I quickly learn my first lesson—never make assumptions or underestimate anything when it comes to the night creatures in this realm.
After the prince makes a quick exit, I’m left standing there, stunned, trying to process how quickly things are moving.
He proposes a deal, I agree, and now I’m stuck in this manor, waiting for the king’s arrival.
Or until Elijah takes me back to my realm.
I blink a few times, pulling myself together, and take a look around. Of all the things in the massive bathroom, the pool grabs my attention.
It’s rectangular, with water cascading from a stone pipe attached to the wall. The way the water sparkles in the sunlight filtering through the dome ceiling is inviting. I feel a strong urge to try it out.
Elijah himself said the water would feel soothing against my skin. I know I have to try it before the king shows up.
My plan is simple: take a quick dip, swim a bit, and get out of the pool before the king finds me swimming in the nude.
Given the size of this manor and the number of rooms, I doubt he’ll come straight here.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
A few minutes later, I’m busy combing my fingers through my hair when I sense someone behind me.
Just my luck, it’s the king.
My first instinct is to dive into the water, hiding my body from his gaze, and swim as far away from him as possible. When I resurface, I’ll be well out of his reach.
From the look on his face, he doesn’t seem surprised to find me in his manor, but he looks seriously annoyed that I’m using his pool.
I want to call out the king’s rude behavior, but the prince’s words and our deal remind me to act differently. Maybe starting a civil conversation will make my time with him less unbearable.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only is his attitude terrible, but he’s also a pervert. No sane man would strip naked in front of a woman after being so rude.
Well, unless that woman was his lover or something.
I can’t deny it. I want to see more. I want to admire the hard lines of his abdomen, the muscles, the definition, and the well-toned abs.
He doesn’t disappoint in the looks department either. He’s the complete package, the perfect king of a kingdom. If only he wasn’t such an ass.
During our conversation, he maintains his prickly attitude, dares to call Earth garbage—which I’m partly ashamed of—and rudely tells me he doesn’t want to know my name.
I can’t hold back. I don’t care if he’s the king. I have to show him how rude he’s being.
In the end, I only make things worse. He threatens me, hinting at a side of him that’s worth fearing. He must be talking about his monstrous side as a werewolf or lycan.
It’s not hard to figure out. Elijah told me they were that kind of creature.
But yeah, I admit it. The way he looks at me scares me. But in that moment, I learn my second lesson—I should never, ever show my fear. It would only boost his already inflated ego.
Thirty minutes after that disastrous encounter, I leave the pool. I quickly grab my chemise and underwear and head for the changing room.
My plan is to leave the king’s chamber and find another room, as far away as possible. Luckily, I don’t run into him again on my way out.
In my search for a suitable room, I pass through hallways and staircases. The manor is big enough to house five football teams and their girlfriends or wives.
It’s as grand as I imagine the inside of Buckingham Palace to be, with beautiful and bold artisan craftsmanship.
I finally find a room—not too small and not too big. It has a cozy reading nook next to a spacious living area and a fireplace filled with impressive-looking neon-red stones.
The bedroom is separate, with floor-to-ceiling windows. I test the bed, and it’s as soft as the one in the king’s chamber.
It also has a four-poster frame, but with sheer white drapes instead of thick, dark blue ones. It’s exactly the kind of sleeping setup I’d want if I were vacationing in the Caribbean islands.
I check the bathroom, and it’s beautiful. It’s not as huge as the king’s with the pool, but I prefer it this way.
There’s a glass shower in the corner, a bathtub opposite it, and a countertop with an oval-shaped mirror decorated with delicate lines and curves—basically, it has all the essentials to make my stay in this realm bearable.
There’s one thing that worries me though—my clothes.
The wardrobe in this room doesn’t have any dresses, and I doubt the other rooms will have any, especially for a woman like me.
I think of the prince, and a glimmer of hope sparks inside me.
He's probably smart enough to bring me clothes the next time we meet. The catch is, I have no idea when that'll be. But I'm hoping it's soon.
Once I've picked out a room, my next mission is to find something to eat. After about twenty minutes of exploring, I stumble upon the dining room and kitchen.
They're on the second floor, right next to a music room and a gym. Yes, a gym. It looks just like the ones back on Earth.
I can't help but grin at the thought of using it during my stay. It's the perfect way to pass the time.
In the kitchen, I hit the jackpot. There's a fridge-like cabinet filled with a variety of pre-made meals.
I grab a plate of waffles and they instantly heat up right before my eyes. I also pull out some cut fruit, hoping it tastes like the fruit on Earth.
It does, and then some. The fruit is flavorful and vibrant, a feast for the senses.
It seems like the food in this realm has some magical qualities. I don't mind. I don't complain. As long as it fills me up, I'm good.
After eating, I spend most of my time exploring the manor—inside and out. The gardens surrounding the building are meticulously maintained.
I figure the king must have left because I have the freedom to wander without worrying about running into him. The place is all mine. There are no guards like before, and no servants either.
It's my own little slice of heaven, and for the first time since I arrived in this realm, I'm actually enjoying myself.
That is, until the next morning.
As the sun rises, the first thing I see when I open my eyes is the king's sour face.
In that moment, I realize I'm about to get laid…six feet under.
