His Queen

20. Paradise

Aliya's POV

It's appears I had just been brought back from a deep and long nap, as I blinked my eyes open and stretched my arms over my head. Pushing back the covers, I stepped over the edge of the bed and stood up on my feet. As I curled my toes against the plush rug, I suddenly felt the urge to run for miles. I felt a sudden energy sweeping through my core, and it seemed like I could run for hours without feeling tired.

I was feeling different.

The reason was so unknown to me.

Maybe I just needed a long shower to calm my nerves, to feel a little less on the edge.

There wasn't anybody else in the room, it was midday and the AC was on full blast. But what surprised me was that it didn't bother me at all. Usually the king would keep turning it on the lowest setting possible, and I would keep increasing the temperature when it started to feel like the Arctic.

The king.

The bite.

Memories of this morning flooded my mind. The pain had been so unbearable that I could barely breathe anymore, and I ended up passing out.

I wondered what happened after that. I looked down to my wrist and there wasn't any sign of a bite mark there.

How is that possible?

Was it just my imagination?

I really do need that shower.

Grabbing a new set of clothes from the closet, I made my way into the restroom. Walking over to the bright vanity, I started to brush my teeth.

After I was done washing my mouth, I took a hold of my hair and put them up in a messy bun, while humming to a random tune in my head.

An idea came to my mind as I looked over to the black speakers that were built into the ceilings. The king would always command them to play something for him while he was in the shower.

"Hey, Serene," I called out, looking at the roof, "play The Weeknd."

No response.

It didn't make sense because that's all the king had to say and she would happily obey, while even sending a compliment his way. The AI technology in his room and bathroom was far too advanced for me to understand it. But I had only given her a simple task.

"She only listens to me, you know?"

I jumped at the king's voice. Turning back to look at where it was coming from, I was consumed with shock.

He had been here the whole time.

Half naked.

Damien's god-like body was covered by the soft waves of the water which was filled to the very top of the jacuzzi. His head was relaxing back, with his arms stretched out to the sides as his elbows rested on the edge. Even from the distance, I could see his eyes were closed as he spoke to me.

How did I not notice him before? Perhaps my mind was too occupied with the earlier events that I failed to glance around the bathroom to make sure I was alone.

And why doesn't he use a lock?

Right, because he's probably not used to having company in his own bedroom.

Stepping on my toes, I tried to walk closer to the door without making any noise to give him some privacy. I was too embarrassed that I walked in on him having a bath when I should've checked my surroundings. I'll just shower after he was done.

"I can hear your heartbeat from a mile away, I don't know why you're attempting to be quiet," he said.

Damn vampire hearing.