Chapter 8

“The moon goddess must hate you so much to have given you a Vampire as a mate. And not just any regular Vampire, Green."

Peter mumbled before gulping down his cup beer at once.

“Or you mean, The moon goddess loves me very much to have blessed me with her." I chuckled whilst refilling my own glass.

He wriggled his head as he poured himself another glass.

“Green is a curse Zeus."

“Goodnight boss!" Simon interjected, waving his hand slightly with his usual happy smile. Realization soon struck me that Peter and I had since been rooted at the bar table, still discussing my day's ordeals.

“Yeah. Goodnight Simon." I nodded before returning to my friend's stern countenance.

“She's a blessing. Besides, she's my mate. You should mind the way you talk about her." I responded. He scoffed.

“How else am I supposed to talk about a monster?" He chirped. "You don't expect me to sweet talk her, do you?"

I heaved a sigh and then returned to my drink.

“I knew this mission was a bad idea from the start,” he continued in a lazy tone. "Ever since you met her, your mindset has totally changed. It's like, it's like she bewitched you!" He groaned and my smile deepened. Indeed, she had. Ever since I returned, all I could fantasize about was her. Her soft touch on my lips, her beautiful eyes that enchanted, and her Rosy red lips which glistened.

“What happened to the logical Zeus who knows when to back out?" He stared at me, and I couldn't help but laugh lazily. Patting his back as my other hand danced with my cup.

“That Zeus, is long gone." I gulped down my beer. He sighed wriggling his head again.

Long minutes of quietness birthed between us as we continued to focus on our drinks. I wondered what was going through his mind, hearing them would definitely not be encouraging. But he was right, the logical Zeus wasn't here, instead I was love drunk. Filled with stupidity and fantasies. Perhaps all these things were happening due to the mate bond. Perhaps not, perhaps a part of me was attracted to her person. The tiny light of hope that shone amidst her darkness.

“She is a Vampire Zeus." His voice jolted me back to reality. "And we both know a Vampire's natural instincts is to feed off their prey when they're hungry." He pursed his lips while I gulped down my saliva.

“I know this mate bond is influencing your mind and I don't know what made you accept her into your life." He paused again, this time holding my gaze. "Zeus, are you going to keep loving her until she drains the life out of you?

Forget her beauty, her power, her fame, just forget everything and be honest with me. What did you see in her? Why did you accept her?"

My gaze fell to my drink while my fingers tapped on the glass repeatedly.

“Everyone sees her as a monster, but I saw something different."

I pursed as I returned to his gaze.

“She was scared Peter."

“Scared?" He queried sharply in disbelief, but I couldn't question his tone. After all, her reputation was quite the opposite.

“Yes. I don't know how but it was like I could see through her."

I affirmed solemnly. He sighed.

“And you think she won't kill you before you even think of helping her?"

I flashed him a tiny smile.

“She won't." I whispered, recalling the hesitation in her eyes.

“She won't." I asserted.

“Oh well, congratulations, man." He heaved a light sigh. "I hope you two have a blessed life ahead."

I chuckled.

“I guess we have to tell Alfred, the mission was a failure. Cook up some lie of some sorts,” he added before gulping his drink.

“Not we. You have to tell him. I won't be available tomorrow." I responded and he frowned.

“Green asked me to visit." I mumbled and his eyes shot up immediately.

“City of Marr?" He wriggled his head. "Please just don't end up a Vampire meal."

I frowned.

“I actually expected you to flare up and all."

He wore a tiny smile.

“It's you Zeus. You've already made up your mind, it's fruitless trying to change your reasoning."

“Won't you follow me?" I teased.

“Green didn't invite me. If I follow you into that city, I won't make it out alive. The best I can do, is pray to the moon goddess for your safety."

I nodded while he alighted from his stool, staggering slightly in his stance.

“I want you to do something for me, don't tell anyone yet. That Green is my mate." I asked almost in a whisper. He went mute for a while before flashing me a tiny smile again. He wobbled towards me, patting my shoulder gently.

“Just don't die buddy,” he responded while I nodded like an obedient child.

“Goodnight,” he added before striding up the stairs.

Once again, I befriended quietness. I started to rethink my day's ordeals. On one hand, I had a strong attraction to my mate and on the other, there was my best friend, Peter. He was against this bond and indeed his reasons were correct. I was confused, struck in a limbo whether I made the right choice or not.

I heaved a sigh before gulping the last of my beer. I alighted from my stool, taking unsteady steps across the stairs to my room. I didn't even care about the mess I had made; I simply fell to the bed welcoming me with its warm comfort.

***

“Zeus." I heard a familiar voice call, but I chose to continue my sleep. "Zeus,” she called again but remained adamant regardless. Then I heard the birds chirping and a sweet scent grace my senses. This wasn't my room and so, my eyes jolted awake abruptly.

Butterflies were what my eyes caught glimpse of first and then the tress and the familiar yellow flowers. There she was, a few meters away, nurturing a flower with so much joy.

“Mother." My tone implied more of a question than a statement.

She simply smiled.

“Am I, am I dead?" I asked, recalling I had been here before when lightning almost killed me.

She chuckled.

“Your spirit has grown some attachment to this place, little one,” she said but I frowned, unable to comprehend what she meant.

“The limbo state allows your subconsciousness to visit here occasionally."

“I miss you." I mumbled as tears gradually encroached my eyes. She paused, still retaining her smile. I couldn't tell her the first time but this time, I wasn't going to let that chance slip.

“I miss you so much, Mother." My voice trailed a whispery path as I inched towards her. She beckoned me to sit beside her and like the obedient boy I was, I did. I leaned my head against her shoulder enjoying the comfort of the loamy grounds.

“I've always been with you, and I still am,” she said in her soothing voice. I closed my eyes, wanting to enjoy more of this divine peace. A place where my worries always seemed to fade away.

“Green," my eyes opened sharply as she pronounced that name innocently. "She's very beautiful, strong, determined, she suits you perfectly you know."

I frowned.

“H-how did you know about her?" I asked in a stammer as I raised my head to face her.

“Isn't that why you're here?" She responded but my confusion only worsened. "To know if you made the right choice or not."

I gulped down my saliva. Indeed, she was right, she has always been good in guiding me to the right decision.

“Did I?" I finally found the tongue to ask.

She held my gaze so I couldn't waver while her hand gently creased against my cheek.

“You did. The both of you are made for each other. She's the perfect mate for you Zeus."

“Are you telling me what I want to hear or you're being sincere?"

“Why would I lie to you, little one?" Her smile deepened.

“The journey would be hard of course. You have to be strong, tolerant and never give up on her no matter what.

Don't care about what the world says about her. I believe amidst that darkness that shrouds her, there's light. Find it, be a blessing to your beloved mate." She pursed her lips.

“She's worth it,” she whispered with a slight nod.

“She's worth it Zeus."