Chapter 111

Valerick stepped forward, pushing aside a strand of her hair that had come lose during their passionate moment, tucking it behind her ears. Zezi froze, observing his fingers instead, and wondering if they would be better than hers.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she pulled away.

There were just a lot of things wrong with her right now that she could blame this on.

She was drunk, well partially. That alcohol was made with a vampire standard in mind, very different from the one at the Capital, it was so strong too. Then there was this bond that was always trying to take possession of her, always pushing her towards him, always disturbing her mind with how much his presence appealed to her sexual senses and how if he did more than just he present, she might not be able to boast so much of that control that she claimed to have.

This mate bond was a problem and it was to be blamed for everything!

The conversation she had with him some days ago about the painting flashed in her mind.

Alright, the mate bond and her mission.

But that wasn't all.

She should have known that not having sex or any form of intentional sexual act for a long time, as far as she had gone, would make things get messy.

She was a wolf, wolves had wild sexual needs.

Zezi shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking about something like that.

No!

Not now, not here, not with this certain vampire on her mind.

The so called mate standing right in front of her was her enemy.

How many times would she have to continue reminding herself of that?! Why had she been slipping up so much these days. What was wrong with her?!

Zezi, have you lost her damn mind?!

Anyway, the kiss had been absolutely necessary. It was born out of nothing but absolute duty and unexpected responsibilities, nothing personal whatsoever. The thrubbing of her lips said otherwise though and the need that gathered at her core, in-between her thighs was very ready to prove her wrong if she gave in just a little to it's nagging demand.

Feeling the need to distance herself further from him so that she could think straight, she walked closer to the edge of the bed, discovering it only now that she was clearheaded enough to, that Valerick had brought them to his room.

That was a bold move.

Being in here, only reminded her of things that were making her situation right now, worse. She had been in here before, the night of the full moon and the morning after.

In his bed.

Zezi shook her head.

No.

Not now for the Moon's sake!

Not now, not ever!

"You look stunning." His voice floated to her ears, it sounded more husky than she would normally hear it, deeper too.

She looked back at him, seeing that all the black zig zag lines had vanished, she smiled to herself, satisfied.

"Well it seems you are doing better now. Good." She said, ignoring his compliment like he never said anything to begin with, and as she walked pass him to the door, she hoped he wouldn't stop her.

Her emotion were overwhelming and at this moment she didn't know which was which.

It was best for her to be left alone.

She would dread to wake up naked and marked in his bed the next morning.

But she had barely reached the door when he had stopped her by standing in between her and the wooden frame that held her escape.

"Show me your hand." He sounded worried, like the fog of lust had finally cleared enough for him to remember that she had been attckedd tonight. The panic in his eyes clear for her to see as he lead her to the bed hurriedly, then started running around for a first aid box that he hoped he had inside here somewhere. A first aid box that he never really needed.

While she watched him move around like a confused being in panic mode, Zezi had the time to think. When he came back, he had been met with a different person. He reached for her hand but she snapped it right away from him before he even had the chance.

"Don't touch me."

"They attacked you with silver. Please, don't be like this. Let me take care of you."

But her words had not dazed him and he remembered yet another thing that he should have done  but had skipped his mind did to the earlier distraction.

An apology.

"I'm sorry that I did get there faster." He said, his voice filled was the remorse as he thought about how he had drained the souls of each and every vampire that had been involved in the attack. He had deliberately made it excruciatingly painful too. He wished he could do it again, just to watch them suffer and watch regret play in their eyes as he took everything from them.

How dare they touch her?! She was his. Silas had crossed the line and he ensured he never would again.

"You almost killed them, all of them."

"I would kill them again if given the chance. Silas crossed the line and I am very glad I got rid of him for good."

"I wasn't talking about those ones."

Oh, of course she had said 'almost killed them' not 'killed them'.

"You stopped me at the nick of time. Thank you."

Zezi rolled her eyes, letting out a scoff.

Remorse filled his eyes, replacing the rage that had taken over a moment ago.

"I am really sorry. I wish I had gotten there sooner."

It was hard to feel sorry and angry at the same time.

He felt sorry to her and angry at himself.

It was a terrible mixture of feeling that left him torn inbetween, one that he couldn't do anything about.

"I think you have a lot of things to be sorry about."

"My delay wasn't intentional. I found more information about the Dens. I suspect that there might be an insider and I wanted to see for myself how that would play out." His gaze shifted to her hand again. "Let me see your hand, let me take care---."

"Don't touch me!"

"Why are you still mad at me? I have explained myself."

She scoffed at his display of utter confusion.

Was he joking right now?

"I was worried sick about you because you mysteriously went missing, but the next minute you are found, you were gliding down the dancing hall with some beautiful, sleek vampire. s

She must have some great moves, uhn."

He rubbed his fingers against his temples, then proceeded to put back on his gloves. He hadn't even known when he had gotten rid of it earlier. Zezi's own were still intact. He wish she had gotten rid of it too. It would have been good to feel her hands on him.

"I had something to discuss with her, about the Den. She is one of the people I appointed to look into it and she had information. It was a matter of urgency."

"And the others you danced with?"

"That is just how I keep up to date with my people at the Provinces."

"Of course, they matter more. All I desrve is an head tilt across the hall. Hello stranger, out gaze met, how about I just tilt my head a little just to be polite."

Valerick stared at her in surprise. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and that only infuriated her more.

"If you were so worried about me, why didn't you come to me? I would never have turned you down. You know that."

"I shouldn't have to!" She stood up to her feet, her anger growing, her eyes flashing blue. "I am your mate, I shouldn't have to struggle for your attention with others."