Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 196: A Perfect Night

Chapter 196: A Perfect Night

The royal guards had gathered the village councils and Courtesan’s involved in the illegal act, placing them inside the carriage as they prepared to return to the Palace so they could undergo the proper trial. The Courtesan house was also confiscated, and Samantha stayed with Amanda who was about to be taken home by one of the carriages.

"Thank you so much." Amanda didn’t know the amount of thank you she could spill in order to make Samantha realize how genuinely grateful she was. "You have come to my aid not once but twice, not everyone can be as considerate to help someone they barely knew, I am forever in your debt."

"Please, what matters is that we’re both safe." Samantha placed a hand on her shoulder before smiling at her. "The carriage is waiting, and your parents must be looking for you."

"Hold on, I have something to give to you." Turning away from everyone’s line of sight, Amanda reached into her dress at her breast side, carefully bringing out the letter she had brought with her. When she looked at Samantha, she handed the envelope to her. "Here, have this. Mr Dufort had given it to my Mother a week before he got taken away five years ago. I had stepped out to mail this to you when Callum’s men found me, and it seems you deserve to get the letter since destiny allowed us to cross paths again."

Samantha, who was astonished to hear about this letter, slowly received it from Amanda’s grip. "W... why are you giving it to me?"

"This was supposed to be given to his daughter," Amanda added, "he gave my Mother the letter and told her she had to hand it to his daughter in case a time comes when he is no more. My Mother found it oddly strange and didn’t understand what he meant by ’once he was no more, but since he was persistent, she decided to keep it to make him happy. But... we never saw his death coming so soon." A sad expression reflected in her eyes, "His children were no nowhere to be seen the next day, but my Mother safely kept the letter in the hopes that his daughter or his son would come back to ask for it. You said you were looking for a letter, and I wouldn’t give this to you, but you have a good heart, and I believe I can trust you to hand it to his daughter if you meet her."

Samantha gazed at the envelope in her hand, the expression on her face was mixed, but she somehow managed to keep herself collected while smiling gratefully at Amanda. "You have no idea what this letter means to me, thank you."

"Will you be leaving anytime soon? In case you do, don’t forget to stop by at my home. My Mother makes the best treat in the whole of Fernwood, and I am sure she’ll be delighted to have my savior in her abode."

"I surely will." Samantha exchanged smiles with the girl before they finally departed.

She watched the carriage ride down the road, subconsciously rubbing both her arms due to the cold breeze, but to her surprise, a soft gasp escaped her lips when a warm coat was draped over her body, shielding her from the night’s frosty air, and when she turned her head to see who it was, her expression softened into relief at the sight of Ivan.

"Come here." Turning her around to fully face him, Ivan pulled her gently into his embrace, and when she felt the warmth emanating from his body, Samantha subconsciously melted into his arms so she could receive his appealing warmth, whilst inhaling his scent. Not to mention but she was relieved that their reason for coming to Fernwood had been accomplished.

"Are you fine?" Ivan murmured into her hair when he felt her arms squeeze him lightly, "you’re clingy tonight. "

"You noticed?" Samantha pulled away slowly, her green orbs looking into his crimson ones. "Vampires are cold in nature, how come you exude so much warmth for one?"

"I believe it is due to my genetics," he answered while caressing the top of her head, "and whenever I’m with you, you bring warmth to my cold soul." He cupped her cheeks, "feeling better now?"

Samantha nodded before heaving a deep breath. Her eyes moved to the Courtesan house that was still being confiscated by the remaining guards. "Did you understand what happened with Callum? I’ve never seen anyone...die like that."

"Remember when I said he was into dark practices?" Ivan adjusted his coat around his little lamb’s body. "I’ve never seen one practice it before, but from my knowledge, it appears he bargained with the Devil and got tricked by him. His own greed caused his untimely death, and the devil doesn’t make deals without an evil motive behind it. He practically brought his end upon himself."

"Do you think he was serious when he said it was coming for us?" Samantha looked at Ivan, a bit disturbed by Callum’s threatening statement, but her worries vanished when he kissed her temples.

"If you want me to be honest, then I don’t care." Ivan answered earnestly, "you’re the only one I’m ever concerned about, what happens to me doesn’t bother me as long as I know that you’re safe, and that you’re happy." He paused, letting his fingers tuck the golden-blonde tendrils of her hair behind her ear.

"Little Lamb, You do not seem to realize that above everything, you are my strength, and that is the only thing I’ll ever care about."

Samantha met his eyes, and she could feel her heart grow wings again. He wasn’t just staring at her, he was looking right into her fragile soul, it felt as if he wanted to attach himself to her past, present and her future. He wanted to involve himself with everything that concerned her, and Samantha hardly knew how it happened, the world seemed to take a stand still, but she felt his soft cool lips pressing against her own the next minute.

What surprised her didn’t turn out to be the kiss, but how he kissed her.

It felt so tender, like having to taste cotton candy, and she detected no form of lust in his ardent kiss. She felt his love, his need to be with no one else but her, and just like that, the last bit of walls she had set against her heart crumbled like a pack of wild cards. She reciprocated his advances for the first time, kissing him back with the same dynamism, and she felt him smile through their exchange of affection.

"Little Lamb, if you keep this up we’re getting married once we return to the Palace, and I mean it."

"Is that an order?"

"Order or not, you’re not escaping me." And he kissed her again, more passionately, and Samantha’s hesitant hands which had turn firm, moved from his chest up to his broad shoulders, and when she linked her arms around his neck, the distance between their body was breached, and there was nothing that came in the way as they expressed untold words through their kisses. It made Samantha feel a little giddy, and she had forgotten that they were standing outside where the guards working could see them.

The night suddenly felt perfect.

"What is this?" Ivan took notice of the envelope in her hand when he pulled back, and Samantha had forgotten for a moment to show it to him.

"Oh! Yes, it slipped my mind. This is a letter I believe will answer all our questions concerning the Orb and what happened that night." Samantha said to Ivan, smiling heartily. "If we can get the truth from this, then my Father’s name will be cleared, and we can expose Lady Agathe of her crimes."

"Do you want us to read it now?"

"We’ll read it tomorrow before we leave for the Palace." She suggested, and Ivan didn’t seem to have a problem with it since the letter won’t be going anywhere. Finally, Cassian joined them after showing up on his steed.

"All the stocks have been gathered as planned, the people won’t know the merriments that await them once they wake up tomorrow." He said, dismounting from his steed and looking at Ivan who acknowledged him with a smile.

"I have to admit that you were indeed helpful, I thank you for that. If you didn’t have to return during the next blood moon I would have assigned you a position in my Kingdom."

"For someone who slit my arm on the first day of our meeting I’m shocked that you have this amount of good mannerism in you."

"Don’t push it Cassian, it could be the last compliment you ever receive." Ivan retorted, and strangely, they seemed to understand themselves better than before.

"Where is the commander who escorted the guards? He needs to stay and offer the stocks to the people."

"I thought you’d be the one to handle it." Samantha’s eyes reflected her surprise when he mentioned the commander in charge of the guards. "You aren’t going to make a public appearance tomorrow?"

"No." He answered, folding his arms. "I came here to get rid of those village councils, and I have done that. I have no intention of revealing myself to the people. The commander of the guards will be here to fulfill that role, and we will leave when that is done."

"It’s ironic, you’re more of a good King than you look." Cassian mounted his steed, preparing to return to the Inn. Ivan didn’t miss the compliment behind his phrase, and his lips twitched, as if struggling not to smile.

"Meet you both at the Inn." And he was off.

"We should have asked the carriage that brought us earlier to wait behind. Does this mean we’ll be going for a walk?" Samantha inquired with sparkling eyes, but a ’woah!" Sound left her lips when Ivan swiftly lifted her in his arm, and her hand linked around his neck.

"Who said anything about walking?" With a mischievous smirk gracing his handsome face, he unfurls his large wings in one swift movement. Samantha’s eyes went round as she took in the wings that majestically spread themselves wide.

"Hold on tight." And with the beating of his wings, he ascended into the night sky, leaving behind speckles of dusts.