37

Adrian sat on his throne contemplating what to do next. He had been sitting there for the past five hours with Max.

"What do you mean there was another attack yesterday?" he asked, confused at this point.

"Yes. One of the palace guards had gone into the forest and his body was found this morning," Max said gloomily.

"What the hell is happening?" he snapped

"It's as confusing as it could be," Max added

Adrian groaned. He couldn't believe he had doubted Mila when she said she hadn't killed anyone. Mila had been with him yesterday and he had watched her transform and held her with the spell. She had been with him throughout the night. Then who could this be? There was no clue leading to who the real culprit might be. He knew he owed Mila an apology for not believing her. She isn't the culprit. She had been trying to make him see reasons why she couldn't be the culprit but he decided to doubt her honesty. Now wasn't the time to regret not believing her. Now was the time to find a solution to these killings.

"Were there any clues leading to the monster?" he asked.

Max sighed

"For now, no. There isn't a hint as to who the real culprit might be,"

"This is going to be hard," Adrian sighed, pinching his temple.

"What do you suggest we do?" Max asked

"First off, I want you to pass the message to everyone in the palace that the forest is off-limits to anyone. No one should be seen wandering into the forest as anyone who does, their lives are none of the palace concerns anymore," he declared

"Do you think that would stop the killing?" Max queried.

"I doubt that, but since we've had two murders that involved the forest, we should make the forest off limits,'' he stated.

"Then I would send the message," Max said and bowed before leaving.

Adrian sat in his office, his thoughts scattered as he already felt stressed.

*

Adrian's POV

I watched as Mila walked down the stairs in the dress I had picked for her. It was a read-over dress embroidered with gold and rhinestones. It was not too simple and not too plain. She had matched it with red heels. She applied a little makeup which made her look more dashing than she already was. Not to talk about that hair. She had her hair coiled and it brought out some energetic energy from her. It made her appear more of a high school girl going to prom. I smiled as our eyes met. She averted hers as quickly as it began with a shy smile on her face. She looked damn cute by that action. It made my manhood erect as I coughed awkwardly.

"Shall we?" I extended my hand so she could take it.

"Yeah," she whispered.

She seemed to be shy as some maids peeked a sneak glance at us both. She had to get used to the attention she was getting right now because what I had in mind, would,d in turn, blow hers.

"You're tense. Relax," I said, slowly walking her to the car, her hand in mine.

"I am relaxed," she argued.

I laughed lightly and touched her shoulders. She was as stiff as a rock.

"And this is what you call relaxed?" I teased.

She gave me a little smile before breathing in.

She seems to have relaxed a little. The guard opened the back door for the both of us as I led her in first.

"Where are we going to?" she questioned.

"Some place nice, where you wouldn't have to be tense about people watching you," I said.

I was really tired but I knew I had to make it up to her. Today had been a hell of a day. I had many things to take care of aside from what Max told me. I had to see that the boys were taking their training seriously and not lagging. I had to go check out with the family of the deceased. They were in grief when I went there. I couldn't console the mother and the father just sat down standing in the air as if something interesting was going on there. He had been their only child and only source of income. I promised to take care of them for life. They would get lifetime supplies of food and medical attention. After all, he was murdered at my palace and he was one of my guards, even though he didn't serve me directly. That was the least I could do for the family.

"Okay. That'll be nice," Mila's voice rang in my ears. She sounded so angelic. I think I was falling for her. I have to admit it. She was the most angelic person I had ever met.

"It's quite a distant," I said.

"Is it that far?" she asked.

"Yeah. We aren't coming back tonight," I said and stared at the window, waiting for her reaction. From my side eye, I could see her mouth hanging open.

"What do you mean we aren't coming back tonight?" she asked.

"Well, after dinner, I have a lot of things to show you and we won't be able to make it back tonight without you sleeping off, so we'll stay at a hotel," I explained.

"Oh," she whispered.

"Yeah," I said and smiled.

I felt her staring at me, her gaze hot on my skin.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked.

"Well, you look tired," she answered.

Was it that obvious? I had tried to mask it the best way that I could. How could she tell that I was tired?

"I am okay," I lied.

"You said it's a long way right?" she asked.

"Yeah, it is," I responded.

She moved close to me and raised her hand. What was she doing? She rested on my neck and before I knew what was happening, she drew my head down to her lap and smiled softly. I was lying on her legs.

"Have some rest. I'll wake you up when we arrive," she said and I froze.