The Damned Demon

Asher had wanted to ask this same question since the day he woke up. Based on what he learned from others, he didn't leave the castle at all.

He was sure that somebody had taken him outside to get him killed, but he couldn't ask anyone, including Rowena, since he couldn't tell if one of them was the orchestrator. At that time, he felt Rowena might have tried to get him killed discreetly so that she could get rid of a burden like him while not making it seem like she did it.

However, only after spending more time with her did he realize she had no intentions of getting rid of him. Otherwise, she could have done it earlier and need not have tried so hard.

Still, he wanted to first get closer to her before asking such important questions. But now that she had already brought it up first, he decided to push deeper.

The only other culprits he could think of were Seron and his family, but if they did give such an order to the guards, Rowena would have known through her investigation, and it seemed as if she had yet to find any clues.

Rowena looked at his confused face and answered, "You were soulless, but my father occasionally ordered a few guards to take you out of the castle for a secret stroll so that others wouldn't know. He must have been worried about your safety and didn't want anybody else to know about you leaving the castle."

"But isn't it a bit strange to bring out a soulless person for a walk?" Asher asked with a shrug. He thought he was literally in a coma. So how could someone who can't move or think take a walk?

"It was just one of the remedies my father was following in hopes of awakening you. It's not like you really took a walk. The guards always picked you up in a chair and walked around the kingdom," Rowena answered, making Asher feel that it made sense now.

"He kept doing it until he finally found a way to wake you up…" Rowena said in a tone of contemplation as she remembered how her father followed up a lot of remedies to wake up Asher even if they didn't make sense and some of which she still found to be strange.

"The problem is that the guards that escorted you out that day used a secret exit that only my father and I knew. Not even my uncle and his family or anybody in our House knows about it. It is an exit only those who wear the crown can know. That is why nobody saw you leaving. If I had gotten a little late, the worst could have happened," Rowena said with a slight grimace, thinking again how bad things could have gone wrong that day. She didn't even want to imagine that.

Asher softly rubbed her hand as he said, "Don't worry about it. It has passed, and I am just as curious as to know who made me end up out there," Asher wanted to say aloud that it was probably Oberon or Rebecca, but he felt that he was missing something and didn't want to say anything until he had solid proof.

Because if it turns out things weren't as he said, Rowena may not be inclined to believe him next time. He had already learned how the people here, especially the nobles consider their word to be very important, just as important as their pride and dignity. And once somebody loses the worth of their words, it was almost impossible to regain it.

Rowena slowly nodded though she was determined to not rest till she found out. However, her gaze softened as she looked at him and said, "But I am glad my father was there to help you. Otherwise, you would have been completely helpless when you woke up, not knowing our language or anything. Nevertheless, I wonder why you didn't inherit any bloodline memories that let you learn of your origins. But since you are naturally talented at so many things, your ancestors must have been formidable people."

Asher was familiar with the term Bloodline Memories. It was an innate ability possessed by people with powerful bloodlines, except for certain exceptions. It was a unique form of knowledge and information that was inherited from their ancestors through their bloodline.

It didn't contain all the memories or experiences of their ancestors but a fraction, just to provide a foundation of knowledge and experience to play an essential role in shaping that person's personality and behavior. At the same time, it would kindle any dormant talents of that person.

However, Asher never had any such experiences despite having a so-called Immortal Bloodline. All he had was his own memories and experiences.

But he didn't mind since, in his past life, he became the strongest without any Bloodline Memories. And he was confident he could do it again.

Nonetheless, the moment everybody knew his bloodline was of Immortal Class, they all realized how he was the way he was despite waking up only a month ago. 

Asher shrugged, hearing her words, "I also feel it strange that the memories I inherited are so selective. Fortunately, your father's spirit filled the gaps and helped me stand on my feet. I am forever in his debt…especially for bringing me to you," Asher said with a warm gaze as he looked at her.

Rowena's cheeks faintly turned pink as she averted her gaze, though she felt a fluttering in the stomach, seeing how he held the same thought.

The two continued to talk, not noticing the hours passing by while talking about various things, no matter how simple they were.

As they strolled through the garden, the moonlight danced across the leaves of the trees and flowers. The cool breeze carried the scent of fresh blooms, and the sound of crickets chirping filled the air.

The two were now sitting on a bench in the middle of the courtyard after walking for a long while.

Rowena didn't expect time to fly so fast by being in his presence, but she didn't regret it. She was glad she assigned some of the tasks to her officials beforehand.

"You know I have been meaning to ask a question to you. As a vampire, whose blood do you drink?" He asked with a subtle smile.

Rowena didn't expect such a question from him out of nowhere. But she still answered, "I never know. My handmaiden prepares it to sustain me," She never really cared whose blood she drank as long as it quenched her thirst.

"Well…," Asher leaned closer and asked with a subtle grin, "How about you taste my blood and tell me how you feel drinking my blood?"

Rowena had a blinking expression as she parted her lips to say, "Now?" Rowena glanced around as if to see if anybody else was around even if she knew nobody would come in.

"Yeah. As your husband, it would be a shame if my wife hasn't even drank my blood once," He said as he loosened his collar and revealed the skin of his robust neck, inviting her to bite him.

Rowena's eyes lit up with curiosity upon hearing Asher's invitation to drink his blood. Being a powerful vampire from the strongest House, she never had to personally drink blood from anyone.

However, she did want to know what his blood tasted like, especially after knowing how strong and inviting his warm blood smelled. But how could she possibly tell him that earlier? However, as if the devils read her mind, things happened in such a way that he was giving her an invitation.

It was as if she had no reason to refuse.

She leaned closer with a hint of intrigue in her eyes.

Asher turned his body around with his back facing her, "Go ahead."

Rowena stood still for a moment, taking in the sight of his muscular neck and his smooth gray skin that seemed to tempt her all of a sudden.

With a faint red hue on her cheeks, she leaned forward and held his neck softly. Sharp fangs emerged from her teeth as she gently bit into his neck, letting the sweet, rich flavor of his blood filled her mouth.

She unconsciously closed her eyes upon being taken aback by the rich, sweet, and robust flavor that burst on her taste buds. The smooth, velvety texture of his blood was like a symphony of flavor that she could never have imagined. Not even the finest blood her handmaiden had given her could compare to this.

She felt an overwhelming urge to keep drinking as the blood seemed to run down her throat like liquid gold, filling her with energy and vitality. The warmth and power that flowed from Asher's veins were like nothing she had ever experienced before.

Her face was becoming warm before she realized it as she felt her blood becoming hotter and rushing through her entire body.

But most importantly, as she drank, she felt a deeper connection to Asher. She could feel him inside her, which was a strange, powerful feeling that left her breathless.

Asher felt a warm rush throughout his body as she began to drink his blood. He had been bitten by a vampire before as a Hunter, which was painful and unpleasant, to say the least. Their venom was said to be highly toxic and lethal to humans, causing them to die within seconds. Luckily, he was treated in time, and his own strength weakened the venom by a lot.

However, Rowena's bite was very gentle and soft, just like a feather touching him. And when she began to drink his blood, he felt a warm rush throughout his body. He could feel her sucking in his essence slowly into her body.

He closed his eyes as he let out a contended sigh, and contrary to his expectations, he was actually enjoying this and felt his little dragon getting restless. Was this some kind of a side effect of her drinking his blood? He could only guess.

Rowena's eyes suddenly snapped open, and she took her fangs out of his neck upon realizing how she almost got lost in the moment and could have hurt him.

"How was it? Did my blood make you feel good or bad?" Asher asked as he turned around and subtly raised his brows upon seeing her flushed face, making her seem even more alluring despite the drop of blood trickling down one of the corners of her lips.

Rowena could hear her blood rushing through her veins as if they were still excited. She was finding it hard to calm herself down and didn't know why her body was reacting like this. Her well-endowed chest was heaving up and down as she struggled to calm her breathing.

As an experienced vampire, she knew how to control her urges and keep them in check, and yet she had no idea why his blood was provoking her thirst.

However, upon hearing his question and seeing his face leaning closer to her, her eyes fluttered as the smell of his blood began to invade her senses again. Now that she drank his blood, she became more sensitive to the smell of his blood. She could clearly hear his blood flowing through his veins.

"Let me wipe this for you," Asher said as he cupped her cheek and wiped off the trickle of blood under her lips while her eyes seemed hazy.

Rowena felt her heart racing as Asher's hand reached up to her lips. She could smell the sweet scent of his blood, and her mind reacted instinctively, wanting more of it.

As his hand brushed against her skin, she felt a shiver run down her spine and a heat building up inside of her. The desire to drink his blood was almost overwhelming, and it took all of her willpower to resist.

She tried to focus on his face, on the gentle smile that he wore, but it only made things worse.

His closeness was intoxicating, and she felt herself tilting and leaning her face toward him without even realizing it.

The temptation was so strong, and she could feel her fangs extending in response.

But her fingers clutched the wooden bench as she suddenly drew back with a flustered look and averted her gaze, making Asher subtly raise his brows as he looked at her.

Rowena took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

She then looked at him with a calm expression yet betraying a hint of embarrassment, "I am sorry…I have to go now. I will see you tomorrow morning," Rowena said in a low voice before turning around and walking away hurriedly as if she was worried about staying here longer.

She felt her body acting strange and didn't want to embarrass herself before him.

Asher curved his lips upon seeing someone like Rowena getting so awkward and leaving like that.

He felt he had to give more credit to his blood. 

However, his eyes glinted as he subtly took a glance at the faraway mansion, especially the large window, which was shrouded by curtains for the most part.