7

"Fuck," I mutter.

"Really Luna?" he yells, walking towards me.

In desperation, I pull at the horse's harness and redirect myself to the pathway on the right, slashing at the harness to increase the speed. However I am not quick enough, for Jace re-emerges in front of me again and I am forced to halt again.

"Just give up Luna because this won't end well," he growls, his eyes gleaming ruby red.

"Then kill me already!" I yell back.

Before I can blink, Jace pounces on top of the horse and clutches my throat, choking me hard enough to falter my breathing.

"That's right you filthy monster," I laugh between choking on my words.

He squeezes hard once more and then releases his hold, sighing. "Luna, I'm not going to kill you."

"Well I don't plan on being your personal blood bank for the rest of my life so save us both time and get it over with you disgusting monster," I cough back.

"I do not care for your wishes," he growls . "I'll play my role as the monster you see me as and keep you captive for as long as I please."

"The monster I see you as?" I scoff in surprise. "You're oblivious. You feed on human blood, most likely killed many before me and you deem yourself innocent? Not to mention you fucking kidnapped me for your own favor."

"My past cannot dictate the person I am today," he grunts back.

"Do you even realize what you're saying right now? A monster will never change. Congratulations for defying your urges to suck me dry in one go, thank you so much for choosing to savor me day by day instead," I say mockingly.

"You don't fucking know me," he replies back in anger.

"Oh so you do not harm others I see," I reply sarcastically. "I must be dreaming of a blood-sucking monster who feeds on me everyday then. Hell, I must have dreamt that the monster craved more than just my blood, if that is remotely possible."

His tense expression softens at those words and he slides his hands over mine. My fingers freeze at the sudden interaction.

"Luna... I apologize for last night. I don't want you to regret your actions, nor should anything be happening between us in the first place. First thing tomorrow, I'll take you back home."

I gape in shock, tears welling in my eyes. As horrendous as it may sound, not once did I regret his touches against my skin, his pillow soft lips against mine. The harder I try to suppress those memories, the deeper sadness dwells inside my heart. But I accept his regret of our time together, for a monster will only seek flesh, blood and death - nothing more. It is strange to be disappointed about something that isn't important when a main goal is achieved. I am able to go home yes, but I am hurt at his regret? I cannot understand my delusional emotions.

"You're letting me go that easily Jace?" I question curiously.

"I promised myself for years that I would solely resort to animal blood and the blood of willing donors, which worked well until you came along. I could smell you from miles away, and controlling myself was not an option at that point. All I wanted was you. To taste you and savor you. But it is making me irrational Luna, and I cannot be that way. Many may fear me and I stand by it, but I cannot harm the unwilling."

I narrow my eyes at him in response. "Are you saying that I'm your first human blood?"

"You are not my first no, but you are the first in 100 years."

"What?" I exclaim. "100 years?"

"I have a prolonged life my sweet," he chuckles. "My parents are long gone, but because I have no other family or Queen, I am simply just the heir to the throne."

"If there is no King, how are the subjects of Nightshadows being ruled?" I ask in awe.

"I have subordinates that make decisions alongside me, so whatever I do also goes through them before it goes out to my subjects," he replies back and chuckles. "Luna, how about I just take you to my kingdom and you stay overnight, you can question me as much as you please and then I'll return you home at dawn."

"I'm not used to this sudden change in behavior," I say, rubbing my eyes with my fists. "Is this real?"

Jace smirks at my remark and bows his head. "Forgive me for falling into temptation Princess."

I bow back and nod. "All is forgiven, Prince Jace of Nightshades."