Leora's words echoed in my mind, her voice still lingering like an unwanted guest. "You need blood." Damn her for being right.
As I walked back to my chambers, my thoughts were a chaotic mess. I could feel the burn in my veins, the thirst scratching at the back of my throat like a desperate, clawing beast.
Aeliana. Her name alone sent a rush of heat through me. I hated how much power she had over me without even knowing it. Every time I was near her, my senses were heightened. Her scent wrapped around me, intoxicating and maddening all at once.
I was torn between wanting to bury my fangs in her soft, delicate neck and pushing her away to save us both from my hunger.
I paced around my room, trying to distract myself with anything maps, plans, hell, even a goddamn romance novel left abandoned on my desk.
But nothing worked. My mind kept drifting back to her. The way her hair caught the light, the slight curve of her lips when she was annoyed, that stubborn tilt of her chin when she was determined.
The cravings were getting worse. I could feel the edges of my control fraying. It was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with a broken dam.
My demon side, the darker part of me that thrived on chaos and blood, was growing restless. It whispered to me in a voice that was all too familiar urging, taunting, demanding.
I needed to keep my distance from her, but fate seemed to have a different plan. Every time I turned a corner, there she was. And every time, she looked at me with those damnable eyes, like she saw something in me that even I didn't understand.
The worst part? I wanted her to keep looking at me like that. Wanted her to see all of me the good, the bad, the monstrous.
But there was Nathaniel. That bastard had been showing up more frequently. Every time Aeliana and I were in the same room, he'd be lurking, watching with those calculating eyes of his. What the hell was he up to?
His presence was like a thorn under my skin, irritating and persistent. I brushed it off at first, thinking he was just trying to get under my skin. He wasn't a threat; he was just… there. An inconvenience.
I dismissed him from my mind and focused on Aeliana. She was what mattered. I had to win her over, not just because of my hunger, but because… because there was something about her.
Something that made the world feel a little less bleak. Even though every instinct in me screamed to take, to consume, I found myself wanting something different. I wanted to know her.
But wanting something different didn't change the fact that my hunger was growing. Every time I caught her scent, that sweet, almost floral fragrance, it made my mouth water.
I had to clench my fists until my nails bit into my palms just to keep from reaching out and grabbing her, dragging her close to me, and—
"Focus, Ciara," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "Get a fucking grip."
I decided to keep my distance, at least for a while. But that was easier said than done. The castle was only so big, and Aeliana seemed to be everywhere.
I threw myself into tasks, trying to keep busy. I practiced my swordsmanship until my arms ached, reviewed battle plans until my eyes blurred, and even dealt with the dull, mundane paperwork that I usually hated.
Still, the hunger gnawed at me, a constant, relentless presence. And then there was Nathaniel, popping up like a damn weasel.
I caught him watching us from the shadows, his eyes narrowed like he was piecing together some grand puzzle. I dismissed him again and again, but a part of me, the part that was paranoid and always prepared for a fight, started to take notice.
Was he trying to provoke me? Was he testing me, waiting for me to lose control?
I found myself glaring at him more often, my patience wearing thin. But he'd just smile that smug little smile of his, like he knew something I didn't.
It made me want to punch his teeth in. He seemed to enjoy inserting himself between Aeliana and me, making small talk with her, trying to charm her with that oily charm of his. And every time, I had to bite back the growl in my throat.
One day, I found myself in the library, trying to distract myself with old books on demonology. Maybe there was something in there that could help me control this damn hunger.
I was flipping through the pages, not really reading, when I heard footsteps. My senses prickled, and I knew it was her. I could feel her before I saw her, that strange, electric tension that always sparked when she was near.
I looked up, and there she was, looking around like she was searching for something… or someone. I felt my heart quicken, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
"Ciara," she said, her voice hesitant, like she wasn't sure she should be talking to me. "What are you doing here?"
I gave her my best smirk, trying to play it cool. "Just brushing up on some light reading. You?"
She hesitated, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in her eyes doubt, maybe. "I… I was just looking for a book."
"Sure you were," I teased, my voice lower, softer. "Or were you looking for me?"
She blushed, and damn if that didn't make my pulse spike. But then, from the corner of my eye, I saw him Nathaniel, lurking near the entrance, watching us. I clenched my jaw, my temper flaring. What the hell was his game?
Aeliana followed my gaze and spotted him too. She frowned, clearly annoyed by his presence, and that made me smile a little. At least she wasn't buying his bullshit either. But Nathaniel, of course, just waved and sauntered over like he owned the place.
"Ah, there you are, Aeliana," he said with that annoying smile of his. "I was looking for you. I thought we could go over the reports together."
I wanted to punch him right then and there, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to play this smart. I couldn't let him see how much he was getting under my skin.
"I'm sure Aeliana doesn't need your help," I said, my tone cold. "She's more than capable on her own."
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "Of course she is," he said smoothly. "But I thought it might be more… enjoyable if we did it together."
I felt a growl rise in my throat, and I had to swallow it down. I shot Aeliana a look, hoping she'd see through his act. But she just looked uncomfortable, like she didn't know what to do.
"Actually, I think I'd prefer to work alone," Aeliana said, finally finding her voice. "Thanks, Nathaniel, but… I'm good."
I couldn't help but smirk at that, satisfied that she had shut him down. But Nathaniel didn't seem bothered. He just chuckled, giving me a knowing look.
"As you wish," he said lightly, but there was an edge to his voice that set my teeth on edge. "I'll leave you two to… whatever this is."
He turned and walked away, but I could feel his eyes on me, like he was waiting for me to slip up. I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms again. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
But for now, I had bigger problems. Aeliana was watching me, her expression unreadable. I had to be careful.
I couldn't let her see just how close I was to losing control. Not yet. Not until I figured out what the hell Nathaniel was up to and why he was suddenly so interested in our business.
A tense silence settled between us, the kind that stretched so thin it felt like it could snap at any moment. Aeliana shifted on her feet, and I watched her, trying to gauge what was going through her mind. She looked like she was debating whether to say something or just bolt out of there.
I decided to break the silence first. "So… you and Nathaniel, huh? You two make a cute couple," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
She rolled her eyes, but I could see the corner of her mouth twitching, trying to hold back a smile. "Oh, shut up, Ciara. You know that's not true."
I grinned. "Well, I had to ask. I mean, he does have that… greasy charm, doesn't he?"
Aeliana snorted, clearly unable to hold back her laughter anymore. "Greasy charm? Is that what they're calling it these days?"
I laughed, feeling the tension in the air dissolve just a little. "Yeah, you know, the kind that makes you feel like you need a shower afterward."
She chuckled, finally relaxing a bit. "Well, in that case, I think I'll pass on the Nathaniel experience."
I leaned closer, a playful grin on my face. "Good choice. You've got much better options."
She blushed again, and for a moment, I felt the heat in my veins intensify. But I pushed it down, keeping my tone light. "So, do you want to ditch this place and find something a little less… Nathaniel-infested?"
She hesitated, and then, to my surprise, nodded. "Yeah, actually, I'd like that."
I smiled, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. Maybe this wasn't going to be such a bad day after all. "Great," I said, offering her my arm with exaggerated formality. "Shall we?"
She giggled, slipping her arm through mine, and for the first time in a long time, I felt something close to happiness.