CHAPTER 185: BONDING RITUAL

Somehow Aria was surprised to have such a good dream, and she was even more annoyed when she felt a hand on her back stirring her awake, swatting it off in annoyance as she turned away, only to feel it again.

Her hand had just moved to do the exact same thing, only to be completely taken aback when, the very next moment, she felt herself being picked up right off the bed.

A gasp smoothly fell out of her mouth as she pushed against whosoever it was with a frown on. Her face only deepened into that frown when she opened her eyes to see who it was.

The last person she wanted to see. She felt even more annoyed to see him smile—one that almost seemed genuine—as he fixed his gaze on her face.

His hands playfully curled around strands of her red hair even as he looked at her with a look that bordered on fondness and curiosity. Aria tried to rub the sleepiness from her eyes away, failing to form a serious expression as a wide yawn smoothly erupted from her mouth.

"Ahhh!!" she yawned, only to be taken aback when she noticed Zyren’s gaze land on her lips and stay there, not so much as shifting elsewhere in the slightest.

"I’m awake! I’m awake!" she hurriedly said as she shook her hands free, moving to get down from the bed where she had been standing. She wasn’t surprised when she easily felt him let her go as she instantly jumped off the bed, moving towards everything else apart from him.

She was intent on changing her clothes and about to say as much, considering the fact that she wore a short, soft gown for bed after she had taken her bath. The cool fabric still clung lightly to her skin, a reminder of the heat from her earlier bath, and the thought of him watching her in it only made her more restless.

But she had barely said the words she wanted to say when Zyren responded in a tone and with a gaze that said he knew all things and could take care of it.

"It doesn’t matter!" he told her, even as he gestured for her to come closer.

"You’re going to have to take off your clothes!" he told her, to which it took all she could do not to step back in response, even as she felt the intensity of his red eyes deepen when he said those words and continued to look at her.

Aria wanted to refuse, to speak, to go ahead and insist, but she herself was aware of the fact that she had chosen to do the ritual, which meant that everything else that came with it was something she would have to deal with.

It’s okay! He’ll just sleep with you and once he cums it’ll be fine! she thought to herself, even as she no longer stared at the wardrobe she had been looking at. She glanced at him before moving towards the door, trying to stop her already thumping heart from thumping even louder.

Think of the power you’ll get! Think of it! she told herself, aware that as long as she got something then it would be worth it. She ignored Zyren’s presence behind her as he continued to speak to her, saying more words than he would usually bother to spew out of his mouth.

"Savira has insisted on it being the main hall!" he told her—words that Aria only half listened to, even as she felt a feeling that made her regret what she was about to do. Something extremely close to fear as she wondered what would happen if the side effects of what she was about to do were worse than the so‑called ability she would get.

The more she thought about it, the more worried she became until she finally came to one decision. Even if I die... as long as Liora is fine and Zyren pays for his sins, then I can admit to that! she decided, realizing that at most that was all she could ask for.

Wanting anything else without being willing to sacrifice for it would be nothing more than a dream.

Aria didn’t walk fast, but still, it wasn’t long until they were standing in front of a familiar door, which Zyren instantly pushed open before Aria could ask him to. Since trying to do so was impossible, it was something usually done by vampire guards who just happened to be missing tonight.

Night had long fallen, and depending on the exact moment they were in, it was still hours before the sun would come up, Aria thought as she followed behind Zyren, who moved to step past her. For a second, Aria couldn’t help but be surprised, her eyes going wide as she took in the sight of the hall, which was much different from what it had been when Zyren had gone ahead to explode himself into tiny little pieces.

Every part of it was gloriously adorned with rich colours, so much so that black was non‑existent. The lights were in full bloom too, with candles and lanterns littered on every corner in a way that showed someone had gone to great lengths to ensure that no part of the grand hall was dark. The light glimmered against the polished floor and highlighted every curve of the carved pillars.

Something that didn’t exactly please Aria, since it meant she could clearly see the huge bed that had been placed in the center of the hall, covered with exquisite white sheets. Even from here she could see how perfect and untouched they looked, as if no one had ever dared to wrinkle them.

There was no one else in the hall apart from Savira, who seemed to have been waiting for them with a look of utter tranquility on her face. Her hands were placed on her cane, even as she bowed her head and opened her eyes to show red orbs that glowed with fierce determination and confidence—something that didn’t make Aria more relieved, especially since she was sure that the old woman cared more about Zyren than she would ever care about her.

If something went wrong, she was definitely confident that Zyren wouldn’t be affected.

"We should start!" Aria spoke, not liking the deep‑seated silence that filled the room and completely ignoring the look of mild annoyance the old woman sent her way the moment she spoke and broke the solemn silence.