NIGHTS OF HALLOW

As the door closed behind Emily leaving Sthena and Perdita in the room, Perdita wore a curious look on her face while she stared at Sthena with furrowed brows.

”Do I take that as a stare of admiration or...you have finally fallen for me?” Sthena mused and leaned on the table towards Perdita as he spoke.

Perdita inwardly shook her head at the Vampire who suddenly returned to his usual self of always teasing her. She couldn’t help but let out the question that had been burning in her chest the whole time he spoke to Emily.

She quizzed, ”Is there something I need to know of?”

”Yes,”

”Yes?” Perdita questioned back, dropping her cutlery beside the plate, her attention fully on Sthena. ”What is that?”

Sthena put his finger under his chin in thought. He nodded his head like he found the perfect answer to Perdita’s question. He replied to her, ”I think it is time you found out. Don’t you think so?”

”That is why I am asking.” Perdita was quick to reply. Her ears were already piqued to hear what Sthena was going to say.

He beckoned for her to come closer like he was going to share a secret with her. This caused Perdita’s imagination to run around the clock, her head already wild with scenarios of what it might be.

Sthena also leaned in towards Perdita and as she leaned in too, it gave him the chance to speak into her ear. He said, ”What I’m about to tell you might not be a secret anymore after I tell you now—”

Sthena paused and then whispered, ”I think you should know of how you have captured and held my heart hostage with no thoughts of letting it go.”

”Me?” Perdita questioned in confusion.

It took some seconds before Perdita’s brain processed and understood what Sthena was talking about as she was not expecting that kind of twist to what Sthena wanted to tell her.

When she finally understood the underlying meaning, her expression went from a confused one to a gobsmacked expression. Her mouth fell open as she uttered in a whisper, ”W—what?”

”Yes,” Sthena replied with a pitiful look of pretense on his face. He touched his chest where his heart resided and went on to say, ”Not that I am offended though. You can hold it all you want. But you know me...I always like to seek revenge. I want to take your heart too. Isn’t that wonderful? A heart for a heart.”

Oh, my dear heart, Perdita exclaimed internally. She couldn’t control the blush that was quick to creep up her face. Her face was already a shade of pink which she tried to hide as she went back to eat. But her brain was no longer intact as her rationality to think flew from her as she played with the pies on her plate rather than eating them.

”You’re crazy,” Perdita mumbled under breath which Sthena heard loud and clear.

”I know.” Sthena agreed. ”Just that I am crazy for you.”

”Did no one teach you how to court a Lady?” Perdita asked, perplexed.

Sthena’s lips pulled into a grin as he countered, ”Already accepted to be courted by me? I love the fast progress we are making.”

That is not what I meant! This sly Vampire. Always twisting her words.

”You’re unbelievable,” Perdita held her head in her hand as she forced herself to stare back at Sthena, but it was hard to, given his handsome face and the cunning smile on his face. But, behind his nerve-cracking expression, she could see the emotions in his red eyes that seemed to pull her in and towards him.

”Oh my God, do you want to kiss or devour me?!” Sthena dramatically exclaimed and used his hand to cover his lips. To be more silly, he pulled on his coat as if to shield himself from the treacherous gaze of Perdita. ”I don’t mind you doing both though.” He said, his face a mask of mischievousness.

”W—what?!” Perdita was quick to avert her gaze, her whole body heating up this time. This man was going to be the death of her!

What did she come here to do again? Perdita questioned herself and fumbled with the book she got. Now she didn’t know where to start reading. Was it to start from the back and read? Or would the middle be better?

Oh goodness. Her thoughts were a mess.

Kiss him? Devour him? The questions continued to swirl in Perdita’s head prompting her to look up at Sthena. At the same time, Sthena winked at her, a mischievous smile on his sinful lucious lips.

Shameless thoughts! Shameless man! Where is the holy water to cleanse her brain and him most importantly??

Sthena suddenly chuckled at Perdita’s reaction. The way she squirmed in her seat, embarrassed. He teased her with another question, ”Can you still read the book you brought?”

”I doubt I can again while sitting with a shameless man.” Perdita’s retort was quick to fly out of her mouth.

”Talk about being shameless, talk about a certain Vampire-witch. Weren’t you doing that a while ago? Staring at me with those appealing green eyes.”

”You...you...ah, I’m speechless,” Perdita confessed not knowing what to do or how to respond to Sthena’s display of cheekiness.

”I know. Not only are you speechless but your brain has stopped working.” Sthena waved his hand at her and rolled his eyes. He remarked, ”Come on, time up. You come back and read about your witch’s origin later.”

”The blame is all yours,” Perdita subtly glared at the vampire king who looked proud of what he did.

”And I gladly take all of it.” Sthena smiled, his eyes crinkling. ”Come on, stand, green eyes. An afternoon wash up would do your messed up self real good.”

”Fine,” Perdita gave up and stood on her feet. ”An afternoon cleansing with holy water will save you real good.”

”You flatter me,” Sthena remarked with a chuckle at what she said that had Perdita shake her head in pity.

As they got close to the door, Sthena held her back making her eyebrows arch upwards in question towards the King.

”Turn around,” He told Perdita to which she obeyed without question. His long slender hands found their way in her hair and loosened the hair tied in a bun. ”Your hair looks more beautiful this way.”

”Thank you,” Perdita murmured. She felt Sthena’s hands run along her scalp as he untangled her long hair, the sensation causing her to almost close her eyes.

Sthena released her hair and said, ”All done, green eyes. Let’s go.”

Now outside the room, Sthena locked the door behind him and they proceeded to depart from the vicinity of Sthena’s private library.

Just as they came out of the wing of Sthena’s chamber and along the hallway leading to the courtroom, they saw a man who stood with his back at them.

Perdita noticed the man, her green eyes squinting in a suspicious way of feeling like the man looked familiar.

The man in question having heard the sound of footsteps behind him turned to meet the curious gaze of Perdita and the sharp and piercing one of Sthena.

The curiosity in Perdita’s eyes turned to realization as the face of the man came into view.

”Mark?”

”Perdita?”

The two, Perdita and the man simultaneously called out to each other. A smile beaming on the latter’s face who rushed towards Perdita and suddenly embraced her in a hug.

Sthena tilted his head with a narrowed look on his face, his hands in his pockets as he sarcastically commented, ”Well, well, well, will you look at that heart-curling reunion?”

★ Author’s Note ★

Hello, dear readers, my apologies for not following up with my promise of mass-releasing some Chapters as I had promised. Don’t be annoyed as I still have it in mind. I’ll definitely do the mass-release!

Meanwhile, I still thank everyone who has been supporting me in one way or the other. Thank you so much, I really appreciate