"That bastard is an original royalty?!" I screeched, a familiar feeling clouding my senses. The King gave me a stern look, one which told me that if I wanted to stay alive I better watch my mouth. I huffed, rolling my eyes and muttered, "Fine, fine, whatever. But I have another question." I folded my arms again.

Ash gestured for me to continue.

"Why is a Pureblood's blood dangerous for a Vampire? And is it true that a Pureblood's blood can kill a Vampire?" I asked, my eyes narrowing as I remembered the way Andrew's blood burned my flesh, yet it did not kill me at all.

A thought— a simple thought— crossed my mind and I stilled, my eyes widening and my jaw opening a little.

"Don't tell me that a Pureblood's blood doesn't kill a Vampire, but a Slade's blood does." I breathed, utterly shocked and shaken. What the hell is going on? The more I find out, the more shocked and surprised I become. I never knew any of this. I was only told that a Pureblood's blood could kill me!

I hope that stupid Vampire is suffering in heaven.

The King cracked a grin, looking at me with a hint of respect. "You're very intelligent. To answer your questions... A Pureblood's blood is dangerous for a Vampire because it is pure and original. A Vampire's blood is not pure: they were humans turned with the help of a Vampire's blood, so the bloods mix, and it certainly isn't original since they were not born like that. It's because a Vampire's body cannot handle such purity. And yes, you figured it out." he smirked lightly, tilting his head to the side. "However, whether it's a Vampire or a Pureblood, they can both die because of a Slade's blood. Don't forget that they are original royalties. Their blood is a completely different story." the King gave me a pointed look, probably remembering what I had called Sebastian a few moments ago.

"Fantastic." I rolled my eyes, rubbing the side of my neck. "That's just fan-bloody-tastic. Not only can I die because of his blood, but the entire Vampire population can, to—" I paused when it had clicked in my head. A look of shock and surprise took over my face, and I noticed the King looking at me warily. "Wait a minute, that's a good thing. I can kill every Vampire out there just because of his blood!"

Ash's shoulders shook and he threw his head back, a joyful laugh passing his lips. He settled down and looked at me, a new expression of fondness in his eyes as he said, "You're crazy. I like you."

I lifted my chin high, straightening my posture and relaxing my shoulders. "Yeah, it's not something I haven't been told before. Tell me something I don't know."

"Arrogant with an ego the size of a country, I see." I heard the King mutter.

"Are we talking about a big country or a small country? And is it named after me? Because if it isn't, well that is a shame. Anyways, here's another question." I waved my hand around, being serious again. "Why does Sebastian always drink my blood when we're in bed together— if you know what I mean? He used to get angry when I drank a Vampire's blood before."

Ash raised an eyebrow, now leaning against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest. "If a Pureblood has his own Vampire and drinks blood from them, it's an intimate act Purebloods tend to do to show their feelings but also it's to satisfy their possessive side. A Vampire drinking blood from another Vampire is also an intimate act. So naturally, when you two are together, he would want to be intimate with you. He'd want to show you his feelings and keep his mind at ease knowing that you're his. Obviously, he'd get angry— or rather jealous— when you're drinking blood from another Vampire. We can't help it." he mumbled. "It's in our nature."

So it's an intimate act that Purebloods do to show their feelings but also to keep their claim on their partner. Sebastian used to get angry, but he got used to it when he found out it's the only way that I can feed.

The King began walking whilst I was still organising my thoughts.

"Come on, now," he gestured with his hand. "I bet your Slade will be arriving shortly."

The ballroom was filled with more Vampires, Purebloods and Slades— yet my Slade was nowhere to be found. Andrew was occupied with a few Purebloods, chatting and drinking. I waited at a dark and quiet corner, observing the scene from the back. I have to be far from a crowd. The King had left a while ago, and since he was going along with my plan, I did not care what he did. He could kill whoever he wants, as long as he goes with my plan.

"Old MacDonald had a farm

E-I-E-I-O..."

At one point, I had gotten so bored of standing and watching, I had began singing a song I heard on T.V the other time.

"With a baa baa here

And a baa baa there

Here a baa, there a baa

Everywhere a baa baa— seriously, just how many animals does this Old MacDonald guy have?" I muttered under my breath, switching my standing position and stretching my arms forward. "Apparently, a cow here, a pig there, a duck there and a horse everywhere, the guy wants a lamb on top of all these. What's next, chickens?"

Suddenly, I became aware of someone's presence near me. I turned my head around and came face to face with a handsome Pureblood.

"A Slade's Vampire." he stated, eyeing me carefully. "Who do you belong to?" he asked with his smooth voice, his eyes tinkling with mischief.

Seriously? What is it with everyone wanting to know who I belong to? Whatever, I'll just get rid of him using my own way.

I turned to face him and asked, "Why did the horse cross the road?"

The Pureblood's eyebrows furrowed and his lips parted slightly. "Shouldn't it be a chicken?" he questioned.

I raised a challenging eyebrow and glared. "Don't question me, Pureblood. I know what I am saying. Now, your answer?"

"Uh, because he wanted to get to the other side?"

I huffed. "Why are you questioning the horse's motives to cross the road, anyway? It should be free to do whatever it wants! And why do you assume it is a he? It could be a she, you sexist pig!"

The Pureblood snapped at my outrage— mainly because of what I had called him— and with his hand, he pinned my neck to the wall. I felt the air get nocked out of me.

"I could turn you to stones right now for disrespecting me." he hissed, his sharp fangs bared at me. "Know your place, Witch."

My eyes widened briefly before they changed to their destructive silver colour. Before I could slap the Devil out of him for insulting me, I froze, sensing a new presence.

A new heartbeat.

"I could inflict unendurable pain on you right now for hurting what's mine." he spoke with control. "Know your place, Witch."

His voice was brutal, murderous, dark. It had a rough edge to it. Despite his ravishing appearance in that tightly-fitted formal black suit, he was on Murder-Mode with his blood-seeking ice blue, almost very light silver eyes narrowed on the Pureblood's back.

Before the Pureblood could get a chance to do or say anything, he was screaming in pain on the ground. No one heard because of the blasting music, no one bothered to turn around or help. It was a Slade, no one in their right mind would stand in his way when he was infuriated.

My eyes would not dare leave the dying Pureblood on the floor. His screams intensified until his body was no longer moving. I couldn't even find his heartbeat anymore.

Sebastian's power can cause pain to the point of death?

My eyes then snapped to Sebastian, who was slowly moving towards me, his eyes never leaving me. His eyes drifted back to their night black and his expression softened. "You've been misbehaving, Jewel." he said with a slight smile on his face.

I raised a brow, tipping my head to the side and crossing my arms together. "You've been keeping secrets, Your Highness." I couldn't help but hiss his status. The fact that he was a bloody royalty all this time and never once told me? I've been disrespecting and insulting a royalty this whole time. Now that I think about it, no wonder people would bow when they see him. I thought it was just something they did!

Sebastian stopped in his tracks, his eyebrows knitting close and his head angled to the side. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, cut the crap, Slade." I snapped, feeling anger all around my mind. "You couldn't have told me before that you're a bloody royalty? Not only are you a Slade, but an original royalty on top of that?!"

Less than a blink of an eye, he was in front of me. He had my body pressed against his and the wall. His forearm rested on the wall beside my head and his other arm was resting beside my hip. I felt my soul's yearning whispers increase. My breathing deepened, but I wasn't sure if it was because I was raging or because Sebastian's body was close against me.

"So what if I am?" he asked lowly, gazing into my eyes deeply. "That doesn't change things between us."

My eye twitched. "Things? There's nothing between us, Slade."

"Really?" his lips curved up into a teasing smile. I could see the dangerous spark in his eyes. "So if I kissed you and drank a little of your blood, you wouldn't moan my name like I was the only one you want?"

I didn't say anything. In fact, I looked away from his eyes. They were so damn beautiful.

Sebastian dipped his head low, and for a second I thought he was going for my neck. He wasn't. His breath was hitting gently against my left ear, making me feel a little fidgety. "Are you telling me that any man here can satisfy you with just a kiss?" his voice was low, but it was still affecting me because he was whispering directly into my ear. "Are you telling me that any man here can arouse you just by being in front of you?"

He was torturing me. Those lips of his were teasing me. He knew the answers to all his questions, yet he was rubbing them in my face— the bastard was making fun of me. "You wouldn't do anything." I challenged, trying to push him away.

He snickered lowly, the sound vibrating against the shell of my ear and in turn, vibrating throughout my body. "I would do all kinds of things." he kissed the side of my head, the place he touched instantly warming. "Don't tempt me, because you know I would."

He pulled back to stare into my eyes, but then he looked down at my lips.

He was serious, he really will do something.

His lips suddenly pressed against mine, so soft and so careful. His kisses were always kind and loving. They were always so sensual, leaving me gasping for breath. I had missed the feeling of his lips against mine, so without thinking, I closed my eyes and gripped some of his silky hair, pushing him even closer to me.

He forced my lips to open with his own, slipping his tongue inside to have a battle with my own. His heartbeat was increasing, becoming louder. I loved it when I was able to hear his heartbeat. I wanted to feel it, so I pressed a palm against his chest and smiled as I felt the pounding in his chest. It was like his heart wanted to rip out of his chest.

"Don't hold my status or name against me, Jewel." he pulls back the slightest bit, our lips still touching. "It's not my mistake I was born like this." he breathes as he descends his lips down to my neck. After he kissed and licked around, his fangs went through my skin. I couldn't prevent the whine that slipped my lips. I wanted to pierce his skin and put my mark on him, but if I did that I'd die.

But it still hurts when he sinks his fangs into my skin.

"What happened to that bastard?" I sighed.

"Jay is distracting him." Sebastian said as he pulled his fangs out and began cleaning his bite.

"Jay's here?!" I perked up, grinning. "I haven't seen him for so long!"

"You didn't sound that excited when you saw me." he mumbled bitterly, looking into my eyes with irritated emerald green eyes. Even that colour was beautiful.

"Don't look at me like that." I said, frowning at the expression he was making. "What do I call you now? Slade? Your Highness? Your Majesty? What?" I snapped at him, pushing him away from me and folding my arms together again.

"Sebby." he blurted out quickly, sounding as though he didn't need to consider the answers to the question. "You always call me Sebby when you're comfortable with me. When you're angry at me you call me Slade, but you moan Sebastian when I make you feel good." he then smirked arrogantly.

"Don't get too cocky with me, Slade."

He laughed, his eyes slightly crinkling at the corners, his lips lifted up and his dimples so visible on his creamy skin. I liked the sound, so I ended up smiling a little— even though I tried to stop it.

"Whatever." I huffed. "Listen, I have a plan. The question is, are you willing to get me back?" I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head to the side and narrowing my eyes at Sebastian.

"Am I even supposed to answer a stupid question like that?" he asked, but it was more of a rhetorical question.

I thought about it for a while. "Oh yeah, my bad. Soz. Anyway, the question is—" I stopped when I noticed Sebastian rolling his eyes at me. "Don't roll your eyes at me, jerk!" I snapped, exposing my fangs to show my irritation. "But anyways, are you willing to help just to get me back?"

"Help?" he asked, frowning again.

"Good." I grinned, taking that as an answer. "Tonight, I want to complete my revenge. Who knows, after that maybe I'll spend all my time... making you beg for me." I bit my bottom lip, sending him a promising wink.

His eyes shifted to a mesmerising, dark blue as he licked his lips and said, "Love, I'd like to see you try."

After exchanging promises, we went out to search for Jay and Andrew. Sebastian stopped and turned around to face me, causing me to stop, too. He grabbed my hand and laid a tender kiss on the back of my palm, his lips lingering on my hand as he kept his eyes on my own.

I watched him silently.

"I'll see you soon, my beautiful Jewel." he whispered, smiling at the frozen state he left me in. His breathtaking night black eyes did not leave my own while a soft side smile was drawn on his beautiful lips. He straightened up and gave me a final smile before he walked away.

That jerk...

"Where have you been, Sweet Little Thing?" Andrew wrapped an arm around my waist as soon as he saw me.

"Digging your grave. Let go, Old Man." I snapped. "If you're going to put a hand on me, at least have the decency to do it in private."

"Are you saying we should go somewhere alone?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"No, duh, Old Man. I'm saying let's strip in front of all these people here."

"Don't even think about it." he began walking away, dragging me with him by my hips. He led me out onto the palace balcony and then quickly pushed me against a wall. His lips slammed against mine urgently, his hands running down to my hips again.

Out of every other isolated place in the palace, the bastard led me to the balcony on the left of the ballroom, I thought, knowing my thought would be heard.

I began seducing Andrew, even though every nerve in me was twitching with irritation. I had to endure it if I wanted to finish this. I did not pay attention to his heartbeat. It wasn't something I desired.

Suddenly stopping, Andrew backed away from me and clutched his chest in pain. He began coughing out blood, and I knew this was scarier than that Pureblood who Sebastian killed just then. The doors of the balcony were pushed open and in walked a deliciously jealous Sebastian and an adorably worried Jay.

"Jay!" I squealed as I ran into his arms, which he had opened for me with a grin. He held me to him tightly as I wrapped my arms around his hips.

"Long time no see!" he laughed quietly and kissed the top of my head sweetly, but he let me go when we heard a furious hiss. I was hurriedly pulled backwards into a hard chest, strong arms wrapping around my shoulders and waist.

"No need to glare at me, Sebastian." Jay rolled his eyes as he spoke, and I was surprised because it was the first time I saw him rolling his eyes. "I wasn't doing anything."

I pushed myself out of Sebastian's arms and I crouched down near Andrew who was shuddering in pain. I looked at him plainly, somehow not feeling excitement or joy. I pushed him harshly on his back, and he didn't fight or resist because the pain Sebastian was putting him in was paralysing him.

"Jewel—"

"Shut up, Slade." I cut him off, surprisingly calm. "I've waited years for this moment. Lived for nothing but this moment."

With my vision becoming clearer and sharper I stood up, pulling my red elbow-length satin gloves to go higher, covering more of the exposed flesh on my right arm. I turned towards Sebastian, facing him with a grave expression. Jay's sharp intake of air didn't go unnoticed by me, nor did his sudden stiffness. My eyes must have drifted to their murderous silver with killer my pupils narrowed into slits.

Just like a snake.

"My revenge is almost complete. Don't get in my way." my voice sounded dark to my own ears. I was beyond being a monster right now. I wanted nothing but someone's death and I had someone crumbling beneath me, so he was my target.

I pulled Andrew on his feet by the collar of his suit and glowered at his pained face. The strength I had that was flowing in my veins was refreshing.

"This is for the human who lost her mother, her father, her brother and most of all, her first love." I whispered, my voice so low. A worried spark flew in Andrew's eyes, and I noted the way his heart thumped. "This is for all the innocent lives who were slaughtered that night."