The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 396: Give your sorrows to me

Chapter 396: Give your sorrows to me

"Griffin told her?!" Magnus raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

Alora nodded, placing the hairbrush gently on the dressing table. "Yes, he did. I never realized how much he had gone through. His life has been harder than I ever imagined." She rose from the velvety chair and turned to face him, her expression soft. "Thank you for saving him, Magnus. You gave him more than just a second chance—you gave his life new meaning."

Magnus shrugged, his voice steady but thoughtful. "I saw it in his eyes, the fire for revenge. It felt like fate brought us together that night because I was searching for someone in the forest."

"Searching for whom?" Alora asked, curious.

"Damien Von Grimm. I received intel that he had been spotted in County Arcaria—the same place Griffin came from," Magnus revealed, his tone darkening slightly.

"Arcaria," Alora whispered, processing the connection.

Magnus leaned back, folding his arms as he reflected. "Griffin lost everything—his family, his home. But he never let it break him. He’s stronger than most people I know, and he’s become a true friend. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d ever open up like that to anyone."

Alora slipped under the covers beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes soft with understanding and admiration for both men.

"Because he likes Selvina and wants to make her his," Alora replied, her voice soft but knowing. She glanced at Magnus, her lips forming a slight pout. "You never tell me anything about your past."

Magnus chuckled at her playful expression, his hand moving to gently stroke her hair. "There’s nothing worth telling, really. My past is just filled with work—nothing more. Anything important, I’ve already shared with you."

Not satisfied, Alora caught his wrist, bringing his hand to her lips. She kissed his knuckles tenderly, her gaze trailing over the rings on his fingers. "I’ll be joining the council after Brother Izaak’s marriage," she said with quiet determination, her eyes shining with resolve.

Magnus smiled, proud of her strength and resolve. "I’ll be glad to see you take charge. My fierce Alora, pressing every noble beneath her feet."

Alora laughed, her amusement ringing softly through the room. "I don’t press anyone beneath my feet. That’s not my style. I’ve never enjoyed bringing pain to others." Her expression softened as she continued, "Mother was in tears today, you know? She’s so happy for Venus. She’s finally found a man who won’t hurt her. I trust Odin, mainly because I trust your choice in friends. But honestly, I don’t know him very well. What’s your opinion of him?"

Magnus tilted his head slightly, considering her question. "Odin is... a very straightforward person. He doesn’t bother with pleasantries or sugarcoating. He’ll tell you exactly what’s on his mind, and that bluntness can sometimes come across as harsh. His words aren’t always easy to hear."

Alora frowned, concern flickering in her eyes. "Do you think he might have said something that hurt Venus?"

Magnus hesitated for a moment, recalling the recent tensions between Odin and Venus, but decided not to delve into it. He didn’t want to worry Alora unnecessarily. "I really wouldn’t know. I haven’t looked into it that deeply," he said, keeping his tone light.

Alora seemed to relax a bit, trusting his answer. "Alright," she murmured. "Shall we sleep then? Although, before we drift off, I find myself wanting something."

Magnus raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer, his breath brushing against her lips. "And what might that be?" he whispered, his voice low and teasing. Without waiting for a reply, he kissed her slowly, sensually, drawing out the moment as his lips caressed hers.

Alora’s response was immediate, her hands quickly locking behind his neck, pulling him even closer. She kissed him back with equal tenderness, the warmth between them growing as they deepened the kiss.

~~~~

Venus turned around on the bed, unable to sleep. For some reason, nightmares had begun haunting her, vivid and terrifying. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Eugene—his menacing figure surrounded by werewolves—moving in to kill her. The horrific scenes kept replaying in her mind, and now, well past midnight, she felt too scared to even try to sleep.

"I wish Odin were here," she whispered into the quiet room. The thought slipped out before she could stop it. She had left the balcony door open on purpose, hoping he might sense her need for him.

But she quickly scolded herself, lightly patting her cheeks. "How could I think like that? He’s not even my wedded husband yet," she murmured, trying to push the longing aside. Turning to the other side, she stared blankly at the wall, willing her racing heart to calm.

Suddenly, she heard the door thud open and felt the presence of someone near her bed. Her heart leapt in hope. "Odin!" she called out excitedly as she turned—only to be met with a vision that chilled her to the core. It wasn’t Odin. It was Eugene.

"I’m going to take you with me, Venus!" Eugene growled, his voice dripping with malice.

A scream escaped Venus as she jolted awake, her body trembling from the nightmare. She sat up, gasping for breath, her mind still in the grip of the terrifying vision.

"Venus, what happened?" Odin’s calm voice broke through the haze of fear. He was sitting on the bed, looking at her with concern. He had arrived ten minutes earlier and had quietly taken a seat beside her when he found her asleep.

Without thinking, Venus threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as her body shook with fear. "I saw Eugene... He-he said he would take me away," she stuttered, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Odin gently caressed the back of her head, his hand soothing her with gentle pats. "It was just a nightmare, Venus. Eugene can’t come to you. He’s dead. Don’t let those thoughts trouble you," he whispered softly, his words calming the storm inside her. Slowly, he helped her lie back down and pulled the duvet over her.

"When did you arrive?" Venus asked after a few moments of quiet, her voice still shaky but calmer.

"It’s been more than ten minutes," Odin replied, his tone light but comforting.

"Can you stay a bit longer?" she asked, her voice filled with a quiet plea.

"I can stay until the early morning if that’s okay with you," Odin remarked, his lips curving into a soft smile.

"I don’t mind," Venus responded, a small smile touching her own lips. She reached over to tug at the duvet. "Will you stay seated the whole time? It’s cold out... You can share the blanket with me," she offered, her voice soft but sincere.

Odin hesitated for a moment but then slid under the duvet beside her. "I love the cold weather, but I would like to share it with you," he said with a smirk. They both slept by each other’s side, their eyes remained locked.

"Venus, you know you’re beautiful," Odin remarked, his tone shifting to something softer, more sincere.

Venus chuckled softly. "I thought I was ugly in your eyes," she teased, remembering his initial indifference.

"Was... not anymore," Odin admitted, his voice deeper with emotion. "I can’t deny it anymore—you have a beautiful face. Your eyes, your cute button-like nose, and your lips... everything about you is perfect."

A flush of warmth spread across Venus’s cheeks, her face blooming with a deep blush. His words caught her off guard, but they filled her with a warmth she hadn’t expected.

Without hesitation, Odin leaned in, closing the small gap between them. His lips brushed against hers in a soft kiss, gentle yet filled with intent.

Venus hesitated for a moment, pulling back slightly. "We-we aren’t married yet," she murmured, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"But we will be soon," Odin whispered against her lips, his hand gently cradling the back of her head. He kissed her again, this time lighter, as if his lips were the brush of a feather. Each kiss made her melt further into him, her heart racing uncontrollably.

Slowly, her hesitation faded away as her body relaxed, and she allowed herself to surrender to the tenderness of the moment, letting herself drown in the warmth of his touch.

"Ahh!" Venus yelped in pain when his teeth bit her lower lip. Odin darted his tongue out, wiping the blood clean, taking some in his tongue, feeling a new kind of sensation traveling in his entire body.

Odin didn’t kiss for too long and slowly withdrew. He began peppering kisses along her jaw line before burying her face in the crook of her neck.

Venus’s eyes would momentarily close and shut. She could feel the cold sweat forming in her palms. "Give your sorrows to me. I’ll make sure you get rid of them tonight," he murmured against her smooth, milky skin.

"I trust you, Odin," Venus said, resting her hand on his shoulder before gradually moving it to his hair.