You…Are Not Joking, Are You?

Draven thought deeply for a few moments.

"Uh…" He stroked his chin and answered tentatively, "No, you won't change into one of my kind. I have no intention to turn you, so…as long as I don't release my pheromone, you will be just fine. That being said, it won't hurt the way you think. It's just a stinging pain, nothing more."

Avelina, with her arms akimbo, gave him a look that said: Are you sure?

Draven couldn't help but chuckle, exposing his dimples.

"I am very sure," he said sincerely.

He then added, with his attention turned to the door of the bathroom, "Do you want to shower first or should I proceed?"

"Y-yeah, you can go first." Avelina smiled awkwardly, her hands gesturing to him to go. "I don't mind waiting."

She suddenly scrunched her brows. "Wait, aren't you going to get yourself treated?" 

"Treated? For what?" Draven appeared perplexed. 

Avelina blinked, raising her finger to point at his body. "Your...wound."

Draven quickly lowered his eyes to his bruised body, and his expression immediately changed awfully. His wounds were yet to heal...

"That's...impossible!" he was filled with deep confusion and disbelief.

This was nothing but minor injuries which should have healed in less than thirty seconds or so. What could the issue be? Was something wrong with him? 

Without saying a word to Avelina, Draven proceeded off, and as he walked to the bathroom, Aelina couldn't help but notice the brutal, long scars on his back.

She slightly frowned and averted her gaze as soon as he shut the door behind him.

A long, deep breath of relief fled Avelina's mouth, and she sat down on the couch.

"Mark me, huh..." she subconsciously uttered in a barely audible voice.

Not only had she married a vampire, but she was about to be marked by him as well. What an awful predicament she had found herself in!

She deeply sighed and touched her neck, where she assumed that she would be marked. Her face scrunched in annoyance, and an image of old master Lenort reflected in her mind.

Damn you, old man! I hope you choke on some garlic and drown in holy water! She cursed inwardly, rolling her eyes in heavy displeasure.

….

Having showered, Avelina adjusted the white, loose cotton nightdress she wore. She gave her soft, ginger-colored curls a very nice brushing and allowed them to bounce down to her waist.

She dropped the brush on the table and turned around. Her gaze circled the room, finally taking notice of how luxurious the interior actually was.

Lavish bathrooms with upscale features such as heated floors. The mattress was king-sized, and on it were about four deluxe pillows that would make your sleep as blissful as your waking ones.

At the extended bay window was a seating area where Draven, who was clad in his white pants, sat. His silky dark hair was let down to his shoulder, and his upper body was left bare, giving a hint that he wasn't one who goes to sleep with a shirt on.

He sat, holding his knees, and staring contemplatively at the sparkling stars. His gaze was fixated on the cosmos that happened to be visible that night, and his countenance was serene, akin to that of a statue.

Avelina remained silent and stepped to the window. She shifted to his side and sat next to him.

She lifted her head, gazing at the sky as well as absorbing the scent of the wind that blew in through the open window.

"It's beautiful," she commented.

"It comes out sometimes, but I like to watch the sky every night." Draven raised his arms and stretched, flexing his muscles.

"Why?" Avelina asked.

Draven sighed and replied, "Because vampires don't sleep at night. We do so in the morning, so to avoid boredom when I am not working, I watch the cosmos and count the stars. It keeps me busy."

"May I ask where you work?" Avelina inquired, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Draven glanced at her and looked away. "Apart from my organization, I have a really huge company in your human world."

"What?" Avelina was stunned. "How is that possible? They would never let you—"

"We can hide our scents, Avelina! But that is not it. I simply have a human sitting in my place there. He works for me under a signed contract," Draven explained.

Avelina gazed at him and blinked her eyes in disbelief.

"I can't…believe it. They always made it clear how much they hate your kind, yet behind the back, they…" She paused, unable to complete her sentence.

Draven let out a soft breath. "Your kind is very cunning, Avelina. They love money very much—it is all they care about. They betray for money, they kill for money, and they throw so many things that matter away for money. It shouldn't be a surprise to you. Although, I will say it's pretty much everywhere. In my kind as well."

Avelina lifted her eyes and looked at him. She noticed his dim, reddish orbs with a tint of black that was not behind his glasses anymore and flashed a smile.

"Your eyes are not bad at all. They are just unique and different from the norms," she commented.

"Hmm?" Taken aback, Draven raised his brow.

He stared at her and tried to smile.

"Thank…you…"

"You…don't know how to smile?" Avelina took this opportunity to ask, once again realizing how awkward his smile was.

Draven blinked his lashes, which cast a shadow, and averted his gaze.

"I guess so... I have always had trouble smiling. It's not really my thing."

Avelina's expression turned serious, unable to comprehend how it could be impossible for someone to smile. Wasn't it a natural thing that occurred on its own accord?

"You're not joking, are you?" she inquired.

"I wish I was, but no, I am not. Even if I smile genuinely, it still looks awkward," Draven responded, a bit embarrassed.

"I see. You really are different," Avelina said with a smile as she climbed down from the seating area.

She walked to the bed and sat down, leaving Draven seated alone at the window.

Draven on the other hand, watched her for a few seconds and asked, "Can I mark you now?"