Ch. 511..520

Chapter 511 - Memories (Part II)

But now he is being forced to watch it all happening once again. He was being made to view the darkest day of his life once again. However, this time he was seeing the reason why she was even there when she was supposed to be with the queen recuperating. He saw her lips moving as she rushed to where he was. She was saying something, as if uttering a prayer.

Then he began to hear her small murmurs between her pants. "Please don't. Don't do it. Gideon… don't!"

Her words. It made him curious now. What was it that she was murmuring? His heartbeat began to race harder as all the pain and suffering over the many years rippled in his heart. Why? Why did she sound like she knew what he was about to do? How did she even know? He had never mentioned his plan to her – ever – because he had not wanted her to worry about him. He did not want to give his beloved any burdens to bear. So how? How had she even known that he was at the abyss at that moment?

The desire to know more became even stronger now and he reached out, wanting to know her thoughts too, aside from watching her memories. He wanted to know. What had actually driven her to go out there and look for him?

He reached out as far as he could and to his shock as well as relief, he started to see her thoughts too. And there he began to see it all… that she… this woman that he had loved was just like him. She too had a deep secret she had kept that she had never revealed to him even though he was her most beloved person. She had kept from him the fact that she had the gift of seeing into the future through her dreams. She was actually the descendant of the long lost legendary dark fae clan, called the Drasias, who were able to summon and control ice dragons. This clan, the tales had said, had fought against the light faes' fire dragons a long time ago.

Gideon saw her dream that he was going to succeed from sealing the abyss. But in exchange, he was going to lose his mind due to the impossible amount of magic he needed to force out from himself. He was going to break… literally. His mind, his heart and his soul would fall apart, and he would then be reborn as the new villain that would destroy everything all over again, just only to reach the end, getting killed like what had happened to his father. She obviously did not want that to happen to him.

Therefore, she had rushed ahead, praying that she could make it and would be able to stop him from sacrificing himself.

She succeeded. She had managed to reach him in time. Just as a beam of thick and powerful dark magic from his palms hit the abyss, she had appeared and bravely flew towards him, withstanding his intense power with everything that she had.

He saw through those memories being fed into his mind, that Leah was hugging him tightly from behind. "Stop. Don't do this. I can't let you do this. We'll find another way. Not like this. It'll kill me. Gideon… please listen to me." She screamed and cried out at him, but to no avail. He did not respond to her piteous cries as his eyes had already gone dark. He would no longer respond to her.

"No! Please don't! Leah!!" Gideon shouted out heartbreakingly on this end of the memory, despite knowing that this was no longer in the present anymore. He knew what she was about to do, and he could do nothing but desperately scream at her. He did not even care if he was just a spectator. He just could not bear watching this. However, the memory was cruelly being played out in his mind despite him not wanting to watch it play out.

But… "I'm so sorry," she said, crying, as she kissed his face. "Forgive me for doing this, Gid… my darling… But don't worry, I will… I will never, ever leave you. This, I can promise you. I love you…" A sad and loving smile curved across her lips as her eyes gazed at the face so precious and dear to her.

Then she formed a dagger purely out of magic and plunged it swiftly into Gideon's stomach. And the instant a drop of his blood fell to the ground, the dark wall that was being slowly built around the abyss broke and crumbled down, as monsters came pouring out from the abyss like a horde of mad creatures rushing out for vengeance. It was as if they were out just to destroy whoever and whatever it was that had harmed their master.

She shut her eyes tight as the force of the magic coming from the abyss along with the monsters pushed them both back. There was a blast of darkness created as Gideon's magic and the darkness coming out from the abyss collided against each other. And Gideon lost consciousness due to the effect of the magic that Leah had forced into him when she stabbed him with her magic dagger.

"I'm so, so sorry… I will always be with you, Gideon. I promise. I won't… I will never, ever leave you." she whispered faintly before the monsters came at her and tore her apart for hurting him, for drawing blood from their master.

And Gideon could only scream out hoarsely in an unspeakable agony as he watched her die and incinerated herself and finally disappeared into nothing. Not even ashes were left.

Chapter 512 - Memories (Part III)

Gideon could not stop himself from trembling. He truly did not want to believe what he had just witnessed from the recollection of the memory. No! There was no way… She had died all because… all for the sake of saving him. Him… the monster that should just disappear from this world.

He fell on his knees, pulling at his hair and screamed as though his heart was breaking, wanting to tear himself apart. He did not know… he had absolutely no idea that she had died to save him. She had sacrificed her precious life in exchange for his wretched one. "Why?! Leah!!! Tell me why??!" he cried out despite already knowing the answer.

And despite his extreme agony, the memories continued flashing, running through his mind with no breaks. Mercilessly, they bombarded his already overwhelmed senses. As if it was still not enough that he was once again mourning the loss of Leah's life. Such a waste – exchanging her life for his, in his opinion.

It was then that he had noticed something. Her soul had appeared next to him when he was still in the middle of his grief. She was shining brightly, glowing like a delicate angel of the light. She saw her hugging his unconscious body, lying next to him on the ground, wrapping her arms around him. That continued until he woke up.

She had followed him, clinging continuously to him, the entire time as he looked for her even until he jumped into the abyss to find her. Only now he knew that she had been beside him the whole time.

And when he had gone into hiding and secluded himself in his self-made prison, she had stayed on beside him as well. The whole time, she did not take a step away from him not left him alone when he was in mourning. He could see her embracing him while he was there, just slumped on the floor like a living dead. It was as if she was afraid that if she were to let go, he would just crumble and break apart.

She never left him. Not even for a while. She just hugged him tightly in silence, as though she was planning to cling to him like that forever. She lay next to him when he stretched out on the bed, watching his face as he shut his eyes closed.

The sight of her acting like his guardian angel soothed Gideon's agony. He thought that she would finally leave him eventually. But contrary to his belief, she did not. She stayed on even after days had passed and had never left.

An extreme fear began to bloom within him again. Why was she doing this? What was she planning to do? The fact that she was still not leaving him at this point gave him a bad feeling. And she looked as though she had no plans to leave at all.

As the memories of theirs went by, with just him finally coming out from his hide out and her, following him everywhere he went in her soul form, Gideon who was now watching the memories felt his anger and fear continue rising. His emotions raged until he found himself begging her to go. To leave him. Even though he knew that this was the past and nothing he did now would be able to affect or change it, he still begged. He could not stand to see her wasting her time sticking beside him and following him everywhere.

But of course, she did not listen. Just like how he had not responded to her when she had tried to wake him up while sealing the abyss. She had just continued clinging onto him and never left. And it hurts him so bad when he saw her trying to soothe his pain when she was in that situation. When she was in that soul state. Why? Why does she always do this? What is the point of her suffering for him in silence, without him even knowing about it? How would that even benefit her at all?

"Silly girl…" He muttered bitterly. But he knew his words were only that – words. He did not mean it at all. It just hurts so bad. The guilt and everything else… they were just getting too much for him to bear. Again, he remembered the words she had whispered to him before she died. That she was never going to leave him behind. And he clenched his fist over his heart, wanting to rip that beating organ out of his chest cavity apart, into pieces until it stopped hurting. Because he felt that she was really not going to leave.

Why? Why did she do this? Was he going to watch her soul disappear into nothing as well?

But he did not beg for the memories to stop flashing in his mind anymore. He was going to watch it even if it breaks him.

He finally understood now. The reasons why he did not break down completely after losing her. The reason why he had not totally descended into utter madness. It was all thanks to his little warm ball of light. It was all because she did not let him succumb to it. She had singularly held onto him in silence. Giving everything that she had in her soul state to preserve him the best that she could.

Even though he never once thought that she was actually with him all those times, he had always felt that something was holding him from breaking apart completely. He had always thought that it was just fate that preserved him in order for him to carry out all his carefully thought out plans regarding the matter of the abyss. Never once had he thought that it was because of her all along. And it hurts right now. It hurts so bad he could almost die.

And now he was going to watch from the memories on how she would disappear completely. He knew about this, that souls who chose to stay will not last for long. Not only that. But because of the choice they made of passing onto the afterlife and deciding to remain behind in the realm of the living, there was always a penalty that would be served. They will disappear into nothing once the time limit for their soul's stay in the realm of the living has ended.

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Chapter 513 - Memories (Part IV)

When he watched her standing there, looking at herself through the mirror and getting more and more translucent as he was just there beside her, lying on the bed and staring up at the mirror, Gideon felt his heart stop beating. He knew that it was coming. The time she had left here was coming to an end. And he was afraid of how watching that moment when she finally disappeared would end him. It would just break his mind. He had a strong feeling that it would. He was not going to be able to take it, watching her soul disappear and having no chance in the afterlife.

But as though the god of mercy had taken pity on him, he began to see the memories heading toward a different direction. He saw her soul starting to leave his side and appearing somewhere else… in a library.

Gideon started to breathe again, his heartbeats began to race hard and loud in his ears. Then he saw his mother looking at her, going to the books Leah was pointing at and reading them.

It dawned to him then that his mother could see her.

The events continued and he started to see the King getting involved in the matter as well. He began to reach out for Leah's thoughts again, but he could not access it anymore as she was becoming more and more translucent. She was reaching her time limit and her powers were diminishing rapidly.

So he had to rely on the things his parents were talking about to find out about what was happening. He had heard about their plans that they were going to look for a vessel that would be able to accept Leah's soul, so her soul will not disappear. This was the only way for her soul to overcome the penalty of her choice in choosing to stay back in soul form.

That shocked Gideon so much that he could not even react. He just stood there, in utter speechlessness and disbelief. Did… Leah… she appeared to the queen to help her find a vessel to prevent her soul from disappearing?

His body continued shaking but not due to extreme fear anymore. Hope had quietly blossomed in the cold ashes of his heart… and that had replaced the fear that had initially consumed him. And he found himself holding his breath. He just wanted one thing now, to be able to see her soul being saved. He did not care how or who the vessel was. He just wanted to have Leah's soul not disappear just like that. Because if not, he would not be able to take it. He won't be able to forgive himself, and this world… for being too cruel to him, to her…

But he watched them fail in their search for the perfect vessel to contain her soul, and Gideon felt the darkness rose inside his heart. Dark thoughts began to invade him. He could still see her, desperately fighting, never giving up.?But he… knowing how cruel fate was to him, he had thought what he was hoping will never happen just from drawing a comparison to his unlucky fate. That fate was going to destroy whatever hope he had and disappoint him once again.

That darkened his heart.

In the outside area of the circle, everyone, even the queen began to feel unspeakable chills in the air surrounding them.

The beautiful show of light just a while ago had changed. The lights darkened until there were two colours that were left, one white and the other black. The darkness swirled and everyone felt the extreme emotions clinging onto the darkness that began to kill of the lights. Fear, rage, hate. All these negative emotions were pulsating and growing stronger as time passed.

Gavriel and Evie had long felt that a moment ago and they knew that something was terribly wrong. These emotions were just too strong… too dangerous. Once this condensed power blasts out, they all knew it would give birth to a new disaster. An unthinkable one.

Evie reached out to hold onto Gavriel's hand as he had already moved in front of her, shielding Evie fully with his body.

"Evie…" Gavriel called out softly, "if I tell you to leave, will you obey and do what I say?" he asked in a low voice as he looked over his shoulder. "Something's going to happen here, with Gideon, and you know it'll be something massive and unimaginable."

He saw his wife already glowing, already more than prepared. "You already know my answer to that, right?" she replied and Gavriel's jaws clenched. "Don't worry, Vera's there. I trust her. She's not going to let this ritual turn into a nightmare. This is to be the happiest day of her life."

Evie's confidence made Gavriel smile helplessly, and he faced the circle that was now shrouded with darkness.

"You are right. I forgot about her for a moment there." He mumbled and Evie smiled, returning her gaze to the circle as well. 'Vera…' she whispered.

…

Back inside the circle, Gideon continued watching the memories going into a hopeless path. His animosity was rising, getting more uncontrollable now. And he knew the moment he watched her finally disappear completely, he was going to lose it. And he knew he could not do anything about it. Even he was helpless to his own growing anger now.

Then suddenly, Vera's face began to appear in his mind. But all he felt was guilt now. After all the things he had seen, how could he still… still continue on loving someone else? He knew it was no longer possible. Both guilt and rage continued consuming him in an endless cycle of confusion.

"I'm so sorry…" Gideon mumbled, tears falling from his eyes. "I can't stop this… I'm going to break… I'm sorry, Vera… I'm…"

His words trailed off when he saw his father, the king brought Leah's dying soul to the surface as a last-ditch attempt in finding that perfect vessel for her soul. Everything within his chaotic internal world seemed to have stopped. His heartbeat, his mind, his breathing… it all came screeching to a halt as he watched what unfolded before his eyes next.

A bleeding woman appeared within the memories in his mind. He did not recognise her, nor did he know her. But… he saw Leah's soul being pulled into the woman's body… more specifically, into her womb.

 

Chapter 514 - Memories (Part V)

What Gideon was witnessing from the recollection of memories at that moment was just too much of a shock that he could only look on, utterly wordless. He saw it clearly, as there was no mistaking it, Leah's soul was… it had entered the woman's body and it…

He could see Leah's light from her soul in the woman's womb now and there were the unmistakable faint heartbeats coming from the life that was within that womb. He was aware about the fact that a dark fae's soul could only be visible when the physical body was gone. That would mean that if one could no longer see the soul, it could only be indicative of it having entered successfully into its vessel. This… this meant… a miracle must have happened, right? Right?

Gideon's body began to shake terribly, unable to believe it. He was right, right? Leah… she did not disappear right?!

As he was flooded with another wave of impossibly strong emotions, the memories continued flowing. His entire world, even his darkness had just turned into a stand still. His heart seemed to have come back to life again, racing like crazy. And in his eyes, the deep darkness was dissolving, receding even as his rage and agony seemed to be elevating. There was even anticipation now that had been sparked within his heart. It was as if something had come to him, but he could not quite dare to believe it fully for fear that it was just his illusion or wishful thinking.

But then as the memories continue playing out in his mind, he saw her. That baby from the womb. That child had been born healthy and grew well as time passed. And when she looked up, her eyes seemingly gazing on him with those pale azure eyes, and that fiery red hair… Gideon could not hold back any longer and just broke down into tears. Not knowing what to think, nor what to say, he just cried as the memories continued playing forward in his head. It would be more precise to say that he had broken down and sobbed – heavy and heaving sobs that wrecked his body.

He could not believe it. He felt like a saving grace had just shone down upon him at the very last crucial moments. Leah… her soul…! She had not actually disappeared… she… instead, she had found a new vessel for her soul! And she was… she had been reborn as… Vera! Vera his mate!

Could this be even more perfect? Was this even real? This was real, right? Right?! He could feel his mind reeling from the shock but yet he was pleasantly surprised at this fortunate twist of events. He would never had thought in a million years that Leah had found her soul a vessel to be reborn into.

He then saw his father, King Belial, visiting her secretly from time to time. She was so brave, so feisty… just so Leah. The only difference was that she had no magic powers at her disposal. All her behaviours, the way she speaks, the way she moves, it was the exact copy of how Leah's was when she was still a dark fae. Gideon started to smile and laugh in utter relief… still unable to believe all the things that he was seeing right now.

But the temporary bliss did not last, and his smile slowly faded to be replaced with a frown. He saw her meet with other boys and when someone had kissed her, his heart suddenly blazed with an intense jealousy. However, the bad news did not stop there. He began to watch her being abused, getting beat up, being the object of lashing out, having been thrown into prison like a helpless animal by the same woman that had given birth to her.

He watched her warm her mother's bed and was then made to watch her mother getting it on with different men. The darkness that had cleared off earlier was coming back with a vengeance and with full force due to the rage that was suffusing him. "No, stop! Don't hurt her anymore! She's… she suffered enough!! Stop!!" Gideon had found himself shouting those words out every time she received a lash or a blow. Every time someone struck her, and she bled, he would scream those words out, wishing he could tear those despicable creatures apart with his very hands.

His heart began to bleed so hard all over again. So painfully hard as though she was right there, in the corner, wasting away before his very eyes and with no one else to even… to even lend her a hand. Why? He should have been there… by her side… he should be the one coming to save her from her misery. Like how she had stayed and held him so closely when he was breaking down, he should be there for her as well when she was the one suffering. But he had not been there for her. He had failed her again! She was suffering again, all alone, by herself… and without him even knowing about her very existence!

"Arrgghhhh!!" he could only scream and roar out his resentment and fury, wanting so badly to let loose and go berserk, when he watched her being assaulted by a filthy man. But finally… Finally! The memories had run its course and had reached up to that very moment. It had now caught up to the moment when they had met on the surface.

And he began to relive it all over again, just that he was hearing, seeing everything from Vera's point of view. He felt her emotions, her thoughts… everything she saw, he saw it the exact same way and felt the exact same thing. And it was then that he realised one thing… This woman. She had never changed. Even though she had forgotten all about him, her heart and her soul were still the same. Be it that she was Leah or Vera, she was still her. Her essence was still the same person. And she was still the same woman that he had fallen in love with. The person that he had given his heart and soul to. She was his mate!

Chapter 515 - Mated

When the memories finally caught up to the present, his eyes opened and saw her standing right before him. Looking up at him too. Her face was scrunched up in worry as she looked at him, checking if he was alright.

Everyone outside the circle including Beatrice finally released the breath they were all holding. It was so chaotic and stormy when Gideon was caught up in the recollection of the memories and his emotions were swept around by it. His darkness and powers were lashing out and causing fluctuations in the area surrounding them, it looked as though that the whole place might be brought down along with his rage. However, all was calm now. The lights had returned to normal again.

Queen Beatrice had to take a deep breath twice before she was able to snap out from what felt like an impossibly intense moment. She had already even prepared herself to break them apart a moment ago because she could no longer bear the heavy darkness from Gideon. She had sensed an immense danger looming over them until it had reached a point of no return and she had debated the entire time whether to stop the union or adopt a wait-and-see attitude for now.

But she had decided to believe and hang on to her faith that Vera will not let this moment turn into a disaster. She just had to have a strong faith in them… in these two that they would not break now, not when they have already reached this critical moment in their relationship. Not after all that they have been through.

And thankfully, she was right. She was so relieved that she did not give in to her worries and allow the fear to force her to intervene. She did not know what they both saw but, she had believed everything would have ended up alright. Because Gideon's darkness was stopped, it meant that whatever it was that had triggered his darkness to almost go out of control was now resolved. That was all that matters for now.

Beatrice then stepped forward again, closer to them this time. Her eyes fell to their chests and what she saw the tattoo of a fully bloomed peony flower over each of their hearts. Their mating bond had taken, and it was a success!

With a smile beaming brightly on her face, Beatrice broke the deafening silence.

"The mating ritual is now over. The mating bond between you, crown prince Gideon and Lady Vera is now complete and is solidified. The two of you are now officially mated." She declared delightedly and the lights danced around the couple as if to celebrate the completion of their bond together with their witnesses.

All too soon, the colour of the lights changed again. They began to turn reddish, as if they were transforming into potions before scattering all around them both.

Beatrice smiled. Knowing that it had already started. The consummation. These lights had the same effects as aphrodisiacs. These lights will stay with them until the sexual frenzy subsides.

Seeing that the couple were still looking at each other as if being caught in each other's spell, Beatrice patted their arms lovingly.

"Congratulations my son and my daughter in law. We will be leaving you now. But once you both arrive in the palace, you must prepare yourselves because we will hold an official wedding for you. Is that understood?" she informed them and without waiting for the couple's response, the queen left the circle and walked towards Evie and the others.

"It's time for us to leave them alone." She said and everyone nodded. They could already feel the change in the atmosphere. They were also affected by those reddish glowing lights despite having put on their protection cloak. It was just that strong! And that was why all of them wanted to leave the scene as fast as they could! No one wanted to be a third wheel in the hot and passionate moments of the newly mated pair.

Once everyone was gone, it was then that Gideon and Vera finally moved.

The sexual tension between them were overwhelming now. But at that moment, they both were still more overwhelmed about the things that they had seen from the recollection of memories.

Gideon began to shake again. And in the next second, they both disappeared from the middle of that garden. They had materialized back inside the house that was now looking very different. The initially shabby house had been altered and decorated to suit the occasion. The bed and floor were currently filled with petals and candles were lit up and placed all along a small ledge that ran all along the walls, creating the most romantic scene one could imagine.

The reddish lights followed them and filled the room that it made them want to just go ahead and tear each other's clothes right then and there. But Gideon suddenly stumbled. Vera fell back and sat on the bed while Gideon fell on his knees and broke down.

His head fell onto her lap, and he broke down. Trembling, he was crying silently as he buried his face on her shimmering dress. His arms slowly crept around her hips and hugged her, pulling her tighter towards himself.

Vera's heart felt as though it was about to be ripped apart at the sound of his quiet cry. Seeing him tremble like this was always the hardest thing for her to bear. She reached out and caressed his hair gently. Silently, she continued her soothing strokes and hoped that it would bring him some measure of comfort. She still did not know what he saw but she knew that whatever it was, it had nearly broken him apart into pieces. She could tell just by looking at how he was still grieving right now. What nightmarish scenes was he forced to watch? He was so broken that even this sexual tension between them was not strong enough to overpower what he was going through.

She continued caressing his head, trying her best to coax him, to make him feel better. At the same time, she also wanted him to continue pouring out his pain. Releasing all his pent up sadness and frustration would be a good way to flush out the toxic feelings he had buried deep within himself. This was one way for him to start healing.

After what seem like a long while, he lifted his face. He looked so wretched, her dark angel. Her beloved mate.

Vera's heart clenched in pain as she reached out and wiped the tears that were still flowing from his eyes.

"It's okay," she consoled him in a small whisper, giving him the warmest smile that she could muster, she told him gently, "I'm here with you, Gideon… my mate… I love you…"

She then bent and kissed his eyes and his tears.

"Vera…" he breathed. "Tell me… did you see it too? Our past?"

Vera fell silent. Then slowly, she shook her head.

Chapter 516 - But...

"Tell me… did you see it too? Our past?" Gideon asked. And when Vera shook her head, his eyes widened a little. It was obvious he did not expect her answer.

"No… but I think I was shown a dream. In that dream, I saw us. Together…" she smiled with teary eyes before reaching out with her hands and cupped his face between her hands.

Then she closed her eyes as she pressed her lips against his. "Forever…" she whispered and she kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she savoured the unique taste that was Gideon.

Gideon whose heart was exalted again to the highest heaven at the words that he had just heard from his mate's lips, that she must have seen their future and that she had seen them together forever, got immediately captured by her kiss. He wanted to know more about the dream that she saw, wanting to confirm that it truly was their future that she saw but…

Her kiss was all it took to ignite the inferno that had been already put on the back burner since they had completed their mating bond. The fire could not even make him think straight anymore even though he knew that they still have much more to talk about. He had wanted to discuss about her, on how that she was Leah's soul, reborn. There was tinge of doubt in his heart whether her, in knowing too much, would it be the best for her. He was not very certain of it because why did she not see it in the first place? Why was he the only one who had seen the past, but she was not shown the same? Gideon wanted Vera to learn about everything. She deserved to know everything about herself. She should have been shown it all too. But the fact was that she did not… and it bothers Gideon as to why the fates had made it such. He could not help but think if it was a sign telling him that Vera did not need to know about her past life as Leah anymore. That she should be happy just knowing that he loved her as his mate. But…

His thoughts got quickly turned into a mush as she felt her slide from the bed and pressed her body against his. He could not think anymore. This, he thought was already the extreme limit in fighting the call of this sexual frenzy. Before giving into the burning frenzy, he had a passing thought it might be better this way. All talks can wait in view of more important matters. For now, he will make love to her with everything that he has. He will love her with his whole body, his heart, and his soul. From here on out… screw the world! He was going to love this woman, he would fight for her with everything that he had… he was going to live this life, fight for this life, just for her. Just for her… it was now his turn to show her what his love for her can do…

"My mate…" he uttered as they kissed.

She kissed him wildly and he responded by kissing her wilder. Their kiss was so passionate and intense that it was as if had been forever since they had kissed like this. This raw hunger and intensity might be caused by the mating bond but both of them knew exactly why they felt as though they would die if they could not kiss each other enough.

"Gideon…" she moaned out his name desperately as she tangled her fingers through his dark hair.

Vera was glad that they did not seem to be like the king and queen. She was thankful that their bond did not involve feeling each other's emotions or read each other's minds. At that moment, Vera thought that them not having those two effects were a complete relief. Because she had just lied to him a while ago when she had told him they would be together 'forever'. It was true that she saw parts of their future, and she did see the two of them together, but...

Her heart squeezed tightly in agony, but she quickly forced herself to forget about the things that were shown to her for now. This sexual frenzy also had helped to overpower whatever sadness and agony she was feeling at the moment. The lust and desire surging within her were just too strong that she could barely feel the tinge of pain in her heart caused by what she had seen at the end of her dream. And she could not tell him about it… at least for now.

She was not going to ruin this night. It was the most important time for them as a newly mated pair where they needed to solidify their mating bond with each other. She refused to think of that matter at this time. For now, they were going to spend their time together, just the two of them and consummate their mating bond. She will not let anything get in the way. She would think about the future once this was over.

For now, she is just going to forget everything. Focussing on their present was enough for now. And that the two of them were just mated.

So for now, they were going to spend their days just glued to each other's arms. She planned to focus solely on him, their happiness, their desire, their love… everything else can wait.

"Gideon..." she moaned his name again, not caring that her hips had begun moving on its own against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The heat was increasing every single moment and she felt her body becoming as hot as him as well. "Take it off… your clothes." She demanded breathlessly as she moved to kiss his jaws and face with hunger.

"Tell me... do you have an idea on what's going to happen to us?" his voice was obviously restrained. Even his body was as stiff as stone. She could tell he was forcing himself to hold back for now.

"Yes. Queen Beatrice told me. So... please..." she clung to him boldly, tugging at his clothes. "Don't hold back Gideon. I... I want you to love me, have me, all of me, without restraint –"

"F*ck Vera!"

"Yes, f*ck me."

Chapter 517 - I'm Going Crazy

"Yes, Gideon. F*ck me." Vera caught her lower lip between her teeth when she just realized what had just tumbled out of her mouth. She blushed hard at the vulgarity her lips had spouted but when she saw that those words she had uttered seemed to have caused Gideon's restraint to snap and be thrown out the window and was now saying bye bye, Vera's body and heart jumped in excitement. Seeing that beastly hunger flaring in his eyes made her want to devour him. And her eyes widened at her own brazen thoughts, shocked at how wild she had become as well. But she calmed down the next second as she though it was acceptable since he was her mate. It was in her rights to behave as such.

After letting out a guttural moan that sounded more like a curse, Gideon finally moved. And in one swift movement, Vera's back was pressed into the soft bed beneath her.

He jailed her between his legs as he pinned her hands over her head. He looked down at her, this flaming red-haired goddess, now spread out below him. And he cursed again, because he knew that he was going to feast on her… on this goddess… on this beloved mate of his! And there was no way in hell that he would be able to go slow and gentle – at least not in the first couple of rounds. He just hoped she would be able to withstand his torment. Sweet and pleasurable it may be – but a torment, nonetheless.

In an instant, his clothes disappeared and Vera's eyes were automatically drawn to his unclothed body. Her bright azure eyes travelled downwards, from his spellbinding eyes, down to his throat, his strong chest, his perfectly toned abs and then down to his…

Oh, dear gods and goddesses above! Vera could literally feel her mouth salivate. And she could already feel her sex already throbbing and pulsing in desire, dripping wet and ready despite the fact that all they had done was only kissing. The sight of his rock hard and thick manhood standing at attention and that clear liquid already budding at his tip… She knew this response to each other was not normal, this was the effect of their mating bond but still...

She could see his body already wet with moisture. His sweat beading all over his naked skin made him look so damned drool worthy. He was way hotter than he usually is.

In another hasty but swift movement, Gideon lifted his hands, his eyes never leaving hers. He looked like a predator with a hundred and one plans on how to savour his prey the best way ever as he tied up his hair with a leather band.

Watching him tie his hair, those stray strands he missed from fumbling… oh god, he was just so… so…

Vera could no longer take it. And she pushed herself up. There was no way she could wait any longer. She could not believe how strong the effect of his sex appeal was on her. It is literally driving her insane! She wanted him now, him inside her. Now!

She could feel it, that this time, she was not going to be the prey all the time… because right now, she just wanted to jump him and devour him. This man, her mate, she was going to devour him whole. She was going to eat him clean, leaving nothing behind.

When she reached out and held Gideon's throbbing length, a low groan echoed in the room.

"Vera, wait, f*ck!" She loved the helpless sound he made.

Sliding her hands up and down his rod in smooth slow strokes, Vera shook her head at him. "No way, Gid! Can't wait! No more!" she said in short phrases, panting from so much heat. There was no room for any shame anymore, just pure desire, a lust and desire so impossibly strong it was threatening to melt them both.

"F*ck Vera!" he could only curse again as he flipped their positions and pinned her down again. "You're going to make me cum in seconds if I let this hand of your run free…" he said, as breathless as she was while pinning both her hands above her head with his one hand.

"Take this off… my dress…" Vera begged, unable to wait to get naked before him too.

But he shook his head. "I love your dress, sweetheart. I want to take you like this… while you're in this shimmering dress."

He gathered the dress at the hems and pushed it up until it bunched around her waist like a silvery blue cloud. Then his free hand swiftly slid between her legs.

"No need... I... I'm already..." Vera trailed off from her protests because he had halted the moment his fingers touched her womanly parts. Slowly, he lifted his hand and when he parted his fingers, Vera saw her love juices all over his fingers. Instead of feeling embarrassed or ashamed as she would usually do, all it did was to cause the raging flames to grow fiercer and more demanding.

He cursed under his breath, swallowing hard. Apparently, it had the same additive effect on Gideon – or perhaps even more.

"F*ck you're already so wet!" Gideon growled out as his eyes narrowed and swept to hers. His electric blazing blue clashed with her bright azure ones.

"Yes! So just please... take me now Gid!" she begged him breathlessly, knowing that it would only incite his desire for her.

Gideon smiled wickedly and Vera caught her breath at how devilishly hot he was right then as he put his fingers into his mouth and tasted her womanly fluid. Gods… her mate was just too hot she could not take it anymore!!!

Then as if he could no longer take it, he ripped her undergarment off and positioned himself between her parted legs holding his raging manhood that looked to have swelled to even larger proportions than before.

"Yes… Gid… please… now…" she begged, parting her legs for him, inviting him to enter her. And he was like a helpless beast completely enthralled by her. But as he was about to push himself inside her, a guttural groan escaped his mouth.

"F*ck! Almost forgot! Your back! Can't hurt you!" he said, breathless.

"It's okay. Just do –"

Before Vera could even finish her line, he flipped her over in one swift move and Vera was lying on her stomach in an instant.

"This is alright, right? My sweet –"

"Yes! Yes! Please just – ah!"

He slid inside her in one strong and hard thrust and Vera screamed out in utter pleasure. He was so deep inside her, so impossibly deep and thick inside as he entered her from behind. Oh gods! What was this?!

"Vera! I'm going crazy. So good! So f*cking good!"

And Vera could only moan louder and louder as the scandalous sounds of their intense love making filled the house. It was insane, this pleasure. And neither of them wanted this pleasure to ever stop.

Chapter 518 - Bonus

This is a bunos chapter dedicated for my naughty angels! Thank you for the gifts guys. Muah! Muah!

____

"Vera... Vera…" her name echoed again and again from Gideon's lips as he continued ploughing into her from behind. "My name, please say my name." he uttered between his guttural groans.

"Ah! Gid... Gideon! Gideon!" Vera finally managed to scream out his name. She could not even call his name out earlier as she could not catch her breath from the intense sensations that he had sparked within her. She started to sob from the extreme pleasure and the overwhelming lust that made her feel as though she still could not get enough from the wicked friction that was going on between their nether regions. It was crazy, just crazy… yet she still wished for it to continue… she wanted him to keep devouring her, consuming her. She wanted him to continue bringing her to new levels of ecstasy that she had never experienced before.

Gideon's weight came crashing down on her – a bulky but totally welcoming heaviness that she delighted in. She could feel his hot breaths raging as they puffed intermittently against her ear, sending delicious shivers up and down her spine. "Tell me... are you alright? I can't hurt you..." he breathed out heavily, his voice rumbling and freaking sensual.

She looked over her shoulder, lifting her hand to grab onto his hair.

"Yes! Yes! I love it! Gideon! Don't stop please! More! I love it! So good... it's so good Gideon! More, ah!" She wailed and begged, her head shaking from side to side, not knowing whether to hold still or writhe around as waves of pleasure crashed into her one after another. She felt as though she was a small boat tied to the pier with only a rope that was tossed around and about to be swept off into the deep blue sea.

And he gave it, what she was asking. Gideon held her waist down and lifted her bottom before pounding into her vigorously, holding nothing back. Her pleadings had caused him to lose control and he could no longer hold back. Vera screamed as she felt him reached the deepest part of her. Her body tingled with every thrust that he pounded into her, and she instinctively tried to crawl away as she was unable to bear the intense waves of pleasure surging through her entire being. But he snarled out in his own pleasure and held her down, not allowing her to scoot even an inch away, much less to escape his arduous torment on her succulent body.

"Gid! Ah! Wait!" she mewled out as her hands simultaneously grabbed and pushed at his slick upper arms, not knowing herself whether she wanted him to be closer or to push him away.

"You asked for this, my mate." He replied between his gasp, unable to stop himself at all from digging his fingers into her slender and willowy waist, gnashing his teeth, literally feeling himself salivate as he looked down between them where they were joined, watching their erotic union. He was fascinated at how she was greedily swallowing every inch of his raging length. Gods! She was so hot! So delicious… so tight… so wet… so perfect for him…

"I'm… going to fill you up like this, Vera." He added, pulling himself out slowly until it looked as though his rock-hard and slick length was right at the tip of her entrance and going to slip out from her, before thrusting in heavily again, making her scream and groan as she gripped onto the bedsheets tightly.

"Yes! Fill me! Gideon…!" Vera's voice was almost incoherent as her moans and screams were now out of control. "Give it to me. Ah!"

And his one heavy and hard thrust made Vera tremble in extreme ecstasy. But Gideon did not stop after that one attack. He continued digging deeper, driving and plunging into her mercilessly as she came. His teeth clenched tightly as he felt the insane throbbing sensation of her tight walls clamping down on him like a vice, as though trying to strangle him.

"F*ck Vera!" he cursed under his breath before a guttural groan echoed around them and he jerked violently inside her, pouring his hot and thick seed into her womb, as they both shivered in an unspeakable pleasure. His body continued shaking longer than usual while Vera's body was still twitching and spasming beneath him in what felt like a very long and drawn-out orgasm.

"Oh f*cking gods above…" Gideon growled out low and he finally let himself fall on her. He had braced himself with his elbow as to not squish her under his weight. His breathing was so harsh and loud as he forced his dazed eyes to open to squint at his mate. "You okay? My sweet?" he asked and when Vera could not even answer yet and could only manage a low moan, he pulled away and rolled over on the bed, gathering her against him in a spooning position.

"You… beast." She breathed out as she took long deep breaths and Gideon chuckled a little.

"I'm sorry –" he said the words, but his expression showed anything but.

"No, I love it."

"I know. I just said sorry because I want to do that again and again and again. F*ck Vera… but that was just so good!"

She felt him smile as he said that and Vera forced herself to look at him, wanting to retort, but the moment their eyes met, both of them were shocked to see that the lust in their eyes were still burning. It remained unquenchable even after that one intense lovemaking session.

"F*ck," the both said at the same time, causing them both to widened their eyes and laughed together. Because they had realized that the both of them were screwed. Big time. They were more than ready to go at it again and both could only utter a curse, knowing that neither of them could even resist the other longer than a few seconds right now.

"This is just crazy," Gideon shut his eyes tightly closed. "I can't believe you too will look like that, Vera. Now I'm getting worried…"

"About me?" Vera tilted her head sideways, wondering what he was worried about. Should he not be rejoicing that she was as worked up as he was in wanting to jump each other?

"Yes. Because your body certainly have limits despite the effects of the mating bond. You're –"

"I'm fine.." Vera understood his concern and allayed his worry.

Chapter 519 - Above Me

Gideon's eyes flew open and looked at her just to see her smiling wide at him.

"This must be the effects of the mating bond. But I don't feel exhausted and weakened at all. I think that… I should be able to keep up with you." She told him confidently with a mischievous grin and Gideon was dumbstruck for a moment. That flaming red hair floating around her, creating a halo about her small, pale face, with her bright azure eyes shining at him – it only served to drive his fever for her even higher. He could feel himself salivating to taste her again. To join with her. He wanted for them to reach the heights of passion together once again.

Reaching out, Vera touched his face, her eyes gleaming with love and lust. "Don't worry. I am no longer just Vera, the human girl. I am now Vera, your mate." She uttered and Gideon let out a smile to slowly bloomed across his handsome face.

He held her hand and licked her fingers. "Right, you're now Vera, the one and only mate of this dark fae prince." He whispered, then his eyes became utterly serious as he entwined their tattooed hands. The vines that were imprinted into their skin glowed at the touch of their hands and the flower that had been magically carved over their hearts glowed ever so bright and so beautiful.

"Listen to me, Vera, love." His voice echoed in her ears and Vera heard the promise in them. "I want you to know that you're no longer just a powerless human. You're my mate and from now on, everything I have, my power, even my life… all belong to you now. They are yours as well."

Vera's eyes widened. She had never expected to hear those words from him at all. She could not speak. She did not know what to say. Being able to get his love and be able to be his mate was more than she could ask for. She knew how heavy his responsibilities are and how much he put importance on them. So for him to say that his powers, his belongings, his plans and even his life to be hers, she was just blown away! He treasured her more than anything in this world!

And all of a sudden, he rose from the bed before stretching his hand towards her. Vera could only accept and the two of them left the bed all naked. But none of them felt any awkwardness or even a tinge of embarrassment. At that moment, Vera felt something different. It was as though the both of them were bearing themselves fully to each other. They had exposed their most vulnerable part of themself to their mate.

Gideon halted and faced her. Something different had overpowered the maddening sexual tension and Vera felt her heartbeat race. She could feel Gideon was up to something. Something big. When she saw their future, Vera was not shown all the details. There were many pockets of blanks between the scenes she had witnessed in her mind. She did not even get to see what would happen after they leave this house. Thus, she had no idea what Gideon was up to right now.

Slowly, he knelt before her on one knee, still not letting go of her hand.

He looked up at her, his eyes so serious that it sent flutters to her already trembling heart. "I, Gideon, the crown prince of the Under Lands…" he started with a very formal tone, causing Vera to subconsciously hold her breath. "… is hereby offering myself to you, Vera, my mate. I surrender everything I have to you, my body, my soul, my heart, my power… my life…"

"W-wait…" Vera's voice was so weak as she tried to interrupt him. She was utterly overwhelmed now and for some reason, she could somehow feel that what he was doing is not something as simple as it looks. This just felt so different. As if… as if this was legal declaration he could never ever take back. She knew how dark faes took their promises seriously and their words, when spoken seriously as an oath, can even be taken as casting a spell.

He smiled, seeing her overwhelmed face and he kissed her hand lovingly. He knew she felt it, the realness of this. This was real and he had decided to do this. There was no more turning back. He was going to give his all to this woman. His everything. Because without her, he would not even be here in the first place. He was still here, living and breathing, only because of her alone. Though that was not actually the main reason why he was doing this. He was going to do this to protect her.

If he makes her powerful, if he props her up to be of a higher status than him, if he places her as the owner of his life, no one would dare harm her… not even his monsters. He will make everyone recognize her, every single monster, even the darkness that he commands. He would make it known that she was now holding his life and powers in her hands.

"Please accept me, Vera," he whispered, and Vera looked down at him with a bewildered face now.

"Ac- accept? Wait… what will happen if I accept?" she asked hesitantly, not knowing what to do.

"If you accept me, you will have full control of me. Of my powers and even my will –" Gideon was honest with her. He did not want her to be duped into this. She is his mate and deserved the utmost respect. He wanted her to accept it with the full knowledge of what she was getting out of it.

"W-what?" Vera gasped, unable to believe what he had just said.

He kissed her hand again as if to soothe her. "Don't be overwhelmed, my sweet. This is normal between two mates because this thing can only work for a mated couple. One can choose to share their powers and lifespan with their mate. By doing this, it will make both of them as equals, be it in status or power. This is being done to keep both parties to be at a similar level. And most mated couples choose to do this to protect the weaker partner as well."

"So you're saying that you're sharing your powers with me so I could be your equal?"

"Yes, but what I'm doing is more than that. If you accept this, not only are you going to be my equal.. You're going to be above me, love."

Chapter 520 - Use Me

Vera's mouth dropped open in shocked surprise and she took a step back, not fully able to comprehend what he had said. Could she have heard him wrong? Hold up… she needed a couple of seconds to straighten this out in her mind.

"W-wait… Gid… this is just too much… I… I don't understand. And, and… I am human. Right? It might not even work out for me –" Vera stammered as she tried to make sense of things.

Gideon stood and hugged her tight, trying to calm her down. He caressed her back to stop her slight panic from blowing out of control.

"It's true that it might not work as you can't wield the dark fae's magic." He explained lovingly to her. "That's why I'm doing this. I'm surrendering myself to you. So you would be able to command me and use me and my magic to protect yourself –"

"Wait… No! This… this way does not sound right," Vera pulled away, shaking her head vehemently and looked at him, her face worried now. "I can't do that to you… you're not a tool! You're my mate, Gid. You are the man I love more than my own life!"

A long sigh escaped Gideon's lips as he cupped her face gently in his large palms. "I knew you might not agree to this. But the fact that I am bring this up shows that I'm serious Vera. I'm not forcing myself to do this either. Please understand that. I am totally clear headed and not under the influence of the mating bond." His expression changed now, there was a fear that flashed across his face. "I know this might come as a shock for you… But this is the best way for me to protect you. Do you know why? Because I am trying to protect you from myself. If you have full control over me and my powers…" he trailed off at the sight of her complicated and overwhelmed expression. And he swallowed hard before he pulled her and hugged her to him again. "Alright… I'm not going to force you. I'm sorry… don't stress out yourself about this for now. I should've waited until a little later to talk to you about this. I was being so impatient and yes… worried as hell."

"There might be another way other than doing it this way, Gid…" she whispered, unable to accept the idea that he was even willing to reduce himself into becoming a tool just so he could protect her in the event that she encountered danger.

He was silent for a moment. "Right…" he eventually said. "There might be another way. But I wanted you to know that I'm still willing to do this. I have already made up my mind about it. So I still want you to consider it when you think you are ready for it. I can wait." His voice was gentle as he assured her that he was okay waiting for her to decide.

Their gazes held and the sexual frenzy broke its way through their emotional shields again. And before they knew it, they were sucking on each other's lips like a starved couple again, even though it was just moments ago when they had experienced that mind-numbing orgasm.

"Gideon… I don't wish for anything else. I just… want you… You are all that I need." Vera uttered as Gideon began trailing kisses down her neck to her breast, latching onto her taut bud hungrily. "I… don't want your power… I… can't bear the idea of… having to use you… to protect myself…" she continued talking dazedly until Gideon captured her mouth again, rendering her unable to utter anymore words.

"I know, my sweet. But what if I tell you that that is the only way for you to have me by your side?" he whispered back as he lifted her and sat her on the bed, having her straddle him. "I'm not saying there will be a day I'm going to leave you. I promised to fight the world from now on just to stay with you forever. But with what that I am, I am afraid of myself. I am not even sure of what I would do to you… without me even… realizing… Anyway, this is the best way I can think of right now. This is how I can make myself feel at ease while I'm with you…"

Vera suddenly pushed him hard on his shoulders and he fell on his back as she pressed her already dampened sex against his toned stomach, wriggling a little to distract him from this train of thoughts. She leaned back as her hands lay flat on the bed. Her eyes emotional and lustful. But Gideon saw that what he had said seemed to have caused her to have a change of mind a little. He thought that he need a little more coaxing and she would be ready to accept his offer.

"But… no… you're… you're Gideon, the crown prince, you can't –"

"Oh I can, Vera. My status, the throne… all those things doesn't matter to me. All I want to do now is to protect you. I will do anything… everything… to keep you by my side forever, alive…" and he pulled at her and kissed her sweet mouth as he lifted her bottom and entered her again in one smooth and violent thrust. "Oh f*ck, Vera!" he groaned as he savoured the utter pleasure of their union once again. He caught her face and made her look at him.

"Listen, my mate. I really don't mind being reduced to a tool. As long as it is you who will use me… I won't mind it at all. You can use me… all you want… I'm all yours anyway." And a wicked grin spread across his lips, the innuendo not lost on Vera.