The Moonlit Desires: Bound by Blood

Being friends with Aristide wasn’t bad, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling that our friendship was against the odds. The history surrounding our realm made it clear that we weren’t meant to be friends, and that fact still lingered in my mind.

As I stared out the glass window, I couldn’t help but sigh. I had made a stupid decision, I thought, befriending a vampire just to escape this place. But the desire to leave and break free from the constant walking on eggshells had been too strong. Yet, the idea of being friends with those creatures still made my skin crawl , and my nose scrunching at the mere thought.

Just then, Aristide entered the room jolting me out of my thoughts when carrying two steaming mugs of coffee. He set one down in front of me and settled into the chair across from me, his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled before saying. “Here.”

I gazed down at the coffee in front of me, my voice barely above a whisper. “You know slaves like us aren’t allowed to taste that,”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“You can never be a slave,” Aristide said casually, but I detected a hint of seriousness beneath his nonchalant tone. Yet, I chose to ignore it, knowing that in reality, I was nothing more than a typical slave to them.

“Lolz, you can’t just change reality,” I said, tossing him a cheeky glance.

“TKS! You argue a lot,” he said, playfully cringing his face. “Just drink up,” he added, his words earning a soft chuckle from me as I sipped the hot chocolate coffee.

Nothing else was said between us, just our usual jokes and laughter. Honestly, I feel a comfortable aura when I’m around him, but at the same time, I’m scared of giving in to the same type of friendship that destroyed my life in the past. I’m scared of making friends with people like him….. VAMPIRES!

I don’t know, I just feel scared – too scared but he seems relaxed, like our differences don’t matter to him and that’s the problem.

“Who are you?” I asked suddenly, out of the blue. He paused, raising his left eyebrow in confusion at my question. I cleared my throat and repeated myself to clarify. “You’re always on your own, yet you seem to hold more power here than Serena and the others here. You never order anyone around, but…”

He chuckled, understanding my curiosity as he cut me off with a smile. Sipping his coffee, he shrugged nonchalantly. “I just love a stress-free life,” he replied, his tone playful and mysterious.

I suppressed my laugh and nodded my head, earning an eye roll from him. “But then again…” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “You resemble King Alessandro too much,” I stated my observation.

But instead, he raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement on his face. “Because he’s my brother,” he replied, his tone calm and collected.

“Brother?” I gasped, my cup of coffee hovering mid-air as my mouth hung open in shock. “As in, blood brother?” I repeat, my eyes wide with surprise.

He nodded, a taunting grin spreading across his face. “Yes, he’s my elder brother,” he replied, making me more surprised. “Wait, don’t tell me you had no idea?” he asked, his laughter echoing through the air.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my neck uncomfortably before speaking up. “Growing up, I was told that King Alessandro had no siblings,” I said, my voice laced with confusion.

But that’s the truth, we were told that he was the only child of his parents.

Aristide’s gaze locked onto mine, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. He set his cup down on the center table and leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. “There are a lot of things that are not known about King Alessandro Leonardo,”

And for unknown reasons, my heart skipped multiple beats with the way he uttered the name. I gulped hard, closing my agape mouth and shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

Why did I suddenly feel this overwhelming urge to know more about him?

Why on earth was I so inexplicably drawn to this monster?

“But one thing is known about him,” I said, my voice laced with conviction. Aristide hummed in response, his eyebrows rising in a silent urge for me to continue. “He’s a merciless, brutal, and ruthless monster with no heart.”

Aristide chuckled immediately as the words left my mouth, a low, throaty sound, and I shot him a side glare. “Then what beats in his chest, if not his heart?” he asked, his tone taunting and teasing.

“You know, people can change,” he said, his voice measured. “Nobody is born a monster.”

But I instantly cut him off, my words tumbling out in a rush. “Yeah, yeah, yeah… enough. I know you’ll find a way to support him, as your brother.” I rolled my eyes, fighting hard against the overwhelming urge to ask him to continue.

Lately, I’ve been feeling restless, like something inside me is stirring. Since I set my foot inside this territory, I have been restless.

“Fine,” he said, raising his hands in the air in defeat. “So, how was your life before coming here?” His question hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving a sharp, painful tug in my chest.

Growing up was surprisingly smooth and great for me, despite being from the lowest rank. I had everything I wanted: amazing parents and a best friend I thought I could trust. Life was carefree and easy, with no burdens weighing me down… until I lost everything.

My life took a drastic traumatic turn in a day.

“You know,” I said, forcing a smile as I gulped down the rest of my coffee in one swift motion. I set the empty cup down on the coaster and lifted my head to find him still gazing at me. “Some things are better left unsaid.”

“Oh,” he nodded thoughtfully, leaning forward to pick up his coffee cup, his eyes never leaving mine.

Merely looking at him, I could clearly see the striking resemblance between him and King Alessandro. The similarity was so vivid that it would take no more than a glance to recognize their relationship. Yet, I hadn’t noticed it until now. Perhaps my attention had been consumed by planning my escape. And then, like a bolt of lightning, a realization struck me.

“How do you intend to help me escape?” I asked, my eyes fixed on him.

He nearly choked on his drink, clearing his throat before knitting his brow in a puzzled expression. “You still want to leave?” he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

I couldn’t believe his question. Of course, I still wanted to leave! Though, a nagging feeling inside me makes it seem like I am close to something precious, something unique and dear to me. A part of me yearned to stay, my heart wants to stay but my mind doesn’t.

Despite the odd feeling that sometimes makes me feel like I belong here, I’m determined to leave.

I refuse to accept that strange feeling that I belong in a place surrounded by vampires.

“Yes, I don’t belong here,” I said, trying to convince myself and also push away the strange feeling in my heart.

He seemed a bit hurt by my words, but he quickly composed himself, clearing his throat.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the main purpose of our friendship?”

“No, no,” he quickly protested, holding up his hands in a defensive gesture. “I still remember, but… well, you know… the whole place is crawling with guards,” he trailed off, his eyes darting around the room refusing to stare at me. But I raised an eyebrow.

“I will find a way to help you,” Aristide suddenly said, his eyes gleaming with determination as he finally turned to look at me.

But as I searched his face, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was hiding something. Something big. Something that might change everything but what can that possibly be?