The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-342

Madeline took a deep breath and let it out through her lips. "This wouldn't have happened if you didn't know about James' existence. We shouldn't have mentioned him during lunch with you that day." James would have been living a normal life right now.

"Oh, please," Calhoun rolled his eyes, "I saw him kissing your," he paused to bring his hand up, wiggling his fingers, "In the ball. And in my defence, I didn't know Catherine would kill people and put one of the dead bodies in his backyard. I mean, I kill people but I definitely don't let it be a compost fertilizer in other houses. Who does that?" he asked with a fake shock on his face.

"You shouldn't have pushed him to get married to Catherine." She wondered how they would be able to get hold of James. Even if they did find a cure, how were they going to find a werewolf who was on the run?

She didn't know what happened in Heathcliff's residence. Maybe James had called Catherine to call off their wedding. Madeline was a person who never wished any harm to any people. People whom she knew were dying left and right, and she stood there, hearing the news one after another.

She felt her head hurt, buzzing loudly. Before she could fall, Calhoun caught hold of her in his arms, "Maddie?" he called her name and saw her unconscious.

He carried her in his arms, heading to his quarters. But on the way, he met Madeline's aunt, Mary. "Oh dear! Is she alright?" asked the woman, worry splattered on her face. When the woman went to touch Madeline's hand, Calhoun took a step backwards so that the woman wouldn't get to touch the girl who was in his arms.

Calhoun had met enough people like her who wore the mask on their face. The cracks on the mask that Mary wore were too many which he could look through. He was more careful because the woman was related to Madeline. Anyone related to his love would be put under dire test before he would approve them to be near Madeline.

Mary looked up at Calhoun, a questionable look appeared on her face at his action. She had stepped out of her room, walking in the halls when she noticed the King carrying her niece. Did something happen that made Madeline faint right now? Or was it because the dark angel's ability was kicking in her body again, which her brother and his wife failed to see.

"My King?" came the question from Mary, a polite smile on her face.

"Yes, milady?" Calhoun played the ignorant fool, "Oh! I am a little possessive about her. You might have heard about it from her parents."

Mary had heard a lot of things about the King, but she didn't expect him to claim Madeline in front of her, shamelessly. All she wanted to do now, was to touch those girl's hands to know if it would harm her. She noticed how his red eyes stared at her, taking in every single detail and movement of hers like he was sharply watching her.

She disliked vampires, and this one seemed to have his own quirk. As much as Mary had blamed her brother for letting Madeline marry this vampire, she was still glad to know that there was a possibility of her niece turning to a dark angel. She did love her niece, but she loved the power more that would come from sacrificing the dark angel.

Not wanting to be suspicious, Mary asked, "What happened to her? Was it the harsh sun?" she left a trap, waiting for the King to step on to it.

"It was the blood," said Calhoun, noticing how the woman's eyebrows rose.

"Blood…? Is she hurt?" Mary asked in a tone of worry.

Calhoun smiled, not because he wanted to assure the woman, but for the woman's facade, "She's not hurt. I must have sucked more blood from her than I intended," he grinned brazenly while tiptoeing around the trap without stepping on it.

"Oh," came the disappointed response. The woman looked a little uncomfortable that he was openly speaking about feeding from Madeline.

"I didn't get to speak to you earlier, but I am so thankful to you," Calhoun thanked the woman that left her confused.

"I didn't do anything," she replied to see Calhoun shake his head.

"You did! And I think you should take every single credit for it," Mary didn't know what the King was speaking about as she had arrived at the castle only this morning. "You taught Madeline how to read and write. Actually both the girls. Taught them how to ride horses, though I would say that would need some work. Not many offer that kind of kindness," he stressed on the word kindness, the smile still on his lips.

Mary laughed, "I am their aunt. I did the best I could."

"I am glad to hear that Madeline has such a supportive family. She speaks a lot about all of you," Calhoun chimed, "I should put her to bed." And he left the woman standing there in the halls without turning back, while still sensing her presence.

Calhoun kicked the door of his room, carrying Madeline to his bed to place her down with a pillow under her head. He could hear her heart beating steadily in her chest without any skip or hitch. Pulling the blanket, he put it until her chest to tuck her safely. A frown came to settle on his face, questioning what caused Madeline to faint in the middle of the day.

He went to keep her hands in a much more comfortable position, when his hand made contact with her fingers, he stopped.

He felt pain struck his chest, and he coughed. Walking to the sink, he bent down to spit the red liquid out of his mouth. He turned to look at Madeline, who continued to lay there on the bed unconscious.

It seemed like Madeline's body was in kill mode.