Chapter 67

I had spent the majority of that night twisting and turning. The midday naps spoiling what could have been a long well-rested sleep.

When morning came I simply got ready for whatever awaited me in the dowagers garden. Hoping It wasn't something that would be talked of by the ladies- something simple hopefully.

This time I enjoyed the scenery as I walked, stopping when the butterflies came to sight and simply admiring them. The footman who escorted me halted awkwardly, but for once I couldn't care less.

I stared at one that came to sight- completely black.

"I've never seen one in that colour…" I spoke to nobody in particular.

"It is quite a rare specimen" Jules voice came from behind me and I flushed at the thought being caught speaking to myself. I don't think I would have cared if it had been anyone other than him. "He's actually not from these lands- grandmother imported him from the southern continent".

"Imported?" I said surprised, gaze still watching the fluttering butterfly, "It must have been hard to keep them alive on a boat".

"Well… I can't say much on the subject being a pampered prince and all" the sarcasm on his tongue made me smile and finally turn towards him.

He looked beautiful as he usually did, but in the garden of flowers he was even more so. He seemed to be avoiding my gaze though.

"Oh yes, the typical warrior driven-spoiled rotten prince" I smiled, trying to meet the eyes that avoided mine, "Might I inquire why such an esteemed person is here right now?"

"That's because you've kept me waiting" he replied, eyes following the fluttering creatures of the sun.

"Waiting?"

"Your prize". He answered as if it made sense.

"My prize?"

"Your prize is a morning with me".

"My prize is a morning with you…?"

He finally looked at me, glancing away immediately as his face reddened. It was strange to see him so flustered.

"Yes. And you've kept your future monarch waiting".

My future monarch. The man that is soon to sit atop the throne with the highest position in the country. He walked a head of me, towards the designated meeting area and I followed. Watching his broad shoulders.

I found myself recalling how the last time I saw him he was painted in blood. It was terrifying and yet I found the memory so beautiful and precious it annoyed me.

"I hope you haven't forgotten that We've agreed to drop that silly decision you made…" I suddenly spoke up, a need for him to look back at me arising on me. To stop walking so determinedly ahead of me.

He faltered, but he did not stop.

"Let's not forget you blackmailed a royal" he replied and I frowned.

"How did I?"-

"You threatened to keep my salvation from me if I did not adhere to you" he stopped and I hadn't realised until my nose hit his arm and I looked up, surprised. His face stared back at mine, laced in shame. Red irises trembling. His beautiful face block the sun that once graced mine and his hair fell just inches above mine.

"Salvation? Is that what you call it?" I replied with a mocking smile and he looked away.

"Do. Not. Do not ridicule me. I can still smell you right now". He touched the shoulder of the arm I injured and I flinched.

I found my next retort stuck in my throat as that same flushed look appeared on his face, breathing becoming shallower. I found myself becoming embarrassed in return.

"Does my blood smell different?" I asked as I walked ahead of him, and he followed along, our shoulders bumping every so often.

"Yes. I can actually smell it".

"You can actually smell it… does that mean you can't smell anyone else's?" I asked recalling how yesterday he paid no mind to the blood on the grass and trees.

He nodded, face turned away from me. I noticed how we were alone. No footman or maid in sight. All retreating to allow us this privacy.

"You are the first person I've…" he stopped, touching a finger to his lips. There was a moment when I caught an almost possessed look on his face, but he took a deep breath and then shutting his eye lids slowly, calming himself, "drunk from".

"No way" I replied as the understanding dawned on me and I could barely keep from tripping over.

"It disgusts me…" his sudden words sent a sharp pain through my chest and I stopped in my tracks, turning to glare, but stopping when I notice how he really did look ashamed. More so than earlier.

Did he find himself disgusting?

"Why… why do you look like that? It's normal isn't it?" I suddenly said words I had not planned at all.

He scoffed, walking ahead of me.

"Normal?" He spat. "It is far from normal Madeline and trust me, I know. I've spent a life in ridicule living like a human and then you show up and"- he stopped talking and just swallowed, a brimming anger in his eyes. I should get angry. Angry that he blames me for something that troubles me equally. Something I didn't ask for. But I just listened. Feeling my heart being squeezed and pricked all over. "You've made me so animal and human at the same time".

We finally reached the gazebo from yesterday. Hot tea and snacks awaited us and yet I couldn't have less of an appetite. Eyes set on the man before me.

"So the reason you've been so… forceful with me is because… you hate me?" I hated how it hurt me to say that. How I hesitated to even form the sentence because the answer scared me. Why did it even matter if he hated me?

"Hate?" He raised his brows, "when did I…? No- Its… different. I hate- I hate how you make me feel, but I don't hate you". He looked genuine, the sun caught my eyes and I closed them, only for a shadow to block the light. I opened my eyes to see his hand hovering above my face, blocking the light.

Somehow that made me feel worse.

"Then why did you kiss me?" I blurted out and he stepped back, hiding his face away with his hand.

"What do you?"-

"You could've gone straight for my arm. But you didn't. You kissed me first. And that day in the office" I could feel heat beneath my words, finding myself losing my composure in the heat of the moment. But whatever drove me to say this was so much stronger than rationality.

His hand slowly moved away from his face and he stared at me in a questioning manner. My face flushed at the intensity of his gaze. Heart beat suddenly thudding into my heart and for once I was certain he could hear it, because his mouth twitched.

His hand dropped, gaze darkening as they travelled to my lips. His tongue wetting his upper lip unconsciously before he gulped. It was only when he stepped forward that I stood my ground.

"Stop it".

I held a hand to block him, but he simply touched it with his. Fingers slowly lacing through mine, staring at ny hand with that same look. And then moving straight to me.

"Do you know why a vampire drinks blood?" His voice was low and husky, mouth close to my ear despite the distance I forced between us.

"To awaken their appetite? It's the force that keeps them alive and promotes reproduction and liveliness" I answered with a frown, brows knitting slightly as he leaned closer towards me.

"Now… apply that to a single person". His voice full of an intent and hunger that made my stomach twist.

"A single…"

I didn't understand.

If vampires had a single human as a source of blood? Then I guess they would fight for it, either kidnapping it or enticing it…

Then… does that mean?!

I looked up at him with eyes resembling an owls, his thumb brushing my lip as his hand suddenly grasped my face.

"Do you?"- he cut me off.

"Yes".

It was all he said before his lips pressed against mine.