Ch. 1..5: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 1-5

Chapter 1: 'Curse of Velaris'

In a lavishly adorned chamber, a quartet of individuals sat in conversation while maids tended to their tea service.

"Lord Norman, your eldest daughter is the reason why no one is giving the hand of their son to your second daughter," the matchmaker delicately broached the subject after providing a thorough explanation of the situation.

"Why doesn't Lord Norman consider arranging for Miss Alora to reside elsewhere? In the countryside?" the matchmaker inquired, seeking a resolution to the issue.

In the Kingdom of Velaris, everyone knew about the high chancellor's eldest daughter, Alora Wilson. The moment she was born and opened her eyes to look, two people were burned into ashes because of her gaze. Since then she was labeled as the 'Curse of Velaris'.

The High Chancellor furrowed his brows together and looked at his wife. "Alora should not become the reason for doom to our other kids. Again, because of Alora, we cannot get a marriage proposal for Venus," Norman discussed with his wife, Rhea Wilson. He was tired of finding proposals for Venus since nobody seemed ready to take her as a daughter-in-law of their house.

Alora, who was standing outside the room, with her eyes covered with a white silk blindfold, heard the entire conversation between her parents. She accepted how her curse affected her younger sister's life.

"I want my Alora to get married too. Once she is married, I know Venus will also get a good household," Rhea stated optimistically. As a mother, she was concerned more for Alora than anyone.

"Lady Rhea, I understand your concern. However, there's no one born to marry Miss Alora. Unfortunately, she has to live an aloof life. Miss Venus is good at everything. She is a choice among noble gentlemen in the kingdom," the matchmaker explained the depth of the concern to them.

"Rhea, we kept Alora alive because of you. She should have been dead the day she was born," said Madam Aubrey in a displeased tone. She is Norman's mother and Alora's grandmother.

"Mother, I request you not to say this about my daughter," Rhea urged.

Madam Aubrey snickered. "You think it is easy for me to say such a big thing. What good has Alora brought to us? I told you Norman not to listen to your wife that day. Venus and Elliot's lives are affected because of Alora. If you two want happiness in this house, then send away that cursed child from here. I'm tired of seeing her face every day." Madam Aubrey didn't hesitate to talk bitterly about her eldest granddaughter.

Alora's eyes filled with tears to hear her grandmother's words. She would hear every single day bad remarks toward her, but calling her a cursed child was too much for her.

It had been twenty-four years for her to wear that blindfold, so her sense of direction had turned better. Even without using the stick, Alora knew where she had to set her foot.

Using her other senses to go ahead, Alora finally stepped foot into the room, where the elders were still in discussion.

"Mother, please don't call my child cursed. She is perfectly fine and–"

"Shut your mouth, Rhea. We are suffering because of Alora. How many people do you wish to see dead? I have still not forgotten the last year when Alora almost looked at me. She is worse than a witch!" Madam Aubrey remarked harshly.

"Pardon me for intruding in the elders' conversation," Alora spoke, causing everyone to be shocked. The matchmaker was slightly scared to see her.

"I will leave for an isolated place far from the capital," Alora pronounced.

Rhea shook her head and rose to her feet. "Dear, don't say that. We will soon find a good proposal for Venus and you as well." She told her daughter not to feel low about her grandmother's words.

"Again, you are giving false hopes to everyone here. When Alora wants to leave, then let her go. I want peaceful days in my remaining days of life," Madam Aubrey announced.

"Because of me, Venus' life should not be ruined. Had I not been here, she would be married by now. I will live in the old estate of the family in Elmswood," Alora suggested.

Norman told his wife that he would make arrangements for Alora to leave in the evening.

"Evening? But my lord we should send her in the morning." Rhea didn't wish her daughter to leave in the evening when the vampires were more active. "Even the vampires venture in the dark night. Morning time will be better for her departure," she suggested in her humble tone.

"Shut up, Rhea. Did you not hear the matchmaker earlier? Tomorrow, he will bring the Duke's son's proposal for Venus. Send Alora in the evening. Why will a vampire even attack Alora? Everyone in the kingdom knows she possesses a curse. Alora will remain unharmed. Send her now if you think evening time is dangerous for her, Norman," Madam Aubrey ordered both her son and daughter-in-law.

Alora was well aware of the fact that it was difficult for her mother to send her away so early. That's why she needed to press Rhea to let her go. At least, they all would live happily.

Norman told the matchmaker to come tomorrow, who promptly left after bowing to them. He then ordered his attendant to prepare a carriage for Alora.

"Take her to the room, Rhea, and prepare her well. From now onward, Alora needs to live alone," Norman announced his decision.

Rhea's eyes filled with tears and she felt hopeless since there was no way she could stop this departure. Rhea held Alora's hand tenderly and took her away.

~~~~~

All the belongings to Alora were shifted to the carriages outside.

"Mother, I can sense the sadness in you," Alora finally said. "More than me, Venus and Elliot have suffered. Mother should think about them rather than me," she asserted.

Rhea's eyes welled up in tears. "All my children are equal to me. I truly wished to see you getting married." As a mother, she saw no difference in any of her children. "It is all my fault. If only I had been careful of that witch, it would not have happened." Rhea blamed herself for Alora's situation.

She caressed her daughter's face and said, "You are the most beautiful girl in this kingdom. I wonder what your eyes look like," she murmured and hung her head low.

Alora had told her mother about her eyes, but she wanted to look at them once. Sometimes, Rhea would desire to get burned by her daughter's gaze. At least, she would die by seeing her full face– But it was a desire that could never be fulfilled.

"I can talk to your father again and stop him from sending you," Rhea said. She didn't wish to let go of her daughter from her sight. "Who will take care of you? How will you manage everything?" She muttered.

"Mother, I'll return once Venus and Elliot get married," Alora said. She was aware that her return to the capital of the kingdom was not possible. It would probably be her last time to converse with her mother like this.

"Lady Rhea, the carriage is ready for Miss Alora," a servant informed them.

"This early?" Rhea didn't expect the two hours to pass so quickly.

"It's the time when I shall bid farewell to my mother," Alora pronounced.

Rhea's eyes turned watery. She embraced Alora warmly as she closed her eyes. "I will come to you as soon as Venus' marriage is fixed. Eat your meals on time. Don't let yourself fall sick." She wanted to say more things to Alora, but Norman's presence interrupted them.

"Alora, it's the time you should leave," Norman's deep voice fell into their ears. He saw his wife wiping her tears. "Bring her outside," he said and turned to exit.

"Father, forgive me for not being able to become a good child to you. I will miss you," Alora said as she rose to her feet.

Norman didn't say anything and went outside. Alora felt upset since her father didn't try to say any good words even when she had planned to leave the house.

Rhea held the arm of her daughter gently and took her outside.

"Mother, are Venus and Elliot around?" Alora asked, thinking if they had come to bid her farewell or not.

"They are busy unlike you. Just get into the carriage fast and leave our house," Madam Aubrey bitterly remarked.

"Please don't speak in such a way with my daughter, Mother," Rhea said sternly. She walked to Alora again and kissed the top of her forehead. "I'll miss you. Don't forget to take your meals on time," she again reminded her daughter.

"Yes, Mother," Alora said.

Suddenly, a familiar warm hand rested above her head. She recognized by sensing its touch that it was of her father's. Alora smiled a little since this gesture from her father was like a blessing to her.

She soon got into the carriage and heard the door getting closed. Alora realized a new Chapter had started in her life, where she had to learn to live by herself. However, she was unaware of the fate that would soon unfold before her.

As the carriage began the journey to Elmswood, Alora slowly drifted off to sleep. She jolt awake from her sleep when the carriage abruptly halted and her head banged against the window.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

~~~~~

Hello Dear Readers,

This is my first time writing a Vampire story. I hope you will give a chance to this story and read it. This story is a part of WSA 2024 in fantasy romance category. Please support me through powerstones votes, comments and reviews since it will help the book to grow among the readers. If you have any questions, you can ask here.

THANK YOU

HAPPY READING

 

Chapter 2: Alora, now you are mine

The sudden tumbling of the carriage jolted awake Alora from her sleep and her head banged against the window of the carriage. However, the carriage somehow did not fall to the ground and turned stable. It had stopped moving when a loud shriek of the man, who drove the carriage reverberated.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Alora's heart clenched in fear to hear that shout. She quickly opened the carriage's door and jumped out while keeping the blindfold on her eyes.

Alora heard the cries of the servants behind her, who were in the second and the third carriage. "What's happening?" she muttered and decided to take off the blindfold.

However, Alora was scared thinking if she would take off the blindfold, what worse could happen? But the screams of the men and women forced her not to stand quiet. She pushed down the blindfold and squeezed her eyes tightly before looking ahead of her.

Suddenly, the silence had surrounded that particular place. She took a step forward and saw a fallen lantern. Beside it a lifeless body was lying, covered in blood, the face was entirely ruined.

Alora's eyes widened in fear and she ran ahead. Everyone was dead there, except her. Why did it happen? Who did it? Vampires or werewolves? She clenched her her gown tightly, thinking of running away to save her life.

The coachmen were dead, the bodyguards were dead too while the horses had already run away. Alora's eyes welled up in tears, wondering if it was the end of her life.

"Miss, run away," a faint voice landed on her ears. It was of her personal attendant. But Alora turned to look at her. She could not meet her gaze.

"Are you alright?" Alora asked in a trembling voice, keeping her gaze to the front. "Let's go together, Sia," she murmured and quickly put on her blindfold.

As she turned around to face Sia, she heard her cry and promptly took off her blindfold. In front of her was a dark, full-grown wolf with his entire eyes red. He had his claws inserted deep at Sia's back, who closed her eyes as if she was dead.

Tears streamed down Alora's cheeks as the werewolf threw Sia's body away and growled loudly.

In an instant, as the werewolf advanced to strike Alora, their eyes locked, causing him to disintegrate into ashes. Stumbling in shock, Alora's heart raced uncontrollably, urging her to flee without hesitation.

Tears clouded her vision, blurring the surroundings, but Alora pushed forward without pause.

Consumed by guilt, she held herself responsible for the deaths of those who had faithfully served her for years. This burden weighed heavily as she raced away from the scene, her mind haunted by the tragic incident.

Alora had no sense of her direction within that deep forest when her foot slipped over some pebbles. A scream escaped her lips and she fell off the downhill.

'Will I die here? Is this my end?' Alora thought while she kept rolling down the downhill.

"Ahh," Alora groaned as she reached the level ground. Her entire body was covered with bruises, specifically cuts on her face. With difficulty, Alora finally stood up while wincing in pain.

In the enveloping darkness of the night, she was disoriented, unsure of her next move. Despite her injured state, Alora decided to veer to her right, hoping to chance upon a shelter for the night.

As she limped onward, a carriage approached swiftly. The glow of its two front lanterns seared into Alora's eyes, momentarily blinding her in the darkness and bringing her hand to cover her eyes.

The coachman quickly pulled the reins on the horses and brought the carriage to a sudden halt, stopping only an inch away from Alora.

Inside the carriage seated a notable figure of the kingdom, the vicious Vampire Prince, Magnus Lukeson. He opened his eyes as the carriage came to a sudden halt.

The coachman shouted at Alora for suddenly appearing in front of the carriage.

"A human!" Magnus whispered and quickly got out of the carriage. He was in an upsetting mood already after meeting the King. Only, a human's fresh blood could make him feel relieved.

Without sparing another second, Magnus got out of the carriage. He stood behind Alora, ready to bite her and drink the blood out of her.

Alora, who was blinded by the lanterns' luminous intensity, felt her head dizzy and she fainted. The back of her head found its place on something solid and the few hair strands covered her face.

Alora's head slipped off his chest, her body was ready to meet the ground when Magnus's strong arm encircled her waist and he securely caught her at her place.

The coachman was now on the ground, apologizing to Magnus for the sudden halt in the way.

Magnus was, however, focused on Alora. The magical scent of her blood brought his insides into pleasure, making him wonder what her blood would taste like. His finger brushed away the hair strands from her moonlit face.

Magnus saw the blood on the temple of her forehead. He leaned down and licked the blood. "Delicious," he murmured with a smirk. The next moment, Magnus carried Alora in his arms and took her to the carriage.

The coachman quickly opened the door for him and Magnus easily entered inside. He settled Alora beside him, who had her head rested against the window.

"Drive to the palace. I want no delays. This human shall survive," Magnus ordered the coachman. The door was shut close and soon, the carriage also began moving.

Magnus' eyes landed on the blindfold that was around her neck and wondered what was it for. As he pulled it away from her neck, he found letters of her name embroidered on it.

"Alora!" Magnus pronounced her name and smiled in amusement.

"Alora, now you are mine. The taste of your blood is something I need the most as soon as you wake up," Magnus said as he lowered his hand to his lap. The Vampire Prince had a rule: to drink blood when the human was in his conscious state.

Chapter 3: Magnus Lukeson, the Vampire Prince

"Water," Alora mumbled in her sleep. She could feel the pain in her entire body as she tried to open her eyes. For a while, no one gave her the water when suddenly a large hand rested under her head and lifted it.

The touch of the cold silver glass lingered on her lips as the person helped Alora drink the water. She finally felt her insides reviving as her thirst quenched.

Alora gradually opened her eyes, forgetting she was not meant to look at anyone. As soon as her eyes met a pair of raven orbs, Alora finally recalled she wasn't supposed to look at anyone.

"No!" She tightly squeezed her eyes shut in the fear that the man would burn because of her gaze now.

"Open your eyes, Alora," said Magnus in his deep voice.

She was puzzled how he knew her name. Most importantly, why the man didn't disintegrate into ashes. Quickly Alora opened her eyes and stared at him. "How can you look at me?" Alora was totally surprised.

"Because I've eyes," Magnus promptly answered.

"No. You should have burned by now," Alora stated.

"Tsk." Magnus chuckled and let go of her head. It fell against the soft pillow and he placed the glass back on the bedside table. "Strange! A human is cursing an immortal vampire to die," he remarked.

"A vampire?" Alora's eyes slightly grew big, but she didn't trust his words. Why would she be saved by a supernatural creature like a vampire? "One should not lie," she stated.

Magnus couldn't believe his ears. The woman lying in front of him on the bed thought that he lied. "And why do you think I'm lying to you?" he was inquisitive to know the response. By now, Alora seemed an interesting woman to him.

"They kill," Alora replied.

Magnus arched his eyebrow at her in astonishment.

"Vampires kill the humans. They don't save humans. That's why you should not lie to me," Alora affirmed. This was the first time she had been talking with someone so much that too with an unknown man. "I think I'm still in a dream. It's impossible for me to look at anyone's eyes," she suddenly murmured.

Magnus furrowed his brows together, pondering what Alora was babbling. "Shall I prove to you that it's not a dream and I'm not a human?" He queried.

"How?" Alora asked.

"Like this," Magnus opened his mouth, showing his fangs to her. He was so rapid in his action that faster than the blink of an eye, his face was buried in the crook of her neck. His sharp fangs touched her smooth skin, but he didn't push them inside.

Alora's heart had stopped for a second. She finally realized a vampire had saved her. She took heavy breaths, holding for dear life. Would he drink blood from her? That would be a slow, torturous death for her.

Magnus slowly withdrew and sat straight in front of him. "So, are you completely out of your dream?" he quipped.

Alora nodded at him and curled her fingers. The moment he showed his shimmery red pupils to her, Alora confirmed for the second time she had fallen into the trap of a vampire.

"Why did you save me?" Alora asked.

"So that you can serve me," Magnus answered.

"Serve you?" Alora drew her brows close. "I'm a daughter of a high-ranked noble family of Velaris. I cannot serve you," she pronounced. Finding no way to escape from a vampire's clutches, Alora could come up with the truth about her real identity only.

According to the peace treaty between vampires and humans, the vampires could never target some top-ranked noble families in the kingdom. She knew Magnus would not dare to go against the treaty because that would mean he was against the King.

Magnus chuckled to hear her words. "I don't care about your father's rank. What I want is your blood whenever I feel its need and the other services you can provide to me," he clarified to her with a stern tone.

"But the treaty forbids the vampires from doing so. You cannot keep me captive," Alora said with a troubled expression.

"You are in Elmswood, Alora, where my rules work. I am Magnus Lukeson, the Vampire Prince," he introduced him to her while boring his gaze at her.

Alora was shocked to learn his name. She had heard about him. The most vicious immortal vampire prince, who didn't think twice before taking someone's life. He also loved to defy the rules of the King and worked in a way, he desired. Those who raised their voice against him were beheaded. He drank fresh blood out of humans and did not wait for the blood supplies.

Despite all those qualities that Magnus possessed, Alora didn't protest to live in the same place as him because he was the only one with whom she could talk without her blindfold on. Alora had no problem giving him her blood either since he didn't kill her.

"I apologize to Your Highness for speaking informally with him," Alora said as she lowered her eyes. "I will willingly give His Highness my blood, but he should never abandon me," she expressed her small desire.

"I have no intention to abandon you, Alora," Magnus stated and licked his lips. "I'm eager to drink from you. A servant will help you take the bath and then you need to come to my chamber to serve me. Do you understand?" he asked.

Alora nodded in agreement. "I understand, Your Highness," she said and searched for her blindfold. When she didn't find it she asked Magnus about it.

"Your eyes are absolutely fine, then why do you need a blindfold?" Magnus inquired with a quizzical glance.

"My gaze can burn anyone into ashes," Alora stated while looking at his eyes once again, "His Highness is the only exception, who is unaffected by my gaze," she explained with a smile.

Magnus was amused to hear such a woman existed in the kingdom. However, as long as he was fine, he didn't care about anything related to Alora. He took out the blindfold from his pocket and gave it to her. "See you later, Alora," Magnus said and within a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the chamber.

Chapter 4: A curse that can burn anyone

Alora secured the blindfold over her eyes before placing her feet on the ground. "Miss Alora, I'm Cecilia, the attendant in your service. His Highness has ordered me earlier to help you whenever you find my need," she said and approached Alora.

It was the first time Magnus brought a woman to the palace of Elmswood. However, Cecilia didn't expect the Vampire Prince to bring a blind woman with him. She held Alora's arm and guided her toward the large washroom.

"How did Miss Alora find the Vampire Prince? Are you blind by birth?" Cecilia curiously asked while arranging the bathing materials near the bathtub.

"I can see everything. I'm not blind. My gaze burns people away, so I keep the blindfold on," Alora truthfully told her.

Cecilia stopped at once upon hearing Alora's reply. She turned around while knitting her brows together. "Are you the noble daughter of the High Chancellor, Norman Wilson, in the capital?" she promptly inquired.

"Yes," Alora quickly responded.

Cecilia gulped in fear and wondered how come Alora got out of her house. "Why did Miss Alora Wilson leave her house?" she then asked.

Alora didn't expect such a question to come from her. "I wanted to spend some time in my father's old estate in Elmswood." She came up with an excuse. It was not a good idea to tell an unknown the reason why she had to leave her own house. People would only gossip instead of being understanding.

Cecilia left the washroom telling Alora everything. Once the door shut, Alora again removed the blindfold and locked the door from inside. "What if they ask their prince to throw me out? I don't even know where Father's old house is?" Alora mumbled to herself.

She decided to freshen up first and think about all such things later.

After undressing her clothes and discarding them into a laundry basket, Alora settled into the bathtub. Her cheeks flushed red as soon as the heat of water finally seeped through her body, causing her body temperature to rise. She took the water between her palms and poured it over her shoulders.

"Venus must have met the Duke's son today. I hope they both get married soon," Alora murmured. Suddenly, a thought hit her mind. The scene of Sia's death flashed in front of her eyes and tears emerged from her eyes on their own. How could she forget she lost almost twenty people who were with her on the same journey?

Alora sniffled and brought her knees close. She silently cried inside the four walls and cursed herself for bringing such a brutal death to them.

~~~~~

The Head Chamberlain, Tobias, bowed to Magnus, who was seated on the adorned chair with his eyes closed.

"Your Highness, pardon me for intruding on you like this. But I must report an important matter to you," Tobias said, keeping his eyes low.

"What is it?" Magnus asked.

"Right at the western borders, we found human dead bodies. Upon further investigation, we found out that it was a werewolf attack. But there was no sign of his retreating steps. It seems the werewolf who attacked and killed those humans just vanished into thin air," Tobias explained the seriousness of the situation.

Magnus furrowed his brows together. "What was a werewolf doing in my territory?" he muttered. "Summon Gabriel. I would like to talk to him on this matter," he ordered to the Head Chamberlain.

"I will send a message to him," Tobias assured the Vampire Prince.

"Anything else?" Magnus arched his eyebrow at him.

"How did His Highness find the Curse of Velaris?" Tobias was quite blunt in his remark.

"I don't understand such flowery remarks, Tobias," Magnus asked him to explain in simple words.

"I'm talking about Alora Wilson, Your Highness," Tobias answered. "She has had a curse since her birth. A curse that can burn anyone, who looks into her eyes. Even the vampires cannot escape that curse," he affirmed.

Magnus laughed to hear his statement for a moment, puzzling him. "Well, I'm alive in front of you. I looked into Alora's eyes. Nothing happened to me. Are you sure about the curse?" He wanted Tobias to confirm his claim first.

"Your Highness, when Miss Wilson was four years old, she ended up looking at two vampires. They instantly burned into ashes. His Highness should not lie about looking into Alora's eyes." While speaking about it, Tobias still could feel the goosebumps on his body.

Magnus' lips curved into a smile. "That's interesting. Did I ever lie to you? Next time you say such a thing to me, I'm going to punish you. Also, there's no need to bring a human today since I already have one... A better one," he pronounced with a pleasing smile and stood up from the comfortable chair.

Tobias didn't know what was in the Vampire Prince's mind, but making him stop was almost impossible. He just prayed that everything remained fine but from his end, he needed to inform Norman about his daughter, so that he could take her back.

Magnus entered the chamber, which he designated to Alora. The sweet scent of her blood would attract him continuously to her. He stopped at the door of the dressing chamber and saw Alora trying to hook her gown. Since no one was around to help her, it was difficult for her to get changed in that dress.

With long strides, Magnus approached her. His hands caught and touched hers and their eyes met through the oval mirror on the dressing table. His ice-cold fingers met her skin as he put the hooks on her gown.

"You made me wait too much," Magnus said.

"I apologize." She quickly turned to face him and told him she would get ready.

"Well, I gave you time to get ready. But you were struggling," Magnus affirmed and turned her around.

Alora was never exposed to any man before let alone get touched. Magnus was too shameless and nonchalant about all this. She fidgeted her fingers as his fingertips would brush her skin again and again.

"What happened last night? Mind sharing with me, Human?" Magnus asked as he moved his hands to her shoulders. His left hand slowly found its way to her neck, causing her heartbeat to rise.

"Does Your Highness wish to drink my blood?" Alora asked. She should not be asking such a question, but who knew what the Vampire Prince wanted?

"Can you bear the pain?" Magnus stroked his fingers on the exposed part of her neck, feeling the thick vein.

He never waited this long to bite anyone. But something was stopping him from drinking blood from Alora. Magnus soon ignored that feeling and ducked his head in the crook of her neck.

He leaned closer to her neck, revealing his formidable fangs, and...

 

Chapter 5: Taste of her blood

Magnus looked at her through the mirror, she had her eyes shut tightly, feeling nervous. The fangs which had touched only the surface of her skin, he withdrew them slowly and lifted his face.

Alora opened her one eye and looked at his reflection. Why was he not biting her? "What happened, Your Highness?" she inquired. Fear of being abandoned by him too engulfed her. "Do I need to do something?" She turned to face him, wondering why he suddenly got silent.

"I don't wish to drink from you," Magnus said.

"Why?" Alora started doubting if he already had decided to throw her out. Quickly she got on her knees and lowered her head. "Please don't ask me to leave from here, Your Highness. You are the only one whom I can talk with. I don't have to feel scared around you. I beg you," she pleaded in her humble tone.

Magnus got down on his knees, his left hand rested on his left knee and he pulled her chin up. "Alora, you aren't leaving anywhere. I asked you a question before you urged me to drink from you," he reminded her. "How did you come to Elmswood?" He questioned again.

Withdrawing his hand from under her chin, he stood up. "Stand up and come out," Magnus stated and went out of the dressing room.

Alora got on her feet and rushed outside. She saw Magnus was seated on the chaise with his one leg over the other. "Let me be clear. I want truth only. It will take me a second to snap your neck and kill you if you lie," he warned her.

"Your Highness, because of me my sister's marriage couldn't happen. So, my family and I decided that I should live here in Elmswood in my father's old house. However, last night a werewolf attacked our caravan, killing everyone," Alora truthfully told him.

"And how did you get saved?" Magnus queried.

"I ended up looking into the eyes of the werewolf and he was burned into ashes," Alora said, again recalling the death of Sia right in front of her eyes.

"I don't trust that you can burn anyone. You need to show it to me," Magnus stated.

"What!? No! I-I cannot do that, Your Highness. It's scary for me," Alora refused to kill anyone with her gaze. She was already traumatized by them.

"But why did nothing happen to me?" Magnus arched his eyebrow at her. "I need to witness your power before deciding to keep you here," he affirmed.

"If because of me an innocent dies, then it will be wrong, Your Highness," Alora stated.

"I'll order to bring an evil human, who has committed many crimes in Elmswood," Magnus suggested. He was eager to know how Alora's powers worked and why she had such a power.

"I refuse," Alora declared firmly, her gaze dropping. "I'll depart from His Highness's palace if he insists I stay here solely to take someone's life." Her voice resonated with anger and frustration.

"My command stands absolute, Alora. There's no room for refusal," Magnus stated firmly. "Besides, I've made it clear that you are not to leave my presence," he continued with a hint of warning creeping into his tone. "Do not compel me to reveal my darker side. Carry out my instructions," he proclaimed.

"For the Vampire Prince, it may be fun to see someone losing his life, but I'm a human with strong emotions. Please understand my stance. I truly can burn anyone with my gaze. If His Highness doubts me, then he can even ask my father about it." Alora stood firm on her decision while countering with Magnus in an appropriate manner.

In her eyes, vampires lacked emotions. They didn't care about human lives, so they were unaware of the feelings that humans possessed.

Magnus chuckled. "You are not fun at all, Alora. You are quite bold to even speak so much with me. Don't I scare you?" he questioned with an amusing smile.

Alora blinked and he was in front of her– standing only an inch away from her. His cold hand cradled her neck, lifting it slightly, his thumb pressing her cheek. "Answer." He stared into her eyes.

"Perhaps I speak such boldly in front of His Highness because I could never get to look at anyone while speaking," Alora asserted after a careful thought.

"And what about the fear?"

"For now, I'm not scared of His Highness," Alora truthfully told him.

Magnus smiled to hear her response. "Interesting. I like you. Stay around me all the time," he let go of her neck and showed her his fangs. "You need to at least be scared of these sharp fangs," he muttered.

Alora lowered her eyes. "Will His Highness really not drink blood from me?" she inquired again.

"If you'll force me like this, then I'll have no option left," Magnus said. He didn't stop himself this time. Burying his neck in the crook of her neck, brushing away the hair from that side, his pointed canines were ready to pierce her skin.

Magnus placed his hand over Alora's eyes, making them close, and slowly pierced her skin with his fangs.

"Ahh!" A cry escaped Alora's mouth and she ended up holding Magnus's hand which was over her eyes. Her insides seemed to be ripping apart because of the pain.

Magnus' fangs were only halfway in her skin when he instantly pushed them further. Alora's cry fell into his ears, but it felt strange to him.

The taste of her blood was divine. He never tasted anything like this in such a long span. Alora's blood possessed a sweeter and remarkably delicious essence.

Normally, he would be mindful of his boundaries when feeding on a human, but with Alora, all such considerations seemed to slip his mind.

His eyes transformed into a fiery shade of blood-red and his body craved for more. Despite having already consumed from her, the thirst remained insatiable.

"Mag-nus," Alora uttered his name in a delirious state, her voice wavering amidst the haze.

That was the moment when Magnus pulled away from her and met his gaze. His lips, his fangs, and teeth were covered in her blood. The next moment, she fainted but before her head could meet the floor, Magnus caught her.

Magnus furrowed his brows together as he continued to stare at her face.