“Alright.” Magnus didn’t force her.
“Once I’m prepared, I’ll inform His Highness,” Alora responded calmly.
As a few people began to recognise them, Izaak slowed his pace, now walking beside Alora. She glanced at him but remained silent.
Magnus suddenly came to a stop, causing Alora to halt as well. “What’s wrong?” she inquired. Izaak looked at Magnus.
“Did Shadowbrook start having new vampires as well?” Magnus inquired.
“I’ve no idea about it,” Izaak replied. “Can you sense newly formed vampires?” he questioned, wandering his eyes around.
“What’s the problem in that?” Alora queried.
“They might attack you,” Magnus replied gravely. “You’re the only human out in the open here,” he added, his concern was evident in his voice. “I believe it’s best if we return to the cottage.”
“You’re correct. We wouldn’t want to incite chaos here,” Izaak concurred with his brother’s judgment.
As they turned on their heels to head back to the carriage, Alora lifted her foot onto the foot plate, only for it to shake as if someone had landed on its top.
Alora glanced up as Magnus’s hand pulled her back, his protective instinct kicking in. Before she could grasp the situation, Magnus enveloped her in his embrace, shielding her face against his chest, his hand gently cradling the back of her head.
Meanwhile, Izaak swiftly seized the throat of the new vampire, locking eyes with him. As their gazes met, the newfound hunger for blood within the vampire dissipated, subdued by Izaak’s authoritative presence.
The other vampires, particularly the nobles who had just arrived in their carriages, gathered around, sensing the tension in the air.
“Who permitted newly turned vampires to be in Shadowbrook?” Magnus’s voice rumbled with authority, sending a chill through those present.
“The law changed two months ago, Prince Magnus,” said Darcy, who was one such noble vampire, who had come to the market.
“Brother, you and Alora should depart. I’ll handle things here,” Izaak suggested quietly, the two brothers exchanging meaningful glances as they communicated without words.
“Kill him, Brother Izaak. I don’t wish him to live,” Magnus said, glancing at the newbie vampire.
Alora pulled her head away from his chest. “That’s not needed. I’m safe,” she stated.
Magnus ignored her and took her to the carriage. The nobles were quite mesmerized to see Alora. The coachman closed the door and drove the carriage back to the cottage.
“Please forgive me,” the newbie said as he got on his knees.
“Leave,” Izaak commanded her. He then gazed at Darcy and asked, “Who changed the law?”
“It was a Senior Member of the Council,” Darcy answered. “Prince Magnus should not have brought Princess Alora here. It is a place for vampires only,” he added.
“My dear brother isn’t ready to understand that. He wants his wife to be a part of the vampire society,” Izaak murmured in a faint voice.
“I wasn’t careful today. I forgot to ask if newly turned vampires are around,” Magnus said as he handed a glass of water to Alora. She took slow sips of the water. “I wonder if Izaak would even punish him or let him go,” he muttered, running his fingers through the locks of his hair.
“Magnus, he didn’t harm me. So, there’s no need to punish that vampire. You are overreacting,” Alora said as she placed the glass on the table.
Louis glanced at Magnus and apologized to him for not informing him about this change beforehand. “It almost skipped my mind, Your Highness. Forgive me,” he apologized.
Magnus would have burst out in anger any time, but in front of Alora, he remained quiet. Griffin entered the living room with a paper envelope in his hand with a smile on his face.
“Why did Prince Magnus and Princess Alora return so early?” asked Griffin. The smile on his lips slowly faded as he sensed the tension in the atmosphere.
“We should go to bed,” Alora left her seat and grasped Magnus’s hand to take him upstairs. Once they left, Griffin asked Louis if everything was fine.
Louis shook his head in denial. “Princess Alora was attacked by a newly turned vampire,” he informed Griffin, “fortunately, nothing happened since Prince Magnus was quick to respond to the situation along with Prince Izaak.”
“Oh, that’s what infuriated Prince Magnus,” Griffin remarked. “Prince Izaak isn’t around,” he then asked.
“The Elder Prince hasn’t returned yet,” Louis replied.
“Alright. I shall go to my room.” Griffin left the living room while Louis also left the living room.
****
Alora couldn’t fall asleep as she was troubled by a thought. How would she bring the balance when her name was enough to make most of the people hate her? How would she make people trust that she wasn’t cursed? She turned to look at Magnus, who was in a deep sleep. She didn’t wish to disturb his sleep since he was exhausted.
Quietly, Alora made her way out of the bed. Wearing a robe, she went out of the room. The entire cottage was engulfed in the darkness. She decided to walk a little before returning to her room.
Alora exited the cottage and saw the moon illuminating in the sky. It wasn’t in its full shape. The twinkling stars in the sky fluttered her heart along with the cold, gentle night breeze. She closed her eyes, inhaling the fresh air when she felt someone’s presence.
“Trouble sleeping?” Magnus asked her.
“I didn’t wish His Highness sleep to break,” Alora replied, feeling upset that because of her he woke up too.
“My body woke me up when it didn’t find you around,” Magnus replied. He saw she was still confused, so he elucidated further, “The fragrance of your blood is enough to tell me if you are near me or far from me.”
“Even in the sleep?” Alora’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes. So, what’s bothering my Alora?” Magnus placed his hand above her head affectionately. He didn’t wish to read her mind, instead, he wanted her to open up with him.
“Umm… People hate me because of the eyes I have. It is not easy to make everyone believe that I’m not harmful. I’ve many doubts, Magnus,” Alora confided in him.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.