Chapter 21: A Secret Unveiled
{IRIS}
Val merely wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his tone disturbingly calm as he said, "Is that so?" His silver eyes finally met 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 merely 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 came behind me.
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 moment.
"Like this," he said, his voice lower now, quieter.
I swallowed hard, trying to focus.
He helped me cut through the meat with ease, his movements slow, as if he had all the patience in the world. I could feel the warmth of his body behind me, 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 something dark, something I didn’t know how to name.
Then—
He lifted a piece of meat 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 skimmed 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 me feel utterly exposed, completely at his mercy.
I was his prey, caught in the palm of his hand that he could kill at any moment.
And he knew it.
A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Good girl."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I didn’t know if I wanted to run—or stay in his grasp forever.
"I assume you don’t know how to read or write either?"
Val’s voice was smooth, almost indifferent, but there was something in his silver gaze—something 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 stammered. The shame burned hot in my cheeks.
He didn’t react, didn’t mock me. 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 mere inches from his cheek.
Flustered, I immediately dropped my gaze. "M-my lord . . . you don’t have to trouble yourself. I am merely here . . . as your blood reserve."
Val exhaled sharply, standing beside me 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 me. "You’re one of the few who can use the Arcane, Iris."
My breath caught in my throat.
"M-me?" I stammered. "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 me 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 come . . . I didn’t know . . ."
"It’s only natural," he said, lifting his wine glass full of blood to his lips, his demeanor 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 Covens of Midnight."
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 me intently. "School begins in two months. Within that time, 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 me with answers if I came 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."
