26 Not expecting this
Eve's hand flew to her mouth instinctively. She had mistakenly called his name without using honorifics. However, as he continued to kiss her neck, she breathed out a sigh, grateful that he hadn't heard her slip-up. Suddenly aware that she was still holding onto his shoulders, she quickly withdrew her hand as though she had touched a hot lamp, her fingers curling in on themselves.
When he finally pulled away, Sebastian stared at the red mark that had formed on her pale skin and he grinned. His thumb tentatively grazed the spot as he looked up at her face, to see her eyelashes flutter close before opening again, revealing her glassy eyes.
"You are so beautiful," he complimented. Never had he thought they would be a day he would find a woman that charm him the way she did. Eve turned away her gaze feeling herself shrivel up into a dried prune.
She tried to stand up again but his hand were too firm on her waist that she could pull herself up.
"Always ready to run. Tell me, where you mouse in your past life?" He sighed tiredly.
If she was a mouse, then he was definitely a cat, to keep chasing when she run. Eve kept her thoughts to herself, the man was cunning and he would definitely have to something to reply with.
"Please, can you let me go?" Eve pleaded softly.
"No." Sebastian declined too quickly.
"Why?" Eve questioned, she didn't understand the man, he was touching her and showing affection when they meant nothing to each other.
"Why should I let go of someone I like?" He questioned back and Eve turned sharply to him. He was wearing his usual smirk and she wasn't able to tell if he was serious or not.
"Y-you cannot like me!" Eve replied astounded.
"True." Sebastian said as he picked a strand of her hair and looped it around his fingers.
"I think it's the love I have for you instead," his eyes were locked in her hair he played with but he could see how her lips parted in surprise at his words.
"L-love?" Her lips trembled as she whispered.
"I don't like it when you're away from me. You've ignited a fire in my dead heart and I want to keep you close to me forever," Sebastian paused and stared into her eyes, seeing how she was trying to comprehend his words.
"I've never wanted a woman like I want you, Evelyn," he caressed he cheeks lovingly.
"I'm only here for two years," Eve quickly reminded him about the truce and she saw the way his eyes darkened.
"Fuck that, I want to keep you with me forever," he held her hand and his fingers grazed the back of her hands.
Eve was silent, she didn't know what to make of Sebastian's words. He looked serious and she wished he wasn't. She didn't want to stay with the vampires.
"I-i don't want to stay here, your Highness," Eve slowly said and bit her lips when she saw him narrow his eyes at her.
"I'm not welcomed here and will only get in the bad hands of the vampires more," she added, hoping he would understand.
"The more reason you should stay with me, I'll protect you.."
"..With my life," Eve's head swayed at his words. No , no, this was not good. Sebastian could see the fear in her eyes and he sighed.
"B-but I don't like you," she managed to say and surprisingly, his lips twisted in a smile. The effect of the alcohol was getting worse but the weight of Sebastian's words seemed to have numbed the effect. For now.
"Don't fret, Eve. I'm here and would make you fall for me quickly," he said in amusement. His hands softly patted her back to calm her nerves. His words had been a huge shock to her
When the carriage was pulled to a stop, Sebastian continued to hold her making sure she was alright and comfortable. "Should we get down?" He asked when the coachman knocked on the carriage door and she slowly nodded.
He lifted her from his lap and, holding her hand, opened the door. He assisted her in descending from the carriage before stepping out himself. The coachman's eyes caught sight of the mark on Eve's neck, along with the servant who stood beside him and their red eyes widened. Sensing the weight of an intense gaze, both of them turned to face the imposing eyes of the King. Hastily, they averted their gaze and bent their backs as they performed a deep bow.
Feeling the cool air that breezed by her skin, Eve's body swayed and she held her hand to her head, feeling twice the hit from the alcohol. Her feet wobbled on the ground as she tried to walk and she felt herself picked up by Sebastian.
"It's the effect of the liquor, you'll fall if I drop you down," he stated seeing her open her lips to protest against him carrying her in his arms and he start to walk into the castle
Eve closed her eyes embarrassed with the thought that the servants would see her in his arms. When she opened her eyes to look at Sebastian, his gaze was fixed to his front and her eyes fell on his lips, which had kissed a while ago. She quickly pushed the thought away from her mind not wanting to think about it nor his words as they climbed up the stairs.
Upon reaching their chambers, he released her at the door, noticing the relief on her face. He could have easily taken her to his own room; the fire within him had been kindled when he tasted her sweet lips, and he craved more. However, he understood that she needed time to process everything that had transpired that day, so he decided to give her some space. There was much more to come, he contemplated, as he gazed at her with a mischievous smile.
"Should I send in a maid?" He asked, giving her a choice and she shook her head. Right now, she didn't want anyone beside her, her head ached at the back and she was feeling hot. She only want a cold bath before going to sleep.
She opened the door and stepped in, turning to look at him for a second before shutting the door close, turning the lock twice. She went into the bathroom and without pulling off her dress, she stepped into the bath and closed her eyes, feeling the heat leave her body. Her hands subconsciously moved to touch her lips reminiscing about the way Sebastian's lips had moved on it, slowly it trailed to the place the vampire had bitten her and she pressed her finger on it. Surprisingly, she didn't feel any pain and maybe if she had looked in the mirror, she would have found the two punctured hole from his fangs piercing into her skin to be missing.
She must have fallen asleep in the bath, Eve thought when she finally snapped her eyes open and see the warm amber light from the window. It was already sunset.
She stood up and climbed down from the bath, her body shuddering as she felt cold seep into her bones. She picked the towel from the rack and walked into her room to see the meal served on the table. The fireplace also cackled from the light that was lit on the woods. But she was too stressed to eat and she walked to the bed and slumped on it with her wet clothes and pulled the white quilt over head and she fell asleep quickly.
