Chapter 16: Beneath the Cherry Blossoms

Bowen's Pov

Flying while she rode her mare, I was struck by her beauty. She had a frown on her face as if she was planning something. She didn't notice the cherry petals that draped over the place, some dropping gently onto her hair, which she also failed to notice. Every woman I had met paled before her. Why anyone would wish this woman dead perplexed me. I could stare at her all day and not grow tired. She was an allure to behold. She looked adorable even when she was lying through her teeth. It was nice when I heard her lies, who would have believed that the princess could lie about something as silly as that? It was fun and her awkwardness made it better.

Why had I agreed to this ridiculous setup? I wanted to know her, to see her every day, to determine if what I felt for her was truly a bond or just a random attraction. A gust of wind blew by, and her hair draped around her like a halo, making her even more enchanting. I was so mesmerized that I didn't notice the oak tree until I flew into it.

Effing my nose! I ran into the stupid oak tree, the same one I had vomited on a while ago. She dismounted her mare and ran to me while I clutched my nose with my hands. I wanted to hit the tree out of frustration when I felt a touch on my back and a voice asking, "Are you okay?"

I turned around and said, "Yes, I am alright, thank you."

She looked at me with concern. "You are not alright. You are bleeding. And... your blood is red?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

Come to think of it, the fairies I had maimed didn't have red blood; theirs was purple. I hadn't planned on getting injured. "I am half human and half fairy," I lied. "My father is human, and my mother is a fairy."

"No wonder you look different," she said, feeling a kinship with me. She had a mellowed look on her face and I felt bad about it. I need to uplift her mood which I did.

"I said it's fine. I look like a fairy until I bleed out," I joked, trying to lighten the tension. My bones were already healing, thanks to my vampiric blood, but I wasn't healing as fast as I should. Whenever I shapeshift, my healing abilities slow.

She laughed a soft, melodic sound that I was hearing for the first time. It was music to my ears, making the pain in my nose fade into the background. Her face was so close, just a small movement and I could press my lips to hers. I wanted a taste of her, to know if her lips were as sweet as they looked.

She noticed my staring and cleared her throat. "We should get moving. The night is coming," she said, breaking the spell.

'Why did she have to ruin the moment? Left for me, we would have been busy but only with our hands and lips without the barriers of our clothes.

Reluctantly, I got up from the spot beside the tree, and we began our journey to the palace. The path was lined with cherry blossoms.

We moved in silence, the sound of the mare's hooves and my wings hovering were the only noise in the serene landscape. I stole glances at her, marveling at how the setting sun casts a golden glow on her hair.

As we neared the palace entrance, I saw about ten guards running towards her. She turned to me, her expression serious. "Wait here. I'll be back soon," she said.

I watched her leave, a mix of admiration and concern swirling within me. With the number of people out there ready to spill her blood, I could understand why she hadn't told me she was a princess.

Even her walk was enchanting as she went to the guards. They bowed to her, their respect evident in their postures.

"Do not call me princess, call me Azuka," I heard her speak. Fairies do not have good hearing abilities like vampires, and as an original with enhanced abilities, I could catch every word. The guards looked confused, but she insisted they call her Azuka.

She motioned for me to come to her. When I got closer, she said, "I hope it did not seem off. I am quite popular in this area and familiar with the guards. Stay with them. I will look around and see if there is any vacancy for you."

I smiled and replied, "Thank you, Azuka. I will remember your kind gesture."

As she walked away into the palace, I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and anxiety.