CHAPTER ONE: THE BLUE EYED WOLF

“DOMINA LUNA!”

A giggle escaped my lips by hearing the panic in my maid’s voice. Ugh, She’s such a baby. I tiptoed through the gate and smirked victoriously when I finally got out in that hellhole. It’s my sixth day in the Aerith Kingdom and my father won’t let me explore the place just once. That left me no choice but to escape. Well, I just got lucky because my guards are all busy for some reason. Cresta, my lady in waiting, is the only one assigned for me today.

 Now, I just have to go through the gates without the guards noticing, which can be done in just a blink. “Wooh!” I screamed in excitement as I was finally able to grace the outsides of Octavian Palace. Not wasting any time, I climbed the nearest tree and gazed at the beautiful view from there in amusement.

I smiled widely and welcomed the wind slashing through my face. Finally, freedom.

Or so I thought.

 I winced in annoyance when I felt my shoulder being bumped against to for the ninth time. The street of Aerith is crowded with its people, different stores, and establishments. However, it’s better than no one can notice me with this busy scene.

“Did you hear the news? The Valentin lady already arrived here.”

“Certissimus, [For sure] their engagement to the Octavians are long overdue.”

 I fixed the hood of the cloak I’m wearing and lowered my head. I am already used to people talking about me yet the second statement confuses me, I wonder what engagement are they talking about?   

“Lower your voices, ladies. They are very prominent families of this kingdom, it’s a sin to use their names in vain.”

Prorsus. I  shook my head and with a light smile on my lips, I continued going towards my true destination. The Lake of Iunae Lumen. The Aerith Kingdom is one of the largest countries in whole Romania. Ever since I was a child, my mother would always tell me stories about its magical places and mystic creatures. One of my favorites is the story of Iunae Lumen, the daughter of Lycaon. My mother illustrated her as a beautiful, brave and intelligent lady, but ended up being betrayed by her family and thrown to the depth of the lakes, now known as the Iunae Lumen Lake.

A gloomy vibe suddenly attacked my system by the memory of my late mother. However, it’s quickly replaced by the beautiful memories she had with me. I sighed and just continued walking.

The route from the market took me a long time, obviously, for I can’t sprint or climb in anything. I’m afraid it’s not normal for people to see a vampire wandering in the streets. But as soon as I reached the forest, I embraced my freedom and enjoy the whole place all to myself. I enjoyed playing with the wasps and flying with the winds. Also, the deers of this forest have a remarkable kind of breed that absolutely satisfied my taste buds.

My trip sure tires the whole out of my body, but as soon as I get to gaze upon the beauty of the Lumen, my heart and body agree to say it’s all worth it.

The lake appeared to be made by the Gods and Goddesses with so much time and effort, with its teardrop-silver color, perfectly flat disc shape. It is lined up with tall, and glorious pine trees and shines under the colorful flies gathering around it. This is a paradise beyond words.

I was about to take a step forward, but the sound of a low growl stopped me. My whole body turned into its defensive mode. It must’ve been a wild animal roaming around, I was too amazed at the place to even notice.

My eyes turned red when the sound of the growl continues to ring my ear. I turned my head to the bushes, I am pretty sure there is where it is coming from.  If I’m right about it being a wild animal, I should be the one to attack it first or things will going to be out of hand.

Slowly and carefully, I approached the bushes with my armor on, red-eyed,  fangs out.

But to my surprise, it was not the wild and deadly animal I expected. Instead, a wounded, bloody, and weak-lying wolf appeared before my eyes. My eyes immediately turned to a normal shade of purple. I know it’s wrong to lower my defenses that fast but I couldn’t help with how pitiful his painful growls are. A wild boar must’ve attacked him, I concluded as my hands automatically moved to gather some medicinal herbs around, I can’t be more lucky to have found too many.

“Poor boy…” I applied pieces of calendula in its heavily injured legs first, then applied some in his body. My brows furrowed when I notice that his breath is still heavy, and his growls are getting louder by the minute. The plant must be taking effect now, and it’s hurting him.

“Calm down…” I placed my hand in his head and gently caressed it. To my surprise, he seems to like it. I can feel his heartbeat slowly going down. “Good boy,” I whispered in amusement.

And then, he slowly opened his eyes and straight-up stared at me. I feel like I’ve been hypnotized by the sight of his deep, and alluring ocean orbs.

It doesn’t have lips, but I feel like it has so much to say. Forgive me, Iunae Lumen but I think his blue eyes are way more wonderful than your ocean lake.

We did nothing but stare at each other’s eyes for the next minutes, both drowned in the emotions in our eyes. That we didn’t even notice the presence approaching us.

His movements were fast. I saw how his eyes turned deadly as he gather himself with so much strength, not even a trace of pained, weak dog he has been just a moment before. The presence approaching us is too fast, and I can’t be wrong when I say it’s a vampire.

I felt his gaze upon me, but I didn’t look back. “Go,” I continued scanning the field, ready for any attack.

“Oh!” I winced in pain when I felt a pain in my fingers. The dog has bitten my hand! It was just a nibble but it still hurts. “Why—” My lips have stopped moving when I saw how serious his eyes were. His eyes are really telling me something, I wish I can figure it out. But before I can even speak my mind, he ran so fast through the forest, leaving me behind.

I should be moving right now, readying myself, but I didn’t. I watched him carefully as he ran away with so much speed, faster than the wind. I closed my eyes as I whispered a little enchant for him, “Tutam iter, mi amice.” [Have a safe trip, my friend.]

“Luna.”

Before I can even recover from the werewolf, a vampire has already appeared before me.

“Giovanni.”

Relieved that it was just him and not some other dangerous creatures, I find it weird to have found him here.

 “What are you doing here?” we said in unison. Me, with confused voice and he, with suspicion. Oh my, did he see me with the werewolf?  I got nervous with the thought. Well, it is not normal for a vampire to pet a wolf, specifically to tend to it. Well, I just hope he didn’t. Good thing the dog was pretty fast.

“I heard from Cresia that you snitched from the palace.” his baritone voice became colder when he said that. Relieved but a bit ashamed, I tried to charm him with my smile. If I’m lucky enough today, Cresta wouldn’t have told Father by now, and I still have the chance to go home quick.

“It’s because I’m so bored,” I dramatically sighed and pouted, “I wished you have visited me just once…”

But he only greeted me with silence after that. I tried to peek at his reaction, can’t take the awkwardness anymore, to only lowered my head again after seeing his stern gaze on me.

“We have been busy,” he uttered with his low-registered voice. “I hope you can understand.”

Giovanni has always been this serious and composed ever since I met him. Everyone finds his aura intimidating and scary, and I don’t remember how did I get so close to him ever since.

“Let’s go home.”

I followed him quietly like a good child. We stayed silent the whole trip. I’m so used to it though because he never really talks whenever I am with him.

He kept walking straight and it gave me the chance to scan his body. Broad shoulders, well-toned muscles, long arms, and legs. Very opposite to the skinny, weak, and shy little Giovanni I used to know. He was a little bit of a nerd too, I remember. I bit my lips when I realized that this gorgeous man in front of me is the same man I bullied back then, I’m sure he can crush me with those arms now.

“Welcome back, Madame Luna, Lord Giovanni.”

My thoughts are suddenly back when I heard the guards greet us with a bow. I eyed the place to see if we were really in the palace already. How come it’s so fast?

When I looked to where we came from, my brows furrowed with the added confusion. There is a cave… no. More like a tunnel. No wonder It was so dark throughout our way home.

My hand suddenly went to my mouth when realization dawned on me.

“Luna,” called Giovanni. Confused why I’m still not moving.

I ran towards him with a huge grin on my lips. “Coming!”

I just found myself a shortcut passage to the Iunae Lumen Lake!

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

The Characters and Events mentioned in this book are purely fictional and are not to be construed as even remotely inspired by persons and events known and unknown to the author.