The Hunter's Heritage

*Chapter Thirty*

*Chapter Thirty*

It had been an entire week since that fateful incident. From the worried look in Lyorin’s eyes, I knew that he wanted to talk about it. I appreciate the fact that he was willing to wait till I was comfortable enough to talk about it.

I made my way through the swaying mass of bodies, my deep sapphire dress billowing out and swishing around my ankle as I walked in the matching heels. I could feel the not-so-subtle looks I was receiving coming from every direction in the crowds. I was somewhat a legendary vampire, being the last of my family. All they got were rumors. Rumors about how the two most prominent figures of the Dark family had perished within a single night, and how coincidentally, I was discovered to be the only daughter of Judy Silvana.

“Congratulations, Milady,” a skinny brunette with braided hair greeted me. She curtsied lightly, and I immediately noticed the inquisitive look in her eyes. She was here to get gossips.

“Thank you,” I said politely and plastered on a fake smile. “Please excuse me. I need to head over to Lyorin.”

Surprise and disappointment flashed across her features. She nodded and hurried away.

It wasn’t long before I spotted the tall figure in the throng of people. He was wearing a black tux, and a striped blue and silver tie. A small smile appeared on face as our eyes met, and I saw him excuse himself from the people he was talking to. He made his way towards me.

He lifted my hand to his lips and gently planted a kiss on it. His silver eyes smoldered into mine with an intensity that caused a light fluttery feeling in my stomach to appear. My heartbeat quickened involuntarily. The familiar smirk appeared on his face. I heard someone a loud cough around us, and I tore my gaze away from Lyorin. For an instant, an annoyed look crossed Lyorin’s expression before his eyes widened.

I followed his gaze and saw the intimidating figure in front of me. His dark hair was styled just the same as last time, and his ebony irises were just as penetrating. Two bodyguards stood behind him, not moving a muscle.

I curtsied lightly.

“Congratulations, Azura,” he said. “You’re now the official fiancée to the successor of Evaldor.”

“Thank you,” I responded formally.

“Please enjoy tonight, Your Highness,” Lyorin smiled and gestured around the lavishly decorated room.

“I certainly will,” he replied and laughed.

It took all my will not to gape openly at the King as he laughed loudly. He gestured to his bodyguards and together, they went off. I was not the only one who was surprised by his action as most of the crowds had stopped what they were doing and silently glanced at the Royalty.

“Come, I need some fresh air.”

Lyorin was already making his way towards the back door, and I quickened my steps to follow him. The volume of the classical music significantly decreased with each step we took. Lyorin stopped by a large maple tree, and I halted as well.

We were far enough from the hall that no one could hear us, and the lines of small trees blocked any view of us if someone were to stand on the balcony from the mansion.

A loud sigh from Lyorin snapped my attention back to the real world, and I gazed at him. He was leaning against the tree with his hands in his pocket. His head was facing slightly upwards at the moon. Although he seemed completely at ease, I knew that whatever we were going to talk about won’t be some casual talk.

“So,” he finally said, still not looking at me. A gentle wind blew around us, ruffling his ebony strands of hair as they covered his eyes. “It’s tonight, isn’t it?”

“I don’t get you,” I said slowly.

“You’re sneaking away, aren’t you?” he said and continued before I could interrupt him. “I’ve promised you that I would let you go, and I will keep that promise.”

I opened my mouth to reply, but he beat me once again.

“I feel like a monster, trapping you here when your heart obviously belongs elsewhere. Don’t think that I didn’t notice it,” he paused and softened his tone. “You haven’t genuinely smiled in the whole week.”

“L-Lyorin,” I stopped.

The frustration was clear in his eyes. The hurt, the unwillingness, and the regret were open for me to see even though he had tried so hard to hide them.

I reached my left hand up and cupped his cheek, bringing his face down to face me. He tore my hands away and walked off. He stopped with his back facing me. I didn’t give up.

“Damien, Phaecy, Jayce, and all the other hunters who died by the hands of vampires will always be in my heart. I grew up with them, and I naturally am connected with them, especially the three of them. What I did realize once Damien,” I took a deep breath, forcing myself to say it, “killed himself was that the feelings I felt for him and the feelings I was developing towards you were completely different.”

I made my way towards him, and my eyes searched his. I desperately needed him to understand and see that what I was saying was genuine and earnest.

“He had never and will never make my heartbeat quicken and my stomach flutter in nervousness. He had always been and will always be a close friend. If you’re thinking that my heart lies with him then you’re wrong. I would only leave in one condition,” I said, “if you want me to leave.”

The corner of his lips lifted up into a weak smile, and he exhaled shakily.

“He knew this would happen.”

“Huh?”

“He planned everything the moment I met him.”

“What are you talking about?”

Shaking his head in amusement, he focused his eyes on me once again. He leaned down, his lips slightly brushing mine.

“This is your last chance,” he murmured.

“I’m sure of this,” I said, stroking his face. “However, I will need some time to get used to the fact that he’s…he’s no longer here”

He pressed his forehead against mine and smirked.

“Looks like this is going to be one long engagement,” he said, his eyes twinkling slyly.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his alluring scent. For the first time in a week, I genuinely smiled.

“Yeah.”

*Third Person’s POV*

A soft glow enclosed every inch of the wavy, black-haired woman on the roof of the castle. She sat at the highest point on the castle, her hair whipping around her gently and her obsidian dress floating around her like mist. She hummed softly and dangled her legs over the edge of the tiles. She wore a soft smile as she played around with the single black rose in her hand.

“It’s over, Judy. You can rest in peace.”

The glow around her intensified until it swallowed her whole. She closed her eyes, simply enjoying the warmth she was enclosed in. She glowed brighter and brighter. There was a flash of light, and she vanished into thin air. The rose dropped from her hand. A strong gust of wind appeared, and a few rose petals fell from the black rose. The black petals, being lighter, rose higher and higher in the air. They spiraled in the air before breaking free, scattering in the sky.

***

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