NIGHTS OF HALLOW-Chapter 146: Budding Inferno

Perdita and Sthena arrived at the doorstep of Perdita’s room not wasting more than a second. Sthena released Perdita from his embrace and waited for her to step back.

Perdita looked up at Sthena without moving backward causing Sthena’s brow to raise in question when she opened her mouth to speak.

"I know," Sthena interjected with a small smile on his face before she could speak. He continued, "You don’t have to say anything. You are here and I have all the time to woo you and I know I’m not going to miss my catch."

"You are too confident," Perdita replied making Sthena’s smile widen.

"I go for what I want and you Perdita is all I want and need and I promise not to stop till I get you," Sthena cupped Perdita’s cheek in his palm, his cold hand making her shudder. He leaned in and placed a small kiss on the back of her hand. "Have a good night rest, Perdita." He whispered and turned on his heels and departed from there.

Perdita stared at the departing figure of Sthena, her heart aching because of how the day’s events unfolded. From the witches abducting her brother to Sthena’s sudden confession. From the look on his face, she knew there was no way she was going to escape the clutches of the red-haired vampire King.

’When and how did he begin to be attracted to her?’ Perdita questioned herself. But even with her question, she couldn’t find an answer to it. She shook her head and took a deep breath to calm her little heart which had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions since the day started.

With a sigh, Perdita turned around and entered her room to rest for the day even though she knew she was not going to sleep because of the numerous thoughts of Marco’s wellbeing that occupied her head. She could only pray he was safe wherever he was.

Sthena’s figure made its way toward the direction of the castle’s kitchen, and on the way he met one of the castle’s maids.

"Your Majesty," The maid stopped with her head deeply bowed immediately when she saw the king appear in her direction.

"What are you doing walking around at this hour?" Sthena’s eyebrows furrowed in a frown as he stared at the lowly maid.

"Lady Sarah requested for a night snack, Your Majesty." The maid promptly replied with her head still bowed where she didn’t dare look at the king’s face.

When Sthena didn’t speak again, the maid took it as a cue to continue on her way when the voice of the king halted her in her steps.

"I don’t remember asking you to leave," Sthena frowned at the maid who seemed as though she didn’t how the rules of the castle operated.

"I—I’m s...sorry, Your Majesty." The maid immediately apologized while bowing deeper than before.

Sthena waved his hand as if dismissing what the maid said before he commanded, "Bring food to Lady Perdita’s room. Makes sure she eats it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The maid obliged with a bow before finally departing from there.

Sthena not wasting another minute swiftly turned and walked back from the direction he came from. He had come here wanting to bring Perdita something to eat before he saw the maid. He hadn’t forgotten that she didn’t eat anything after the breakfast they had because of the abduction of Marco.

Remembering what had transpired since the beginning of the day because of the Serena, Sthena’s hand clenched by his sides, his dark red eyes turning more smouldering than they were before.

On his way back to his study room, Daemon appeared before him from the adjoining hallway he walked in.

"Milord," Daemon greeted with a bow. He asked, "How did it go?"

"Nothing was found. They are gone," Sthena replied still keeping the pace at which he walked.

Daemon’s brows furrowed into a deep frown. He continued to ask, "How is the Lady holding up?" He had seen how close the siblings were towards each other to know that the trouble of the other affected one another as if it were their personal problem.

"Not good," Sthena truthfully replied. He had seen the pain in Perdita’s eyes during the hours they stayed together to know she was trying hard to keep a strong face. He could only wish his confession would serve as a good distraction for her to stop thinking about her brother.

Daemon gave Sthena a quick side eye as if he could discern that something more happened but he chose not to question Sthena. At least not at the moment.

"Make sure the church won’t discover what happened today," Sthena instructed as they made their way inside his study room. The last thing he wanted was the church coming to the castle wanting to snoop their dog noses into the case concerning Perdita and Marco. Now that it had been established they were witches, they were bound to be haunted down if not by the witches, then it would be by Vetis Leander.

Daemon took the nearest couch and sat down with his legs crossed over the other while Sthena sat at the opposite could. He proceeded to open the bottle of liquor placed on the small table in between the couches and poured liquor for both of them.

Sthena took his glass and swirled its contents with a distant look on his face. His features were sharp as the night waiting to catch and burn his prey. Thinking about Vetis, he knew that it wouldn’t be long before he struck back, after all, he had killed his men in his mansion.

Sthena drank a mouthful of the liquor, relishing the strong taste of the wine that hit his taste buds differently because of his gloomy mood that was waiting to pull hearts out.

He turned to look at Daemon who didn’t care to a sip from his glass since he held it.

"You seem quiet tonight, Dae." Sthena pointed out. He quizzed, "Any problem I should know of?"

Daemon nodded his head in acknowledgment before he finally took a sip from his glass. He responded to Sthena’s question, "I’m afraid, Milord, but there might be a problem from today’s ordeal."

"And what might that be?" Sthena probed, slowly drinking from his glass.

"I’m afraid you might be getting a visit from the church members tomorrow," Daemon answered while he strengthened his back, awaiting what was to come because of his revelation.

"And why is that, Dae?" Sthena questioned with a pointed look on his face, indicating he was not one bit happy at the mention of the church member’s visit.

"Lady Rosamonda happened to know what occurred today through Prince Regan and she went ahead to inform the church members just before you left with Lady Perdita this evening."