The Eyes Of 'Rah

In a Cool Fresh Water, Under the Moonlight

Seraphine wiped the cool fresh water off her face as they resurfaced. Xavier had plunged them both into the stream, "where are we?" Sputtering water from her mouth. She felt an immediate rush of exhilaration as the water enveloped her body, sending tingles down her spine.

The refreshing sensation she was feeling almost like a shock to her senses, awakening her to the moment didn't permit her to be angry at him for sweeping her off the ground unprepared.

How did he managed to know just what she needed?

Seraphine observed Xavier who was floating around the water with his eyes closed. The tug of the corner of his lips as they turned upward clearly showed he was enjoying the cool water as well. She wondered if the beautiful vampire had the ability to read her mind.

The sight of moonlight dancing on the rippling water surface, the gentle breeze kissing her face and the sounds of nature surrounding her made her realised this is exactly what she needed, not just a dip in a water but being planted around nature.

The tranquil scenery soothed her somehow, swimming nearer to where Xavier was, "how did you find this place?"

Opening his eyes to see her pure white eyes which looked even brighter against the dark environment, he swam closer to her, playing with her wet hair, "my parents used to come here whenever they want a break from everything. I've had countless picnic here while growing up" splashing some water playfully at her, he pulled her closer, "you need to see it during the day, it's such a breathtaking view."

Seraphine was lost in the compelling effect of being close to the vampire, her sense of reason took a holiday for a short while, she didn't realised she was in his arms, suspended in the air until Xavier tilted her head downward, "imagine how beautiful this place would look like when the sun shines on it"

Seraphine gasped, marveled at the captivating sight of the moonlight as it shone over the green trees, the colourful flowers and the rippling water.

Slowly, they descended into the water this time around, their flesh which had gone warm where their skin met cooled back. Seraphine had not taken her eyes off Xavier. She wanted to have a taste of his lips so bad she licked hers.

Xavier took in a sharp breath seeing her action, he took her hair in his hands and packed it to one side, giving him access to one side of her smooth bare neck.

Looking at her without wavering, he slowly descended, she closed her eyes and her heart pounded, anticipating his lips on her. She shivered a little when she felt something soft and cool on her neck. Her eyes fluttered opened to see Xavier planting a kissing on her neck.

A little pang of disappointment washed over her but was quickly replaced with pleasure when she felt him suck her neck with his lips.

Xavier's control almost slipped, he wanted so badly to taste her blood, retracting his fangs took the highest self-control he had, settling for sucking her neck without his fangs instead, he felt her shivered a little when he grazed her skin with his teeth.

Feeling her tiny arms rubbing his back soothed his body, he buried his head over her shoulder as he sniffed her scent, "you smell like the lavender flowers"

Seraphine only sighed, still dazed from the moment, she held onto Xavier tightly to prevent her weak knees from buckling.

"It could be because the lavender flower shares the same hue as Phemerah's Eyes" Xavier carried her bridal style out of the water.

"Hmmmm" she nodded, amazed at how the vampire went on his knees to take off her shoes, he also squeezed her clothes to wring out water. She wished they could stay inside the water for a longer time.

"Don't worry, I'll bring you here on a sunny day sometimes" he promised.

"How do you do that?" With a suspicious narrowed eyes at him.

"Do what?"

"Know what I was thinking"

"You're quicker to read than an open book"

She snorted, doubting his reason, if she does, she would have known through Felicity. Her friend would have mentioned something similar to her years ago.

"Shall we?"

Bracing herself for the flight, she nodded.

She found herself in front of The Pawn not long after, reeling from the motion and standing on a steady ground again, Seraphine wrapped her arms around her body, she needed to get out of the wet cloth as soon as possible.

Vampires are really cold creature, seeing Xavier's unperturbed attitude to the chilly night, he was even wetter than she was. If not for being a cold-blooded creature, he ought to have caught a pneumonia by now as a result of being exposed to the cold. He had shed himself off his coat, giving it to her even though it was also wet, but at least, it will make her less cold.

"Quickly go in and change your cloth, we will talk later"

She knew the 'talk' he was referring to was no other than Lord Vanderbilt's confession. Purposely choosing not to think about anything that night, Seraphine watched the vampire disappeared before closing the door behind her.

Xavier decided to take a walk home instead of hailing a carriage on the busy streets. His thought went to Annaliese's question the other night.

He had also thought about using Seraphine's power, perhaps a remedy can be sought for his curse, especially when he knew she  had something to do with both nights when he felt the pain the most and when he didn't feel it at all.

What was giving him concern now was how to do it without people being suspicious of her. He cared less about his own reputation, but she already was about to possess something that would require keeping a low profile, would it be suitable if she was associated with him, knowing the attention that comes with that?

"Welcome back son" Lady Aliona smiled warmly at her son, beckoning him to join her and his father for a late night snack.

"Your dad and I were just talking about you"

"I'll join you later, I need to change my cloth"

Lady Aliona moved closer, "you're wet, did you accidentally fall into the stream?" Grinning unbelievably because she knew her son wasn't that clumsy.

"No, I'll be right back"

Xavier joined his parents in the drawing room, "I hear the wolves are really grateful to you for a job well done, especially Alpha Weinroff" Nickolai sipped his blood.

Shrugging, Xavier put his feet up on the footstool as he sipped the warm blood, "I didn't do much actually, Annaliese and Seraphine were the main solver"

"Oh, Seraphine is the lady with the spectacle, isn't she?" Seeing Xavier nodded, she continued, "I hear you both have been seen together a lot" Aliona grinned, beaming with happiness.

"I don't think she's anything but human, in what way did she help them?" Nickolai asked.

"Nothing much really, she only lent an object to Annaliese that aided the restoration of the memory"

Aliona might not have noticed that Xavier was capable of lying smoothly without a shift in his heartbeat, however, Nickolai and Xavier himself know and both are aware that the other know of the little secret.

Trusting his son had a reason for not revealing the truth, Nickolai overlooked it and nodded.

Herbert entered after a soft knock, bowing to the three, he turned to Xavier, "A letter just arrived for you"

"From where?"

"It carried the address of the factory at the outskirts"

"All right"

He called out to Herbert after taking a look at the content of the letter, "I'll be leaving early tomorrow to the factory, get the carriage prepared and inform Ridley.

Xavier prepared himself for the night, he entered the torture room, awaiting Mr. Hollow's arrival.