497 Follower (1/2)

”So what if I am? Can't I hide someone in my own room?” he replied. His voice was back to being calm but the air around him was still a little heavy.

Dinah threw a glance at the door behind him and a smile formed on her face. ”Of course, you can, Zeres. It just makes me wonder at what manner of a person must it be for you to be acting so defensive like this.”

A short but weighty silence reigned between them before Zeres momentarily averted his gaze from her as he spoke. ”She's just another witch I spent the night with. She's still sleeping, so I don't want anyone disturbing her,” he said. His ears even turned slightly red.

Zeres cannot help but feel embarrassed with the words that tumbled out of his own mouth – though done willingly. Even though it was a lie, it still made his ears turned hot. It seemed he wasn't used in lying his way out, and he also knew that the queen inside was definitely listening in to whatever that was happening outside here.

However, the reaction Zeres was trying so hard to hide actually worked itself to his favor and killed the suspicions in Dinah's eyes. Dinah lifted a very arched brow at him – luscious, pouty lips forming a small and perfectly rounded 'o'. It seemed the woman herself wasn't expecting what Zeres just revealed.

”Oh, I see. So that's why you concealed yourself last night,” she muttered, nodding as she looked him over with a meaningful gaze. She stared intently at him for another long while before she finally gave in. ”Fine. See you tomorrow then, Zeres.” She said and majestically whirled around to her many followers, having her back facing him. She took a few steps forward but halted beside the man in the black cloak.

Her eyes peered at him sideways. ”I hope this is not your doing, Kiel.” She murmured, her eyes sharpened as if she was dissecting him.

”He found the woman himself,” the man answered simply.

”Which is strange.”

”He's a man.”

”But he's a witch. Not a vampire who's exceptionally fond of women, Kiel.”

”But witches aren't immune from the very real temptations of the flesh, Lady Dinah – as you also are very much aware of. They too, can elope with someone they don't love. And don't forget he's been alone in this lonely and forsaken place for a very long time.”

”Well, you are right… I wouldn't worry if she's someone he doesn't love… but don't you think he's a little too overprotective of someone he's simply eloping with?”

”You know what kind of man Zeres is. He's simply doing what he thought is the right thing for him to do. That's just how he is. Don't worry, he's not going to fall for anyone else. Everything will go as planned, I can assure you of that.”

”Of course, I will always believe in your reassurance, Kiel,” she told him without looking at the man in the black cloak. She then took another step forward but paused again. ”Ah, I almost forgot.” She peered over her shoulder, her voice floating over to him. ”I need your presence tonight. Not later than twilight, aye, Kiel?”

Without waiting for Kiel's response, Dinah gestured at her minions and they all finally left the old castle.

Upon making sure that they were gone, Zeres' shoulders drooped and he leaned his sturdy frame against the door. He let out a deep sigh of relief as his gaze fell to the man in the black cloak.

”That was close,” Zeres uttered. ”What's with her? Barging in unannounced like that?”

”Don't mind her, she's simply suspicious. I believe those two witches must have signaled the alarm to her.”