Chapter 553 They Won

"Don't die, don't keep secrets from me, and never decide for me. This… is my life and if you want me, then stop hurting me. It's so unfair, Abel. I… am hurt."

Abel breathed out heavily, closing his eyes. When he reopened them, he slowly pulled his body away from her. He then cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumb.

"I'm wrong here, aren't I?" he asked, and she nodded while biting her bottom lip. "It won't happen again. What I mean by that is, things like the coven might happen again, but you'd know about it instead of getting surprised when it happens."

Aries pursed her lips, studying his face to detect any deception on it. He looked like he was telling the truth.

"Promise?" she asked in a tiny voice, watching him nod.

"I promise," he reassured. "Will you forgive me now?"

Nove l B(in).C OM

Aries averted her eyes with her lips closed. "Not yet."

Abel cocked his head to the side, watching her keep her eyes to the side. He was still cupping her cheek, leaning closer to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"How about now?" he asked when he drew away, watching her look back at him.

"Not yet."

And so, Abel planted three more kisses on her lips before drawing his head back. "Now?"

"Well…" Aries cleared her throat. "I'm not as angry."

He chuckled with his lips closed, pulling her into his embrace. "Then should I cuddle you until you forgive me?"

"I'm warning you. It won't be that easy."

"I can stay in this bed for a week with you." He squeezed her body, tightening his grip. "A year if I must, just so you forgive me. Actually, that's like a treat for me at that point."

Abel buried his face on top of her head, kissing it gently. "Why are you so precious?" he stroked her back gently, finding solace in the warmth of her body.

Usually, the person who always felt reassured was the one being embraced. However, he felt secure with her confined in his embrace. There were no words that could describe or justify the sentiments in his heart.

Aries was his world… no, she was his entire universe. God knows — even the devil knows how precious she was to him. At this point, the words, 'I love you,' would sound meaningless.

But God, he loves her.

"You should rest more." Her voice shattered the prolonged silence between them, patting his back gently. "Sir Conan said your wounds in the coven don't heal that fast because of some sort of condition."

"Mhm. The coven is to give me a time of weakness." Abel reluctantly let her go, facing her squarely. "Pain and weakness are the proof that I am still alive. It keeps me sane. Isn't that insane?"

Aries frowned, but she guessed that much while watching him last night. "It's twisted, but I can't really blame you. Four thousand years… is not a joke to be taken lightly."

"I'm glad you understand." He smiled, tipping his head on the bed. "Come. Let's rest."

Aries nodded, raising her legs on the bed while Abel moved to the side of the bed. But just as they were about to lie down, Aries flinched when the door suddenly flew open. She slowly set her eyes towards the door, heart racing, anxious if this was another bad news. Meanwhile, Abel arched a brow as he glanced at the door.

There, a woman with long, golden locks stepped inside. She folded her arms under her chest, standing still, eyes on them. The woman said nothing as she stared at them, chewing something.

When an entire minute had passed in silence, Abel stretched his neck from one side to the other, eyes shut. Reopening his eyes, his lips parted.

"If you have nothing to say, get out of my room," he warned coldly.

Marsella, his little sister, arched a brow. Keeping her arms locked under her chest, she took a step back, just enough for her to stand outside the door that was kept wide open. There, she stood wordlessly, eyes on them, her expression blank.

Seeing this, Aries pursed her lips into a thin line. She glanced at Abel, whose expression was also blank. She then gazed back at Marsella, seeing some sort of resemblance to Abel. The two might not look alike, but their sharp features oddly look similar. It was strange.

Was it the hair color? Aries wondered.

Abel naturally had jet black hair while Marsella obviously had a lighter shade of gold. Their eye color might look similar, but Aries had known vampires could change their eye color to red.

After another minute, Marsella scoffed. She then wordlessly turned on her heel and sauntered off, just like that. She left the door wide open, making Abel frown in irritation.

"What is wrong with her?" he mumbled while Aries looked back at him, only to see him scratch his temple. "This is why I hate having a sibling. They can press a nerve without even saying a word."

Aries smiled subtly. "She probably came to check your well-being."

"She definitely came to press a nerve." He shook his head, snapping his eyes at the door. A knight from outside was already closing it, keeping his head low to avoid seeing what was inside the emperor's chambers. "I'll teach her a lesson next time."

"Abel, I don't think Marsella is that bad," Aries coaxed, cradling his hand. "She intervened in the coven and somehow saved us. Therefore, she deserved some recognition."

Abel stared at her for a moment. "She did that because she needs our help."

"Our help?"

"Yes. You and I."

Aries cocked her head to the side, blinking twice, waiting for further details.

"Hmm…" Abel pondered how to explain it to her, as it was a lot more complicated and confusing. "Let's just say… my sister met her match."

"Are you going to keep me in the dark again?" she frowned. This wasn't enough information for her.

"No." He shook his head. "I just don't know her real dilemma, but she might need you for it."

"How can I help her?"

Abel arched a brow. "Maleficent," he said, "she's a powerful witch and you holding her curse is something that Marsella thinks will come in handy. Let's keep those details later for now, hmm? You need sleep."

Aries pursed her lips into a thin line and then nodded. With that being said, Aries and Abel laid down with him slipping his arm under her neck, embracing her since her warmth was helping him recover quickly… according to him.

The matters of the coven and the night council might've appeared to have settled down, but Abel was aware it was far from over. There would be changes in that night council for sure.

He gazed down at Aries, who was smiling with her eyes closed. 'They won... and got you a seat in the council.'