Serene’s POV

"That doesn’t define who you are. Don’t you dare think for even a second that you are cursed in some way? You are gentle and kind, you are not like her." I told him blatantly, hoping he wouldn’t compare himself to her. Now I understood why he was shunned and bullied as a kid. Why his family was never accepted and acknowledged?

"She wants me by her side Serene as a partner, as a lover, to take over all the realms and rule with an iron fist. To feed on anyone she wants, however, she wants. That’s the main conflict she had with Sahala, she doesn’t care for any other species besides her own. She doesn’t care whom she kills, as long as her thirst is sated."

His words I felt in every fiber of my body, she was going to force her way with him. Maybe had already done that. No way was he going to willingly bend to her will. She was going to hurt him beyond imagination.

"I know, as I have read Sahala’s diary. She had given a detailed description of what went wrong between the three best friends and how they got divided over this conflict. Arlo, did she force herself on you?" My question caught him off-guard and he lowered his eyes, avoiding my gaze. This angered and frustrated me, for I understood the answer without a word from him. How was I supposed to protect him from her?

"I am sorry, I shouldn’t have asked." I quickly apologized, seeing how upset he had gotten, and extending my hand I touched his face. He held my outstretched hand, pressing it closer to his cheek. Arlo’s eyes closed as if he was trying to take as much solace as he could get from my touch. His actions hurt and pained my heart like it was being pierced with countless needles.

"I am going to kill her Arlo. Don’t worry, I won’t let her hurt you." His eyes flicked open and they held astonishment. His lips twitched in a light smile.

"I am confident you will Serene but for now I have to go back to her and be her puppet. I don’t want her hurting my or Dria’s family, any more than she already has. Forgive me for any hurt I might cause you in the future. Because next time we will meet I might be too far gone." I took in a sharp breath at his words, my forehead creased as I showed him my annoyance and cried out:

"Don’t, please." These words were true but then the truth always hurts the worst for there is no way around it. One has to accept it and I knew it for I had seen him under her control. He was sent to hurt me. It must have torn his heart out.

"It’s the truth, but please remember my heart will always belong to you. No matter what she does to me, she can’t erase you from it." My heart recoiled in my chest as if it had been stabbed. Why it felt as if he was saying a final goodbye to me.

"Stop speaking absurdities, Arlo. We will get through this together." I reprimanded him for making assumptions that she might turn him evil.

"Absurdities? I only speak the truth and you need to be prepared for everything. Plenty rides on your shoulders, Serene. You can’t let your emotions guide you. You will do what’s best for our world." I snatched my hand away from him for I understood what he was implying and glared at him. The anger surged in my veins. How could he say such words to me?

"That will never happen, I forbid you from putting forward such ludicrous thoughts." My eyes sparkled with tears, ready to brim. His face convulsed in pain seeing he had caused me distress with his words.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. Just warning you what lay in our future. Forgive me for I have hurt you." His tone was apologetic, almost dejected. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Yes, you have," I told him in a small voice and he leaned closer to me and whispered:

"Serene, be mine in the next life if there is something like that even exists. Let’s be happy together there." I staggered away from him, his words were pure anguish for me today. He made me feel guilty for I couldn’t love him the way he loved me. His face fell seeing my reaction.

"I promise I would pray to be not born a vampire, I hope you will be able to love me then." So this is what he believed, that I found vampires repulsive? That was not true, how burdened his heart was believing that to be the reason.

"I don’t have any issue with you being a vampire, Arlo. Why would you believe something so ridiculous?" I gasped at him.

"Then why? What do I lack?" He asked innocently, his eyes speaking volumes. The questions he always held at bay were on his tongue today, he was killing me, slowly. The tears finally brimmed in my eyes, for I couldn’t control the emotional storm he had immersed me in.

"You don’t lack anything, Arlo. Why would you think you lack something just because I couldn’t reciprocate your love?" I almost choked on my words due to overwhelming emotions and the flow of tears.

He reached out offering me his hand, his intense eyes boring into mine, riding me of the guilt I could never shake. Reluctantly I took his hand and he pulled me close to him. His hands then held my face, tenderly wiping the torrents of tears.

"Don’t waste your tears on someone as insignificant as me. They are as precious as you are. I won’t burden you further, I shouldn’t have put you in such a position and raised unscrupulous questions. Forget it. Can I hug you?" He murmured, letting me feel the heaviness his heart held.

"Yes," I whispered, the strength to fight him drained me. His arms wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, and he placed my face right above his heart. I could hear its rapid thumping, it was agitated, it was disturbed and I couldn’t provide it what it sought. I clutched his shirt from the back and cried my heart out to him. He held me so tenderly as if I was something that could easily break.

"No, please Serene. I beg of you, don’t cry, don’t make me so guilty." We held onto each other for so long that I lost track of time. The knock on the door made us pull apart and I wiped my face before he asked who it was.

The door opened and Zian peeked in and instantly comprehended the tense situation. "Can I come in?" He asked.

"Yes, please," Arlo replied while I sat quietly too emotional to speak.

He stepped inside and halted near me and inquired in a hushed voice: "Serene, are you alright?" I simply nodded and sniffled not able to speak.

"Did something happen?" Zian stared between us with concern.

"Yes, Arlo wants to head back to his realm. His family is being held captive and we don’t know if we will ever see each other again." I blurted out in between sobs and hiccups. This was too painful for me, so I got up and rushed out the door.

Zian followed me and called out: "Serene, stop."

He quickly caught up to me, whirling me around as we stopped.

"Hey! Talk to me." He spoke with concern, his face holding concern.

"I feel like I am never going to see him again. It hurts Zian. My heart can’t take any more pain. I am losing people left and right." I hid my face in my hands and cried. He hugged me and calmed me down. His green aura engulfed me, his second power had manifested and it soothed the agitated hearts. He soothed mine today.

We stood there for a while when a few fae and warlock soldiers walked past us and returned with Arlo. He walked in front of them. This alarmed me and almost made me apprehensive.

"Where are you taking him?" I demanded in an authoritative voice.

"Warlock Artins has requested Arlo to be brought to Hexum Realm, he has some questions for Arlo as he has been near the enemy and might contain sensitive information. He will be responsible for Arlo now and his return to his realm as well." One of the warlock soldiers informed me. This was at least reassuring, Artins Sensei would know the right steps to take and will take care of him.

"Be safe, Arlo. I hope we meet again." I whispered to him and he gave me a half smile, his sad eyes held his affections which were meant only for me.

"Me too, Princess Serene." He offered me a small bow and then he was gone, led away by them and I was left watching him disappear, hoping he would return one day.