Chapter 94

She sprung up on her feet but the next thing she heard made her stop and smirk.

"You just kicked my balls. What is wrong with you, sweet Bun?"

The next thing Zezi saw was Delice rushing out of the kitchen, her eyes a little sharp and calculative before they took on their usual saintly aura and she settled into her seat.

Oliver came in next, a smile plastered on his face but before he could make it to his seat, Laura had come into the dining room.

"Oli baby!" She pulled him into an embrace,  then let him go while talking about how she had missed him even if they had barely been apart for a day.

When they headed back to his seat, Laura noticed a little limp in his footsteps while she pushed her own chair backwards.

"Are you alright, Olibaby? You are limping."

"Yeah, I-hen, ran into a cabinet."

"Must have been an awkward moment for the cabinet." Zezi chuckled, settling into her seat as an awkward moment set in.

"I assume your brother won't be making it, Princess." The anger that grew in Laura anytime Zezi regarded her as that in the tone she did wasn't something that went unnoticed by Zezi. In fact, the reason why she kept on saying it was because of the anger that shone in her eyes anytime she did. It was just so interesting to see all the ways that she could be powerless against her.

"Shall we have dinner then?"

Everyone's eyes darted to the door for a moment before it moved back to the table.

"Well---" Laura started to say before the opening of the door interrupted her and a blinding grin crossed her lips. "Brother, finally!"

The loud thundering of her heart filled her ears as the first rain aura engulfed her nostrils.

Zezi didn't have to look, she knew that the vampire standing at that door was her ma--the King, still, her gaze travelled to the doorway with a sought of speed she couldn't comprehend.

It could just be the air that ceased or maybe he was the one who had swept it right out of her lungs with his presence. Whichever way, time seem to have gone still as her eyes travelled down his body.

He wasn't dressed as formally as he usually would be, instead he looked a little rough, had on a loose white shirt with the first two buttons undone, his sleeves rolled up coupled with black pants. His hair looked a little wet, some falling over his forehead, sneaking out of the bun he had tied them into. His crown was tipped to a side, it looked lazy but his face was hard and the coldness in his eyes almost made her flinch.

He was a glory she would always be unprepared to behold.

Damn this mate bond.

With how much she was screaming at herself to look away, she did not. Not even when he had taken his seat at the head table, right next to her, and her gaze remained ever obvious.

Maybe it was because she hadn't seen him in a while that she didn't have enough reins on her emotions as she used to, maybe she had... miss him?

He didn't spare her a glance though, not even when he replied to everyone with an apology for being late as they greeted him.

Somehow, it bothered her but that wasn't the only thing that bothered her, there was a 'death' aura he had around him that wasn't usually there. He looked frustrated too, tired, in fact.

Why?

Also what was that small green stain on his cheek?

It shouldn't be there, she didn't like it.

Without thinking, her fingers reached for him, skimming over the stain and wiping it off.

That was when her brain started working again, the moment her warm fingers touched his cold skin. She froze, her breath hitched at the electricity that spot through her veins.

And there was the gaze that held her, those dark eyes that held her immobile, that smoldering gaze that held a glint of anger beneath making something shudder within her.

With a quick jerk, she pulled away.

"Sorry."

Her neck felt hot, her cheeks next.

Why had she done that?

That was so embarrassing and uncalled for.

What was wrong with her?

She wanted to easily blame the mate bond for all these, there was no other explanation for it anyways, she certainly wasn't falling for the King.

Not in this life, not in the next.

So, as usual, she blamed the mate bond.

Once she was done with this mission, she wouldn't have to deal with all this anymore. It would all be over. If she died while trying, even better.

The cooks brought in the food, for all of them, filling goblets with blood next, then hers with red wine.

Zezi took one look at her plate and her stomach knotted with disgust.

Great.

A big raw steak with blood dancing around the plate.

She looked to her side to send Oliver a death glare but Laura was in the way, since she was sitting in-between them.

The next sound she heard brought her attention back to table. The King had swapped her food with his. Raising his goblet to his lips, he rested into his chair.

In polite gratitude, she looked up at him to say thank you, but he wasn't looking at her. In fact, at this point it seemed he was intentionally avoiding her gazes for some reasons.

Uh! She explained in a scoff in her head.

What nonsense!

Not like she minded because she really didn't care about him, but if she wanted her plans to work, they must at least be on good terms.

What could be wrong?

What was it with the attitude?

Her stomach growled a little and she could feel gazes on her.

Of course, they heard that.

She started eating and as much as dinner had brought joy to her taste buds and her stomach, Laura ensured to destroy all that soon enough.

"I have an announcement." Her voice sounded breathy with excitement and as usual, high pitched.

"Oliver and I," her hands grasped around his wrist, pulling him up to his feet along with her. "We are officially mates."

She squealed, looking around the table.

Wow, they marked each other. No wonder, Laura smell had seem a bit off earlier. So after marking another, Oliver still did that nonsense in the kitchen.

Well, that was a mess.

"Congratulations." Lady Delice was the first one, her voice the most sincere.

Zezi looked straight at Oliver and he chuckled with pride, playing with his beard. "My Raaa Queen is everything to me."

"Congratulations," she said.

"Thank you." He moved his hand over Laura's hand so that she was no longer grabbing his wrist anymore but they were holding each others hands.

"When will you like your Joining Ceremony to take place?"

His voice.

How long exactly had it been that she had heard it.

Why did it feel like she had missed it so much?

So much that her eyes threatened to water.

Get a hold of yourself, Zezi.

"Soon. In a week?"

"Congratulations. It shall be memorable." He was standing up and Zezi frowned.

Already?!

Was Leaving already?

"Brother wait." She went to him, and he wiped away blood from the corner of her lips. She smiled, pressing a piece of paper into his hand.

"How about we let the memory begin tonight?"