11 The person I fancy

The command was intimidating for Alora. She shook her head and requested Magnus not to do so. "I understand why Father didn't come here. Please Your Highness shall not trouble my family. I'll go to the place, where I belong," Alora said as she blinked rapidly. Her heart raced with the thought that Magnus might punish them. 

"You aren't leaving this palace, Alora," Magnus clarified to her. "Let me remind you again. I am a man of my own rules. Your pleadings have no use on me. My order is supreme and it must be followed. I didn't wish to see you cry. Norman's biggest mistake is to ignore the person I fancy." Magnus even revealed his growing desires for Alora. 

It had not been a day and she had already succeeded in pulling him in her charm. He had made up his mind not to let this woman go of his life at any cost. He needed her eyes, her blood, and her entire being.

Tobias and Odin whose eyes were still shut close were stunned to hear that the Vampire Prince was enticed by someone. 

For Alora, it was shocking and unbelievable. She peered into his eyes to confirm his words. "Is it true?"

"Yes," Magnus admitted. "Leave this instant, Odin," he commanded. 

"Yes, Your Highness." Odin pivoted on his feet and rushed to the capital. 

Tobias decided to speak up, but he feared that Magnus might get angry at him. "I will see the dinner arrangements for Miss Alora." With that, he excused himself. 

Alora wiped the remaining tears from the back of her palm while Magnus pulled back his hands. 

"Why?" Alora asked. 

"Think," Magnus said with an amusing smile. He loved playing this game with her. He returned to his seat, thinking she would finally realize what he wanted from her, instead of her blood. 

Alora fidgeted with her fingers for a while. "Your Highness, don't be angry at my family. Venus's marriage has finally been fixed, and there should not be any kind of obstacle to that. I hope His Highness agrees to this small request of mine," she requested in a low voice. 

"How can you be so forgiving for the family, who isn't even bothered how their daughter is? Only your mother cares for you, so I'll not say anything to her. That's the least I can do," Magnus stated and saw her mouth open to speak. "If you plead for the others, that will annoy me." He moved his fingers around his ring after giving her a warning. 

Alora turned down silent and kept her head down. "They will hate me more," she said after a long pause. 

Magnus knitted his brows together, not because he cared for their growing hatred for Alora but because he felt what kind of human Alora was!

"His Highness would have too despised me if I couldn't meet his gaze," Alora asserted. "I am born with this cursed fate, and I need to keep living with this," she added. 

"Foolish woman!" Magnus chuckled. 

Alora glanced at him, pondering why he used that remark. "It's better to stay foolish than harming the others with your words," she muttered. 

"Did you just lecture me, Human?" Magnus's eyebrow raised at her. 

Alora pursed her lips together as she didn't wish to speak. "I take my leave," she said. 

"Come here," Magnus commanded her. 

Alora gazed at him with a puzzled expression. She slowly moved toward him and halted upon reaching on his right. Magnus grasped her wrist and pulled her down. "Why did you never use this sharp mouth of yours to lecture your family?" He questioned her. 

"If my words offended Your Highness, I apologize," Alora stated, keeping a respectful distance between them.

Magnus gently drew her closer by taking her hand, their faces coming closer together. "I'm not inclined to forgive you this time. Please me, and only then will I consider forgiving you," he whispered, his breath brushing against her lips.

Alora's throat tightened as her eyelids fluttered nervously.

"How can I do that?" Alora mumbled and she averted her gaze from him. 

Magnus used his index finger to pull her chin in his direction. "Kiss me," he said. 

"What?" Instantly Alora's eyes widened and she refused by shaking her head. "How could Your Highness demand something like that?" Her heart pounded against her chest in nervousness. 

"Your cheeks are flushed red," Magnus said. 

Alora touched her cheeks instantly. "No, they aren't. Your Highness shan't lie," she murmured and promptly moved away from him. 

Magnus smiled to see her reaction. He leaned closer to her and rested his chin on her shoulder. Alora tightly clutched her dress when she felt his long, cold fingers brushing her neck. "The blood in your veins is inviting me," he whispered in her ear. 

"But His Highness said that he doesn't wish to drink from me anymore," Alora said while gathering her courage. 

"Yes, I did," Magnus accepted. "I told the reason too," he added. 

"Cecilia said that Your Highness reached late at the palace because you were drinking someone's blood," Alora stated. 

"Yes, but my thirst is still not quenched," Magnus replied. His fingers were still caressing Alora's neck. "Your heart... I can hear its beats," he whispered in her ear. 

Alora quickly turned to him. Using her hands on his chest, she pushed him away without fearing the consequences. "Don't do that. It's wrong," she said with lots of courage. 

"What did I do?" Magnus amusedly inquired. 

"Your Highness is suddenly acting strange. It's not what I think of him," Alora said. 

"And what have you thought of me?" Magnus questioned with a grin. 

For Alora, it was difficult to say it aloud. She lowered her gaze while fiddling with her fingers. "I've never been close to any man. And it's not good. I hope Your Highness understands me," she stated. 

"I didn't understand what you said," Magnus acted naive this time. 

Alora lifted her eyes and bit her bottom lip. "Good night, Your Highness," she said.