(Zachary)THIS Christmas will remain stuck in my head for years not only because it was the first Christmas the city had celebrated, but because it was the first time that Santa Claus actually got to receive a Christmas gift.Swan was that generous. She removed the ribbon on my head and tied it around my hands.“You are my gift. That means I can have you however I want, right?” she whispered on my ear before running her tongue over my earlobe. “No matter what I say and do, you can’t complain.”My breathing quickened. “I won’t.”She smiled. And my heart raced for the countless time. With her cheeks still flushed, she commanded, “Then roll over for me, Santa. Tonight, I’ll be on top.”I grinned. “Gladly.”I didn’t know that giving and receiving gifts could be this thrilling.We shifted positions. She sat on my stomach. I had already gotten rid of her bra earlier although she was still wearing her dress. If only she didn’t glare at me and said that it was her favorite dress, I would have
I WAS about to grab a glass of water for Kate when I noticed the blue roses in the vase. My brows knitted. I strode forward and took the card beneath the vase. There was a short message on the card, but there was no name from the sender. The penmanship was almost the same as mine. ‘I love you,’ those three words made my jaw clench. “Oh, I almost forgot to thank you for the flowers,” Kate said in a sleepy voice. “That’s so sweet of you, Zach, for sending flowers twice every day. Thank you and I love you, too.” I just smiled. I do give her flowers every morning when she wakes up, but I didn’t bother inserting a card. And I don’t ask somebody else to give it to her for my own selfish reasons. I wanted to see her reaction myself and I wanted to be the only one to see her smile as she receives it. These blue roses were not from me. The sender may have left out his name on the card, but he did leave his scent on it although it was faint. This had the same scent as Dimitri’s which meant
(Zachary)“THE KING is quiet these days. What if he is up to something, my lord?”“You fool. Didn’t you hear? He had the mages investigated. The mages had always disliked the vampires. We set the trap flawlessly. All the traces would lead to those bitches. Even if they are loyal to their so-called queen, one of them are still bound to slip up, especially that fat-ass Salazar who blamed and threatened us after Dayanara died. If the castle and the mages fight, the city will be divided. We will use that opportunity to turn the tables around.”“Are you sure it would work? All the hunters cannot be trusted, lord Franco.”“Alucard made a pact with me. His only target is that damned Kate. He would leave after he catches her. If the king loses his woman, he would certainly go berserk. He would lose his credibility. You know how foolish the public is. Just a little coaxing from us and they would hate him. This is our
(Kate)‘CONGRATULATIONS, your highness. You are now a hundred percent free from the Hunters’ grasp. All the bad blood inside your system had been cleared.’I had been away from the hunters for years and I had been living in the vampire city for months, but the only time I felt truly liberated was after hearing Juno’s announcement followed by the Mages’. That was the best way to start the year for all of us.It made me feel confident, and hopeful for the following days, months, and years to come. I feel so happy that it was almost frightening because this is the first time that I feel such beautiful and positive emotions inside me.I glanced at Zachary who was sitting beside me near the bonfire. Both of us were watching our daughter as she builds a castle of her own through the white sand.We decided to celebrate our first New Year together by the beach.Zachary was busier than ever now. Sadly, I couldn’t g
“IT WAS true, your majesty. Her highness is two weeks pregnant,” Ravena confirmed. “Congratulations!”“Does that mean I’m going to have a baby sibling?” Mira asked, her eyes were glowing.Ravena smiled. “Yes, princess.”“The baby is a full-blooded vampire, your majesty. That must be why her highness’ desire for blood had magnified.”Mira covered her mouth as if to stop herself from shouting out of sheer joy.I wanted to join her in her happiness, but I was a little lost.Ravena was smiling and was congratulating me, but I could see the agitation behind her smile. Even if Kate was pregnant, what happened back in the woods… was far from normal.I was not born yesterday. I had seen pregnant vampires many times before. The amount of blood bags Kate consumed in one day could feed a village full of vampires.When Mira headed out of the door to announce the good news to the servants, I motioned my hand. The door closed.I faced the mage. “I will only ask this once, Ravena. Is everything real
(Zachary)“YOUR Majesty, you are not supposed to see the bride tonight. Mages have a strict tradition that we ought to follow. It is bad for the groom and bride to meet the night before their wedding. The ancestors are watching. Please forgive us for blocking your path. We are only doing this for you and Her Highness’ blissful marriage,” Ravena explained while wiping the sweat off her forehead.All the Mages who were guarding Kate’s chamber were wearing thin clothes because of the hot temperature spreading not only in this area but in the entire castle. The Vampires and Mages who had water abilities were not enough to deal with the temperature.Mira, along with most of the servants, were outside the castle to cool themselves. Kate used her ability and unknowingly spread it because she was suffering from the cold.“I do respect your tradition, but I could hear her crying from here, Ravena. She needs me. She is having a difficult time at the moment. And she is all alone inside.”The Mag
(Kate)LAST NIGHT, before closing my eyes, I remember praying for warmth. I prayed for a better day. I prayed for peace of mind. I prayed for love to wash all of my worries and fears away so that when this big day comes, I would be prepared. I could welcome it with a big smile.My groom doesn’t deserve tears. Just smiles.After being emotional these past few days, a genuine smile was all I wanted to show him today.This morning, when I opened my eyes again and finally felt the warmth coming from the windows, from the sunlight, when I woke up without the heaviness in my chest, for the first time, I could say with full conviction that my prayers were answered.I wanted the baby to feel the same warmth that I’d been feeling, too.The past days was hard. I had a conception dream. That was when I first found out about the baby. And that was all I remembered because my memories were in shambles.But despite the hardship, I never
(Zachary)“AND NOW, I proudly present to you Queen Katerina Gregory Collins!” Augusto, the new minister, announced in the balcony of the castle.Today, as per tradition, we opened the gates of the castle for her crowning ceremony.My lovely bride, who was now wearing her cape and her golden crown, emerged in the balcony and the people, who came from different provinces, kneeled on the ground to show their respect.Today will be the day none of us would forget for it was the day I was able to put my ring on her finger and the crown on her head. Today was the day she became officially mine and this kingdom’s ruler.“Glory to Her Highness, the Queen!” they said altogether.Kate waved and gave them all her dazzling smile.I stood beside her. I carried Mira in one arm and held our queen’s hand on the other. The people cheered.Our eyes met.It felt so long since I had last seen the glimmer in her eyes. I pressed my forehead against hers.“Congratulations, your highness,” I whispered in her