The Immortal | Prequel Story |

Chapter 27 ~ Dacian Words

"I knew you were going to get married," Iérti said matter-of-factly, calmly sipping from a glass as he listened to Mallen relay the surprise news to him. "Twas only a matter of time before you asked her to marry you."

Mallen stared at him as he stood across from him in Iérti's cellar, a.k.a. the vampire kitchen. Speechless, Mallen paced around, touching his hair as he paced. After a while, Mallen stopped and looked at Iérti, who poured himself another drink from the elegant-looking wine bottle on the table.

"Did you really say 'twas'?" Mallen asked Iérti, looking very much confused. "That is so old English."

"I'm surprised you didn't share any of your archaic vocabulary with me," Iérti said, setting the wine bottle down. "Given you're the expert in ancient history, language and such. Particularly Romanian."

Mallen looked at him in amazement. He sat down across from Iérti, seemingly lost in thought. He was dressed in casual wear today: a dark brown vest over a navy blue long sleeve tunic, charcoal black pants, and dark brown leather shoes.

His hair was loose, giving him a more innocent, youthful look. thought it was times like this that he saw glimpses of how Mallen was like in his former human life, days before Crato longed for power and forever changed Mallen's life.

Mallen leaned slightly, resting his hands on the table as he began to think of a comeback. After a while, he said, "Well, there is ." He pronounced it brin-za.

Iérti frowned slightly as he tried to figure out what it meant. "Bronze?"

Mallen smiled. "Not even close."

"Bride? Brunette? Brandy? Wine?" Iérti suggested.

Mallen chuckled, seeing how off Iérti was in his guesses. "Think dairy."

Iérti rose his eyebrows. "Dairy?" he asked as if it was the most ridiculous thing ever.

"Dairy." Mallen chuckled, then said, "Brânză means cheese."

Now Iérti gave Mallen a sour look.

Mallen laughed, his eyes sparkling as he smiled at Iérti. "Alright, I'll give you some true Dacian words. You'll like the word dava. It means city or settlement."

"You're right; I do like that word," said Iérti, smiling.

"You'll also like balaur, which means dragon."

Iérti's smile faded. "You know, I've actually never seen a dragon before. I know there are some out there, but I've been too focused on vampires to really notice other different creatures in the land."

"I've seen them before," said Mallen, reaching for Iérti's glass. "They truly are fearsome creatures."

"Fearsome, you say?" Iérti pushed the wine bottle in Mallen's direction. "I think you just gave me an idea for my new secret weapon: vampire dragons."

"You really like your new power, don't you?" said Mallen, feeling proud of Iérti. "I still haven't used that ability yet. It's nice to see you one-up me."

He became serious, saying, "Iérti, it's actually very important that you're becoming familiar with your powers. It would prove super effective and useful, particularly if we were to be at war with Tavaly and his vampire allies."

"We are already at war with them, Mallen," said Iérti, looking directly at him. "I'm just training for battle. In a different way, of course, from how I've trained in the past."

"I need to start training too," said Mallen, rising. He set the empty glass on the table, taking the wine bottle and setting it back in place near the barrels. Cold vapor rose from it, forever chilled from the karnefesi's breath. "I've just had other things on my mind as of late."

Iérti smiled, rising as well. "One of those things involve a certain woman?"

"Actually yes." Mallen went over to Iérti, taking a deep breath. "Iérti, will you be my best man? I can think of no other person I would want to be with by my side on what would be the most important day of my life."

Iérti warmly hugged Mallen. "Of course, Mallen. A wedding is indeed the most important day in a man's life. It would be an honor to assist you on your wedding day."

Iérti became quiet, remembering his own wedding day. Pushing those wonderful, happy memories away, Iérti straightened and said decisively, "I won't take another woman to be my wife for as long as I live. My heart belongs to Katlyn. Even though we parted in death, my love for her will never part. I can never love another, especially after what I've done to my wife."

Mallen went stone silent at the mention of Katlyn. He longed to take Iérti's pain away, but doing so would mean a death sentence for Mallen.

Iérti must never know the truth. It was fortunate no one saw me with Katlyn. It would've been my undoing. Mallen felt sad for Iérti upon learning he would never remarry. Iérti thinks he doesn't deserve such happiness, but he does. It is I who doesn't deserve happiness.

A long silence passed between them. Iérti started to leave, but Mallen spoke up, saying, "wants you to give her away. Since she is an orphan without a father or mother."

stopped and turned halfway to face Mallen, his face expression considerate. "Only fair I should do so, since I was the one who gave her to you. Never thought I would be giving her away twice."

Iérti smiled, though his smile was less animated than earlier. "Looks like I'm assigned with two tasks for your wedding: being your best man and giving away your bride. A double honor. I suppose you'll be making my outfit?"

Mallen nodded. "I'll be working all week. You'll have new ribbons as well. I'm thinking maroon red with touches of cream white."

"Sounds elegant.If you need any help with anything, I'd be happy to assist."

"Thank you, Iérti," Mallen said appreciatively. "You have more experience than I do in this sort of thing."

Iérti smiled a true smile. "Once again, I one-up you."

Mallen smiled back just as truly.