Aselia was shifted to Xiran’s room under the strict supervision of Dr Wanstine. He wouldn’t let her walk and a wheelchair was used for the shift.

Dr Wanstine gave her instructions on what she could do and what she couldn’t. Aselia promised to abide by the provided guidance and to visit her regularly.

Wheeling her into the room, Xiran carefully picked her up and placed her on the bed. Dr Wanstine made sure she was comfortable and didn’t feel any pain or discomfort.

"Call me if you feel any cramps or aches, take your medicine on time. You will still need to take painkillers for a couple of days and we will remove the plasters in a week or two, depending on your exceptional healing rate." Dr Wanstine gave her further instructions.

"I will, thank you Dr Wanstine." Aselia was honestly thankful to the doctor who had saved her life.

"When can I eat properly? I am so hungry." Aselia’s face showed the innocence of a child who was pleading for chocolate or candy.

"In two to three days you can eat all kinds of food but I would suggest taking a break from red meat and oily food for about two more weeks." Dr Wanstine explained as these foods were hard to digest and her intestines still needed a bit of time to heal.

"I will keep that in mind." Aselia smiled. Dr Wanstine nodded at her before leaving.

Xiran was standing near her as he asked: "What would you like to eat? Keep it to something light."

"Rice," Xiran took out his phone at her request and placed a call to Frila, asking her to bring rice and some gravy for Aselia.

"You are not going to eat anything? I haven’t seen you eat in days," Aselia asked him, her voice showing concern.

"I am not hungry, I would take a bath and change. Turn on the TV and watch something to distract yourself." He handed her the remote in her left hand which was almost healed and Dr Wanstine had removed the bandages from it.

Xiran took out some clothes from the cupboard and went into the washroom. Aselia turned on the tv but then her eyes fell on the painting hanging on the front wall. It was her painting, the one she made of him. He had asked her permission to take it but she didn’t know he would hang it in his room. She felt her face become hot. He wasn’t joking when he said he loved it.

Xiran took his time in cleaning himself up. Standing under the hot water he felt his taut muscles relax a bit. He has been too tense for days now. But she was safe and that’s all that mattered for now. He turned off the water and dried himself with a towel. Wrapping his hair in the towel he slipped into his royal purple silk gown and came out of the bathroom.

Aselia was engrossed in watching TV. He walked over to the bed and sat down on the opposite side and began to pat dry his hair which fell in his lap. After drying them he gently brushed them so they would untangle.

Then he took a peek at Aselia’s hair which was a mess. He hadn’t touched them for a week, it might be a painful reminder of how they were brutalized.

"Let me brush your hair and tie them, you will feel better." Her eyes drifted to his before nodding.

He lifted her with ease and sat her down between his legs. Her body tensed at his touch.

"Relax," he touched her shoulders and she breathed out.

He untangled her hair with his fingers first and then delicately began to brush them. Noticing the patches from where her hair was missing. He touched them with his fingertips.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, just tingles but I guess my hair is missing." Her voice seemed sad.

"They will grow back in no time and you look beautiful as ever." He didn’t want her to feel dejected.

"I don’t care about looking beautiful but I care about not being able to kill those fuckers who dared attack me." Xiran’s hands stopped moving at her words. How angry will she be after discovering that he had let them go?

As if reading his mind she spoke again: "I know they are your family and I don’t expect you to kill them. But one day when I am strong enough, I will." She carried so much hatred and he didn’t blame her for what they did was unacceptable.

"I would advise against it Aselia, it’s not easy to kill vampires of high calibre. And I don’t want you to get hurt again." He began to comb her hair again.

"You can’t begin to understand how I feel. Not only did they brutalize me, but your brother touched me with his lewd filthy hands. He tore my clothes..." Xiran’s whole body stiffened at her revelations, the brush in his hand couldn’t withstand the pressure he applied.

’Snap..." it broke into two pieces.

Aselia jerked her head to look at him and he was staring at her with bloodshot eyes: "Did he...?" He couldn’t complete the question for the answer might tear him apart.

"No," she squealed and he softly wrapped his arms around her, engulfing her fragile being into his robust one.

"I broke his arm and hand which dared touch you." He breathed in her neck, his nose touching her nape. Her body immediately relaxed at his words.

"Thank you," she touched his hand leaving him astonished. The gesture was small but full of affection, her affection and gratitude. They sat there like this until Frila knocked on the door.

Xiran got up and shifted Aselia into a comfortable position so she could eat. Xiran opened the door and Frila brought in the food.

"Frila, no food for him?" Aselia asked looking at only one plate of rice.

"Señor only ordered for you." Frila tried to explain.

"I am not going to eat..." Aselia declared as she stared at Xiran.