Beneath the Vampire King's Desire

Chapter 9

"How did your mission in Deliora go?"

Lucius asked her as they were on the west side, outside of Elderglen. She had sneaked out with Liwayway and had just finished her training with Waya earlier.

"Not much. It was unusually quiet, unlike the last time when everything there was reported to be in chaos." Sagot niya dito. "Ikaw? Anong ginawa mo?"

Tumikhim siya ng magtinginan sila ni Lucius. Mabilis na binawi niya ang tingin.

"Still with your guarding duties?" Tanong niya ulit.

"Yeah. I was quite busy while you're away." Nakangiting tumango naman siya dito.

He always said he was on guard duty. Well, she hadn't asked him anything personal. They had known each other for months, and he was always there whenever she needed support for her training. He was also kind to them.

"I see that you've already improved with your nature magic." Tiningnaj niya ang kanyang palad at tipid na ngumiti.

"Yeah, though it's draining my magic energy faster." Sabi niya kay Lucius.

She had been training in nature magic and studying a magic book to help her progress. Liwayway also taught her how to improve and control her nature magic, and she had become skilled at handling it.

"Do you have magic also?" Tanong niya sa lalake.

Creatures like Lucius possess magical abilities unique to their kind. If Lucius were to reveal the type of magic he uses, she could identify which kingdom he hails from.

"I don't have one." Nakakunot ang noong tiningnan niya ito.

He don't have one? Well, he's strong enough. She merely nodded and didn't say anything further. A quiet silence settled between them.

"I'm happy you're here again." Napalunok siya ng marinig ang sinabi ni Lucius.

"Y-yeah, me too. I missed the forest and the animals." She heard him chuckle.

Tumawa ito?! Maang ang mukha na tiningnan niya ang lalake. He's really laughing!

As he chuckled, his face relaxed into a warm, genuine smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and a light, amused glint danced in them. The laughter seemed to make his features softer and more approachable, with his cheeks slightly flushed appearing as he grinned. Umiling naman ito at bahagya pa natawa ulit.

"Yeah, I know you miss them." Sabi nito at umiling-iling pa habang nakangiti.

His smile was charming and bright, making his whole face light up. His eyes sparkled with confidence, and his strong jawline and defined cheekbones made him look very attractive.

"I miss you." Iniwas niya ang tingin ng akmang babaling ito sa kanya.

W-why is he saying that suddenly? She tried to hide her blush. Hindi siya nagsalita. Ano naman ang sasabihin niya? Na nakikita niya ang mukha nito kapag nakapikit ang mata niya?

"You want to train one more time?" He asked changing the topic.

She nodded quickly, feeling her heart pound when he took her hand to help her stand. She pretended it was nothing.

"I guess I'll practice my archery more." Sabi niya at kinuha ang bowstring at arrow.

As Lucius helped her with her archery, their bodies were almost touching. She could feel the coldness of his body and the rhythm of his breath as he guided her movements. Napapalunok na lamang siya kapag nararamdan ang init ng hininga ni Lucius sa kanyang tenga.

"Adjust your feet and focus your..." Hindi na niya alam kung ano sinasabi ni Lucius dahil sa bilis ng pagtibok ng puso niya.

"Got it?" Iyon na lamang ang narinig niya sa sinabi nito. Tumango na lamang siya.