Episode 9: Emerald Grasshoper

“Sinandaya kingdom has been hidden for a decade. And to this time, only this territory knew our existence. So as part of our condition, I request for this matter to stay confidential.”

“Tell me a reason why we should keep it confidential,” Vander mouthed as he keeps his hand on his chin and the other on a glass chalice filled with blood.

                    Two of his male confidants were standing on the side while the three of us, Lireign and Dustin, were sitting surrounding the round table. It was already dusk but none of us weren’t ready to leave because this Prince is making the deal much more difficult. He always morphs and diverts the discussion for I don’t even know the reason why.

“Even your kingdom is not an exception from the war, and so as we. Sinandaya kingdom was once wiped out by the werewolf army. We do have a common enemy, and keeping our identity and existence hidden has something to do with our plans. That includes raging a war with them at the perfect timing,” I answered with full certainty and extended my arms to reach the goblet at my side.

“What if I propose you an alliance, and that appends the request you’ve advanced. We give you what you want, and in return, Pinansey-angan and Sinandaya will have both forces in military defense and resources.”

“That’s quite a good proposition.” My face flushed a serious response as I placed the goblet on the table with both of my hands clipped and my chin resting over. “But what will be the formal seal for our alliance?”

                        Vander smiled slyly, “I know you’ve already guessed it right. General Gaia Vallejo of Sinandaya territory, are you willing to take my hand and end this war with me?”

“Why not?” I then answered straight away, still in my glacier composure. I’ve already made up my mind on this matter, but why is there a block of objection still in my heart. It seems like a force that’s yelling at me to withdraw and back out. I tightly closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh, “I accept the alliance. But the moment one of us break any of the conditions, consequences will be grimmer.” I could not abandon Sinandaya. And whatever the case, I will protect my kingdom to the deepest of the depths.

“Well then, a banquet will be held in no minute. Your presence is a must, so as the hummingbird at your side and that raven over there,” He stated, referring to Lireign and Dustin. Only a simple nod from me was replied to him before we all stood up and tail the guard that Vander commanded to lead us to our designated rooms.

                        But before we could finally leave the room, He again spoke. “Remember you owe me a dance, Sweetheart.”                  

“I did forget you not.” Turning a smile to him and waving my hand, a purple rose vine crept in from the window and directed to Vander’s direction. All vampires possess abilities that are common and different from each other, and mine’s the capability of controlling plants that only grows abundantly in a certain place.

                          An emerald gown was settled inside the room that the guard has led me. Entering, I noticed how extravagant this room is. Cinnamon-colored walls and the ceilings were designed with paintings of crossing star jasmine. Wide cream bed, and a moss orchid over the bedside table. On the dressing table were various face creams and adornments settled on a place, even the vanity mirror’s sides were carved designs of vines and flowers.

“You’ll look like a bush cricket if you’re gonna wear that.” A voice popped out of the recently opened window. With a quick turn, my eyes almost popped off when I saw Diego leaped inside topless.

                      The flaming torches were just enough for me to see those burning packs on his abdominals. He looks so hot without his shirt on, and the reflection of the flames onto his blue eyes was just that captivating. Including his wind-messed up hair and those raindrops running down his body makes his dominating appeal glow.

“Don’t stare too much, you might end up being wrecked.”

“Tch, outrageous,” my lips muttered as I looked away and snatched the bath towel on the chair. I felt my face all red and hot as I walk ahead of the bathroom. Why am I having this kind of exaggerated affection every time he’s here?

                        My eyes closed tightly when I opened the nozzle. Letting the cold water, stream down my undraped body. But the moment I got the silence in my mind, his voice then exploded again in my brain!

“Your skin looks paler while under the water.”

“Stop peeking, you’re such a perverted wolf,” I talked back as I started lathering the soap in my hand.

“I’ll only stop if you stay here and deny that asshole’s invitation.”

“Huh, why would I? Who are you to intrude my privacy and dictate what I must do?” My body was covered entirely with soap that I reopened the nozzle to wash it off before wrapping myself in a clean fabric.

“My gorgeous features aren’t enough to make you stay?” He blurted the moment I stepped out of the bathroom. I just rolled my eyes at him and directed my feet to the dressing room, slipping the emerald green gown in.

“Narcissistic. Vander’s words were much more flowery than yours.”

“And you’re comparing me now to that blondy? What do you want? His flamboyant words that spoke out lies?” He annoyedly alluded.

“Lies? Oh really, why won’t you just admit that you only knew how to provoke and insult?”

                     As soon as I clipped the last button, I walked out of the dressing room and caught Diego’s irritated look. He turned to me and spouted the words I didn’t expect to come out from him. “Resembling the pine trees in the deep forest, your elegance streams like rivers.”

                       With that, I laughed out hard. His phrases were that good but his aggrieved face destructs it all. How could he even impress a lady with such emotionless affection?

“Stop, will you?” Diego furiously blasted, still sitting on the chair with his gill rested on his palm. He glared at me and averted away. “I do not have the habit of lying. If I say, you look like a grasshopper with that fancy clothing you’re in, then it is a fact and not a flowery false statement.”

                       My eyebrow raised at him, “A gorgeous grasshopper I will be.” I stomped out of that room, leaving Diego. At the motion of my hand, an aqua-colored vine crept inside which I swiftly cut and weaved into a string. Its tiny crystal-like flowers fit this green off-shoulder gown exquisitely when I clipped it surrounding my braided hair down.

“Mayari,” I called at her. In no second, she bobbed down from the veranda’s roof.

“Any orders, General?” 

“The Abberant Alpha’s dogs were lurking around. I need the entire combatant to be alert for possible assassination.” Mayari nodded and popped like a bubble in an instance.

                       Even if Diego doesn’t reflect any danger, I wouldn’t let him meddle around. I lifted the long gown as I walked down the hallway. The mellifluous music coming from the ballroom fills the air like it is the reason the rain had stopped pouring. Torches and lanterns lit up the whole place as I put a single step inside the hall. Everyone dancing romantically to the music from the playing orchestra.

                      And to my expectation, a hand was laid right ahead of me. “A lady in a magical lake, such beauty irresistible. Of red lips as carmine as the cherries.” He leads me to the dancefloor as soon as I took his hands and his arms encircled on my waist. “Of skin as delicate as the snowflake. Yet, so savage like the waves in the sea.”

                      I stretched out my arm and fastened on his neck. “Like a knight in armor, your aura domineers. Your phrases erupt rainbows, and that I couldn’t reply no more.” He wears an indigo tunic and cream trousers with those elaborate sequins making the clothing more masculine and royal.

“I didn’t know that the General can spout honeyed words as well.”

“Sometimes the unexpected ones are the most fantastic. Tomorrow, we’ll depart. I want both of the Gobbayas berries and the Masaplora ready for transport. As for the marriage.” I smirked and pulled him closer, “It will be set once the attack towards the Abberant pack is successfully executed.”

                      From the edge of my gaze, I saw how Diego darted a deadly glare at me. I just noticed him a while ago, right in his arms was a vampire lady in a peach gown. And he intentionally cling his body closer like he was seducing her. And this dumb lady was so drowned that she couldn’t notice what kind of creature he was dancing with.

                       Out of my mind, I then suddenly grip Vander’s head closer. Maintaining my eye contact with Diego who only raised his brows and clipped the woman’s waist an inch away from his. An ounce of a strange feeling inside me bursts that makes me want to strangle that lady’s neck.