Weeks later, Late January. 

Only Encre and Felicia know that Fallacy is the "Human Ambassador" Felicia is having Suave test the chemicals in the pie and told her that whatever it did should only last a monthe per slice with crust. Without crust is one week less than a month. Each 1/3 of the slice is a week. Some pieces of the slice are a day and crumbs make up hours or minutes. Micro-crumbs are seconds.

Encre's POV

I sit in the special forest spot Fallacy brought me to months ago. I dunno why I am here but I don't mind it. It still looks beautiful with the snow tucking the trees in like blankets and trickles of frozen water hanging down like beads and shining brightly. I just got dropped off here. Literally. Felicia dropped me here. I get up, dusting myself off from the snow.

I look around, taking in the frozen sight. I hear a scream. I recognize it.

"HEY! FELICIA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GAH! YOU KNOW I CAN'T FLY ANYMORE!"I hear Fallacy yell

"I know. But I know you're an expert at falling.~"Felicia says

"WHAT?!"He snaps

"Like in love.~"She teases 

"SHUT UP!"He says

"Okay, but you're going down."She says

Then I hear a scream. I look up, seeing Fallacy falling from above. I reach up and catch him. He grips onto me instantly and starts shaking. I look at him, he looks at me. I smile, nuzzling his cheek.

"I got you."I say

His face burns up. He bows his head, his hair drooping over to hide his face.

"Aww! How adorable!"She says

He rests his head on my shoulder, hiding his face. I set him back on his feet. He wears a bright orange  coat with a yellow edge as well as orange gloves. But underneath the jacket, I could see a red dress going down to his feet. He grips onto me still.

"H-H-Hey, Encre. Felicia is messing with me again."He says

"And you fell right into his arms!"Felicia shouts from above

He hides his face. Felicia swoops down and brushes the hair out of his face.

"Come on, Encre. Don't you think he looks cute?"She asks

"Sure do. As always."I say

His face burns up.

"L-Love!"He stutters

"I'll leave you to enjoy some more quality time."She says flying off

He looks at me. His eyes seem to plea for something but I dunno what. His face burns up. I smile still.

He is so cute.

"Why are you like this? Why do you act like this to me?"He asks

I gaze at him, trying to understand his question.

"I dunno. How do you want me to act to you when I love you?"I ask

He looks at me as if he did not expect that answer. He shoves me into a tree. He pins me against the tree.

"I want you to help me when my sis is playing games with me."He says

"But she isn't wrong. You do look cute. Besides, she messes with you because she cares&loves you. Which is amazing and more than I can say about mine besides my grandparents. So instead of getting mad over every lil thing she does with you, try to appreciate it. And if you try complaining about her flying with you and you feared getting dropped, it's not like you haven't dropped someone."I say

He looks at me, not ever looking away.

"What....?Those aren't games for her fun?"He says

"No. She is trying to show you care and love to make you happy. Sure, she may annoy you, but family does that to show they care. Back at camp, she could not stop telling me about how a wonderful brother you are and what she would do to keep you safe and happy. She went through hell to break everyone out of there and protect me from the moment she learned that you marked me. Because she said I'd make you happy. And that's what matters to her. Heck, she made these clothes for you to keep you healthy and has been keeping your situation a secret to keep you happy and making a cure to make you happier. I would not be surprised if you were in trouble that she would do anything to help you. That's one thing we agreed upon at camp. You deserve to be happy and we will try to ensure you stay happy."I explain

"You....Both care that much about my happiness?"He asks

I nod.

He leans in and kisses me. My face burns.

"Now that is cute."He says

My face burns and soul races.

He kisses my neck, especially on my mark.

"Ah....M-M-Mon amour....."I say softly

"You alright?"He asks

I nod.

He loosens his hold on me. I move quickly and manage to pin him against the tree now.

"L-L-Love?"He stutters

"Yes?"I say

"What kind of love do you have for me?"He asks with pleading eyes

My face burns up even more. I sigh.

"You really don't remember what I told you, do you? What you got me to confess on the ship?"I say

"I've given up on clearing that blur up."He says

I sigh. It's in the past anyway.....

"Was the answer in that blur?"He asks

I nod.

"Well then maybe I will work on it again."He says

"No, you don't have to. It's in the past and no big deal."I say, bowing me head

He lifts my chin with a hand gently.

"Cheer up, Love."He says

I smirk.

"Okay. Now I will get back on track."I say

His face burns up.

"L-L-L-Love, please!"He says

"What?"I ask

He opens his mouth to speak but says nothing and shuts it.

"Nothing...."He says

I shrug it off. I kiss him on the cheek, then start kissing around his neck. He keeps twitching and jolting as I do it. I hold him gently and kiss on his mark. He grips me tightly.

"E-Encre....."He says

"Are you sensitive there?"I ask

He nods.

"That makes two of us. And you don't exactly go easy on that spot."I say

"Sorry...."He says

"It's alright."I say

He smiles at me.

"Your rainbow is always adorable though."He says

I smile.

"So is your golden glow."I say

His face burns.

"I t-t-think I'm gonna go for a walk on my own. You can head back."He says, slipping out of my hold

"You're going for a walk in the forest alone? You sure that's a good idea?"I ask

"Yep. Nobody would dare mess with me."He says

"Hate to remind you again, but right now you don't have much of an intimidating look. You aren't yourself yet. So while I know you are Fallacy the Vampire King, others just see a random human wandering around. So are you sure about this? Why don't I come with you?"I say

"I'll be fine. Yes I am sure. Encre, I want to wander on my own."He says

I sigh. I know I won't get through to him. He's set on it and nothing can change his mind.

"Whatever you say."I say 

He walks out of my sight. I head back to the vampire castle. Fibi comes outside to greet me. Charlos zips out and pulls Fibi back inside.

"No! You know what today is! You can't be outside!"He says

"What is today?"I ask

"I've noticed this pattern that every two months on this day a group of humans comb through the forest and take any other human or human-looking people they see. Peacefully and by force. They try to kill any monsters that step in their way. I don't want them to try and take Fibi. I would tell Fallacy, but I have not gotten the chance with all his meetings and stuff."Charlos explains

I hear a scream. Fallacy's scream.

"Sounds like they got the ambassador."Charlos says

Shoot! 

I run back the way I came.

"What?! Encre! Come back! Are you crazy?!"He shouts

I run all the way back and start searching for Fallacy. All I find are the gloves he wore and the jacket he had on. I drop to my knees, staring at it. I should have pushed harder to stay with him. Convince him to just come back with me. Not go on his own. I'd like to see him try and call this fine. Now he is who knows where in who knows what condition.

I pick the jacket and gloves up. I run back to the castle and explain what the situation is to Felicia.

"Well that's my stubborn brother for ya. Hmmmm, I think I got an idea. You up for it?"She says

I nod.

"Well then let's get to it."She says

Meanwhile, hours later in Fallacy's POV

"ENCRE!"I shout, waking up

I look around. I do not recognize where I am. I am on a bed, a very big bed with a bunch of pillows in a woden shack-looking place. I quickly recall what happened.

I am an idiot. I am a stubborn, stupid idiot. I should have listened to Encre.

"Did anyone else hear a shout?"A voice says

"Yep."Two other voices say

"I guess the newcomer woke up."One says

"Let's go say hi!"The first says

I hear footsteps and panic. I grab a pillow, as if that's gonna help me. 

Idiot.

Three girls come into the room. One had red hair, purple eyes and wore a lot of purple to match. She sits on one side of me. Another had brown hair, dark blue eyes and wore a lot of lighter blues. She sits on the other side of me with a third resting their head in her lap. Whom she rests a hand on their head. The third wore a light yellow-green and had blonde hair with green streaks in her hair. She had green eyes.

"Hello there. You must be scared but also so relieved to be away from those super scary monsters."The purple girl says

"W-What?"I say

"Welcome newbie!"The green eyed one says

"I mean come on, aren't those monsters in the forest scary? I'd never want to hang around for those smelly things to sneak up on me. Aren't you glad you were rescued?"She says

"R-Rescued? Where am I? Who are you?"I ask, hugging the pillow

The blue girl says nothing, just gazing at me.

"You are at a shelter with the three of us! We are humans taken, er, rescued from monsters in the forest and are gonna be sent far away from here where we are safe!"The green girl says

"And isn't that just wonderful?"The purple one says

"Jess, Alexis, you can quit you're horrible acting. She is one of us."The blue girl says

"Oh thank God!"The green girl says

"Were we really that bad at seeming scared?"The purple one asks

"I dunno...You seemed to just dislike monsters. What do you mean I am one of you?"I ask

"My name is Jess. I got marked by a vampire in the Golden Forest and was taken from her two months ago."The purple one says, showing a mark on her neck

"I'm Stacy. I was marked by a werewolf in the Red Forest but was taken last month. They nearly killed him."The blue one says, showing a mark on her arm

"And I'm Alexis. I wasn't marked but I am friends with some monsters in the forests."The green says

"You are also marked. So that most likely means that you support or do not dislike monsters. Now what is your name and is that true?"Stacy says, pointing to my neck

"You're right, I support monsters. My name is ummmmm.........Fallyn."I say

"Ooo! What a nice name! Now what's your story? Everyone has a story!"Jess says

"What's going on though?"I ask

"You, like us, were taken from a forest to be so-called rescued from evil. This was done by a clan of humans they call THE HEROES. But I'd like to call them the IDIOTS or some not so nice names, but that would be improper."Alexis says

She sounds like Suave with that last sentence. Pfft.

"And don't get your hopes up on your monster buds saving you. They can't come here or they will be killed the moment they step foot here. They are using the poor relations between human and monster kingdoms as an excuse to do this stuff."Stacy says

A chill goes down my spine.

"So what's your story? How'd you get marked? Who marked you? Huh?"Jess says

"I'm just gonna bet whoever French Ink is to her is the culprit."Alexis says

"You're not wrong....Encre....Yeah, he marked me."I say

"Ooo! Tell us about this Encre!"Jess says

So I do. I leave out any private details but told plenty about how awesome Encre is.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you are in love."Stacy says

"You have it bad for Encre don't you?"Jess teases

"I wish I could meet him.....Sounds like a very good guy."Alexis says

I look at her.

"My very good guy."I say

She catches the hint and looks away.

"Yeah, he doesn't exactly sound like a player and you're too deep in love with him to be one either."Jess says

"A player?"I ask

"Oh dear, how new are you to romance?"She asks

"Ummmm, too new to know that term apparently?"I say

"A player is someone who plays with multiple lovers at once. Dates many at the same time, often in secret. I think you found someone very rare. A non-player."Stacy says

"Were you on a date or something? You are wearing a red dress."Alexis says

Were we? Is that what Felicia set us up for? We were....loving to each other.....But he didn't say he likes me that way or that it is....Don't want to get ahead of myself and think of something that it isn't or is not there.

"Something like that.....But not exactly a date."I say

"Ah, alright."They say

"Let's get you into pajamas!"Jess says

Before I could react, she pulls me into another room and gets some clothes out. She snaps and I see the dress on the bed. I look down, finding the pajamas on me now.

"I know a little magic."She says, tying her hair into a bun

Then she pulls me into the bed I woke up on. They all climb in under the blankets beside me. I felt packed in with them like sardines. I shift and they wrap their arms around me. It strangely feels comforting. I doze off.

Days pass and I've gotten to know them better and they kinda know me, er, Fallyn. I don't let them know I'm a vampire, let alone the king of vampires. That would be weird. A monster king stuck as a human girl. But we have gotten close and found a routine. We cannot go outside or do anything. They slip us meals, er, a single meal for us to share. We split it among ourselves since we only get 2 a day and the food days are only 3 times a week. We have nothing much to do stuck here. I find myself staring into space or sleeping more due to the abundance of free time and boredom. The other three either talk, laugh, play dress up with the closet that seems to have too many clothes for anyone to have, or they try to get me in on that. Jess enjoys messing with me with her magic, changing my clothes at random times by using it. Alexis plays around with my hair when I'm asleep while Stacy just stares out a window, leaving me alone. She often has to get them to stop their games. Or she sighs and shakes her head at their behavior.

"They do this when they're bored to everyone, trust me. Gals, just because she is new does not mean you can make her a doll to play with. There are better things to do."Stacy says 

"Thanks."I say as they stop

She looks back to the window.

"Wait a minute, since when has the outdoors held your attention? You've never looked outside so often because you don't want to be taunted!"Jess says

I try to get my hair out of the weird styles they put it in.

"There's someone out there. I've never seen them before and they don't seem to be one of them."She replies

I crawl over across the bed to look out with her. I look out the window and see the stranger she means. There is a human in a hooded jacket cautiously peeking around a tree and looking around.

"That look in their eyes seem so focused. They must be looking for something."She says

"Or someone."Alexis says without looking

I finally got my hair free from one bun they put it in. Now I gotta free it from another and a braid resting on my shoulder.

Jess snaps her fingers.

"They is a she. That stranger is a girl."She says

The stranger looks in the direction of the window. Stacy squeaks in surprise and ducks down. The other two don't go near the window. For some reason, I froze. I link eyes with the stranger. She smiles at me. She really did. Then she ducks behind the tree.

"It seems she found who she was looking for."Jess says

I feel my face burn a bit.

"What? No! I don't even know them!"I say

"Maybe that was your love. You did say they were good with potions."Alexis says

Encre? No....That didn't look like him. Plus he is HE. A skeleton. But....What if he ate the pie?

There is a tap at the glass. Jess shoves me to it while Alexis crouches under it and opens it. I come face to face with the stranger. She reaches in and feels my hair softly. She looks at my neck. I bet she sees the mark. Encre's mark. She places a hand on my cheek.

"Found you, Beautiful.~"She says

"H-Huh? W-Who are you?"I ask

She giggles, not answering me.

"You're always so cute when you stutter."She says, then kisses my cheek

My face burns up.

"I'll be back for you."She says, then runs off

Alexis shuts the window. She looks at me as I sink back onto the bed.

"Are you a player?"She asks

"No! Course not!"I say

She looks at me as if she doesn't believe me.

"I love Encre and only Encre."I say, crossing my arms

"Okay then."She says with a smile

"Stacy! Your turn!"Jess says

Stacy sighs with frustration. But she complies and allows Jess mess with her hair.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A few days later, I wake up to find all of them getting in beautiful dresses and such. Jess grabs me out of the bed and snaps her fingers. I look down to find I'm in one too now. 

Stacy grabs my hair and starts pulling it. 

"What's going on?"I ask

"We're all getting transported by noon. We gotta look our best when being put in other villages."Jess says

Alexis holds my hand.

"It's for the best to do so or we may not get accepted into the villages. And if we don't get picked, they might kill us. Like they did with Jennifer....."She says

The three pause, taking a moment of silence. I got the idea of what happened to whoever that is. I stay silent to give respect as well.

"But it's alright! Maybe we'll meet nice people! You might see that stranger again! Or maybe we'll meet your Encre! Or maybe-"Alexis says

"Alexis, calm down."Stacy says

"Sorry!"She says

"Okay?"I say

I do like the thought of seeing Encre somehow.

"Jess, the sleeves. I think it's loose."I hear Alexis say

"Oh right."Jess says

Seeing his smile, his lovely eyes, his adorable rainbow when he's blushing. Hearing his voice, his laugh or his cute squeaks....Oh and his-

"Gah!"I yelp when I am taken out of my thoughts by a ribbon getting tightened at my waist

"Sorry, Fallyn. It was loose on you."Jess says

"You gotta be all set, after all."Alexis says with a smug smile on her face

Okay, she seems to be getting more and more troublesome whenever Encre is a topic for me. Talking or evn thinking of him. Something is up with her. But if she tries anything with MY Encre, she had trouble coming.

Some humans in suits come in and grab us. We get put in a wagon with other human girls and boys. The girls were nice but some of the boys got too touchy with us. I stopped them and laughed since they didn't expect a girl to know how to fight. 

"Especially a bitch like you."One said

Oh they were so lucky I was not in my vampire form. I punched that guy, knocking him out.

"Since when do you fight?"The girls ask

"Since the moment people get on my nerves."I say simply, then lean back and relax

We get set on a big stage raised a few feet above the ground. It was like getting auctioned off instead of rescued and sent somewhere safe. One man in a suit goes over to the guy auctioning us off after some of the other guys and girls were taken. They whisper some things. Then one grabs me.

"We got someone willing to take you, dearie."He says

I get tossed and passed among the strangers until I kick my way to being put down. I get shoved right into someone. I feel a hand grab mine and another wrapping around me. I look up and it's the girl who kissed me. My face burns a bit.

"You? What do you want with me?"I ask

"I want what you want."She says

Her voice is so soft, gentle and reassuring.

"And I want to go home back to my friends, love and family."I say

"Well do not worry, I'll take you there."She says

"How the hell do you know where I live?"I ask

"Bonjour, mon amour. I have been there and you know it."She says

"Love? Encre? Is it you?"I ask

"Oui."She, er, he says

"Love! Did you seriously eat the pie?"I ask

"No, Felicia gave me a vial of the chemical from it. And don't you dare say you were right about walking alone, this is not fine. Though you do look cute....."He says

"Love....."I say, my face burning

"I'm being honest."He says

I rest my head on his chest.

"How come you got to be a taller human? And not wear a dress like she made me?"I say

"She wanted me to be able to blend in to get you. Being a short human in a dress among a bunch of tall humans would seem strange, don't ya think?"He says

"I guess so...."I say

I glance over to see how my friends are doing to see they are the only ones left. Nobody is there to get them.

"What happens to them now?"Encre asks

"If they don't get taken, they will be killed...."I say

"Oh dear, don't they have anyone to come to get them?"He says

"Only monsters that will get killed if they step foot here."I say

"Well maybe they won't have to."He says

I look at him and he smiles.

"Excuse me? Sir? Sir!"He says, waving to the humans in suits

"Yes?"They say

"Those three as well."Encre says

I see my friends' faces light up with joy. Stacy sighs with relief.

"As you wish, Ma'am."They say

The other three get passed to us.

"Are you three okay?"He asks

They nod.

"Thank you so much!"The three say

"Are you alright, my dear?"He asks me

My sister is rubbing off on him.

"Yes..."I say

"Good. Now who made you look so adorable?"He says

"Us."Stacy and Jess say

"Who are you two?"He asks

"I'm Jess. I got her in those clothes."Jess says

"Stacy. I fixed her hair."Stacy says

"Well you did great. She looks lovely."He says, winking at me

"Oh quit it!"I say, feeling my face burn

He chuckles. 

"Make me.~"He teases

"Fallyn, who is this?"Alexis asks

"Alexis, let them have their moment."Jess says

"Oh! I'm Encre!"He says

"I thought you were a skeleton dude."Alexis says

"Oh, I am. I just had a potion to be able to come and get my dear here."He says

"Pfft, Fallyn. Your name means in charge while you seem to be anything but in charge right now. Or it means superiority while you are not that superior right now."Stacy giggles

"Oh trust me, she has his superior times. She's a great leader."He says

"Ah, alright."Stacy says

"I have a wagon, come on. I'll take you to your homes."He says, scooping me up and leading us off

"Encre!"I yelp

"Yes?"He says

I kiss his cheek.

"I told you to quit it."I say

His face burns up.

There's that rainbow.

I smile. 

"Here we go! Climb on in!"He says

I look at the wagon. It looked a bit different. It does not have a seat for the driver that is seperated from the rest. It's just a wagon with horses attatched.

"I've never seen a wagon set up like this."Jess says

"Yeah, I'll be steering while sitting with you gals."He says

I hear some stomachs growl, including mine. I bow my head, embarrassed a bit.

"You hungry?"He asks

We each nod.

"They didn't feed us properly or every day."Alexis says

"There's food in the wagon. My friend Charlos didn't have a good feeling about those folks."He says

Thank you, Charlos!

They smile and climb in. He sets me down gently and hands me some food. I start to eat while the other three eat and Encre gets the horses moving.

"So, where are your homes?"He asks

They each tell the names of the forests they were taken from.

"Okay, let me check the map. Whichever is closest we'll go to first."He says, taking out a map

I look at him and smile. I feel better with him.

Alexis keeps inching closer to Encre. I frown.

She IS up to something!

"Okay, we are heading to the Red Forest."Encre says, then stiffens up

I bet he could feel her breathing down his neck. He turns and looks at her while the other two fell asleep.

"Are you okay? Can I help you?"He asks

"I'm cold."She whines

I clear my throat, pointing to the pile of blankets in the wagon. And the fact that the other two are using some.

"Well uh...There are blankets. And you have long sleeves so-oh. Okay, this is happening."He says, then gets surprised when she wraps her arms around him

"I like your heartbeat."She says

"It's a soul beat...."He says

Then he looks at me.

"How are you not cold, dear?"He asks

I take the chance.

I start to shiver a bit.

"N-N-Never said I wasn't."I say

He frowns. He pries Alexis off of him and gives a scarf to her.

"Get a blanket."He tells her

She frowns but he takes a blanket, wrapping it on her before she could object.

"Now for you."He says, turning his attention to me

I feel joy fill me in a way it never has before.  What shall he do with me? Keep the act up to see!

I keep shivering and gaze at him.

"Come closer, beautiful."He says

I come a bit closer. He puts the reins aside for a moment. He picks me up and puts me in his lap, closing his coat or cloak around me. He holds me close, then takes the reins again.

"This better?"He asks

I stop shivering and nuzzle my head against him.

"Yes, much better, my Encre."I say

He smiles and kisses me on the head. I feel my soul skip a beat.

"Encre.....Do you love me the way I love you?"I ask

He looks at me, his face burning up.

"Agh!"He yelps

I grab the reins from him, making the horses stop.

"What's wrong, Encre?"I ask

"Something's around my s-soul."He says

I don't waste a second. I rush to check his soul. It has magic wrapped around it like a rubber band.

"L-L-Love....I-I-I love you....in what w-way did you put it? Oh yes, I l-love you more than you'll ever know."He says, then screams in pain as the rubber band tightens

"My love!"I cry

"Alexis!"Jess snaps

He seems to have passed out. I look to see a trail of magic leading to Alexis.

"Let Encre go!"I snap

Jess elbows her and she complies. 

I check his soul to see the band is gone but his soul is shaking. I wrap an arm around him and gently caress his soul with my other hand. His soul looks amazing.

"Aaah....ah, m-my soul...."He says softly

"Encre! Stay with me! I got you, my love! Wake up!"I plea

"Mon....Amour?"He says, opening his eyes

"I got you, Encre."I say

He looks down, seeing me holding his soul. His face burns up and his soul beats faster in my hand.

"W-What are you doing?"He asks

"Making sure your soul is okay."I say

"Aah....That....I-Is.....Aaahha."He says, struggling to speak as I caress his soul

I release his soul, then hug him tightly. I start shaking, but I am not cold. He has me hidden in the jacket, keeping me warm. I start to cry.

"Monsieur?"He says

I grip him tighter. He lifts my up by the chin, making my head pop out of the collar space.

"You're....crying?"He says

"I don't want to lose the love of my life."I whimper

He looks at me in shock, his face burning up. He lifts my head and kisses me.

"Neither do I, silly."He says

"What the hell?"Alexis says

"Woah! Cool!"Stacy says

"Aww, how sweet."Jess says

I look at them.

"What?"I ask, then notice my voice changed

"You were a vampire? You were Fallacy?"Alexis says

"Yep."I say

I feel Encre put his coat on me to hide what I'm wearing. Especially as I change back to myself. I feel my fangs and wings grow back.

"Ah, feels good to be back!"I mutter

"Woah!"Stacy says

"Honor to meet you!"Jess says

"Likewise."I say

"Are you as bad as people make you sound?"Jess asks

"Eh, I'd prefer like many people to think of myself as a good person. But if someone pisses me off or does something to hurt me or people I care about, then I am not that good person to the culprit."I say

"His behavior depends on how you behave. But he is really nice."Encre says

"Wait, he marked you?"Jess says, noticing the mark on Encre's neck

"Yep."He says

"How'd he get marked then?"Stacy asks

"I was temporarily turned into a vampire and did it within that time."He says

"And I love that."I say, grinning

"S-So, you are each other's?"Stacy asks

"In a way yes."I say proudly

"Aww man."Alexis says

"Soooo, Alexis. Do you really wanna mess with me by hurting my precious Encre and sweet little soul?"I say, flashing her a dirty look

"Y-You were hurting my soul? Oh stars, what happened?"He asks

"You quoted me. You said you love me more than I'll ever know. And I know what that means. But this one was trying to squeeze your soul with magic as if it were some kind of game or joy for her."I say

Alexis frowns.

"N-No, I-I-I don't. I am sorry."He says

"Alright."I say with a shrug

She sighs with relief.

"But if he gets hurt because of you again, I will not hesitate."I growl

"Okay!"She says

"Fallacy, calm down."Encre says, gripping my arm

I look at him, then feel my face burn up.

"Love....Who made you w-w-wear that?"I ask, stumbling on my words

"Hehe, your sister. She didn't make me wear a long one since I had to blend in. But she made me wear a shorter one so that quote:When you have him and can make him happy with your cuteness. End quote."He says, laughing nervously

He is in an adorable red dress with yellow glow or shade near the center. It goes down to his knees with bright red shoes. The space between the dress and his shoes were his bare legs. I look at him and he is blushing, his face a bright rainbow. He tries to brush his hair over his face but it only trims his eyes. 

I smile.

"Well she isn't wrong. You make me happy and you look so cute.~"I say, placing a hand on his cheek

"I....Confessed to you didn't I?"He says

"Using my words to get the point across, I'd say. But now you confirmed that I was right of what I think you meant."I say

He starts to squirm. 

"You alright, Love?"I ask

"Y-You are okay with my feelings?"He asks

"Of course. I love you, why wouldn't I?"I say

"I dunno....Part of me was just automatically wondering if you meant it or was just playing with me....Why would the King of vampires choose a painter of all people was also something that was in the back of my skull."He explains

"More like why wouldn't I?"I say, then kiss him

He looks at me in shock. His face burns even more and I could feel his soul pounding as I pull him close. Then he shuts his eyes and wraps his arms around me. We drop to the bottom of the wagon and he keeps me in the kiss. I love every second. He pulls back, catching his breath.

"L-Let's get you three home-Aah!"He says, yelping as I kiss the back of his neck

I smile, loving him more than ever. 

Encre takes the reins and we ride off with mixed reactions behind us. Alexis is quiet, too scared to say anything. Jess is muffling squeals in her hands, finding us adorable and happy for us. Stacy was chill as heck, calmly congratulating us and offering help with anything.

Within 4 days we reached the Red Forest. Stacy gets out and imitates a howl. A werewolf comes prowling through the trees and sees her.

"Stacy! You're okay!"He cheers, leaping at her

He licks and kisses Stacy happily. She giggles and hugs him. He turns to his werewolf form and smiles. She whispers to him, then he looks at us and smiles even more.

"Thank you so much! I've been looking all over for her! I am so glad she is okay!"He says

"Hey, us monsters gotta stick together don't we?"I say

He comes over and sniffs me.

"Oh! Your majesty! Of course!"He says, bowing and shaking my hand

"Oh please, call me Fallacy."I say

"Yes, sir. This your girlfriend? I see that mark and your scent is strong on the human."He asks pointing to Encre

"He is my lover, yes. It's complicated."I say

"Eh, I don't mind. I'm the leader of my pack. I owe you, so my pack does too. Come here if you need anything. I'd love to repay the favor."He says

I nod.

"Now, I'll be on my way with my mate."He says, tossing Stacy onto his back

He goeson all fours and runs, howling into the night.

"Next forest we go!"Encre says

I turn to a bat to slip out of the dress and turn back to only have his jacket on, which covers my entire body.

"Could you take the reins?"Encre asks

"Of course my love."I say, taking the reins

A few hours later, I feel a change. Some magic was used. I check under the jacket to see I'm wearing a shirt with some pants. I look to Encre, who looked like he had just finished making something and Jess looked like she just used magic. Her hand was still in the motion.

"You're welcome."She says

"Oh! Thanks."I say

"No problem."She says while Encre just smiles

Alexis is asleep. I go on the hood of the wagon and steer with the reins from there to allow them to rest peacefully. 

We reach the next forest a week later. It is nearing Lovers Day of February 14th by now. It was February 14th by the time we got there. Among the bright and golden looking birch trees of the Golden Forest, beautiful flowers and bushes were everywhere. Jess got off with Alexis and Encre to find the vampire Jess got marked by safely. I stay to make sure the horses stay safe. 

Some time passes and I start getting worried. I climb down and walk behind the wagon, gazing in the direction they went. They are nowhere in sight. Then I feel someone jump at me from behind. I feel arms wrap around my neck. I look and see some lovely flowers behind lifted to my face. My face burns up. I glance and see Encre peeking over my shoulder.

"Happy Lover's Day, mon amour! These are for you!"He says

"Heh, thanks Love. They're lovely."I say

Then I notice a cut by his eye.

"Love? Are you alright? You weren't hurt when you left so why is there a wound by your eye?"I ask

"Oh nothing, just had some tree troubles. Stubborn branch hanging down. I'm alright."He says

"Did it slap you?"I ask

"Yes, which is very rude. I thought Mother Nature would've raised that tree to be better. Naughty tree."He says

We both chuckle and laugh. I sit in the wagon with him.

"Where's Alexis?"I ask

"Oh, she said she had to see something and will be back soon."He says

"Ah, I know what to do in the meantime.~"I say, crawling closer to him

"Mon amour?"He says

I wrap my arms around him. I lean in and kiss his neck. He doesn't twitch or squirm as much anymore. But his soul is racing and his face is burning. I kiss his cheek and smile as he becomes dazed with each kiss.

But then a black string sneaks in and grabs him, trying around his waist and binding his arms behind his back. It yanks him out.

"F-Fallacy?"He says

"Encre!"I shout

I hear laughter. Alexis walks over.

"You let him go right now!"I snap

"Oh, but that is out of my control now. As well as the fate of your friends you just sent into ambushes. Who knew that playing a victim would gain so much info. My boss will have a lovely time with him, er her."She says, patting Encre on the back roughly

The black string took him away.

"No!"I say, unfolding my wings

"But don't worry, it gets worse. Boss left you a welcome home gift at your castle. Ta ta!"She says, then throws down some smoke and weird powders

The breeze blows these powders to me, blinding me. I gag and cough, but could not see anything. The horses get scared and run, pulling me away in the wagon before I could regain my vision to do anything.

I regain my vision when the horses stopped at the castle. My home. I see a few yards away houses and huts being built for the other vampires, some done and others in the process. They've worked weeks on them. I see no gift. I get out and step inside. Instantly I knew something was off. For one thing, Suave didn't come to greet me or was chasing my son around. I didn't even hear them, and that says something since my son is a very loud child. And, I couldn't sense him or my sister anywhere.

"Hello?"I shout

Azula comes running over.

"Thank the stars you're here! Where the hell have you been? Don't answer that! Come on before I use my chancla!"She says, dragging me to another room

There I find Azure cradling Suave in his arms, rocking him to comfort him. Suave's condition is terrible He is bandaged but he has so many wounds, missing his glasses and his clothes are torn.

"Suave!"I exclaim, zipping over to my beloved friend

He opens an eye and looks at me in tears.

"M-M'Lord.....I'm so sorry. I failed you. I couldn't do my job......I couldn't protect them...."He says

I take him into my arms.

"What? Suave, you are no guard. You are my friend and most trusted servant."I say

"But as your friend I had every reason to protect them! It's like an unwritten job for a friend! Don't tell me that's not true, M'Lord because that's what you've done with all your friends for years! I went for a walk with M'Lords Jasper and Felicia, but we got ambushed! They got taken and I couldn't do anything but get beaten and tossed in here. I am so sorry, M'Lord!"He says

I hug him close to me.

Gotta be brave. Gotta be strong. Can't break down now.

"It's alright Suave. It's gonna be okay I promise. I am glad you are here at least. Let's get you patched up. Everything will be taken cared of."I tell him

"W-Where is Monsieur Encre?"He asks

"He is.....Elsewhere. No need to worry, Suave. Just rest and let us help you."I say, carrying him up the stairs

"Y-Yes, M'Lord."He says

I felt so many emotions building up but I keep a poker face on. I keep a fake smile and calmly assure him it will all be okay. This is part of being king. Being truly alone. Sure there are others but you are really alone at times like these. Because they're depending on you. They can break down all they want, but it all comes crumbling down if you, their leader and king, break down in front of them. You gotta bottle it up and hide it until you're alone, which is hardly anytime. You gotta be strong when you feel weak. Seem fine when you're falling apart inside. Because you're their foundation. Traitors and trouble start to make it topple, but it falls to nothing without a foundation. Only wih others you depend on as much as they depend on you can you break down with them. That is what I call secret foundation. Because when I, the king, am falling apart, they are what I depend on to help me through the bad times while everyone thinks it is perfectly okay and I'm sturdy in these situations.

And those fucking traitors and jerks took my secret foundation away or hurt them too bad to even bear that job without risking them crumbling too. I am alone. But not for long. Because they are gonna burn in hell if it's the last thing I do. I will not lose my family a second time.

====================================================================

(If you don't know, Fallacy had a wife that was killed, leaving him to care for Jasper. At least that's what I understand in most stories.)

TBC