The Princess Slave

Violette POV

I watched nervously as Viktor paced back and forth across the room.. Cedric’s last letter was in his hand as he read it word for word for the millionth time.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“It’s been a few days since we’ve heard from Cedric..” Viktor said. I placed a hand on my belly.. taking in a deep breath and sat down.

“He’s coming..” I said. My voice shook as I spoke.. I knew this day would come.. Father would’ve never agreed for me to be Viktor’s mate. And to carry his child? I knew he wouldn’t take it very lightly.

“Do not worry.. you know the plan. We will get you and the pup to safety while I take his life.” Viktor said.

Cedric reported that Father was gathering men before his reports had gone silent.. and from what he heard from our inside men, Father wishes to kill us himself.

“I cannot bear it.. what if he kills you? What then? Our pup and I will be on the run.. everyone left here will die.” I said.

“Violette, do not think like that. I will kill him. And you both will be safe.” He said as he walked over to me. He pulled me into his arms and dipped his face into my neck.

“I won’t let anything happen to either of you.” He said softly. I fought back my tears. Father was ruining everything..

“I’m worried about you. What will I do if something happens to you?” I asked as a tear slid down my face against my wishes.

“You will survive.” He said. He took a deep breath of my scent and held me close.

“Beatrice, Sylvia, and a few of my most trusted guards will take you to safety. These people would die to protect you.. to protect the pup.” He said.

“He has twice the men we do!” I growled. I pulled away from him and moved to the bed.

“And we have men with him that follow you.. not him. And once I take your father’s life.. do you really think that Amelia’s people would continue to fight in his name?” Viktor asked. I shook my head. With my Father dead.. Amelia’s alliance with him will be dead as well. That is.. unless she wanted revenge for my Father’s death.

It seems as if Viktor had read my mind..

“Surely Amelia didn’t want to marry your Father.. especially given that he’s one of the most ruthless.. abusive men alive. Cedric has told us he hasn’t been kind to her.. that she’s been spotted around the palace with bruises and cuts. He was only using her for the alliance.” Viktor said.

“I am afraid, Viktor,” I said softly.

“I know, love.. I know. But soon it will all be over and we can go back to our lives.” He said.

“I cannot.. survive without you,” I said as the tears spilled down my cheeks. He walked over to me and kneeled between my legs and looked up at me.

“You will if you have to.. but it will not come to that. I promise.” He tried his best to assure me.

“You can’t promise that.. nothing is certain.” I cried. He pulled cupped my face and wiped my tears with his thumbs.

“Then I will give you all the time I can.. if he does take my life. But you just push forward. Do not turn back. Think of our pup.. please.” He said. I nodded my head even though I didn’t agree.

I couldn’t leave him.. I couldn’t leave him to fight the man who’d tortured him for years. To take our pup and live on the run for the rest of our lives.. without him..

“You should pack. We need to be ready for you to go.” He said softly.

“Viktor..” I began but he shook his head.

“Please, Violette.. my love, do not fight me on this. I need you to get to safety.. I can’t worry about you as I fight him.” He said. He kissed my hands.. then my belly before standing up and walking to the closet with a bag he’d already pulled out.

After he finished packing he walked over to me and sighed.

“I love you.” He said.

“I love you more.” I sobbed as I stood up and wrapped my arms tightly around him.

“Not a chance, my love.” He said as he inhaled my scent another time.

I was so worried.. my Father is a brutal man. He’s vicious when he’s angry.. dangerous.. he’s already tried to kill me twice. Now he wishes to do it himself to make sure the job is done.

He tended up in my arms and my heart dropped.. I knew exactly what that meant.

“He’s here.. isn’t he?” I asked.

“You need to go. You cannot be here when he reaches the castle. They’ve crossed into the border, they’re coming.” He said frantically. I squeezed him tighter.. held him for just a few more moments before pulling away. He cupped my cheeks and pulled me to his lips.

“I have to go.. I’ve sent for everyone that’s coming with you. They will arrive soon, so stay ready. I have to keep Arthur from getting inside. I need to buy you time. I know where you’ll be.. so I’ll come get you as soon as it’s done.” He said as he pulled away. I nodded my head and he kneeled to my belly.

“I love you my little pup.” He whispered to my belly before placing a gentle k**s against it. At that moment I felt a hard kick.. as did Viktor because it was right against his hand.

“I love you both.” He said. He stood up and quickly rushed out of the room. My heart raced frantically in my chest.. just a few moments and my guards will arrive with Beatrice and Sylvia.

I heard growling and howls outside.. Father really has come.

I didn’t hesitate to rush to the door when I heard a knock, but I was surprised to see only Boris.

“Come, Princess. We must make haste.” He said as he grabbed my arm.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“They’re waiting. We have to go now, come!” He said. I held the strap of the bag tightly as I left with him.. but I felt uneasy.. I just couldn’t pinpoint why.

“I thought Loren was supposed to escort me..” I said.

“He got caught up. We have to be quick, Princess. Time is not on our side.” He said. I quickly followed him through the secret passage and outside where the snarls grew louder from around the castle. He pulled me to a carriage but I didn’t smell Sylvia or Beatrice..

“Get in.. hurry.” He said. He opened the door and the moment he did I felt a hard whack against the back of my head and my sight began to fade.. but not before I caught the sight and scent of that sneaky little snake..

Minerva.

Everything went black as fell and felt cold hands wrap around me.