Dark Hunger

However, Caleb had quickly slashed his wrist and given it to her to drink his blood. She had wrapped her lips around it and lapped up the blood with a sigh of relief. She finished drinking from him soon enough. She didn't want to but she willed herself to leave his wrist because she didn't know for how long the illusion lasted. 

When the program was over, Caleb and Elize were taken to the dining hall where only a few selected were allowed. Caleb's hands brushed her as they entered the dining hall. Just like the throne hall there would be no sunlight penetrating the windows here too. Caleb had taken care of all the draperies. Heavy, crimson curtains hung on the windows and guards were stationed at every window. A large table loaded with food and drinks was situated right in the center of the hall. All chairs were vacant and they waited for the king and queen to sit on the head chairs before sitting. There was a slight murmur amongst the courtiers as they took their places around the table. All of them looked excited, even thrilled and Elize could sense their increased heartbeats.

Elize scanned the room for a face that she had been craving to meet. Air punched out of her lungs when she saw Dawn coming from the other side of the hall, a beautiful sight in a light green chiffon gown with a sweeping neckline and long fluttering sleeves. 

"Dawwwwnnnnn!" she shouted. A nest of butterflies fluttered in her stomach that reached her throat because she was meeting her after a very long time. It felt so good. For Elize, Dawn was her connection to the world she had left behind. Not that she missed that world, but she chose to keep it fond remembrances. She swept past Daryn, her dark hair wildly whipping behind her. The moment she reached Elize, Elize wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

"Elize!" Dawn hugged her just as tightly, despite her husband coughing in his wrist warning her to take care because she was pregnant. 

The two friends held each other tightly, shaking, feeling emotional. Elize bubbled even as emotion choked her. Being with Dawn reminded her of their college days. The two started on a bad note, but later their friendships bloomed and now they were standing in front of each other as sisters-in-law.

"You look beautiful," Dawn whispered in her ears and Elize knew that she meant that despite the change in her eye color, she appreciated her. 

Elize pulled back, her eyes welling with tears. She searched for fakeness on Dawn's face at her remark, but there was none. Dawn cupped her face in her hands and then wiped the tear that had rolled out with her thumb. "Today is not a day to cry, Lizzy," said softly. Then she leaned closer and said, "You have to show them that you are their queen. Their vampire queen. Be proud of it!" 

Elize giggled. Dawn was a strong woman and she admired the way she always conducted herself. "I look different." 

Dawn's lips trembled because her heart went out for the Elize she had known. One who used to play golf even in the scorching sunlight and now… "You look more beautiful now."

Dawn shook her head. She slid her hands in her arms and said, "I am so happy that you are here. I missed our gossip sessions." 

"Gods, and I have missed you!" Dawn replied with a sigh. "There is so much built up in me." 

"Oh, I do want to catch up!" Elize remarked unaware that the two brothers were waiting for them to sit for dinner. "What happened to Niall?" she asked. "And Oliver?" She placed her hand on her heart. "The last I heard was that Oliver had left the town and so had Niall!" 

"Don't even ask me about Niall," Dawn started like a chatty auntie. "She went on to—" 

"The dinner is waiting," Caleb whispered to his queen. 

Elize jerked her head back and noticed that all courtiers were watching them curiously. A pale blush rose to her cheeks. She pursed her lips and then followed Caleb to the chairs at the head of the table. 

Daryn sat right to his brother and Dawn sat along with Elize. Cole had to be taken for a special function so that Auril could sit with them. Auril looked very uncomfortable all the while. It was as if he was in a hurry to leave and go. But the customs and manners tied him to the table. 

Food and wine flowed and then the conversation got carried from soft murmurs to jolly banters. Caleb was happy to see the excitement on the faces of his courtiers. His gaze went to Elize's bracelet. A faint light flickered inside. He had to return the rest of the magic to his people… soon. 

Urhan who was sitting on the opposite end of the table that was marked for the priest, appeared extremely calm and composed. He hadn't slipped even for once for Caleb and Daryn to be suspicious about him. He talked with the courtiers when they talked to him but maintained distance otherwise. 

Throughout the entire dinner, no one questioned about the animal blood that was placed in front of Elize. After a few curious glances at her, courtiers stopped looking. At first Elize thought that they would be repulsed by it, but she realized that the Lore was one place where everyone knew about the various species and perhaps, they expected how a vampire would behave. Once the guests got immersed in their own conversation, her food took a backseat. From the corner of her eye, she saw Auril excusing himself and then going out. She knew that he was going to see Cole because this might be the last time he would see her. The man had a tendency to go into hiding for two to three years before reemerging in front of Cole. 

The guests left by midnight and the two brothers were left high and dry when their wives simply abandoned them, changed into night pajamas and sat on the bed in Elize's room to… gossip! They had so much to talk about. The servant had stoked the fire hearth to keep the room warm. 

Caleb had come into the room to change. He changed and then stared at his wife but she said, "You can go and sleep in one of the guest rooms." After that the two just chatted and chattered. Elize would ask the servants to fetch food for Dawn in between, but other than that the two didn't tire of talking. Little did Elize realize that it was morning, when Caleb entered the room and pulled all the curtains in order to stop the morning light. He looked at her, shook her head and then went back to where his brother was to sleep. 

It was so good catching up with Dawn. The two friends ultimately got tired and dozed off. As if they came to know about it, the two brothers came to fetch their wives. Daryn picked up his mate and carried her to his bed. Caleb picked up his mate and made her lie properly. He tucked her beneath soft comforters and then slid beside her. He inhaled her scent, curled his arms around her and then went off to sleep. He had been waiting for the two friends to stop chattering very patiently. 

Daryn and Dawn returned back to Bainsburgh the next day along with Cole. He never got to meet Auril but Auril watched him the entire time from a distance. 

"I have to go back," said Auril as he walked in the main hall where he knew Elize had some reasons ready to stop him. He had already overstayed a day more. 

She sighed. "When will you visit us again?" she asked as she hugged him despite a growl from her husband. 

"I am just a portal away," he replied with a smile and hugging her nicely. "Would like it if you could drop by at Zelena." 

"We will surely try," she said affectionately. Auril had been such a fantastic man that she had just chanced upon that she often wondered that it was Lore's way of finding him for them or maybe for… Cole. 

Auril gave a bear hug to Caleb and after a moment of silence, he parted. They all walked to the gardens outside where Auril created a portal and then with a last loving look at both of them, he entered it. The portal collapsed and suddenly Elize felt forlorn. She curled her arms in her husband's arm and leaned against his shoulder. "Walk with me, Caldy," she whispered, not wanting to go inside the castle. Cool air brushed her cheeks as the silvery streaks of moonlight scattered over the lush gardens. The two walked in silence and when she was tired, he picked her up and brought her back to their bedchamber.. It all looked so surreal—his wife with him while he looked after his kingdom.