He gulped, finding it almost impossible to move. Her breath fanned his neck, her breathing getting warmer the closer she pressed herself to him, clung to him like he was some sought of life source that she couldn't seem to be able to get herself away from, even if she tried. Ironic. He didn't even possess something of such vibrance.A life. "Don't leave me, please." Her voice was breathy.She was asleep, probably having a dream. Wait.A dream.... about... him?"Zezi." His voice sounded unusually shaky, foreign to his own ears. His frown deepened, the black zig zag lines filling his face, as his eye lids fell shut and he sucked her scent into his lungs. Lily and honey.She always smelt so good, smelt even better now that the wolf's annoying mark had been gotten rid of. He detested it while it stood there, disfiguring her neck. He had never been able to breath her in while she had it on, the wolf's scent had always irritated him. But now?Ah, by the Blood, there was nothing better
Laura didn't say anything and Delice's clutch against her gown tightened. "I went there tonight." When she spoke this time, her smile had faded away, and the tears that had long gown empty in her eyes were starting to well up again, making them shimmer under the soft light of the hallway. "By the Blood, Delice. You shouldn't have done that."She nodded, the words building up in her threatening to choke her. "I know." It was a whisper. Her shoulders hung low in defeat, her gaze fixed to the floor. "I'm so sorry, for this and for everything."Laura's arms came around her, as she pulled her into the room, whispering back, "I forgive you."The taller vampire pulled away from Delice to shut the door behind them and the scent of the herbs that was a constant in Laura's room rushed into her lungs, but Delice was too devasted tonight to think too much of it. She watched her friend as she retreated from the door."Why did you do it?"Laura straightened up as if she had been called up again
"Oliver was flirting with me."Laura's hands stilled around Delice's own, her grip on the wet towel a little tight before it loosened it and a scoff escaped her lips."Oliver would never flirt with you."The sound of the dripping water into the bowl cut through the silence of the room. Laura pulled the small towel out of the bowl again, draining the liquid by squeezing it tight, the liquid dropping back into the bowl, before placing it on Delice's shoulder blade and pulling it down to her wrist, as she tried to wash away that disgusting grave scent away from her body. Laura had already told her to get rid of her gown because of the putrid lifeless aura that hung, not only to the sleeves of it but the whole gown in general.The lifeless aura not being the type she liked. It left a bitter taste on her tongue.Who in their right mind would go to a place as stinky as that?Delice, of course. She wasn't in her right mind. But that didn't matter, Laura would be doomed if she had that awf
Zezi's head was ringing bells by the time she woke up but that was what she got for falling asleep on the library cold, hard floor.She sat up slowly, opening her eyes with the realization that she was, in fact, not in the library but in her room. Her lips pressed together in a line, as she ran her fingers through her black tangled hair. Someone had brought her here. The image of her grabbing someone in her sleep flashed through her mind and her frown deepened, recognizing the rainy scent that had flooded her senses at that moment.The King? The theories she had on her mind about his reason for being at the library last night, didn't allow her know precisely how to feel about his gentlemanly gesture. She would just have to figure that out when she runs into him deliberately today. Although she still hadn't been able to meet Akeem and his so called High Pillar yet, she had no intention to let that slow down her plan.Her feet moved to the floor and she rose up from the bed all too q
Her hand stilled around the fork and she looked at Gwen, while her brain went through different excuses like a quick unnaturally running clock. If none of them were to work, as Gwen was smart, then she would just have to get rid of her. Might even make the King get rid of her himself. Got to put that mate bond to the test and see how far it could really stretch. She really hoped she wouldn't have to though. If the reason he had been in the library was because he had been suspicious of her, the King didn't seem like the type to let things slide. Oh goodness, how did she find herself in this situation?Just now that she admitted to liking Gwen, the Universe was already throwing her a sign that the two kinds could never coexist without chaos. Clear sign, Universe.Too clear, in fact. "Should I get rid of them?" Gwen's voice came to her like she was speaking from a distance. It was hard for her to make out what her help was saying over all the scheming that was going on in her head.
Zezi didn't know ease from morning till night. She had different worries filling up her mind. Worries about Gwen and most especially, worries about the King. Despite not still meeting Akeem and his so called High Pillar, Zezi had tried to still put her plan in motion, continued establishing the line of friendship that she was building between her and the King. She had searched and searched for him in all the non suspecting ways she could, but she didn't find him. At a point she had been even tempted to go up to his floor, but that would look too suspicious. It wasn't as if this was the Full Moon night when she could simply blame nature for her sudden uncontrollable intense desire to see him. So she had, instead, made her presence available in places that she had hoped he would be, places she was permitted to be in herself. He hadn't been there in any of those places.Wow, he was being really deblibate with giving her space. Arrgh! That was the last thing she needed right now!F
Delice froze, looking at Zezi, seeming to communicate something with her through her eyes, before staggering to the door. Zezi frowned. What was she trying to communicate with the eye language? What a weird thing to do. They weren't even that close.What a weird night. "It is Oliver-- why does this palce stink of fur creatur--" her voice trailed into a sharp hiss when he gaze landed on Zezi. "You.""You." Zezi replied with a smug smile, watching her interlock her elbow with Delice. Something stirred in her to chase trouble, she enjoyed watching Laura fight as a result of her hatred towards the wolves and most especially her, coupled with her helplessness at the whole situation.It was sought of therapeutic to know that someone else was going through as much misery. "What are you doing here?" She moved her elbow away from Delice and shot her a sharp disapproving look. "You opened your door to the fur creature?""She didn't." Zezi shrugged. "I jumped in through the window.""That'
"Or maybe not." The paper got snapped out of her hand and Zezi had to force herself not to offer Laura a dirty look. Instead, she settled deeper into the chair, a light smile dancing on her lips, as her gaze fixed on the ceiling and the beautiful paintings carved upon it, paintings that her mind was too crowed with thoughts to appreciate. "Whatever. What are we having for dinner?""Something sufficient and rich." Laura answered, something gleaming in her voice. Zezi bit the inside of her cheek, as much as she was sure she hadn't given herself away, it seemed Laura was pretty confident about the whole paper situation.How could she even see what was written on it? Wasn't it supposed to be visible to only her, Akeem or probably members of the White Circle. Gwen had lied then.Ah. Gwen was really good. If she survived tonight, she would ensure to get rid of her. Would it be sad? Most definitely. Would it be necessary? Absolutely."I think she means specifically." Delice's voice w
Regret threatened to overcome her but this was not the time to think of her past actions and question herself as to why she had made those decisions without thinking properly. Every second was important and she would not waste of by dwelling on the past. If her assumption about the White Circle was right, Zezi knew she would need the help of everyone she could get, and to test Lord Rosil, she had asked her if she really didn't want her head for killing her son."I totally understand if you do. What kind of mother wouldn't want the head of her son's murderer?"Well, it seemed like she had hit a nerve because, after that, Lord Rosil had plenty to say. "The kind her son wanted to murder. That silly boy thought draining my blood would give him magic, then gave his sister a hard time because she had orchestrated my escape. Sometimes, it had felt like he was two vampires, stuck in one body. He has one that played the role of a Governor perfectly, and the other that displays just how much
"It is different." Zezi finally declared and Lord Rosil frowned, taking a step closer to her. "Are there any other bonds you know of that could be mistaken as a matebond?""No... This..."Zezi shook her head. This wasn't the time to get overwhelmed by sadness or Lord Rosil's stuttering answer. This was the time to get her head straight and think probably.Lord Rosil snapped her fingers like she had just gotten a groundbreaking idea."Well, of course, it is different! Both of you are different." Her green eyes glinted with excitement at her coming explanation and for that brief moment, Zezi remembered Gwen and missed her. "The King is a Soul Seizer and you, are his mate."Zezi nodded, waiting for more, there just had to be more. "And?""Your Majesty, the King had to make a really big sacrifice to kill his father." Everything somehow felt a little quieter to Zezi, and all her focus zeroed in on Lord Rosil as she approached her. "Only self-sacrifice could kill him and he made that. He s
Had Akeem also been taken by the Volakys?That was what Zezi started to worry about when she still hadn't gotten a message back or seen Akeem and it was already some minutes past midnight. She had also gone to the library to check on him, but as expected, his seat was empty. The library had looked untouched by the chaos going on the the castle, it felt peaceful and Zezi lingered around longer, hoping to walk into Valerick.He had said his mother loved the library, and she thought that he was probably here to find peace in that knowledge.But no, Valerick wasn't here either. With a long and heavy sigh, Zezi stood up. She should probably ask Delice if she had seen Akeem, it was good to confirm everything before jumping to conclusions. She wouldn't want to report anything and arouse suspicion regarding her relationship with the librarian, if things turn out differently. Zezi didn't want more walls thrown between her and Valerick, they already had so many problems to deal with at the m
Zezi's heart was pounding with regret as she ran up the stairs of the castle at an unfathomable speed.Why had she left to watch the execution in the first? She should have never left. She should have never convinced herself that she needed to be at the Execution for all the reasons she had thought it was important before. Right now, they all felt very useless.George and Aunt Alice had stayed behind to be with Mira. Not like they would have been allowed to watch the execution, not like they wanted to either. Gwen had stayed too.Oh, by the Moon, Zezi hoped they were all okay. She screeched to a stop right in front of her daughter's door, flinging it open as fast as she could. Her eyes combed the room and horror seeped through her veins at what she found... or rather what she didn't. Mira's bed was empty. George and Aunt Alice were nowhere to be found, along with Gwen who was...Wait!George and Aunt Alice were on the floor, unconscious. Zezi ran to them, accessing the situation
Valerick looked unmoved and it was hard for Zezi to figure out what he was feeling through the bond. His side of it was still blocked.This was frustrating!She was sitting right by his side but it seemed like a whole wall had been thrown between them. Her attention moved to the Princess, who sat upright, her gaze unmoving from Riza as she clocked her claws together. Zezi wondered if she had poison beneath them, and mentally noted to herself not to get too close to Laura no matter what. She couldn't be trusted right now. But then, when was she ever worthy of trust? They were all unworthy.From the other corner of Zezi's eyes, she watched Lady Delice's reaction. The Royal Advisor kept a calm demeanour but something about hers and Laura's aura were off.From what Zezi could deduce, they were scared that Riza was going to talk about the White Circle.That made Zezi curious. What about the oath she had made before joining the White Circle to keep their business secret? Everyone had
After that, Zezi had gone to see Delice. She didn't even have to share her suspicion, the Royal Advisor had beat her to it."Just be vigilant," Lady Delice had said, as they hurried away from the den, and up the stairs. "I think there is more to this than we know, I will ask Laura soon." Leaving Lady Delice, she had ran into Akeem, whose path she had blocked. His eyes which were originally filled with worry turned into those of attack but she refused to move. Instead, she pulled him aside into the Hall of Statues. So much was going on in the Castle lately, their presence here would most likely go unnoticed. "She turned you, didn't she?" Zezi said the moment the door was shut behind her. "But something had been different in the process. That is why you are different."Hope lit in Zezi's heart. Maybe she would be able to get what her daughter was before the tests would be conducted.Maybe her daughter was just like Akeem. Akeem's face shadowed with secrecy. "I don't know what you a
"I don't have it. I gave it away.""To whom?"Her eyes found his, it had only been for a moment before she looked back at the King, pleading."Please, he didn't do it. He didn't mean it--""Who did you give it to?""Oliver. I gave it to Oli, my mate.""It was a gift of trust." Oliver stood up from the chair, his eyes twinkling with the glint of the ever-present humor. "I didn't even use it. I didn't do this, I didn't do anything. Tell them, Laura!" He ended with a smile. Rage blazed in her eyes, seamlessly mixing with helplessness. It was such a sight. Beautiful."You did it."His smile dwindled."I know you did it and that is why things haven't been the same between us.""Things haven't been the same between us because I spent a night with Riza."Gasps filled the court at the implied reference to cheating. It was a scandalous thing and very distasteful thing to happen between mates, fated or chosen. It was an act deserving of punishment.How hypocritical these vampires were, Zez
"What gives you the audacity to put a royal Pureblood in these filthy chains?!" The Princess's voice rang through the hall, bouncing off the walls, her glare directed to the guard that had just dragged her in and pushed her into the Accused box.Raising her head, she accessed her surroundings, a formation that seemed so high, that it made her feel like she was in a pit, with iron railings camping her. On the high chairs on her left side, different Lords were seated, while on her right, the Governors along with her sweet Delice, Oli. Behind her were the people.Wait!Next to her brother was that fur bastard whose existence was an absolute irritation. This was the Royal Court of Lavida, what an absolute disgrace it was to be in this box. Laura felt repulsed by everything. "You stand in the presence of the King and Queen of Lavida, Royal Adviser, Governors, Lords, and the people, to speak in your defence against the accusations that you are the one behind the Volakys attack!" That br
Valerick was nowhere to be found and even though she didn't want to, Zezi started to panic.Until, she had met Nicholas who told her that the King had to attend to other pressing issues that had more priority than "chit-chatting" with her. When she asked about Mira's health, he tried his best to seem reassuring but Zezi could see straight through his lie.Dr. Nicholas didn't know if her daughter would ever wake up. It was strange. If she really was a vampire, then why was she at the risk of dying without the Volakys venom ever being in her veins in the first place?This just didn't make any sense. "She has been starved for too long. Years! I don't even know how she had survived this long. My guess is that she is some kind of hybrid and that other part has been the one keeping her alive, and the overworking has been killing that part of her. That is why she is always sick. It will be a medical breakthrough to get to the root of this."He had declared in absolute excitement."My daug