Raven-black fur glistened in the light of the lamppost. His tail curled at the border of Drukov, staring up at Mekhi with curiosity. Despite the creature's graceful coat, he was much too skinny. Mekhi glanced around assuring he was alone, and that Gavlen was nowhere in sight.
"I didn't know animals could survive in Drukov," Amiire said as he and Rea watched. "He must had entered from outside the borderline."
"Look," Rea gasped.
Once assured no one was in sight, Mekhi knelt down to the skinny pup and held out a slice of ham. The pup timidly took the peace of meat before climbing in Mekhi's lap to eat it.
Despite all the stories, all the warning Mekhi gave him of his time in Drukov, he was still gentle. Amiire felt the heat rise to his face as he watched Mekhi nurture the creature. The twins had mentioned how Mekhi adored animals to Rea, but to think during his time of anger and war, he would still be caring towards other creatures.
"If the master catches you with that thing, he'll skin ya and watch ya regenerate."
Mekhi jerked his gaze back to a girl hanging upside-down from a lamppost. He chased the puppy off before flying up to her, gripping her throat.
"Who's that?" Rea asked and Amiire furrowed his brows.
"No idea. I didn't know there were other kids in Drukov other than Amias."
The two watched as Mekhi rounded the girl to sit up, keeping his grip. Despite the new lack of oxygen, she still smirked at Mekhi mockingly.
"Neva. Tell Gavlen what you saw and I will kill you."
"Is that a promise, Sky Boy?" She choked before Mekhi kissed her roughly.
Amiire's energy stirred, but it was not by his will. Mekhi's conscious was disturbed the minute he kissed her. The prince's eyes widened, for now he knew why.
Mekhi soon released Neva and gently floated her back to the ground. He then kissed her neck, erasing the red marks he had left with his energy.
"Sorry."
"'Sorry'? And I thought Amias was the one with manners. You apologize to me in other ways," Neva said as she fiddled the end of his sweater. Mekhi gripped her hand, stopping her.
"I can't. Sage will be summoning tonight."
"Again with that whore of a witch? The master could care less if you snap his head in his sleep yet you insist on letting him fuck you whenever he pleases?!"
"You think I enjoy being his doll?! I dream of that witch choking on his own blood, my hands digging out his guts. The moment I am in his presence, I am his, whether I like it or not."
"Not if you use this," Neva said as push a glass bottle into Mekhi's hands. One containing a glowing blue liquid. "Down it all, and you will be resilient to any and all dark magic for a good three hours."
"You really think I trust you and your potions? After what you gave me last time?"
"Don't pretend you didn't like my pleasure potion. You lasted almost a whole day," Neva purred before kissing him again.
She shoved the potion in his coat pocket before pulling away from him. Kicking off in an instant, Neva flipped back onto the lamppost before balancing on the pole with one foot. She smirked down at Mekhi, admiring him.
"Come back soon before Master figures out you weren't at the Porte territory."
"You know about that?"
Rather than replying, Neva gave him a wink and leaped into the heights of the rooftops. For the first time since they invaded his conscious, Amiire and Rea saw Mekhi give a small, genuine smile.
