The other side of the bed was empty and cold when Julie woke up. She couldn't help but wonder if what happened last night… no last morning was all just a dream. Did he even get any sleep at all? He should have as he was asleep before her. Did he wake up after sleeping for just a couple of hours?Julie shook her head and hastily climbed off the bed as the memories of their kiss began to invade her mind again. Elijah had knocked on her door after Julie was done with her private matters and he escorted her out of her room.It was sunset and her meal was prepared at the castle's terrace. The snow had stopped falling but everything was still covered in white, and the venue of her meal was unexpectedly quite regal. She was going to eat on a beautiful terrace overlooking the city accompanied by the lovely sunset.She still could not get used to the fact that in this place, their breakfast was not after sunrise but at sunset. Elijah had pleaded to her yesterday to follow the Aliens' sleep rou
"The late empress hid her son in such a place because she knew that the emperor would kill His Highness the moment he sees his appearance. That's why nobody had ever seen His Highness for the first 16 years of his life except the late empress herself," Elijah continued. "When the late empress revealed the existence of Prince Alex, the imperial palace was shaken since they never thought the empress had ever conceived the emperor's child. That time, Prince Alex's eyes were scarlet red, and his hair was dark brown. Nobody knew that the late empress had purposely starved His Highness so his eyes could remain red all the time and had dyed his hair as well. She had told everyone the reason why she had hidden His Highness' existence for so many years was due to the prince's unusual red eyes and she was just trying to protect her child from any harm.Everyone knew that the empress and the emperor's relationship was not one that was on good terms with each other as the emperor blatantly showed
Julie had already gone through a few books that she found in the library, but she could not focus on any of them. Her mind just kept going back to the thoughts about Alex and his childhood. What happened to his mother, the empress? Aliens supposed to live for a long time. So how come she had already… could it be that she was killed?The thought made Julie's grip on the book she was holding tightened. Her heart ached at the realization that Alex had already lost both his parents and was now labelled as a traitor. Moreover, what had happened to him in the dungeon? How did the empress manage to hide a prince in a dungeon that was located in the imperial palace for sixteen years? Didn't Aliens had the ability to sense someone's presence even without seeing them? Not to mention what Elijah said about his extraordinary skills. If no one aside from the empress saw him within those sixteen years, how did he even hone his fighting skills?Questions kept piling up in Julie's mind as she continu
Gripping the table on either side of her, Alex caged Julie between his arms as his mouth seized hers ardently. Pushing his tongue inside her mouth, he entered repeatedly until she was drunk with pleasure and too dazed to even think.Then his mouth was travelling along her neck again as if looking for something. His mouth stopped and suddenly, he licked and then sucked on a tender pulse point, causing Julie's legs to stiffen. Oh my… what was this? What's happening to her? What was he doing to her?Julie could no longer hold in the sounds that her throat was making that she had been trying so hard to bury. She was not certain what kind of sounds or words they were once she let them out but all she knew was that it sounded to be something like pleading. And she cannot… must not say whatever it was… but… biting her lip didn't even seem to work anymore.To her relief, his mouth had sealed hers just before she could open her lips to voice it out, pushing back the sounds again. This time, hi
After the serious discussions and strategizing about the upcoming war, Alex was about to end the meeting when the Duke of Dacria raised a new topic."I believe this is a crucial concern we must address immediately, Your Highness.""Are you saying that this other topic of yours is as vital as the upcoming war? Duke Henry?""Yes, Your Highness."Everyone who had finally relaxed their tensed shoulders after the bloody simulations and discussions, straightened their shoulders once again, as though to brace themselves for this other major problem they had to deal with. Just what kind of problem was it that it was as important as the war that's looming over everyone's heads?Alex sat back. Though his face remained relaxed, he looked at the Duke with curiosity. He made sure to find out every major problem that they needed to address and he didn't find anything that was as crucial as this coming war. Had he or his men miss something important? That was impossible… even if he had missed it, hi
"Milady, uhm… would you like to eat in the terrace again? Something important came up suddenly so His Highness cannot join you." Elijah was hesitant in his suggestion, sounding apologetic as he explained the dining arrangement to Juliet.Julie who was about to take her seat halted but she forced a smile on her face to assure the butler. "It's alright, Elijah. There is no need to transfer places. I am fine with dining right here. It's not like this is the first time I'm going to eat alone," she replied when someone's voice echoed, pulling their attentions."Would you mind if I join you, Lady Juliet?" Julie whipped her head towards the source of the voice, and an elegant grey-haired lady was smiling, approaching her. This was the first time Julie saw a grey-haired alien.They said that the major indicator that an Alien was old and ancient was their grey hair. The woman walking towards her was still very beautiful and elegant, exuding a regal aura of probably a queen dowager. Could it be
"He… he agreed?" Julie's face was suddenly drained of all colour. However, her facial expressions did not change in the slightest."I haven't met my husband or the prince yet, but it appeared this was what the council had concluded and decided on. If the prince had not given his consent, there would be no way that anyone could have made a move.""I see…" was all Julie said. But her reaction was clear to the Duchess. It was obvious Juliet was affected and was even probably devastated, and heart broken, judging from the dispirited look in her eyes.This was not what the duchess had expected. Didn't she hate Alex that she didn't even allow him to sleep with her in the same room? Aurora had heard that yesterday, the prince left the princess' room and slept somewhere else. Even the servants have started gossiping, saying that the princess must have kicked him out in the middle of the day.So, what was with her betrayed expression now? Could it be that they were missing out on an important
Julie ended up spending the entire time waiting up for Alex in their room, sometimes pacing up and down, sometimes sitting on the bed in a daze – but he never did appear. She eventually fell into a troubled and fitful sleep, plagued with a painful and heavy heart.When she finally woke up, her gaze immediately fell to the empty side of their bed before she turned her head towards the window. It was already night. Though she slept, it felt as though she did not get any rest but suffered greater mental torture if it was even possible.A bitter smile curved on Julie's lips. Her resigned heart could only conclude that he must have gone ahead and slept with those beautiful concubines of his. No matter how she tried to deny her feelings nor ignore it, the reality is that she hated how her heart squeezed in pain. A soft bitter chuckle escaped from her lips as she buried her face in her palms. She could not help but laugh because now that her husband finally did what she had been expecting fr
Blood suddenly sprayed out of the huge man's body without him realizing until Alex's powerful fist crashed into his face and he was sent flying away from the troops only to drop to the ground not unlike a chunk of huge stone. Following the tremor of Gallas' collapse, there reigned a few seconds of dumbfounded silence from both armies who were watching this awe-inspiring exchange.Watching the fight and being able to follow their moves, Alex's men smiled. "There he goes," Joshua smirked and then lifted his sword as he shouted out at the Dacrian soldiers. "Our prince is the strongest, so don't falter! Kill them all!" he roared, and the Dacrians' morale soared as they too roared along and attacked with an even higher and renewed vigour. Their roar was so loud that the crown prince at the far back heard them and his darkened face went even darker.Leon, the half-blood Alex sent away in one strike, who stayed back to observe was now back. Jumping in front of Alex and blocking him before he
The half-bloods instinctively stepped back. Their expressions had changed, especially Gallas'. His haughty look was now gone, being replaced by incredulity and shock. He had been prepared to expect many things from this traitorous prince, but this was not one of the possibilities that he had imagined ever happening. At all. Leon who rarely shows any emotions was also showing a wary look on his face and very clearly had his guard up.Their purple eyes had gone bloody red. Time seemed to have come to a standstill and the suffocating air that enveloped them thickened even further. It was as if they were mired in a bog and not only their breathing was being smothered, but the movements of their limbs were also slowed down, like invisible strong chains were weighing them down and pulling them back.The next moment, a flash of something whisked out from the direction of the rubble and struck at one of them. The half-blood called Leon had speedy reflexes and managed to block the unexpected s
Staring uneasily out the windows, towards the direction of the front line that her eyes could not even see, Julie remained tense long after Luc had dropped her off according to Alex's orders. She somehow felt that the air was heavier and chillier, even though the temperature was the same as last night.Unease and worry laid heavy on her as if there were a boulder sitting on her chest. She remembered those times in her younger years, she and her mother used to feel this way every time her father goes out to war. It was an awful feeling. Like she was holding back her breath the whole time and could only breath again when he finally come back home, alive. And this time, she could obviously feel her anxiety was more intense.Taking a deep breath, Julie gripped the dagger Alex had gifted to her. Tonight, she was not going to do anything but to patiently wait and hope and fervently pray that her husband will be fine and fulfil his promise… that he will be returning to her side. She sighed w
Someone deliberately cleared his throat so Julie could only push Alex away."Your Highness, it's more than time already. We must depart now." Luc said, his face still managing to remain quite stoic, despite everything that he had seen and heard."Go, I'll be fine." Julie urged her husband as well all the while trying to break free from his hold. Elijah also emerged from the stairs, already holding Julie's cloak and dagger with him."Alright," Alex's hold finally loosened rather reluctantly. His struggle to let go of her was apparent to everyone that were present. "But I need you to kiss me first." Alex demanded Julie boldly, not caring that his men and butler were there to witness how childish he was behaving at the moment.Julie, and the other two vampires could literally hear their jaws dropping to the ground. She glanced at Elijah and Luc and the two suddenly whirled around, turning their backs to them in a bid to afford the couple their privacy – well, whatever privacy could be af
Shock was clearly etched on Julie's face as Romeo eased away from her and faced Luc. Julie saw how his face had transformed from one that was playful and seductive, into one that was cold and flint-like."Take my wife back to the castle." He ordered in a calm voice and the green eyed blond immediately nodded.Julie reached out and clasped at Alex's coat. Her expression was severe.Seeing the worry in her eyes, Alex bent and whispered to her. "Don't make that face, love. Didn't I promise I'd protect you? I will not let a single unwelcomed person get pass this wall so do not worry, okay? Furthermore, we need to continue what we started but was rudely interrupted… right?" Gavriel teased with a grin, trying to ease Julie's worry.The certainty in his voice made Julie felt secured and that teasing managed to get her to loosen up a little. However, she was not so much worried about herself but more for him. She knew he was strong but… that earlier nightmare… what if her father had allied hi
Julie's eyes flung open. She was sweating and breathing hard as her wide opened eyes stared fixedly at the ceiling until she managed to get her breathing stabilized. How long had it been since she last had a nightmare? She could not even remember anymore.To the members of the house of Silverado, nightmares were not just some random or normal occurrence. For them, these were taken seriously and were messages of forewarning or signs of things to come.Strangely, it was very rare for the members of the family to ever have nightmares. She heard that there were even some members who had never experienced having nightmares in their lifetime. Julie however had experienced it once, but that was when she was still a child, so she already knew how it felt.Back home, if one of them would ever have a nightmare, they were required to immediately confess everything that they saw to the head of the family, the dragon keeper. This was a rule of the house that must not be broken, and everyone could
"Julie, stop –" Alex chocked on his saliva as he was incredibly turned on but had to force himself to hold back for her sake.She squeezed him gently and all he could do was groan. His hands that held her, the hands that was supposed to stop her trembled. This was bad. He wanted her so much it was killing him. He didn't want to stop her. The caresses of her delicate hands felt like salvation. He felt like a person who was dying of thirst in the desert and had finally found that saving jug of water – only to have it held at arm's length. It was so close yet so far that he felt himself nearing insanity.Her lashes lifted as her hands continued caressing him and Alex sucked in his breath. Her hair had darkened because of their wetness. She was like a moon goddess that had emerged from some mystical lake."This is…" she opened her lips hesitantly. "What a man will put inside a woman, right?" she asked, shy and innocent. Not knowing that her innocent question was the most potent drug that
Julie supported her weight on his shoulders and rose to her knees when Alex stilled under her. She was too dazed to realize the primitive hunger dancing in his eyes."Al –" she couldn't even complete his name because Alex suddenly moved and grabbed her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her up slightly as he buried his head against her torso. Julie felt his forehead a feverish contrast as to the cool span of her upper body, helping her clear her muddled head a little."Julie… oh, god…" his tone was grave, his eyes were passion-drowsed as he cupped the soft shape of her breast with his one hand. He gently kneaded, squeezed it while his mouth kissed her throat.His hands began to explore her body, on and on, she felt both his light and heavy touches alternately everywhere as if he were determined to leave nothing untouched and unexplored."Alex…" Juliet moaned and gasped and strained at his touches and kisses. The strong hands tracing over every nook and cranny of her bo
"You're so exquisite, my love." He said, his gaze worshipfully running across every curve and dip of her delectable figure. But he stepped away. "Get into the water first while I undress. It's cold."Even though Julie unusually was not feeling cold at all, she took Alex's hand and let him help her into the tub. She quickly lowered herself until all of her was submerged except her head, in the hopes of hiding her naked body in the water. The water felt too hot on her already feverish skin.Julie could see him undressing from the corner of her eyes, but she did not dare turn that way to look and confirm her thoughts. She instead resolutely fixed her gaze at the fireplace, trying to calm herself from the seemingly growing fire inside of her. What was going with her, was she having a fever? But it did not feel like the fever she normally get…"Wife," his voice pulled her attention back to him and she absentmindedly turned her head towards Alex."Hmmm? What is…" she replied distractedly bu