{IRIS}
Val rely wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his tone disturbingly calm as he said, "Is that so?" His silver eyes finally t mine. "Then, I will teach you."
As if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn’t just taken a life with a flick of his will.
I sat frozen, my limbs cold and unresponsive as the remaining maids hurriedly cleaned the blood from the marble floor.
Sebastian rely nodded at them, unfazed, while the rest of the servants stood still, their expressions locked in silent obedience.
And then—Val moved.
Without a word, he ca behind .
I tensed as his hands reached for mine, the black leather of his gloves cool against my trembling fingers.
"Relax," he murmured, his breath fanning against my ear.
I shivered.
He guided my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine as he positioned them properly on the knife and fork.
The contrast between us was striking—his touch was firm, steady, while I felt fragile beneath him, like I might shatter at any mont.
"Like this," he said, his voice lower now, quieter.
I swallowed hard, trying to focus.
He helped cut through the at with ease, his movents slow, as if he had all the patience in the world. I could feel the warmth of his body behind , the way he leaned in just enough that I was aware of every inch of him.
My pulse raced, the air between us charged with sothing dark, sothing I didn’t know how to na.
Then—
He lifted a piece of at with the fork.
"Open up."
The command was soft, yet absolute.
I hesitated, my lips parting slightly as my breath hitched.
He pressed the fork against my mouth, waiting. My hands clenched against my lap as I finally obeyed, letting the piece slide past my lips.
The taste was bland.
Or maybe it was the fact that I couldn’t focus on anything but the way his fingers lingered, the way his breath skimd my skin.
I couldn’t think. Couldn’t move.
This was power.
Not just the kind that could kill with a thought—but the kind that made feel utterly exposed, completely at his rcy.
I was his prey, caught in the palm of his hand that he could kill at any mont.
And he knew it.
A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Good girl."
My heart slamd against my ribs.
I didn’t know if I wanted to run—or stay in his grasp forever.
"I assu you don’t know how to read or write either?"
Val’s voice was smooth, almost indifferent, but there was sothing in his silver gaze—sothing that made my stomach tighten.
I swallowed, my fingers clenching against the fabric of my dress. "N-no, my lord," I admitted, my voice coming out forced and stamred. The sha burned hot in my cheeks.
He didn’t react, didn’t mock . He simply turned to Sebastian.
"Prepare the library. From now on, I will teach Iris how to read and write."
"Yes, my lord."
I jerked my head up, eyes wide. "Y-you don’t have to do that," I blurted, shaking my head—a bad move, as I nearly bumped into him. My breath hitched when I realized how close I was to his face, my lips re inches from his cheek.
Flustered, I imdiately dropped my gaze. "M-my lord . . . you don’t have to trouble yourself. I am rely here . . . as your blood reserve."
Val exhaled sharply, standing beside with a gaze that could cut through steel. "As long as you’re under my wing, you will learn the basics to function in my house . . . and in school."
I blinked.
"What? School?"
"That’s right," he said casually, as if he hadn’t just dropped another life-altering revelation on . "You’re one of the few who can use the Arcane, Iris."
My breath caught in my throat.
"M-?" I stamred. "Arcane? Like magic?"
He nodded. His expression was serious. Val was not the type to joke—but still, my mind struggled to grasp what he was saying.
"I . . . I . . ." My words tangled, my thoughts racing too fast for to form anything coherent.
"You heal quickly," Val continued. "That’s part of your powers."
I stiffened.
"B-but . . . I don’t know anything about it. How co . . . I didn’t know . . ."
"It’s only natural," he said, lifting his wine glass full of blood to his lips, his deanor maddeningly calm.
"Most creatures who awaken their Arcane don’t know about it or how to use it. That’s why I’ve enrolled you in CovensofMidnight."
My entire body went rigid.
"Covens of . . . Midnight?"
Val set his glass down, his fingers tapping lightly against the rim. "It’s a school exclusive to creatures like us—beings who can wield the Arcane. There, you will learn to control and expand your abilities."
A school . . . for creatures like us?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
"School?" My voice cracked slightly. "Y-you’re going to that school too, Lord Val?"
"That’s right." He leaned back in his chair, his silver eyes watching intently. "School begins in two months. Within that ti, I will teach you how to read and write so that you don’t embarrass yourself when you enrol."
I flushed. "Uhm . . . you said that you’d provide with answers if I ca with you, but . . ." I looked down at my trembling hands. "I only ended up with more questions."
Val wiped his mouth with a napkin, tilting his head slightly. "Questions? What is so difficult to understand? You’re a creature that can wield the Arcane, and I am sending you to a school that will teach you how to use it."
"No, I . . ." I took a deep breath, gripping the edge of the table. "I’m still struggling with the fact that I even have powers."
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