The Duke's Passion

The maidservants escorted me to the study where Samael was waiting for me. On our way, I could not help but fiddle my fingers against each other.

Every step we took, it produced a distinct sound. A sound that jeopardized the rhythm of my pulse. Each step meant I'm coming close to the uncertainty of what's ahead.

I clenched my teeth, tightening my jaw. I glanced at the maidservant's back, who's walking before me.

"We're here, My Lady." Soon, the maidservant halted and faced me.

"His Lordship is inside."

She added politely. I nodded as I watched her make a way for me.

Standing in front of the door, I took a deep breath and breathed out through my mouth. For a moment, I closed my eyes as I prepared my heart.

When I opened my eyes, I unhesitatingly pushed the door open and went in.

To my surprised, unlike the brightly lit surroundings around the mansion, this room only had four candelabra around. It was not enough to bring colors to the room, but it was enough for anyone to see things around.

My eyes caught the familiar figure standing in front of the window. His back was facing me as I approached him.

"Milord?" I called out, catching his attention.

Slowly, Samael turned around and face me. His crimson eyes glinted, causing me to flinch as soon as he set them on me.

He didn't speak as I watched him travel his fascinated gaze from my head to toe. Under his piercing eyes, I wanted to shrink to the marbled floor.

"You look gorgeous." He commented, nodding in satisfaction. I raised my head in surprised as I've glimpsed upon his charming smile.

I bit my lower lip to restrain the smile tempting to take over my lips. I shouldn't be happy knowing he was the person who claimed my life.

As I broke my gaze away from his eyes, I unconsciously noticed something he was holding. Due to the lack of light, I squinted my eyes.

Something was dripping from his hand. The sound of the liquid hitting the marbled floor grew distinct in my ears.

"Milord, what is…" Out of curiosity, I blurted out my query.

"Oh? This?" Samael raised his hand a little higher as he walked out of the shade and into the faint light.

I still had my eyes on his hand. As light shone upon him, my eyes grew wider as I distinguished what was it: a beating heart!

I gasped as I raised my gaze back to his charming smiled.

"Mi — milord," I muttered in horror.

My eyes brood with utter fear, staring at the still beating heart in his hand.

"Milord, pardon me, but… is this the blood proof you wanted to show me?"

I asked, my voice shook as I gulped down whilst struggling my trembling knees from giving away.

"Mhm… do you now believe I'm good at capturing hearts?" Samael bearing those menacing pair of deep crimson eyes stared proudly at me after a nod.

The next moment, I gasped and bit my bottom lip. Samael clenched his hand and squeezed the fresh heart to smithereens.

No… this was not what I meant, milord! No wonder it felt like we were not on the same page earlier this day.

No wonder his reaction earlier was strange. I never meant it literally!

I felt like crying and running away at this point. My heart had leapt to my throat, my hands and body shaking as his fiery gaze never left me.

"Hmm?" He hummed, tilting his head as he waited for my reply.

"Y — yes, milord. You're good at it, literally."

My tone gave away my horror at the situation. I've grown more mortified as I watched the heart reach the floor and his feet approached me.

Instinctively, each time he took a step forward, I would step back. He didn't say a word, intensifying the fear creeping up inside me.

Soon, my back reached the solid door where I came from. I tried to take another step back, but to no avail.

I could only watch him approach, closer and closer. I held my breath, clasping my hands into a fist.

When he was one step away from me, Samael finally stopped.

"Huh," He chuckled briefly, sounding more like a scoff.

Slowly, his pointy nails that were covered with fresh blood traced my elbow down to my hand. His fingers weren't as sharp as this earlier today.

With a gentle tug, he clipped my forefinger in between his fingers as he slowly guided it in front of his lips.

"Did I pass your test, though?" He asked, the sharp tip of his nail played over the tip of my finger.

What test? He didn't mean…

I stared at his penetrating gaze and I reluctantly answered, "Barely."

I would've said no. But I was too scared to give him that direct answer.

He smirked, nodding in satisfaction at the neutral answer I gave him.

I forced a smile on my lips, thinking I'm pardoned from trouble. However, as I smiled, he smiled back charmingly before pressing the tip of his sharp nail against the tip of my finger.

I winced at the slight pain. Immediately, I've seen my finger produce a drop of blood.

"Such sweet aroma." He whispered, inhaling deeply while I gulped.

Slowly, he guided my bleeding finger to his lips and licked the blood gently. The second his tongue touched my skin, my breath hitched, and I shivered.

The slight pain of when he prick my finger was being comforted by his tongue. It was insane; I even forgot the fear within me for a moment.

His menacing crimson orbs never left me as he sucked my finger. I wonder what he was thinking.

"Does that mean you're accepting my invitation?"

Keeping my finger in between his sharp fangs, he inquired. If I said no, he might break my finger, which was placed in between his fangs.

The strange sensation I've felt from his licking subsided as fear enveloped my heart at once. I bit my lower lip, hearing my heart drum against my chest as sweats broke out from my back and forehead.

"But, I'm just…" I paused, hoping my wise answer would put an end to this. "… I'm just a human."

My answer came out almost like a whisper. Samael clicked his tongue, displeased at my response as he let my finger go.

"No," he whispered, shifting his gaze to my side as he tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear.

I gulped as I prepared myself for the worse.

Slowly, he inched closer, causing my entire body to stiffen. He traced my neck by the apex of his nose and I didn't dare move an inch.

Instinctively, I stretched my neck to give him easy access. I didn't realize that my hands were on his chest, clasping his clothes tightly.

"You're not just a mere human… you are my human." He stressed each word as I felt his lips parted and his fangs on my neck.