Vampire realm

Zaria’s POV

Vampire’s realm was nothing modern; it was like I stepped into the Renaissance era. The torches lit the castle as we walked through the marble hallways. Everything felt antique, like time stood still.

The man on the throne was pale but still very handsome; time froze him, maybe in his forties.

Father, Noctis said, bowing to him, “I want you to meet Zaria.

Then he turned to me. "Zaria, this is King Bavar, my father."

I bowed to him, then my eyes met his. His expression shifted from almost surprised to confused.

Noctis, is she your classmate?

He smiled. For now, I wanted you to meet her, and we are on a date. Don’t mind us; I want her to meet our kingdom. His father stood up. Do you have a problem with that, Father?

Of course not. Please do have fun. I will see you at dinner.

Do you eat dinner? I asked confused

For you, yes, I will eat dinner. Now, should we? I nodded. We walked the castle, then the grounds around it. I took my heels off as I bolted through the hedge labyrinth as a joke.

Zaria, no, he screamed from behind me. I wondered why. He caught me eventually. Do not move, he whispered in my ear, as his arms held me tight from behind. My body tensed.

After a while, he released me. We are predators; you run, we hunt.

Oh, I said. Now I know. Any other rules?

He smiled, then kissed my forehead. For now, stay close to me.

The dinner was a little awkward as his father seemed to want to ask me questions, his eyes never leaving me and making me uncomfortable.

Father?

She has a striking resemblance to…never mind. Forgive me, I’m just an old man with a ghost from the past.

I couldn’t understand what he meant by that. Do I look like someone you know?

Yes, Queen Alexandra of the forgotten souls' realm.

You knew her? What was she like?

As he spoke, it seemed like a painful memory for him. Alexandra was a beautiful soul and lit the room when she walked in. I will not deny it; she stole my dead heart the moment I saw her. He sighed.

Father, you never told me this, Noctis said, looking at him in shock.

Okay, enough with sad stories. Do tell Zaria how you like the academy?

It's an amazing opportunity; I’m learning about factions I never knew existed. Made friends and enemies, I said, laughing.

I’m not surprised. Is Noctis the only one courting you?

Noctis stood up, offended.

Calm down, son; it's just a feeling, but you confirmed it. Let me guess…

" Don’t be angry, " I said. "

Zaria is not a possession. She belongs to no one…

I gasped at his words. He turned to me. I apologize for my father’s words.

You misunderstood me, Noctis. Her scent will attract more than she bargained for.

Scent? I asked, confused.

I’m sure you know by now you’re not human, and your scent is like an elixir. But the light inside of you, they’ll try to burn because it attracts them like moths.

Father, stop, you’re scaring her.

No, he is not. Telling me the truth is refreshing; I appreciate it.

What do I smell like?

Black rose, night wind, and rain, Noctis answered.

I never saw a black rose…

Because it grows only in one realm, Bavar answered, the forgotten souls' realm.

A shiver went through my spine as his eyes were so intense on me. Zaria, who are your parents?

Uhhhhmmm…

No more questions, Father. This is ridiculous. Let’s go, Zaria. He took my hand, and I stood up, bowed to his father, and then he dragged me behind him. We walked the long hallway when I realized I was barefoot.

Wait, Noctis, I forgot my heels. He looked down to see me barefoot and smiled. I turned and went back to the table, bent, and took them from under the chair. When I turned, his father was in front of me.

Zaria, trust no one. I vouch for my son, though. You have his heart; he will die protecting you. I don’t blame him. He paused. I wish I had died instead of her, he said, looking away, sad.

I was holding my breath. The king of vampires loved Alexandra; more like he was in love with her. I wonder if she knew.

Your Majesty, I feel safe with your son…

But you love someone else, and you've already given your heart away. Does Noctis know?

My hands started to shake. When my eyes met his, I expected them to look angry. Instead, they were sad, melancholy about the past carved deep inside of them.

Zaria, I heard Noctis calling me. My head turned towards him, and when I turned back, his father was gone.

This was an interesting date. Not only did I realize that my faction was the Forgotten Souls realm, but I also learned some history and the fact that Bavar loved Queen Alexandra.

Noctis tried not to show how annoyed he was with his father, but I knew better. As he took me back and we stopped in front of the dorm room, he took a step closer to me. His lips brushed mine, barely.

I felt it; I shouldn’t. Guilt was sipping inside me. His hand touched my face gently. Zaria, I hope it wasn’t overwhelming at dinner with my father. He is an old…

It was perfect, and your father is a romantic at heart, I said, chuckling, breaking the awkwardness.

My father is a brutal killing machine, but yes, vampires have tendencies to get romantic, I guess. Then, without warning, he grabbed my middle, pulling me tight against him and kissed me.

I pulled away, having lots of mixed emotions, mumbled a good night, and went inside the room. Nova had shifted into fox form during one of those animated dreams. I giggled as I covered her with a blanket. After I changed into my pajamas, I decided to go fast to Malacar’s room. Guilt? Yeah, of course, I felt like I was cheating.

Before even knocking, he opened the door and pulled me inside.

He kissed you! growled on my lips.

Malacar…

His hand slammed hard on the wall. My arms went around his neck, my cheek touching his as the tears flowed.

Zaria, I can’t; my whole being wants to tear him apart… My lips touched him gently.

Hold me, I whispered as his kisses became desperate and deeper. The hand went under my pajama top, touching my breast. He took off my shorts, and his arm lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

Mine, Zaria, you’re only mine…say it…

Yours, I said, breathless.