Chapter 5 Four

ELEANOR'S POV

The ride to Jackson’s apartment was brief, and my excitement only grew as we pulled up to his grand duplex, complete with a white picket fence.

“This would be our home after the wedding” a thought that filled me with a warm sense of belonging and anticipation.

Lately, I didn't know whether I should be grateful or guilty. If Father was telling the truth, then the only reason I wasn't being sent to King Argus was because I was already promised to Jackson.

For the first time, I found myself thanking fate for that.

Maybe my relationship had saved me. Maybe all I had left to do now was save Maria.

The thought lingered in my mind as I stepped inside.

Inside, the living room gleamed with a pristine charm, the floor shining beneath the afternoon light, and the air was as fresh as though it have been purified only for us. I sank into the couch, feeling comfortable as Jackson settled beside me.

“So, what did your parents say?” he requested, his voice curious.

“Maria will be going,” I responded.

“Thank God,” he said almost instantly.

My eyebrows furrowed, and I felt an unexpected wave of irritation.

“What do you imply by that?” I requested sharply as my gaze held his.

He blinked, like he hadn’t expected me to hear him properly. Then he forced a softer tone.

“No, I meant it's better that she’s going instead of you,” he defended.

His hand landed on my lap as if to comfort me. But instead of calming me down…It irritated me even more.

I pushed his hand away, my voice firm.

“It’s not better. My sister isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I.”

Jackson sighed, clearly trying to recover.

“Eleanor, you know what I mean. You can’t stop the Vampire King from taking a bride. This is beyond us.”

“No,” I snapped. “It’s not beyond me.”

He frowned slightly now.

“But what exactly are you planning to do?”

“There must be another way,” I insisted. “But Maria will not marry that man, not while I’m still alive.”

His expression softened as he realized the depth of my resolve.

“So, what are you planning?”

I looked him dead in the eye, my tone resolute.

“I’m going to speak to the high priest. I’ll convince him to choose someone else.”

Jackson stared at me like I had just said something foolish.

“And if that doesn’t work?” he asked, his voice curious yet cautious.

“If it doesn’t work,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “then I’ll go to Bazil myself and make King Argus understand that my sister will never be his bride.”

Jackson’s face twisted in alarm.

“Are you insane?” His voice rose. “You don’t even know what that place is like! You think you can just walk into a vampire kingdom and negotiate your way out?”

“I don’t care,” I said firmly.

“You could die,” he added sharply. “Or worse.”

My eyes snapped to his. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

“You don’t understand how those creatures think.”

“And you do?” I shot back.

That shut him up for half a second. Then he stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“Eleanor… just let it go. It’s not worth risking your life. What if he decides to assert you as his?”

That did it. Something inside me snapped.

“Your words are beginning to anger me, Jackson,” I snapped. “ What do you mean by its not worth it. Would you have allowed them take Katie if she was to be in Maria’s place?”

His eyes widened slightly.

“Babe, that’s not what I meant…”

“Well,” I cut in “if you’d allow them to take your sister, then that’s on you. But I will never allow them take mine.”

He sighed, reaching out once more.

“I’m sorry, love. Don’t be upset, please.”

“Then don’t ever imply that my sister isn’t worth it, like she's some kind of garbage” I retorted, my voice sharp.

He pulled me close, cupping my face in his hands.

“I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. I wasn't thinking.”

I rolled my eyes but softened slightly at his touch. He should have known better than to speak that way about my sister.

“Come on, love. I’m truly sorry,” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, trying to stay upset.

“Yes!...I have something for you,” he said, disappearing into the other room for a moment.

When he returned, he held a small, beautifully wrapped box.

“What’s in here?” I asked, eyeing the package.

“It’s a gift,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

I tore the wrapping open quickly and froze. Inside were jade pendants. Rare ones. Beautifully carved. My name engraved delicately into each piece.

My breath caught.

“Jackson…” I whispered.

He smiled.

“You like it?”

I didn’t even answer properly, I just threw my arms around him.

“Oh my gosh. I love it. Thank you,” I said immediately.

“I love you,” he whispered back.

“I love you too.” I replied, feeling my heart swell.

After a moment’s pause, he held out his hand. “Dance?”

“What kind of dance?” I asked, a playful smile forming on my lips.

“Any kind,” he replied, shrugging as he turned on the stereo.

Soft music filled the room, and we swayed together, his hands guiding me gently.

But as the dance continued, I felt heat rising within me. The air between us was thick with desire, and soon, his lips found mine, deepening the kiss.

In one smooth motion, he guided me onto the couch.

“Jackson…” I moaned.

I was going wet already, and his finger was sliding in easily. He pumped steadily, while I lifted my hips to meet his thrusts.

But we couldn’t go any further than this. I wanted to wait until our wedding night for the main act.

Seeing that the game was getting hornier than expected, I pulled back first, breathless before forcing myself upright. My heart was racing too fast.

Glancing at the clock I discovered It was past three already. I guess this was my perfect excuse.

“I have to get back home” I said, straightening my clothes

I arranged my dress and hair, while he looked at me. My eyes moved down his lower body and I could see the hard Imprint of his dick from his pants, but I pretended not to notice it.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment.

“Can’t you stay the night?”

I shook my head, forcing myself to resist his pleading gaze.

“I promised Maria I’d be home soon. Besides, I didn’t tell Mom I’d be staying over.”

He groaned. “You could just call them.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” I insisted.

He sighed in defeat as I adjusted my dress and leaned in to kiss him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Promise?” he asked.

“Promise.”

I picked up my bag and started to leave, but then on a second thought, I decided to leave the gift box here. It was my future home after all. No sense in moving things back and forth, right?.

“I’ll just drop this upstairs,” I told him, heading toward his bedroom.

Once inside, I felt a thrill of excitement as I took in the familiar yet awe-inspiring space.

This would be my future bedroom.

I walked over to the wardrobe and placed the box inside. But as I turned to close it, my elbow accidentally knocked over a stack of documents.

Great…

Papers scattered onto the floor, and I hurried to pick them up, not wanting Jackson to walk in on the mess. But then… my fingers brushed against something that made my heart stop.

A marriage certificate.

I stared at it, reading the words over and over, feeling the world tilt beneath me. Jackson’s name was printed clearly on the document, but beside it was a woman’s name–someone else.

“No…” I whispered.

I read it again..And again. Like the words might change if I stared long enough.

But they didn’t. It was real.

My mind went blank. My heart thundered. And I felt a hollow–numbing ache spread through me as the certificate slipped from my trembling fingers, fluttering to the floor.

Just then, Jackson entered the room, stopping dead in his tracks as his eyes met mine.

He looked at the paper on the floor, and I watched as his expression crumbled. A tear slipped down my cheek, and my face, once filled with love and trust, now held nothing but betrayal and heartbreak.

So I was nothing but a mistress all these years?

And to think this union had been my saving grace from being Argus's bride.