"When did that happen?" Yurian almost gasped, seeing her dressed up with make-up on. "And where did you get the makeup from?"

"I might have gotten it from Foxi," Aselia replied slyly and continued:

"Well, he had been persistently asking for a while now and yesterday I said yes. I don’t want to owe him for saving my life," Aselia just shrugged her shoulders.

"My dear, you don’t owe him anything. As your fellow hunter, it was his duty to do that. So if you are going out only because of that, I would recommend not doing it," Esma’s words held truth and Aselia knew she shouldn’t be leading him on when she didn’t feel anything in her heart. But maybe spending time alone with him might stir something in her.

"I know but I want to give this a chance. I am not getting any younger and my love life is somewhere around a perfect zero," she heavily sighed and Esma quickly got up and approached her. She placed her hand on Aselia’s shoulder:

"Leia, you are like my daughter and it breaks my heart to see both my kids having to lead a loveless life. But remember love can’t be forced, if it doesn’t excite you, if it doesn’t make your stomach flutter like there are butterflies in it, if it doesn’t make you smile then it’s not real. I am not stopping you from giving this a try but if you don’t experience all that with him, then he is not the man for you."

Aselia smiled at Esma’s words while Yurian had a forlorn look in his eyes. He had seen her stare at Xiran, the love her gaze held for him had since been missing. She didn’t exhibit that warmth and love for anyone else, clearly not for Jaguar.

"Thank you, Esma, I will keep this in mind. I can’t know until I try though."

"Wait one minute," Esma asked and hurried to her room.

"I know you can take care of yourself but in case he tries something funny, call me," Yurian instructed like an older brother and Aselia couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle at his possessiveness.

"I will," she smiled warmly.

"Partner, I hope you have a good time. I still can’t believe you are going on a date," Yurian drew near her and adjusted her bandana which was looping to one side.

"I can’t believe it myself."

Esma arrived with a small wooden box, it seemed ancient. Opening it she extracted a silver bracelet which had a red ruby embedded in it. It shone brightly under the lights. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Here, I want you to wear it. Razian gave it to me on our engagement. It will be like a lucky charm for you," Esma held out the bracelet so Aselia would extend her arm. Aselia on the other hand was utterly surprised.

"It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept it, Esma. It’s yours," Aselia shook her head.

"Yes, you can. Razian and I will be more than happy to give it to you. It has been in Razian’s family for generations and according to him only an elf or someone of an elven descent can wear it. Because that ruby has been enchanted like that," she took Aselia’s arm and clasped the ruby bracelet there. A tingling warmth spread in her entire body as the ruby touched her skin as if covering her with its energy.

A sweet smile spread on Aselia’s face while Yurian’s heart swelled with pride at how his parents had accepted and owned her.

"Thank you," Aselia wrapped her arms around Esma and gently squeezed, she was feeling overwhelmed with emotions.

"Have a blast on your date my girl," Esma patted her back as they heard a horn outside.

"Time to go guys, love you," she blew them a flying kiss before opening the door.

"We love you too," chorused Yurian and Esma as she closed the door behind her.

"I hope she finds love, there is this overwhelming sadness I feel from her," Esma confided in her son.

"Mom, you don’t know her whole story. She has been through a lot, I can’t tell you because of the threats that surround her. I can’t put your safety in jeopardy but she deserves all the love she can get," heaviness in Yurian’s voice didn’t go unnoticed by Esma.

"We are here now. We won’t let anything happen to her, don’t worry," she patted her son on his shoulder and they both settled back down on the sofa.

Jaguar was waiting outside, on his bike. His left leg rested on the footpath while his right was on the bike. Adorned in a grey turtleneck, black jeans and a leather jacket with high boots and fingerless-leather gloves, he looked nothing less than a perfect biker. His eyes shone with excitement.

He held a helmet under his right arm and a red rose in his left hand for Aselia.

Jaguar couldn’t help but gawk at her natural beauty as she confidently walked up to him. His heart started beating up like a drum and his mouth opened a fraction.

"Hello!" she offered her hand with a warm smile and he shook it not wanting to let go.

"You look stunning and thank you for agreeing to this," he offered her the rose with his half-gloved hand. Aselia stared at the rose for a few seconds and said:

"I don’t like plucked flowers but since you didn’t know I am accepting it. No more flowers for me though," she took it and smelled it by closing her eyes. It was fresh and dewy. She pocketed the flower.

He slightly bowed and said:

"I will remember that."

Jaguar then adjusted the helmet on her head. She let him do it and climbed on the bike behind him.

He started it and off they went. "Where are we going?" she asked observing her surroundings. The night wasn’t that cold anymore but a light breeze was blowing.

"You will see," and he sped up. Aselia slid her arms around his waist and held onto him. This made desires flicker up inside of him.

Soon they stopped near a shop which had a neon sign that read:

"~Tattoos & You~"

"Are you getting a tattoo?" she took off her helmet and inquired in a perplexed voice.

"Yes, and so are you. Didn’t you say you wanted one?" he calmly replied and Aselia couldn’t help but stare at him.