Aselia’s POV

"You should have kept wearing your coat, aren’t you going to feel cold?" I inquired as he kept me steady by wrapping his arm around my waist so I won’t trip on those high heels and fall.

"No, I don’t feel cold," he answered and his body was still warmer without the coat while I was shivering. He nudged me closer, providing me with his heat.

The sea was restless today, it’s waves crashed on the shore in an angry rage and slid back with a calm demeanour. The sand was damp below my feet and my heels were boring into it, making it almost impossible for me to walk.

A bonfire could be seen in the distance with beach chairs laying all around it with blankets on them. A beach bar had been built on the right side with a stall in front to serve drinks.

Rivan and his secretary were sitting on the chairs around the bonfire. "Xi! over here," Rivan called out to us and waved. Xiran waved back.

Reaching them Xiran first helped me settle down in the chair and wrapped a blanket around me. He then hugged his friend. Irlana got up and shook hands with me, she had a warm smile playing on her lips.

She settled down on my left and Xiran on my right while Rivan sat opposite us. "You guys alright?" Rivan inquired once we were settled.

"Yes, everything is under control. You took care of her?" Xiran asked his friend.

"I did, she won’t be bothering us any time soon," Rivan answered keeping them simple because of Irlana. She occasionally smiled at me politely but didn’t initiate any conversation. Her focus was on two men.

"Rivan, your event was spectacular and I enjoyed myself. Plus thank you for the attire and jewelry. They are beautiful," I offered him a small smile.

"I am glad everything was to your liking, least I can do for my friend," Rivan shifted his gaze to Xiran who was smirking and I knew he was about to say something mischievous.

"You should have invited Arisana, she seemed so smitten by you," Xiran teased his friend.

"Spare me," Rivan rolled his eyes making us laugh. The fire in front of us cackled, logs had been placed in a metallic container and lit on fire. The amber sparks filled the air all around it, providing us with heat in this cold temperature.

I was feeling thirsty, I glanced at the beach bar and found Rumail busy placing champagne glasses in a tray. But I needed water, so taking off the blanket I got up.

"What happened?" Xiran inquired taking my hand and looking up at me with concerned eyes.

"Nothing, I am just getting water. I am thirsty," I told him.

"Rumail will bring for you, I will tell him," he was about to get up.

"I can get a glass of water for myself," I patted his hand and shook my head and he let go so I could approach the bar.

Rumail’s eyes lit up as he saw me approach.

"Hello! My lady, it has been a while. How are you?" There was zero hostility in his eyes, considering he was Rivan’s brother, I was sure he told him about my betrayal.

"Hey! Rumail. I am pretty good. How have you been?" I inquired giving him a slight smile before settling down on the stool that lay opposite the stall he stood in.

"It’s the usual you know, business and work. Nothing exciting, but I heard something cool and I feel so enamoured. Are you really a hunter?" He barely whispered so only I could hear him. His face showed excitement as his eyes danced with it.

"Yes," I replied slowly, not anticipating such a question from him.

"You are the coolest girl I have ever met, Señor is lucky to have you. What a badass team both of you will make," enthusiasm dripped from every word he said and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement. He popped a champagne bottle.

"You realize, hunters hunt vampires and we are mortal enemies," I added trying to suppress a smile.

"Yes, but I never felt any animosity or hatred from you and I am pretty good at reading the emotions of people, being a bartender and all," he replied while filling the glasses with champagne.

"I am just glad you don’t hate me," I heaved a sigh of relief and he smiled and whispered:

"I would never, Señor chose you for a reason, my lady."

"Thanks, Rumail, and please call me Aselia," I replied clasping my hands in front of me.

"I will try, anything you needed?"

"Just a glass of water, please," I answered as he finished pouring champagne.

"Coming right up," he chirruped and went to the other side where water lay in a glass jug to get me some. The cold was seeping into my skin and I began to shiver. Rumail brought a glass of water and handed it to me.

"Thank you," I replied while taking the glass from him and gulping it down.

"Come, my lady. Let’s celebrate brother’s success," he smiled warmly at me and I got up to head back to our sitting area around the bonfire.

I wrapped the blanket all around me and warmed my hands against the fire. Xiran was complimenting Rivan on a job well done.

Rumail handed us champagne glasses and settled down in the seat beside Rivan.

Rivan raised the glass high with a huge smile on his face and everyone followed his pursuit: "To the conclusion of a successful event and some new beginnings and relationships, cheers."

~Cheers~

Everyone repeated behind him while Xiran and Rivan clinked their glasses together. Some secret

conversation was going on between those two, they smiled at each other as if enjoying an inside joke. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"So, Irlana how are you liking Druhias?" Rumail asked her taking a sip from his glass.

"Pretty good and I am loving my job, very humbled that Sir Rivan allowed me to attend this private party today," she softly replied keeping that smile plastered on her face.

"You are not from Druhias?" I inquired.

"No ma’am, I am from Anthos," so she was a vampire I took a closer look at her and there was something similar yet unsettling about her.