Chapter 4: the mating bond.

She then fainted after her body went through the sharp pain. The bite was unlike anything she had ever experienced, a searing agony that radiated from her neck throughout her entire being. El-Kharis had sunk his fangs into her delicate skin, piercing through to inject his essence. The initial sting gave way to a burning sensation, her veins feeling like they were set aflame, and then, abruptly, a cold numbness spread. Her vision blurred, darkness enveloping her consciousness until she succumbed to the overwhelming torment.

As she fell asleep, El-Kharis caught her limp body and carefully cradled her in his arms. His expression softened momentarily as he looked at her unconscious form, then with swift, fluid movements, he carried her back to the room. He laid her gently on the bed, arranging the blankets around her to ensure she was comfortable.

He stared at the mating mark on her neck and smirked. The mark was distinct, a deep crimson imprint of his fangs surrounded by faint traces of his demonic energy. It pulsed with a subtle, eerie light, a testament to the bond that now linked them. His cold, blue eyes traced the contours of her face, lingering on her closed eyelids and slightly parted lips.

"You belong to me now," he murmured, his voice a blend of satisfaction and possessiveness. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch unexpectedly gentle. "No one else can harm you. No one else can claim you."

He straightened and moved to the window, looking out at the night sky. The stars glittered above, indifferent to the events unfolding below. El-Kharis' thoughts drifted back to the war, the betrayal, and the suffering that had led him to this moment.

Turning back to her, he resolved that he would train her, mold her into a weapon capable of enacting the revenge she so desperately sought. But for now, she needed to rest. He would watch over her, ensure her transformation began smoothly. He pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down, his gaze never leaving her face as he settled in to keep vigil over his new mate.

Esteria woke slowly, her mind emerging from the depths of unconsciousness. She blinked, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the room. Her body felt different—stronger, more vibrant than she remembered. As she inhaled deeply, she felt an unfamiliar sensation: her heart was beating again, but its rhythm was slow, deliberate, unlike the rapid pulse of a human heart.

She noticed an intense clarity in her vision. Her gaze traveled around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. El-Kharis was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Her eyes caught the reflection of her hair in a nearby mirror—it was longer and darker, cascading down her back in thick, glossy waves. Intrigued, she rose from the bed with newfound agility and approached the ancient mirror.

What she saw took her breath away. Her hazel eyes were sharp and lighter, almost glowing with an inner light. Her skin had a subtle luminescence, and her body was more curvaceous and lithe, moving with an effortless grace. The transformation was profound. She had become a vision of power and allure, far beyond her former self.

She reached up to touch the mating mark on her neck, feeling its faint pulse. It was a constant reminder of the change she had undergone. The demonic energy within her was tangible, mingling with her own essence and making her something more than human.

"Is this... me?" she whispered, running her fingers through her long hair.

She scanned the room once more, searching for any sign of El-Kharis, but the silence confirmed his absence. For a moment, uncertainty crept in, but it was quickly overshadowed by the surge of strength within her. She was no longer the vulnerable princess; she was a force to be reckoned with.

As she continued staring at herself in the mirror, she heard the sound of a door opening. Startled, she immediately turned toward the source, but no one was entering. The door creaked open on its own, sending a chill down her spine. She grabbed the lamp beside her, heart pounding, then heard the door close with a soft click. She turned again, her breath hitching, only to see El-Kharis standing there, his presence filling the room.

Her eyes trailed him from head to toe in utter amazement. His long white hair was damp and wet, droplets of water clinging to his eyelashes. His cold blue eyes stared at her with an intensity that made her shiver. His broad chest was exposed, showcasing his godly features—sculpted muscles, a perfect six-pack, and a flawless torso. He wore only a towel, which clung to his hips, revealing his perfectly toned body. His skin was like marble, smooth and unblemished, breathtakingly flawless.

Esteria badly wanted to look away, but she couldn't. Her body betrayed her, unable to tear her gaze from the sight before her.

"Haven't you seen a half-naked god before?" he teased, raising one eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

Somehow, she managed to tear her eyes away from him, though her cheeks burned with embarrassment. El-Kharis scanned her like she was a delicacy he was about to devour, his gaze lingering on every part of her.

"I see the mating effects are already taking place," he said, his eyes dancing over her body—from her longer, darker hair to the mating mark on her neck, then lower to her breasts, waist, and finally her legs.

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she turned away, trying to hide her reaction from him.

"Why am I changing?" she managed to ask without looking at him. She didn't want to give in to the overwhelming urge to stare at him, afraid of what that might lead to.

She heard him chuckle softly, then he started walking toward her. She began backing away, moving slowly. They continued this silent dance until her back hit the wall, trapping her.

"Darling, you still have a lot of changes to undergo." He cupped her cheek, lifting her face so she had to look at him, revealing her blushed, conflicted expression.

"Cha...n-ges," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

"You are no longer human, Esteria. You are now mated to me. No man is allowed to touch you from now on, as you are my mate," he declared, his voice a mixture of authority and possessiveness. He brought his face closer to her neck; she could feel his cold breath on her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

He kissed the mating mark, and a jolt of electricity seemed to run through her body.

"Shall we consummate our mating bond?" he asked, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Her legs were pressed against something hard, big, and smooth at the same time. She looked down and her face burned even more, realizing what it was.

He then reached for her lips, his fingers gently tracing their soft, pink outline. His touch was both tender and electrifying, making her heart race. His body radiated heat, and she could feel his desire to devour her, but he held back, not wanting to scare her away just yet. He knew they had plenty of time for what he had in mind.

"How wet are you down there?" he whispered in her ear, his voice thick, hoarse, and dripping with seduction. Her body heat intensified, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never been in such an intimate situation before, not even with Vincent, the man she was engaged to. The only thing she had ever done with him was kiss.

He kissed the mating mark again, and she felt his tongue on her bare skin. She bit her lip to keep from moaning, but it was a struggle. He wasn't even doing much yet, and already her body was betraying her.

Soon, his hands started moving downward. She tried to stop him, but her body refused to cooperate, loving every single touch.

His hand slid under her gown, finding her most intimate spot. He rubbed it slightly, and a moan escaped her lips.

"I didn't know you owned a river down there," he teased seductively.

"Stop it," she murmured, summoning all her willpower to say the words.

He immediately stepped back, quite impressed that she was able to resist him despite the powerful mating bond that had activated between them.

His lips curved into a smirk. "I might have let you go this time, but next time I won't," he said, his voice thick and echoing with promise.

She slowly opened her eyes, only to see his huge bulge showing clearly through his towel. She immediately shut her eyes again, her face redder than a tomato.

"I will send some maids to you. Freshen up, I will be right back," he said as he left, all three of his legs standing tall.