Gabriel had just materialized in his room to check on his wife when she run into him seconds later. He was about to retort but the sight of her that welcomed him turned him silent.
Her wet strands of hair were stuck on her forehead and he couldn't help but remove them with his fingers while holding her in position with his gaze. He had noticed his eyes had an effect on her.
Her shapely legs materialized from the towel, and for once, Gabriel stole a lustful gaze at a woman. Damn it! He cursed. It was always the other way round!
"Dress up. You don't want to keep the king waiting," he said averting his eyes from her. Her scent! He raised his nose high in the air when she walked past him. She smelled like flowers on a summer afternoon!
Elena fled towards the bathroom with her clothes and leaned on the door behind. She could track her breathing again! No man has ever been so close to her, and he was making her feel things she had never experienced before.
He had been so close she could feel his warm breath against her bare shoulders, and the feeling was a strange one. She instinctively hugged her shoulders before she pushed the thoughts at the back of her mind.
When she later walked out, she found Gabriel seated on the same rocking chair, a book still in his hand. If he was reading before, she couldn't tell.
He turned the book sideways when she walked in the room, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. Strangely, Elena stood there allowing him to undress her with his very eyes. And when their gazes locked, she had to scream to herself to wake from this nightmare disguised as a daydream.
She moved to the dresser and picked a comb. She could see him in the mirror now buried in his book. And just when she remembered he could see with his eyes closed...
"I know I'm handsome," he said and raised his eyes. Elena quickly averted hers from his direction but he closed the book and in two swift steps, he was standing behind her.
"May I?" He asked, his hands stretched out to take the comb. Hesitantly, Elena gave it to him.
He gathered some strands of her hair in his hand and combed them. Gods! Her hair was smooth and silky. He would run his fingers through it for eternity if he had the chance.
Her heart was racing again! And she was also stiff. Did she fear him that much? She had seen little of what vampires were. He wondered what she'd do when she met his family.
"Ain't I Great!" He worshipped himself when he was done.
Elena looked at her reflection in the mirror and blinked incessantly. He had let her hair down in waves and braided some to meet at the rear of her skull.
Just when Elena was admiring herself, she had him tag her feet. When she looked at what he was doing, he had already slipped a shoe in one of her leg and he was already moving to the next.
"You don't have to do that," she complained.
"I was wondering when you'd talk," he said ignoring her earlier statement. And when he was done, he stood up to meet with her eyes. "You should do it often."
Elena didn't know if it was the smirk on his face or the way he twisted his lips that made her spellbound. Still, he was close, so close she could spot the pink on his lips. But when he lifted his lips, the pair of fangs jolted her back to reality.
"The king... We should not keep him waiting," she said, avoiding his magical eyes all the while.
"I almost forgot," Gabriel played along. He took her by his hand and offered her a sheepish smile. "Couple goals!"
Elena didn't complain and Gabriel was grateful for that. He led her through the slightly scary hallways with gargoyles installed in every corner she took.
They descended the grand staircase and Elena could see the maids giggle as they passed by. So it was true. The very thought of it brought a strange feeling she couldn't decipher. But she noticed Gabriel's demeanor change when he spotted the members of the royal family.
He led her to the left side and pulled a chair for her without offering his greetings, something that Elena found odd. He sat just beside her and when she turned, she found everyone's eyes on her.
"You must be Elena Thornhart," a slightly older woman asked her. She had a queen's demeanor so Elena thought she was Gabriel's mother.
"Yes, My Lady," she replied, slightly embarrassed she didn't acknowledge her at first. "I'm sorry..."
"You don't need to be," she dismissed it. "I am so happy Gabriel found someone to settle with," she added looking at Gabriel but he stared back daggers, and Elena noticed it.
"Guess who's back bastard!" Everyone turned to look at the man who was descending the flight of the remaining stairs.
Elena noticed everyone else was slightly pale unlike Gabriel. His skin was coppery but everyone else's was different. And this guy just called him bastard. Was there a strife in the family?
"I'm glad you came Brandon," the queen spoke.
"How could I have missed this?" Brandon said. He walked round the table towards where Elena sat.
"My Lady," he greeted, taking Elena's hands and planting his cold lips on her skin. Elena was certain she had Gabriel clutch the table's clothing.
"I hope my brother is treating you well. He's rather a man without a taste," Brandon said and gave Gabriel a quick glance.
"He is," Elena replied.
"I wonder what breed you two will make this time?" He asked pouring himself a red liquid. "A bastard vampire and a human. How wonderful!"
"Brandon!? What are you saying in front of her?" His mother reprimanded.
"Oh forgive my manners, My Lady. I tend to have a soft spot when it comes to Gabriel." He looked at the silent prince. "Don't you agree, brother?"