Chapter 95 - The Reunion (2)

Valerie opened the door to her room with a bag of new clothes in her hand. She bought it today along with her new clothes and the boutique clerk sent it in the lobby just now. Valerie put her shopping bag on the bed and took out its contents.

It was Raphael's clothes. Valerie bought him a civil suit that noble men usually wear. She hoped the size wasn't the wrong one, Valerie was just using her memory when choosing one. She never asked Raphael what size his clothes and shoes were. But she was grateful to buy it because coincidentally her husband turned up dirty and untidy.

With a slight hum, Valerie tidied it up so Raphael could put it on immediately. The room they stayed in was nothing special. There were not many luxury accommodations in Ithadurna. Because the state was not a tourist destination. It was small in size but the windows weren't wide enough. The vampires didn't like too much light, so the vampires' rooms were usually dim. The windows were opened just enough to prevent moisture from building in, as the sun prevented mold from growing.

Ever since Valerie got involved with the military, she couldn't remember the last time she felt completely at peace. She knows the war is still going on, the Shadows were still on the loose and now there were new enemies who wanted her death. One day she might have to fight Caesar, Amelia and even Gregovich—her own mentor.

But for now, when she was with Raphael, she felt safer than usual. Did it the meaning to have a partner? Or blood partners? They could rely on and protect each other. Of course Valerie shouldn't allow herself to be a burden either. She will continue to strive to be stronger in order to be equal to him. Valerie didn't think to share all her heart with Raphael, she needed to feel independent. She didn't want to feel weak and always needed his commander to solve all her problems.

Gregovich says every knight should rely on themselves more than anything. Because no matter how close someone was, they could betray. He had to protect himself by not getting too attached to other people.

Valerie sat on her bed looking up at the ceiling. There was a simple decorative lamp hanging there. It reminded her of her life as a noblewoman so far. If she married Raphael as an ordinary noblewoman— perhaps she could comfortably depend on her husband. But Valerie was a knight and she didn't want to be a mediocre knight. She had people she had to protect, and an ideal future she had to create.

In her thoughts, Valerie heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. Raphael stepped outside while drying his hair with a towel. Valerie had always felt the sight was one of the most erotic things she had ever experienced. Raphael Chastain appeared with his hair still dripping wet, the masculine scent of essential oils from his body made his female instincts churn, his perfectly sculpted and wet body and the damp towel covering his lower body made Valerie gulp with a flushed face.

Valerie won't pretend she didn't enjoy it. In fact, her heart fluttered when she thought of the nights they had spent together. As men, it's only natural that they think about it a lot. But Valerie herself actually imagined quite often when she was touched once again by Raphael. Her body warmed just thinking about it in the days without Raphael by her side.

"You showered too fast, are you sure you cleaned everything?" Valerie turned her face the other way, worried that Raphael could read her heart.

"Of course, do you want to check me?" Raphael asked, ending it with a small grin. Valerie felt awkward. He was joking right? When Raphael joked about intimate matters with a slightly serious expression, it only made Valerie's heart flutter even more.

Raphael got into bed and surprised Valerie because he immediately lay her down and gave her a kiss. Valerie still felt the water dripping from his hair which also wet her face and neck.

"You're making me wet," Valerie said quietly, as Raphael briefly stopped kissing.

"That's weird, I'm just getting started," he smirked.

"Wait! I mean, your hair, Raph! You didn't dry it properly!" Valerie shouted in panic, her face turned red, she seemed to have unconsciously said something sensual.

"I know you're tired but let me touch you," Raphael said as if asking her permission, but his hands were already busy. Valerie tensed, she covered her face, while the man became dominant and controlled the game.

It was strange how Valerie felt she was no longer in control of her body. It was as if half of her soul had now been possessed by Raphael. Valerie knew that after all this was over she would probably be very embarrassed by all her sighs and body reactions that were too honest. But she couldn't help it.

Raphael, a little different. He wasn't harsh and pushy, even though Valerie thought the first night after their separation would be like their last. Valerie didn't really enjoy it because Raphael didn't listen to her. This time, however, the man was not in a hurry. He made sure Valerie was having a great time just like him.

Then Valerie thought it was unfair that Raphael was the one who did everything. Valerie had gone through an awkward and exhausting wedding preparation class. She had to practice.

"Uhm, Raphael, do you want me to do something for you?" Valerie asked, in a slightly shaky voice.

"Drink my blood, Val," Raphael said in response.

***

"So how do you deal with your need without me, Raph?" Valerie asked, some time after their night activities were over and each of them had regained their sanity.

"What do you want me to say? Of course I didn't," Raphael insisted, getting up from his bed and wrapping a towel around his lower part.

"Eh? Did you not touch yourself or—"

"No! how do you look at me? Do I look like a pathetic man who has to do that? I'm fine," Raphael looked at the clothes Valerie had bought and started to put on his shirt.

"Don't get me wrong, I mean, it's because of you and your demon DNA—perhaps making your need for women higher. I was worried about leaving you so—"

"It's not because of the devil's DNA," said Raphael who was now buttoning his shirt.

"No? But—"

"You're wrong, my excessive thirst for you isn't due to my demonic DNA. Maybe I can't drink animal blood anymore, but I also don't feel the need to vent my frustrations on just any woman except you..if that's really the symptom I have, I definitely can't help it," Raphael concluded.

"Eh? So it's because—"

"Apparently, I just like my new wife too much," he laughed, which caused a blush to spread across his wife's face.

Raphael was a person who is always honest and speaks whatever he thinks. That's one of the things Valerie likes about her commander. His firm attitude and trying to keep his personal affairs separate from the military was also quite impressive. It seemed that even though Raphael and Valerie were now quite close— he would not treat Valerie special while she was in the military. But there's also a chance that it would change.

"I'm going with you to headquarters, I want to get my uniform soon," said Valerie.

"In two days, I will return to Acheron. Edgar and Damian are going to headquarters, aren't we going home to decorate the house?"

"No, I don't want to rearrange the house. We're both military people, we won't be staying in it often enough..can we just pay someone to set it up?" Valerie said.

Raphael was silent. Of course he had considered that. But he thought he and Valerie could continue their honeymoon and get to know each other. Raphael felt there was a compulsion on his part to make Valerie see him more as her husband than her commander. If they continued to interact because of military matters, Raphael was worried that they would become more distant.

"I will. But, are you sure you don't want to decorate it yourself? One day you will have a child and raise him in that house."

"Children? Maybe it will take a long time, we can wait, you said yesterday that you didn't want me to get pregnant too soon," said Valerie. Raphael was silent for a moment.

"Ah yes, I said that before, but—"

"I can't take it easy, Raph, I already feel sorry that Alexander didn't continue my training, and I can't wait any longer to be active in the military," Valerie explained.

"Team jaguar has achieved enough, we will all be given a promotion, you too, Maxwell said he will recognize your achievements as Valor when you officially become a knight. So you won't be left behind," responded Raphael.

Jaguar team was an elite team consisting of pure-blood vampires and led by Raphael. Being a part of them, Valerie didn't find it challenging enough as their fine achievements would keep her in Raphael's shadow forever.

"I also want to ask the generals to put me in another unit.. I don't want to be in the jaguar team anymore," said Valerie firmly.