The black carriage continued moving at an accelerated pace through the path inside the dark forest, enveloped in a shroud of mist. Two lanterns were fixed in front of the carriage, making it easier for the coachman to guide the horses to move ahead through the fog. The moon peeked from behind the clouds now and then, as if it was playing hide and seek with the shadows cast in the forest.
While the face of the man sitting inside the carriage was hidden in shadows, the light that scattered through the windows illuminated the features of the unconscious girl who was lying in his arms.
Maxen gently brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear, watching her peaceful-looking face in silence as if he had fallen into a trance. Her long, jet-black hair which was as dark as a starless night, cascaded down her shoulders in luscious waves, reaching her hips. His fingers moved on their own to poke her cheeks which were so soft, he could not help but pinch them lightly. When he noticed her long lashes, which were delicately curled over the upper part of her cheeks, flutter slightly in her sleep, he gently traced them with his thumb.
His gaze drifted down, drawn to her delicate, slightly parted pink lips as she softly breathed through them. Gently tracing his thumb across her bottom lip, he marvelled at its softness. His fingers then trailed down the side of her neck and exposed shoulders, enticed by their inviting allure. She looked so delicate and fragile, he could snap her neck without even trying hard.
He wondered how someone could look this beautiful while sleeping. He had seen a lot of beautiful women in his life, but he had never seen someone like her. Apart from her ethereal beauty, there was something innocent and naive about her, as if she does not belong to this world. And what attracted him, even more, were her purple eyes. He had only caught a brief glimpse of her eyes before she passed out, yet that single glance was enough to make his heart race.
Those bewitching purple eyes reminded him of the girl he had met many years ago. But he was not sure if it was really her.
"Where have you been all this while?" Maxen asked the sleeping girl in a low voice.
He could hear her heart beating in a rhythmic humming sound while her chest rose and fell as she breathed softly. His jaws clenched when he heard the thrum of her blood rushing through her veins, and he wondered what her blood would taste like.
Maxen felt his fangs growing and aching to take a bite. He wanted nothing more than to sink his fangs into her delicate neck and suck her blood at that moment. He closed his eyes and tried so hard to control his urge for her blood. But the more he was trying to curb his thirst, the more he was craving to get a little taste. Fuck, he had never lost his self-control like this before. He cursed under his breath and opened his darkened eyes.
"Just a little sip," Maxen whispered in her ear before he brushed her hair away from her neck with his fingers and angled her head to a side for better access to her neck.
As he lowered his head forward to take a sip, he caught a whiff of her feminine scent that smelled like jasmine, rose and lavender along with hints of vanilla and honey. The sweet scent drove him even crazier and his eyes turned as dark as a bottomless pit. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent deeply, his lips hovering above her neck.
Maxen opened his mouth and the sharp tip of his fangs grazed her skin ever so slightly, wringing a mewl of displeasure from her lips, that had him stop for a moment and look at her face.
Even though Eva was in an unconscious state because of the drug, her subconscious mind could faintly feel her surroundings. Her bottom lip jutted out and her eyebrows were slightly furrowed in annoyance when she felt something sharp hovering on her neck.
When he saw the frown on her face gradually disappear, Maxen lowered his head again. Just as he was about to sink his sharp fangs into her neck, she stirred in his arms slightly, before snuggling closer to him searching for warmth. She nuzzled her cheek against his chest like a little kitten and a deep sigh escaped her lips when she felt the heat emanating from his body.
Maxen was stupefied for a moment. He pulled away and looked down to see the girl sleeping peacefully, leaning her head on his chest.
No one had ever dared to approach him, let alone get closer, without feeling an overwhelming sense of terror. Yet this girl not only walked right into the devil's den, but she was also playing with the devil himself unknowingly. He could not help but feel fascinated by the little creature in his arms. Something inexplicably dark aroused in his chest when he saw her innocent and serene face.
'What was this feeling inside his heart? Was it perhaps the curiosity and thrill of finding the girl he had met a long time ago? ..... But it felt more than that.'
'Was it love at first sight? …. That was fucking laughable because he does not even believe in love.'
'What was it then? Was it his newly found obsession? ..... He does not know it either.'
Maxen's mind was filled with numerous doubts as he attempted to comprehend the strange feeling stirring inside his heart. But whatever it was, he does not want to put a name on it. He just wanted to have her wholly to himself. He wanted to conquer her heart, body, soul and her blood.
He wanted to shatter her into pieces, but also wanted to put them back piece by piece together to fit against his own perfectly. He wanted to sink his fangs into her skin and suck every drop of blood until there was nothing left, but also wanted to protect her from himself. He wanted to eat her up little by little, but also wanted to cherish her every single moment for the rest of their lives. He wanted to take everything from her, but also wanted to give himself to her. He had never felt such strong emotions like these before.
Maxen knew that he was evil, cruel and sinful even. He knew he was dangerous for her. But he could not let go of her. He did not want to. Like an innocent little lamb that walked in front of a butcher, like a little deer that pranced around a sleeping lion, like a little rabbit that jumped right into the mouth of a big bad wolf, this little girl crashed into him awakening the carnal desires inside him.
And the instant she fell into his arms, she unknowingly sealed her fate to be bound to him forever. She cannot escape from him even if she wanted to. Because… he will not let her go. Never. Ever.
"You belong to me from now on, little girl", he leaned forward and whispered into her ear, a sinful smile playing on his lips.