Khloe's POV:

I stared absently out at extensive forest below from Nico's balcony, the cool breeze tossing my hair as it passed.

I pulled the blanket I had draped over my shoulders tighter against my body.

It had been a while since Marcus brought me back and Nico still hadn't returned.

And of course, my mind immediately began coming up with the worst case scenario for whatever Nico could be experiencing ever since I returned to this room.

Given the fact that the Lord would force his own advanced powers against his own son to silence him like that... whos to say what else he wouldn't hesitate to do to him.

No matter how much Nico insisted that he was used to this sort of thing, I was worried about him.

I tried not to focus on the whole 'going on dates' thing that his father proposed, since Nico denied it so quickly, thankfully, but even that topic was running frantically through my mind with all of the others.

I tried to take my mind off of things by drawing or reading, but my brain refused to process a single word I tried to read and all of my inspiration to draw was completely gone.

So as a last ditch effort, I came onto the balcony hoping that the view and cold air would be enough help calm my nerves.

Which it did. At least a little.

I gazed up to the nearly full moon, noting that you could see the stars a lot better here than I ever could in Bronwyn's city.

My eyes slowly gazed down to the horizon, the forest and meadow below being so vast that they stretched all the way to it.

Nico told me that he had switched rooms with Xander when they were fairly young since he didn't like the view of the city nearly as much as he enjoyed this one.

I honestly couldn't blame him.

I folded my arms on the marble railing of the balcony, resting my chin upon them and letting my eyes flutter shut.

The quiet sound of the breeze and rustling leaves filled my senses.

I was tired but I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to sleep until Nico came back.

It was late, far too late for Nico and the Lord to still be conversing... right?

I swallowed hard, every logical thought I had telling me that he should definitely be back by now.

He should have been back a while ago.

I had to keep reminding myself that my knowledge about whatever topic their conversation was limited. Aswell was my knowledge on their relationship as father and son and Lord and Heir.

I lifted my head up, slowly opening my eyes.

Maybe... Maybe their conversation was over, but Nico went to go do something. Maybe he went to go hunting...

As much as I hated that idea, I almost hoped that that was the case.

I leaned over the railing and squinted down at the forest below, as if I would even be able to spot him from all the way up here.

A small sigh left me as I reluctantly turned the other way.

Nothing I did was going to make him come back any faster, but if I was going to stay awake, it would be easier to do so out here where its colder.

I quietly made my way over to the red-cushioned couch that was honestly big enough to be a bed for three people that was kept out here.

I crawled onto it and over to the corner, resting my lower back against the armrest and stretching my legs out from there.

Not focusing on my worries became more of a problem by the second

Luckily I didn't have to worry about that for long, because a sudden noise from what I thought was inside the room caused me to turn my head towards the door I came out of.

Nico?

I just stared at it for a moment, the night returning to silence save for its own tranquil sounds.

My anticipation grew probably way too much for just one small noise.

I was about to return to my original position before the door I came out of opened and Nico, much to my relief, walked through, turning to spot me almost immediately.

A small, warm smile rose on his lips.

"Hey," he began, sounding surprisingly normal, "You're still awake."

I was surprised for a moment by how casual he sounded and looked. Like that entire fight with his father didn't just happen.

There's no possible way that he was that used to this.

I could see and practically feel the anger rolling off of him during the short but I was present for.

His eyes were still that gorgeous green instead of deep red, so I guess my hunting theory was incorrect.

Thankfully, but also... not

Was he really having that conversation this whole time?

"Yeah. I didn't really want to sleep until you got back," I responded watching him as he got closer.

"I figured," He said, "Which is probably best or else this would have gone to waste."

I just then noticed what he was holding as he lifted his hand.

He held a small mug by the rim with his fingertips, a mist of steam rising from it.

I took it from his curiously as he handed it to me before he began to climb onto the couch, thanking him.

"What is it?" I questioned while Nico scooted beside me, taking the liberty of raising my legs up so he could sit with them across his lap.

"I don't actually know. I stopped by the kitchen on my way back for something and smelled something else in there that I thought you would like. When she explained it just sounded like some sort of glorified hot chocolate." He explained, setting his arm around me and onto the armrest.

I examined the brown liquid in the mug, the warmth of it warming my hands.

Bringing it up to my nose, I inhaled, catching the perfectly sweet and almost earthy aroma.

The hot air flowed against my face as I exhaled into the mug, more than content with how it smelled.

Without any more hesitation, I took a long sip, letting the warm, rich dark chocolate and creamy taste warm my throat and body.

I couldn't help the satisfied "Mmm" from exiting my throat, taking another long drink.

Nico chuckled while his other hand began to lightly trace down my legs.

"I take it that you like it?" He asked.

I nodded, smiling as I swallowed the remaining liquid in my mouth.

"Do you want some?" I asked, tilting the mug towards him.

He eyed the mug, seeming to consider my offer before his gaze switched to my upper lip.

Only then did I notice that I probably had a prominent hot-chocolate mustache.

Before I could even think to do anything about it, Nico's hand had cupped the back of my neck and leaned down.

I gasped softly as his lips captured my top one slowly, almost teasingly before I felt his tongue run across it.

All while keeping his eyes locked on mine.

He backed up slowly, his tongue running over his own top lip before he smiled innocently.

"Wow that is pretty good," He beamed.

"I-I Uh-" I stammered, trying to come up with some witty retort but only becoming more lost in my flustration

Every time I thought I was getting better with getting flustered around him, he always did something that proved me wrong.

Nico let out another laugh, his hand now rubbing my arm through the blanket as he pulled me closer up against him.

I leaned my head against his shoulder, 'hmph'ing in defeat before taking another sip.

I couldn't help but smile a bit after the fact.

After all, Nico just went through with his father and he still managed to think of me and come back smiling.

I wonder if he was always like this, although judging how cold his demeanor was whenever he wasn't in his room, id say probably not.

I really hoped that his happiness wasn't in an effort to hide something.

"So um," I began, "How did things go with the Lord?" I finally asked.

I felt Nico's chest rise and fall as he let out a sigh, his grip tightening on me.

"I have a date in two days," He spoke quietly, almost irritated at the words.

I felt my stomach turn a bit.

"Oh," is all I said, taking another drink to try to make the feeling go away.

"Yeah. I tried to fight him on it and refuse as much as I could but," He paused clearing his throat, "Things got... heated. He started threatening, so eventually, I gave in, figuring that if accepting his offer would get him off my back for a while, things might work out."

Threatening?

That feeling in my stomach didn't go away.

If Nico was being forced to go on these dates with so many vampire women... Women that were far more physically attractive than me...

My chest tightened at my next thought.

What if he finds someone better than me?

"So, what does that mean?" I asked.

Nico drew in a large breath, gazing out at the starry sky.

"That means that I'm going to be bored out of my mind for a couple hours with whatever poor girl my father decided to set me up with, counting down the seconds to when I can leave her and come back home to you," He spoke softly, effectively calming me.

My brows rose in surprise.

I don't know why, but his answer wasn't anything close to what I was expecting.

But I couldn't help but feel elated at his words.

"Really?" I asked.

He nodded, kissing the top of my head.

"Really. You have no reason to be nervous Khloe. Trust me."

My smile returned quickly as I rubbed against the fabric of his shirt.

He seemed so certain.

"I trust you."