Ready for my evening date with Rafayel I step out the door of my apartment complex. I chose to wear a short sundress and some light sandals for this occasion. The darkening day is still warm from the summer heat as I take my way towards the street, looking out for Rafayel and his white sports car.

But he's nowhere to be seen, only a black ominous limousine is waiting in front of me. Confused, I took a look on my phone. The time is right, Rafayel told me to pick me up at home at this hour. Did he get stuck in the traffic?

At that thought the door of the luxurious vehicle opens, and white hair paired with a black suit gets out of it. I hold my breath surprised and confused. There's only one person with white hair and enough money to drive such an expensive car that I know.

As the man turns around a crimson red gaze pierces me, holding me captured and a small smile tug at the corner of his lips.

"Surprised to see me, Sweetie?" he asks me nonchalantly, one brow raised into the bangs of his styled bright hair.

"Sylus?" I gasp out. "What are you doing here?" and "where is Rafayel?!" I shoot at him, afraid that he did something to my beloved purple haired Lemurian.

The man in the black designer suit with dark red embroidery walks away from the car, coming towards me with large confident steps like he's the king of the world. Well, he is somehow the ruler of the underworld—the leader of Onychinus.

Sylus halts in front of me, looking down still with this indifferent smile in his handsome sharp face.

"Want to join me for a joyride?" he reached out his hand, inviting me to take it.

But I won't let him get me so easily. The big bad boss from Linkons most feared group hasn't answered me yet. And I just stare at him, biting back the urge to get near to him. Sylus has this impact on me, something always drives me close to him, invoking the desire to crawl into his strong arms and forgetting the world around me. And on the other side he infuriates me so much with his teasing and unfazed behavior—like now. He doesn't have a care in the world where I'm worried sick about my boyfriend.

"You didn't answer my question—Where. Is. Rafayel." emphasizing every single word.

"I'm right in front of you and yet, you think of another man?" he smirks as he bends down, giving me a direct look into his garnet-like eyes.

I fix my gaze at him, crossing my arms in front and arching an eyebrow myself, questioning silently. He leans back with an impatient snort, pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers.

"He couldn't make it and asked me to take you out instead. I don't know why, I didn't ask."

"What?" Dumbfounded, I gape at him. Seriously? Rafayel will never dump me, that I'm sure of. Anxious, I pull out my phone again, calling him immediately.

"Rafayel?" I start as soon as he answers the phone.

"Hey cutie" his joyful voice greets me from the other end. "What's up, is Sylus late?"

Hearing this, my eyes nearly pop out from their caves. "Wait? What?" I choke out, unable to believe what he'd say.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, and I promise I'll make it up to you." he pleads in my ear "My flight got canceled at the last minute because of a heavy storm around here. Nobody can tell when there is the next flight available, so I called Sylus to spend time with you instead. Didn't want my pretty dolled up princess to be disappointed, yeah?"

I'm still shocked by this news. Rafayel asked Sylus to go on this date with me, because he can't? What is happening here?

"You know Sylus number?" is the only thing that comes out of my broken mind.

Rafayel chuckles "Well, yeah. We had a ... little conversation lately and changed our contacts for emergency purposes." he answers indifferently. Wouldn't I still be startled by the fact that Sylus did tell the truth, I would notice the little hesitation in his words.

"And you want me to go spend the evening with him?" I repeat like a broken record.

"Uh-huh." comes my boyfriends answer. "Just promise me one thing, princess." Suddenly his voice is dead serious, and I jolt to a straight posture. When Rafayel sounds like this, it's better to be on high alert. He is never this gravely if it isn't important.

"Just... just don't kiss him, yeah?"

"What?" I stutter into the phone. What is he talking about? Me? Kissing Sylus? I never...

"Promise me. That's all I'm asking" quietly determined his voice sneaks into my short-circuited brain.

"O- okay." I only whisper now.

"Say it, princess." Rafayel demands, the desperation clear in his smoky voice.

"I promise, I won't kiss Sylus." I repeat obediently with steady words. And why would I even? It's not that I like him or such I think to myself.

A relieved sigh is heard on the other hand and Rafayel has returned to his playful attitude. "Then have fun. I'll come back to you as soon as I can." and the call ends with just a click.

Confused and helpless I stare at the darkened device for a few seconds. I still don't get it, what's happening here?

Sylus, who heard everything as he was still in front of me, just graces me with that smug smile of his and offers his hand once more to escort him back to the waiting car.

"Now that everything is settled, shall we, my Queen?" voice deep and with a hint of amusement.

Again I feel like something is going entirely wrong here. Sylus never called me this before. Is it... is he jealous and tries to overcome Rafayel with this term of endearment? Because my boyfriend sometimes calls me princess, I'm Sylus queen now? — Well, I'm only able to find out what's going on here if I play their little game, right? So I take the hand of the white haired man which is so much bigger than my own.

"Yeah, let's go." and step with Sylus into the black limo.

Our destination is a high class restaurant at the beach. The night has already settled in on our way here, and so I hold onto Sylus strong arm, letting him guiding me into the venue. His sight really is better at night where I'm feeling like a mole now. My eyes not ready for the nightfall that envelops us now. But why is it so dark here, shouldn't a restaurant be highlighted? This evening gets weirder and weirder as it prolongs.

Inside the bungalow-like building close to the ocean, I still can hear the waves crashing onto the sand, it's almost also dark. Only a little table is lit with a delicate arrangement of candles. Two elegant chairs are standing around the stationary, which is covered with bright cloth and already plated with white and golden dishes. Nothing else is in near sight, the rooms seem to be empty around us.

Irritated, I gaze up to Sylus, who drives back one of the chairs and gestures to me to take a seat. "Why are we the only people here? Where are all the other tables and guests?" I ask him curiously as I sit down.

With utmost care he shoves me close to the round table and strides to the other one, taking himself seat into the second chair. His tall figure somehow looks a bit crunched in the elegant small furniture.

"I rented the whole restaurant for this rare occasion." he calmly answers and his red eyes twinkling in the candlelight with a hint of amusement.

"Oh?" I raise a brow "how come you didn't buy it?" I tease him, knowing damn well his way of exaggerating when it's about to spending money.

Sylus just chuckles "I don't know if the food is to your liking, so it makes no sense in buying it beforehand, Sweetie"

I just roll my eyes. This man is impossible, and I'm ready to shoot a remark as a waiter is approaching us discreetly with the menu cards. Handing one to me first than one to Sylus he's asking if we already know what to drink.

Restless I squirm on my seat. This whole situation is somehow awkward, and I'm not comfortable with this, feeling myself like a deer in the spotlight with us being the only guests in the dark room.

"What is it, Sweetie?" of course Sylus noticed.

I gnaw at my bottom lip, not sure how to word my feelings right now. Guilt is settling in because he prepared this special revenue for us and here I just want to go and spend the time with him differently. I've never been a fan of such exclusive treatments or high class restaurants and the expectations with their guests that come naturally in such an environment.

The gorgeous man opposite the table just waits patiently for my answer, observing every move as if he reads my mind.

"Can we... just go?" I ask him slowly.

As expected Sylus leans forward and takes my hand in his. "You don't like it here?"

"I- this is not really my usual place to go." I answer with a shy smile "I'm not used to such extravagant locations and being alone here... I feel like prey." comes the honest answer. Furthermore, I don't know how he does it, but I always have trouble hiding my true emotions around him.

"Okay, then let's go." He makes some moves to stand up as I strengthen the grip on his hand.

"Wait!" and with a look to the waiter who stood there all time, unmoving but now with a light pale face, I ask, "is it possible... to pack up the dishes we want to order and take them with us to the beach?"

The dark haired man shows a short look of surprise before his professionalism kicks in again, and he bows slightly. "Of course Miss. Everything you'd like will be packed safely into some transport boxes, if that's what you wish for."

A grin starts to spread in my face as I look back to Sylus, who froze in place, captured by my hand and my sudden request to the personnel.

With a raised brow he calmly states: "What is my little kitten scheming?"

I look back to the staff "Can we have a blanket or one of the table covers too?" an idea begins to form in my head and excitement starts to take me over.

It seems the waiter understands what I'm going to do because his face lightens up in a small smile, and he bows again, now with new energy "I'm sure we will find something suitable, Miss. Just choose your menu and everything will be prepared accordingly."

Excitement explodes inside me, I release Sylus from my grip and clasp my hands joyfully, giggling with anticipation.

"Great! Okay, let's choose, Sylus!" I nearly shouted at him.

The man in question observes me curiously, his crimson red eyes flickering with amusement.

After we have decided on our meal, we don't have to wait long until everything is ready as I asked. The staff has all the stuff we ordered neatly packed in boxes inside a wooden basket. It's covered with a red and blue checkered blanket. Sylus takes the container and I drag him towards the shore, planning to sit with him under the stars and closer to the ocean.

Soon after we settled everything up and enjoyed our little improvised midnight picnic. Sylus looks relaxed like never before as he packs the empty boxes back in the basket as we finish eating.

The waves are rolling onto the sand in a steady rhythm and the night sky is filled with shining stars and a bright full moon. Quite romantic and relaxing as a cold breeze hits my shoulders and I shiver.

"You're cold, come here." Sylus orders me closer to him. Scooting on his side he drapes his jacket over me and pulls me onto his lap, his legs sprawled to full length on the blanket.

A little embarrassed squeak flees my mouth "What are you doing?"

Wrapped in his scent that ascends from his clothes his arms sneak around me, holding me in place and making it impossible to leave my spot.

"Keeping this little kitten warm." he just chuckles at me.

And like that I'm getting awkwardly aware of his proximity, his hard muscular upper body that presses against my shoulder, strong arms around my back and waist, long finger stroking my rear and hips.

"Sylus..." I whisper, feeling a blush creeping up my face.

"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm no threat to you" he murmurs back, bending in and his lips brushing along the shell of my earlobe.

"You're too close..." my voice suddenly meek and raspy. Why does he have this effect on me? I'm in love with Rafayel, for heaven's sake!

"Am I?" he responds quietly now, kissing his way down my neck to the sensitive spot between there and my shoulders.

I shudder, and I'm no longer cold, instead a familiar heat is spreading throughout my whole body. A little desperate, I hold onto the collar of his black button-up shirt.

"Don't... I've promised something, and I'm not going to break it." Why do I sound so weak? Why does this cursed man have this effect on me?

"I know, sweetie. But I didn't promise anything" I can feel his grin on my neck as his lips caress it. And then his teeth are on my skin and a short pain rushes from my neck before Sylus sucks on the mistreated spot.

Moaning I hold onto him even more, helpless against the overwhelming arousal that now takes over my whole body and dampening my underwear.

"This is wrong." I choke out. "I belong to Rafayel..."

"Then why are you moaning into my ear, kitten?" comes his immediate remark with a rough and dark voice "letting me leave my sign of claim on your delicate skin." Sylus eases back, locking gaze with me.

"I don't know..." I quietly admit, not able to understand what's going on in my mind and body.

Dark red orbs scanning my face, knuckles stroking my cheeks with tenderness. Unusual for him, Sylus says nothing, just seems to lose himself in my eyes and the feeling of my skin on his.

After what seems like an eternity he frees himself from my body and closes his coat around me. "It's getting freezing now, I'll drive you back, Sweetie."

And with that this night ends in my own apartment, leaving me alone and confused.

Two days later in Rafayels home:

"You do have feelings for him, yeah?" he asks quietly, backing me on the wall, both of his arms laying beside my head, trapping me within. His ocean eyes fixated on the deep red-blue spot at my neck, Sylus claim over me, the mark he left on me to prove a point to Rafayel. And it drives my boyfriend crazy, I'm aware of this. Being with him long enough to know how possessive he really is, even if it's not noticeable often. But he suggested going on a date with the leader of Onychinus after all.

"I don't know." I say with a heavy sigh. "I love you Raf, more than anything else!" I look at him with pleading eyes, want him to believe me. "But there's something about Sylus, that draws me to him. I don't know if it's because of our aether cores or something else." I nearly whisper now, the truth heavy in my soul. "But I kept my promise, I didn't kiss him." My voice is firm again, I know I didn't fail him and stayed true to my devotion for him.

Lifting my hand to his cheek I wait for his answer. I know that it must hurt him, hearing such words from me. I can't imagine the pain and torture he may experience right now, and I'm afraid I destroyed our relationship, stained our pure love for each other. My heart is racing, and cold sweat is running down my spine. If Rafayel breaks up with me or doesn't love me the way he did before... I don't know what to do. I need him, want him. Not only that, but I'm sure I can't live without him anymore in my life.

With his eyes closed he nuzzled into my palm, still not saying a word. "Rafayel" I beg him to do anything, to say something that lets me know what he's thinking right now.

As his beautiful eyes open again, he exhales heavily, and his gaze focuses on me one more.

"I'm not ready to share you with anyone, my precious pearl." ocean eyes filled with determination and adoration. "But I will if that's the only way to stay at your side. You are my muse, my love, my heart, my everything. I won't lose you again." and then his lips are on mine. Desperate and needy Rafayel devours me, his arms wrapping around me like he's afraid I vanish at any moment.