Amethyst turned pale after she heard that from him. She retreated even deeper into the corner, petrified. Her long pointy ears, she covered them from his view. "How could you have such thoughts?!" she shouted frantically, cupping her ears. "That's forbidden!""Forbidden?" croaked Luveas in surprise. He had no idea about that. Amethyst was already on the brink of tearing up. She had no idea that a non-elf would be tempted to touch her ears. The fear and stress she felt only intensified. To an elf, touching their ears was forbidden for it could trigger many things that were unmentionable to impure hearts.Luveas, after seeing her frantic behaviour, immediately got on his knees. "Forgive me, I have no idea it's forbidden!" Then, he lifted his face. "Please, forgive me!"Amethyst zipped her lips when she puckered before him. She didn't mean to show such a face but, she unintentionally did it. Suddenly, Luveas said, "Ah, I brought the medicines that you asked for." He hurriedly got up
Amethyst pulled the chemise that slipped down her shoulders. She gave him a piercing side glance but said nothing about his intrusion into her private space.Luveas said again, "I'm not going to hurt you. Believe me." He wished she could, at least, trust him. "How can I be sure about your claim?" asked Amethyst coldly. Her tone bore an accusing remark. "I'm not hungry."Amethyst looked at him with an unpleasant gaze. Her brows knitted.Luveas added again, "I have never seen you as food.""...""If you can't believe me, then tie my hands." He lifted both hands. Amethyst eyed him scrutinizingly. "I don't fancy getting near you," she responded sourly. After knowing what he was, she couldn't allow herself to get near him. "Then, I'll close my eyes and help you apply the medication."Man, Luveas was such a pushover!Amethyst squinted. "How could I know you'll close your eyes when you're wearing a mask?"Luveas turned silent. That's right, he thought, but, he wanted to help her."I canno
Tobeyaz inhaled deeply before replying, "Don't worry, our king is ready to carry out his duty to continue his bloodline with any of the candidates. We just need to find someone willing to be a puppet throughout her marriage with the king. In other words, she must be a brilliant lady who can survive the king's unreadable mood while she carries out her duty as the mother of his children.""Uh, then, I pick Lady Emia. She is excellent in swordsmanship and she surely can survive the king's mood swing," said one of the ministers."He is right, Lady Emia is excellent indeed. I also choose her for the king.""Lady Natasha is an excellent archery and had entered the battleground many years ago. I am sure she can win the king's favour. Also, she is the youngest of twelve siblings. She is indeed someone that could bear the king with many children considering her family is popular for their ability to breed many children."Tobeyaz only nodded his head as he wrote down the names of the ladies tha
Luveas laughed. "You didn't think so?""I didn't think so."Luveas chuckled as he scoffed after that. He looked at Tobeyaz who stood very calmly before him. He didn't sense any fear coming from him too.The king, then, asked, "But, if I send you to spend the night with her, would you still consider yourself not a threat to her?"Tobeyaz inhaled deeply. "I wouldn't dare to spend any night with her. Isn't she yours, Your Majesty?"Luveas lifted the sword and ran his fingers along the shiny blade that was ingrained with the vampire's old writing. He asked, "Did you say that only to please me?""I never intended to," replied Tobeyaz calmly. Luveas looked at him and chuckled an eerie laugh. "Then, Tobeyaz, I wish to see you carry out what you said for I have a new task for you."Tobeyaz got uneasy. However, he couldn't show it. The king was in a foul mood and it wasn't a good idea to defy him. He still loved his life. Then, Luveas began, "I entrust her safety in your hands because I know
Amethyst was sitting by the window, gazing at the garden when she noticed someone standing in the garden, looking in her direction. The person had red eyes and a handsome face. He wore slinky attire that accentuate his body shape perfectly. Not sure if it was the vampires' fashion but everyone including the king wore tightly fit clothes down to their boots. Also, they seemed to have a penchant for colours as the king loves to wear black clothes and the person she saw wears all navy blue coloured clothes. Amethyst stood abruptly; the chair fell in her wake when she stepped away from the window. She ferreted the wardrobe for something useful to use as a weapon, and she found only a broomstick.Wielding the broomstick in her hands, she stood in the middle of the room. The sun shone down upon her through the skylight and her golden hair glimmered beautifully.The person in the garden walked towards the garden room with a basket but stopped in front of the door. Then, he placed the baske
The palace was once again turned upside down by the frantic attendants, searching for him. The Queen candidates were not informed of all the commotion though. They were given the excuse the king wasn't feeling well and had their stay extended until the king returns to make his choice. The candidates, then, were sent to their respective quarters on the West side of the palace and were told to get enough rest. "Lord Tobeyaz, do you have the slightest idea where the king is?" asked one of the ministers when Tobeyaz just got back into the meeting room.Tobeyaz inhaled deeply. "I am as lost as you, Count Gestain," he said, "but, once the guards find out a clue, everyone will be notified." Then, he went to his chair and sat. He poured a chalice full of blood and glugged it. He was exhausted. Not only was he given the task to protect the elf, but he also had to purse his lips about the king's real intention of foiling all of the ladies grades. If Tobeyaz spilt the truth, the king might tu
Then, Amethyst immediately lifted the blanket and glanced down. Her eyes widened. She was naked. Bare. No clothes. Just plain skin in sight. Although petrified, not a simple gasp came out of her mouth. Cross, she glanced at Luveas, "What happened to my clothes?" Luvead tilted his head. "I took them off."Amethyst felt her heart stop beating. Unexpectedly, fury filled her entire body but, she couldn't express them properly. She only sat on the bed, clenching her jaws."Are you afraid?" asked Luveas when there were no responses from her. His question only got him a sharp glare from the elf. Then, he chuckled, further swelling her heart. Ah, he liked to see her angry face. He had not seen that expression for nearly two weeks, and today his longing was finally paid off. He had so much fun when he was with her compared to when he had to entertain the vampire ladies. The vampire leaned back on the chair. "Last night," he began, "you did something incredible."Amethyst squinted at his cl
"I didn't mean that. I-""You're unhappy about my attachment with the elf. Why? Had she killed any of your family? Had you forgotten what I've asked of you?"Tobeyaz inhaled deeply. "I have no intention to disobey your orders, Your Majesty. I'm worried that you couldn't produce an heir if you choose to dawdle the matter that we try to tackle now. Please, I implore you to pick one so we can send the others home." Luveas tilted his head. "Why are you asking me this?" he asked. "I left that task to you. I gave you the authority to pick one among them all. Have you forgotten about that?""But, I can't decide based on my preference because we're picking a wife for you, My Lord. We want her to be someone that you prefer and someone that you're comfortable with.""There are none that match my preference," revealed the king. "None!" His voice rose. Tobeyaz stayed quiet. Then, he heard the king say, "Just do what I asked from you, Tobeyaz, and enough whining like those useless ministers!"To
When the king returned from the land of no return, everyone was on edge for they didn't expect he would survive the journey. Then, rumours swirled about him being undefeatable. Some found admiration but some saw terror.In a mere two days, Luveas was back in the office, managing the kingdom's affairs. His terror remained the same because on the very first day of working, he had dismissed a few of the ministers because of one thing, their scents.Since the king's return, everyone noticed his sense of smell had become very sensitive. However, they dare not comment on it because they care about their lives above all else.Luveas, sitting on his chair, glanced to the side. No one saw him scrunching his nose behind the mask that covered his entire face. Minister Dugree, the new face in the office, eyed the king and glimpsed a pair of greyish-blue eyes hidden under the mask."Do you need something, Your Majesty?" he asked politely. Luveas glanced at him and answered, "I'd like a new decre
For the next two days, Luveas spent his day ogling at his reflection in the mirror. He was excited that his appearance varied greatly than he anticipated."Do I look like my father or my mother?" He had been asking that question for two days in a row now. Amethyst smiled and responded, "I have no answer for that but I am certain you do look like them as one."Luveas beamed. He stepped away from the mirror and sat beside her. Then, he snuggled at her."I am glad to hear that..." Ever since he transformed, he became too attached. It wasn't unpleasant because Amethyst knew he had no one else to be with whom he could confide in his happiness but her. Also, she endured the urge to smack him. "Luveas, since your treatment is now done, have you been thinking of returning to Luthien?" she asked, dropping another question at him.Luveas flinched. He went into silence."I have never thought of that..." he answered.His gaze dropped. The time he spent with her made him forget that he was a r
It was yet another night where Luveas was already in bed, sleeping soundly. He was deep into the world of unconsciousness. Nothing could wake him. Amethyst stepped into the room with a bowl of water drawn from the sacred pool. She placed it beside the bed as she took a seat beside him. There, she sat for some time. One had no idea what was in her mind. Her silent gaze ran along the bandages that covered his entire body and face. Her gaze turned tender as time went by. But, sadness was visibly permeating her eyes. A smile, remnants of her courage, appeared on her otherworldly beautiful face. She reached out and caressed his head affectionately."Your wait shall end tonight..." she whispered.Truthfully, she had wanted to prolong his treatment. She wanted to buy more time to create moments for just the two of them that she would remember forever. But, she knew he might not have much time in his account. She knew she would be gambling on her life as soon as he got what he came here
Luthien...Tobeyaz was working on papers related to problems in the territories of Luthien when Ealyas entered."A letter has arrived from Numany," he announced and placed the letter on the table. Tobeyaz, with a haggard-looking face, eyed the letter. His mood wasn't there yet."How did this letter get through the border?" he asked. His tone was sinister. He had handled numerous cases of vampires going against vampires; one blamed the other for being in cahoots with the humans by the border. Well, it was understandable that many cases of missing young vampires led to distress."It was catapulted into our forest." Ealyas' response was simple though sounded funny.Tobeyaz scoffed. "Then, throw it away. This must be one of those pesky humans' stupid games to distract our soldiers.""Are you sure of that?" asked Ealyas and scrutinized the haggard-looking Tobeyaz.Tobeyaz knitted his brows. When the knight asked such a question, it only meant something serious."The emblem on the envelo
Amethyst stayed silent. "You tell me how far you can go. I leave that choice in your hands," she said, trying to lead him. But, her mien stayed the same; no changes in her emotions. She was calm and fixated. Luveas fidgeted. "But, what if I want to take it too far? Would you allow it?"Amethyst smiled. "Of course, I would allow it," she responded. "You are the only person who gets such permission from me."Because of the spousal markings.Luveas eyed her keenly. "I might treat you as someone dear to me.""Treat me as how you like. I am yours, remember?"Luveas stayed silent. He forgot about that. After all of the fiasco during the day, he forgot about the oath.Then, he asked, "But, what if I want us to get intimate tonight? Would that become a problem for you?" He thought he ought to ask that crucial question for he had no idea what she was thinking.Amethyst smiled even more widely. "That would not become a problem. You are my traveling companion and we can get physically close..."
Luveas began, "During my childhood, my parents were killed. Humans ambushed us when we were picnicking in the palace backyard..."Melancholy danced in Luveas' weary eye when he revisited the painful memory lane. Humans appeared out of nowhere and killed his parents. Strangely, on the day of the former king and queen's assassination, not a single guard appeared on the scene. That moment was still a mystery to him until today."I was too young to understand anything and the one thing I knew was humans took me in as something they studied," he added painfully. His voice bore pure hatred when he mentioned 'studied'. Amethyst knitted her brows. "Something they studied?" She had no idea Humans would do such a thing to other races.Luveas nodded. "Humans studied the endurance of young vampires to estimate the strength of adult vampires. They wanted to find the best weapon to kill us if they could find our weaknesses,” he paused again, seemingly inhaling a deep breath although it wasn’t cert
Amethyst nodded. "Yes, and please repeat after me...""Wait, wait..." Luveas stopped her. "What Oath are we talking about now?"Amethyst eyed him piercingly. "Are you doubting me?"Luveas shook. The elf nodded. "Then, since you have nothing else to say, then follow what I say. From today onward and until death do us part, say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Luveas hesitated. "Uh, that sounds so strange for an oath...""Just do it!" snapped the elf. She was getting impatient for she wanted to end the process soon. Luveas, despite his wariness, said, "From today onward and until death do us part...""Say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers.""...Amethyst Elan is mine and I, Luveas Dayn, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Amethyst beamed in satisfaction. Then, she glanced at his chest which was h
On the other hand, Amethyst pursed her lips and followed Luveas to the burial site. There, she saw mounds everywhere. Each mound was showered with flower petals.Again, the elf found her composure slipping away slowly. Her chest tighten as she got emotional. All of her people were lying there, resting in eternal slumber. She couldn't believe she'd be one among the elves in Ancea who mourned the loss of her entire tribe; she hoped some survived and hid in the woods...She glanced at Luveas. He was busy placing the bones in the holes that he had dug out. Her heart ached, but it wasn't because of anger. It was more like she was touched deeply by his unexpectedly humble side.Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, Luveas..." she said faintly. 'Now, I'm glad I marked you as my husband...' she added inwardly....After burying all the bones, Luveas went into the woods. "I want to find a flower that suits your sister," he said before he went fo
Luveas nodded and stayed silent throughout the journey. Their journey took another countless hours before they arrived at a village, a deserted village. There were cottages but, the buildings collapsed to the ground. The wild grasses grew abundantly, covering nearly half of them. The walking trails were all covered by dirt, remnants of the explosion, and moss took over some of the places. The smell of decay and burnt wood lingered in the air for there were lots of dried-up skeletons covered in clothes lying around; some still held swords and arrows. Some got arrows piercing their skulls and bodies.Amethyst froze where she stood. Her chest tightened. The memories of the horrendous day flashed in her mind. She could vividly hear the screams and cries of her kin floating around as if she had stepped back to the past; to the day when humans ambushed her, once peaceful and thriving, village.The elf covered her ears when their voices only grew loude