Chapter 145 Chapter 145
“Don’t worry about me, Valerie,” he said and straightened up, keeping her wrist in a gentle hold. “I knew what I was doing when I asked you to make a new bond. It wasn’t a decision I made on a whim, but something I thought about for a long time. Of course, I am aware of the risk that it poses to my life.”
“Then why would you agree to it?”
He smiled faintly. “Because some things are worth taking the risk,” he replied. “I’ve seen you get in trouble countless times when we were separated, and without the bond’s connection, I never knew whether you were fine or not. It drove me insane, so I tried to stay near you as often as possible. But seeing you and being unable to touch you was difficult… eventually, I gave up.”
He sighed and moved in to hug her. As he wrapped his arms around her body, inviting her to cuddle up to him, her tension dissipated. Taking a deep breath, Valerie relaxed and enjoyed his proximity, the familiar scent of ash and cinnamon enveloping her.
“I’ll say it again: Don’t worry about me, Valerie. The bond indeed gave me a weakness, but I won’t be killed so easily. I won’t let anyone touch you either. If I get my hands on that blood mage, their days are over.” His voice was layered with a sinister emotion: deep hatred. He pressed her body into his chest possessively.
“Do you trust me?” he said lowly as his hand came to rest on the back of her head.
“Yes,” she answered and hugged his slim waist.
“Then you don’t have anything to worry about,” he said, satisfied with her answer.
He made it sound so easy, too easy. But still, his words and actions helped her in leaving her concerns behind. Talking about them with him had been the right thing to do.
They remained like this for a long while, seeking comfort within each other. Valerie closed her eyes and held on to his black shirt. The more time passed, the more her sadness faded. She sensed his anger and hate recede as well, making way for more positive emotions. They bloomed in her heart like a flower field in springtime. It was amazing to share this kind of connection with someone. She smiled happily—her worry about the mage was forgotten.
“Come with me,” he said, and let go of her body. He took her hand and led her to the living room, where he sat down on the couch. She joined him and snuggled up to him like she usually did. Her body was nestled safely in between his arm and his chest, where she felt the most comfortable. When she rested her head on his torso, she could even hear the thumps of his heart, steady and strong. They were a comforting lullaby to her ears.
“Aren’t you clingy?” he teased, nuzzling his face in her hair.
“Speak for yourself,” she mumbled. “Not like you mind it when I’m doing this.”
He chuckled. “No, I don’t mind at all, my sugar.” Wrapping his arms around her body, he made sure to keep her as close to him as possible
"By the way, did you know that Halloween is coming up soon?” she asked, and he shrugged disinterestedly.
“So what? Why are you telling me that?”
“Because I want to go to a party and we need a costume for you,” she said and inclined her head as she thought about it. “What about dressing up as a pirate?”
He laughed sarcastically, shaking his head. “Forget it.”
“Then what about a vampire? You could turn your eyes red for maximum effect.”
“As if I would pretend to be a leech,” he hissed offendedly, crossing his arms. “Those pests are disgusting.”
“A fairy.”
“No. What the fuck is wrong with you?” he snapped.
“An angel.” she swooned dreamily, but he destroyed the image in her head in a second.
“Fuck that.”
“Please, Maxwell?”
“No.”
She sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. “But you have to wear something special, or else it won’t be any fun.”
“I’ll dress up as a demon,” he answered matter-of-factly.
“But you are a demon. How does that make any sense?” she chuckled helplessly. “That would be the same as me pretending to be human…”
“I don’t see the problem.”
“Yes, I know that, you stubborn goat,” she grumbled, crossing her arms. “I’m always looking forward to Halloween each year. Please don’t ruin it for me.”
“This human tradition is just plain weird to me. Why would you dress up as a supernatural being for one day? It’s not like you could fool any of us with cheap plastic horns and capes.”
“We’re not trying to fool you! It’s fun to dress up… and it’s also fun to make the costume. I love that,” she said. “I don’t know what to wear yet either. Maybe I could try an evil fairy… or a witch.”
“If you want to dress up so badly, why don’t you go for a demon, huh?” he asked, his voice sounding low and husky. He breathed a teasing kiss on her jugular. “That would be hot.” Her breath hitched. When he switched from annoying to seductive in a second, she always wondered how someone could be this unpredictable.
“It would be a possibility among many,” she said shakily as he continued to plant teasing kisses on her neck, causing her heartbeat to speed up in anticipation of his touch.
“No, it’s the only possibility,” he murmured persistently. “We would be the hottest demon couple at the party,” he then added while his hand sneakily slipped under her shirt, his fingers caressing her skin sensually. “Say yes, sugar. Come on,” he drawled, smirking when he kissed her again, licking over the skin of her neck.
That made her cave in. “Fine, I’ll do it,” she whispered before she tugged at his braid in a needy way. “Stop teasing now and get on with it.”