Chapter 132: His Hidden Paradise
[Music Recommendation: Lana Del Rey - Road To Death (Slowed + Reverb)]
Eve was so caught in his searing kiss that she automatically wrapped her arms around his neck and didn’t realize she was swallowed by the sea of his flames. Soon, when she felt a cold breeze brush against her skin, she reluctantly pulled away from their kiss. Turning her head to the side, her eyes widened as a gasp escaped her lips.
"Oh my!" she whispered, still securely held in Ivan’s arms. As the wind blew again, Ivan tightened his embrace, as if to shield her from the chill, while allowing her to take in her new surroundings.
Eve tightened her grip on his chest and saw that they were high on top of a mountain that overlooked the peaks of other mountains, with the rest of their body hidden by the soft blanket of clouds. The sun peeked out of the clouds, enveloping them in a golden glow. When she looked down, she saw that they were close to the edge of a cliff themselves under a massive willow tree. Its long branches danced along the wind, making the entire scene look all the more enchanting.
Eve just couldn’t fathom how did they get here? Only moments ago, they were in a dark alley of Crimson Hollow, then how? She turned her eyes, filled with bewilderment and awe, to look at Ivan, whispering, "Am I...dreaming?"
His eyes softened as a devastating smile broke through his lips, as he said softly, "No, this is very real." He raised his hand and curled his fingers around a strand of her hair that flowed through the wind and brought it close to his lips. He planted a gentle kiss on it, making her heart gallop in her chest.
"B-But we were just...back there...in the alley.." Eve was having a hard time arranging her thoughts as she stared at him with her large, vivid, blue eyes that demanded answers.
Ivan let go of the lone strand of her hair for it to continue dancing with the wind and asked, "You asked for a quiet place, didn’t you? How is this?"
"I-It’s beautiful! I have never seen anything like it! But did we cross some portal to get here? Are we still in Bastian? No... Are we still in Versailles?!" She shot out questions one after another as her brain started to catch up again.
Ivan lovingly caressed her cheek with his hand, "We are still in Versailles, just not in Bastian anymore. As for how we got here, it’s one of my powers as I can teleport." Eve was once again stunned into silence as she let it sink in that Ivan had the ability to teleport! Like what in the world?!
She opened her mouth several times to speak, but couldn’t. He then leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her nose, "I’ve always had these powers," he said, "but I never used them, to keep them hidden from others."
Finally finding her voice, she asked in a barely audible voice, "Why?"
Pure-blooded vampires don’t disclose their abilities easily," he explained. "The more people know about them, the more cautious they become, or might see it as a threat and try to get rid of you. For me, as you know, many already see me as a threat; this is just something I never told anyone, to keep an element of surprise." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Does that mean you will reveal it in the future?" Eve asked.
"I don’t think so, besides, it takes a lot of energy to travel, especially if the destination is somewhere really far. I also didn’t use it before, as I wasn’t able to control where I’d landed at first." Ivan told her as he continued to caress her cheek before dragging his hand down to her neck, making her breathing hitch slightly.
"But you told me now...aren’t you afraid that I might tell anyone?" she asked, as she leaned closer to him.
"Hm...you could," he whispered against her lips, "but I trust you, Eve."
Her lips curved into a bright, radiant smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck again and pressed a soft kiss to his lips before resting her head on his shoulder. Watching the most beautiful view she had ever seen, she whispered, "Thank you, Ivan."
Ivan tightened his hold around her as he drank in the scenic beauty before him, and he felt so full, with her in his arms, her vibrant smile shone brighter than the sunlight.
They stayed like that for a moment longer before he felt her shiver. A slight crease formed in his forehead as he asked, "Are you cold?"
Eve lifted her head from his chest and replied with a sheepish smile, "A little?"
"Time to go inside then, " he murmured and lifted her off the ground.
"Inside? Where?" Eve asked. Before she could question more, he moved swiftly, and in a jiffy, they arrived in front of a quaint cottage made of stone, with arched windows, and the roof had a steep, classic design that was surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and lined with a cobblestone path leading to the front door. A gentle stream flows beside the path, reflecting sunlight shining on the stream like diamonds. There was a graceful waterfall next to it that cascaded into a clear pool, with mist rising delicately into the air. The entire scene was so dreamy and peaceful, it took Eve’s breath away, and once again, she was left speechless.
Ivan set her down gently, letting her steady herself before she walked ahead on her own as if stepping into an enchanting, serene dream. "This is unreal..." she whispered in awe.
She spun around, eye wide. "How does this place even exist?!"
Ivan slipped his hands in his pockets and replied softly, "I had it built by some locals who live far away down this area."
"You had it built?" Eve repeated quietly, still in disbelief.
Ivan walked towards her and wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her towards the door, "Come, I don’t want you to fall sick."
They stopped in front of the door, and he touched it lightly; his eyes flickered orange before the door swung open on its own. Turning his molten red gaze to Eve, he explained, "This is to keep any unwanted guests out. In fact, no one can see this cottage as it is hidden and protected by my powers."
With a tilt of his head towards the doorway, he said gently, "Go ahead."
Eve couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes as she stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the floor, followed closely by Ivan. Her blue eyes took in the neat, cosy interiors of the cottage. Large arch windows offered a view of the serene, lush green and the stream flowing gently around it. The living room was furnished with a set of couches, an armchair by a fireplace, and a Persian carpet spread across the floor. On the other side, she noticed a small open kitchen and a narrow staircase that she assumed led to the bedroom.
One wall was lined with books, and despite the cottage being much smaller than the places Ivan usually lived in, everything about it screamed him, elegant and quietly refined.
As she continued admiring the beauty of the place, she suddenly felt herself being enveloped in a warm coat. Turning around, she found Ivan behind her, wrapped her snugly in his own coat before planting a soft kiss on her cheek.
"How do you find it?" he asked.
She gave him a gentle smile and said, "This place screams you...just on a much smaller scale."
A small smile tugged at his lips as he unbuttoned his cufflinks one by one, then rolled up his sleeves to reveal his strong, veined muscles beneath his pale skin. He looked at her and said coolly, "Have a seat, make yourself at home."
She nodded and went to sit on the couch facing the fireplace, still wrapped in Ivan’s coat. Ivan soon moved to the hearth, placing a few logs inside before flickering his fingers. Instantly, flames caught not only on the wood but also on the candles all around the cottage, bathing them in a warm glow.
Ivan then walked to the kitchen and asked, "Wine? It will warm you up a little."
"Sure," Eve answered as her eyes followed his every elegant, effortless move, the way he took out the glasses and opened the sealed bottle. Ivan could feel her eyes on him, but said nothing.
While busy pouring them a glass each, he asked, "Are you hungry?"
Eve shook her head, "No, I am good."
She then asked curiously, "So...how did you find this place?"
Ivan picked up the glasses and walked toward her, handing her one, which she accepted graciously with a soft murmur of thanks. Settling himself beside her on the other end of the couch, he lounged with effortless grace, one arm draped along the back of the sofa while the other swirled the wine in his hand, his gaze fixed intently on her.
