NIGHTS OF HALLOW

”Sth,” Perdita mumbled, her flushed face hiding under the gaze of Sthena. Before she could go on to speak, Sthena’s hand circled her waist to draw her close to him making her breath hitch.

Did this devilishly handsome man realize what he was doing to her? Perdita asked in her mind. Seeing him as she walked down the stairs had made her heart race at how handsome he was in his black suit and cloak that hung loosely on his high and broad shoulders, down to his crisply ironed pants.

His inkly red long hair meticulously combed to the back while some strands dangled in front of his face accentuated his sculpted face and his cheekbones that always made him look proud. His sinful thin lips that always curved to the side whenever he smiled were pressed firmly against each other when he began approaching her with a look that pierced deep within her, ready to devour everything in her.

He said only for her to hear, ”You say my name in such a way that makes me want to take us both back to the room. To speak with, see, and touch only you myself.” If before Perdita’s face was flushed, now it felt as though it was on fire at the way Sthena’s words stirred her body.

Noticing the subtle curious eyes of the maids and servants on them, Perdita cleared her throat. ”We are going to be late if we stand here and not leave now.”

To her words, Sthena straightened with a smile and remarked, ”A king is never late, my love.”

”Before I forget,” Sthena said as he reached inside his pocket and retrieved a necklace that sparkled as soon as it was out and light touched it. ”You wouldn’t mind me removing this necklace darling?”

Though curious, Perdita negatively shook her head. She heard Sthena say as his hand went round her and unhooked the one she wore. ”Remind me if anyone stares more than necessary at you. My speciality is to gauge eyes out.”

Perdita chuckled, and remarked, ”You need not do that as your majestic self will gnare an equal amount of attention.”

This brought a smile on Sthena’s face and he laughed. ”Not as your gorgeous self would. This is a family heirloom.” Done hooking the new necklace on Perdita, Sthena explained while admiring how beautiful it suited her neck going down to touch the top of her chest.

”This...” Perdita touched the necklace, with questions in her eyes while she stared at Sthena.

”It is to keep people at a respectful distance away from you and also declare my intention of making you my wife and queen. I do not want any rumours that would tarnish your name because of me. That is why, my love, wear this for you and for me. It is yours.”

Unsure of how to put the thoughts in her head out, Perdita embraced Sthena and muttered ”thank you.” To think he always thought about her wellbeing even when she didn’t expect made her heart full each time with love.

”Shall we?” Sthena proposed and held out his hand for Perdita to hold. Together, they boarded the carriage and left for the town of Blackfang.

The carriage shook from side to side as it made a stop at the place where the soriee was being held. Noticing the king’s carriage, those outside turned their attention to it waiting for the famous king to step out.

Sthena stepped down, and almost as immediately as he came down, women began to whisper amongst themselves with a shy smile on their faces. He turned, extended his hand for Perdita to get down and this sparked more murmurings when their eyes fell on the strikingly beautiful woman beside the king, their eyes also falling on the heirloom.

Perdita’s gaze stared at the environment she found herself in. The building was tall with its ancestral carvings in place, proudly stating the wealth and lineage that had been passed down.

After getting down, the coachman drove the carriage away for others to also pack and alight from. Looking from outside, she knew that the people inside were the core members of the higher society, the old lineages of vampire families, of wealth, and of status.

Sthena gave her hand a gentle squeeze, to let her know he was there beside her. ”If you need anything or feel overwhelmed with the gathering inside, I’m here. Let me know, okay?”

Perdita nodded with a stiff smile while she inwardly mustered a little courage. They began to walk towards the entrance and was met with an older man whom Perdita presumed it was his house that was being used to host the soiree.

”Your majesty,” The man bowed in greeting. He and Sthena exchanged a handshake as he continued to speak, ”Thank you for gracing your presence here today. It shows you hold the interest of your people at heart and this keeps our minds at rest.”

”Without the people, Sir Edward, I wouldn’t be where I am today. We all made and helped each other and it’ll be my undoing if I failed to come at a distrustful time as this. Together, we make the kingdom a safe place for everyone to live in.” Sthena replied acknowledging the words of elder pureblooded vampire.

Sir Edward nodded, a proud acknowledging smile on his face. ”You have spoken well, Your Majesty. Let me not keep you or this lovely lady waiting outside.”

”This lovely lady is Perdita, Sir Edward.” Sthena let out a small chuckle. He turned to Perdita and introduced her to Sir Edward, ”Meet Sir Edward who, not only has he been helpful but has also served as a father figure in my life.”

”Warm evening greetings to you, Sir Edward. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Perdita greeted and bowed before the elderly man.

”The pleasure is all mine, Lady Perdita.” Sir Edward let out hearty chortle nodding his head approvingly on sighting the necklace that hung on Perdita’s neck. He turned to Sthena and in a chiding tone said, ”You have failed to introduce us sooner. Were you waiting for your wedding day to reach?”

”Forgive me, Sir Edward,” Sthena apologized, the smile still on his face. ”I was waiting for the right time but now I seem to realise there isn’t a perfect time. I will definitely come with her for a proper introduction.”

”You do that, if not I’ll come to the castle myself,” Sir Edward continued. ”Enjoy your evening in my humble home, Lady Perdita.” He wished Perdita who nodded with an small bow before entering inside with Sthena.

Once inside, Perdita was met with the beautiful decor of the mansion, the cool and welcoming ambience it held, and then the voices of the people gathered as they discussed amongst themselves. Each person carried their head and shoulders up as though it would touch the high ceilings of the mansion.

The unmistaken presence of the king in the room had the conversation going on die down as everyone turned to watch him with careful eyes, most especially on the woman beside him.

Perdita’s hand resting beside her held her dress in a tight grip as she could feel the eyes of everyone weighing heavily on her. Accessing and also judging her.

A human. She knew they said in their minds as the look on their faces showed what they all thought especially the pureblooded vampires in attendance.

A waiter approached them with different varieties of drinks in hand which Sthena picked and gave her one and she took a sip of smooth and velvet taste of the wine.

”Your majesty,” She heard someone greet and before them stood Princess Sarah and her proposed future husband, Mr. Hans. ”A pleasure to meet with you again since after the hunt a few days ago.”

”Mhmm,” Sthena hummed in acknowledgement. He took a sip of his wine while staring at Mr. Hans with his mastered mask of a smile he wore whenever he attended gatherings like this one.

Mr. Hans turned to Perdita, ”Lady Perdita, forgive my not asking earlier, I hope your injury is healing quite quickly?”

”Ah,” Perdita internally reminded herself people saw her a human. ”It is, Mr. Hans. Thank you for asking.” Just then, three other men joined them as they greeted the king and began discussing matters of the kingdom.

She didn’t know when she finished her glass of wine and was also beginning to feel tired of the conversation she wasn’t taking part of. Noticing her discomfort and also wanting to escape from Mr. Hans’ presence, Princess Sarah turned to Perdita and proposed,

”Lady Perdita, your glass is empty. Why don’t we go pick a sweeter wine and maybe have a woman’s discussion?”

”Yes, of course. That would be lovely,” Perdita turned to Sthena and gave him a small bow before leaving with Princess Sarah.

”Thank goodness you were there to help me escape from him,” Princess Sarah said to Perdita as soon as they walked to another part of the room with new glasses of wine in hand.

Perdita knew she was talking about Mr. Hans but decided not to say anything about the man. Instead she said, ”I’m glad too. I couldn’t imagine hearing more about the division of land and power talk among the higher society.”

Princess Sarah laughed, ”I also find those talks overwhelming.” She took a sip of her wine while staring at Perdita whose gaze had mindlessly wandered across the room to meet Sthena who also turned to meet her gaze.

”I see he has given you the heirloom,”