-The Land of ETERNALS-

-Part 31-

Alaric's POV

I had been angry, furious even, but now that she had come back to me, all that anger seemed to dissipate. It was more than enough for me that she had returned. However, a new emotion began to creep in—fear. The thought of her being able to wield such power, to light up Blath with her mere presence, both frightened and fascinated me to the core.

"Do you perhaps know how you did it?" I asked her, and she looked at me with an annoyed face.

"I told you, wherever I walk, it just happens," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Show me."

She shook her head as a no. The last thing I wanted to hear was a 'no' from her beautiful mouth. I walked towards her and bent down to get closer to her face. It was then that I realized just how captivating her brown eyes were from this closer view. I am falling in love with her every single day. Over and over again.

"Show me," I demanded.

She was flustered, it was evident. She used the full force of her hand to push me away and turned down to touch a leaf from a plant.

"There! Happy?"

I watched as the leaf slowly turned green from black.

"Let's go now, please. We'd lose consciousness if we stay here any longer," she pleaded. This girl has no idea what she just did and is taking it lightly.

"No," I said firmly, "we would regain our strength now that you've brought this place back to life."

Her expression shifted from annoyance to shock, then to joy as she realized the extent of her power. She started jumping around with excitement, and I couldn't help but wonder at her innocence.

"I brought this place to life! No one has to be afraid of it now!" she exclaimed with pure joy. "By the way, why the fuck and how the fuck do I have this power? Actuallt, it's whatever. I don't mind having it."

I sighed again. "Hey, your father should give me some kind of reward," she said, chuckling.

"Oh yeah, there is a reward decided for the girl who can do this," I said sarcastically, a wry smile forming on my lips. "Your reward would be getting killed by him. Not only him, but his whole army will be after you in a few minutes."

"Don't mess with me," she retorted, not fully comprehending the seriousness of the situation. "Are you against me too?"

My eyes softened, and I pulled her into a tight embrace. She insantly hugged me back. Words couldn't express the emotions that surged through me in that moment—warmth, love, solace.

"I'm always on your side, alright? No matter what." I whispered, my fingers gently caressing her hair. I wasn't sure how  I still remembered how to speak, how my heart continued to beat without bursting from pure joy. Now that I finally had her in my arms, one thing was certain—no one would lay a finger on my girl. Not father, not his army of vampires, not anyone. She was mine to touch, hold, and embrace.

"O-okay," she stammered. I wished I could freeze time and stay in that moment forever, but I knew we had to leave. She had to get out of here.

"Let's get you out, Luchika," I said, breaking the hug, and she nodded in agreement.

We made our way out of Blath, being careful not to be seen by anyone. As we walked, I asked her, "Did anyone see you while coming to Blath?"

"Yeah... Three people—I mean vampires," she replied, and a wave of concern washed over me.

"Who? Do you know their names?" I inquired, fearing the worst.

"Uh... One of them was Cassara," she said, and I mentally cursed. "There were two other guys with her."

One of them had to be her brother; I was certain of it. Cassara, my father's niece, possessed royal blood and had a fondness for me. Both she and her brother were fiercely loyal to my father.

"Make sure to stay away from her," I warned, my voice filled with caution.

"Why?" she questioned, and her endless stream of questions drove me slightly crazy. Couldn't she just nod and say okay? But then again, it was the reason that made her so damn...attractive.

"Royal blood. She likes me and might tear apart any girl who comes near me," I explained, my voice tinged with concern.

"If she can't stand seeing me with you, she can go blind. I can maybe help her with that," she said defiantly, and I couldn't help but chuckle. She was fiesty.

"I'm serious," she insisted, stopping in her tracks.

"I know, Alora," I said, my voice filled with reassurance. "I'm not asking you to stay away from me." I want you near me for me to stay alive. You keep my breaths going. "I'm just asking you to stay away from Cassara and her group. They're bad company." Wish I could say those sentences I whispered in the back of my mind as well.

"Yes, sir." she replied with a salute, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"And please, don't mention going to Blath to Fiorella and Eric either," I continued. "We can't afford that. I know they would be on our side, but it would only put them in danger."

"If they or anyone asks, just tell them you found me at Arcanoria."

"What the hell is that now?"

"It's the land filled with tall towers and big libraries that keep ancient books about magic, future, and past historic events."

"Damn, you've got weird names for interesting places. I might want to visit this library someday."

"It'll be my pleasure to take you there, Luchika "

I smiled, and we kept walking.