Ares handed her a glass of water, and Eleanor felt the silence between them become almost unbearable. She gulped down the water, her eyes fixed on the empty trays, her face growing hot with embarrassment.
She had eaten a lot, and she nervously glanced at Ares, expecting criticism. But his expression remained calm and neutral, showing no sign of judgment or disapproval. He was just staring at her.
Her nervous smile faltered as she clutched the glass tightly. "You... why aren't you eating?"
"I, uh, do you want some?" She nudged the tray of jelly pastries towards him.
But instead of responding, he asked, "Do you want a piece of the birthday cake?"
Eleanor's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Huh?"
Without warning, three imposing yet regal figures approached, their chiseled features and athletic builds exuding an aura of raw power. Despite appearing to be in their thirties, their red eyes betrayed their true age. They were obviously centuries old.
Each radiated a distinct energy, yet an undeniable darkness lingered beneath the surface. However, amidst their powerful presence, Ares' aura surpassed theirs in terror, suffocation, and deadliness. His presence was an overt force, casting a shadow that eclipsed the others, making them seem almost harmless by comparison.
Eleanor's skin prickled with goosebumps as she sensed the weight of Ares' presence. She was beginning to comprehend the reason behind the fear that surrounded him.
The three vampire princes pinned their piercing, ominous gazes on her, their eyes burning with an intensity that made her heart race.
Kaiser Mazitzis, the first prince, broke the silence, his deep voice low and menacing, barely concealing his discontent. "You actually brought her here," he growled, his words dripping with disapproval.
Eleanor looked at him, her anxiety spiking as she felt like prey under his piercing stare. She carefully set the tray down. Then, with a sense of desperation, she grasped his cloak tightly, seeking safety in his closeness.
He was the tallest in the room.
Ares' eyes shifted to his brothers, his eyes losing every warmth.
Unbeknownst to Eleanor, she was the only one who had ever seen a glimmer of warmth in his eyes....
"Father asked for my presence." He said, his voice as cold as ice.
"He didn't ask for the phoenix presence, did he now?" Kaiser asked, clenching his fists.
"Enough, Kaiser," The second vampire prince, Adonis Mazitzis scolded, a bright smile on his lips. It reached his eyes but that only made him look extremely creepy. "Don't make her feel unwelcome. Her presence is a necessity. Inevitable."
Adonis' eyes shifted to Eleanor, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he took in her anxious expression. His smile seemed to grow wider, yet it only added to the unsettling aura surrounding him.
A fierce wave of possessiveness washed over Ares, and he yanked the hood of Eleanor's cloak over her head, grasping her hand tightly.
The third vampire prince, Galen Mazitzis, raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Atlan informed us that you'd taken her under your wing. We mean no harm, truly."
But Ares remained silent, his gaze transforming into a chilling, murderous glare. His silver eyes blazed into their deep, ruby-red hue, emitting an unhinged intent to kill.
The vampire princes instinctively took swift, cautious steps back from the couple, their eyes flashing with a mix of fear, anger, and hatred toward their younger brother who acknowledged their retreat with a subtle, nonchalant nod.
Eleanor, sensing the tense energy, felt a primal shiver course up her spine. The hood over her head obscured her vision, but to be honest, she felt a strange sense of comfort and ease.
Ares' attention shifted to the Dias, where his father, Leocade Mazitzis, sat on his throne, his face etched with displeasure. His mother, Seriah Mazitzis, glared at him, her eyes flashing with unbridled hatred.
That will never change....
Atlan, meanwhile, paced behind the thrones, his arms cradling Iris who was sound asleep.
Ares' eyes restored to their silver hue. They narrowed as he addressed his father, his voice stern. "I have returned home, Father,"
Leocade rose from his throne, his youthful appearance maintaining his mid-forties age.
His wife, Seriah, stood beside him, her beauty equally untouched by time.
"Welcome home," Leocade said, his voice dripping with a mix of warmth and wariness.
Ares' lips curled into a wry smile, his silence speaking volumes. With a firm grip on Eleanor's hand, he turned and strode out of the ballroom.
My Little bird... he thought, his possessiveness and protectiveness surging to the forefront.
He would protect her at all costs, no matter the danger that lurked within these castle walls.....
....
Pulling the hood off Eleanor's head, Ares released her hand, and swept off his cloak, draping it over the chair beside the desk, its velvet folds whispering against the wood.
Eleanor's eyes widened as she took in the somber splendor of the room, its gloomy grandeur eerily reminiscent of his chamber back at the mansion.
The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and smoke, and the flickering firelight cast eerie shadows on the walls. Before them, a grand fireplace loomed, its dark stone hearth and mantel gleaming with a gentle sheen of silver.
To the side, a stately desk stood, its surface cluttered with leather-bound tomes and manuscripts.
Shelves, lined with ancient artifacts and mysterious relics, stretched towards the ceiling, casting long, ominous shadows. The walls were draped in dark tapestries, their black and gray hues absorbing all light, leaving only the faintest glimmer of silver to guide the eye.
His style was magnificent, and she couldn't help but look at him. He was folding the sleeves of his shirt, his face completely emotionless.
"You do not seem to have a good relationship with your family," she said, loosening the bow tie of her cloak, which dropped to the floor with a light thud.
"Is it that obvious?" Ares asked nonchalantly, picking up her cloak and placing it on top of his own, his movements fluid and graceful.
Eleanor rolled her eyes and turned to the king-sized bed, shrouded in black drapes, realizing with a jolt of alarm that there was only one bed.
Her eyes snapped back to Ares, her expression stubborn. "Leave, or I will," she warned, her voice stern.
Ares raised a brow, his expression unreadable. "Why?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Eleanor forced a tight smile and she marched towards the door. "I'll leave, then," she said, her hand reaching for the handle.
Ares materialized before her, his towering figure looming over her as he looked down with an air of curiosity. "Are you not exhausted from this charade?"
Eleanor's face contorted in distaste, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "No," she spat, attempting to sidestep him.
But Ares exhaled heavily, his grip closing around her arm and he yanked her towards him.
Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise, her body tensing as her forehead collided with his hard covered chest.
He snatched her chin, crouching his face close to hers.
"What precisely are you afraid of?" he whispered, his warm breath caressing her skin. "Is it the bed that terrifies you, or is it the possibility of my touch or perhaps the absence of it?"