It’s dark already and the three vampires have become more energetic. They have been offering their help to the other warriors a lot. Although every time they did, warriors will squeal at their proximity. Tomorrow is our last day on this island. We are just finishing things up before we leave. They plan to make this place a Pitchford station, but since the plan is not yet final, Princess Kissa’s barrier around the island will do for now. I grunt when I hear Princess Kissa moaning and screaming again. I cover my ears. She should stop being a screamer every time she is in her climax. For the goddess’s sake, does she not get ashamed of it?! I’ve heard from Harbin the etiquettes of being a Princess, and this is not one of them! And damn that Theo! How dare he make her feel so good?! ‘Because you don’t want to be in his bed anymore,’ my mind answers. I shake my head at the frustrating thought. Thankfully, Inanna is approaching. As I spend more time with the vampires, I discover that the
It’s already dark when everyone has boarded the ship. Ami is high-strung and edgy, so I know that something is up. “Aren’t we leaving now?” I ask Elroy when I see him holding a barrel of something. It smells like alcohol. “Where are you going to bring that?” “The King decided to ah—stay for another night,” he stutters. “Why are you nervous?” Then, the smell of alcohol is overpowered by the smell of lavender. I turn to look at Theo before he calls my name. I bow my head at him–something he didn’t like me doing. “What are you doing here, my King?” I ask. I glance at Elroy and he is already scurrying away from us. “It’s night already. Shouldn’t you be with Princess Kissa? Or do you need me to guard you for tonight?” He takes my hands and pushes a couple of white flowers on them. “For you,” he says. I look at it. “Lily,” I whisper. Its six petals are gleaming and its reddish-brown anthers are still noticeable even with only the night lamps. “Casa Blanca Lily. You can smell it.
The sea is a symphony. It is a poem of cries and noises and the screaming of gulls and whales. With just its sound, I know we are close to the shore. I close my eyes and take in a deep breath. There is a swirl of sour and sweet smells. I smile. It’s wonderful and, at the same time, terrifying. Werewolves are not meant to be at sea. We should be in the forest, running across the shade of the trees. I open my eyes. There’s still sea for miles, even if I know we will arrive soon–probably tonight. But in the meantime, I will enjoy this scenery, where the sky and sea meet, as if they belong to the same realm. Ami drapes her arms on my shoulders and remarks, “Are you sure that one glass of alcohol is enough for you?” “Yes,” I answer. We turn our attention toward the center of the deck where a long wooden table is erected. The warriors are resting under the sunshades while others are huddled around one end of the table. But some loud ones are laughing and bumping fists with each other e
It was late in the night when we arrived in Pitchford. Thankfully, they give all the warriors involved in the expeditions a day of leave. And the next day, after a quick exercise with the other warriors, I find an evening dress on top of my bed which has roses scattered around it. Same as Theo, it smells like lavender and has a clean, sweet smell. Other than the roses on top of my bed, they also carved the same type of flowers on the edges of the white fabric. I move towards it and let my fingers run through it. It’s silky smooth and cool to the touch. On closer inspection, the roses in it look real and is a lighter shade of red. “That’s a lovely dress,” Harbin comments when we encounter each other towards the dance hall. “Is it from the King?” I nod. “I found it in my room earlier this morning.” Harbin shakes his head. “He certainly knows how to sweeten up a girl. He’s looking for your forgiveness, is he?” I blush at his words, and then I hit myself. Harbin laughs at my reactio
I am about to open the door when Theo catches my hands. He grabs me around the waist and spins me around, crushing his lips to mine with a fiery intensity. I can feel the passionate longing emanating from him, the desperation to keep me close, as our kiss deepens, sending warmth radiating throughout my body. And yet, even if I am overwhelmed with a deep longing, there is a sense of dread inside. I want to stay in this moment and prolong this, but I know I can’t, so I push against his chest. “What are you doing here, my King?” I ask, panicking at the same time. He presses his lips against mine again in an unbridled display of affection. I feel a wave of pleasure course through my body. “Kaiya, be mine again,” he whispers, his hands cupping my cheeks. “I–” He leans towards me again, and his lips fervently caress mine. His kiss is deep and violent, further stirring up the passion inside. “Stop!” I complain and push against him. He hits the wall in front of us, yet our shared heat
The evening after, I move towards the rendezvous point given by Theo. It is close to the castle and densely wooded. I turn my gaze to the castle. It's an enormous structure rising toward the night sky, surrounded by a tall wall, and a line of guards walking its perimeter. It is a perfect place for the three vampires to guard during the night. Right now, I am nervous as I stand waiting for him. I know that I need to do this—things would be harder if I didn't. Yet, I can't shake the feeling of anxiety as my meeting with him looms ever closer. “Kaiya.” I spin around at the sound of the familiar voice and smile awkwardly at him. Theo is dressed in casual clothes, which surprises me. He wears a short-sleeve shirt that reveals his toned chest and a pair of dark blue pants that fit him perfectly. He really is an attractive king. My heart skips a beat, and I shake my head. I am in trouble. He strides towards me, and I notice he is also armed with two swords on his back. “What’s with the
I hesitantly step through the doorway. It quickly becomes apparent why General Brandon sent me here again. Theo is sprawled on the couch, a half-empty bottle of whiskey by his side. His eyes slowly shift toward me, and I feel a wave of unease wash over me. I take in the room’s state. There are empty liquor bottles everywhere, and I can smell his blood. “Kaiya!” he greets. His arms open towards me. “Come and join me!” I glance at him. “King Theo, I–” “Ah, right! You don’t want to. You don’t want to have anything to do with me.” He chuckles and leans on the couch again. “Any reason you are.... h-here?” he slurs. He stands up, but instead of taking a step, he stumbles and hits his head on the table. I flinch. So, that’s why I can smell his blood. I move closer to him and support him to his bed. He reaches for my cheeks and peers into my eyes. I pause. “You aren’t here because you love me,” he whispers. “Or are you?” “I am here because General Brandon asked me to check on you.” “G
******* TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE AND RAPE ******** Theo and I travel through the corridors of the castle, our shoes clacking against the stone floors. Servants scurry past us with trays of food balanced in their hands. We approach the courtyard. And cross through the hall, before arriving at the garden where Inanna prepared her ritual. Inanna stands in the center of a large circle, illuminated by the bright full moon and a dozen flickering candles around her. There is the smell of salt and herbs. She is wearing a sheer chemise with a silver clasp. Her skin glows in the candlelight, and she is obviously wearing nothing else underneath. I shift my attention to Theo as Inanna approaches. He is appraising her, and I can’t help but nudge his side. “She looks lovely,” Theo whispers to me. “But I still chose you. You don’t have to worry about that.” When she’s close, her eyes flicker between Theo and me. “You will have to pardon me with my clothes,” she apologizes. “In fact, it is done