Temptation

Illyria's POV

    Those words were like electricity running down my spine, and the tone of his voice as he was claiming me at that moment sent shivers through my body. I was his. It was a strange feeling, but my body and my heart were responding to him in such an erotic way, despite my mind telling me to hold back. 

    “This is not possible. How could this happen?” I asked, still skeptical of the situation. He sat up and looked at me with his golden eyes. He was breathtaking, and every minute I spent next to him would be a minute I would have to hold myself back from giving in.

    “It is indeed, possible. When someone gives you a red rose, it means your soulmate will claim you right after, and he or she would have two ways to do it. The blood paint is the least painful and temporary one,” he replied with a husky voice, that had my heart beating fast.

    “And the other one?” I asked, afraid of what the answer might be.

    “The other one is the painful, and permanent mark. The vampire's fangs pierces your skin,” he replied, touching my neck where the bite mark would be.

    My breathing was heavier as he placed his face on the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply, letting out a grunt while he looked at me with lust. Being in this position in just a shirt with no pants on was the most intimate I have been with a man. 

    I suddenly felt his fangs brush against my neck and I pulled away from him instantly, getting out of bed and holding myself against the wall. He just sat there, looking at me with confusion.

    “You are so wrong. I will never be yours, and take that idea out of your head, because I would never be with a monster like you,” I blurted out, before leaving the room in a hurry. I ran down the hallway, when I bumped into Lenora and I quickly tried to cover myself. Leaving her son's room with just his shirt was awkward.

    “Are you okay, honey?” she asked, showing concern. Kieran opened the door with just his sweatpants on and looked at her with a smile.

    “Everything is fine, Mother,” he said, while grabbing me by the elbow and pulling me back inside the room. He locked the door before I yanked my arm away from his hand.

    “I don't know who the hell do you think you are, but-” I couldnt finish when he pushed me gently against the wall, pressing his lips against mine. I struggled to get away, but it was in vain. My body relaxed and I responded to him like the pathetic loser I was. 

    His lips felt so soft and tasted like honey. What surprised me the most was how gentle and full of passion that kiss was. Without being in control of myself, I brought my arms up and wrapped them around his neck, as he pulled me in closer and wrapped his big, muscled arms on my tiny waist.

    The kiss didn't seem to stop, but I couldn't say it bothered me. I felt a current of emotions inside of me. He pulled away and I was out of breath, my eyes closed, trying to visualize an intimate moment with him.

    “Still thinking naughty things, huh?” he said, making me open my eyes and pull away from him. 

    “In your dreams. I would never have thoughts about you, let alone that kind,” I replied, looking everywhere but him. He pulled back and prepared the bed once more. 

    “I promise not to touch you. Come on, I will help you up,” he said. I hesitantly walked over before he took me by the hand and helped me up the bed. I tucked myself under the covers, my back facing him while I felt the bed dip as he was getting on.

    “I need to go home,” I whispered. I could feel movement, knowing he heard what I said.

    “There is no going home, Little Rose-”

    “Please, stop calling me that. I'm not your Little Rose. I just want to leave this place and go back to my family,” grief was getting to me. I wanted to know who that coven was and why it targeted my family. 

    “Fine, you want to go back home, I will take you. But don't be surprised when you see how things were left there. It was a bloodbath and you would regret asking me to bring you there,” he replied, but I didn't care what he said. He was irritating and I wanted to be as far away from him as possible. 

******

    A gentle breeze hit my face. My eyes fluttered open and I saw the darkness of the night once again. I must have been drained, because it is not normal to sleep all day. Looking behind me, I noticed Kieran was not there, and judging by how cold the bed was, he has been gone for a while. 

    I dropped the covers off me before I walked to the bathroom to see myself in the mirror. All I saw was a mess, my bruises were still visible and my face looked pale. I was hungry.

    I splashed water on my face and tried to fix my hair before heading to my room to change. I guess there would be a new lifestyle for me. Staying awake at night with them. Something inside me was telling me I would be stuck here for a long time, and I was afraid it would come true. 

    I left Kieran's room and tiptoed to mine, not that it mattered, since they must have sharp hearing. As soon as I walked in, I locked myself and took a deep breath.

    I was still hungry, so I changed to a simple black dress with a red rose on the side that I found in the closet. Wondering whose clothes these were, I assumed they might be Lenora's. Ironic. 

    I headed towards the dining area and the smell of the food had my stomach grumbling. I could smell beef brisket, with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. 

    And there they were, everyone gathered waiting to sit down and eat dinner. My eyes went to Kieran, who was wearing a black buttoned up shirt, with black trousers. The first two buttons were open, showing that part of his shaved chest. 

    He looked at me and raised his goblet, while a smirk showed on his face, making me blush. I was able to pretend it wasn't affecting me while I greeted everyone when suddenly, a mysterious man facing his back turned around and my heart wanted to jump out of my chest. 

    “No, it can't be you.”