DAHLIA:
“It’s too bitter,” I said as I sipped the greenish liquid in my cup. I hated drinking anything that’s bitter, but Tristan stroke my head to coax me into finishing it like a child.
“Just a little bit more… Just two more sips, and it’ll all be gone.”
I made a nasty face as I braced myself to take in another sip. It didn’t taste any better on my second try, but I gulped down and held it into my mouth until not a drop was left.
“Yuck! Remind me never to get this medicine again…”
Tristan’s face looked agonized. He unwrapped what looked like a small treat in his hand and held it before me.
“What’s that?”
“It’ll take some of the bitterness away,” he said timidly.
He held it into my mouth, and I had no choice but to take it in. It was a piece of chocolate, and it tasted very nice after that awful medicine.
TRISTAN:I looked at Dahlly’s expression, and I knew she was serious when she told me she wanted to talk.There was no way I could escape her questions, and because of what I had done, I had no choice but to face them. After all, I did owe her some explanation and apology.But how come she knew the right buttons to push? Why does she remember the things I was trying so hard to hide from her?When she asked me about torturing people, I panicked internally. At that time when I said it, I was referring to my enemies – the people who had caused my mother, father, and the rest of the Shadow Rune pack to perish, and somehow, in one way or another, Dahlia might be part of them…Because she might really be the one who had caused my mother to lose her life, she might really be one of them, and for that, I was deathly afraid.I considered masking my answers with lies, but looking at her earnest light blue eyes, I was finding it extr
DAHLIA:“Thank you, Lina,” I said as my attendant put down two cups and a pot of hot tea in our midst. I wanted something cold given the weather, but Lina insisted that I take in something warm since I was still in the process of recuperating. Of course, Kaist agreed. They always agreed to torture me under the guise that everything was for the sake of my health.On the second day of my recovery, Kaist really did show up at the villa. Tristan said he was going to do something in his study, and he left me alone even before Kaist came that morning.Now, I was the only one who has to endure being put in a tight spot…I took the cup closer to my lips, taking time to blow the heat of the liquid away. I was grateful for the temporary screen that the mist was giving me as it obscured my face away from Kaist.The last time we saw each other in the cave, I was deathly embarrassed. He had seen me in such an embarrassing and vulnerable state
KAIST:I sighed deeply as soon as I left Dahlia’s sight.I came here to see if she’s alright. What was I thinking then by making Dahlia cry?My initial thoughts were wrong... I thought I could look at her again and treat her as I nothing had happened between us, but my feelings came crashing down on me as we spoke.Why was I the only one to suffer from such feelings of an all-consuming love? Even when I moved closer to Dahlia, even when she touched me and I touched her, nothing changed in her demeanor… Why?..Cruz whimpered inside of me. I wanted to break down and crumble in her presence too, but I can’t.How can I explain to Dahlly that she is our mate? How can I tell her I loved her since the beginning and until now when she could not even recognize this throbbing heart beat in my chest?The moment I found out that Dahlia couldn’t feel our bond, I was stumped. How can that even happen? Was there a fluk
TRISTAN:‘That boy… He’s no ordinary wolf.’I didn’t need Albus to tell me that. I could clearly see what he meant.I was worried what that cocky prince would tell Dahlia, so I projected Albus using my powers to eavesdrop on their conversation. Little did I know that this blasted prince will discover him.As far as I know, only a sorcerer could recognize his kind… If that is the case, that prince maybe more special than he seemed.I pondered for a while. When I made my investigations about him back then, he didn’t seem to be of suspicious origin.His father, King Maurus Lyon, was of noble birth. They had headed the White Fang Pack for generations now, and their family never married to any outsiders...Then, does it mean that this prince’s ability to sense magic would be innate, wouldn’t it?‘Let’s just be careful around him from now on. He saw us use my powers
TRISTAN:As soon as Samalah disappeared from my sight, the carriage halted. I went down from it and was stuck in awe at the sight of the grand palace of Talandor.The palace itself was bigger. Before me was the large marble façade of Talandor’s Great Hall of Justice. This was the only part of the palace that was accessible to outsiders like me.As expected, the security in this part of the palace was heavily laden, especially today as the peace talks are about to take place. In fact, before we could enter the Great Hall, Gideon and I had to undergo a thorough inspection by the palace guards. Weapons were confiscated by the knights, and those who disagreed to follow the protocol were not allowed access inside.“You may enter now, Lord Abell,” the knight escorting us said after we were carefully inspected.Before we can even enter, however, we heard someone’s outrageous voice nearby.“And who are you to tak
TRISTAN: “As you all know, this peace talk has been going on for the past five years, and yet countless attacks are being made as we speak. If you may allow me to read through the reports…” Count Jeteris, the head of the peace delegation in our side, began as he went into his thick collection of parchments.“To date, there have been three hundred and four incidences of attacks in the last five months. Clearly, these figures only go to say that the vampire clans are not sincere when it comes to the resolution of this feud.”The head of the Apricus delegate, the one sitting at the first chair next to the podium where the royals were situated began to speak.“Count Jeteris, we beg to disagree. We also received the same reports, but out of those recent attacks, about fifty percent began with invasions of smaller vampire clan tribes. We understand the need of your kingdom to expand territories, but the lands th
TRISTAN:“You scoundrels! How dare you accuse me? How dare you accuse me of making such lowly acts?” Count Jeteris continued to roar inside the palace’s Great Hall of Justice.At this point, no one had dared to point out the obvious, and when the count started to lash out, it felt even more hilarious and more damning on his part.“Count Jeteris, please settle down.” It was Sir Linus who started to speak in a calmer manner. Everyone fell speechless once again, and even the monstrous duke fell silent.“We are not accusing anyone of anything yet. We are simply here to present some facts, and we want Talandor’s help regarding this matter since, as you claimed earlier, this was part of your land…”“You bastards! How dare you -!”“Count Claude Ilyon Jeteris!” It was the crown prince’s turn to silence the babbling buffoon again. “Let’s hear them out fir
DAHLIA:After Kaist had left that morning, Tristan bid me good bye as well since his presence in the council was needed that afternoon.After purchasing a fallen nobleman’s title, he had instantly become the lord of Crohmwall District, one of the places that were continuously damaged by the countless rogue and vampire invasion.Although it would be the first time he would join the council, he didn’t seem quite nervous at all. He just smiled warmly towards me as he kissed the top of my head before he boarded the carriage.Imagine my surprise then when several carriages came in front of the house shortly thereafter, demanding my attention.“Countess Abell,” Lina said, sounding alarmed. “There’s a commotion outside! I think you need to see it.”I got up from the bed and wrapped a shawl around my shoulders. I haven’t been feeling too well yet, but if it’s just outside the gates, I don’t