Layla's POV:
It's now past midnight and Nicolae still isn't home. I slowly get up from the couch and head upstairs. Just as I open my bedroom door I hear a familiar voice behind me.
"Layla?" Nicolae says softly.
I turn to Nicolae and a wave of emotions rush over me again.
"Why are you still awake?" He asks gently.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come home." I replied as I looked down at the ground.
"As long as you are here I will always come home." He says as he walks towards me.
"Um, Nicolae." I begin to speak as he walks up in front of me.
"We...we need to talk." I say nervously.
"Ok." He replies.
I motion for him to follow me and walk into my room closing the door behind us.
"What's wrong?" He asks as I sit down on my bed.
"I remember everything Nicolae." I say quickly as he sits next to be.
"That's good isn't it?" He replies as he takes my hand.
"Yes but...I remember it all. My life befo
Layla's POV:"It's good to see you made it to class today." I hear James say from behind me as I am leaving the campus."I'm sorry?" I say with confusion."Nicolae paid me a visit last night. I'm sorry I assumed you knew." He replied."Oh. No I didn't know but it's fine." I reply as he begins walking with me."He wants to meet with me today as well. Maybe you should join us. My wife Miranda was quite fond of you." He says."Miranda, how is she? It's been...It's been decades." I reply with a laugh."She is well and I am sure she would love to see you." He replies."Are you sure Nicolae wants me to attend?" I ask hesitantly"Well I do recall inviting you both to dinner once upon a time. Look at it as making up for lost time." He says with a smile.A few moments of silence pass between us before I speak again."James… how do I deal with everything?" I ask not being able to keep the thoughts and feelings
Layla's POV:It's almost time for Nicolae and I to leave and I look myself over one last time in the mirror before slipping on my black heels. Just before I leave my room I take the small gold band off the chain and place the empty chain on my dresser then place the gold band on my finger. I smile at its familiar warmth and leave my room. I slowly begin to descend the stairs when I see Nicolae waiting by the door as I walk steadily closer to him. His hair is pulled half up while the rest of his hair is down and straight. His handsome face looks stern but there is a softness to it that I've noticed. His black suit fits him well and my heart begins racing wildly in my chest the closer I get to him. Nicolae suddenly turns to look at me and I notice something in his eyes. Like he's just spotted his prey and he's going in for the kill.Nicolae's POV:I watch Layla as she descends the large staircase towards me. She is wearing a beautiful maroon colored halter n
Layla's POV:Once Nicolae and I are back home he leads me inside and takes my coat from me hanging it and his suit jacket on the large rack. Nicolae begins to unbutton the buttons on his shirt and I turn to face away from him to try and calm the rising emotions inside."Layla." I hear Nicolae's voice in my ear as his hand travels down my neck.I feel Nicolae's lips on my shoulder as he places fiery kisses across it."Nicolae." I say with an involuntary moan.Nicolae places his arms around me and in an instant we are in his room. Nicolae begins to place kisses on my shoulder again as he turns me to face him kissing my neck then my jaw. His lips land on mine with a hunger and passion I've never felt before from him as he pins me against the wall. I run my hand down his exposed chest feeling every muscle under my fingers respond to my touch. I feel Nicolae's hands run up my back and to the neck of my dress. He unties the halter and the dress slides do
Nicolae's POV:Layla is sleeping peacefully next to me as thoughts swirl in my mind. I know tomorrow will reveal many things to us and I am slightly afraid. I go back to the day of her death and remember the deal I had made just prior to her and I getting married. All this time I had thought he had lied to me. He had agreed to our deal on the condition that when the time came I was to end his life. I agreed quickly, willing to do anything to save the woman I loved but she was killed a year later, or so I thought. When the time came to end his life I did so gladly thinking he had lied to me and used me as a pawn in some twisted game. I never knew that he had somehow spared her. Saved her from death only to wipe her memories and force us to live apart not knowing the other existed. Fate has a funny way of making things work I think to myself with a quiet chuckle. I try to calm my thoughts and get some sleep knowing dawn will be upon us soon.Layla's POV:I awoke t
Layla's POV:I am breathing deeply and trying to absorb everything while keeping myself calm. Some time later Miranda appears beside me."I know you have questions that you want answers to. I am afraid we may not be able to answer all of them but we can try." She says gently."I get why he did it Miranda I really do but...why didn't he tell me? Why keep it a secret? Doesn't he trust me?" I ask."Love can make us do some pretty crazy things Layla." She replies."We may not have the answers you seek but I will give you what I know and help guide you to discover the truth. We will be waiting for you inside." She says then turns to leave.I stand outside a few minutes longer then head back inside. Once I am back inside Miranda brings me to the kitchen and motions for me to sit down. Nicolae is seated beside me and James is across from him. MIranda seats herself in front of me and reaches out and grabs my hands from across the table.
Layla's POV:"A hallow." I reply emotionlessly as I look up at everyone.Nicolae looks at me with shock all across his face as James furrows his brows and Miranda looks at me in disbelief. In that moment I feel as if I am alone in the world all over again and I feel sadness, anger, and emptiness rise up inside of me."If you'll excuse me." I say as I slowly stand from my chair.No one says a word or moves a muscle as I turn and walk out of the kitchen and leave. I shoot Victor a quick message to pick Lorie up today and then begin walking aimlessly down the street. Victor replies back that he will and then asks if I am ok. I ignore the last part of his message and get reabsorbed in my thoughts as I am walking. Before I know it I am on the outskirts of town and it's starting to get dark. I contemplate for a minute about turning around and going back to the manor but I decide not to.I had expected Nicolae to at least try to stop me but he didn't. I w
Nicolae's POV:"Zeke!" I yell as soon as I enter my office."Yes master?" He says with a dignified bow."What do you think you are doing bringing your queen here without first consulting me?" I yell."So what if he did?" Layla snaps then comes to stand between Zeke and I before he can reply."Do you know how much danger you could have been in?" I yell."I was perfectly fine! Zeke has been with me the whole time! He even taught me what my powers were!" She yells back as she clenches her fists."Zeke, leave us." I say."Zeke stay." She commands."Zeke you dare disobey your king's direct order." I snarl.Zeke's eyes remain unchanged as he looks between Layla and I."Nicolae! Am I to believe that you would send away the one man that came to find me after I left you today?! Am I to believe you would be so harsh to someone who has taught me more in the past five minutes about myself than I've been able to learn i
Layla's POV:I am looking around the large room taking in the large bed in the center of the room. Deep red silk curtains hang around the bedpost and the bed has red sheets to match. There is a set of beautiful white oak end tables next to both sides of the bed that match the bed frame and posts. The walls are a lite grey color and make the lighting in the room look less dark than the outside hallways. There are bookshelves that line the walls and two chairs sitting almost side by side a few feet away from them."Do you like it my love?" I hear Nicolae's voice come from behind me."I do." I reply as I feel him wrap and arm around me."We should shower and head to bed. We will have a busy day tomorrow." He whispers and I feel a chill shoot up my spine."Would you like to go first?" I ask."Hmm, I'd rather you join me." He says as he brushes his hand against the mark.Before I am able to protest I find myself inside the large bathroom.