Elaire's POV

Nakapangalumbaba ako sa mesa habang nagbabasa ng journal ni King Oceanus. I've already eaten dinner, showered even, and the king hasn't returned yet. It was almost midnight, I think. Kinumpirma ko ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsulyap sa orasang nakapatong malapit sa dulo ng mesa. It was an old, almost ancient, table clock, made of glossy wood, detailed with silver and gold.

Bumuntong-hininga ako habang nakatitig sa gumagalaw na kamay nito.

The longer I waited for him, the louder its ticking grew.

Ang sabi niya babalik siya rito pagkatapos ng hapunan...

Mula sa orasan, umangat ang aking tingin sa nakaawang na bintana kung saan pumasok ang mahinang simoy ng hangin. I couldn't see the moon from where I sat but I knew it was bright. Dahil sa maliwanag na kintab ng bintana na alam ko'y gawa ng sinag ng buwan.

After a long while of staring at the window, wondering about the king, I decided to return my attention to the book I was reading. Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagbasa nito nang hindi pa rin isinasantabi ang pagtataka kung bakit hindi pa rin bumabalik ang hari. Nag-alala rin naman ako pero hindi gaano. It's either something came up or he lost track of time because of his new stress-relieving activity.

I hope it's the latter.

Lilipat na sana ako sa kasunod na pahina nang mapatingin ako sa kamay kong marahang sumagi sa dulo ng papel. I stared at my own hand until it slowly took the form of another's— my mate's. I was starting to imagine it— his hand gliding across paper, sketching, coloring. And I was sure he would do it delicately, kahit may kapal 'yong kamay niya at nakahulma ito ayon sa napakaraming taon na niyang pagsasanay. His Majesty's hand looked heavy but every finger bent carefully. Every muscle and vein, laced with controlled strength.

My lips slightly parted to let out a long, wanting, sigh as I stretched my hand in a way that it would fit his'.

Nagsimula na akong masanay nito— ang manatili pa ring mahinahon kahit naghahanap na sa kanya 'yong kaluluwa at katawan ko. I wanted to look for him not because I was worried, but because he was my mate, bound to hold more than just my hand.

For every second that we're not together, the bond between us is getting stronger. And he hasn't even claimed me yet. And once he does... how stronger will the bond get? Alam kong magkakaroon kami ng mga kapangyarihan na mated vampires lang ang makakataglay, pero maliban do'n, ano pa bang mangyayari?

Napagdesisyunan kong hanapin ang sagot ng mga katanungan ko kaya tumayo ako at lumabas ng kwarto upang maghanap ng study o library sa Ruby Hall. After a few minutes of walking through the eerie hallway, opening every closed door, I finally found one— a small library with a single window. Malaki 'yong hugis arkong bintana at sa ibaba nito mayroong mahabang sofa. Walang mesa. Sa halip, mayroong service cart sa tabi nito kung saan nakapalagay ang isang porcelain tea set.

Nagsimula akong maglibot sa maalikabok na silid. Bawat sulok ng mga estante ay nabalot sa mga sapot. Huminto ako sa harap ng isang estante at nahagilap ko pa nga ang paggapang ng isang gagamba para magtago. I wasn't at all interested at the spider's home, but rather at the book behind it.

'Coniunctio Animarum'

Union of Souls.

Maingat kong tinanggal ang libro mula sa hanay nito at gamit ang aking palad, winalis ang sapot at alikabok na nakabalot dito. Pagkatapos, binuksan ko ang unang pahina na walang ibang laman kundi ang pangalan ng libro kaya lumipat ako sa kasunod.

'We perish only to awaken in the land of eternal night, where we linger, awaiting our rebirth.'

A quote, about what happens to vampires after we die— our souls go to the land of eternal night where we wait to be reincarnated. Ang sabi rin ng iba, nakakapili raw kami kung gusto ba naming mabuhay ulit sa mundo o manatili sa lupa ng kadiliman.

The Land of Eternal Night. Ito daw 'yong una naming pinagmulan. It is one of the reasons why we call ourselves creatures of the night. The Land of Eternal Night was the first thing that the darkness created out of nothing. Sumunod ang mga kaluluwang nanirahan dito. May ibang hindi nakuntento kaya mula sa kadiliman, nabuo ang mundo kung saan nakakapaglibot ang mga kaluluwa bilang mga bampira. Souls who choose to be reincarnated are said to be selfish and discontented, so we are cursed to never remember our previous lives.

But things are different now because of magic. May ibang nakakahagilap ng dati nilang mga buhay at minsan sapat na ito upang malaman nila ang buong kuwento ng kanilang nakaraan. Sometimes I am as curious as them. May panahon na gusto ko ring malaman kung sino ako dati. But in the end, the urge to know who I was quickly dissipates. I just don't get motivated enough to search for my previous life.

Hindi sa wala akong pakialam. Iniiwasan ko lang buksan ang pinto ng aking nakaraan, pagkatapos ng lahat ng aking pinagdaanan.

'Scars bleed endless and stars burn the brightest once a soul entwines with another.'

The third page of the book contained another quote, and so did the next couple of pages. Mga maliliit na isla ng mga salita ang tanging laman ng unang mga pahina. I was starting to think that the book was only made up of quotes, hanggang sa nakarating ako sa pahinang puno na ng mga letra.

It was the introduction.

Nagsimula akong maglakad palabas ng silid habang binabasa ito. It was informative but not new information to me. I have already read a lot of books about souls and mates.

"There you are."

Umangat ang aking tingin kay Admiral Sienna na nakatayo malapit sa nakabukas na pintuan ng kwarto ng reyna.

Closing the book, I greeted, "Admiral." Lumapit ako sa kanya at napansin kong parehong nangungusisa ang aming mga mata. "You've been looking for me?" tanong ko.

"Have you seen His Majesty?"

Umiling ako.

She sighed. "Gideon asked me to help him look for the king," sabi niya. "I looked for you first. Akala ko kasi magkasama kayo."

Kumunot ang aking noo. "His Majesty's not in his rooms?"

The admiral shook her head. "He was last seen with Lord Haste, and we couldn't find him either."

My thumb lightly scratched the cover of the book I was holding. "Tutulong ako sa paghahanap sa kanila," tugon ko. "Is everyone looking for them?"

"No," she seriously replied. "It's still too early to call for a big search. If we can't find them by sunrise, then maybe it is time to ask everyone." Sandali siyang sumilip sa pasilyong pinanggalingan ko. "Do you have any idea where the two could've gone?"

Madalang kong niyakap ang libro. "Hindi mo ako tatanungin kung anong ginagawa ko rito?"

"No," sagot niya. "It is not my business and it is not what matters as of this moment."

Umunat ang aking mga labi sa isang maliit na ngiti— isang tahimik na pagpapasalamat.

"If you still can't find them, let's meet at His Majesty's office," she instructed.

I slightly bowed my head at the admiral. Then she gave me a calm glance before turning around to leave.

Umalingawngaw ang yabag ng mga paa ni Admiral Sienna habang naglalakad siya palayo sa'kin. Samantalang, lumiko ako papasok sa kwarto ng reyna. Inilapag ko ang libro sa mesa at wala sa sariling napabuntong-hininga. At nang malalim akong humugot ng hangin, kusang dumako ang aking paningin sa antigong orasan.

His Majesty's not stupid enough to get himself into trouble without his guard, right?

Biglang tumaas ang aking noo nang may nahagip ang aking mga tenga.

The whispers.

Mabilis ang paglingo'ng ginawa ko sa kabilang dako ng pintuan— sa labas, kung saan nanggagaling ang mahinang ingay. My lips stretched tight, tasting bitterness, nang agad kong nakilala kung sino ang nasa peligro at kailangan kong puntahan.

You've got to be kidding me, tahimik kong puna bago umikot at nagmamadaling lumabas ng silid. I took heavy and hurried steps down to the first floor and to my surprise, Saffron was already waiting outside the hall.

"Do you know where he is?" I asked my horse before pulling myself up and sat on top of his back. Nang maupo, napabuga ako ng hangin sabay bagsak ng aking magkabilang balikat. Pagkatapos, huminga ako nang malalim bilang paghahanda sabay tuwid ng aking likod, at luminga-linga ako, dinadama ang bigat ng kapaligiran, kabilang na ang mga presensyang nakapalibot sa'kin.

His Majesty's not in the royal palace.

I gently squeezed my legs to signal Saffron to start walking.

The king's not allowed to leave the palace without his guard... did he get kidnapped?

But the whispers were soft and Saffron just walked casually. Ibig sabihin, hindi namin kailangang magmadali patungo sa hari. Despite this, I still urged Saffron to run. Humilig ang aking katawan pasulong sa landas namin habang nakasilip ang aking mga mata sa likod ng nakakunot kong noo. I was eager to know where His Majesty was and if he needed me.

•••

Marahan kong hinila ang renda ni Saffron pahinto nang madatnan ang isang maliwanag na tavern sa unahan. I turned to look back at where we came. Malayo-layo na kami sa Lumien pero natatanaw pa rin ito. Saka ako muling humarap sa masiglang taberna. Pagkaraan ng ilang segundo ng pag-oobserba, bumaba ako mula kay Saffron at iginiya ito patungo sa hitching post kung saan tinatali ang mga kabayo.

The whispers had vanished. Pinalitan ito ng mga ingay ng nag-iinuman.

Pagkatapos higpitan ang tali ni Saffron, mahina kong hinimas ang tagiliran ng kanyang leeg at sinigurong maayos ang kalagayan niya bago ko iwan. I went inside the tavern, avoiding anyone who tried to approach me. Inside, the air was thick with alcohol and sweat. Kumakalabog din ang mga pader sa tawanan at sigawan. Dumiretso ako sa bar counter at nanghingi ng isang baso ng tubig sa babaeng nasa likod nito.

Habang naghihintay, umikot ako paharap sa kumpulan ng mga bampira.

"May hinahanap ka ba?" I heard the woman ask from behind the counter.

Tumuon ako sa kanya. "Nagtitingin-tingin lang," sagot ko. "It's my first time here."

"Kung gano'n—" Kinuha niya ang baso ng tubig na aabutin ko na sana. "Teka lang." She crouched down to replace it with a bigger glass. "First drink's always on the house." Itinulak niya ito palapit sa'kin at saka ko nakita ang laman nitong alak.

"I—" I was about to insist but she raised her brows at me. Tinawanan niya rin ako nang mahina habang pinapagpag ang suot niyang apron. Tumikhim ako at kinuha ang baso. Sumipsip ako nang kaunti at nang ilapag ko ang baso sa counter, nahihiya akong ngumiti. "Thanks..."

"Napadaan ka lang ba rito?" Nagsimula siyang magpunas ng mga kubyertos.

Licking the taste of beer off my lips, I hummed as a reply. "Mmm."

"And you're a what? Traveler? Merchant?" She eyed my uniform. "An assassin?"

Napangiti ako sa halatang pangungusisa niya. "I used to be a server like you."

"You don't look like a commoner," aniya.

"I am," sabi ko. "Sa palasyo ako nagtatrabaho."

"Oh..." Tumango-tango siya. "Parang may alam na ako kung bakit ka napadaan dito." She chuckled. "Narinig mo siguro ang lugar na'to mula sa mga sundalo, ano?"

Umawang ang aking bibig sabay abot ng aking magkabilang kilay.

"Sorry to tell you this, pero kabubukas lang kasi namin. We don't have men available, yet," sabi niya. "But you are free to grab any customer and use one of our rooms."

"Rooms?" Like an inn? But I don't see any more space for an inn. Wala silang second floor o extension. Unless they're using... "Magical?"

She grinned widely. "Our special services are only offered to those who have the means." Bahagyang gumilid ang kanyang ulo nang muli niya akong tinignan mula ulo hanggang paa. "At mukhang may pera ka naman."

Matagal-tagal ko siyang tinitigan at nang maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin, agad akong napailing. "Oh, no. I'm not here to—"

"Psh." She rolled her eyes at me. "Please. Just because you're a woman does not mean you can't have fun. May babaeng clients din kami. They usually bring their partners here, pero may iba ring katulad mo na dito naghahanap ng makakasama."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know this place was a brothel—" Napatigil ako nang maalalang dito ako dinala ng mga bulong.

Taglay ang bigat ng isang buong mundo, biglang bumagsak ang aking tingin sa counter, at napakisap-kisap ako sa mga posibleng dahilan kung bakit ako napadpad dito.

"Umm—" Ikinakaba ko ang iniisip ko at ikinatakot ang pagiging kabado. "May..." Humina ang aking boses. "May dalawang lalaki ba na galing sa palasyo at... nandito?"

"Mga sundalo?" tanong niya.

"No, but uhh—" Napahawak ako sa baso ng alak ko. "They both look like nobles. Matatangkad din sila. One has jet black hair while the other, light brown. Their eyes are the same color as their hair. They're also mages."

"Hmm." The woman looked away while squinting her eyes.

Please.

Please tell me they're not here.

She looked back at me. "Oh, yes, I think they're here," aniya. "Bihira lang kasi dumadayo ang nobles dito kaya natatandaan ko sila." Humagikgik siya. "I almost volunteered to service them."

I let my stomach silently drop and slowly, bitterly, smiled at my drink. "How much?" Napalunok ako bago muling iangat ang aking tingin sa kanya. "Your rooms?"

"Should I call them for you?" tanong niya. "May kinuha na silang kwarto—"

"No," I quickly replied. "No, thank you." At wala sa sarili akong napainom sa baso ko. Inubos ko ang laman nito at iniusog ito sa kanya. "Another one, please."

Mirev's POV

The door's finally open. Binuksan ko ito at padabog— pasabog itong isinara upang mapansin ni Haste ang paglabas ko ng kwarto. We both knew we were walking into a trap but we didn't know it was this kind of trap.

I thought we were going to meet with Anselm, make small talk before I kill him, but he didn't show up and instead locked us in a room full of naked women, to Haste's delight. Kahit alam naming hindi ito para sa kanya. Para sa'kin ito. Anselm clearly wants me to fall in between cracks. He thinks he can lead me astray from my mate, not knowing that I spent the last fifty years wanting her and only her.

Habang naglalakad sa makulimlim na pasilyo, humigpit ang aking mga panga nang maalala ang kwartong pinasukan namin. Anselm made sure that everything in that room was red, the same color as her eyes and hair. And every woman smelled of jasmine, the same scent as hers.

Iniunat ko ang tensyon paalis ng aking leeg, pati na rin ng aking likod at mga braso. "Fuck—" I murmured under my breath, my muscle still locked with tension after being stuck in a room that reminded me of her.

Haste was quick to bite the cheese in the trap because he knows it's not for him while I just fucking sat and watched and drank. Then I started dreaming while awake and I blame this brothel's magic. Muntik na akong madala ng mga alon nang magsimulang magbago ang hitsura ng mga babaeng 'yon. Each one of their hair slowly turned red, and then their eyes, then their faces...

Bumigat ang aking mga hakbang nang bilisan ko ang paglakad. May nakasalubong akong mga sundalong napahinto pero hindi ko sila binigyan ng pagkakataon na makayuko sa'kin at nilagpasan sila at ang mga babae nilang kasama. Hindi ko rin pinansin ang mga ingay mula sa nakaawang na mga pinto.

This isn't my first time in an enchanted brothel, but this one has the strongest magic yet. Lights floated and the smell of exotic spices and enchanting perfumes gently danced around me. Nakakagaan ito ng katawan at ang pinagsamang ingay ng kasiyahan, nagmistulang nang-aakit na taghoy sa hangin. Everything around me was intoxicating. Almost dizzying.

I was nearing the main door when it opened. A couple has just entered. Umalingawngaw ang kanilang tawanan sa aking pandinig nang hawakan ko ang pinto at pinigilan itong sumara. Agad akong humakbang palabas at dagliang nahilo sa malaking ipinagbago ng kapaligiran.

I was back in the tavern again and my mind was still in a haze when I caught a familiar face. Kumunot ang aking noo sa babaeng nakaupo sa counter at umiinom.

Elaire?

Napailing ako.

It can't be. I'm hallucinating.

I waited 'till the brothel's magic wore off and strode towards the exit. Bago pa man ako tuluyang makalabas, lumingon ako sa counter.

She's still there...

Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali ng tahimik na pagdedebate kung guniguni lang ba ang nakikita ko o totoo, dahan-dahang umikot ang aking katawan paharap sa kanyang gawi. I stared at her a bit longer before deciding to walk to her. She should have noticed my presence approaching, but she didn't.

Napasulyap ako sa basong kalalapag lang niya.

"Kapag ba may bampirang itinakda para sa'yo... ibig bang sabihin no'n, mahina ka?" Narinig kong tanong niya sa babaeng kumuha ng kanyang baso at pinalitan ito ng may laman. "Kaya ba may mate ako kasi hindi ako pwedeng mapag-isa... kasi... hindi ko kaya?" She lightly laughed. "Kasi mahina ako?"

My jaw clenched in anticipation of the moment she looks back. I cleared my throat. Once. Twice. But she never did. Pinihit ko ang aking mga braso sa dibdib at minasdan siya mula sa distansyang sapat na dapat para mapansin niya ako. She opened her mouth to ask yet another question but her words blurred as her voice started to have an attractive melody.

She spoke like a siren calling out to me and I was glad to pace closer, and closer, until I stood beside her.

And she still did not look at me. Nilingon niya lang ako nang senyasan siya ng kausap niya na pansinin ako. She looked up at me, eyes blank, but she blinked at me drowsily.

My head tilted down to look at her and we stared at each other for a good few seconds, a silent exchange of why-are-you-here's. Itatanong ko na sana ito sa kanya nang umawang ang kanyang bibig upang unahan ako sa pagsalita.

"Is this why you left the palace without me?"

It took me a moment to understand what she meant. "Yes," sagot ko. "But will you hear me out first?" masinsinan kong tugon. "I can explain."

I don't know why but I felt like a timebomb started ticking the moment she picked up her beer and drank it.

"Anselm," agad kong sabi na para bang nakasalalay ang buong buhay ko sa paliwanag na ito. "He led us here. He wanted to lure me away from you but I didn't let myself get seduced."

"Dahil ayaw mong matalo at mapahiya sa kanya," dagdag niya.

"Dahil ikaw lang ang gusto ko," giit ko.

Bumaba ang aking tingin sa labing saglit niyang kinagat bago niya inilapag ang kanyang baso. Flicking her lower lip, she asked, "What exactly happened? And why did it take you so long to come out?"

"Long story." Nanatili akong nakatuon sa mga labi niyang kumikinang-kinang ang pamamasa, at nang muli kong inabot ang kanyang mga mata, "I prefer we discuss it in bed," suhestyon ko. "We're supposed to sleep together tonight, aren't we?"

"It's already late," aniya. "We don't have much time to go around my dreams. Pinaghahanap ka na rin nina Gideon." Bumaba siya mula sa kanyang upuan. "Do we have to wait for Lord Haste?"

Giving the door to the hidden brothel a quick glance, "He can take care of himself."

•••

Habang nakatayo sa tapat ng malawak kong bintana, minasdan ko kung paano kuminang ang pula ng dugo sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan. Madalang ko itong inikot sa baso bago inumin. I've been thirsting for blood since I came back from the brothel. This is my ninth glass, and just like the rest, I emptied the glass unsatisfied.

I could drown myself in a pool of blood and I will still die thirsty, starving, because it is not hers.

Tumungo ako sa mesa. Pouring myself another round of fresh blood, my mind drifted to the sight of her wet lips. Napabasa ako ng sarili kong mga labi nang ibaba ko ang bote at inangat ang baso. Bitbit ito, muli akong dumungaw sa bintana, siya pa rin ang inaalala.

I used magic to teleport back to the palace while she rode her horse. I obviously arrived first. Nasa opisina ako nang ipaalam ni Gideon ang pagbalik niya sa palasyo. I finished work expecting her to drop by the office but I was told she went straight to her room. Tired, probably, and maybe a bit drunk.

"What the fuck are you doing to me..." napabulong ako sa sarili nang mahinuha kung ano itong ginagawa ko ngayon. The way I am standing right now with a glass in my hand while staring afar, through a large window, longing for a woman... I feel like I am in a sketch myself, or a painting. I seriously look like a sentimental piece of shit because of her.

Hanggang kailan niya ba ako iaahon mula sa pagkakababad sa kagustuhan kong angkinin siya? I can feel the pull of her desire. I could even smell it from here— the sensual and floral scent of jasmine. The perfect combination of sweet and wild. Flowery, at the same time, musky.

Between us, Elaire and I both know that I am not the only one starving...

I took a light sip of my drink.

It is only a matter of time until she realizes that she needs to have a taste of my blood in order to survive.

Elaire's POV

Pagkarating ko sa Ruby Hall, dumiretso ako sa kwarto ng reyna upang ipagpatuloy ang pagbabasa tungkol sa mating bond. Flipping through the pages, nothing really piqued my interest, until I reached the part of the book that talked about soulmates' special abilities. Dati ko nang alam ang mga ito pero ito 'yong tipo ng impormasyon na hindi ako magsasawang basahin.

'Telepathy, the ability to communicate with each other mentally.'

'Empathy, the ability to sense each other's emotions. When heightened, the ability to feel each other's emotions, moods, and temperament.'

According to the book, the abilities do not require mana nor do they have limitations. Not even distance can affect them. Gano'n katibay ang koneksyon sa pagitan ng dalawang bampirang itinadhana sa isa't isa. In an entire world of vampires, they could easily find each other, no matter where they are.

'The only power that can hinder the bond's abilities is the conscious closing of a mate's mind. A mate who wants to retain his or her privacy must learn how to establish a mind shield, a mental protection, that must be strong enough to keep out his or her own mate from the mind.'

Good to know that I could still shut him off once we're bonded. Malakas kasi ang kutob kong hindi niya pagpapahingain ang isipan ko. His Majesty may come off as calm and unbothered to others, but the longer I spend more time with him, the more it seems that he's always on to me. Mabilis niyang napapansin ang pagdating ko na para bang inasahan na niya ito at kapag malayo kami sa isa't isa, dama ko pa rin 'yong atensyon niya.

This is what I get for having a powerful mate, I guess. Wala na akong kawala sa kanya.

Not that I am complaining about him. Alam ko kung gaano karami ang mga babaeng may gusto sa kanya. Commoners and nobles alike, and I mean, who wouldn't?

Napahugot ako ng hangin at nang ibuga ito, wala sa sarili akong napakagat ng aking pang-ibabang labi. I gently chewed on my lower lip, remembering how soft his' was and how it perfectly fit against mine.

Marahan akong napahagod dito.

Naparami ata ako ng nainom kanina... lasap ko pa rin kasi ang pait ng alak at sa hindi malamang dahilan, nalalasahan ko rin ang tamis ng dugo niya...

Ibig sabihin, isa na naman 'to sa mga gabing hindi ako makakatulog.

Why am I like this?

Sa kabila ng matinding pagod at antok, natagpuan ko pa rin ang aking sarili na hubo't hubad sa ilalim ng kumot, nakahiga nang nakaangat ang magkabilang tuhod.

I'm gonna regret this tomorrow but everytime... it just feels good. Dangerously good. And I keep wanting for more. More heat. More friction.

More.

Humihingal akong napakapit unang hinihiligan ng aking ulo. "Ah—" My legs twisted around my hand. My whole body writhed under my own touch. Kinagat ko ang aking labi at napaungol sa tamis ng sarili kong dugo. Humigpit ang aking kapit sa unan habang bumibigat ang aking balakang at umaangat ang aking likuran. I touched myself deeper, curling my fingers to graze just the right— "Mmmh—" spot.

I moaned helplessly. Napahawak ako sa sarili kong dibdib at napakuyom dito, umuulap ang sensasyon sa loob ng katawan ko. I twisted under the blanket, sighing in between breaths.

God. It feels good.

Waves of pleasure started building tension just underneath my stomach. Mahigpit akong pumikit nang idiin ko ang aking puson gamit ang kabila kong kamay. It was what I needed. Pressure. As it set my body on fire.

Bigla akong nakarinig ng ingay kaya't napasinghap ako sabay dilat ng aking mga mata. Dali-dali kong itinukod ang aking mga siko sa higaan at tumuon sa nakasaradong pinto, ang pinanggalingan ng narinig ko. Ilang segundo ko itong tinitigan at saka maingay na napabuntong-hininga.

It was just the wind, sabi ko sa sarili, kumakabog ang dibdib sa kaba. Akala ko kasi— Mabilis ang paglingo'ng ginawa ko sa aninong nahagilap kong gumalaw sa kabilang dako ng kwarto.

It took me a moment to see through the dark and when I finally did, my heart broke through my ribs.

I found him leaning against the table, arms crossed against his chest.

"Y-Your Majesty." Napahawak ako sa kumot na nakakapit sa dibdib ko. "How long have you been there?"

Hindi ko magawang magtagal sa titig niya kaya kung saan-saan nalang ako napatingin.

"Not long enough," mahinahon niyang sagot pero dama ko ito— ang matinding pagpipigil sa ilalim ng kanyang pagiging kalmado. "Considering that you haven't finished."

Sumulyap ako sa mga damit kong nakapatong sa upuang malapit sa kanya. "My clothes..." tugon ko. "Can you... hand them to me?"

His jaw clenched while he continued to look at me seriously, soft light grazing the sharp corners of his lips that stretched, as if wanting to say something. Do something. But in the end, whatever he held in, he managed to keep holding in. Tumuwid siya sa pagkakatayo at kinuha ang mga damit ko mula sa upuan. He gathered it in one of his hand before taking careful steps towards me. Nilapitan niya ako na parang gawa sa mga pako ang sahig. Maingat ang bawat hakbang at hininga niya habang palapit sa'kin at tila labag sa kanyang loob ang ginawa niyang pag-abot sa'kin ng aking mga damit.

"Can you..." Humina ang aking boses. "Uhh—"

"Turn around?" pagtatapos niya sa aking sasabihin.

Binigyan ko siya ng umu-'oo'ng tingin. Sinagot niya naman ako ng pangungusisa.

"Without you finishing?" aniya.

"I can't," sabi ko. "With you watching."

He wet his lips and taking a deep breath, grinned at me, like I said something funny.

"Elaire." Inilingan niya ako. "You are a very terrible liar." His voice sounded like a sweet threat. "I'm here because I could smell your desire all the way..." Binulong niya ang sumunod na mga salita. "From the other side of the palace."

Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga sa sinabi niya. At saka sumunod ang aking tingin sa kamay niyang umabot sa'kin. Hindi pa dumadapo ang kanyang palad sa aking mukha nang kusang pumiling ang aking ulo rito at sa bawat segundong hindi niya pa ako nahahawakan, lumalagkit ang hangin sa pagitan namin. It was starting to feel uncomfortably hot when his hand gently held my jaw.

Sinulyapan ko siya mula sa ilalim ng aking mga pilikmata at itinuring niya itong senyales upang itukod ang kanyang tuhod sa higaan. Bumaba siya palapit sa'kin habang marahang iginigiya ang aking panga patingala sa kanya.

I glimpsed of his smirk before he kissed me, slow, and passionately. His hand slid down to my neck, his fingers tracing the delicate vein by the side of my throat, making me feel thirsty.

"We need to stop," humihingal kong bulong.

Lumala ang panunuyo ng aking lalamunan nang madalang niyang hinalik-halikan ang sulok ng aking labi. "Elaire..." His lips lowered to my jaw. "The longer you make me wait, the more you won't be able to stop yourself."

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Isang nanginginig na hininga ang umawang ng aking bibig nang maramdaman ang init ng kanyang halik sa aking leeg. Nagsimulang manghina ang aking katawan dahilan para mapayuko ako ng ulo. "Your Majesty— I—" I let out a soft moan as my back weakly fell on the bed. "I can't breathe—"

Anong nangyayari sa'kin?

He wet my neck with his lips and he started to suck my skin while carefully adjusting his weight on top of me. "You have a mate," he reminded me. "You must drink his blood once in a while, my dearly beloved."

I arched into him. "Or what?"

Sandali siyang huminto upang bumuga ng mainit na hininga sa aking panga. "Or you will starve."

"Mmm..." I hummed, almost a moan, closing my eyes, shifting under him. "I would rather starve than be eaten."

"Hmm," he hummed back, his head lowering until his mouth is against my throat. "I beg to differ."

I knew I was going to regret it but I still did it anyway. Binuksan ko ang aking mga mata at marahang tinulak ang kanyang dibdib. Deep inside, my soul hurt. It was desperate. More desperate than usual. Masakit ang desperasyon. Alam ko na ito dati pa. Pero itong desperasyon na nararamdaman ko na para sa kanya at sa kanya lang, hindi ko pa ito kilala. Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa'kin sa sandaling reremedyohan ko ito. Hindi ko alam kung anong ipagbabago ko kapag kumagat ako.

"Why?" His coarse voice broke through the painful silence between us.

Tinulak ko siya paalis mula sa ibabaw ko. He obliged, reluctantly at first, but when he sat down beside me, he seemed calm already, no spite, no disgust, no hate, no disappointment in his eyes. Just curiosity and a bit of worry. Inayos pa nga niya ang pagkakabalot ng kumot sa'kin nang umusog ako paangat at paupo sa higaan.

"I—" Nahagilap ko ang dagliang pagkislap ng liwanag ng buwan sa nanghihinala niyang mga mata. "I'm not ready to get..." Binasa ko ang nanunuyo kong lalamunan. "Claimed."

God. It feels weird to use that word on me.

Claimed.

Who knew death wasn't the only one who can claim me?

Ilang sandali akong tinitigan ng hari. For a split second, his eyes drifted down to my lips before giving me a small chuckle. "You said you were."

"You misunderstood," giit ko. "I'm ready for you to get to know me, truly and deeply. But I'm not ready to be claimed... by you."

"Then is there anything I can do to help you prepare?" Kumibit-balikat siya. "I can ask Gideon to make a manual."

Imbes na mainis sa suhestyon niya, napaisip ako rito at biglang naalala ang minsa'y tawag niya sa'kin.

"Your darling sword," tugon ko. "Anong ibig sabihin no'n?"

"It means that you are both my beloved and fierce protector," he answered. "Mine." The quick squint of his eyes emphasized the last word. "You don't like it?"

"I don't care what you call me." Bumuntong-hininga ako. "I just wanted to know what it means."

"You also want to know how I ended up in that brothel?"

As if I couldn't get any more naked in front of him, nakuha niya agad ang gusto kong itanong sa kanya simula pa kanina.

"I received a letter from Anselm," sabi niya. "It only contained his scent and we followed it to the brothel." Sighing, he continued. "He wanted to know, maybe, how deep I am into you, and you to me."

"He's underestimated the bond," dagdag ko.

"He's underestimated me." The king's jaw tightened, his face hinting death— no, something worse. "But I can't blame him." He sighed, again. "His father, the previous Duke of Thane, had a mate, and it wasn't his mother."

Kumunot ang aking noo.

"His mother killed herself, lit herself on fire," kuwento niya. "Until Anselm found out that she was actually murdered... by..."

Napabuga ako ng hangin. "By his own father? The late duke?"

"I can't tell you more but that is why Anselm thinks that mated vampires are weaker," aniya. "He believes that having a mate will make you and others suffer. In my case, an entire kingdom will, if I don't get my shit together." He scoffed. "It was the last thing he told me."

Then I remembered something. "Your parents were each other's beloved," sabi ko. "And they turned out okay, didn't they?"

For a while, he looked lost in his own thoughts and when he spoke, he gave me a tired smile. "I hope they did." Pagkatapos, luminga-linga siya sa gabing nakapalibot sa'min, lalong pinapalalim ito. "If you don't want me to get under the sheets with you, Elaire, I think it's better that I take my leave."

"Your Majesty," sambit ko nang umaksyon siyang aalis na. "Kaya hindi pa ako handa kasi pakiramdam ko hindi pa rin kita gaanong kilala kahit araw-araw tayong magkasama."

Tumayo siya. "I understand where you're coming from."

Umangat ang aking magkabilang kilay nang maalala ang ginawa niyang pagbubunyag sa'kin ng mga sekretong ako at ang pamilya ko lang ang dapat na nakakaalam.

How did he find them out anyway?

My brows slowly lowered.

How does he know so much about me?

"I'll have my blood prepared for you in the morning. As long as we don't drink each other's blood at the same time, you'll be fine." Umikot ang hari pataliwas sa'kin. "Sweet dreams, Elaire."

Hinatid ko siya ng tingin palabas ng kwarto at nang maramdaman ang presensya niyang malayo-layo na, malakas akong napabuntong-hininga at mabigat na humilig sa sandalan ng higaan.

He is king, paalala ko sa sarili. And he's also a powerful mage.

Kaya hindi kaduda-dudang madali lang para sa kanya ang malaman ang kung anong gusto niyang alamin.

Tumuon ako sa pintuang dinaanan ng hari.

It's still unfair, though. How he didn't want to talk about his parents when he knows everything about mine. Everything. About my entire bloodline. Samantalang ako rito, wala pa ring ideya kung anong klaseng bampira siya maliban sa mga katangiang pinapakita niya sa'kin.

Come to think of it, if I didn't catch him come out of the forbidden tower, I wouldn't have known that he's fond of beating prisoners until one of his hands broke. I saw how he wanted to hide it from me but he couldn't.

Wala sa sarili akong napakagat sa kuko ng aking hintuturo.

Why do I have a feeling that the darkness inside him is way darker than mine?