"Fuck!" Ezekiel cursed, springing up from his bed.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished,reappearing inside Demetrio's chamber.
He found Demetrio seated, calmly reading a book.
"Demetrio, I can't—"
"I'm busy, Zek," Demetrio muttered, cutting him off.
"You have to hear me out," Ezekiel insisted, dropping into a chair.
"I've been hearing you out for the past three days," Demetrio replied dryly.
"Just this once…" Ezekiel groaned, running a hand through his hair.
"As you can see, I'm going through details about witches. I need answers. I want to know why Dario's name is written in the Book of Mormon," Demetrio said without looking up.
Ezekiel exhaled deeply. "I can't forget her."
That made Demetrio pause. He slowly closed the book and looked at him.
In all his years, he had never seen Ezekiel like this."Why couldn't you control yourself?" Demetrio asked.
"I don't know… something pulled me. It was irresistible," Ezekiel admitted.
"What makes it worse," he added, "is that she's King Basmus's daughter."
"Then forget her," Demetrio said simply.
"I can't." Ezekiel shook his head.
Demetrio narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me… you licked the mark after biting her?"
Ezekiel hesitated, then nodded.
A chuckle escaped Demetrio."What?" Ezekiel frowned.
"You've marked her," Demetrio said calmly, returning his gaze to the book. "You're connected now."
Ezekiel stiffened. "Are you saying… She's my mate?"
"There's no 'saying.' It's a fact."
"Hell no!" Ezekiel shot up.
"Hell yes," Demetrio replied flatly.
Dark clouds swallowed the sky. He threw on his long black jacket and vanished into the night, reappearing deep in the woods.
He needed to clear his head."Mate? That's ridiculous…" he scoffed.
Suddenly, his chest tightened. His heartbeat accelerated.He looked ahead and froze.
"What is she doing here?" he muttered under his breath.
Liza stepped forward with her guards,scanning the forest. Then she stopped.
Her eyes met his,for a moment, the world seemed to pause.
They stared at each other in silence,he then looked away first.I erased her memory… she shouldn't recognize me.
He turned to leave.
"Stop right there!" Liza's voice rang out.
He paused.Did she recognize me? No… that's impossible.
He continued walking.
"I said stop right there!"
Ezekiel smirked inwardly.This princess has no idea how old I am…
Liza walked up to him, stopping directly in front of him.
"Do I know you?" she asked, staring into his glowing red eyes.
Ezekiel said nothing.
"I asked you a question," she added softly.
He stepped closer but Liza instinctively stepped back.
"Don't come closer," she
murmured,though something inside her wanted the opposite.
"Excuse me," Ezekiel said, moving to walk past her.
You haven't answered me, Mister!" she snapped.
"I don't owe you any answers," he replied calmly.
Liza let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"You called me 'miss'? Do you even know who I am?"
"Who are you?" he asked, tilting his head.
Liza bit her lip, slightly offended."I'm Princess Liza. King Basmus's first daughter."
She waited expecting fear or respect…
But Ezekiel simply stared at her.
Then he chuckled."Liza… as in lizard? Are you a lizard?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"No fear at all? I should have you arrested! How dare you!" she snapped.
Ezekiel stepped closer again, leaning toward her.
Her breath hitched, his stare felt… familiar.
"You're a princess without a brain," he whispered.
Liza's anger flared, but before she could react—
Something flashed in her mind.
Her eyes widened as she gasped.
"You… it was you," she said, pointing at him. "You're the one who saved me."
Ezekiel froze,How is this possible?
"Isn't it you?" she pressed.
He forced a smile. "Is it wrong to save you, Princess?"
"No… no," she shook her head.
"Good."
Relief flickered in his eyes.She remembered him but not everything.
"I've been trying to remember your face, I—"
"If you'll excuse me, Princess," he cut in, "I have somewhere to be."
"No, wait! I want to talk, I have so many…"
"Princess Liza!"
They both turned.
It was Javier.
Liza's eyes widened. She quickly walked
to him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," Javier said sharply. "After what happened, you still come out at night? What if something happens again? Do you think your mysterious savior will always be there? Mother is worried sick."
Liza frowned.
"Speaking of my savior,I found him, he's…"
She turned to introduce her mysterious saviour but Ezekiel was gone.
"Where is he?" she whispered, looking around.
"What are you talking about?" Javier said.
"You're losing it. Let's leave this place."
He grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
Liza glanced back one last time, expecting to get a sight of him but she didn't…But deep down, she knew…She would find him again.
Behind a tree, hidden in the shadows,Ezekiel watched them leave.
As a Night Walker, the darkness was his domain.
"So persistent…" he muttered.
In the next second, he vanished.
There was only one thing on his mind now
How did she remember me?