She followed Henry like a lost lamb, trying her best to keep up with his long strides. The exterior of the castle had left her in awe but that was nothing compared to the interior. The Old English Doors, with their exquisite patterns, were just as beautiful as she had left. Now as she looked closely in the daylight, the design looked smiliar to a rose wrapped around a cross made of stakes. Its thorns sticking in every direction, giving it a gloomy tint.

She sucked in a breath as she stepped foot inside the foyer. It looked nothing like the last time she was here. The oak floors were fixed skillfully with no cracks left. They didn't produce any creaking sound as she followed Henry up the staircase. Heavy blinds, draped over the previously broken windows, didn't allow any sunlight to enter the castle. The only source of light inside the hallway was a big crystal chandelier hanging down the stone roof.

She traced the staircase railing with her fingertips as she climbed up the steps. It was free of any dust specks that had been covering it for centuries. The refurbishment that followed the castle, made it look alive. It was resembling its Lord in every way. Mysterious. Beautiful. Intimidating.

A loud cough broke her out of her trance. She withdrew her hand abruptly, looking up to find Henry already standing at the top of the stairs. She jogged up to him making sure not to fall down clumsily. She was breathing unevenly as she reached the last step. He stood there calmly, waiting for her to catch her breath. A light pink shade tinted her cheeks as she began feeling self conscious under his scrutinizing gaze. 'I need to start working out.'

He started walking again once he saw her breathing return to normal. She walked behind him silently. He hadn't exchanged a single word with her during their encounter. She was thinking about breaking the silence when she noticed the familiar pathway. Realisation dawned on her. 'He's taking me to the throne room.'

He stopped in front of the mahogany doors. She could sense a powerful presence behind them. He raised his hand to knock the door lightly with the back of his knuckles. The sound echoed in the hallway.

"You may enter." Hearing his voice after such a long time was a melody to her ears.

Henry pushed the door slightly open. He stepped through it, continuing to hold it for her. Her heart was hammering against her ribcage as she set her foot inside. The dusty red carpet leading from the door to the throne was removed. Floors were cleaned to the point where she could she her own image reflecting from their surface. Her eyes moved up to find what they had been yearning for so long.

He was slumped sideways on the throne, painting the epitome of a nonchalant, disinterested king. His long legs rested on the armrest lazily as he tilted his head to look coldly at Henry. He didn't spare her any glance.

"What a surprise, Henricus Christensen." He smiled dangerously at Henry.

Henry bowed down immediately. One of his knees rested on the sparkling floor as he placed his right hand on his heart. "Henricus Christensen greets his King and Queen."

He kept kneeling in the same position till Ares let out an exasperated sigh, "You can stand."

Henry stood upright with his hands folded behind him, eyes casted down. Ares gave him a calculated stare. "If only you respected my decisions as much as your stance is showing at the moment." Henry remained silent.

"Aren't you afraid I'd kill you for disobeying me?"

"You wouldn't. You need me to manage your finance and accounts." Is he being sarcastic? She could detect a hint of smugness in his tone.

"Go away, Henry. You're giving me a headache." Ares draped one arm over his eyes.

"Sure, Milord. I'd leave you alone with your," Henry paused to glance at Faith who'd been silent all along, "Headache." With that, she was left alone in the room with him.

He continued to ignore her presence, his arm shielding his eyes away from her view.

"Ares." He clenched his fists tightly till his knuckles turned white.

He heard light footsteps heading in his direction. "Don't come any closer."

She felt hurt. "Why?"

"Why are you here?" He countered her with his own question.

"Why do you think I'm here?" He was infuriating her with his nonchalant behaviour.

He remained motionless, not uttering a single word.

She scrunched her eyebrows. "You said I'm yours, . Isn't that the other way round too? Aren't you mine?" She didn't care if she sounded desperate. The bond seemed to be messing with her emotions.

"It's all because of you, Ares! You bound us together and now you refuse to take the responsibility for it." She was close to screaming yet no reply came from his side.

His lack of attention was hurting her beyond words. She strode up to him, pulling his arm away from his eyes. "Say something!"

He lifted his gaze slowly to meet her eyes. Emerald orbs shone brightly looking at her with an unknown expression. She stared at him mesmerized as they suddenly changed their colour into a deep crimson. Before she had time to react he pulled her arm causing her to lose her balance. She fell on top of him with a dull thud as he encircled his other arm securely around her waist.

Her brain was slowly comprehending the intimate position she had fallen into. She was sprawled on top of him. Her hands rested on his broad shoulders, her legs intertwined with his long ones. Something was poking her abdomen and she refused to believe that it was anything other than his.. wallet. 'Yeah, that's his wallet. His wallet. Wallet. Who am I kidding? It's definitely not his wallet!' She was close to screaming with horror.

A gentle touch distracted her from her internal turmoil. His rough hand brushed the tendrils of hair, which had fallen out of her ponytail, away from her face. His touch was soothing to the core. She closed her eyes anticipating more but he curled his fingers away from her face.

"Faith." He called her name softly.

She opened her eyes looking confused.

"I asked you not to come closer because I knew I would not be able to control myself. My animalistic needs are fighting to overpower my senses. Do you know how much I want to mark every inch of you right now? Sink my teeth deep down your flesh till my scent is imprinted on you like a second skin." He grazed her neck with the tip of his fingers. She sucked in a sharp breath.

"I think you're here because you're feeling the same way. Isn't that the case, Regina mea?"

She couldn't meet his eyes. He was a sorcerer. His deadly gaze held her like a prisoner. "Yes, I'm yours. Just as you're mine, Faith." He touched his soft lips to her forehead. She gripped his shoulders tightly. His hands stroked her waist with slow torturous movements.

"S-Stop." She managed to get a word out through the haziness that clouded her mind.

"Why? Didn't you want answers?" He placed a tender kiss on her right cheek. She remained silent. Her mouth wouldn't utter a single syllable.

"I bound us together to save your life, silly little girl. Why do you always forget that?" His lips made contact with her left cheek.

"Look up at me." He placed another lingering kiss on her chin before grabbing it gently. She was compelled to make eye contact with him.

"I'm a vampire, Faith. A different species than yours. Blood bonds are meant for my kind. They have a stronger effect on vampires. Humans on the other hand can defy it if they want. The things you've been experiencing aren't solely because of this bond. In your case, the bond only acted as a trigger. What you're feeling right now, It's the path you chose for your own self. Rather, It's your heart that chose it on its own." He placed his cold hand above her heart. She didn't want to believe him. 'He's lying. He must be!'

She tried breaking away from his grasp but he only pressed himself harder against her. "Tell me," His lips were getting dangerously close to hers. "How do you want me to take responsibility, Regina mea?"

Their lips were a hair's breadth away when the mahogany doors opened to reveal a stoic Henry. "Sorry to disturb your moment, but Milady's room is ready, Milord." He didn't look the least bit sorry.

Faith quickly detached herself from Ares as if he were on fire. Fixing her clothes and hair, she started walking towards Henry with a flustered face.

She turned to look back once she reached the giant doors. He was lying sideways on the throne, in the exact position she first saw him. His face covered by his arm. She couldn't tell what he was feeling.

With one last lingering look, she followed Henry out of the room.

"Henry." She called his mame with a bit of hesitation.

"Yes, Milady." He replied in his monotonous voice.

"What does 'regina mea' mean?" She was looking up at him expectantly. He stopped midway to stare at her for a second before continuing to move forward.

"It means 'My Queen' in Latin."