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It looked like a giant temple, the gods' palace. There were no doors, and no windows separating one room from the other. Only wide and beautifully decorated entryways, some partially covered by soft-looking gauzy sheets whilst others remained bare, save for those few flowers and garlands hanging here and there.
There were candles everywhere, and flowers. And there was a subtle scent of essential oils that seemed to follow Diana with every step that she took. Every breath.
Nicholas led her straight inside, crossing through a ginormous salon that only held a few metallic decorative tables and candleholders, and a shallow yet wide pool right in the middle. Again, all covered with burning candles and flowers. Even the pool was filled with red and pink rose petals that floated into the turquoise water. Making the place look so sensual, and yet so holy. It was beautiful, and equally enticing. And it made Diana feel so incredibly relaxed. If not even a tiny bit aroused.
She let Nicholas lead her even further into the temple-like palace as he continued to hold onto her hand, navigating through strips of gauzy sheets towards yet another spacious and beautifully decorated salon. Only this one happened to host people. Or gods or whatever.
There were several of them casually mingling around, dressed in various different colours. And completely different styles of clothing, ranging from victorian to modern. From early 50's to classical greek togas. Some of them were simply entertaining themselves with a drink whilst others chatted and laughed so animatedly. And there were others who-
Her eyes suddenly went as wide as saucers as soon as she accidentally noticed a couple lingering close to a stone pillar, the male standing, seeming to simply enjoy his drink and converse with another male whilst a female sat on her knees right in front of him, her head moving back and forth so eagerly as she-
Sweet merciful lords!
She rushed to look away, her heart now pounding so fast within her chest and her cheeks burning so profusely. She couldn't help but wonder how that girl was still alive and not choking to death with that...that monstrous thing!
She bashfully averted her gaze into a completely different direction, only to grow even more mortified and shocked as there were three people this time, on a lounge bed, one male slamming so brutally into the female sitting on her hands and knees right in front of him while another choked her, again with their monstrously large and incredibly intimidating male parts. Making her scream so incredibly loud between those thrusts, as if she was in pain or something. Holy heavens. What was this place? Where did Nicholas actually drag her? She couldn't help but cringe with utter embarrassment, feeling so very uncomfortable as they walked past other similar scenes where females cried and moaned whilst males pumped into them with thick and way-too-big-to-be-comfortable-looking members. Holy crap. Was that how a penis usually looked like? That big and scary? Why was there no one helping those poor girls, they didn't look like they were having that much fun!
She faintly heard Wolf chuckle from somewhere close behind her, her hand holding so tightly onto Nicholas' as they rapidly crossed that room of horrors, casually noticing that there were some of those people looking their way now. Some with downright disdain whilst others looked genuinely curious. It made her grow so much more uncomfortable, even intimidated as she remembered that she was only wearing Nicholas' large shirt and nothing much else.
She unconsciously pressed herself closer to him, avoiding to look around them again as they finally stepped out of that crowded and stifling salon through another set of breezy sheets.
The girl let out an exaggerated and calming exhale, just about to scream at Nicholas, even throw some expletives after what she had just been through and seen when a booming voice suddenly echoed from behind.
"Shadow wielder!"
She automatically whirled around, letting out a loud and screeching squeal upon noticing the mountain of a male standing just a few steps away from them. A very naked and also shockingly-endowed male.
She immediately went to hide behind Nicholas' back, feeling so incredibly mortified once again. What the hell! What was up with these people and their stupid obsession of dangling their giant gross wieners around? Haven't they heard of modesty or something?!?
"Long time no see, my friend!" He naked male approached with a grin on his stupidly attractive face, holding a small crystal glass between his fingers. She forced herself not to lower her gaze again and accidentally have another look at that...eugh.
"Has trouble found you yet again?" He took a small sip from the glass, the girl only now noticing that he was actually swaying a little on his feet. And that Nicholas had yet to utter a single word.
She held onto him, hands tightly clutching at the sides of his waist as she bashfully peered at the nude and apparently drunk male standing just a few steps away from them. Still grinning like a fool as his golden gaze shifted from Nicholas to her.
She yelped a little, not too fond of the way that he was leering at her now.
"I see you've found yourself a nice little mortal," his smirk broadened, right before he proceeded to sniff at the air like a friggin' dog for some reason.
"Ooh, a virgin one," his eyes twinkled as they found hers again, making her gasp from the utter mortification. What! How...?!
"And she's blushing, aww, how lovely!" He gushed as if talking about a cute little baby, slapping a hand against the middle of his muscled chest.
"Can I please have a little sample? I've been dying to get my hands on a virgin for a while now," he asked upon shifting his gaze back to Nicholas, his tone pleading yet playful.
It made Diana feel so horribly objectified. And also incredibly scared. Absolutely not! She would rather let someone nail her to a wall than let this male with that scary horse-like thingy anywhere near her! She passingly heard Wolf chuckle again from somewhere close behind.
"Absolutely not. And stop looking at her like that before I gouge your fucking eyes out," Nicholas' tone was so dark and dangerous as he growled out those words back at him. It made her feel a little bit safer. Protected.
But the blonde and bronzed male only laughed in return, lightly shaking his head.
"My, how brutal you've become, Nyktos. I cannot say that vampirism suits you," he commented, simply having another sip of his drink.
"Don't you agree with this, miss...?" His blonde brow slightly rose upon finding her gaze again, making her realize that he was actually talking to her now, and that he had just subtly requested for her name.
"Diana. My name is Diana Rose and no, I do not agree," she immediately blurted out before she could even try and stop herself, mentally slapping herself for even answering to him. Damned be her meek and polite nature. This guy deserved anything but!
That pearly white grin appeared once again on his face, his eyes practically sparkling as he sensually said,
"Sweet. Like the sacred moon herself,"
She could only blink and stare back at him. Evidently confused. She didn't fail to also notice the way that Nicholas suddenly stiffened at the sound of that.
"Pleasure to have your acquaintance, Diana Rose. My name is Helion," he said, raising his glass before taking another sip.
"I believe that is quite enough, Helion. You have bothered my mortal enough with your disgusting presence. Now step aside and let us pass before I fucking make you," Nicholas spat back at him, his hands balling into tight fists at his sides. But Helion only laughed once again, looking like the threat actually amused him rather than to scare him, giving Nicholas a long and measuring look.
"Oh, I would've believed that once. Now, not so much," Helion threw back at him with a jeering tone, making Nicholas bristle with fury.
He stepped aside nonetheless, with his gaze though measuring them both for a moment as Nicholas took Diana's arm and resumed to his angry stomping through the palace with a silent and unaffected Wolf in tow.
"I'll be seeing you around, miss Diana Rose," she heard the god named Helion utter in their wake, her body shuddering as his words sounded so much like a promise. Sweet lord. She hoped not!
She held even tighter onto Nicholas' hand, pressing herself as close as possible as they walked. She was really starting not to like this place at all. Or its inhabitants. And she most definitely didn't feel safe here. It felt like she had just traded a dangerous place for another. What was Nicholas even thinking when he'd said that this place would be safer for her to hide in? It was evidently not!
"Don't worry about him. He will not touch you," She turned her head to peer up at Nicholas upon hearing that, noticing that angry and determined look on his face. She would hope so. Otherwise, what was she even doing here?



They walked all the way to a completely different wing through that maze-like palace, taking so much time to get there. This place was indeed so very big. She'd suspected as much, back when she'd seen it from outside. But after actually navigating through it, she could frankly say that it was enormous. Gigantic.
She was so incredibly exhausted already. Her feet were aching, and her stomach even worse. She just wished for it all to end. For this stupid and pointless journey to end.
"Do you guys happen to have electricity here, perhaps even internet?" She casually asked Wolf as he flanked her other side, quietly walking right next to her until then.
"This is a magical realm, princess. We can have anything we desire," he simply replied and she threw him a look before averting her gaze to Nicholas, just about to search for confirmation.
She didn't get to as Wolf announced all of a sudden,
"We're here,"
She threw him an odd and puzzled look, not really understanding what he was talking about. They were standing in front of a wall, for christ's sake!
A wall that suddenly turned into an entryway out of nowhere, the girl gaping as she stupidly stared at the air where that stone wall was mere seconds ago.
"Seems like he's in a good mood today," she heard Wolf murmur from right next to her, but she didn't get to question exactly who this "he" was as Nicholas impatiently dragged her and entered the spacious room.
It kinda looked like a medieval office, with brick walls and a hard-wooden floor. There were books and scrolls scattered everywhere, and melted candles sitting on the desk, the floor.
She couldn't help but notice that it smelled different too in here. Like cinnamon and apples and wine. It was oddly pleasant.
However, there was one single thing that managed to capture her complete and undivided attention. It was a person, actually. A man. A fully grown man, dressed into a pair of fancy trousers and an expensive-looking shirt, lying sprawled into a large velvety chair with his head upside down and his legs dangling from one armrest, holding between his fingers and playing with what appeared to be a portable gaming console.
Her brows furrowed. Head tilting to the side as if trying to have a better look at him. Well this was...interesting, to say the least. Who was this guy? And why was he-
Her breath hitched within her throat as soon as his gaze abruptly darted in their direction, making her notice that intense blue in his eyes.
He was suddenly standing on his own two feet in less than a second, making her blink with perplexity upon failing to notice when he had moved from his seat. And then he was moving. Straight towards them.
She couldn't contain that yelp that escaped her, moving closer to Nicholas' side. He abruptly stopped, standing just a step away from them. Hands shoved deep in his dress pants' pockets. His intense blue gaze scrutinisingly jumping between them.
She couldn't help but notice how handsome he actually was. High cheekbones. Sculptured jawline. Arched brows. Perfectly straight nose. Sensual mouth. And a pair of eyes to die for, their deep blue perfectly contrasting with his sandy blonde tousled hair. She'd noticed that all the people inhabiting this palace were incredibly beautiful. Carved to perfection. But that still didn't take from their menacing aura. Their powerful presence. And only now she was actually beginning to understand why it constantly felt so overwhelmingly intimidating to be around Nicholas. He was one of them, after all. A god. Divine creation.
"I require sanctuary," it was Nicholas the one who spoke first. His voice devoid of any emotion. Fearless. Demanding.
The male's blue eyes shifted back to her, again with that scrutinising gaze of his. Searching. Observing. She felt so intimidated under his stare.
"And the mortal?" She shivered a little at the sound of his voice. Powerful. So frighteningly calm.
"She's my bloodsource," Nicholas answered. Making her subtly wince. The god noticed. His gaze trailing over her once.
She felt her cheeks heat up with embarrassment as she suddenly remembered what she was wearing.
"Very well," he conceded. Swiftly turning around to walk away from them. She exhaled a breath that she hadn't even known that she had been holding.
"You know that we cannot refute your birthright. It is still written in your blood, regardless of your...form," he paused to peer at Nicholas from over his shoulder upon saying that, giving him another once over.
She felt Nicholas tense from right next to her. Body so taut with repressed anger.
"Gratitude," he managed to spit out. Equally cold and emotionless.
"However..." it was Diana's turn to tense upon suddenly hearing that. She had no idea how their world worked. What was what or how their laws worked, if they had any. But she could tell that whatever he was about to say, it wasn't going to be pretty. Or friendly, for that matter.
"I require a couple of moments alone with her,"
She almost fainted at the sound of that, her poor knees softening like jelly. He required what now?!?
"Will all due respect my liege but, absolutely not," Nicholas quickly responded with firmness and bravery in his tone.
"She is not here for...recreational purposes,"
That made the god swiftly turn back around, brow raising as he curiously stared back at Nicholas.
"What is she here for, then?"
"She is my...protegee, to say so," the latter responded. Diana didn't fail to notice the way that his hand clenched around hers just a little bit tighter.
The god simply watched him for another moment. Observing.
"Very well. There will be no touching of your...precious protegee then. But I still require an audience alone with her. And I will have it within the following days, after she's been well-fed and thoroughly rested,"
Nicholas' jaw clenched. Looking like he wanted to cross the room and actually strangle the guy. He didn't say anything more regarding that matter though. And with a slight inclination of his head, he tensely said,
"I will retire to my quarters now. As you have previously noted, my bloodsource requires her rest,"