Chapter 36 Sick pup
“N-no, your highness. I- um… I heard noises and I—”
Valerio scoffed, knowing fully that she was telling a lie.
“Sit!” he ordered, crossing his arms. She did as she was told, and the door shut without any physical contact.
Her eyes fell on his muscles which were perfectly aligned and big. His veins etched across his pale skin.
His red cloak draped his towering body. Despite his striking features, nothing matched the fury in his eyes. He was obviously annoyed but was it with her? She asked herself.
“I was told that you were with the duke, why?” Valerio asked directly, his gaze narrowing and darkening, intimidating her entirely.
Of course, she knew that he would ask but not this soon.
“He- approached me. I did not go to him,” she said.
“Why? What did he want from you?” he pressed, clearly dissatisfied.
“He- I don't know—”
“You are… defending the duke now?” Valerio instantly chimed in, his brows furrowed disappointedly. “You know better than to lie to me, Eva. Speak the truth,” he stated.
Evyths rubbed her neck slightly, and the memory of what had happened flashed before her.
“He asked about the… antidote. I think… he wants to know about the progress—”
“Then what?” he cut in instantly, dismissing her words with his fingers.
“Nothing more,” Evyths lied. She could tell how furious the prince would be and he might assume that she was loose.
The walls began to crack when he balled his fists tightly, a frown sitting on his face. “Don’t you dare lie to me,” his gaze darkened.
Evyths was frightened, her chest clutched tightly.
“I smelled him on you. You would be foolish to lie to me, hound. Don't. You. Dare.” he warned as he turned to leave but turned back to her again.
“I wonder if you also find the duke and my half-brother attractive given that we stormed in like… bears saving a cub,“ he blurted out, his voice dark as he stepped closer to her.
He leaned over her, plopping fists on both sides, while she remained still in the middle, skipping a beat.
“Stay away from them all,” he warned firmly. His breath smelled like copper and wet sand. His gaze was darker than she had ever seen; lethal and venomous.
She swallowed hard, and the tip of his nose grazed the side of her face, making her heart race even faster.
“You are mine!” he added.
With that, he vanished into thin air. His swiftness blew hair over her face as she gasped out, holding her chest.
“Oh no! Oh no!! Oh no!!!” she let out, her eyes welled up.
…
Hours turned into days end days turned into several weeks, Evyths and the prince had not set eyes on each other. Even if they did, he would look away from her without a word.
Lately, Evyths had been tending to Lady Crystal’s needs. Walking around the castle with her, follows her to hunt and even visit the capital where the duke is in charge.
Meanwhile, Evyths had been more focused on understanding her purpose as the goddess had said. Sometimes, Valerio would take her into his laboratory and run his experiments. Sometimes, he would extract her blood and sweat to concoct his antidote even though it hurt her.
He would do all in silence and after he was done, he would send her away.
The times she stood alone, watching Crystal from a distance, Lucian would stop by to ask a few questions and chat a few times with Crystal.
Why was the prince silent to her? She had no idea.
…
The atmosphere was airy and really frosty. Evyths was well covered in the white cloak that the prince gave to her. For the vampires, the weather was just right but not to Evyths—it had been extremely cold.
While Crystal sparred with the palace's swordsman, Evyths watched from a short distance, learning on the pillar.
Crystal was deft and skillful with her movement but the swordsman was practically a professional who had mastered the art.
Evyths rubbed her arms nonstop to heat up while she hoped that Crystal would end her practice sooner than she used to.
“All alone again?” Lucian’s voice reached her ears as she plastered a smile.
“Not really. I am enjoying the… show!” she said, her teeth gnashing. She was shaking from the cold.
Lucian’s brows squeezed a little, “Are you cold?” he asked her.
“No, I am only… nervous about something, sir!” she lied, a weak smile sat on her lips.
“You are not… okay, are you? I barely know about werewolves but this is certainly not the weather for them. They are usually under the weather during seasons like this,” Lucian pointed out, his steely voice spoke the truth.
“I am not complaining,” she snapped and when he attempted to feel her temperature, she dodged his touch.
Evyths did not want more trouble from the prince, he had warned and scared her before, and she did not want to witness it again.
“I see! I should get you some tea then and you cannot say no,” Lucian stated as he vanished instantly.
When Crystal walked up to Evyths, she tossed her sword at the swordsman.
“You… outdid yourself!” Evyths complimented, masking her turmoil with a smile.
“Thank you, pup, I learned from the best—the prince…” Crystal snapped.
“Of course,” Evyths snapped too.
Evyths wrapped a cloak around Crystal, making their way into the hallway.
While Crystal talked about her newfound moves, Evyths refused to walk.
She could feel herself crumbling inside. She felt sick and yet she did not want to act like it or say it and Crystal was too engulfed in her story that she failed to notice that Evyths was okay not.
When Crystal turned in her right, Evyths asked.
“Aren’t you resting?”
“Not yet, I'm not weary yet. I need to speak with my uncle. I have been locked up in this castle for weeks. He barely lets me visit my friends in the capital…” she complained.
“He says it's not safe,” Evyths pressed.
“And it wears me out…” Crystal let out a groan as they walked into the way of study where they were most likely to see the prince.
Lately, the prince had been swamped in the court matters and territorial affairs. For Evyths, she didn't want to meet with him yet.
As soon as they reached the study, the door opened without their touch. No one dared to walk in except his parents and Crystal.
“Uncle D’Arcy?” Crystal called, scurrying towards him. He lifted his gaze to meet her and then… Evyths.
He averted his gaze and shifted it back to Crystal. They hugged.
He had been reading from several parchments and replying to missives from neighboring cities.
“You look exhausted,” Crystal said, sitting on the edge of the table.
“Quite! It is overwhelming handling the affairs of Ravencroft,” he snapped. “What do you need?” he asked, his gaze shifting to Evyths who was standing without a word.
He noticed how pale and weak she looked. He could tell that she was ill.
“Can I go hunting outside the castle? It is boring around here. Perhaps just the—”
“You can do anything you want but leave the castle. It is not safe, the hunters and their hybrids are lurking. I cannot risk your safety…”
“Evyths will be there to watch me,” Crystal snapped pleasingly.
“Evyths… is not enough…” Valerio stated squarely.
Meanwhile, Evyths had been feeling weak in her knees, almost tripping over but she held on tight, refusing to appear weak.
When Valerio noticed that Evytha was shaking behind the cloak, he interrupted Crystal.
“Strawberry? Would you leave us? I would love to discuss with Eva,” he stated as Crystal split her gaze between Valerio and Evuths who had been totally silent.
“Very well, I'll be in my room!” Crystal flashed a smile and vanished instantly.
“Are you okay?”
“I am well… your highness!” Evyths snapped with a firm tone, turning to leave.
He moved closer to her, his hand felt her temperature—she was burning like flames. It could burn a fried leaf. It slightly burned him, the sizzling sound evaporated into the air.
Valerio’s stern face changed instantly, while Evyths tried so hard to keep it together. Deep within her, she was breaking down.
“You’re not well. Let me—”
“Don’t touch me.” she pulled away from him, a thick frown settling on her face. “I will leave now, your highness!” Evyths bent slowly as she turned around and walked out of the study.
She had been pissed about Valerio’s attitudes towards her and how days of silence stretched into weeks. Although she knew that he was the prince and he did not owe her an explanation yet she longed to know why.
Plus, why did it happen right after their intimacy?
Unknown to Evyths, he was only protecting her. He did not want the attention of the vampires to focus on Evyths after noticing their sentiments the day that her pack visited.
Evyths’ steps slowed, her eyes blurred barely looking ahead of her. She felt dizzy, nearly falling over.
Valerio, on the other hand, followed her immediately.
“Eva!” he called out, his voice was laced with concern.
She managed to look over her shoulder, catching his gaze as Evyths’ vision blackened and fell to the ground.
Unconscious.