Nhel shook his head seriously. This was bad.
"Not… here," he muttered hoarsely. He had better leave before his vision grew blurry again, as usual.
He clenched his fists as his body trembled.
What exactly was he? Why was he different?
The beast within him threatened to take over, but he refused to let it.
He forced his claw back in. He had been thinking of a way to give her his blood, just as he had always done for his father so he could recover, when he had suddenly been moved to cut her skin.
An unmatched fragrance wafted from Anisha, and Nhel flashed back to the other day when the scent of her blood had made him yearn for more.
He had thought it was just a fleeting craving, but it seemed it was her blood that incited such a deep need.
Nhel struggled to resist the invitation to taste it, utterly disgusted with himself.
He looked down at Anisha's fair skin. That small trickle of blood brought out a fang that itched like madness.
The more he resisted, the worse the itching became, and it came with pain.
The scent clouded Nhel's mind until all he could think about was tasting it. His throat throbbed.
Quickly, Nhel cut his own wrist and pulled her closer, pressing the wound against the cut on her neck, hoping it would work this way.
His vision shifted between blurry and clear midway through.
Finally, he laid her gently on the bed and tucked her in. He leaned down and licked the wound so it would disappear, ensuring she wouldn't notice it the next day.
Anisha forced her eyelids open the next morning.
She turned and saw that Nhel was not on the other side of the bed.
Facing the ceiling, she realized she felt much better, which brought a smile to her lips.
Hadn't she said she would get through it?
She didn't need any physician.
"Good morning, my lady," several servants greeted as they lined up to prepare her for the day.
Her stomach rumbled loudly enough for them to hear, and they politely lowered their gazes.
"His Highness asked us to serve you breakfast before anything else," one of the maidservants informed her.
"That's alright," Anisha replied as she set aside the sheets, wondering where he had gone.
Maybe he had work to do.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Princess Anisha?" a feminine voice called.
Anisha immediately recognized the voice as the lady she had met yesterday.
"Come in," Anisha replied.
The door opened, and Jasmine entered. She never failed to look sophisticated, even this early in the morning. Her makeup blended perfectly with her skin, and her blonde hair was neatly styled.
Anisha wondered who she really was. From the name she had introduced before, she wasn't a princess.
"Lady Jasmine."
"Good morning, Princess Anisha," Jasmine said with a smile. "I see you've just woken up."
Anisha returned a polite smile, though Jasmine still hadn't stated the reason for her visit.
"Prince Nhel asked me to accompany you for breakfast," Jasmine revealed.
Anisha stared at her for a split second.
Why would Nhel ask her to do that? And when had they even discussed it?
"Did you see Nhel this morning?" Anisha asked curiously.
"Yes. He told me he would return this evening."
Anisha pressed her lips together.
Who was this lady to Nhel that he would casually share his plans with her?
While getting ready, Jasmine walked through the garden.
Anisha didn't like the woman being inside their chamber.
"We will have our meal together with the rest of the family," Anisha instructed the servants.
"Princess Anisha," Jasmine interrupted, wearing a falsely friendly smile that irritated her, "I believe Nhel asked me to accompany you so we could become acquainted, don't you think?"
"How about we have it set up in the garden instead?" she added.
Anisha didn't bother hiding her displeasure this time and narrowed her eyes at Jasmine, which earned a slight smirk from her.
Once they began eating, Anisha finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
"What is your relationship with Nhel?"
Jasmine paused and finished chewing the food in her mouth.
"I look up to Nhel as a big brother," Jasmine replied.
Anisha paused, her utensil hovering in midair.
The audacity of this woman to call Nhel by his name.
"So you're not related to him in any way?" Anisha asked.
Jasmine nodded.
"This garden is beautiful. Nhel has such good taste," Jasmine remarked as she scanned the surroundings.
Anisha gripped her utensils tighter.
"From the way you call Nhel, that must mean you two are really close, isn't that so?" she said.
Jasmine let out a dry laugh.
"You seem very interested in this topic, Your Highness."
Anisha relaxed her expression and forced out a laugh.
"Since you see Nhel as family, there's no need for such formality. You can simply call me Anisha."
"Okay… Anisha," Jasmine replied, emphasizing her name.
Both women laughed, hypocrisy lingered beneath the sound.
*****
While waiting for Nhel's return, Anisha recalled their conversation from the previous night.
He had only planned to send her back to Willowvale for protection, mentioning that his army would soon arrive.
Was a war about to break out in this kingdom?
Anisha curled her fingers.
Her mind drifted back to when she had heard Nhel's voice inside her head.
Had she imagined it, or had it truly happened?
Sunlight streamed onto the balcony, beginning to disturb her where she stood. She turned and walked back into the room.
Suddenly, she collided with a firm chest.
She stepped back.
Nhel stood before her in all his glory, his hair swaying gently. He was dressed in full armor.
"Are you better now?" He asked.
Anisha replied, "Yes. I told you I'd get better."
Nhel just stared at her silently, feeling relieved the method worked.
"Have you packed your things?" he asked.
"What about you? Aren't you coming?"
Nhel stepped closer.
"Do you want me to come?"
Anisha found it difficult to breathe, let alone respond.
"Um…"
"Of course you have to," she finally said.
Nhel chuckled.
"Wasn't expecting that response."
"Why?" Anisha frowned in confusion.
Nhel's gaze drifted to her lips, which suddenly looked tempting. Then his eyes moved to her neck, and he swallowed hard.
He stepped away quickly, trying to regain control.
"Just get ready. We'll be leaving tonight," Nhel said before turning to leave.
Only Madlyn was informed of their secret departure from the palace. She helped Anisha pack, feeling excited that she would soon reunite with her colleagues back in Willowvale.
The moon was not full, and darkness blanketed the palace grounds.
Anisha gazed at the black, sturdy horse in astonishment as Nhel tied the small bundles they had brought onto its saddle.
"You like Night?" Nhel asked with amusement.
Anisha shifted her gaze from the horse to him.
"The horse's name is Night?" she asked, surprised.
Nhel nodded. "That's right."
He gently tapped the stallion, smiling.
The horse neighed in response.
"Quiet now, boy. We don't want to alert the people in the palace," Nhel murmured.
Anisha watched the interaction and smiled. The horse clearly meant a lot to him.
Some riders formed deep bonds with their horses, especially those who had fought beside them in battles.
Nhel turned to her and noticed the longing in her eyes.
It was as if she had never seen a horse before.
The sight amused him.
"Anisha," he called softly.
"Hmm?"
"You can pat him if you want. Come closer."
Anisha stepped toward them.
She lifted her hand hesitantly, but Nhel wrapped his hand around hers.
She paused, yet Nhel gently guided her hand forward until her fingers touched the horse's smooth mane.
Madlyn stood quietly nearby, watching their intimate posture. It almost looked as though they were imprinting their wishes together on some invisible wall.
"We should get going," Nhel whispered close to Anisha's ear.
She shivered slightly.
"Oh… right."
Then she turned to Madlyn, suddenly realizing something.
How was she supposed to come along?
"I didn't know she was coming," Nhel said, reading her thoughts.
"Of course she is," Anisha replied firmly.
"You know how to ride a horse?" Nhel asked Madlyn.
"Yes, Your Highness," Madlyn answered.
Anisha's eyes widened.
Nhel noticed immediately.
"What about you?" he asked.
Anisha chuckled awkwardly.
"Why not," she said, glancing at Madlyn.
"I'll get her a suitable horse," Nhel said before disappearing through the tall shrubs.
The moment he left, Madlyn gave Anisha a knowing look.
Anisha had never learned how to ride a horse.
She had been such a frail child that she was never allowed to try. While her sisters practiced riding, she had always watched from the sidelines as they galloped across the fields.
It didn't take long before Nhel returned, leading a brown horse by its reins.
He stopped in front of Anisha and handed her the reins.
Anisha looked down at them, then back at him.
Nhel wore a playful smile.
"How about we race for a warm-up?" he suggested. "What do you say?"