Chapter 283: The Right Man (Ezme & Atlas)
Night had fallen, but Atlas remained by Ezme’s side. Their bond was undeniable, and the king generously granted Atlas some time off after he explained that Ezme was undergoing heat.
They had just finished another intense lovemaking session and were now entwined in a warm bath. Atlas gently stroked Ezme’s back, his fingers moving in soothing circles as he asked, "Tell me, what happened? Master Kasper mentioned that there’s a story behind why you can’t control your vampire venom."
Ezme sighed, her head resting against the edge of the tub as she relaxed in the warm water. "Hmm, when I was young, I had a close human friend," she began, her voice soft and reflective. "She was a kind girl, around my age—about ten."
Ezme sighed, leaning into Atlas’s touch as she began to recount the painful memory. "Her name was Eliza," she started, her voice soft and filled with regret. "She was a servant’s daughter, but we were inseparable. We did everything together—played, learned, and confided in each other. She was more than a friend to me; she was like a sister."
Ezme paused, her eyes distant as she recalled the fateful day that changed everything. "It was during one of our secret outings. We had sneaked out to the woods near the castle. We found this beautiful clearing with wildflowers, and we were laughing, picking flowers, when... it happened."
She shuddered, her hand subconsciously gripping Atlas’s arm as she continued. "I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was starting to come into my vampiric abilities. My senses were heightened, and the hunger... it was there, lurking. But I didn’t understand it."
Ezme’s voice trembled as she spoke. "Eliza pricked her finger on a thorn, and the scent of her blood... it was overwhelming. I tried to resist, but I couldn’t. I lost control. Before I knew it, I had bitten her."
She choked on the words, her eyes filling with tears. "I didn’t mean to hurt her, but the venom... it was too strong. Eliza screamed, and I remember the look of terror in her eyes as I realized what I’d done. She fell to the ground, writhing in pain. The venom was killing her."
Ezme’s shoulders shook as she buried her face in her hands. "I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. I tried to help her, but the damage was done. By the time the servants found us, it was too late. Eliza... she died in my arms, and it was all my fault."