His Moon

III

Selene's POV

"Adrian?" I called out as I saw him sitting down on a chair next to the fireplace. He looked deep in thought, his eyes closed, his eyes relaxed. I didn't know if he had grown to resent me for abandoning him when he needed me.

"Selene" He replied softly, and I did not understand, but that was all it took for all the emotions I have been holding onto for years to come crashing down on me.

My vision started to blur as tears formed in my eyes, I couldn't stop them from falling, staining my cheeks, a small sob escaping my lips. I felt his hand gently wiping my tears, urging me to look at him.

"I'm sorry." I whispered over and over again. "I couldn't stay by your side even after I promised you I would."

His eyes softened and he wrapped his arms around me. "It wasn't your fault, Selene."

"I could have tried harder, but I was afraid that by staying I would only burden you." I told him honestly, his embrace tightening around me.

He sighed deeply. "You're here now." He whispered but it felt like he was saying it more to himself than to me. He held me for what felt like hours.

"I'm sorry I took too long, Adrian." I said as my tears dried. I gently looked up to him and I knew he had suffered so much the past years. I carefully raised my hand, cupping his face gently. "I missed you terribly." He leaned into my touch, his eyes looking at me intently.

"I missed you too, Selene." He whispered, leaning his forehead on mine. "We should have dinner. You need to eat to recover."

I nodded as he let go of me and stood up. He offered his hand to me which I gratefully took. Relief washed over me as I realized he didn't resent me. He led me to the dining room and made me sit down as he went to the kitchen to get dinner. He placed a bowl of stew in front of me, some bread, fruits and wine.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked him and he looked at me with a frown.

"2 days." He replied and I nodded.

"You haven't been eating anything for a while, Selene." It wasn't a question. It was a statement that conveyed reprimanding. I didn't answer, only looked down on my lap. I heard him sigh and he took the seat across from me.

"I couldn't bring myself to..." I replied softly, refusing his gaze. I heard him sigh and I slowly looked up to him.

"Even if we're dhampirs, Selene, you can still die from hunger especially with how much you've been exerting your body." He said strictly. "Eat."

I nodded slowly and lifted the spoon to my lips. I slowly sipped the stew and I knew Adrian was watching me intently.

"How long have you not been eating?" He asked as he watched me eat slowly.

"3 years." I replied softly and his frown deepened.

"Selene." He said with disapproval. "Why would you subject yourself to that?"

"I..." I started, hesitating. "When you fought your father and he banished me, I couldn't bring myself to indulge with anything life had to offer anymore. I was forbidden to go near you, to contact you, to aid you..."

He didn't answer but his face softened as he looked at me. I shamefully averted his eyes.

"I told myself that I wouldn't indulge in anything this life had to offer until I can see you again. I didn't deserve to, after breaking my promise to you."

I closed my eyes, my hand instinctively going to the ring for comfort.

I was surprised to feel his presence near me. I opened my eyes and he was standing beside me. He gently pulled me to him, making me stand up. His arms wrapped around me, tightly, as if I'd vanish if he let go.

"It wasn't your fault, Selene." He repeated. "You had no choice."

I wrapped my arms around him, not wanting to let go.

"Several vampires went after me." I whispered. "Some wanted to kill me, some wanted to make me their slave. I only survived because I knew I had to... I had to see you again. I will see you, no matter what."

He placed a tender kiss on the top of my head. "You're here now, Selene."

We continued eating dinner and the food has started to give back the strength I had lost over the years.

"Trevor Belmont entrusted the castle and his family's treasury to me while he traveled with Sypha." He said and I nodded. He had told me of what had happened and what he had done leading to the death of his father. I saw the pain in his eyes when he told me about how he had to end his own father's life, and I wanted nothing more than to pull him into an embrace.

"I had the chance to meet them on the road, they were surrounded by night creatures." I informed him which made Adrian look at me, his excitement showing on his handsome face. "They were the ones who told me where I could find you. I am forever grateful to them because of that."

Adrian smiled and he watched me sip my wine.

"Adrian?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Yes, Selene?" He asked, sensing my hesitation.

"Why are there impaled humans in front of the castle?" I asked, studying him intently. He didn't answer, he froze, and his eyes closed.

I stood up, walking to him and kneeling by his side. I slowly took his hand, my left hand touched his face. I looked up to him, waiting for him to open his eyes. He slowly looked at me, his eyes filled with hurt and betrayal. I understood that he was not ready to tell me. I offered him a gentle smile, squeezing his hand gently.

"Tell me when you're ready." I told him gently and his golden eyes filled with relief. He nodded and he slowly got up, pulling me up to stand with him.

"Where will you be heading now?" He asked me as I looked at me with confusion. We were walking back to our chambers and I had stopped walking.

"Nowhere." I told him seriously. He turned to me, studying me. "I wish to stay by your side from now on."

His eyes widened and I realized he was thinking that now that I have seen him and asked for his forgiveness I would leave again. I frowned.

"Don't jest with me, Selene." He said with a frown.

"I am not joking. I have found you and I refuse to leave your side again."