Chapter 34 Three vampires’ affection
“Forgive me, my lady, I was merely curious! I think you should… rest now. I will be standing by should you need anything!” Evyths said, smiling at Crystal, who was gently dozing off.
As soon as the girl fell asleep, Evyths quietly made her way out of the room.
She took on chores like cleaning. She was used to hard work from Davendale. She did all she could without complaint.
Suddenly, she headed out to spread some kitchen clothes. At that time of day, most vampires were exhausted and in bed, but the guards and high-ranking vampires were still active and fully recharged.
However, the weather was clear, with the sun out. Evyths missed the times when the sun would bake her skin, make her sweat, and even suffocate her at times.
All that she had been angry about was now part of her yearning.
Still, Evyths hummed her favorite lullaby, a song that never left her mind. It was as if it were the family heirloom her parents had left for her.
Growing up in a completely poor family, she owned nothing—not even a locket or a woven basket. They owned nothing but worked under the scorching sun.
Evyths continued to sing, mustering happiness. At least she would not be hanged on a pike the next minute.
Someone sang with her from behind, causing Evyths to jolt.
Their voice was sleek and daring, more like dried acorns lingering around the castle’s edges. Rough.
When Evyths turned to face the co-singer, her happiness hid behind a veil in her heart.
The man obsessed with her smell had come.
Could I be truly happy without being threatened with death? Evyths asked herself quietly.
She quickly bent. “Go- good day… your grace!” she politely said, clawing at the woolen kitchen fabric in her hand.
Duke Octavio flashed a daring smile at her, reminding her of their deathly encounters between a hunter and the hunted.
“Why are you all alone, Evyths?” he asked harmlessly. Her gaze flicked to his attire, purely regal. His scent was spicy, and his hair was neatly trimmed and smooth like that of a prince.
“I am not all alone, your grace. It is barely evening, the day is young…” she managed to say as he chuckled dryly, his gaze sweeping around. There was no one or nothing. He didn't catch a foreign scent.
“I see! Werewolves follow a different timeline and system. Well… I was thinking that we could take a walk. I have a few questions to ask you…” Octavio said, noticing her hesitation.
“Could we not talk about them here, your grace?” she asked, masking her fear with confidence.
Octavio chuckled, “Let us walk!” he stated, more like a command. Then he added, “I have no interest in chasing after your virginity, knowing that it has been broken,” he said, and that alone embarrassed her.
Although the risk of strolling with Octavio was lower now that she was no longer a virgin, even the one she had given it to had distanced himself from her without a valid explanation. So the duke was right. Her virginity was broken, and so was her heart.
“Shall we?” Octavio offered his pale, hidden fingers, studded with signet rings that looked ancient.
Evyths nervously placed her hand in his, feeling the coldness of his skin, like every other vampire.
They started to walk slowly around the field, leaving behind her woven basket, now empty. The path was dry, covered with dried oak leaves. The smell sat on their tongues, especially for Evyths.
“What do you think of the prince’s niece?” Octavio asked, breaking the silence.
Evyths sighed lightly, “She is interesting. We spoke a little. Just like the prince, she is wise!” she said.
“Hm!” he snapped. “Indeed!” he added.
“Your… grace, what did you want us to talk about?” Evyths quickly reminded herself. She got uncomfortable all over again.
“Very well. I have known that the prince has been working on the antidote for wolfbane and that you are his test subject and fully immune. What is his progress so far?”
Evyths swallowed hard. She did not know the prince’s progress. All she knew, like everyone else, was that he was concocting the antidote.
“Your grace, the prince tells me nothing. I am only aware that he is concocting an antidote. That is all…” she admitted truthfully as Octavio halted their steps. A stem of disbelief grew on his face.
“I am not a friend to lies,” he charged calmly, alarming Evyths that he was serious.
“I am being honest. I don't have an idea what his progress is.”
“Have you not looked into his records?”
“I- I cannot read, your grace!” she snapped.
Octavio rubbed his chin. “I see what is a play here. By the way, I believe you. I was only making sure that he is on the right track of things, given that you have successfully diverted his attention. And I fear that… you are slowly diverting all our attentions…” he admitted with a small smile.
“Our?” she asked under his breath, but it was loud in his ear.
“Quite,” he added.
“I did not know,” her gaze fell.
“It is not your fault. It is your genes that are striking, blessed by your goddess. The goddess outdid herself creating you,” he said.
Now, she wondered, was he flirting with her, being truthful, or simply trapping her with his sweet, poisonous words.
Evyths hugged herself tightly, her gaze shifting from side to side. Octavio rubbed her collarbone, down to her arms.
A chill of fear stamped on her skin, cold, harsh, and confusing.
“Yo- your grace, please stay an arm's length!” she demanded politely, but the duke was starting to trail off, holding his emotions.
“Don't blame me. It is your smell…” Octavio’s words were shaky with need. He closed the distance between them, sniffing Evyths without satisfaction.
Her heart thumped recklessly against her ribcage, a cold sweat breaking across her forehead.
“Please, I have to return to my duties…” her voice broke with each cold breath on her skin.
“Stay still and fret not. I will not harm you…” Octavio vowed, but she was too engrossed in fear that pulsed through her being.
Evyths began to shiver frantically as Octavio pulled away from her. He noticed how unstable she was and could tell it was not ordinary.
Something was happening to her, something beyond their natural eyes.
Octavio held Evyths in his arms, vanishing with her into the palace, into a spare room he usually slept in. He wanted to stay in the castle for some days.
The shivers didn't stop. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Octavio tore the curtains into four slim halves with only his thought.
He tied Evyths' hands and legs to the bed, causing her to keep calm.
Suddenly, Valerio appeared inside the room. Worry cascaded on his face. He rushed beside Evyths, who was still shaking frantically.
His cold hands trailed her skin, stroking her hair.
“Eva?” he called out softly, but Evyths could not reply.
Valerio gaped at Octavio, who stood still, a streak of concern on his face.
“What did you do?” the prince’s angry baritone broke out.
“Valerio, I did nothing to upset her—”
Valerio flew right before Octavio within a second, jerking him by the collar. “You certainly did something. I smell you on her. It is either she is triggered and about to transform or something else scared her…” Valerio charged with fury.
“Simmer down, brother!” Octavio almost yelled, while Valerio stared daggers at him.
“It must be a premonition from their goddess. I think... she wants to speak to Evyths…” Octavio said, and Valerio released him, processing his words.
Octavio was known for reading the stars and divine energies—it was his gift. While Valerio was resistant to magic or spells yet endowed with unmatched strength. They had been gifted right from the beginning.
But the tension hung in the air—both worried over Evyths. Immediately, Lucian appeared, taking both men by surprise.
Octavio and Valerio were both jealous and skeptical about Lucian’s appearance.
Valerio, ultimately, was pissed, but he masked it silently.
“What happened? I saw the dark clouds in the sky. It hinted at something…” Lucian explained confidently.
“She is in a trance!” Octavio snapped. Valerio couldn't bring himself to answer. Lucian now seemed like an opponent.
Three men, three vampires, vied for her attention in different ways, despite their pretense.
All gazes fixed on Evyths.