Hidden Bite (Book 3 of Bite Trilogy)

Chapter 9

Dedicated to: Mary Faith Abapo

Chapter 9: Doyle

In Parsua Sartorias, a long table with lavish feast would never have any empty seat. Kung maaari ay sinisikap ng magkakapatid na Gazellian na walang mawawala sa kanila sa oras ng hapagkainan.

Isa pa, ganoon na sila sinanay nina Haring Thaddeus at Reyna Talisha simula nang mga bata pa sila. King Dastan seated on the edge of the table, across Queen Leticia has been the best view I've been witnessing in every feast in Parsua Sartorias' dining hall. At sa tagal ko nang naninirahan sa Parsua Sartorias, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na kasalukuyan na akong miyembro ng isang napakamakapangyarihang pamilya.

I could still remember my first encounter with those Gazellian siblings inside the throne room, para akong baliw na pilit tumatakbo papalayo sa kanila. Zen was chasing me with his brothers and sisters happily watching us. The intense rain, lightning, thunder, and sudden darkness inside that room with their red igniting eyes together was my nightmare.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang gabing pinaglaruan ako ng magkakapatid na Gazellian.

Kasalukuyan na kaming nakaupo sa harap ng isang mahabang lamesa, Kreios, Divina on his lap while Zen and I were seated beside each other. May mga tagasunod rin na alerto sa utos ng kanilang hari.

Food might be not the best source of strength for vampires, but for royalties like us that should be regularly gathered together, a feast would serve as a meeting session.

Dati'y nangangamba pa akong bumalik sa Mudelior dahil sa nakaraan ko sa emperyong ito. I was once the queen of this empire, but Kreios sacrificed himself and created a huge farce to dethrone me. Alam kong simula pa lang ay hindi na nais ni Kreios ang isang malaking responsibilidad pero ngayon ay parang hindi ko na ako nakakakita sa kanya ng pagsisisi.

But unlike every king that I've encountered, my brother is very different. King Dastan and King Tobias might scream composure, firmness, formality, and order, but King Kreios Sageton Doyle is a king with ease and no pressure. Sa laki ng emperyong pinanunungkulan niya, nagagawa niya itong mapanatiling maayos at walang gulo.

But unlike King Dastan and King Tobias with clean background and free from rumors, my brother has otherwise. Dahil kahit nasa Sartorias ako ay kung anu-anong klase ng balita ang naririnig ko tungkol sa kanya.

"Divina, come here," tawag ni Zen sa anak niya.

Hindi na humiwalay si Divina kay Kreios simula nang makarating na kami sa Mudelior. And Zen has been blaming me for spoiling Divina with her likes of handsome men.

Well, our daughter's eyes were always sparkling with happiness if she's near with any handsome creature. Kaya minsan ay sinasadya na siyang taguan nina Casper at Rosh dahil sa pagiging makulit nito.

Walang narinig si Divina sa halip ay nakatitig siya sa tiyuhin niyang matagal na niyang hindi nakita. Divina's small hands were on Kreios' handsome face, our little girl was happily tilting her head from right to left as if she could see faults from her uncle's face.

Kreios, he's like a knight who just came from training with his fitted black shirt, hiding just a half of his arms, and his black leather pants. Ang tanging pagkakakilanlan niya bilang hari ay ang kapa niya habang korona na suot niya kanina ay tinanggal niya na.

"Ang handsome handsome naman, Uncle Kreios! I will tell Aunt Harper that you become handsomer!" ngumisi si Kreios at ilang beses tumango kay Divina.

Nagkaroon na silang dalawa ng sariling mundo sa puno ng lamesa habang walang katapusan ang pag-ismid ni Zen sa tabi ko.