Chapter 2 （Nathan）The Long Journey Ahead
Chapter 1 (Nathan )
Long Lost Family
M y wolf clawed at my insides as he had never done in centuries—shoving my vampiric powers aside—as I searched desperately for Emerald in every corner of the elven city. He kept repeating one word over and over again: “ mate.” She was ours , rightfully ours, given by the Moon Goddess to cherish and protect. That part I understood as my mother and father had been fated mates. I didn’t know how I couldn’t feel it before—the fated mate bond was supposed to be incredibly powerful and impossible to resist. But now that Emerald was gone, the pain of her absence was tearing me apart.
Ever since she’d disappeared, I’d felt a deep sense of distress. My werewolf had awakened, and my vampire side was fighting against it, unhappy with this sudden push of the beast within me. The two curses clashed relentlessly, and there was a void inside me that I’d never felt before. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was finding Emerald. I’d deal with the changes in me later.
My legs seared with the strain of persistent running, yet the physical discomfort paled in comparison to the gaping hole that pierced my heart. I scoured every street and shadowy alley in my desperate search. The gazes of the people, their heads turning as I passed, were a stark reminder of my fruitless quest.
“Have you seen a woman with brown hair and green eyes?” I asked a few people.
But they hadn’t seen her and looked at me in amazement. To some, I was still a king, and a king didn’t run around in the streets. I tried to reason with myself and behave as a king should, but my wolf was in control, and he didn’t care about titles.
My leather armor was sweaty, and I was hot from the fierce search. The sun was setting, and I still couldn’t find her, my strength waning and my hunger growing. I refused to give up. Finding strength deep in my soul, I pushed forward, Xavier struggling to keep up. We turned back toward the herbalist shop. Darryl and Gustave had gone in search of Emerald too, but they hadn’t returned yet.
“Would you stop already?” asked Xavier, out of breath.
A growl escaped my chest, and the look I gave him was so deadly that he took a step back, regretting his question.
“I won’t stop until I’ve found her,” I replied through clenched teeth.
The half-vampire leaned against a lamppost to catch his breath. “You may be half-vampire, half-werewolf, but I’m not as strong as you. I need to eat and rest. I’m half-human. ”
I knew it was true, but the beast in me refused to stop. “Then go back to the inn,” I challenged before turning to continue my search.
“And who’ll take care of you?” he retorted.
I turned to face him. The half-vampire wore a friendly smile, and I took a breath, reminding myself that the man only wanted the best for me. Calm down , I breathed to the wolf inside me. My chest was tight from the sorrow, but my vampiric side slowly forced the wolf back. As it did, I regained some of my self-composure and forced a smile.
“I appreciate your concern, but after more than three centuries, I don’t need someone to take care of me.”
Xavier replied, “True. But you’ve always had a vassal with you. This time, it’s different.”
My heart sped up at those words, and I answered, “I’ll find her.”
My voice was determined, but I couldn’t bear to think what would happen if I didn’t. No . . . It couldn’t be. I’d find her, and that would be that. I couldn’t live without her. I had to tell her I loved her. To think I had been ignorant enough not to see it. Guilt panged in my stomach when I remembered I had made her cry.
“What if you can’t find her tonight? What then?”
Xavier’s questions annoyed me. Couldn’t he let me search already? I knew I needed blood to survive. I didn’t need him to remind me.
“What do you think?” I huffed. “I’ll just find someone else and drink.”
“Any idea how you’ll find a human in an elven town?”
Xavier kept talking, but my vision blurred. A surge of emotions took hold of me. Memories flashed from all the times I’d fed from Emerald. My feelings and my intimate bond with her haunted me. For years, every time I drank from her, I felt like I was in a lover’s embrace, and I realize now that I was.
I knew I was emotional because of the wolf in me, and I had no idea how to deal with it other than to push him away. Doing so allowed me to get back to the need for blood. I needed to pull myself together.
“Are you even listening to me?” asked Xavier. “Snap out of it! We need to find you a human, or are you going to let yourself die from hunger?”
“Of course, I don’t intend to let myself die! How do you expect me to find Emerald if I’m dead?” I roared.
The man smirked. “That’s more like you. Well, then, what are you going to do?”
I didn’t know many people in the elven town and didn’t want to attack someone randomly as some vampires did. Sure, I could get to that point if I fell into bloodlust, but I wouldn’t let myself fall that low.
My lips curled as Xavier’s gaze changed, his eyes widening as he blurted out, “Oh no. Don’t even think about it! There’s no way I’m letting you drink from me. Besides, I’m a half-vampire, so I’m not even sure it would work, given your . . . condition.”
I chuckled at my friend’s reaction. He was right. Given that he was half-vampire, I wasn’t sure his blood would do the trick since I required human blood. “No, I wouldn’t drink from you. Still, the problem remains. I need to feed.”
The man was silent for a moment, then grinned. “I know exactly what you need. ”
“What?” I asked, curious at the sudden change in Xavier’s mood.
His lip curled up. “Go back to the inn. I’ll meet you there in a few.”
I looked at him questioningly, but the man turned and disappeared further into the emerging darkness of the street. I could have caught up with him quickly, but decided to trust him.
My wolf was back to the depths of myself, shut down by my vampire side, and the pain from Emerald’s disappearance somewhat lessened. I would find her, even if I had to tear through every house in the town, even if it took me forever. Then I’d regain my throne.
With the wolf asleep, I was in control again. I hurried back to the inn. I wanted to get there before the thirst took hold of me. I wouldn’t want to fall into bloodlust.
My room seemed awfully empty now that I was back in it. The faint scent of Emerald still lingered even though it had been hours since she stepped in, and I knew it would be gone soon.
Not knowing what to do with myself while I waited for Xavier, I decided to shower and clean my clothes. As much as I wanted to relax and enjoy the hot water, I couldn’t get my mind off Emerald. Where should I look next? Maybe I should head to Darryl’s shop tomorrow morning. That elf, Gustave, seemed to know everyone in town. He would surely have found some information as to where Emerald was.
I exited the shower, and a knock came on the door almost immediately. I opened the door and saw Xavier standing with a woman. She had short, white hair shaved down to her ears, and her false eyelashes with too much mascara overshadowed her blue eyes. I raised a brow, questioning my friend.
He grinned. “Nathan, meet Saphielle.”
The woman batted her lashes at her name. I realized that Xavier had brought her for me to feed. I didn’t know why, but everything repulsed me about this woman. However, she was human, and I needed to feed. She would have to do.
“Right . . . How did you find a human in the elven town?” I mumbled, unsure.
Xavier pushed the woman inside my room. “We should probably get in.”
I closed the door behind them. I pressed, “You didn’t answer my question.”
Xavier answered casually, “Relax. She’s a prostitute, offering elves the pleasure of taking a human. You’d be surprised how many fantasize about other races but don’t dare to go out there and meet them.”
I was baffled. I wasn’t interested in sex. It took only a moment before I understood what Xavier meant.
“You mean a blood prostitute.”
Saphielle stayed there, undisturbed by our conversation, batting her lashes and waiting. Xavier nodded. “Sort of.”
Blood prostitutes were commonplace in Ichoryllia. Some were men, but most were women. Some sold their bodies, others their blood only, or both. It was very lucrative work, and many wealthy vampires used their services, even if few admitted it. Many even went so far as to pay extra for the prostitute to consume substances, which were then transmitted to the vampire when he drank her blood. It was a problem that was reported to me numerous times when I ruled my kingdom. I had kept a close eye on the issue, keeping the practice contained to certain town quarters .
“Well, it’s the first time giving my blood,” the woman commented, “but as long as you pay, I don’t mind. You can even have my body if you want.”
Bile rose to my mouth at this thought. I wouldn’t take another woman. I wanted Emerald, no one else.
I agreed in annoyance. “Only blood. I don’t have a choice anyway.”
The woman scoffed. “I’m not that ugly.”
I sighed, not wanting to offend her. “That’s not what I meant. You don’t understand.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay, hun. I don’t need to understand.” She placed a hand on her hip and pushed up, sticking her ass out and emphasizing her breasts, repulsing me more. “So, how does it work?”
“Well, I should get going,” stated Xavier, motioning for the door.
I stopped him. “Oh no. You’re staying.”
Xavier looked at me, shocked. Being alone with our prey as we feed was customary, but I didn’t want to be alone with Saphielle. It felt way too personal. I had no intention of being intimate with her. This was just food—nothing more.
“I’ll just feed, and then you can take her back,” I told Xavier.
The woman laughed. “I can find my way back to town as soon as I get paid, hun.”
Xavier shrugged. “As you wish.”
He sat on a stuffed chair in the corner of the room, silently observing the scene before him. The woman approached, hanging her head to one side to reveal her neck.
“So, how does it work? I’ve heard vampires bite in the neck.”
The very idea disgusted me. There was no way I would bite her in the most personal place. I wanted to touch her as little as possible. I shook my head as I approached her.
“Some do, but I’ll settle for your arm.”
The woman looked at me in surprise. She definitely had an idea of what feeding a vampire should be, but I couldn’t care less what she thought. I took her hand and raised her palm to expose the delicate skin from under. It gave off a peony scent, which would normally have pleased me, but right now, it only reminded me that this wasn’t Emerald. Despite my discomfort, I could feel her blood pulsing deliciously beneath her skin, and my nails and fangs grew instinctively, the hunger getting the better of me.
“You can take my neck,” the woman insisted. “I don’t bite.”
I snickered at these words. “Maybe you don’t, but I do.”
I shoved my fangs into the skin of her arm at those words, instinctively finding the vein. A scream escaped Saphielle’s mouth, quickly disappearing as the pain was replaced by pleasure. I ignored her moans and concentrated on satisfying my hunger. It was the only reason I needed her.
Her blood was dull compared to Emerald’s, and I couldn’t wait to find my vassal, my mate , and indulge in her blood again.
I withdrew my fangs from her arm as soon as I’d drunk enough. The woman barely remained upright, heaving heavily from the desire .
“I . . . I’ve never felt anything like this,” she panted, still reeling from her emotions. The smell of her arousal filled the room.
“You can’t leave me like this,” she begged. “I’ve never felt anything like it. Take me.”
I released her arm, letting it fall limply, and turned to Xavier. “It’s done. You can take her back.”
“But . . .” she protested.
Xavier leaped to his feet and grabbed her hand. “Come on. I’ll pay you and take you home.”
“I need it,” she complained.
I stared out the window, ignoring them. The magical lights were lit in the massive ancestral tree outside, just like the evening I first arrived here with Emerald. A few couples were sitting at tables enjoying a drink, and I had the impression of déjà vu. I stared at the night’s beauty and waited impatiently for Saphielle to leave my room.
“You’ll just have to find another customer,” Xavier told her nicely. I felt grateful that he handled the situation. I didn’t have the patience to do so.
Finally, after a few minutes that felt like an eternity, I heard the door close and breathed a sigh of relief. How many nights would I need to endure this? How long before I find you again, my sweet Emerald? In the silence of the night, the breeze blew across my cheek, and I heard a soft voice whispering, Nathan . Startled, I searched the darkness, but no one was there. I shook my head. I was so desperate that even the rustling of the leaves sounded like Emerald’s voice. Resigned, I told myself I’d resume my search in the morning.
? A noise startled me, waking me from my slumber.
“Who goes there?” I rumbled menacingly as a loud growl escaped my chest.
My eyes scanned the room’s darkness. The silhouette of a woman stood out against the blackness of the night. Her long brown hair was loose, and she turned toward me, surprised by my outburst. Her deep green eyes locked with mine, and she smiled.
Was I going crazy? I couldn’t believe my eyes. I jumped to my feet, trembling, and walked slowly toward her. I had to check that my eyes weren’t failing me. Could it even be true? I took a moment to observe her. My wolf growled in my chest, repeating a single word: mate . Her sweet peach scent filled the room, and my legs gave way beneath me. It was too good to be true, and yet here she was.
“I was so afraid I’d never see you again, Emerald,” I whispered, unable to contain the tears that ran down my cheeks.
I ran to her, hugging her, enjoying the warmth of her body, and burying my nose in the hollow of her neck. She was my treasure, and I’d found her at last. I kissed her neck and stroked her hair, relieved. I’d never let her go again. I couldn’t wait to tell her how much I loved her, to seal our bond, to be hers forever.
“Where have you been? What happened?” I asked , questions racing through my mind.
I waited for her to answer. The wind entered the room, and Emerald turned to dust as the breeze swept her from head to toe, crumbling from my embrace. I cried out in despair.
I woke up, pain tugging at my soul, sweating and crying. It felt so vivid, so real. I knew it was a dream, but I wanted it to be more—maybe a sign that she was okay, that we could connect somehow on a deeper level.
I shook my head, chasing those foolish thoughts away. No sorcery allowed me to see Emerald, no planes connected the dreams together. My wolf growled in displeasure, raging that his mate was gone from his reach again. I tried to talk to him briefly, but he shut down again. It was frustrating as my wolf either tried to take total control or found himself confined to the depths of myself, mute. There seemed to be no middle ground, no easy way to communicate with him.
I got up from bed. The morning was already here, the light filtering through the blinds. I already had my plan for the day. Gather Xavier and head to Darryl’s at the herbalist shop.
I knocked at Xavier’s room and waited. A few minutes passed, but no answer. I wondered if I’d have to break in. I didn’t know what I’d do if my friend were to disappear too.
The half-vampire finally opened the door, his hair a mess, dark circles under his eyes.
“Took you long enough. You look like crap,” I commented, chuckling.
He motioned for me to keep my voice down. “Shh. Don’t wake her up,”
“Wake whom up?” I asked.
Xavier grinned, and I understood before he even said it. “Saphielle.”
I slapped my forehead, a disgruntled feeling taking hold of me. “Please tell me you didn’t . . .”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, she was desperate. It was a good occasion. ”
“Come on. You can do better than that,” I commented, studying the half-vampire. He wasn’t very muscular, but he was in good shape. I couldn’t imagine there weren’t women attracted to him.
The man’s lip curled up. “What can I say? She was ready. I just took the opportunity to give her what she craved.”
Bile rose in my throat. “Fine. I don’t want details. Let’s get out of here.”
Xavier looked over his shoulder at Saphielle, the sleeping figure in his bed. Her chest rose to the rhythm of her steady breathing.
“Yeah, okay. I left her money on the bedside table anyway. Let’s go.”
I couldn’t wait to get to Darryl’s place and wanted to go now. But Xavier was half-human and needed to eat to survive. I waited impatiently while he ate breakfast in the elven coffee shop.
Once he’d finished, we set off through the sunny streets of the Mytvathyr, heading for the herbalist’s shop. My feet hardly touched the cobblestone path as I hurried. Behind me, Xavier kept up a jogging pace. “Slow down,” he called, but I couldn’t help myself. The hope that Darryl or Gustave might have found some information about Emerald’s whereabouts was too strong for me to slow.
The merchant street was bustling with people and filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. Vendors set up their stalls in the center of the square: newspaper sellers, freshly picked flowers, horns, and claws of freshly killed creatures. You could find anything. There was even a fire with creature skins tanning. And around the square were all the stores: blacksmith, gunsmith, bakery, bookshop, an artifact store, potions, and finally, the herbalist .
I smiled at the sight of the big sign with a leaf above the store. It was more than a store. It was the hope of getting my mate back.
I was greeted by the same familiar smell of herbs when I opened the door. It was becoming one of my favorites, but nothing could ever replace the sweet scent of peach from Emerald’s skin.
Gustave grinned when we entered the shop, and Xavier leaned on the door frame to catch his breath.
“Nathan, Xavier! I was wondering when you’d arrive,” Gustave commented.
Darryl set aside the herbs he was placing to come and greet us. He looked tired, and his face was pale.
“Have you found anything?” I inquired anxiously.
The two men’s faces dropped, and the hope I had held on to swiftly disappeared.
Darryl’s voice sounded sad as he said, “We spent the entire night looking for her. We visited every person Gustave knows in the city. No one has seen her.”
Gustave continued, “We were hoping maybe you’d had better luck than us.”
I cursed. I had no leads on Emerald’s whereabouts. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Gustave hesitated. “Well, at least now everyone has a description of her. Only more chances of finding her.”
It was a small consolation, and I knew the two men had done their best. “Thank you. Let’s hope that we’ll find her soon.”
They nodded, and I realized that Xavier had stepped outside the shop. I wanted to see what he was doing, but Darryl spoke.
“How did you manage to . . . Well, you know, for blood?”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to discuss the blood prostitute.
“Some people will do anything for money,” were the only words I needed to say for them to understand. An awkward silence fell, interrupted by the door opening. I thought it was Xavier entering, but he was still outside, speaking with a tall elf wearing a brown cloak, the hood preventing me from getting a good look at his face.
A small elven woman entered the shop. Her hair was white, and her skin was purple. Delicate white lines swirled on her cheeks, reminding me of vines.
“Excuse me,” she said in an almost lyrical tone. Her voice was melodious and imbued with magic.
Gustave slightly bowed as she stepped toward him.
“What can I do for you?” he asked kindly.
“I’m looking for Everett.”
Gustave frowned, puzzled. “Everett? I’ve never heard of such an herb.”
However, Darryl’s frozen expression implied that he knew since he stared at the woman wide-eyed without moving.
I was about to ask him when the elf continued. “No, that’s not what I meant,” the woman corrected. “I’ve heard rumors that a man named Everett was in town. I have been told he was working at this shop.”
Darryl swallowed, asking warily, “Where have you heard that? ”
The lady studied him for a moment and smiled. “Of course, I can see the resemblance.”
Darryl clenched his jaw and fists and spoke coldly, “No one has called me by my last name in ages.”
I exchanged a surprised look with Gustave. I didn’t know Darryl’s last name, so I was as shocked as he was.
“I understand, but your sister told me about you, and you look so much like her.”
Darryl’s jaw dropped, and he looked at the elven woman in shock. I was stunned, too. I remembered how Darryl had explained how his father had disappeared when he was just a baby, taking his sister with him. He had long lost hope of finding his sister and had considered her dead for a long time. To have a stranger, more than twenty years later, resurfacing his sister was just too much to bear. And to think that his sister, who was just a child when they got separated, still remembered him. She even spoke about him to this stranger. I couldn’t imagine how he felt.
I put my hand on his shoulder to offer comfort. The man put his hand over mine, nodding before returning his attention to the woman.
The elf continued, “I understand you have many questions. It’s a long conversation. Could we sit down somewhere and talk?”
Darryl nodded slowly, indicating a table at the back of the store. I wanted to follow them, but the store door slammed against the wall, and Xavier entered again. Xavier shouted, “I know where she is!”
My heart skipped a beat, and I almost dropped to the floor. We all turned to face him as he explained, “I was talking with one of the elves I’d asked to look for Emerald yesterday. He says she’s been kidnapped by the Shadow Weavers.”
I clenched my jaw, and a growl escaped my chest at those words.
“The Shadow Weavers,” spoke Gustave in hatred.
“She’s been taken to the Desolation Hills. The Shadow Weavers have a hideout there,” Xavier added.
“Then that’s where we’re going,” I stated.
“Wait, you don’t even know where it is,” said Xavier.
“I know where it is,” continued Gustave. “It’s to the south-east. There are no direct roads leading there. It will take a few days of traveling.”
“How the fuck did they get there so fast if it will take us a few days?” I asked in anger. This didn’t make sense. “Are you even sure this informant is telling the truth?”
Xavier shrugged. “How should I know how they managed to get there this fast? They’re mages. They probably used a portal spell or something.”
I sighed. It was the only lead we had on Emerald’s location. I knew I’d follow it to the end of the world. “Sorry, I got carried away. I guess we’d better prepare for the long journey.”
The man nodded, and added, “We’ll need to find a way for you to get blood for the journey.”
I winced at the thought of what this implied. Xavier said, “I’ll ask her if she wants to come.”
I nodded. I needed the blood, even if I didn’t like the woman.
“The paths avoid danger, but they are out of the way, and it will take us several extra days to follow them. Walking right through the forest along a straight path will be faster,” I said .
“But this means we’ll need to cross the siren’s river.”
A shiver ran down my spine at the memory of my last encounter with a siren. “Let’s figure out a plan today,” I answered, and Xavier nodded.
Gustave had an apologetic look on his face. “I can’t afford to leave my shop closed for that much time.”
“Of course, I understand. You already helped a lot,” I told the elf.
I turned to Darryl, who was still standing with the elven woman. “What about you?”
The man scratched his neck, an uneasy look on his face. “Sorry . . . I mean, I haven’t heard news from my sister since childhood.”
“That’s understandable. Emerald would want you to go with . . .” I stopped, staring at the elven woman.
“Caeda. My name is Caeda.”
“Right. You should go with Caeda, Darryl. I’m sure Emerald will be eager to hear about your sister when she returns with me.”
The man nodded, smiling. I exited the shop with Xavier, eager to return to the inn and devise a plan to go to the Desolation Hills.
Chapter 2 (Nathan )
The Long Journey Ahead
I spent the morning looking at the map with Xavier and planning our route. Our paths would take us to a part where the river was widest before flowing into the ocean.
With dangerous mermaids roaming the waters, trying to cross on foot was out of the question. It was too deep and large for us to swim through anyway. We needed to find a boat. As the elven city had no port, I suspected finding one would not be easy. Xavier offered to find one while I continued with the rest of our preparations.
By the end of the day, Xavier found a ship captain who agreed to navigate the treacherous river. Finding someone willing to cross the siren’s river was difficult. Xavier searched high and low, only getting rejected. He finally met a young dwarf captain at the tavern. The captain had only navigated small merchandise deliveries so far. He was ambitious and eager to show off his navigational prowess to everyone. He wanted fortune and glory. He finally agreed to take us across the river for a copious amount of gold.
“He’ll meet us at the river’s shore in two days at this spot,” Xavier said, grinning happily while pointing at a map. Saphielle was staring blankly at the map. She was wearing too much makeup again. We had to convince her to go on the trip with us. I asked her how much she usually earned in a day’s work and promised double the amount in gold for each day of the trip. We also guaranteed her safety and that we would always protect her. All she had to do was travel and let me drink her blood. She finally agreed, declaring that seeing the world would be refreshing rather than encountering the foul breaths of drunken customers.
Looking back at the map, Desolation Hills wasn’t that far southeast from Ichoryllia. Once we’d saved Emerald, we could find a safe village to regroup and plan our next steps to regain my throne. As eager as I was to make Samantha pay, I needed to concentrate on the most important task first.
We gathered what we needed for the trip. Xavier still wore the enchanted clothes he wore when we left Ichoryllia. He brought a bag with food and snacks. Saphielle brought a huge bag with her makeup and perfume and wore high heels. We told her not to wear heels for the trip, but she insisted on it. I couldn’t believe how superficial she was. It was repulsive.
I brought clothes and tents for the three of us. I was not too fond of the idea that we’d have to travel for several days. My wolf was gnawing even more now that he knew where our mate was. I wasn’t tired, and as a vampire, I needed less sleep than humans. But, as much as I wished I could go faster by flying over the river, it was impossible. Saphielle was human, and Xavier couldn’t fly that long. I needed human blood to survive, and Xavier’s help would be welcomed to fight Emerald’s captors. I couldn’t do this alone. Slowing down and allowing Saphielle and Xavier a chance to eat and sleep was my best option to see my mate again and come back alive with her.
“We’ll leave tomorrow at dawn,” I stated before turning to Saphielle. “Let me feed right now. Then you can go to Xavier’s room for the night.”
I hadn’t asked him if he’d take care of her needs after feeding, but I knew he agreed from the smirk on his face.
? Another night, another dream of Emerald. She was haunting me, driving me crazy. I awakened early from the nightmare, filled with sadness. My wolf clawed and wanted to get out. He was eager to find our mate, and I struggled to control him, infusing my vampiric powers into my breaths to keep control. Given how insistent he’d become recently, I feared losing control. Added to the fact that I still couldn’t talk to him, it was becoming obvious that I’d need to go to the werewolf pack once I’d found Emerald, so they could teach me to control him. As much as I wanted to go now, I didn’t want to delay the rescue of my mate. I was certain my wolf would obey me as long as we traveled to save her.
We left early in the morning and walked southeast through the forest. The breeze was warm, and the forest was teeming with life. I carried most of our luggage, wanting to avoid tiring Xavier and Saphielle with the extra weight.
The need to bring a human with us made it impossible to make the distance in one day, even though I knew Xavier and I could do it if we were alone. To get to the river by nightfall tomorrow, we’d have to cover at least half the distance today. I hoped we could even make it more than halfway today, giving us a quiet day tomorrow with the certainty of not missing the boat waiting for us. I had no idea whether the captain would be waiting for us if we were late, and I didn’t want to test that option.
The first day’s walk started awkwardly, with Saphielle struggling to walk in her high heels despite us repeating that she shouldn’t wear them. She stumbled on tree roots and almost sprained her ankle. Then, she proceeded to scream when a bug flew near her face. She ran off and got vines hanging from a tree in her face, screaming even more before bursting into tears and messing up her makeup. I laughed. I could have helped, but I preferred to let Xavier deal with the situation. He ran to her, comforting her. Xavier explained more about the forest to her, and I realized that Saphielle probably had never left the city.
Only after that incident did she accept switching her high heels to the walking shoes we provided for her. They were too large, but they would do the job. Xavier reminded her that she’d get the promised gold. She didn’t need to look sexy and walk in heels. Still, she’d insisted on bringing her makeup, although I still wondered how she’d find a mirror to apply it.
It was a vanity Emerald didn’t have. She only wore makeup to special events, like a ball, and even then, she only wore a little. Her beauty was such that makeup was unnecessary.
The rest of the day went by without a hitch, and I was happy with the distance covered. The hope of finding Emerald burned within me. We only stopped when necessary, so that Xavier and Saphielle could eat. By the time the sun was low on the horizon, I reckoned we were more than halfway there. We set up camp in a clearing and lit a fire to cook some of the food we’d brought.
Saphielle and Xavier had been chatting the whole way and seemed to have grown closer, or perhaps sharing their bed temporarily created a spark between them for a few days.
I left them to talk together, staying further back, caught up in my thoughts. Every little detail reminded me of Emerald, from the beauty of the flowers to the color of the leaves as the sun shone through them. I remembered the breeze passing through her hair or that time a butterfly had landed on her. It was ridiculous, but I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I desperately needed to see her again.
Shaking my head, I dismissed these thoughts and concentrated on the present moment. We’d find her soon, and everything would be better.
The sun set, and I knew we had a long day ahead of us the next day. I got back to the fire, the conversation between Xavier and Saphielle coming to my ears.
“Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice,” said Saphielle, sadness in her voice.
“Do you regret choosing this career?” he asked nicely.
The woman shook her head. “I had my reasons, but I wonder if I’ll ever find love because of it.”
The half-vampire stared at her intensely. I interrupted them. “I will feed now.”
Saphielle nodded and stood up, following me into my tent. I took her arm again, sinking my fangs into the skin near her wrist, holding her hand firmly in place. Only when the first drop of blood hit my tongue did I realize the day had fatigued me more than I thought. I ignored the moans coming from the woman, fed quickly, and left her to find Xavier, who was waiting impatiently outside the tent. Invigorated, I knew Saphielle and Xavier needed some time alone. I lay down for the night even if I wasn’t tired. Emerald’s smile lurked in my mind as the hours passed, and I finally drifted off to sleep.