Gavriel finally lifted his face, his hard eyes looking at the duchess with questions.

"A royal vampire doesn't taint a human virgin's blood when they bite them. This explains why the princess's scent remained the way it was before you bit her."

The lines in Gavriel's forehead deepened. He wanted more explanation. "This is apparently one of the royal family's secret. Here is one of the books that your mother entrusted into my possession for safekeeping before she left Dacria. And now I am returning it to its rightful owner. She said she had found these hidden in one of the secret dungeons in the imperial palace. Unfortunately, these books are the only surviving books about the real royalties left in this world. All of the other books have been destroyed by the emperor." The duchess said as she set the few volumes of books on the table.

Seeing that Gavriel at least looked a little better at what he heard, the duchess sighed in relief. She knew that Gavriel was not just loathing himself right now for drinking his own wife's blood, but he was also thinking about what he would do now that his wife's blood was no longer pure. He must have been agonising over the fact that Dacria and anywhere else in this empire was no longer safe for his wife now that she had been bitten.

When the duchess bade her farewells and left, Gavriel ran his palm over his face. His complexion was a little better now. He could not even explain how glad he was. He would not know what he would do if his only choice now was to send Evie back to the human empire. Sending her away… he dreaded that more than anything, more than anyone. No... there was no way that he would be able to send her back. His entire being protested violently even just by thinking about it.

He finally rose from the floor and bent over Evie. Placing his forehead against hers, Gavriel clutched the blanket with his fists as he sighed deeply. Then a relieved smile curved at his lips as he kissed her. This was the very first time he felt utterly glad and thankful for this cursed royal blood that was running though his veins. Because ever since he could remember things, his blood had only brought nothing to him but darkness, death, and destruction.

…

The sun was streaming through the window when Evie's eyelashes fluttered, and her lids finally opened, revealing her eyes which were still heavy with sleep. After stretching, she looked around and was surprised that the curtain and windows were already opened. How long did she sleep?

Finally remembering everything that happened Evie forced herself to get up from the bed. But something was holding her down and not allowing her to move.

Evie turned and saw Gavriel on her side, his arms were curled protectively around her waist.

The sight of the gorgeous god sleeping next to her made her heart skip a beat. She reached out to brush his mussed-up hair back when her hand halted. She remembered Gavriel biting her, and her hand moved to her neck.

Feeling that her wound was almost already healed, Evie looked at Gavriel again. She was surprised that he was able to sleep with the windows open. Did he purposely keep the windows opened just for her?

Seeing his creased forehead, Evie decided to go and shut the curtain but as she tried to pull his hand off her, his eyes opened.

"Good… Morning… Gav…" Evie found herself having a hard time to speak. She was thirsty. And Gavriel's intense gaze on her was causing her to feel as if ants were crawling around in her heart and making it itch.

Without warning, Gavriel pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tight.

"You're finally awake… my wife," he said, his voice was emotional as she could detect a slight waver in it as he spoke.

Realizing that she must have had made him incredibly worried, Evie hugged him back, patting his back gently. "Mm. I feel bet..."

"Yes?" Gavriel worriedly pulled away and looked at her.

"Water… thirsty." She managed to choke out, and in an instant, Gavriel leapt off the bed and was already at the side table, pouring her a glass of water.

After Evie downed the water, she felt more refreshed.

"Is there anything else that you might be needing?" he asked, still looking at her with quite worried eyes.

Evie was about to smile when her eyes finally caught his magnificent naked torso on full display, and she could not help but look dazedly for a moment. How could this man so casually seduce a sick person such as herself in broad daylight like this? Her mind grumbled and groused that it was unfair play.

Blushing, she cleared her throat and brought her eyes back up to his. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"Two days, wife."

Before Evie could even speak again, Gavriel gently gathered her up in his arms.

"You need to eat now, Evie. You must replenish your strength." He said as he headed towards the door with her.

"W-wait… Gavriel." She protested and at last Gavriel halted.

"What is it?" he looked at her, head cocking to one side adorably.

Oh, she could not stand this man! Evie gave herself an internal slap to jolt her back to her senses.

"Please…" Evie's cheeks were hot as she shifted her gaze from his eyes to his bare chiselled chest. "W-wear something first."

Gavriel blinked but after a few moments, his eyes glimmered wickedly. "Why? Is it because you don't want another woman seeing me half naked? Is that the case, wife?"

Evie looked away, feeling embarrassed that he was right. "Y-yes. I don't want them… to see you." She answered stubbornly, all the while her cheeks burning red. As she mumbled and muttered to herself, she had not yet realised that the man holding her had turned into a solid and hard statue.