Vione tried to calm herself, but Rowena’s words kept echoing in her head. She couldn’t hold back her emotions and would have cried if Ayla hadn’t arrived.
Ayla approached Vione worriedly. “Vione, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“No,” Vione said, shaking her head. She quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall. “I wasn’t crying because you came suddenly, Ayla.”
Ayla groaned. “Vione.”
A small laugh escaped Vione’s lips. “I’m fine. I just feel…” She took a deep breath and lifted her head, then continued. “… very happy, Ayla.”
“Well, for someone who is happy, you express it in a way that worries me,” Ayla said.
Vione smiled playfully. “I’m fine. I’m just preparing snacks for Usher.”
Ayla glanced at the nice spread of snacks and a cup of tea on the table. She sighed with the realization that Vione would always love Usher. She could be sure that Vione would stay by Usher’s side no matter what, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
A dilemma arose in Ayla’s mind. On the one hand, she didn’t want to risk Vione’s safety, especially since she had made a promise to Vione’s deceased foster parents. On the other hand, there was no other way to make up for all the bad things that had happened.
Ayla’s short reverie was interrupted when Vione suddenly gave her a warm hug. She also felt Vione’s caress on her back.
“There is nothing to regret, Ayla. Everything has happened and I did it willingly.”
Ayla closed her eyes. “Forgive me, Vione.”
“No need to apologize, Ayla. On the contrary, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done. So let me do my duty this time.”
Ayla couldn’t stop Vione’s determination. All she could do was pray that Rowena’s plan would go smoothly. She didn’t want to see Vione and Usher suffer again and again. She realized that she never wanted to have a bigger vision than she had now. She wanted to know what would happen in the future, but the Moon Goddess didn’t give her any clues. So, she could only hold on to her vision of the past, and it was enough to calm her anxious heart.
Vione left the kitchen shortly after, accompanied by Ayla’s sad gaze. She walked with determination, and when she entered the room, she gave Usher an affectionate smile.
“Usher.”
Usher turned and felt something different about Vione, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. So, he just remained silent as Vione sat back in front of him after serving the evening snacks.
“Try it. I’m sure you’ll like it,” she said, offering the snacks.
Usher’s instincts kicked in. His intuition warned him to be cautious. But this was Vione and the last person he thought would hurt him was Vione. So, he didn’t hesitate at all when he started to enjoy the snacks and drink his tea.
Something came to Usher’s mind right after the last sip of tea. He froze at the sickening memory that flashed before him-Mireya controlling him through tea, Mireya enchanting him through tea.
The cup suddenly slipped from Usher’s fingers. It fell and shattered on the floor.
Usher lifted his face and looked at Vione with wide-open eyes. He realized that something was happening to his body. A sensation of heat began to rise, making his blood boil. He shook his head. “Vione, you couldn’t have done this, could you?”
“Forgive me, Usher,” Vione pleaded, cupping Usher’s cheek. “I know you would do anything not to be paired with me again, but I won’t let you.”
Usher tried to speak again, but the rush of blood grew stronger. His whole body felt hot, as if a fire were burning within him. His skin reddened, his face hardened, and veins began to protrude from his forehead, accompanied by beads of sweat everywhere.
“So, I have no choice. This is the only thing I can do, Usher. I hope you forgive me.”
At that moment, Vione’s voice was no longer clear in Usher’s ears. All his senses became chaotic, no longer under his control. He tried to close his eyes as tight as he could as a last defense, not wanting to see Vione, but the soft touch of his lips made his chest instantly rumble.
Usher opened his eyes to find Vione kissing him with a tenderness that could melt anything in the world. His heart and whole body trembled. His resolve wavered and he forgot all the decisions he had made.
Usher’s hands acted. He grabbed Vione’s neck and waist, then his mouth opened to welcome the kiss with passion.
Relief flooded Vione’s chest. She thought Rowena’s potion had worked. Now all she had to do was complete her plans.
Vione wrapped her arms around Usher’s neck as he picked her up. Usher carried her to the bed and quickly laid her down. Usher didn’t even give her a chance to catch her breath. He kissed her again.
Seconds passed in a rush. Both Vione’s and Usher’s hearts beat with a loud thud. Their voices were fast, like drums being beaten incessantly.
Vione felt dizzy from the surge of passion. Her eyes rolled, unable to focus. She gasped and let Usher remove her clinging clothes. Then, moments later, they were both in a state of complete vulnerability.
Vione’s fingers squeezed the sheets. Her eyes closed tightly and she bit her lower lip. It had been a long time since she had been touched by Usher and she felt that everything remained the same. Usher had not only touched her physically, but also her soul.
A feeling of happiness filled Vione’s chest, overflowing beyond measure. She surrendered everything she had to Usher, body and soul, along with her loyalty. Then everything became perfect when she felt Usher’s bite on her neck and at the same time a strong sensation shook her.
The feeling of happiness merged with pure pleasure. Vione’s scream turned into a bite at Usher’s neck.
The familiar tingling sensation ran through Vione’s entire body, something she had felt before, something that had accompanied her days, and now she felt it again. She was once again spiritually connected to Usher. They had become one, and she could feel all the emotions Usher was feeling. There was regret, sadness, guilt, but also love.
Vione opened her eyes and their gazes met instantly. At that moment she saw a mist in Usher’s eyes.
Usher stroked Vione’s disheveled hair with a regretful look. He kissed Vione’s forehead and said. “Forgive me, Vione.”
*