Ch. 101..110

Chapter 101 - Just Good?

Gavriel was still breathing so heavily as he came down from the high that shook him impossibly hard. He could not believe how quick he had reached his release. And on top of that, to think that he did not just fail to keep the promise he made to himself that he should be gentle to her since it is her first time, but he was also unable to even hold it in until she or the both of them climaxed and reached that incredible peak together. Gods… what had happened to him? This had never happened to him before. What did this wife of his do to him?

Silence reigned between them for a long while. However, it was a comfortable and companiable silence which allowed the both of them to calm down and catch their breaths from the vigorous activities that they had just finished. They were just lying there on the bed, both flushed with the joy of conjugal bliss. His head was resting contentedly on her chest, as he braced himself on his elbows, taking extra care to ensure he would not crush her with his weight.

Feeling his hot breaths and the silky tickle of his long eyelashes against her skin, Evie lifted her hands that were encircling Gavriel's head and allowed them to travel southward. She started to draw circles with her fingers, moving down his back and continued running her hands along his lean sides, as if to explore his body. Her touches, though innocent, were smooth and hot and arousing to Gavriel. He could do nothing but to keep himself still and growl low with pleasure as he felt his manhood harden again so soon inside her, while she continued exploring him.

He finally realized his body was still joined to hers this whole time and that fact too, worked him up even more into a frenzy. He could feel his body temperature heating up again and felt his blood surging with the provocation that was stirred up by those delicate fingers running all over him.

With an erotic deep sound, Gavriel lifted his head from her chest and quickly descended as his mouth devoured hers with renewed vigour and primal hunger. It was as if he were so starved for her taste and was ravenous for her flavour again. When Evie welcomed his advances with the same intensity, his heart thumped for joy and his manhood hardened even more, utterly aroused at her complete and absolute welcoming of him. Gavriel pulled his rock-hard length back until it almost slipped out of her and then proceeded to thrust it back in, deep and hard inside of her.

Evie gasped and moaned. Her inner walls were trembling with excessive pleasure as Gavriel pulled all the way out then slid in deep again over and over. She had barely begun to calm down from the previous intense stimulation from their first round of love making and now she was being besieged by another round of intense movements from him again. She felt as though she was being driven insane by the pleasure being evoked deep within her.

"Evie… love," he began to speak as he looked down at her. "How are you feeling?" he asked, not stopping his slow yet hard and deep thrusts into her, as his gaze smouldered with silvery fire while watching her closely like a hawk. "Does it feel better now? My love?"

Forcing her eyes open to look at him, Evie lifted her hand and covered her mouth with the back of her hand to keep herself from moaning out loud, worried that someone would walk past their door outside and would hear her, knowing that the vampires had such a superb hearing.

She nodded as she looked at him when Gavriel suddenly held her hand and took them to his mouth and began kissing and licking her fingers.

Shocked, Evie's eyes widened, feeling electrified and mortified at the same time. What was he trying to do?

"Say it out love, I want you to tell me." He said as he kept kissing her hand, his bright eyes gleaming so wickedly beautiful.

Completely seduced, Evie heard herself say "I… It feels good…" she blushed even harder.

"Just good?" he asked again, this time, he quickened his pace, diving deeper inside her.

"Ah! Ugh!" Evie tried to pull her hand from his grasp to cover her mouth, but Gavriel did not let go. He had no intention of letting her mute the volume of her gratification that was the result of him pleasuring her.

"Gav… my… my voice, ah! Wait." Evie was fighting to keep her voice down but at the same time unable to control the volume due to Gavriel goading her on.

"Don't hold back, love…" he said, not slowing his pace, "let me hear your moans, I want to hear it."

"B…but… they'll hear me… outside…" she still could not overcome this shyness of hers. It was still too new and novel for her.

He flashed his devastating smile at her as he took both her hands and entwined his fingers with hers.

"Don't worry, love… no one can hear you right now. I would be able to tell if any vampire is coming close. No one is close enough to hear even if you scream, love. So, there is no need to hold back. Moan for me, Evie. Call my name…"

"Gav… gav…" Evie could no longer stop herself as he drove hard and sure inside her. "Oh god… gav… not too, ah!"

"How do you feel? Evie my love? Tell me…" he asked again between his ragged breaths. The maddening pleasure was building up within her and Evie could no longer hold in her voice.

"So good…" she moaned loudly, and those words seemed to have fuelled Gavriel's vigour to the brim and his manhood swelled.

"I'm going to fill every part you Evie…" he promised with a gleam in his eyes and Evie could only gasp out the word 'yes' as she wrapped her arms and legs around him. And then with one last thrust from Gavriel, she cried out as her inner flesh pulsed and clenched around him hard, shuddering with utter fulfilment while Gavriel once again spent himself inside her in violent spurts.

A few minutes passed but none of them made a sound. They simply stayed still in each other's embrace, unwilling to part until the room became utterly quiet as the sounds of their breaths quietened.

Chapter 102 - Talk

Evie did not realize that she had dozed off for a short time while the both of them were calming down in each other's embrace. She only felt so satiated and also protected and secure within that embrace that she must have totally relaxed and drifted off. When she opened her eyes again, what she saw made her face burn with heat, completely embarrassed.

Gavriel was wiping her down there with a warm wet towel ever so gently. Shocked and surprised, Evie suddenly closed her legs, trapping his hand between her legs.

"W-w-what are you –" Evie could feel herself burning up and her face flushed red as she stammered.

"Shh… open up, love. Let me –" Gavriel on the other hand, was calm and collected. His voice steady and reassuring.

"But… oh, god..." Evie's voice was drowned out as Gavriel bent and kissed her lips.

"Still shy, my lovely wife?" he whispered against her lips naughtily as his eyes gleamed at her so gorgeously, and Evie could only bite down on her cherry lips. Slowly, she relaxed her legs, causing a smile to bloom on Gavriel's face.

She saw him pull away and then felt him continued dabbing the warm towel so gently against her skin. Her eyes nervously wandered everywhere else but to him.

By the time Gavriel finally finished what he had aimed to do, covered Evie with the warm blanket and he disappeared from the room. When he returned after a while, Evie felt her heartbeat hastened as she felt him climb on the bed and laid next to her. His hand slid around her waist before wrapping tightly around her as he pulled her closer to him.

Evie kept her eyes closed until she felt his lips landed on her forehead. The gesture made her heart thump even wilder. How could this male who was oozing with sexiness still be so sweet and gentle in his approaches to her? Her heart melted at his actions.

She stared back at him for a second and the next moment, she hugged him back and snuggled into his muscular chest until their bodies were moulded against each other. Oh, how she loved this feeling… being in his arms… completely secure and wonderfully loved…

"I'm sorry…" he suddenly whispered as he continued planting little kisses on her head.

With creased brows, Evie pulled her head away a little and looked at him with questions in her eyes, her head adorably cocked to one side.

"Uhh… For being such a brute," he added, looking so apologetic, "I failed to be gentle with you for your first time. I don't know but I… I really… I don't want you to think I'm naturally a brute in bed… I…" he trailed off and then raised a brow after he raised his head to look at her. "And why are you smiling?"

Evie could no longer stop herself and she chuckled softly as she lifted her hand and caressed his face. "Because you looked so adorable, just now… Just like a little puppy." Evie stuck out a tongue as she said that.

Gavriel blinked as he watched Evie continue giggling. He caught her wrist and kissed the back of her fingers as his gaze smouldered through the dark strands of his damp hair. "Are you saying that you don't mind me at all being the brute that I am?" he asked, his voice serious. He decided to ignore the comment of him being compared to a puppy.

Evie stared at him, and she caught her breath at the intensity blazing within his eyes. She realized he was truly worried and bothered about his perceived loss of control.

Her giggles turned into a gentle smile and then she hugged him tighter. "Yes." She answered and Gavriel growled low. Evie almost told him he was not a brute. This man had been so gentle with her ever since the very beginning, almost treating her like some fragile creature that could crumble with the slightest push. That was why what he showed her tonight was truly surprising. To Evie, it had seemed as if he already spent all of his gentleness during those earlier times. Since he was so exaggeratedly gentle to her for so long, it probably was that he ran out of it when they finally made love. And to her surprise, she actually could not say that she did not like it, his roughness. Yes, it might have hurt crazily right at the beginning, but she had already known that. Just that maybe it was a little sudden that she was not fully prepared. However, she realised that she had liked it maybe because she was so used to him being so gentle that his roughness in bed gave her so much thrill and yes, pleasure.

"You've always been so gentle to me," Evie said, and then she shyly looked away as she continued, "but I think I don't mind you not being too gentle to me sometimes…" there was a rosy-pink hue high on her cheeks as she said that.

Gavriel's eyes widened slightly, and he brightened so incredibly at what he had heard. "Oh, thank goodness!" he gave thanks silently within him. He would not know how to coax his wife if she was actually scared to make love with him again after the savageness he had shown her.

A slow smile finally curved on his face, his worry had completely disappeared from his eyes and the mischievous look now took over.

"Does this mean, you liked me rough in bed, my love?" he teased, and Evie blushed, unable to respond to what he asked and the mischievous and knowing look in his eyes.

"I… I didn't say that…" Evie stammered and this time it was Gavriel who chuckled. "I said… sometimes…"

"I got it, love…" Gavriel kissed her on her head again, "I will try my best to behave… sometimes."

They went quiet for a long moment again until Gavriel's arms around her tightened. "Evie…" he whispered and his voice this time sounded as if he were struggling with something. "I can't explain how grateful I am… I was scared you'd start flinching away from me again… I thought… what you saw in the dungeon…" he paused and took another deep breath.

Realizing that it was hard for him to talk about it, Evie's hand on his back moved in circles and she began to caress him. She did not speak but Gavriel could feel that she was trying to console him and at the same time urging him to speak about it because she wanted to know.

"You told me before," Evie started, her voice soft and gentle, "that there's a reason why you're the only vampire who is warm… is that have to do with what I saw?"

Chapter 103 - One Touch

Gavriel's heart melted at the feel of her gentle hand caressing him softly. But dread also rose within him at her question, like a serpent rising from the depths of its nest in fear. It also made his heart freeze and as though it were encased in ice at the same time. He could not help but feel worried and appalled, knowing that in telling her more about his secrets and revealing the truths that he wanted kept hidden would probably… but did not she already see it all and yet she is still here with him, holding him even closer than ever before! She even fully accepted him and gave her body to him!

The realization of these facts brought his guard down and the fire was melting him again. She did not fear him after all that she had seen, she did not run away in disgust by him, instead, she actually embraced him closer. When Evie was unconscious, Gavriel was plagued with the thought of how her reactions to him would be once she opened her eyes. Would she fear him again now that she saw that he was not just a bloodsucker but was also a monster? He had dreaded the outcome so badly, but surprisingly the opposite had happened. And that was why he was now drowning in a pool of pleasure and gladness and thanking every god there was in the heavens.

He had never talked about his inner monster to anyone else before. Not even to the late empress. But with her, Gavriel just felt that he could open up and bare his innermost self. Moreover, with all the things that had happened, and the absolute trust and faith that she had in him, Gavriel could no longer withhold anything from her.

His gaze fell to the window and stared unseeingly towards the breaking dawn.

"Yes." He finally answered.

He glanced at Evie, and she did not look surprised at all. But there was curiosity shining brightly in her eyes and the seemingly million questions that were in them.

"Was that some kind of…" Evie carefully said, "bad spirit possessing you?" she blinked. She tried to be as careful as possible when phrasing her words.

"Mother said it's a power bestowed to the royal family. All direct sons of the king possess it upon birth but only very few could awaken it. She said I was the first royal in the last three millennia who had successfully awakened this power. Though I personally wouldn't call it a power –" Gavriel's voice hardened, "for me, it's a monster. A monster who tries to control me and swallow me whole the moment I let my guard down."

"Does the poison work like a trigger to awaken it?" Evie asked patiently and Gavriel stared into her eyes, scrutinizing every expression on her face.

Gavriel shook his head and looked away again. "It sometimes happens when…" he cleared his throat, "when I am unfortunately caught in a desperate situation too. It sometimes just takes over before I even realize it has done it. I despise the fact that it has such power and control over me. But gladly, as I grew stronger, I was able to cage it down and now, it could only break free when I'm poisoned."

"When was the first time you awakened it? Was it when you were poisoned before?"

Gavriel's eyes went a little large at her question. How was it possible that she knew about this matter? It was not known even to those around him except for his loyal knights. "Zolan told me about it." Evie said and Gavriel sighed.

He hesitated to answer but when Evie resumed her gentle caresses across his back, Gavriel found himself speaking again.

"No." he answered. It nearly made him laugh, how easy it is to actually pull secrets out of him. All it takes was just a warm and gentle caress from his little wife and there he was, confessing everything as though the locks on his lips were broken. He was appalled and surprised at the same time to realize that Evie's power over him was even stronger than his monster. The reason being, Evie did not even need to force anything. One touch from her was all it took, and he would be a lost case.

"It happened when I was much younger. When I…" he paused in his recollection and Evie did not know why but she felt him turn a little rigid. No matter how he tried to act normal, Evie knew that a memory had disturbed him, and just the feel of his subconscious reactions made Evie understood that it might be some horrors that she could never even imagine. "It was when I was escaping out of the dungeon." He managed to say it in a calm voice.

Evie waited for a long while, silently stroking him with her angel touch until Gavriel relaxed in her arms again. While waiting, she braced herself to listen and accept what he would tell her no matter on how gory the facts were. She needed to be there for him. She now needed to be his pillar of strength as how he was for her.

"What happened?" she asked with a nearly inaudible voice. She knew it was hard for him to talk about it, but Evie wanted to know everything about him now. She wanted to listen to his secrets, everything that made him the wonderful person he is today. That made him into this individual that she had now fallen for and loves more than her life itself.

Gavriel shook his head, and she felt a shiver across his back. "Evie… I'm not certain if I should tell you… my past…" he shook his head again, "I don't want you to…" he trailed off at the sight of her gentle smile.

"I want to know…" she told him as she slipped her hand around his neck and slowly drew his head down to her shoulder. "I want to know everything about you Gavriel… no matter what kind of past you have, I want to understand you."

And he lost again, even though he knew what he was about to reveal to her would most probably disturb and revolt her.

"I was born and grew up under the earth Evie…"

Chapter 104 - Luckiest

"I was born and grew up under the earth Evie…" he started, and Evie did her best to keep still at what she heard. Though she could not help but tilt her head to one side as she tried to understand what he meant by that statement. She already knew he had grown up in the dungeon from what his men had told her. But for the fact that he was born there too, was what made her heart clench and ache. "I don't know what exactly happened. Why I was even there in the first place. Something seemed to have happened and I had lost my memories. I just opened my eyes and I found myself running for my life, fighting against all sorts of beasts on my own. There was no one else around me, no one to help me. If I had not found a way to kill and survive, I would have died there at the mercy of those beasts without anyone else knowing. I didn't even know the reason for why I was running away or to where I was supposed to go. I just fought and fought endlessly for days and nights. I believed it was then that I have awakened my monster and I had allowed it to consume me… and it was not just once that it happened during my entire escape."

"The beasts were too strong for a young boy, so I guessed I had no choice but to awaken the monster to survive. I couldn't even count how many beasts I've killed until I finally set foot on the surface." He paused and Evie saw him smile. She thought that it was not a happy smile but rather, an ironic one. "I knew that moment was the very first time I saw the sky. I was shocked to my core at what I saw. But unfortunately, the dungeon had led me to another dangerous place. The exit brought me to the forbidden land where all these beasts lived, and I was forced to fight for my life again. I don't remember how long I've fought until I found myself inside another dungeon. I only remembered entering a cave and somehow, it brought me here into Dacria. The empress discovered me in that same place where you found me under the library." Gavriel stopped talking after recounting his past in such a long explanation. He had a far off look in his eyes, as though seeing again through his mind's eyes the happenings that he had gone through as a young child during those days.

Evie was quiet and contemplative after listening to all that Gavriel had recounted to her. But her arms around his head tightened, silent tears were falling from her eyes no matter how much she tried to hold it in. Her heart ached so bad. Imagining the younger Gavriel all alone, fighting endlessly for his life despite being just a boy made Evie felt so wretched.

She thought that the empress was at least with him during his time inside the dungeon. But he was actually all alone, and what he had done during those times was kill and kill without anyone to lean on? Why?

Slowly, Gavriel lifted his head, and he froze the moment he saw her tears flowing like rain from her eyes. "W-wife…" he caught her face, moulding his palm on her small face. "Good Lord Evie… don't cry, my love… why are you crying?" he was obviously appalled and did not quite know what to say to his apparently distraught wife who was crying her eyes out.

Evie glommed onto him and hugged him as tight as she could as her tears were still pouring from her eyes non-stop. "I'm sorry… I just… I just wished I was there with you back then…" she cried and Gavriel stilled and blinked for a moment before he eventually chuckled and hugged her back.

"I wouldn't have wanted for you to be there with me at that time though," he said in a soft but firm voice, "I doubt I would be able to survive if you were there, Evie. Because first, I'd die of worry just thinking on how to keep you alive. Secondly, I might be overly distracted by your presence that it might be the reason that I lose focus and get slaughtered by one of those beasts." He laughed again as he caressed her.

Evie gave him a small slap on his shoulders as she cried even harder and Gavriel was forced to rise and lean against the headboard, cradling her in his arms and rocking her so gently. "Hush now, love. You don't need to cry. Didn't I come out quite alive and healthy and am here with you now?" he coaxed as he wiped off the tears that were rolling down her cheeks and then kissing her forehead. Though within his own mind, Gavriel was rejoicing and could not explain how happy he felt… not because his Evie was crying, but because once again, she seemed to be drawing closer and closer to him the more she learns about his deepest secrets. It was so astounding that she was here crying for him like she was the one who had gone through all those pains. And here he was, thinking that when his secrets were exposed, it would serve to drive her farther away from him.

He felt as though he was literally melting. It was unbelievable that his darkest secrets were actually what drew her even closer to him. Not only did she draw closer, but she was also empathising with his past plight and caused her to shed tears for him. For the first time in his life, he actually began to think that he might have been the luckiest creature in the world. For being able to find a woman who would embrace him whole, was truly a miracle! It seems the gods truly had pitied him and sent this amazing gift in the form of his wife, Evie. Only such an angel like her, could love and embrace him even with the filthy history that he had and blood that stained his hands and the dangers that came along with him.

Chapter 105 - Creative Juices

Leaning against Gavriel's shoulders, Evie was trying to suppress her little hiccupping spell as well as trying her best to stop her tears, knowing that Gavriel would be concerned as well if she cried too long. His gentle caresses soothed her and soon enough, under his gentle coaxing and ministrations, she was able to control her emotions and calm her outward expressions of distress. He was right, he is here with her now, safe, and stronger than that younger boy that he was in the past. She reminded herself that this was the most important thing to her for now.

Evie just continued to hang onto Gavriel, quietly hugging him, her arms wrapped tightly around his midsection and hands fisted into his clothes, breathing in deeply and taking in his masculine scent that she loved and feeling this incredible emotion of wanting to be always by his side, if possible, from now on, no matter what happens. She would never let him face and fight his battles – emotional or physical – all alone ever again.

After a long while, Gavriel finally brought her out of their room, holding onto her securely in his arms. Evie used to feel shy when she gets carried around by Gavriel previously. However, this time, she relished in the actions, knowing it was one of the many ways her husband is showing her how much he cares for her, how he is pampering her and at the same time also meeting his own need to keep her close to him.

Even though all that Gavriel wanted was to be able to stay in bed with her all day and all night, he decided that they had to leave the bed because he was worried he would continuously make love to her again if they prolonged their intimate cuddling. Gavriel could tell that his desire for her was nowhere near fully sated at all despite already going at it for two times in a row. And no matter how much he tried to scold himself to fight for self-control, Gavriel could feel that he would surely lose the battle sooner rather than later if they remain lounging about in the bed! Gods, he had somehow guessed that this could have happened, but he could barely believe that his desire for her was far worse than he ever imagined possible. He actually wanted to make love to her the entire day too. And he knew he would do just that if he did not do something else right now!

Gladly, he quickly thought of his wife's need for food. She would definitely be more than ready to have breakfast and he immediately moved and helped her dress and brought her to the dining hall.

"Is it just my overactive imagination… or is the castle really empty this time?" Evie asked as Gavriel put her down and pulled the chair out for her to sit.

"Well," Gavriel seemed to concentrate a little and spread out his senses for a while, "it seems everyone had indeed left after setting up the food." Came his reply after a few seconds of silence.

Evie blinked at his comment before she narrowed her eyes at Gavriel. "Did you send everyone away?" she asked suspiciously.

"Hmm… oh, it seemed they finally took my words seriously last night." Gavriel observed casually with a shrug of his broad shoulder. Evie saw how he reacted and did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Because what he said had immediately made Evie remember the extremely embarrassing moment they had encountered in the garden and she flushed a deep red while Gavriel sighed after seeing her reactions, then smiling, and shaking his head. "Those guys…" he muttered as he sat next to Evie.

"You mean, there's no one else inside this castle now but just the two of us?" Evie asked again, her eyes going large.

Gavriel nodded, smiling, as he put bits of food on her plate. He was acting as if it were a common occurrence to clear out an entire castle full of people just for a couple to frolic around in fun? Evie honestly did not know if she should feel honoured or appalled.

"Why? Are you worried, my love?" his voice became wickedly smooth and his eyes gleamed seductively, "As things stand, now I am free to make love to you anywhere and everywhere inside the castle since there's no one else who could see or disturb us…" Gavriel suddenly trailed off as if a realization had just popped into his head.

While Evie was blushing red and speechless, Gavriel ran his fingers through his hair and focused his gaze on the food before him. Damn! Now that he had said it, creative juices started flowing in that naughty mind of his. And now the fire that had previously died down to a tiny little flame was being ignited into a blaze once again! What kind of timing was this? He could only facepalm himself within his mind.

"Of… of course not." He heard her say and his eyes widened as his gaze flew towards her. My god! Was this little wife of his provoking him? Here he was trying so hard to stay in control, telling himself again and again about their differences in strength and stamina. And most importantly, he kept reminding himself that she is still a human – and a fragile one at that – and he is a vampire – as purebred as it could possibly get – and also such a savage one too. And yet, here she was giving him this kind of response … may the gods help him!

"My wife…" he drew a stabling breath as his voice became a little more serious, "I think you should refrain from your seductions right now. Or else I wouldn't be able to give you any rest." He felt that maybe he should give her some warning just in case she did not know what her words and actions were doing to him.

Chapter 106 - Gentleness

"Huh?" Evie creased her brows, "who's seducing who again? I just said I'm not worried." Evie retorted.

"And why are you not worried, huh? My love?" he raised a perfectly arched brow at her, "are you perhaps thinking that I'm kidding you when I said I will make love with you in every corner of this castle?"

Evie's heartbeat raced at his words and she felt her face become hotter as she began to actually imagined him doing that, making love to her outside their bedroom. "Y-you said… you'll behave," she said as she forced herself to put her attention to the food on her plate instead of the embarrassing things she just thought about. It mortified her that her mind seemed becoming naughtier now.

"Sometimes…" Gavriel continued her words and Evie was forced to lift her eyes and looked at him. Their eyes met and Evie thought that he would rise from his seat and pounce on her. But he groaned low and threw his head back. "Good lord…" he uttered as he took a deep breath and grabbed the bottle which contain something red before guzzling a few mouthfuls of it down. Evie could not tell if was wine or blood.

"Eat now wife, or else … I will eat you." He half threatened Evie as he took another long draw from the bottle, his gaze focusing everywhere except on her as he tried his best to distract himself.

After their breakfast, Gavriel gathered Evie into his arms again despite Evie's protest. "Just let this husband of yours pamper you, my dear princess," he had told her with a devastating smile before he jumped out of the window and landed in the garden.

But Evie narrowed her eyes at him and feigned an angry face. "Then why am I just a little wary that you're being overly gentle again, hmm… Your Highness?" she said, raising a brow at him as she wiggled in his grasp to escape from his arms.

Gavriel cocked his head. "My princess, aren't I always this gentle with you? What's with the wariness now?" he smirked as he bantered back, enjoying this rare moment of light-hearted jesting between them.

Evie bit her lip and she walked ahead of him before quickly turning around to face him. "I know… and I also have realized that you, being so exaggeratedly gentle to me has had a not so good effect too." She said in a gentle and thoughtful tone.

"Oh…?? " Gavriel was suddenly next to her, craning his head diagonally downwards so he could stare at her face as they strolled around the garden slowly. "And what is this not so good effect? I was so certain there is no bad effect on being gentle as long as it's with you though."

"Certainly, there is little to none… but your kind of gentleness is really too much sometimes. Every time I am with you, you make me forget that I have my own feet and that I can actually walk because you wanted to just carry me in your arms as if walking is a challenge that might kill me." Evie reasoned, "You are just way too gentle, even the way you hold me. And I think because of that, you run out of gentleness when we finally go to bed." Evie ended her explanation with a pout.

Gavriel's lips parted at what he heard and then he chuckled, shaking his head.

"What… isn't what I said correct? Or do you not agree?" Evie challenged as she faced him.

"My love, are you saying that I should stop being so gentle to you so that my gentleness won't run out once we go to bed?" he asked, a glint of mischief dancing in his bright eyes. "Even though you told me you liked me rough in bed?"

Evie could not help but blush hard hearing him saying the word 'bed' twice in a row and in such a deliberate seductive tone too. And there he was, always telling her she was the one doing the seduction!

Suddenly, Evie ran on ahead as if to escape him. But the wolf's responses were quicker, and he caught up to Evie even before she could take any more than ten steps away from him.

"And where do you think you are going, my love? Trying to escape from me?" he whispered in her ear as he settled his chin on her shoulder. "Instead of running, why don't you teach me how not to be gentle with you, hmm my wife?"

"How? Alright, I'll teach you… first, let me go and let me run…"

"Not a chance, love. I will never let you run away from me. You're mine now after all."

While Evie was speechless once again, Gavriel chuckled and suddenly, he lifted her and laid her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. "Is this not so gentle enough, my love?" he asked with a mischievous grin and Evie could only laugh.

"Well… with your standard of gentleness, I guess this is rough enough." She said biting her lip to stop giggling and Gavriel carried her across the garden until they reached the gazebo in the middle of the large garden.

Gavriel set her down carefully and gently on the table and stood between her legs as Evie sat, her arms still encircled around his neck. They stared into each other's eyes and just smiled, both feeling incredibly satisfied at finally being able to spend time in each other's company without any interruptions.

"How do you feel?" he asked as he planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Happy…" she replied and kissed him back.

"Me too, Evie… I want to be with you like this forever."

"Me too, Gavriel…"

Before they knew it, their light kisses became rougher and deeper and more urgent. It seemed that they could not make themselves pull away from their growingly intimate position to continue with their romantic walk in the castle gardens.

Chapter 107 - Behave

Gavriel's main aim in quickly bringing her to the garden with the excuse for a walk was to avoid jumping on her like this but here they were, kissing in an open place and he did not know if he could still stop if no one comes to disturb them now. In fact, the reason he thought the garden was safer was because he knew someone would definitely pass by and he was banking on that to wake him up from his desires.

But to his surprise, no one came. He could not even feel anyone's presence at all. Gods, could it be that they emptied the garden too? No, wait….could it be that they had even emptied out the whole castle?!

Gavriel growled low, burying the sounds in Evie's mouth. His hands had already freed Evie's breast and was already sucking on them as Evie clutched onto his hair. It had just happened too fast, and he was behaving like a beast in heat. He felt as though he did not even have the moment to battle against himself. Maybe because Evie was so welcoming as if she wanted this to happen too.

"Gods… Evie… I'm sorry but I can't take it anymore." He said as he pressed her onto the table.

Dazed and utterly seduced, Evie had long since forgotten where they were and she pulled him to her and kissed him, causing Gavriel's last bits of self-control and he made mad love to her, right there in the middle of the garden, while the morning sun was still shining and bright out.

Gavriel and Evie were really going at it in the castle gardens, come wind, rain, or hail. Neither realised they were acting out a private scene in an extremely open and public place. They were both lost to the sensations they elicited from each other and were drowning in their love for and of each other. And the feeling was utterly amazing as they finally reached the heights of pleasure together and finished their delightful activity basking in the afterglow of it nestled in each other's arms.

As usual, Gavriel carried Evie back to their bedroom after somewhat tidying themselves up, leaving the major cleaning to be done back in the room. Evie was still not done blushing hard even after when they were back in the privacy of their bedroom, as Gavriel brought her to the bath and helped her with all her needs, telling her he is constantly at her service. Knowing that it would be quite futile to resist him, Evie could only relent, partially willing and the other half of her unwilling, especially since she clearly knew there was no one was there to assist her but him.

Once Evie was done cleaning herself up, Gavriel tucked her into the comfortable bed before he too headed towards the back where the bathroom was, for his own bath. He was thoughtful enough to have them both clean up separately as he knew Evie was still somewhat shy baring herself before him under other circumstances than their intimate relations. He chuckled to himself at the thought of his wife and her cute reactions to things.

As Evie laid in bed, she felt the soreness of their intense lovemaking in the garden earlier. Though the ache was there, still she felt the utter contentment from their activities. Thus, despite her best efforts at trying to stay awake in waiting for Gavriel to be done with his bath, Evie eventually drifted off to sleep.

Drying his hair, Gavriel sat at the edge of the bed, watching his sleeping wife's peaceful and contented face. He lightly brushed her silky, smooth cheek with the back of his fingers, biting his lip. And he just sat there, staring at her for hours before he too fell asleep with her in his arms.

…

When Evie opened her eyes, it was much, much later. And Gavriel was no longer lying in bed and asleep next to her.

"I thought I was gonna die waiting for you to wake up, love." His heart-warming voice echoed and she felt his cool lips landing on her cheek. "You've slept longer than you usually do." He added as Evie stretched. Indeed, she felt like she had slept for so long and to her heart's content.

"Mm… It's been a while since I have slept this deep and this well." She said smiling at him groggily.

"It's because you were tired. And though I'm sorry you were so tired out, however…I don't regret for a single bit being the one tiring you out this morning." He gave a small chuckle at that.

Evie pouted at his words and Gavriel sat next to her, tucking the strands of her long and wavy hair gently behind her ears. She looked so wonderfully soft and tempting just out of bed with that slightly mussed up hair of hers. Gavriel felt an itchy tingly feeling in his heart and he had to lean away from her to keep himself in check. 'She just woke up. You can't possibly pin her on the bed again! Behave!'

"Let's go to town tonight." Gavriel said without taking his eyes off her. "I'd like you to explore the city for real, not just watch it from above."

What he said seemed to immediately awaken all of Evie's nerves and she sat up at attention as her eyes sparkled brilliantly. "Really? I'm allowed to go shopping too?" She exclaimed.

"Of course, you're allowed now that I'm with you." Gavriel laughed in amusement. Trust a lady to be fully alert and at attention with the slightest hint of shopping. He guessed his lovely little wife was not immune to this vice that plagued the female species either. However, he would be more than happy to pander to all her wants happily and lovingly.

Excited, Evie was quick to slide off the bed and in no time the couple were merrily headed out of the castle and towards the town.

Chapter 108 - New Member

They met Gavriel's men by the gate and everyone was hiding their smirks as they confronted Gavriel secretly through their eye communication. Though Evie did not know what they were conversing about, she knew enough that there was some kind of banter going on between the men. However, she happily ignored it for the more fun option of looking forward to their sight seeing adventure into the bright sparkly town.

"Did you have a good day Your Highness?" they asked mischievously, "I hope you didn't let our efforts go to waste."

"Go tell the duke and duchess to return to the castle." Gavriel ordered, ignoring his men's words.

"Oh, and why? We're willing to empty the castle for as long as you want. I mean, until the princess is with the heir."

Gavriel's expression darkened. As much as he wanted to solo his wife without any interruption, he must always keep in mind his limitations. No matter how great Evie responds to him, he knew better that his strength was just too much for her to handle if he were to push it even more than they already were. He would never hurt her intentionally and he knew she was already sore.

"Just do what I said and have everyone back to the castle." He firmly ordered and the men could only nod, wondering why their prince's reaction was not as positive as they had thought.

"Is he a new member of your knights?" Evie's question pulled at Gavriel's attention. That was when he finally realised Evie's line of sight was on Leon and her interest in him. With just one look, Gavriel realized that the way Evie look at him was definitely different from his other men when she first met them. Was it because she somehow sensed that something was different with Leon?

"Yes." Gavriel said. "His name is Leon, he's a half-blood vampire."

Surprised, Evie whipped her head towards Gavriel. She had never seen a half-human half-vampire in her life before and she knew only a few humans outside of the northern Empire would have seen one.

"He's the one who helped you when you lost consciousness due to blood loss." Gavriel added and Evie slowly looked at Leon again. His purple eyes were strange but striking.

"Thank you," Evie told Leon, "And nice to meet you, Leon."

"My pleasure, Princess." Leon bowed slightly and Evie gave him a gentle smile, unable to take her eyes off the half-blood's strangely vivid purple eyes. Though strange, she found them to be really pretty.

Suddenly Gavriel's arms slipped behind Evie before pulling her towards him, lifting her off the ground.

"Now let's go my wife." Gavriel said smiling after glaring at his men, most especially at Leon. Evie of course caught the look in his eyes for a moment and could not help but smile. Knowing that her husband was now the one being possessive of her. "And what is so funny my love?" he whispered in her ear while telling his men they do not need to go with them anymore.

"Are you jealous that I am staring at Leon?" Evie asked mischievously.

Gavriel did not even bother denying it. He just rolled his eyes expressively at Evie and snorted indignantly. How could he be happy sharing his wife with others when he himself had yet to have enough of her? No way that was happening on his watch!

"Oh yes, love. I am very jealous. Didn't you once told me that my eyes were the most beautiful you've ever seen? How come you can't take your gaze off his?"

Evie was shocked that he even picked up on her observing Leon's beautifully coloured eyes. Yes, she did think they were really pretty, but was her looking at him that obvious? Evie could only chalk it up to her husband's jealous streak. She decided to tease him a little. He should get a taste of his own medicine.

"I think I was talking about your lashes back then…" Evie trailed off as his face immediately became sullen and she finally giggled and grinned mischievously. Teasing him was fun! She could really get used to it. She held his face and pressed her forehead against his. "You have the most beautiful eyes too…" she whispered, and his haughty look came out.

Raising a brow at Evie, Gavriel lifted her even higher. "Really? More striking than Leon's?"

She had the urge to continue teasing him but somehow, she felt like they might end up returning to the castle if she did not tell the truth and instead, making this man unhappy. And she did not know why but she thought that they would return to bed if she continued teasing him. She honestly would not mind, but she really wanted to spend this night out in town walking around and going shopping with him as this was the very first time they were doing this. And thus, she said "Yes." And Gavriel's face lit up. He twirled her around, causing Evie to gasp in surprise.

"Oh my…" Evie held onto his neck and when Gavriel stopped they stared at each other with smiles on their faces. She did not think that her simple 'yes' would make him light up like a Christmas tree and be as ecstatic as a little boy opening a boatload of presents. She could only smile gently and squeeze him a little tighter.

"Alright, let's go."

…

That evening, the couple spent hours shopping among the stalls in the brightly lit town. Evie had gone ahead and bought a cloth and a fine bow and arrow at the encouragement and insistence of Gavriel after he saw her eyeing those items. He was ready and waiting to just spend on her every whim and fancies. She need only to say the words.

The vampires were staring at Evie as if they had been looking at a one-of-a-kind creature. Evie had initially feared the vampires' reactions, thinking that they might hide away at the sight of her. But to her surprise and delight, just like the soldiers in the frontline, the common vampires did not avoid her. And it made her heart swell at the thought that perhaps, she would be able to live normally among them.

Chapter 109 - Anything For You

At one point, a young boy suddenly approached them. He looked up at her and held out a hand that had a flower towards Evie.

Evie was shocked as she looked at Gavriel. Within her eyes, he saw how emotional she was. When Gavriel nodded at her, Evie knelt in front of the boy with a smile as she accepted the flower that was so beautiful it looked very magical. It was glowing under the moonlight.

"Is this for me?" Evie gently asked, awed and feeling emotional. She never expected that a boy would actually approach her and even giving her flowers!

"Yes, Princess." The boy nodded vigorously as he smiled back, and Evie could not stop herself from reaching out to the boy.

"May I hug you?" Evie asked. This was the very first time a vampire approached her without any wariness. And the boy was so adorable and sweet.

The boy blinked and then he gazed up at Gavriel. When Gavriel nodded at him, the boy's smile widened as he jumped into Evie's embrace as he let Evie hug him.

"Thank you, what's your name?"

"Eleazar, princess."

"What a handsome name."

"Thank you, princess. My friends also want to give you flowers. You are so beautiful, just like this Moonflower."

"This is called moonflower?"

"Yes, Princess. Can my friends come give you their flowers too?" The boy asked with a big grin and Evie could only nod as her heart melted at his large, clear, and innocent eyes.

At that moment, a few children slowly approached them, a combination of both boys and girls and each of them were holding a flower in their hands.

Evie felt so happy as she hugged all the children one by one thanking them for their gifts. She had always adored children and it had been so long since she met one since she left for her wedding.

The vampires watching were worried at first but eventually, after seeing the smile on the princess' face and the happiness in the children's eyes, they finally relaxed. They too could not help but praise the princess. They thought the princess would get scared and ask the prince to tell the children to leave. But she even hugged them all. They did not know that the human princess their prince chose was such an angel. It seems her angelic appearance was not merely for show. And it made them feel glad – not only for themselves but more so for their respected and beloved prince.

From a distance, Gavriel's men who had just stepped out of a shop where they too were searching for a new weapon for Leon – after he threw away the poisoned sword the emperor gave him – spotted Gavriel and Evie with the children surrounding them.

"Oh, what a surprise. His Highness is not jealous." Luc lifted an eyebrow.

"Are you nuts? They're kids. Why would he get jealous?"

"Well, that's our possessive prince after all. He even gets jealous of a steak you know?" Levy said as he rolled his eyes, remembering the scene he saw during the couple's first dinner back in the capital. He almost died of grief when he realised that his most revered prince and lord was vying with a piece of steak for his wife's attention!

"Oh…" Leon looked like he just realized something. "So, His Highness is the jealous type… a while ago when he suddenly glared at me… could it be because…" he trailed off and shook his head. "No, that must be just my imagination." That could not be it. The mighty prince with the battle prowess could not be that petty. Could he?

"Of course not. You're not imagining things, Leon." Luc told him. "He was jealous a while ago because the princess seemed to be fascinated with your eyes. So, I'd remind you to be extra careful. Our prince is very ridiculous most of the times when it comes to his wife." Luc's reminder plus his dry tone of voice told Leon that he was not joking.

Leon had his eyes wide seemingly worried now.

"Stop scaring the man," Zolan broke off.

"I'm not! In fact, he should thank me. This is for his own good!"

...

By the time the children dispersed and finally left off surrounding Evie, Gavriel was on his last bits of patience. The children literally monopolized Evie for more than an hour. Though it made him very happy that his wife was enjoying the company of the town's children, Gavriel's selfishness of wanting to have her all to himself all of the time was strong.

He had to scold himself and told himself to be patient over and over again until at long last, the children finally left after Evie agreed to their requests that they will visit her at the castle one day. Somehow, his desire for his wife was growing incredibly strong and getting a little too much overboard it seems.

"Thank you for waiting," Evie said, smiling, as she finally approached her husband who now had the look of an indignant and neglected god. "The children are so adorable. I'm so happy to have had the chance to meet them." She expressed her gratitude and after planting a kiss on Gavriel's cheek, the sullen god finally brightened up again. "I hope it's alright for me to spent time with them." Evie smiled as she thought that her adorable hubby could be as childish as any one of the children that were surrounding her earlier. His attitude sure did match the levels of those kids, she thought as she laughed inwardly.

"It's alright Evie. Vampire kids do not have a strong sense of smell yet. So, they would be safe from any temptations for now." Gavriel explained and Evie was relieved. She was so glad that she would not cause any discomfort for those adorable children.

"I'd like to meet them again." Evie stated as she watched the reaction of this big child.

"Of course, love. Anything for you." Gavriel gave his assent instantaneously and grinned happily, now contented to having his wife back to himself.

Chapter 110 - Necklace

"Does that piece strike your fancy, my love?" Gavriel whispered in her ear when he saw her eyeing that peculiar and strange necklace with a black stone set in it. They were currently in a small but tasteful jewellery shop that was along the road where they were strolling by. Gavriel noticed that Evie had been eyeing something in one specific display rack so he guessed it must have been this particular piece which had caught her eye.

"I never saw one like this before. I used to see diamonds and colourful jewelleries but this one… the stone is so black. What do you call this gem?" Evie's voice was contemplative, musing about the stone that was set in this necklace. Back in her homeland and as the daughter of the guardian, what kind of jewelleries has she not seen? And which type of gemstones have not graced the storage boxes of their family's home? However, even with the varieties she had seen, this was one that was unique and in a class all on its own.

"That's from the forbidden land. It's the costliest gem in the empire because it's very rare and one would need to go on suicide mission against the beasts living in the area just to get one."

"Really?" Evie's eyes widened in great interest. It was no wonder she had never seen this gemstone before. Since it had to be sourced from the vampire empire and what more, from the dangerous areas of the forbidden land. Evie briefly wondered how much it would cost if even someone like Gavriel could have said this gem was costly as she watched him discuss with the shop keeper in the purchase of that necklace. Maybe she should not have asked for it? Before she could continue on that train of thought, Gavriel had already turned around and was walking back towards her.

"Come, I'll show you something else that is interesting too." Gavriel said. He glanced at the jeweller who had walked over and handed him a bag, and he held Evie's hand and led her out of the shop after receiving the bag.

The moon was out that night and glimmered brightly. As Evie stood next to him, anticipating what Gavriel would show her, Gavriel lifted the stone and faced it towards the moon.

Evie's mouth gaped open, awestruck, as the black gem slowly brightened, turning a silvery colour, exactly the same shade as the moonlight.

"Oh my!" Evie gasped, astonished. "It's like magic! Is this stone magical?!"

"Hmm… I don't think so. The vampires never found anything unusual about it. Just its ability to change when its being reflected against the moon."

"Even so…" Evie was clearly ecstatic, "this is just amazing, Gavriel!"

Seeing the amazement and interest in Evie's eyes, Gavriel smiled. He was glad he decided to go out with her tonight because he had never seen Evie so comfortable outside the castle before. She looked like she was really enjoying herself and was not scared anymore and it made him truly happy. The thought that one day, Evie would not even think about her being the only human in the vampire's world, made Gavriel's heart rejoice because he always worries that one day, Evie would get homesick and sought the company of her fellow humans. His fear was the possibility of her leaving him and the vampire kingdom and returning to her homeland.

"Alright, I'll get it for you." He said and Evie's eyes literally twinkled.

"Thank you." She replied hugging him.

"Just a thank you, my wife?" His mischievous smile was back. "How about 'thank you my beloved husband'?

Evie blushed and she looked around first before blurting out, "Thank you so much my husband."

"Why did you omit 'beloved'?"

"My beloved husband." Evie corrected, blushing harder and Gavriel chuckled with pleasure.

By the time they left the shop, Evie was obviously unable to wait to put the necklace on herself.

It was past midnight, and he knew that Evie might be tired, so he carried her and brought her to the top of a tower. It was overlooking the lively night life of the city. Evie thought she would never tire looking at the night view of this city with its colourful lights, merry shops and stalls and the friendly people who lived here.

Sitting Evie on top of the watch tower as he stood between her legs, Gavriel smiled wide when Evie's legs wrapped around him for fear of the height.

"You might want to stop doing that love, or you'll give me a naughty idea… or maybe many naughty ones." Gavriel really could not help himself but continue to tease Evie. His heart was so full and contented just by spending time like this bantering about with his wife.

"You are the one who put me here, so you're the naughty one."

"Says the one who made me into one."

Evie blushed and was speechless. She had to quickly change the topic or else they will end up kissing again, and knowing this living temptation, she would not be able to resist!

"Give it to me now Gavriel." She said when Gavriel bit his lips sexily and his eyes suddenly gleamed as if she had just said something that lit up a fire in him.

Suddenly, she caught his face and pinched his cheeks. "Stop thinking about naughty things. I'm talking about the necklace." After which she smiled widely, giving him little hits on his shoulder repeatedly, then laughing with abandon.

Gavriel groaned and then chuckled. His little wife was getting more liberated with her conduct with him, and he was totally loving it. He cherished how much she has opened up to him as opposed to when she had just been brought over to the vampire kingdom as his official wife. "Oh right… the necklace…" he lifted his hand that was holding it.

Evie excitedly straightened as Gavriel moved to put the necklace around her neck.

And the moment the black gem settled on Evie's skin, something unthinkable happened. The necklace began to glow, and it was not silvery like the moonlight as was before, but a bright amber which was suspiciously similar to the colour of Evie's eyes.