrusts became more erratic, more sudden, more brutal. She moaned at each of these, feeling her own insides burning. Still, Rayan groaned in relief before she got to come with him. With a pout, Milena slapped his shoulder.

"You selfish..." She grumbled.

Still, she was expecting more, and when he pulled from her with a chuckle, her cheeks reddened.

"What are you doing...?"

Rayan pulled her skirt over her legs and grabbed his handkerchief with a naughty smile.

"Teaching my Lady about her bad manners," he said. "I think you should learn when to wait and be a good girl, and this is a very interesting wait to teach you that."

Milena was speechless, and angry. He had never finished without making sure she'd have reached her pleasure too. Now, she was left on the couch, all messy and still expectant while he put his clothes back in an appropriate state. "Rayan!"

He smiled, and suddenly pulled her out of the couch, lifting her in his arms despite Milena's still furious expression, her messed up curls all over the place.

"Don't worry," he chuckled. "It's not like I can resist you when you make this pout. Especially when I haven't been able to accompany my wife for three long days... Plus, it's time you put your dear husband to bed, my Lady. I'm looking forward to that." "...You'd better be ready," retorted Milena, trying to keep her frown on despite that smile that was trying to take over. "I am not going to let you go easy!"

"Oh, please don't."

Just like that, they exchanged a new playful kiss as he took her to their bedroom.