Third Person’s Point of ViewHeli would rather swallow the pain he felt when Akiro said his mind wouldn’t ever change than to let his brother see his true feelings after what he heard. He doesn’t want to give his eldest brother the satisfaction of seeing him crushed and hurt by his own fated mate. He knew the bastard Crown Prince would never let him hear the end of it, especially after decades of knowing him as an ultimate playboy of their kingdom.Aside from that, he also refused to show emotion in front of Akiro. He could see the guilt in Akiro’s eyes, and despite feeling his own guilt for whatever they were about to say and do, he didn’t let himself be swayed by his mate’s beautiful, expressive eyes.He’d rather bear Akiro’s anger than not have him at all. It didn’t mean that he wasn’t in pain for betraying his mate’s trust.“Mister Freniere. If it was only up to us, we'd let you bring your grandparents with you into our world. We know how important family is, so we understand why
Third Person’s Point of ViewHale was silently watching as his brother doomed himself to a probable lifetime of loveless mateship. Maybe not loveless, but definitely not as good as he has with his Carmela. He doesn’t agree with his youngest brother’s plan to force his mate, though he couldn’t really blame him for resorting to force. If Carmela didn’t willingly come with him, Hale was sure he’d do the same thing as his brother was doing. He couldn’t imagine a life without his beautiful Carmela, who was the only perfect mate that matched Hale. Maybe that's what Heli was feeling, so he couldn’t let go of Akiro even though their connection wasn’t as deep as when Hale was just courting his mate. Though it was pretty clear to him that his brother had fallen so hard already that it led him to do impulsive things. Hale could see that Akiro likes his brother too, but it seemed his familial love is his priority. That’s why, despite looking so disappointed that they really couldn’t bring his g
Akiro’s Point of ViewAs soon as we landed somewhere in their world, Heli wasted no time in pulling me away. He dragged me faster than I could’ve cursed him. I didn’t even see the faces of the people in the place we landed on! There are lots of them, and I could only assume they were Heli’s family.Heli’s pulling with his vampire speed, completely forgetting the fact I am not a vampire. It’s only a miracle I haven’t slipped or fallen on the carpeted floor. He’s moving too fast and we just traveled from another dimension. My stomach starts churning uncomfortably. “You can’t even let me recover?! That was nauseating!” I furiously yelled at Heli who was still dragging me away to who knows where, oblivious of my current predicament. This jerk! He’s been so attentive, caring and a gentleman to me in the past months. How the hell did he suddenly lose all of that?He didn’t answer, nor did he even react much to my annoyance. I tried pulling away from his hold, but it was too late. We had al
Heli’s Point of View“Conditioning yourself for the worst?” I didn’t have to look up to see who it was. I already heard them coming from a distance. “No. Just calming myself down,” I replied. “I had to fucking restrain myself from the effects of marking him up. It wasn’t fucking easy.”All my siblings took a seat on the couch in our private sitting room, surrounding me. Their expressions varied from worry to serious to curious. I mentally rolled my eyes, already having an idea why they’re here and who made them do this.I shot my eldest brother a glare. He raised both his hands, as if surrendering. “You’re tough, brother, but it’s your mate who spoke those painful words. I think this gathering is warranted.”“I’m fine,” I grumbled, averting my gaze from them. But they’re scattered around the room, so I still ended up looking at one of them. My eyes met Heather’s red-doe eyes. It visibly softened upon meeting my eyes, and I couldn’t deny how that look made my heart clenched painfully
Akiro’s Point of ViewI woke up blearily, feeling like I had been hit by a full brick on the head. When I tried to stretch as I yawned, I realised then that I couldn’t move my body. For a moment there, I paused, recalling what I did to be this exhausted to the point K couldn’t move my body.And then suddenly, the memories of what happened yesterday came crashing down my mind at once. I wasn’t prepared for the sudden landslide of memories, so I crumpled on the bed, holding my head as I tried to regain my normal breathing.“Sssh, it’s alright, darling. That’s right, follow my lead...”Despite my confusion, I still followed the voice I heard. The hand raking through my hair helped to calm me down. It took a few more seconds before I regained my normal breathing. I blinked several times, my eyesight cleared up. Only then did I see it wasn’t just one person who was there with me.There were seven other people with us. Three men and four women. The one who helped me was a woman with red hai
Heli’s Point of View“Chill down, Heli. You know Alter is your sister’s mate, right?”I glared at Tristan who was sitting beside me. “I fucking know, you don’t need to remind me.”“Then stop glaring at him as if it’s his fault that your mate’s avoiding you,” Tristan sharply whispered, careful not to let the others hear us. Except, he was heard by his very attentive mate beside him. “Who are we avoiding?” Harrison asked in a whispered voice, leaning closer in our direction.But Tristan pushed his face away. “Shut up and just eat your food, Harry.”My brother shot him a puppy look which made me grimace, then he fucking pouted like a petulant child. Tristan rolled his eyes, looking so done with him. I just shook my head before returning my gaze to where I was looking at a while ago. I’d rather stew in this petty jealousy I’m feeling than watch my usually chill and cool brother act stupidly in front of his mate.Then I met Helena’s eyes. She arched an eyebrow at me, which made me flush i
Akiro’s Point of View“Something’s wrong with Heli.”I lifted my head and met Carmela’s eyes. “What?”“Haven’t you noticed? He’s acting strange. Even his siblings noticed that something was going on with him.”“I wouldn’t know. I really don’t know how he really is. I’m not sure if the Heli I have known for the two months I’ve been with him is the real Heli, or if it was the man who threatened me on my birthday.”My words were met with silence. Carmela, Tristan and Divine exchanged glances. I averted my gaze, choosing to ignore the silent conversation they shared.I know they understand why I’m acting like this, and that they don’t begrudge me for it. But I also know they understand Heli, and that they’re not condemning Heli the same way I do.Not that I wanted them to do that to Heli. He’s closer to them than I am, and he’s more like a brother to them. I’m just happy they understand me and that they’re staying with me. I don’t think I would remain sane if I had no one here in the pala
Heli’s Point of View“Then drink from me.”I literally froze. My heart skipped a beat.I stared back at the ocean-blue eyes of my mate, who is kindly offering his blood to me when I told him I’m suffering from blood dehydration even though he’s still fucking mad at me. My mate who I betrayed because of my selfishness. My mate who is suffering silently because of what I did.If it’s just me hallucinating, I hope I wake up to reality right now. And my fucking mind, if you want to mess with me, don’t use this kind of trick fucker! It’s not funny!“Heli. Are you alright? Can you hear me?”But then Akiro’s soft voice sounds so real. Not even my own mind can imitate the music that is Akiro’s voice. So this must be real. This is the reality.And in reality, my beautiful and kind mate is offering his blood.Fuck.“Heli? Hey. Don’t die on me, you jerk!”I shook myself out of my stupor, turning my attention back on Akiro.“You d-don’t have to do this, Aki. You know w-what will happen if I bite
Third Person’s Point of View“Take care of your mate, alright? Don’t let him go anywhere alone,” Queen Camilla reminded his youngest son, who huffed indignantly at being reminded of taking care of his mate.“Of course, Mother. You don’t need to remind me,” Heli replied.The Queen narrowed her eyes on her son. “There’s nothing wrong with being reminded, Heli.”“I know, Mother.”Queen Camilla huffed, then stepped closer to her son and kissed his head. “Take care, son. And enjoy it as well.”“I will. Thank you, Mother.”After bidding goodbye to his father, he left the room to find his mate, who told him he’d just bid goodbye to his friend in the kitchen. He met Akiro on the stairs, who seemed to be looking for him as well.“Heli!” Akiro exclaimed. “Are you done talking to your parents?”Heli nodded. “And you?”“Yeah. Though it’s a little bit disappointing that Shiro wouldn’t come,” Akiro pouted. “Maybe I can hang out with him next time instead. He doesn’t really want to hang out with the
Third Person’s Point of ViewAfter the engagement party, there was rarely a time when anyone wouldn’t see Akiro and Heli together. Where Akiro goes, Heli follows. The rare time they weren’t together was when Akiro hung out with Shiro, and even that had been reduced to just a few days a week compared to their daily hangouts before.They became inseparable, still on the high of their engagement. And despite their family and friends’ teasing and protests, neither of them cared enough to change it. Two weeks after the party, Akiro was left alone because Heli had to attend a negotiation with an elite vampire clan in Heldrix’s stead because the older Lancaster had been tasked with something else at the last minute.In his boredom, he suddenly came up with an idea. He quickly went to Shiro to ask his opinion.“What do you think?” Akiro asked.“I think it’d be good for you,” Shiro answered. “You’ve been cooped up in the palace ever since you arrived here. You seldom go to the town. You haven
Third Person’s Point of View“To our honored guests, I deeply apologised for the ruckus earlier, but I assure you all; everything’s been handled already. If you wish to continue the party, you may do so. Those who wish to leave, you may do so as well. My Queen and I will escort you out,” King Vladimir announced when he and the rest of his family returned to the hall. Just as he expected, Regia Astara’s allied kingdoms, Regia Terrania and Regia Valexia, had left soon after them. Only Regia Solaria’s allied kingdoms remain, as well as the only kingdom where merfolks live, Regia Zepharia. It’s also the only kingdom that is neutral. No enemies, no allies. Being the only merfolk in Eldritch makes them practically the odd ones out, so the others tend to ignore or leave them be.The party continued with only four kingdoms remaining, though Regia Zepharia left an hour later, leaving the allied kingdoms on their own.“That’s insane,” Aubrey commented after Akiro finished telling them the reas
Third Person’s Point of View“Had I known those humans’ filthy offspring were the one engaged to the ice prince, I wouldn’t have bothered attending their party!” Queen Amari exclaimed as she stomped inside their bedroom. “What a waste of time and effort!”“We should pay more attention next time,” King Lorenzo said. The Queen scoffed. “I knew there was a reason I wasn’t paying attention during the introduction. My gut was telling me it was a piece of shit that was in front!”In truth, she didn’t pay attention because she was busy trying to identify the weird scent she could smell amidst the hundred mixed scents floating inside the hall. That particular scent stood out though, and it grated Amari’s nerves because it was so familiar, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.And then, coincidentally, she almost bumped into the owner of the weird scent. Upon seeing the owner’s face, a memory from nearly a lifetime ago flashed in her mind.Her first love. Her first mate. Her first heartbreak. The o
Third Person’s Point of View“What the fuck are you on?” Heli growled at the woman, pushing Akiro behind him. The miniscule respect he had for the woman quickly faded the moment she yelled insults towards his mate.“That man you’re hiding from me!” the woman continued yelling, uncaring of the crowd that gathered around them to watch. “Why the hell is he here!?”“This man that you’re pointing at is my mate and my soon-to-be-husband,” Heli snarled, glaring viciously at the woman. “And if you forgot, you’re a ‘guest’ here at ‘our’ engagement party. So if I were you, I’m going to watch my fucking tongue before I cut it off.”The woman’s eyes widened, both in surprise at how the ice prince had talked to him and at the fact that it was Akiro who Heli was engaged with.“What...”Akiro narrowed his eyes at the woman, thinking about what made her angry. He was sure it was the first time he had met her, but she seemed to know him. And then there’s her anger that he had no idea where it came fr
Third Person’s Point of ViewHeli knew his mate was itching to find his friends and greet them. He knew Akiro was slowly getting bored with meeting different people from different kingdoms. But he couldn’t find himself to help his mate get out of their situation. Akiro has already fulfilled his part of the tradition, and he can go to his friends now after the introduction. But Heli didn’t want him to go.This was supposed to be about them, but Akiro would eventually spend more time with his friends than with Heli, who knew he’d be stuck with socialising with the other kingdom’s rulers.Heli knows it was selfish of him to keep his mate by his side when Akiro clearly wanted to escape, but he didn’t want the man to go. He didn’t want to see him spending time with other people while he wasn’t there.But upon seeing the longing look in Akiro’s eyes, when he finally saw his friends gathered at a table, Heli relented. He would rather feel jealous than see his mate look like that.“Go on,” H
Third Person’s Point of ViewAkiro stood on the balcony of their room, watching the guests trickle inside the palace gate. None of them were permitted to arrive directly in front of the palace. They all needed to pass the gates with the invitation card given to them with the kingdom’s sigil.He felt his excitement rise when he saw Terrence and Aubrey along with the rest of the royal family of Regia Obsivia. He was itching to leave his room and approach them when Regia Luximere followed just a few minutes after. His friends were here! He was dying to talk to them, but because of Regia Solaria’s tradition, he could only show up once they were called. He wanted to meet his friends first! He hasn’t had the chance to talk to them since the meeting. He misses them.His excitement dwindled when he saw another kingdom appear. Even though he never saw them, he immediately knew who they were.Regia Astara’s royal family. Even from afar, Akiro could see the way they carried themselves. Their po
Third Person’s Point of View“Do I really need to do this?” Akiro asked, face pleading at his mate, who smirked at him.“Of course. We’ll dance in front of the guests and our family. We have to give them a show.”Akiro huffed. “But I can’t dance!”The vampire raised an eyebrow. “Oh? But I can still perfectly remember you dancing with a stranger in a bar,” Heli said. “Sexy dance, if I might add.”Akiro blushed at the reminder. “T-that’s different! I’m drunk then! I didn’t know what exactly I was doing!”“Uh-huh. And yet you still kept a cool head to stop the girl when she was about to throw herself at you,” Heli’s eyes turn dark at the memory of the girl’s pathetic attempt at flirting and seducing his mate, who wasn’t even into girls. “That’s because even in my drunken state, I know my preferences.”Heli raised an eyebrow, dark eyes staring intensely at his mate. “Oh?” he mumbled lowly. “So if it was a guy, you’d flirt back?”Akiro’s eyes widened, knowing full well he had made a trap
Third Person’s Point of View“Do you think he’d agree?” Queen Camilla asked her husband, brows furrowed in concern.The King glanced at his wife, smiling reassuringly. “He will.”The Queen bit her lips, still hesitating. Thousands of negative thoughts swirl inside her mind, and her heart aches at the thought it’d be his son who would suffer the consequences if it fails.Though it seemed the King had noticed her internal crisis, his hands reached out to his mate’s face. “It’ll be alright, Cami. He’ll agree; I’m sure of that.”“How? Even I hadn’t See it happening,” the woman replied.But the King just smiled. ###Akiro groaned. “Stop being annoying and just help me with this, will you?” he grumbled at his friend, who was cackling maniacally after teasing him about his burnt cookies.“How the hell can I help you with that? It’s not salvageable anymore!”“And whose fault is that? You distracted me when I was supposed to get it out of the oven!”“Oh, please. Stop using me as an excuse fo