Chapter 164: Chapter 164: This is What I am
~ Kingdom of Belgravia ~
Celeste stood in her chambers, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles shadowed her eyes from sleepless nights. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the neckline of her dress.
She'd made her decision.
A knock sounded at the door. She turned to find Vincx entering without waiting for permission. He never waited anymore.
"Have you thought about my proposal?" he asked, closing the door behind him.
Celeste took a deep breath. "Yes. I accept. I'll... I'll let you take me in your true form. I'll bear your child."
For a moment, Vincx went completely still. Then his red eyes shone with emotions that made Celeste's breath catch, satisfaction mixed with a hunger so deep it seemed to consume the air between them.
"You're certain?" His voice had dropped to a darker octave.
"Yes." Celeste forced herself to meet his gaze. "On one condition. You keep your word. Once I give you a child, I can see Roderick. You won't interfere."
"I always keep my promises." Vincx moved closer, his presence overwhelming. "Tonight then. I'll show you what I really am."
He reached out and cupped her face with surprising gentleness. "Thank you, Celeste. For trusting me with this."
Then he was gone, leaving her alone with her racing heart.
The day passed quickly. Celeste couldn't eat. Or focus. Her mind kept spinning with fear and something else she didn't want to name, anticipation.
That evening, as sunset painted her chambers in shades of red and gold, a knock sounded at her door.
"Enter," Celeste called, expecting servants.
Instead, Lucia swept in, carrying a silver tray with a crystal decanter.
"What are you doing here?" Celeste demanded. "My husband promised to dismiss you."
"And he will." Lucia set the tray on the table. "After tonight. The Duke asked me to prepare you for what's coming. His true form is... intense. I've experienced it many times. I can help you through it."
"I don't want your help."
Lucia's smile turned cold. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you when he splits you open. His Darkling form is considerably larger than what you've experienced. The ridges on his cock alone…"
Celeste didn't like another woman speaking about her husband in such an intimate manner.
"Get out." Celeste's voice shook with rage. "Get out of my chambers. Now."
"You're angry that I'm still here." Lucia examined her nails casually. "That the Duke hasn't sent me away yet. But he needs me tonight, you see. To prepare the wine. To ensure you survive what's coming."
She gestured to the decanter. "This will help with the pain. Without it, you might actually break. His true form is... well. You'll see soon enough."
Lucia walked to the door, then paused. "One more thing, Your Grace. When he changes, when you see what he really is…try not to scream too loudly. The servants already gossip enough about the sounds coming from your chambers."
She left, her laughter echoing down the corridor.
Celeste stood alone, trembling with fury and fear. She looked at the wine decanter, then at the door, then back at the wine.
She had no choice. She'd agreed to this. For Roderick and for her freedom.
She poured herself a glass and drank it quickly, grimacing at the bitter aftertaste.
Night fell.
Celeste changed into her nightgown with shaking hands. The wine was already working, she had a warm, languid feeling spreading through her limbs.
Her fear hadn't disappeared, but it felt muted somehow.
The door opened.
Vincx entered, still in his human form. He wore simple dark trousers and a loose white shirt. His red eyes shone in the candlelight.
"Are you ready?" he asked quietly.
Celeste nodded, not trusting her voice.
Vincx crossed to her and took her hands. "I know you're frightened. But I promise…I won't hurt you more than necessary. This is a binding, Celeste. It will change you. Change us both. But you'll survive it."
"Will I want to survive it?" The question slipped out.
Vincx's expression softened. "Yes. Despite everything, yes."
He stepped back and began removing his shirt. "The transformation is... unsettling to watch. But remember…it's still me underneath. Just... A little different."
Celeste watched as he stripped off the shirt, revealing that scarred, muscular chest she'd come to know. Then he reached for his trousers.
"Close your eyes," he instructed. "When you open them, I'll be fully changed. It might be easier than watching it happen."
Celeste obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut.
She heard rustling sounds and then silence. Then a sound like something tearing, bones popping and remerging filled her ears.
The room suddenly felt too hot and it made her skin prickle.
"Open your eyes, Celeste."
She did. And gasped.
The creature before her was still recognizably Vincx, but at the same time, his skin had taken on a darker hue with a faint greenish tint.
Dark veins spread across his arms, chest, and neck, purring as they were alive. His red eyes glowed so bright that they seemed to burn in the dim room.
His white hair had grown longer, falling past his shoulders. His canines had lengthened into proper fangs that showed when his lips parted.
His body was larger, more muscular, and taller. Every movement radiated power.
But the most shocking change… Celeste's eyes dropped despite herself.
His cock stood rigid against his stomach, and it was enormous. Easily half again as large as his human form.
There were thick ridges running along the shaft, and the head was broader, almost bulbous.
And behind him, she could see something moving, a tail. Long and sinuous, ending in what looked like a spear point.
"This is what I am," Vincx said, his voice deeper than usual. “This is my true form,” he sounded scared, worried she would back away from him.
To Vincx, what he had not told his little mate was that after he mated with her in his true form, he could hear and feel everything that she would be feeling.