Fated is overrated

"Is it hot in here?" I ask Damon and Felix, as we walk into the dining hall. They both furrow their brows, before Felix says " no, not really". We walk up to the table where dad is already sitting, together with Zeke and Zane.

As I see my dad staring at Zane's neck, I blush at the realization that it hasn't gone unnoticed, and he probably knows what we have been doing in my bedroom. It's so weird I feel awkward about that, I am 20 years old for goddess' sake! I blush profusely when sitting down at the table, in between my dad and Damon.

Zeke and Zane are sitting across from us, as Felix joins next to them. The tension between them is almost suffocating. Zeke and Zane are sending death glares Felix' way, and Felix doesn't seem too fond of them either.

'Why is his smell all over you?' Zane mind links me, and I heat up more and more. Beads of sweat are trickling down my legs right about now. 'Calm down, both of you. He is not a threat, I am with you'.

'Not that he can tell' Zane grumbles back. 'Actually, he can. You have a fresh mark on your neck, don't you?'. 'Yes, but my neck isn't the one he is staring at!! Glancing at Felix, I notice he is indeed staring at my neck.

I suddenly feel very aware of my exposed shoulders and neck, and I heat up even more. My temperature is through the f*cking roof, do I have a fever or something? My tank top is actually starting to get wet from sweating, what is wrong with me?

To my great relief, a dozen of the vampires that stepped out enter the dining hall, and immediately bolt towards me. Saved by the vampires! I stand up to greet them, when they all drop to their knees in front of me.

Horrified, I wave for them all to get up "rise, you don't have to bow for me". "Yes we do, we owe you our lives, our Queen" one of them pipes up. Their Queen? I must look dumbfounded, as another vampire continues "we would like to pledge our loyalty to you, my Queen. Although we may need to leave the castle grounds soon, we will always be loyal to you".

As the vampire speaks, he glances around nervously. When I do the same, I notice all other dragons in the dining hall are glaring at them. If looks could kill.. Goddess, these poor vampires.

First, they have left everything behind in their kingdom, and now they are being bullied in their safe haven. I move towards the center of the room, with all eyes on me. "Now listen up everyone! The vampires you see here, are my guests, OUR guests. They have forsaken their homes and everything they have ever known, to stand with us, rather than stand against us.

This kingdom will NOT display the same amount of disrespect, intolerance and fear that the former vampire King has shown. They will be treated as one of us, for as long as they choose to stay with us. If anyone has any problems with that, feel free to address them to me directly" I bellow out to the crowd confidently.

I was expecting some resistance, maybe even some arguments right here on the spot. But, to my surprise, everyone remains silent and nods at me. I can tell they are still hesitant, but they are not glaring at the vampires anymore at least.

Getting the message across has taken a toll on me it seems, as I am burning up even more. I am impossibly hot right now, to a point where I feel the need to rip my own clothes off and dive into an ice bath.

Sweat is trickling down my forehead even, it's f*cking disgusting. As I am walking back towards the vampires, I hear some deep sniffing sounds coming from the tables I am passing. As I glance at one of the tables I pass, I see some of the men's eyes flicker between their usual color and black. Their dragons are fighting for control, what the hell is going on?

As I am staring at them dumbfounded, the scent of evergreen and cedarwood invades my senses and I have to bite my lip in order to prevent myself from moaning. What the f*ck? Before I can say or do anything, I am hoisted over Zeke's broad shoulders, as he runs out the dining hall with Zane hot on our tail.

As we reach the main hallway I can hear numerous loud roars erupting from the dining hall. What the f*ck is going on? Do they think they are abducting me or something? "Guys you should put me down, I think they believe you are abducting me". "No baby girl, you are in heat. Their beasts are fighting for control to mark you".