My head throbbed painfully as I rolled over in bed. My mind was blank and foggy. I don't remember what had happened to have caused such a bad headache. Groaning, I pressed down on my temples with my palms.

"Fuck," I muttered.

After a minute, I touched the back of my head and felt more pain. Then I remember what happened.

Ophelia hit me over the head with her red crystal. I opened my eyes and noticed it was pitch black. I slept the day away.

Someone cleared their throat. I knew who it was even in the dark. Turning my head to the end of the bed, I saw Ophelia sitting down cross legged. The light from the fire in the fireplace shadowed her facial features. She looked nervous.

"How are you feeling?" she asked cautiously.

I glared in her direction. I moved to grab her, but the pain in my head forbidden me to make any sudden movements. Groaning, I fell back onto the bed.

"I'm so so so sorry, Atlas. I swear, I didn't mean it. You just happen to walk in at the right time."

"What the hell did you do, Ophelia?" I hissed while staring at the ceiling.

Her face appeared on top of me. Her fiery, red hair falling down and curtaining her face.

"It was an aphrodisiac drug. Silas wanted to see what I could do."

"You were going to use it on him?" I launched my head off my pillow only to wince in pain.

"Don't move." She urged me lie back down on the bed.

"Don't order me around," I muttered before sighing. "Ophelia, did I hear you right? You were going to drug Silas?"

Ophelia shushed me by placing a finger over my lips. Then I felt the palms of her hands pressed to my temple and a warm heat rippled from her palms onto my temple.

"I brew you a drink that could help with your headache and pain."

My eyes flew opened and I found myself staring straight into her emerald eyes. The feeling of warmth spreading all over my head now and taking away the pain.

"You're trouble, Ophelia. I don't understand you. Ever since the night that I met you, I've encountered more issues than I deserve. No one has ever laid a hand on me the way you have. I don't know what to do with you."

For the first time ever, Ophelia looked conflicted. Sighing, she pulled her hands back into her lap. I turned my head slightly to look at her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"There is no way to get rid of me. Instead, just let me live a little. I've been stuck inside that crystal for fifty years. While you all were enjoying life, I've been in a coma, living but not living."

My eyes traveled over her messy, unbound hair and down her straight nose to her full lips. Tonight, she wore a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank top.

Honestly, she had a point. If what she said was true, no one deserves to live like that. I felt bad for her.

Ophelia leaned forward and grabbed something from the nightstand. When she moved closer to me, I flinched and inspected what was in her hand. She had a cup in her hand.

"It's the herbs."

"You aren't trying to poison me, are you?"

"If I was trying to poison you, I would have done it a long time ago." Ophelia shoved the drink in my direction.

My gaze fell on the dark liquid. It smelled of heavy of herbs. When I looked at her again, she arched an eyebrow, waiting.

"Is this even edible?"

"Seriously, you are bruising my ego. I know what I am doing, Atlas. See," she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip before bringing it back to me, "Drink. It will heal you quicker."

I took the glass and slowly got back up into a sitting position. Leaning against the bedframe, I took a sip and surprisingly, it was bitter but sweet. I licked my lips and tasted a hint of her blood. My gaze flew to her.

Ophelia lifted her left hand and I saw that she had cut her palm. "Silas told me that blood works wonders for vampires. I added it to my brew to help with healing."

I nodded my head and finished the rest of the brew before handing it back to her. Ophelia took the glass from me and sat it on the nightstand again.

Together, we fell silent. I observed her while I thought about what happened. I was about to find Silas to tell him that we will be traveling to Coven Leader Lazarus tomorrow, but got distracted when I saw how close Silas and Ophelia were.

I don't know what about Silas that Ophelia liked and I don't know if I liked it very much. I don't trust Ophelia and Silas was my brother. I will be damn if I let anything happen to Silas in my presence.

"Do you like Silas?" I asked.

"I think he is a handsome fellow," Ophelia responded.

"But do you like him?" I enunciated each word slowly.

"I like everybody."

I sighed and shoved fingers through my hair. Ophelia was either not understanding or refusing to answer my question.

"You should know what I am asking, Ophelia. You've been chasing my cousin nonstop. I'm beginning to think you like him a lot. If you don't like him, you wouldn't nag me to hand you over to him."

Ophelia shrugged. "Why does it matter? I don't know your cousin that well to know if I like him. He seems like a loyal subject to you."

"He's my brother." I narrowed my eyes.

Ophelia sighed and stood up to walk. She began pacing on the side of my bed.

"I don't like him...yet," she admitted.

For some odd fucking reason, her response made my dead fucking heart skip a beat. I don't even know if that was possible. I grabbed onto her wrist and stopped her from walking. Ophelia turned to look at me questioning.

"Do you like me?" I whispered.

One corner of her lips lifted. "I don't find you pleasing at all, Atlas. You drive me insane. I can't stand your overbearing attitude."

Growling, I yanked her down onto the bed again. She fell across my lap. I caught her in my arms.

"We are on the same page then," I replied.

The brew was working fast. I could barely feel pain. I'm kind of glad I took the medicine. Ophelia struggled to get out of my arms, but I tightened my arms around her.

"I've yet to punish you, Ophelia."

"But I saved you!" she cried in protest.

"You've done more bad than good. I swear I am going to have to sleep with one eye open at night. You might just accidentally kill me one night."

Ophelia scoffed and I flipped her onto the bed beneath me. She yelped in surprise at how quick I was moving. Her hands coming out to press against my bare pectorals.

"The drug should have worn off by now." She moved to grab my cheeks and looked into my eyes. Whatever she was looking for wasn't there because she looked completely puzzled.

"I swear I didn't mean to drug you."

"I won't be home in the next few days. I can't have you wondering around seducing my men. I'm going to have to put you somewhere..." I let my voice wandered off.

Ophelia's eyes widened. "Don't put me back in the prison. It is so boring."

"But it is suited for someone as troublesome as you."

Ophelia shook her head quickly. Panic written all over her face, but it disappeared and curiosity replaced her features like flipping a page of a book. I could see an idea forming in that mind of hers and I think I knew what she was thinking.

"No," I denied immediately.

"But if you take me with you, I won't be able to seduce your men and you can keep watch over me."

"I'm not carrying a red crystal around." I got off her and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ophelia jumped onto her knees and plastered her body up against mine. Placing her chin and hands on my shoulder, she batted her eyelashes and puckered her lips.

Damn, but those lips were truly kissable.

"It's a perfect idea, Atlas. Please take me with you."

"You're trouble, Ophelia. I am not taking you with me. I am not hauling around a red crystal."

"You can just stuff it into a suitcase!"

I turned my head to look at her. She was so close that I could lean in and fasten my lips on hers. She smelled like my shampoo and body wash and I couldn't stop this odd feeling that was forming in the pits of my stomach. It was the same feeling I felt when I saw her with Silas.

My willpower to say no slipped. I looked at the opposite wall.

"No." She would be too much work.

Traveling this time would involve meeting multiple coven leaders. I don't know how I would be able to hide Ophelia. She was naturally outspoken and brazen. It would put me in an odd situation. Coven leaders would question who she was and I don't even know what I would be putting myself into.

Ophelia jumped off the bed and moved to block the wall from my vision. Leaning down, she looked me in the eyes.

"This isn't a vacation, Ophelia. Taking you can be dangerous."

"Dangerous for who? Me or you?"

"For both of us," I growled and stood up and walked away from her. She followed me.

"Where are you going?" she questioned behind me.

I turned to look at her. We were now standing in front of the bright fireplace. The flames caused an orange glow on her skin and lit up her red hair. They almost look like a raging fire. I ached to run my fingers through her hair.

"Business meetings with other coven leaders."

"Perfect! If you take me with you, I might get a chance to meet other people. I might even meet the witch who put me in the red crystal."

I looked at her questioning. Ophelia shook her head not wanting to explain further.

"Please take me with you. I promise I'll be good. I won't do anything that would embarrass you. I'll only speak when you ask me to."

Looking at her, it looked like she was serious about going with me. It was a huge risk, but it was also a huge risk leaving her home. Several days with her has already revealed that much. It would be better to bring her with me.

I lifted a finger and pointed at her. "Everything I say."

"Everything." She nodded.

"Are you sure you would be able to keep quiet and listen to me?" I raised an eyebrow.

Ophelia chewed her bottom lip and my eyes dropped to her lips. She looked like she was thinking over her answer again.

"Ophelia..."

"Yes!" she interrupted.

I sighed and scrubbed my face with my hand.

"Please, please, please. I promise I won't call you anymore names. I promise to be good."

"I feel like I am going to regret this decision," I groaned and peeked at Ophelia. She was smiling with excitement.

"You won't. I promise."

"I have your word, Ophelia. If you lie to me, I will punish you severely. No witches tricks or lies."

Ophelia nodded. "None. Truth."

I sighed before nodding. "Alright, we are leaving first thing in the morning. We need to arrive just before night."