Alaric sat in silence, even as the scent of Thalia's blood filled his senses, tempting him to consume it until none remained. The servants struggled to restrain themselves, resisting the allure of that crimson elixir.
Screams echoed down the mansion's corridors, walls stained with splatters and pools of blood, while the bodies of vampires slowly disintegrated into fine dust suspended in the air. Every corner of the building had fallen under Alaric's magical dominion, cast to protect Thalia.
That intoxicating aroma stemmed from the wound on Thalia's body, inflicted as she tried to cleanse herself of Alaric's blood that lingered within her since the ritual on the first night of their marriage when she conceived Elric.
"How troublesome."
The word escaped Alaric's lips in a languid tone as he leaned back against the chair, right leg draped over the left, and his hands clasped together.
In the still, cold midnight air, beneath the moonlight, Thalia's shadow appeared almost ghastly. Blood dripped from the wound on her wrist. A near-silent murmur fell into the sound of flowing water and the quickening of a heartbeat.
Thalia's eyes looked dazed, her consciousness fading until the dark blue of night gave way to the brightness of morning. Luke arrived to find bloodstains from the vampires who had served in the Mournveil estate.
"Clean up this mess."
Luke gave his orders to the other servants before making his way to Thalia's room. Her body lay unconscious on the cold floor, dried blood crusted around her shallow wound. Luke gently lifted her as if handling a tuft of cotton meant to dissolve in water and placed her on the bed.
The door opened wide, revealing Elric. Luke bowed respectfully. Elric walked over to Thalia's bedside.
"Mama is stupid, isn't she?"
Oh, a child should never say such words to his mother.
Elric crossed his arms and climbed onto the bed, lowering his head to bite Thalia's wrist even though the wound had yet to fully heal. Luke watched silently with eyes blank and showing no reaction.
But when the line was crossed, Luke spoke with a calm voice concealing a blade behind silk.
"Your mother will remain asleep much longer if you drink too much of her blood, Young Master."
Elric withdrew his tiny, sharp fangs from her wrist, leaving fresh puncture marks then scowled and lay beside Thalia.
"I'm angry."
Luke watched Elric quietly, waiting for his Young Master's next words. Elric flicked his finger at Thalia's arm.
"Father left Mama like this."
"And Young Master Elric began your breakfast by drinking the Lady's blood."
Elric pouted at Luke's response, folding his arms and frowning while gazing up at the intricately carved ceiling, displeased.
"Animal blood doesn't taste as good as Mama's."
"I can understand that from the scent alone."
"Father married Mama for that, didn't he?"
"Lord Alaric agreed to the marriage for diplomatic business relations."
"Oh, I see."
Elric sat up and looked at Luke with innocent eyes, "So Mama will always act like this?"
"It seems so, Young Master."
Elric studied Thalia's serene sleeping face, as if the darkness of her fate had vanished for a while.
"Why does she hate me? I'm her child."
The breeze outside played a melody in tune with Elric's emotions. Luke merely carried out his duty and responded.
"Because Young Master is not human."
Elric frowned at the truth, "But I'm a dhampir."
"Then let me correct that, because you're not entirely human, Young Master."
A faint curve appeared on Luke's lips, his crimson eyes gleaming beneath the clear sky.
"And because Young Master was not a child Lady Thalia ever wished for."
Elric growled, eyes narrowing at Thalia with a gaze much like Alaric's, while Luke's final words echoed.
"Is it natural you're to be hated, Young Master?"
Luke bowed politely, "Rest assured, Young Master. The Lady does not completely despise you…perhaps."
"Hey, why 'perhaps'?"
"Because I see she still gives you her blood."
"Mama must be forced to."
"Certainly."
Elric grumbled and hurled a pillow at Luke. It hit the wall as Luke subtly adjusted his stance. He caught Elric when the small dhampir lunged to bite Thalia's slender neck.
"Young Master, that part belongs to Lord Alaric."
Elric flailed his arms and legs as though swimming through the void. Like a mouse caught between the sharp claws of a cat, their movement stirred the air and gently disturbed Thalia's slumber.
Footsteps echoed as Alaric entered, the door creaking open to reveal his presence. Luke bowed as Alaric ordered him to leave with Elric. The razor-sharp gaze from Alaric froze Elric, who lowered his head in a cloud of confusion.
Alaric sat in a chair beside Thalia. An open book rested in his hands, its pages lined with beautiful prose seen only through the eyes of the reader. He read in silence, waiting for Thalia's eyelids to flutter open, even as servants came and went, preparing food for her.
Thalia awoke after hours as if fleeing from consciousness. Her pulse was faint, yet it throbbed like a soft beating against her skin. She glanced at the wound on her wrist, the bite marks from Elric's small fangs, then shifted her gaze to the table set with warm, spiced food and a gently steaming soup.
Even without mutual affection, the two played their roles within well-defined bounds.
"Where's Elric?"
Alaric closed his book and looked at Thalia as she began eating, "Luke is watching him."
"Don't look at me while I eat."
Thalia's words elicited no reaction from Alaric which no emotion graced his face, only a flat, and passing glance. The room was filled with the near-silent rhythm of breath and heartbeat as he reopened the book, letting his fingers brush against the next page.
The silence hung thick yet not suffocating. The gentle clink of cutlery against porcelain echoed softly in the room.
Moments later, Alaric placed an envelope on her empty plate, catching Thalia's gaze as if her heart had been touched by the beauty of it all.
[Thalia, how have you been?]
[He treats you kindly, doesn't he?]
[I'm still fighting.]
Thalia's expression brightened as she read the warm lines which her smile bloomed, a soft pink flush painted her cheeks, and her laughter rang gently. As though the words weren't mere letters, but a tender whisper reaching Thalia's soul.
"You're welcome."
Alaric said it even though Thalia hadn't spoken aloud. Alaric held no expectations and never had. The white sheet inked in black became a small stone that pointed toward the path of fate.
"I can't wait for it."