She realized that as they walked further down, no one was bothered to look their way. Instead of feeling annoyed, she felt calm and casual. A gust of cool wind every now and then would bring energy to the Azelians. Brantley stayed beside her all the time, his chest swelling with pride. He would offer her tidbit information about the city and she listened to him attentively. They came in front of a shop, through the glass of which she saw a display of various musical instruments. Brantley had not entered any shop, but seeing how she had stopped in front of it, he tugged her inside.

"Come," he said and walked up the steps of the shop. He opened the door to reveal a huge shop.

Bianca was surprised as she scanned the area with her wide eyes. There was not a musical instrument in the world that wasn't there.

A man with brown hair and very light brown eyes came running towards them. He was huffing as he bowed to them and looked with eager eyes. He couldn't stop looking at Bianca. "Welcome to Musicii. I am Hiram. What can I do for you, Your Highness?" The way he sounded it was as if he could give his life to her.

Bianca's gaze traveled to the deep end of the room where she noticed a collection of pianofortes. She looked a little nervous, not knowing how to even ask Brantley to buy one for her. And she wished she had brought hers. She decided to send for it the moment she was back in the palace.

Brantley pointed at the pianos and said to Hiram, "Take us there. The queen would like to buy one."

"Yes, Your Highness," said Hiram and enthusiastically walked over there.

As if being offered candy, for the next one hour, Bianca was playing one piano after the other only to find which one struck the right note. Brantley only watched her with affection and a smile that never left his lips. When she was satisfied, she pointed to the one she liked the most.

When Brantley asked the cost, Hiram said, "It is complimentary."

But Brantley knew how much his people needed the money, so he insisted on paying him a thousand daems. As Arnik was counting the gold coins, Bianca noticed that each daem had Brantley's face on it. He whispered, "The silver coins will have your face on them."

She gasped.

They left and Hiram assured that the piano would reach the palace soon.

Over the next few hours, they went across Namda and checked upon the overall situation. When Brantley was thoroughly satisfied with his inspection, they started to come back. Bianca observed that water in Namda had swelled a little and the stars of the night sky were reflecting on the tranquil surface. It was serene and mesmerizing seeing small houses scattered across the hills surrounding Namda. Azelia was truly beautiful and she wondered what was the size of the kingdom of Aztec.

She was extremely tired by the time they reached home. The piano was sitting in her bedchamber and even though she wanted to play it, she didn't have the energy to do so. After dinner, she changed into her shorts and a tank top and went to bed. Brantley was waiting for her on the bed as usual with his trademark smile. She rubbed her neck to show how tired she was. She went to lay on her side but wasn't able to fall asleep. She hoped to nestle in his arms, no she craved. And to her sweet surprise, Brantley came to spoon her from behind and adjusted the quilts over them.

"Your muscles are so knotted, Bia," he said in a low voice.

But she was already feeling great in his arms. Her eyes became heavy.

He turned her around. Even in the darkness she could feel him staring at her as she stared at him. His strong arms stroked her back by pressing gently into her flesh.

"Do you like it?" he whispered.

She hummed.

The movement brought her closer to him. His breath fanned her face and instinctively she coiled her arm around his neck. She ran her fingers over the skin of his nape, through those soft golden curls and his earlobes. He took his hand behind her shoulders and pressed them to ease out her knots. She groaned feeling utterly relaxed. She heard him chuckle but she didn't care. Even she smiled. She gripped his hair hard to give him a sweet punishment. He hissed and she felt his shaft becoming hard against her stomach. She relaxed her grip and started moving her fingers lazily through his hair.

"Careful Bia," he said in a low voice as his hands traveled to her hip. He cupped them. "Don't raise the beast now."

Bianca continued making those lazy circles in his hair.

"Aha!" he said. He wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her closer. His mouth slammed to hers and he started sucking her lower lip into his mouth. He tugged at her lower lip to seek permission to enter her mouth and she parted her lip. Immediately he plunged his tongue inside her and took claim her hers. He pressed her body with his hand and his hard muscles molded into her soft curves as he ravaged her mouth.

He growled against her mouth. It was as if he wasn't able to control himself. It was an animalistic, out of control kiss, as if trying to merge with her, trying to possess her.

And Bianca—she wanted him to wrench the pleasure out of her body like he did yesterday. In her excitement, she bit on his lower lip and metallic taste exploded on her tongue. She thought he would retract, but the man's erection became rock hard and he ground his hips against hers. He twirled his tongue inside her over and over again.

All at once, her fingers grazed a scar in his head and she stilled as a vision flashed in her mind.

Of blood.

Black blood.

Pool of black blood.

Her small feet dripping in it as it flowed from—

She pulled away from him and stared in the darkness.

Confused, he asked, "What happened Bia?"

"N— nothing," she said, her body becoming stiff.

He gauged her for a while and then said, "Relax Bianca. Go to sleep." He flipped her so now her back was facing his chest. He pulled her closer and coiled right arm tightly around her and cradled her head on the inside of his left arm.

She closed her eyes feeling ten different kinds of befuddled. She couldn't understand what was that but she was looking forward to forgetting it. So she grasped his arm and nodded. "How did you get that scar on your head?" And why the hell did that scar not heal? He was an immortal and scars never remained on immortals. They remained if they got them before they froze in the age of immortality. Did that mean he got it long back?

"That's of no concern Bia. You must sleep now," he coaxed her. "I am right here."

Soon she relaxed in his warmth and sleep overcame.

---

Once again she found herself in the dingy room. Its door creaked open and she saw dim yellow light from the outside entering in. A woman came in with a food tray in her hand and a doll in the other.

She placed them in front of her and removed her gag.