The room was dark. Xion still had not returned to his bedchambers, instead occupying a guest bedroom. My ego wasn't so large that I assumed it was because it was closer to me, but I could admit that having him within hearing range was comforting.

He had been healing nicely, but the process was taking all the strength out of his body. He no longer had any open wounds, which was a miracle considering only three days had passed since the attack, but he was lacking in energy. He spent the majority of his time sleeping or simply lying in the dark and waiting until Devlin could offer up some blood.

"The guards are going to be returning from their training exercise soon," I commented from where I stood in the doorway.

"Yes, Devlin has told me," Xion replied, his eyes still closed and his head cradled on a pillow.

I stepped into the room, feeling like I were crossing an invisible threshold as much as a physical one. Like he could sense it, Xion's eyes burst open and his head lolled towards me.

"We need you to be in good shape. It's going to be your first time in front of the public since everything has happened. We can't have you looking weak," I encouraged.

Xion closed his eyes and turned away again. "Devlin has given me everything he can. This is still going to be a security risk, even with Sampson and Edith and Daisy in custody. He needs to be able to respond to anything. I can't risk his health for my own now."

It was still a punch to hear that Sampson was in custody. Yes, he had always been entitled, but this was beyond anything I could have ever envisioned for him. I thought he was perfectly content ruling over poor farmers just like his father had done. It seemed that greed had no limit and no sense. Edith was the mastermind it seemed. She was the pretty redhead I had met and had immediately disliked at the ball with her sly comments and sharp eyes. Then, I had not known how deep it would go.

Daisy had been a shock to us all. The woman on the inside.

Even Seraphina had screamed out when she had awoken, begging Daisy to stop before she realized where she was. After lengthy questioning, Devlin had deemed that-- though Seraphina had not physically intervened-- she hadn't been a part of the plan. She had been in shock like the rest of us.

But this wasn't about them right now. It was about ensuring that Xion looked every bit of a king. "What if you took some of my blood?" I asked.

Xion's sleepiness wafted away in a second, his whole body jerking upright so fast that he must have upset a wound or scar tissue because he winced. "You don't have to do that, little dove. You saved my life and I am forever grateful, but I also understand that it was a one time thing. I will face my people as I am."

I walked slowly as I moved closer to him. This was my last chance to run. This could be my stand, I could tell him that he had hurt me and he had lied to me and that I might not have wanted him to die, but I couldn't be with him. The words wouldn't come and if they had, they would have been hollow.

"I heard Sampson admit everything, you know," I said, seating myself on the edge of the bed by Xion. "He was quite proud of his plan. He talked about how they planned to put you in a state of Bloodlust before the Bloodletting, how they tried to use the Lusting Lily to get me to seduce Devlin, all of it."

"It doesn't matter," Xion said stubbornly, his dark eyes staring down at his hands that clenched the blankets.

I snorted at that, reaching up and brushing my fingers along his sharp jawline. "I don't know how you can say that."

"Because the reasoning is irrelevant. I don't care that I was pushed into Bloodlust. I don't care that you were given the Lusting Lily with ill intent. I should have caught it. I should have been more diligent with my staff, I should have known a threat could come from the inside. And when I made an absolute mess of things, I should have told you immediately. I was selfish and I needed you in my life and made the choice to hide the truth. Sure, I thought I would tell you eventually, when the right time came, but clearly, it never did. I was a coward. A coward that does not deserve your forgiveness."

"Devlin said you were trying to turn me the first time," I said softly.

"That doesn't make it any better. For many humans, being turned can feel like a fate worse than death. The intent to turn was in the bite, I am just grateful that I was able to stop before I did something really foolish like give you my blood."

"Xion," I whispered, laying one of my hands over his own, feeling the way his grip weakened immediately. "I was frightened and I cannot say what you did was right. But I know now that you were not entirely at fault. Had those people not been conspiring against you, we would have had a very different start to our relationship."

"I could have done better. I could have been better. That is what a mate is supposed to do for their partner. I failed you."

"We are learning, Xion. And there is no one I would rather fumble and make mistakes with than you."

He just blinked at me for a moment, his dark eyes confused, almost glazed over.

"You can't mean that," he argued.

"I do. I forgive you, Xion. And whatever mistakes I have made, the ones I will make in the future, I hope that you can forgive them too."

He stared at me for a moment, his eyes a little wide and unbelieving. "I think I may be dreaming or have gone to heaven. Maybe I got stabbed but didn't die and a fever is taking over. Or maybe this is hell and you're going to leave again. I don't know if I could survive it a second time, I really don't."

I pinched one of his muscular thighs through the blankets. When he let out a hiss, I gave him a small smile. "You're not dreaming and you certainly aren't dead. Now, let's make sure that you are looking as healthy as possibly before you get in front of that crowd, okay?"

The wonder left Xion's face for a brief second. "Lark, really, you don't have to do this. I would understand. I have betrayed your trust. That's something that cannot be fixed."

"I almost watched you die, Xion. I can decide what I am willing to do for you. Now, you can make your own decision and operate on your own will or I can open a wound myself and let your instincts take over. I know as soon as you smell my blood, you'll have to feed."

His hands were in my hair then, pulling the white strands away from my neck. The man who looked like he was seconds away from slumbering was upright, pulling my body towards him with surprising strength, his head angled towards my exposed throat.

"Promise me it's okay. Tell me you want this," he begged.

"I want you to drink from me, Xion," I murmured.

With a low groan, he tipped his head down and pressed his mouth to my neck. A soft kiss first, then a small bite, this one so gentle I barely felt it. But I felt the euphoria that came rushing in afterwards.

I was vaguely aware that I was moaning as my head began to spin. I knew that he was holding me, heard the noise that he made low in this throat. But I didn't realize that I had moved. I didn't know that I had climbed onto his lap, that my hips were rolling with the movement. I just knew that I was with him, that I was giving him something only I could offer.

At some point, he stopped. His fangs were gone from my flesh, but he continued to kiss me so tenderly. My whole body melted against him, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I tipped my head back. With just his tongue and his teeth, he had turned me into a whining, whimpering mess.

When he nibbled on my earlobe, I thought it was over for me. It took one vampire to completely undo me. But he just let out a little sigh.

"We need to get ready," he reminded so gently, the need so clear in his voice.

"Do we? You are the king, you can make them wait," I pleaded, rolling my hips.

Xion's head tipped back and he let out a small groan. "Little dove, we are mated and I just drank from you. I want nothing to influence you if you choose to pursue me. And I really do not want to have to deal with time constraints then either."

I eventually relented. The last thing I wanted was someone knocking on the door, trying to tell us we needed to attend a very important and very somber event. I knew that he could offer me bliss and the idea of having no time limit to it made me give in.

I went back to my own room and dressed for the event, calling on the help of a maid.

It was strange to get ready without Daisy's bubbling laughter and her keen eyes. She had always dressed me so well and given me boosts of confidence when my own had faltered. But, her position had been one of privilege's, even if I hadn't seen it as such in the beginning. She could hover nearby when important conversations were had, because who would suspect her? She had Seraphina's ear for suggestions. And Seraphina adored her, told her more than she should have, assuming their bond was pure, one of love, not one of scheming.

At least through seeing her commit the heinous act, I could untie any positive feelings I had attached to her. Seraphina's memory was murky at best. She remembered begging Daisy for something and being frightened. We assumed one of the rebels had struck her in the head before Daisy had started stabbing.

My new seamstress was just as talented as the previous one. I looked angelic in my grey gown, the straps tied into bows on my shoulders. The pale fog colour had stitched suns, moons, and stars scattered across it, like I alone could command the sky if I so chose. I left my hair down, placing the crown that had been left with it upon my head. The weight of it was more than I expected, but when it settled upon my head, it felt right. Like it was meant to be there. And I was meant to be here.

I waved off my guard when I stepped out of my room, a new one had been assigned for the time being while Seraphina recovered from her injuries and her emotional state.

But it seemed that Sera was not taking it lightly.

"I can go to the sentencing," I heard her say.

When I rounded the corner, her and Xion were standing closely together, the sister with her head bowed, Xion's hand resting gently on her shoulder.

"No, Sera, I'm not asking that of you," Xion denied with a shake of his head.

"This is my mistake. I should have to face the consequences. I am forever grateful that you did not throw me in jail alongside her. The least I can do now is look at her while she is given her punishment," Seraphina pressed.

Xion paused for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him in a brief hug. "Sera, you were in love. I would never punish you for that. And you were hurt during the altercation. You need rest, not to punish yourself further. I am telling you to go rest as your king and as your brother. I will handle this. Now go," he said.

Seraphina hesitated for just a second, then gave Xion such a tight hug I feared his eyes may pop out. Then she scampered off down the hallway, frantically wiping her face with the back of her hand.

"Poor thing," I whispered when she was far enough away.

Xion spun to face me. "Lark, darling, I didn't see you there." Then his eyes snapped up to the glittering crown upon my hair and his entire body slackened. "Oh little dove."

"Is it too much?" I blurted. "I don't want to send the wrong message, it was just with the dress and I thought--"

"You are a vision. You are my dream," he sighed. "If we didn't have the sentencing, I would spend the rest of the day gawking at you like a fool."

"Perhaps I should change into something different," I offered, taking in his black pants and black jacket.

"You are perfection," Xion insisted, holding out his arm for me. "You will look stunning while you strike fear into every heart that has wronged you."

With that, he led me to the throne room. 

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What was your first job?