The Blood Maiden

Chapter 50 | Grand Magus

Elaire's POV

Umalingawngaw sa aking tenga ang tunog ng nagsanggaang mga espada namin ni Admiral Sienna. We were both drenched in sweat after almost three hours of non-stop long sword training. I have yet to hear her complain but I think she wouldn't. Alam niya kasing kailangan ko ito. Kailangan kong pagpawisan. Kailangan kong may mapagtanungan.

"I already have an idea about who your beloved is." She took a step back, swinging her sword and our blades clashed again. "But I won't speak of it. Lalo na rito na maraming makakarinig."

Naramdaman ko ang patagong pagsulyap ng mga sundalong nakapalibot sa'min.

"Was I that obvious?" Tinulak ko ang kanyang espada at sabay kaming humakbang pahiwalay sa isa't isa. I adjusted my grip of the sword and almost flinched. Lumala kasi ang hapdi ng palad ko. "And why are you still here?" humihingal kong tanong. "Don't you have work to do?"

"Part of my job is training you," she answered, sweat glistening on her face.

I took a few seconds to catch my breath. Nang handa na akong gumalaw ulit, nahagip ko ang mayamang amoy na dala ng simoy na dumaan malapit sa'kin. My nose scrunched for a quick moment before I turned to the king crossing the field. Kinakausap siya ni Gideon na nakasunod sa kanya pero hindi niya ito sinasagot pagka't maigi siyang nakatuon sa'kin.

Ibinaba namin ni Admiral Sienna ang aming mga sandata, pati na ang aming mga noo nang makarating siya.

"Bright morning, Admiral," bati ng hari. "I'd like to excuse my guard from your training today."

"You didn't have to excuse her personally, Your Majesty," the admiral replied. "And she's all yours."

Napansin ko ang halos pagbuo ng isang masayang ngiti sa labi ng hari dahilan para paningkitan ko siya.

"Stop by my office before today's court," dagdag na tugon ng hari. "I also need a word with you."

The admiral nodded. Inabot ko sa kanya ang aking espada bago sundan ang hari paalis mula sa training grounds.

"How was it?" The king suddenly asked.

It took me a while to realize that the question was meant for me and not for Gideon.

"How was what?" tanong ko pabalik sa kanya.

"The drink I prepared for you this morning," aniya. "Huwag mong sabihin sa'kin na hindi mo ito ininom."

"I did," sagot ko. "It was fine."

"That's it?"

"Yeah."

When in fact, I almost died.

I knew his blood was going to taste like paradise but I didn't know it would bring me there literally. The first sip was an aphrodisiac. The second, I hallucinated. And after drinking half the glass, I thought I was dying. Wala naman kasing nakapagsabi sa'kin kung anong epekto ng unang beses na pag-inom ng dugo ng nakatakda para sa'yo. My heart pounded so hard and fast that I started to believe it was going to jump out of my chest. Sa bawat paghinga ko may namumuo ring butil ng pawis sa aking noo. My veins throbbed painfully and after half a minute of having seizures, I was finally able to collect myself.

His blood was an aphrodisiac, a hallucinogenic, and caffeine all in one.

Strong. Dumako ang aking tingin sa gilid ng kanyang leeg. And addictive.

'Yong tamis din nito... lasang mga gusto at kailangan ko.

"Elle."

Mabilis akong lumingon kay Gideon. "H-Hmm?"