~MATTEO~ TEN MONTHS AGO I was behind the wheel, enjoying a carefree afternoon drive with Elena by my side. "Matteo," she called my name, and my name has never sounded so sweet in her mouth the way it did at that moment. Her eyes glittering as she stared at me, I had a feeling that something was behind her happiness. "Are you alright?" I asked her. "Yes, I am." "I just got the report. Matteo, I'm pregnant." "You will become a father." She poured out, smiling widely, excitement written all over her face, making her cheeks swell. I couldn't believe it, I was going to become a father. "I'm so happy, I hope they are boys," I said, staring at her long, dark hair being tussled by the wind. "Mat, you want twins? Can I cope with it?" She said as we both laughed. Our laughter filled the entire car. I removed one of my hands from the steering wheel and placed it on her stomach. "Yes, you can... I can feel them already." I s
~NORA~I saw the black dragon again, its eyes burning with molten lava, its body covered in scales, its claws extended, and its jaws open wide.The dragon circled me, its massive wings sending gusts of wind that stirred up dust and leaves. Its eyes bore into mine, and I could feel the heat of its breath on my face.Suddenly, the dragon lunged forward, its claws extending more widely. I screamed as the dragon's razor-sharp claws plunged into my chest, piercing my heart, then ripping it out. I could feel the searing pain spreading through my body, and I knew I wasn't going to last.I continued to struggle, the dream becoming more and more lucid as I began to toss and turn, whimpering in my sleep. The dragon carried my weak body, its eyes still boring into me, and made a loud grunt before throwing me on a rock.Sensing my distress, Horace, who was sleeping beside me, slowly opened his eyes and glanced at me. He noticed I was writhing in my sleep and my breaths were coming in brief, pa
~NORA~"Well, something caught my interest." She said as her face flushed with shades of pink.I knew that look—she found something that caught her interest.I could not help but wonder who it was.If it happened to be someone I knew,"..so back to our conversation, what's your dream? What was it all about?" Lilith asked."I've been having strange nightmares about a black dragon plunging his claws into my heart and sometimes his fangs directly below my ears," I explained to her as she concentrated on me.I had no idea why, but I felt that Lilith wasn't listening to me even though she was fully concentrating on me."Where has Horace marked you?" she asked, making me cringe."Yes?" I hesitated."Do not worry, I won't get any information you wouldn't want me to," she said, and I nodded."Have you been in contact with Daciana?"Daciana?Again.I had no idea who she was, it has just been me my whole life."Daciana?" I asked as my eyes crinkled. Kneading my shoulders, I massaged the side of
~NORA~ 'Are you okay? Is everything alright, Nora?' I heard Horace's voice inside my head. I wasn't hoping that I would have my mind linked with Horace yet, I wasn't ready for it yet. I just hoped that he hadn't read my thoughts. 'Yes, I am,' I responded to him. 'Where are you? I will come to get you,' Horace said as I turned to stare at Lilith. Lilith walked closer to me, and ridiculously, she waved her hand in front of me. "I've blocked it, you can't hear him, and he can't hear you," she said. "What is wrong?" Lilith asked, carrying two bowls, she placed them on the floor and poured cookies into each of them. Zelda meowed as she walked up to Lilith, while Beautrix flapped her wings as she flew around the room before later settling on the floor as they began to feast on their meals. Hopefully, I could get them a better meal from the kitchen. "Is it possible for Horace to have been hearing everything going on in my mind?" "I mean, I just heard his voice loud and clear," I ask
~NORA~I rested my elbows on the table as I supported my head with my hands, my mind racing to every possible reason why I was feeling like that, but I was still unable to find the words to explain what it was all about.I knew that I was on the verge of losing control of myself, and I didn't want to hurt him. I reached for my wine glass, and my hand began to tremble. I managed to raise it, bringing it to my mouth, but it fell on the table, smashing into pieces as the liquid spilled, pouring to the floor. Nervously, I reached for a napkin to clean it up. Weak in fear that Horace would be so upset at my behavior, he leaned towards me, and I could feel his breath on my face. He placed a soft kiss on my lips. My fangs began to elongate, and I could feel my mouth watering at the thought of sinking my teeth into Horace's neck.I couldn't help but wonder if he felt this way when he marked me. I was already sweating profusely, and suddenly I could taste the metallic tang of his blood on
~GAVNER~As I walked through the halls of the castle, I had gone to see how Kiara and Anna were coping.I could feel Nora's presence around there—her scent was pulling me in.The scent of lavender and roses.I haven't seen her since the night she accepted my rejection, all I hoped for was to run into her... I would really appreciate it.I was lost in thought when I saw someone's shadow. She staggered and collapsed against the wall, unable to take another step, she slumped on the floor.My heart skipped a beat as I realized it was Nora. She lay on the floor, grasping at her chest.Without hesitation, I rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears, and I saw the pain and hurt in her eyes. I wondered what had happened.Adjusting my jacket, "Nora? What happened?" I asked as she moved her hair away from her face.She raised her hand to me. "Help me," she whispered.Quickly, I scooped her up in my arms and carried her into my bedroom. I laid her
~GAVNER~ I opened my eyes to the harsh light streaming in through the window. I yawned and stretched as I looked around the room, remembering I had brought Nora to my secret cottage. I looked up at the bed, but Nora was not lying there. I thought she had left already, maybe she hated me that much. I sat up, staring around the room, her clothes were still neatly folded on the couch. I smiled as I knew she was still around because she couldn't leave in my clothes. Suddenly, I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. I quickly got up and made my way to the kitchen. I stopped by the door as I gazed at Nora standing by the cooker, stirring a pot filled with cereal, her eyes bright, warm, and innocent as she continued stirring the content in the pot. I walked up to her, and rubbed my forehead softly, still feeling a little dizzy, I had stayed up all night. "Good morning. What are you preparing?" She didn't make a move, it was like she already knew I was there. "Gavner, did you change my
~NORA~ The sunlight flickered directly on my face. I blinked my eyes as I kept on washing the dishes, gazing into nothingness. I could feel his deep breath at the nook of my neck as he stepped closer, my heart pounding in my chest. He stepped closer behind me, his arms outstretched, and he wrapped them around my waist. I felt his warm embrace and his body trembling against mine as he held me tight. My breathing is shallow and uneven. I knew that I shouldn't be here. With him... in his arms, but I couldn't help the way she felt with him. "Please," he whispered. "Let me hug you," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "Just for two minutes. Let me hold you... That's all I'm asking." I turned slightly, trying to gaze at his face as I pulled his arms apart. Turning around, our eyes met. His eyes... Those eyes were full of emotion, pleading with me to give in to him. "You know this isn't right, we can't do this," I said softly, not looking away from him. I w