Vampire Diaries 17: Sweet and Tender Kiss

"And when the right time comes, both of you are ready enough to conquer the world and to chase the fear away. But, like today, you have to trust the process to reach your destiny."

I didn't expect that I'm good about giving bits of advice to a person.

But seems like a statue as he remains standing and quiet.

I said, "You look frightened. Why, did I say something bad?"

I abruptly take my hand away from his cold face upon realizing.

What I've done? I am too careless and would always give someone with false hope!

I look away from his gaze and stares the dark, calm sky.

The night is evident, but still, we are here at the secret terrace, watching the entire scene.

"I... I am astonished when you lay your hands on my face! I know it's a meaningless action, but I can't help to assume things like..."

"Wow! Gray, take a look! They are all walking towards the wide hall!"

To distract him, I point out the vampires who begin to show up from their hideaway.

"Darkness is what we all need, Thalia. We don't need sunlight to be alive as it will lead us to death."

"What do you mean? I thought, there is already an antidote that we can use against the sunlight!"

I know it. As Emilia tell me regarding a vampire's characteristic.

Vampires are afraid of sunlight, salt and most especially werewolves.

That's why, before the sun shines so bright. All of our needs to hide to be able to survive.

And the curse of being a vampire is being burned alive under the bright, calm sky.

Gray gulps and take a step back. He seems thinking about something as he is too serious and not even smiling.

He said, "Step back, Thalia! We need to go to the hall before the Vampire King summons us."

Without asking him why I follow what he just tells me and stand still beside him.

He closes his eyes and utters an oration quietly. Until the breathtaking terrace becomes a tough and unbreakable wall.

"Can I ask you another question?"

I said while walking back to the living room.

Gray said, "You are asking me, so why are you still asking?"

Yes, he's right but I'm curious about...

"Everyone, please proceed to the hall! The Vampire King have something important to announce, tonight! Thank you and good evening!"

A loud voice echoes through the entire palace which makes him walk too fast.

Gray almost forget that he's with someone. However, I am a vampire and supposedly I don't need anyone who will accompany me to the hall.

"Walk faster! Jack must not see us together!" 

I stare at him with confusion but at the end, I keep running as fast as I can.

From distance, I can barely hear Emilia's laughter. But, I wonder if she is talking with someone else aside from the maidservant.

"Gray!"

Unfortunately, because of running too fast. My shoes get ruin and wreck.

I check it and too late to know that I wear an old pair of shoes.

Gray looks back and see me, seating on the floor. He quickly stoops closer and seems like a nervous little young man.

I breathe heavily as I say, "Don't panic. My shoes are only ruins and still, I can walk barefoot."

"No! The ground is too cold for your feet! You need a new pair of shows, Thalia!"

I almost curse, when he insists that walking barefoot is not good for my feet.

Gray looks around at the hallway, but he fails to find something that can be used for the meantime.

He even punches the wind as he caresses his temple out of frustration.

Because of the incident, I did not force myself to go to the hall. Jack will understand why I and Gray did not attend to the important announcement he will make.

"Thalia?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want to wear my shoes? As I don't have any choice but to let you borrow mine."

Even though I didn't tell him what to do, he makes a way for me.

Secretly, I smile genuinely and murmurs, "Most of the Prince of the nearby Kingdom are all cruel and awful. Good thing, that I've transmigrated into Thalia's body.

Gray hurriedly wear off the shoes and give them to me without a hint If unwillingness and doubt.

He's barefoot but I am enthralled by his pinkish feet.

"How about you?  For sure, you are going to walk without anything on your feet!"

"Don't worry about me. I can do everything for a woman who has a special place in my heart."

I am about to thank him when–...

"Good evening, everyone!  I know all of you have an idea of why I let you be here at this moment. I am ready to announce a breathtaking truth for all the vampires. However, to those who are not yet here. Prepare yourselves."

"What are we going to do?! Jack is searching for all us and once he finds us together, we are both doomed!"

I hear Jack's deep voice. And I know that he's going to announce that decision that they have makes earlier.

Gray breathes deeply and closes his eyes. He abruptly touches the wall and...

"Wear them now!  We need to reach the hall before we are caught by the Vampire King's followers!"

"Yes! I'm almost done!"

I am fusing the lace when he promptly grabs my arm.

Gray pulls me without any difficulties and efforts. As I am thin and east enough to run faster without a break.

In the middle of the palace's hallway, there's nothing except for the guards who stand and ensures the safety of all.

To escape from them, I tell him to prowl and not to create unnecessary noise.

Until I step into a banana peel that leads me to fall into the slippery floor.

"Ahh, my waist and my head hurt so bad!" I clamour as I slide down and my head is hit by the edge of a center table.

Slowly, Gray helps me to get up. He holds my waist and urges me to walk closer to the wall.

"Why would they put a table in the center?!"

"It's for everyone! Don't tell me you forget too about the popular h–"

"Hey! Why are you still here?"

Two palace's guards caught us, leaning on the wall. However, instead of staying at the place, Gray looks at me as we run again from them.

For sure they will capture us and will bring immediately to the Vampire King's headquarters.

"Gray! They are still following us!"

As I look back, I see them chasing after me and Gray. The same as we can do, the guards run faster too.

However, as we reach the end of the hallway. The guard chuckles and stares at me, "Stop or your punishment will be hard and tough!"

I step back as I felt nervous and scared. Abruptly, my head hurts so bad that catches his attention.

"Let me see,"

"What happened? I feel like something is flowing from my head."

Instead of fighting against them, he stoops and reaches for my head.

Unfortunately, I see Jack standing from afar. He can't believe of what he saw until I push Gray away.

Too late to understand, that we are in front of hundreds of vampires who are surprised and startled.

I abruptly look away from him as he steps closer to me.

My heart beast too fast.

And the only man I can see is Jack.

"Did you like the sweet and tender kiss?"

Jack asks me.

I sigh deeply as I don't know what he's talking about.

A kiss?

Perhaps, he misinterpreted everything he saw. "What are you talking about? A kiss? With who?"

I tell him but Jack insists that it is true. That I and Gray did something where in the truth is, he just check my head.

Nothing more, nothing less.