Bride Of The Shadows

Chapter 2: His heart

What the hell!
Hermione flushed. She experienced a rise in temperature as if her blood was boiling. It would be dishonest to deny the impact of his words, as they made her feel different.
Even so, she stood like a statue, gazing at him with her lips parted.
How was it that he was aware of the name she used ten years ago? The question arose in her mind, but she uttered no word.
She wanted to run away but her legs wouldn't move. She stood with a firm grip, watching as he closed the gap between them and delicately caressed her finger that had been injured.
As he neared her, she felt an overwhelming sensation, almost electrifying.
She let out a soft gasp, her eyes settling on his veiny hands, which held her.
He pressed tightly against her finger and her blood began to cloud her fingers.
Why wasn't she preventing him from hurting her? Did she enjoy the feeling of having him hold her, that much?
He closed his eyes as if savoring the scent of her sweet blood, "I smell peaches" He murmured, a smile tickling the corner of his lips. He sharply inhaled her scent.
Vampire! She concluded inwardly, those blood- thirsty creatures, he was one of them!
She sensed his thirst for her as his lips curled into a devious smile, wanting to drink her blood dry till she collapsed but he refrained. She attempted to jerk her hand away. It was futile, he was stronger.

Hermione winced at the pressure he put on grasping her finger. Just then, Lloyd let go of her hand. He opened his eyes, an apologetic and non-apologetic expression clouding his face. She caused him to crave her blood by being so careless.
Lloyd continued his nonsense; so did Hermione believe, "You lied, I figured out your name is Hermione. Tell me, why'd you lie to me?" His hazel eyes still scrutinizing her beautiful face, He noticed the uncertainty in her eyes and offered a gentle grin to put her at ease, but he didn't widen the distance between them.
But like before, she wasn't at ease, she was shuddering as if she had been hit by a bucket of cold water. Goosebumps rose on her skin- he observed, his eyes landing on her pale skin and bare neck.
He was losing it!
Subconsciously, Lloyd raised his hand and softly caressed her cheeks. She had grown into a young and beautiful lady, he noticed.
Something that he hadn't expected, and was attracted to since he saw her emerge into the hall. Golden brown hair, long lashes, gray-green eyes, full lips, and an innocent look in her eyes, he wasn't sure he could stop himself from not approaching her.
"Every man brought one gift or the other, but I'm bringing my heart" As soon as she heard him say it, her cheeks turned red and she felt blood rush into her neck, and she knew he sensed it as well.
He had never felt drawn to any woman like he was to her, she aroused him in every possible way without doing anything but staring innocently at him, and he wanted to corrupt this soft peach in front of him.
Lloyd knew he was being called and needed to go back, but he didn't want to leave without saying at least goodbye to her, the last time they separated, they hadn't said any proper goodbye.

Unable to resist the temptation, he gently cupped her cheeks and then leaned down and kissed her lips ever so lightly, it was a soft peck, but it contained the heaviness in his heart.
Hermione's eyelashes fluttered close, feeling him wound his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him. 'Mate' A voice in her head confirmed, and she couldn't be more overwhelmed.
This was a different kind of embrace, it stirred emotions that she had yet to unlock, her heart pounded in her chest, as she felt his soft lips on hers, it was butter-like, leaving her light-headed.
Butterflies, she felt them roaming in her belly.
His scent, the scent of woods caressed her senses, she had no idea when her hand landed on his chest. She wanted to feel more of this newly found desire but he disappointed her by saying, "I should go"
He whispered against her lips and then disappeared from her sight before she opened her eyes.
She felt loneliness envelop her at the absence of his taut chest pressing against hers, the firmness of his muscle, she craved to be in that kind of embrace forever. But... But he had gone.
"Your Highness" Lulu approached her with a scrutinizing gaze, her eyes wandering around to see the princess rooted to the ground with widened eyes, "What are you doing here, and why do you look so flushed?" She couldn't help but inquire from the princess whose face had turned red.
"Don't tell me you're fantasizing about that boy again?"
Hermione's eyebrows pulled together, it wasn't a fantasy, it was real! He was here for real, she had sensed the warmth and everything and she knew it was him, that boy Lloyd.
Where did he go? She asked herself, rushing over to the rail and peeping over but there was no one. He had left, again!