Chapter 19
As dusk settles, Malakai and I walk back from the Underworld, passing through a residential area that resembles our own.
The air is crisp and pleasant, with shades of yellow, orange, and brown enveloping everything around us.
I notice families enjoying the evening, children dressed in costumes and carrying baskets, laughing as they go door to door with their parents.
Everyone seems genuinely happy and content.
“Is this some kind of neighborhood event?” I ask Malakai, blinking as a horde of scantily clad teenage girls rushes past us.
“It’s Halloween,” he replies, sidestepping a group of children darting from the nearest house.
“What’s Halloween?”
Malakai looks at me in surprise before remembering I wasn’t around when it was celebrated.
“Since tomorrow is All Saints’ Day, many believe that tonight the veil between the realm of the living and the dead is thin enough for the dead to cross over.
People dress up as monsters so they won’t be recognized as human.
Nowadays, it’s mostly children trick-or-treating for candy and adults getting drunk. ”
I snicker at that last part. “Looks like fun. Do inhumans celebrate as well?”
Malakai’s grin widens, baring his teeth and confirming my suspicions. “Those who celebrate tend to put the ‘trick’ in ‘trick or treat’. It usually gets out of hand pretty quickly.”
“Perhaps next year?”
He throws me that wicked smile that sends my stomach into backflips. “Definitely.”
After we return home, we freshen up and change, with Malakai only telling me we’re going out for dinner. I’m a little disappointed we won’t be eating in after buying those expensive spices, but the prospect of Malakai taking me out has me giddy with excitement.
When I return from the bathroom, I notice a stunning dress hanging on the closet door. It’s dark red silk, hitting just above my ankles, with a deep V-neck and a thigh-high split on one side. Sleeveless, the back features intricate lacing that leaves most of my back bare.
It seems extravagant for dinner, but when I slip it on, the dress fits me perfectly, so I decide to trust Malakai’s judgment. I can’t stop admiring it as I carefully run my hands down the silky fabric. Besides, I secretly kind of like it when he picks out my clothes.
Unable to reach the lacing, I use my magic to position the ribbons, noticing how form-fitting the dress is. I pair it with lace-up heels and give myself a little twirl in front of the mirror.
If I thought the short dress from earlier was scandalous, this one is even more so. Though longer, it reveals much more skin, and I have to resist the urge to cover myself. I never imagined I would wear something like this, but now that I am, I like how it looks on me.
“You look beautiful.” I throw Malakai a self-conscious smile as he emerges from the bathroom. His eyes burn with heat, and I blush at the undeniable promise in them.
I snap out of it when I notice him putting on a pair of golden cufflinks, taking in his own outfit for the night.
He looks downright sinful in the black-on-black three-piece suit he’s wearing.
The lapels are decorated with gold embroidery, and there’s gold stitching on the matching black tie.
My gaze lingers on the embroidery until Malakai steps closer and hands me a fabric pouch.
“What’s this?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“The wax stamp with your Mark,” he says, a secretive smile on his lips.
“Already?”
“They know better than to keep me waiting. Now open it.” His eyes gleam, and he has a wide grin on his face. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s excited.
I carefully undo the string and open the pouch. Reaching inside, I pull out the stamp and struggle to make out the figure on it. I also take out the accompanying piece of paper, unfolding it to reveal an enlarged version of my personal Mark—a winged snake entwined with two roses.
“An amphiptera.” I gasp.
Malakai nods, his posture relaxing visibly, briefly making me wonder if he was worried about how I might react. “It was a regular snake at first, to match my Mark. But I had them change it after our visit to the antiquities shop.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” My voice fills with emotion, my chest expanding as I look at the Mark in my hands.
I look back at Malakai, my gaze falling on the embroidery on his lapels. I step closer and carefully run my fingers over the intricate design. The details are astounding—two intertwined snakes, one with wings, accompanied by a moon and flowers.
I suck in a breath as realization dawns on me: it’s both of our Marks combined into one. I’m about to ask him how when I notice the text in Eloghyll next to the snakes.
“Bound to me and I to you,” I mumble, looking up at him, forgetting to blink for a moment.
Seeing this—our Mark, even just on fabric—feels more intimate and meaningful than anything that has passed between us up to this point.
“Getting it tattooed seemed a little extravagant,” he replies softly, reaching out and twirling a strand of my hair around his finger as I continue tracing the details with my fingertip.
I hesitate at the word “tattoo”, my gaze drifting as I wonder about our Marks on each other’s skin.
“Would you…” There’s a sharp intake of breath before he continues. “Would you like for me to get it tattooed?”
My heart skips a beat at the question, and I blush slightly. I find myself unable to articulate my thoughts, feeling suddenly insecure as I remember the meaning behind a tattooed Mark.
“Elly,” Malakai growls, drawing my attention back to him. He looks pained, as if he’s as afraid of hearing my answer as I am of giving it.
“Only if I can get one as well,” I whisper, my breath catching in my throat.
It’s as if he stops breathing for a moment. “Are you sure?” Malakai finally asks.
“Do you know what it means to have me Mark you? To be Marked by you?”
I think for a moment, recalling what he told me about why he Marks others and why his brother does as well. But this would be our Mark, on each other.
“Bound to me and I to you,” I repeat, my heart leaping inside my chest as I smile at him.
Malakai searches my eyes for something, but all he finds is determination. Then he returns my smile, his head bowing as he reaches out to me.
“Think about it,” he says, turning me toward the door. “Because if I put this Mark on you, it will be as permanent as the ones on your arms.”
“That better be a promise.”
Malakai has arranged for a car and driver for the evening. I wrap myself in that beautiful white coat and take a seat inside the sleek black car that looks as expensive as everything else I’ve come to expect from him.
It takes around twenty minutes for the car to pull up in front of what I assume is the restaurant.
Malakai gets out first, extending his hand to assist me.
I nearly bounce with excitement as I step out, and the wide grin on my face makes him snicker.
A quick glance around reveals we’re close to his office, just outside the business district.
The street hosts several restaurants, respectable bars, and a few shops that have already closed for the day.
“Caner, the owner of the restaurant, is a flesh-eater like Creiddyla. Though Caner’s bloodline is less diluted than hers,” Malakai explains as we approach the door.
“He got tired of just eating flesh and decided to branch out. His establishment has been around for a few centuries now, and his food is the best you’ll ever have. I promise.”
“How have you been away so long yet know so many people?” I ask, genuinely curious.
Even when he was able to leave, it was never for longer than a few hours, and years would pass between his trips. His connections must be incredible for him to remain up-to-date with everything, both professionally and personally.
“I made a point of networking whenever I could,” he replies as he holds the door open for me, as if that explains it all.
We step inside, and just a glance around sends shivers of excitement through me. The side-glance Malakai gives me suggests my enthusiasm is palpable.
A tall, lean man with dark olive skin and dark brown hair approaches us as soon as we’re inside. “Deimos.” His deep green eyes are flecked with gold, and they shimmer with joy when he shakes Malakai’s hand. “I’m so glad to see you again. It feels like an eternity.”
“Likewise, and it might as well have been, as is every day without your food.”
The man laughs, pleased by the compliment. His gaze falls on me, and he gives me the warmest, most genuine smile I’ve ever seen, lighting up his whole face even more. How are all these inhumans so handsome?
“Caner, this is my wife, Aeliana,” Malakai introduces me. His magic lightly snaps around me in warning, making it clear he picked up on my thoughts.
Caner takes my hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
“Likewise.” I smile back at him.
Caner releases my hand and guides us to a table in the back, slightly separate from the others, offering more privacy and a view of the entire restaurant.
As we walk past a few occupied tables, I notice the patrons throw us curious glances.
I discreetly take note of their outfits—all as extravagant as ours, which makes me feel less out of place and relieved.
Caner takes our coats, and we settle in. “I’ll have my best bottle sent up. No need for menus; I know you always give me carte blanche anyway.” This last part is aimed at Malakai, who responds with a grin.