Meanwhile, in Alvaro’s room.
He had asked Vlad not to come. And he was grateful he had, because he couldn’t move from the bed at all. He couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened if that lecherous vampire had shown up. He was sure the vampire wouldn’t care about his pain and would take advantage of him without mercy.
Alvaro groaned in pain, lying face down. Even though Huron had sent a doctor to examine him and give him medicine, his back still ached terribly, like it was being sliced open.
Thankfully, the old man hadn’t come. Alvaro was still too ashamed to face him—and angry, too. Ashamed, because the man would surely ask who his lover was, judging by the wild kiss marks on his body. And angry, because he’d never liked how the man imposed such harsh punishments on him.
Alvaro sighed and buried his face in the pillow. Shame and pain twisted together inside him. How was he supposed to face the guards tomorrow?
Even though he’d been suspended for a month, he’d still have to see them at the training grounds.
"Damn it..." he muttered, wishing he could just disappear.
Alvaro took a deep breath. He had to forget about it. Besides, who cared about other people’s love stories? It wasn’t like he had a girlfriend. Vlad was more like a rapist than a boyfriend anyway.
He stared at the closed door.
He hadn’t expected Vlad to actually listen and stay away. Even so, he was still nervous and had locked the door tightly.
It took Alvaro a long time to fall asleep. He kept shifting positions, trying to ease the pain in his back.
Eventually, he dozed off.
A sound snapped him awake. His eyes flew open, and he reached for something nearby. He forgot about his injuries and, out of reflex, grabbed the medicine box, ready to throw it.
But then his eyes widened.
Vlad was standing in the middle of the room.
Alvaro’s heart stopped. He was startled, confused, and barely conscious.
Then he felt the pain in his back and sighed, putting the medicine box back on the table beside the bed.
He glanced at the now open door.
How had the vampire opened it? Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel⟡fire.net
Vlad was staring at him with a strange expression—calm, curious, and something that looked like... anger?
"Didn’t I tell you not to come?" Alvaro said hoarsely, tired and annoyed. He didn’t try to get up; there was no point. His back felt like it was on fire. Even lifting his arm was torture.
"I told you I was coming," Vlad replied softly, almost in a whisper. He stepped forward slowly, like he was approaching a wounded animal.
Alvaro sighed. He didn’t want to look weak, especially in front of that lecherous vampire.
"Please, go home. You can visit me next Sunday," Alvaro said.
"Next Sunday?" Vlad chuckled. "If I could wait just one more hour... Unfortunately, I can’t."
Alvaro muttered something under his breath.
"Who did this to you?" Vlad asked.
"Don’t you already know?" Alvaro shot back. The vampire had warned him not to return to the palace because he’d be punished. And now he was asking?
Vlad reached for Alvaro’s back, causing him to flinch and move away. But Vlad grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
Vlad clicked his tongue, like he was scolding a stubborn cat. "Be quiet. Let me see your wound."
Alvaro groaned as Vlad pressed his arm, holding him in place.
"You’re torturing me!" Alvaro snapped.
"No. Stay still." Vlad slowly undressed him, ignoring Alvaro’s protests and cursing.
He held his breath. The smell of blood was overwhelming. He had already eaten, but the scent made his appetite stir again. He resisted, focusing on Alvaro’s injured back.
Alvaro turned his face away and sighed in frustration. "Go away. I beg you."
Vlad didn’t respond. He just sat beside the bed, closely watching Alvaro’s bare back, now wrapped in thin bandages. The whip marks were still visible through them. Vlad frowned, imagining the pain Alvaro must be feeling.
"Why do you always push me away?" Vlad murmured. "You know I can make you feel better."
"What do you mean? Your presence makes me feel worse. I just want to rest!"
Vlad went quiet. His hands froze on Alvaro’s back.
Alvaro furrowed his brow. He hated how his words suddenly made the room feel colder. But he didn’t pull away either.
"I didn’t come here to touch you," Vlad finally said. His voice was calm, but softer than usual. "If that’s what you want."
Alvaro held his breath. Vlad sounded different. Usually, the vampire wouldn’t care whether he refused or not. Alvaro always thought the only thing in Vlad’s mind was lust. But now... Vlad looked almost gentle. What was wrong with him?
He glanced at Vlad out of the corner of his eye. "You came to see me, didn’t you? Well, you’ve seen me. I’m fine. I need rest. So can you leave now?"
"No," Vlad said firmly.
Alvaro groaned in frustration and buried his face in the pillow.
"Let me help you," Vlad said suddenly.
Alvaro shook his head. "I don’t need your help." He just needed time—to rest, to breathe, to get away from him.
"But your body does," Vlad replied calmly, ignoring Alvaro’s rejection. "You can’t lie on your stomach all night. Your blood circulation will be affected."
Alvaro clicked his tongue. "Since when did you start caring about me?"
Vlad smirked. That annoying face was back. "Oh, you didn’t notice, Sweetie? I care so much about you. I’d do anything for you."
Alvaro rolled his eyes. "You can’t even follow my one request to leave me alone."
"What’s different?" Alvaro snapped, but then went silent when he saw Vlad biting his own arm.
He stared. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you," Vlad said softly.
Alvaro watched in disbelief as black blood flowed from Vlad’s arm. Had the vampire lost his mind? Why was he hurting himself?
Before he could react, Vlad moved fast—too fast—and pinned Alvaro gently from behind, sitting on his legs.
"Aaargh!" Alvaro screamed as Vlad ripped off the bandages without warning.
"It hurts, damn it!" he cursed. The dried wounds tore open again and bled. Alvaro trembled.
Then he gasped as Vlad’s hand touched his back, followed by a cold, strange liquid spreading over the wounds.
He froze, waiting for pain—but none came. Just a tingling, itchy sensation spreading across his skin.
He squirmed, wanting to scratch it. The pain was gone, but the itching drove him crazy.
Vlad pressed both of Alvaro’s arms down. "Don’t move."
"What are you doing to me? It’s so itchy!"
"Just a little longer."
Alvaro kept writhing. The itching was unbearable.
Vlad held him down gently, his gaze focused on the wounds as they slowly began to thicken and heal. His own blood, mixed with something ancient, worked fast.
This was one of the few things he was grateful for. His blood could heal any wound—but it always made him weak for days. That’s why he rarely used it. Only a few humans had ever received it.
He knew he’d be weakened for the next few days. But it was worth it. For Alvaro, it was worth it.
Alvaro finally stopped moving, breathing heavily.
"W-What did you do to me?" he asked, his voice weak.
"Just helped," Vlad said, stepping off the bed.
Alvaro turned his head, now watching Vlad more closely. The vampire looked paler than usual. He rubbed his back—
The pain was gone. Just a dull ache remained in his bones, but nothing compared to before.
He stared at Vlad in disbelief, who was now walking slowly toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Alvaro asked. His tone sounded strange, even to himself. Just a moment ago, he’d been yelling at the vampire to leave—now he was asking him to stay?
Vlad turned his head slightly. "I’ll be back. Take care of yourself."
Alvaro frowned. "You shouldn’t come tomorrow."
Vlad gave a small smile. "No, I won’t. I can’t."
Alvaro looked even more confused. "What’s going on?"
Instead of answering, Vlad darted back toward the bed and kissed him.
Alvaro gasped as he was pushed down and kissed deeply.
He shoved him back. "You’re making me look ridiculous! You can’t just leave more marks on me!"
Vlad raised an eyebrow, then chuckled when he saw the kiss marks on Alvaro’s body. His eyes glinted playfully.
"So they’ll know you’ve been taken."
"I’m leaving," Vlad said softly. "Wait for me to come back."