Leilania perked up at his tone, her delicate smile returning as she motioned to the maid."You may leave us," she said softly.
The maid bowed, quietly exiting and closing the heavy door behind her. Silence settled between them again, broken only by the faint rustle of parchment and the steady rhythm of the princess's breathing. Leilania turned toward the sound of his voice, the faint shimmer of candlelight brushing across her blindfold."Yes, my lord? Was that scroll what you were searching for? My father often said he and yours were once good friends. Perhaps that alchemy woman he mentioned had notes that could help you?"
Alexandru's hands tightened on the edge of the table. He waited until the latch clicked and the maid's footsteps faded completely before he spoke, his voice low and measured."That woman," he said, "the one who vanished—the alchemist—was my mother."
Leilania's lips parted slightly, but no sound came.
"She is dead," Alexandru continued. "Murdered. Sacrificed by your gods in the old ways. Hung and drained of her blood by chest, hips, wrists, and toes, then burned at the stake. My father did not wage war out of prejudice, Princess. He sought vengeance. I tried to stop him, because I knew this was not what she would have wanted. Before he fell, he begged me to find her killers—to seek justice for her death. And I intend to do just that."
He drew a long, ragged breath, his crimson eyes dimmed by memory. "I wish I could be as calm as she was. But part of me still carries my father's rage. The difference is…" His gaze flickered toward her, steady and dark. "I will aim it only at those who deserve it."
His voice deepened to a low growl, the restrained snarl of a beast behind human words. "Yes, I seek peace, Leilania. But I will not allow my mother's murder to fade into history. This scroll—it was your father praising mine for my birth. He knew of me. Which means he also knew her. He must have allowed them to be together."
The princess sat perfectly still, her breath trembling. His confession hit her like a storm, shaking the foundations of everything she thought she knew. Slowly, her hands reached across the table until she found his. Her soft fingers trembled as she lifted his hands to her throat."I'm so sorry, my lord," she whispered, tears staining her blindfold. "If my father or our people caused your pain, then please… take my life for his. I cannot undo your loss or heal your heart, but if my death can bring you peace, then let it be so."
Her voice didn't waver—it was heartbreakingly calm.
Alexandru froze. Beneath his fingertips, he could feel the faint, rhythmic pulse of her life. Her blood sang through her veins, so close, so warm. His mind raced with forbidden images: her in his arms, his lips at her throat, her blood filling his mouth, sweet and thick. His pulse quickened, not from hunger, but from something deeper, primal—he realized then that he didn't crave her blood. He wanted to sire her. To make her his.
He pressed his thumb softly against her chin, gliding up to her tear-streaked cheek. His voice, when it came, was low and gentle."You are not the one who killed my mother," he murmured. "And I doubt your father ordered it. Enough lives have been taken in this war. Killing you would solve nothing." He sighed, the beast within him caged once more. "I only want to find those who took her from me. For that… I'll need your help."
Leilania's trembling hand came up to hold his against her cheek. Her skin was warm against his cold touch, the contrast striking. Even in her near-naked state beneath the thin fabric of her gown, she seemed utterly focused on his presence."I promise," she whispered. "As the future queen of Darnassus, I will do everything in my power to help you. We will find them—the ones who killed your mother. What they did was barbaric. We no longer worship the old gods. Sacrifice has been outlawed for centuries. Whoever did this must be ancient… someone who lived long enough to remember those times."
Alexandru smiled faintly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear."This knowledge exceeds my expectations," he said softly. Then, with a teasing hum, he added, "And I would never take the life of…" He stopped himself. Her blindfold hid her from the truth of that black scroll. Perhaps it was better that way. "Well," he said, chuckling under his breath, "it would be best for someone you trust to read it to you when you have the time."
He rose from his chair, stretching his arms slightly. "For now, I am tired. The day is young, but I sleep early. That should give you time to… reflect on what the scroll truly means. I may need to reconsider the future of our relationship, my princess." His grin flashed mischievously at the last words.
Leilania blinked, momentarily flustered. "I—um—yes! Of course. If you turn left down the hall, you'll find a door adorned with green crystal. That will be your room, my lord." She tugged at the pull rope beside her, and in moments, the maids returned—one to guide Alexandru, the other to take the sealed scroll and prepare to read it aloud for the princess.
Alexandru gave a small nod of gratitude. The efficiency of the maids was impressive—perhaps they were never truly far away. Still, he trusted Leilania's discretion. What passed between them in this room would remain there.
"I hope our cooperation brings success to both our kingdoms," Alexandru said warmly as he stepped toward the door. "Tomorrow, I would like a proper tour of your lands. I've heard your realm is where elves across the world go to find love. Until then, Princess Leilania… enjoy your day. And please—call me Alex."
He flashed a rare, genuine smile as he followed the maid out into the quiet hall.
At the far end, just as she described, stood the green crystal door. Its surface shimmered faintly under the torchlight. He bowed slightly to the maid and stepped inside. The room was modest but elegant: a queen-sized bed with simple brown sheets and a black blanket, a tall window framed in carved wood, and a mirror across from the bed.
He glanced into it—and grimaced. His reflection looked hollow, spectral. His eyes were pale, his fangs invisible. The monster beneath his skin showed itself only in fragments. He stared, wondering bitterly, Why would her father ever wish to wed his daughter to such a creature?
Elsewhere in the grove, Leilania hurried to her chambers. Once her maid finished reading the scroll aloud, her cheeks burned with heat.
Husband…? My father wanted me to marry him?
She collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the silken sheets, her heart fluttering wildly. In truth, it made perfect sense—peace through unity. Through love. Through him.
Across the hall, Alexandru lay on his own bed, staring at the ceiling. Then, to his own surprise, he began to laugh softly. The sound grew into quiet, genuine laughter—the kind he hadn't felt in years. He ran a hand over his face, realizing he was smiling.
For the first time since his mother's death, he felt warmth. He thought of her again—of her gently blowing raspberries on his stomach when he was a boy, their laughter echoing through their home. The memory made him laugh harder, tears pricking his eyes. He rubbed his chest, as if chasing the last ghost of her touch before drifting into a slumber.
And not far away, the princess lay awake, her mind replaying every moment of his voice, his hands, his tongue upon her finger. That strange, electric intimacy she'd felt when his cold touch met her warmth.
Her heart quickened as she whispered to the dark, "I would be honored… to be his wife."