Alexander knocked the air out of Isadora’s lungs. She moaned under his kiss before she felt a warm breath fan through her face. Why did it feel so real? Her lips were being sucked, and it felt so real. She let out a moan and succumbed back to the heat forgetting everything when a hand pulled her closer. Why was this dream feeling so real? She shot her eyes open and the sight that welcomed her made her eyes grow as wide as saucers.

She pushed him slightly and blinked twice as everything that had happened now sunk in her mind. Her dream really turned to be true. Her hand flew to her lips and she could feel the moisture on them. So it was really true. Her gaze shifted to where Alexander stood and he was now raking his fingers through his hair. Her cheeks heated but she wouldn’t let him get away with it. Not that she disliked it. No, not at all. She just wanted to show him the demoness side of her.

"Alex? What were you doing?" She asked.

He looked at her in that hypnotized state and she wondered if he even heard what she had said. She knew she affected him, but this? Why was he acting strangely? It was as if he had seen her for the first time. And the Alexander standing in front of her didn’t look like the one she was used to. He looked way too younger. What had happened to him when she was gone? She looked at him but his face somehow looked different. It was not what she had expected.

"You? I should ask you. What are you doing here?" He asked instead, startling her. What did he mean by that question? She had come here to see him of course. What kind of question was that even? She had expected at least a hug from him or some words like I missed you. But this! Was this how he would welcome her?

She touched her face to make sure that it was really her. Maybe the disguise might not have fallen yet. But she was certain she was the real her. But why then did he ask her that? She looked at him and what she saw was a questioning gaze. Maybe he was just playing games with her, right?

"You? I’m asking you. Why are you sleeping in my bed? And where the hell did you take my food?" He asked again. And now that he said it for the second time, Isadora could see the seriousness on his face when he said those words. But why? Yes. Why didn’t he run and embrace her or at least tell her he missed her? Or did he hate her that much after her dagger inflicted poison in his body? Maybe that was the reason.

"Didn’t you miss me?" She asked taking a stop forward. "I risked everything just to see you and this is how you welcome me?" She asked. Alexander could now see a pained expression on her face. But what the hell was with these maids? One had just flirted with him a minutes ago and now another was claiming to miss him and risk everything to see him. And by risking, what did she mean? Her job? Of course she risked her job by sleeping on a prince’s bed.

"I don’t know what you are talking about but I can assure you you’ll not lose your job," he said. He looked at her and what he saw made him clench his fists. Why was she looking at him that way? She was having a pained expression, disbelief written all over her face. He hated it to see her pained expression but he couldn’t help. And the worst thing was that he was the cause of it. But how? He didn’t know her?

Isadora was stunned by what Alexander said. Did he really not know what she was talking about. He was just kidding, right? Or maybe she was just in that same dream, and this was just another nightmare. But everything felt so real. She blinked twice to confirm that it was really real. A slap was what she thought next but refrained from it. But why? Why was he acting that way? She looked at him and he stared back at her with an indifferent expression. Maybe she should touch him and confirm that it was real. Yes. That what she would do.

She took a few steps forward and saw him stiffen. His expression was that of surprise. But that didn’t deter her from her goal. She walked closer, her gaze never leaving his. She could see the fear in his eyes. Fear? Why would he fear her? Before she could think further, she was already standing in front of him. She looked at his blue eyes and raised her hand hesitantly. She wanted to touch his face but she was afraid of the unknown. What if it was real?

Her gaze shifted to her hands and her fingers were now trembling. She tried to stop the trembling but it couldn’t just stop. And Alexander, he was just staring at her like a statue. Maybe it wasn’t real. Maybe it was a dream. But she had to confirm. She brought her trembling hands closer and let her shaky fingers slid on his face. She cupped his cheeks and it did feel real. The cold on his face was still there, but this time he was more colder than she could remember. She looked at his eyes and he blinked at her, making it more real.

"Are you done?" He asked in that calm yet harsh tone. Isadora drew her arms with a look of surprise on her face. So it was true? But why did he act strange. She looked at his face searching for an emotion but saw none.

"Alex? It’s me. It’s your Isadora," she said. But his eyes looked back at her with no hint of emotion on them. Her slight smile faded and was now replaced with a confused look.

"Look, I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know a person by that name," Alexander said. He fisted a handful of his hair in his hands. Gods! His head was now hurting like never before. But why now? Isadora? Why did that name sound so familiar. He tried hard to remember but his head throbbed in pain again. Veins popped on his neck, making Isadora to frown.

"Alex? Is everything alright?" She asked walking closer to where he was. He held his head and he was now kneeling. Gods! Why did it hurt this much? He grabbed his hair as if that would ease the pain but it only acted to hurt him more. His eyes had turned bloody red now making him look like a vampire. Only fangs were left out to make him a complete one. But why would his head hurt so much this time. Yes! It was her! She was the cause of this. He was fine until he stumbled across her. He looked at her with those red eyes making her to swallow instinctively. Her hands were hunging mid air now as she took a few steps back. Was he that scary?

Isadora had just gone to help Alexander when he turned to face her with that look that would sent shivers down in any of someone’s back. He looked like a beast in human form. His eyes were bloody red, and veins popped on his usual smooth face and neck. He was now emitting an aura of imminent danger making her to take a few steps back. And as if that was not enough, he stood up and started stalking towards where she was, his crazed look never leaving her gaze.

Isadora stumbled on the table but was quick to stand up. She felt pain on her back but this was not the time nor the place to listen to the pain. She looked up and saw him coming closer. Oh Lord! What ahd gotten into Alexander? She was sure this was not the Alexander she knew. If it was him, he would never scare her or attack her the way he was doing right now.

She had been taking more and more steps back when her back collided with the solid wall. And judging at where she was, there was no way out. She vowed to scream if he lay a hand on her but thought otherwise. What would happen to her, and Alex? He was a prince so nothing could be done to him. And she, she was a maid, a wanted one at that. Lord Richard wouldn’t hesitate to throw her back at that dungeon. She spotted a vessel on the nightstand and an idea ran through her mind but it was too late. Alexander was already standing close to where she was. He eyed her the way a predator eyes its prey before he smiled evilly.

"No escape!" He said before he took the last step to reach where she was.