Darcia's pov

"I've never seen someone more beautiful in my whole life," she said out loud. I shortly looked at her with wide eyes. Did I hear that right? Am I the most beautiful woman according to her? Her face screamed, "This was supposed to stay only in my head." Her cheeks were burning, looking almost like a tomato. I badly wanted to giggle and squeeze her cheeks. I know I'm beautiful, but hearing it from her felt different. When she said it, I felt like I had more power over her because I knew she finds me alluring.

"So, I'm very beautiful to you, huh?" I asked, searching for her eyes. My hand reached for her face. I carefully put my hand behind her neck, my palm touching her jawline. A million thoughts went through my head when our eyes met. All of my facial features rested.

As she leaned closer to me, her beautiful scent made my nostrils get bigger. She looked at my lips, biting her lower lip. She made me go insane inside, but I kept my facial expression dull.

"Could you- kiss me?" She asked, getting even closer to my face. I thought I was hearing things, and my mind played tricks on me. Her gorgeous hazel eyes were longing for my lips more than ever. I never saw her look at me like that.

I badly wanted to lay on top of her and taste her lips. It was killing me inside how badly I wanted her. The sudden desire made me feel hungry. It's been two or three days since I last fed. Being near her made me lust for her blood.

As much as I'd like to feed on her, my head only wanted to kiss her. Nothing else.

I couldn't make myself ruin this moment. Her being afraid again after what happened with Nicoli is simply unacceptable. She was so terrified of him that she hid behind me. Only a few weeks ago, I was the one she was afraid of. Now she wants to get close to me and kiss me.

I sat down on the couch, crossing my legs. The awkwardness was unbearable. I tried very hard not to look at her. I knew that if I looked up, I would see her disappointed face. I just can't do that with her. I'm not someone who can love or be loved.

After a while, she fell asleep, and I checked on her now and then to see if she really sleeps. I don't know what exactly happened before she woke up, but she must have been in a lot of pain. Her screams were so extreme, I thought Nicoli really came back to her room. Even though I made it pretty clear, she's not someone he can easily touch because he thinks he can do as he pleases.

Morning came, and Talia was sleeping like a baby. I got up from the couch, walked up to the window, and opened it. Fresh air came inside. After yesterday's beautiful storm, the air felt different and fresher.

I felt someone behind me, so I slowly turned around and saw Talia standing there with her messy hair and dulled look.

"Come downstairs to eat," I said and left the room immediately. I couldn't bear her presence. I wanted to get away from her as far as I could. I went downstairs and saw Nicoli doing scrambled eggs in an apron in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I walked in front of the counter. "Cooking," he answered, but didn't even turn to me. Nicoli put all kinds of seasoning on the eggs and started to hum for himself.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday. I'm not going to touch Talia, so don't worry." He suddenly said, I took a deep breath and walked to the stove, touching his arm. "I'm glad you're back." I softly spoke, and he looked into my eyes.

"I'm sure you are," he sassed as he touched my hand on his arm. I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm going to box for a while, so you know where to find me," I announced, and went downstairs.

I changed into shorts and a loose tank top and put on boxing gloves. I went into the boxing stance and took a deep breath in. The first two punches went into the face, as I imagined on the boxing bag. I covered my face with my fists and, after a second, punched again in the stomach. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my towel and then rested my face on the bag. I moved onto the face again, and after the second punch, the bag ripped off the ceiling, dropping onto the ground.

I put a lot more energy into it than I thought. I looked at my hands; the gloves were ripped off too, and my knuckles were extremely red. Even though I cannot bleed, I still feel some pain. I took off my tank top and put the towel over my neck. I went upstairs to the kitchen and saw Talia sitting there alone, eating the scrambled eggs that Nicoli had made for her. I shifted behind her, and after a few seconds, she acknowledged my presence. She wanted to put the plate in the sink, but I was in her way.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

She got startled and almost dropped the plate on the floor. I was quick enough to grab her by her waist. I took the plate from her hand and put it back on the counter. She stared into my eyes, and I felt her heartbeat fasten. She quickly swallowed and noticed my red knuckles. She immediately grabbed both of my hands and studied them. "I was just boxing - it's nothing," I said and pushed her hands away. She took a long look at me, and I saw how she stopped and stared.

"Where are you looking at, love?" I asked when I felt her eyes on my cleavage. My sports bra moved down as I was jumping a lot. She instantly looked away, and her cheeks turned red. I reached for the plate behind her, pressing on her. I grabbed the plate and slowly pulled back. I looked into her eyes quickly, shifted in front of the sink, and then put the plate inside.

As soon as I turned around, I saw Nicoli standing right next to her. I sighed and took the towel that was completely soaked in sweat out of my neck and threw it on Nicoli. His reflexivity reacted immediately. He grabbed the towel and dropped it on the ground. I again rolled my eyes at him. "I'm going to take a shower, so be a gentleman, okay?" I pointed out. He nodded twice, and I headed upstairs. I think he wants to talk to Talia alone, and I don't mind that. He promised me he wouldn't do anything, and I believe him, or at least try to. I went inside the shower, and the cold water made me feel calm again.

I walked out of the shower and put on slack pants and a black blouse, leaving it unbuttoned. I opened the bathroom door and saw Talia sitting on the bed with a lot of ice in her hand. After she heard the door open, she quickly got up and ran to me. "Did something happen? And why do you have ice bags in your hand?" I questioned.

She reached for my hands and gently put the ice bags on my knuckles. I furrowed my brows, trying to figure out why she did that for me. My knuckles will be completely fine by tomorrow and will not heal them.

"You don't need to do that-" I mentioned, and she just looked at me with a dull face. After her eyes fell back on my hands, she noticed my unbuttoned blouse. She instantly covered her eyes with her fingers. My blouse covered my breasts, so nothing was showing, but even a little part of my body still embarrassed her.

I buttoned up the first three buttons and put the ice bags on the table. She carefully removed her fingers from her face and cleared her throat. I shifted behind her, and she quickly felt my presence. She took a step back from me and reached the front of the bed, which stopped her from going further.

My eyes went up and down her body. I stared into her eyes for a few seconds and chuckled. I tucked the blouse into my pants and left the room.

I went downstairs to the kitchen and saw Nicoli still cleaning the dishes. "Listen, uhm I need to go out for a while. Could you watch Talia while I'm not here?" I asked with folded arms. He suddenly stopped cleaning the dishes and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Where are you going?" he wondered.

"You're not my mother, are you?" I said, and then laughed. I quickly left the kitchen and went outside. It's been a few days since I last fed. I crave so badly for some fresh blood. I cannot go near Talia right now; she makes my mind extremely chaotic, and I can't stand that. It's killing me.

Talia's pov

After she left the room, I kind of felt empty. I still can't understand why I want more of her after everything she has done to me. Have I completely lost my mind?

When I was in the kitchen, ready to go after her, Nicoli told me to later return because he wanted to talk to me privately. As much as I feel uncomfortable being near him, there's no chance I could refuse him. I walk down the stairs, seeing him at the end of the staircase waiting for me. "Let's go to the living room, shall we?" he said, and I nodded.

His beautifully long, snow-white hair was tied in a low ponytail. It was hard not to laugh at his outfit because they both have the same style. As much as it was hard to admit, his beauty was beyond understanding. Vampires are truly bewitching. We walked the long, dark hall side by side. Even though his presence is intimidating, this time it felt different. He acted so normally when we first met more seriously.

I sat down on the big leather couch that was extremely soft. He, meanwhile, lit up the fireplace so I wouldn't feel cold. I entirely forgot how cold November is. He took the whiskey from the cabinet and poured himself a drink. He shortly after looked at me with raised eyebrows and the glass in his hand, suggesting to me that I want a drink too. I shook my head and more comfortably sat down.

He then sat down, not as close to me as the last time we were here. After taking a long sip of whiskey, he turned toward me with a smirk.

"Did Darcia tell you how we met?" he asked, taking another sip of the whiskey. I got up and sat down on the ground close to the fireplace because I was freezing. Even my large knitted sweater couldn't prevent the cold. I rubbed my hands together a few times and looked at him. "No, she did not. I don't know if you didn't notice, but she's not fond of talking." I pointed out and lightly giggled.

The thought of Darcia made me wonder where she went. How could she let me be alone with him? Does it mean that she trusts him? I quickly studied the room, trying to see if she was nearby or if maybe she came back. A cold hand on my shoulder made me flinch and turn my head back.

"Darcia went out, but don't worry, I'm not interested in you anymore." He declared and pulled his hand back. The few strands of his hair that came out of the ponytail were lying on his face, almost blocking his view. He gently moved them away like they were made out of glass. The way his body moves could be compared to a floating feather. He was a lot more elegant than Darcia in this manner.

"I'll tell you the whole story of how the two of us met," he said while crossing his legs.