When I wake the next morning, Jakoby's snuggled into my arms. His back rests against my chest. I don't want to wake him and I don't want to leave yet. This has been a very much needed moment. A night spent with someone who doesn't stress me out, who lets me feel this sense of normalcy. Waking up in a warm embrace doesn't seem like it should be held at such high regard, but it is for me. I like this, holding someone, pressing a tender kiss to his shoulder, hearing him slowly wake up and looking back at me with a tired smile.

"Good morning," I whisper, pressing another kiss on Jakoby's neck.

"Morning," he says, somehow managing to blush even this early in the morning.

"You hungry?" I ask. My head rests against his shoulder.

He nods. "I could eat."

I kiss his arm because, apparently, I'm starved for physical attention. "I'll make breakfast."

Jakoby rolls onto his back to watch me get out of bed. I definitely catch him staring at my ass until I put some clothes on.

"You can cook?" He asks teasingly.

"I am a man of endless talents... albeit cooking is not one of them. I can do the basics so I assure you, you won't die."

Jakoby's laughter follows me into the kitchen. He lives in a small apartment not far from the church where we met. I do the dishes first seeing as we didn't get around to them last night. By the time I'm prepping breakfast, Jakoby waddles out of the bedroom in a warm robe. His arms snake around my waist, refusing to release me even as I move around the kitchen.

"Careful," I say, resting a hand on his. "I don't want any backsplash hitting you."

"Spoken like a true protector." Jakoby releases me only to stand at my side. I like it. A lot. Sometimes I wonder where I'd be now if things had gone differently. If my family survived, would I be living like this with a loving boyfriend or husband? Would we be waking up every morning to make each other breakfast? Maybe we'd be kissing our kids awake or getting them ready for school. They're sweet thoughts.

"Just so you know, I've possibly got some work coming up that'll send me away for a week or two," I say, causing Jakoby to frown. I'm not sure if it's messed up of me to like that he appears disappointed, but I do. Because maybe that means he wants to meet up again. Give this another go--this meaning hanging out, not necessarily more sex, although I certainly wouldn't say no.

"But, if you want, we can spend more time together before I leave and I'll call you as soon as I get back?" I suggest, staring at our breakfast rather than face him, in case the response is bad.

"O-Okay," he says, sounding a little breathless. He rests his forehead against my shoulder. "I'd like that."

He grabs my hand to interlock our fingers. We stand like this until I finish breakfast. We pray to the Mothers over our meal and talk about mundane things like our favorite color or an embarrassing childhood story. I'd have stayed longer if I didn't suspect that'd make going back to the manor even worse. I can't give them all even more ammunition.

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes.

"I'll call and let you know if I'm traveling or not," I tell Jakoby at the door.

"Okay, be careful," he says, leaning up for a kiss that has me wrapping my arms around his waist. He leans into the kiss that lasts long enough to leave us both breathless.

"Bye," I whisper against his lips.

"Bye," he echoes. He stands at the door to watch me leave. I wave one last time before taking the stairs to the first floor.

Unfortunately, the moment Jakoby's out of sight, I'm back to serious and somber thoughts.

By now, Lore might have already received an answer concerning whether I can follow him to Vexsis or not. Although I'm the one who asked to tag along, I'm beginning to regret that request. I've only heard stories about Vexsis, most of them not being very good. The realm itself is beautiful; Olere said the red moon actually made the world seem as if it were made of stained glass. During the day, the sun has an almost bluish tint that changes all the colors slightly. Flowers are an off yellow or pale pink that leaves one befuddled and amazed.

However, the vampires are even more cocky because they're on their home turf. They parade around in their Warlords like a silent threat to Earth; how their technology is far more advanced even after what they've shared with us. And mortals, those who were unfortunate enough to be left behind after the Vampire Wars and had families on Vexsis, none of them know the meaning of freedom. They're slaves, carrying their master's parasols or becoming a quick drink on a hot summer day. If they so much as raise their voice without permission, death may be their punishment. There's nothing any of us from Earth can do about it. Their rules are their own, just like ours.

Will I survive the journey? Though they're bound not to harm me, a well placed accident could happen.

The church couldn't possibly have hoped for this opportunity, would they? I didn't know of Lore owning a nellore mine, but the church likely did. They could have hoped Lore would have to visit and take me with him. Have another member of the church infiltrate Vexsis, even if it's for a short while, and tell them what I saw when I get back. Or I'm thinking way too much into this due to the nerves slowly building as I get closer and closer to the manor.

I adjust the collar of my robes, hoping I can make it to my room before one of the kids see. Don't want them asking about the mosquito bites on my neck.

Pushing open the doors, I poke my head inside to check for any sign of the children. I'm immediately met by Draven, who is about to walk by, but he stops dead in his tracks when spotting me. He scowls, of course.

"You're back," he states, sounding disinterested, but his sneer says he wishes I fell off a cliff. His eyes drift to my neck. "There better not be a stranger behind you that you expect to have a day of sexual escapades with."

"What? Why would I have brought him with me?" I bite my tongue when spotting Draven's devilish grin.

"I bet the two of you prayed together afterward, thanking the Mothers for whatever weird shit you got into," Draven says, then walks away like he didn't successfully bait me and humiliate me.

"We didn't pray!" I shout after him, blushing. "And there was nothing weird! You... urgh!"

Everyone here is the worst! I storm off to my room before there can be another incident.

While changing, laughter drifts in through the open window. The children squeal with such glee that the mirth becomes contagious. I smile too, leaning against the framework to find them frolicking among the yard. Lore's with them, dressed down because he wouldn't dare to dirty his precious suits by crawling through the yard after a shrieking Ashby and Oliver. Angel attempts to rally her brothers by waving a wooden sword and pointing the blade at Lore, who I'm guessing is pretending to be some kind of beast that she slays. He falls dramatically onto his side, feigning death. Even sticking his tongue out the side of his mouth like the drama queen he is.

To the side, Arline supervises Darika, who must have some sort of wind trait. She blasts gusts of air out of her hand at Isabella, who wears goggles as she holds out her arms like a superhero. Nalo, Hyun Woo, and Reegan watch in awe or possible envy. No doubt they'll bug their older sister for a ride next.

They're so... exceedingly ordinary in the wackiest way. A family no different than any other, except maybe happier than anyone could expect. They're an amalgamation of people from different places and different backgrounds, but they work. They're happy children who deserve even more and--and how could any of them grow up to be bad? Why do they have to? Why can't they...

"Seren!" Oliver's voice calls, returning my attention to him. He has spotted me and now stands on the side of the fountain, waving a hand wildly. "Seren, come play with us! We're-we're going to play hide and seek next!"

"Oh yes, do come play, Seren," Lore calls, reviving from the dead to wiggle his fingers in my direction. I'd scowl if the children weren't watching and would likely misunderstand my expression.

I hesitate to respond. A wave of worry consumes me, dragging me to depths of overwhelming concern and confusion. You're not here to play, a voice whispers in the dark. You're not here to be their friend. Another voice answers, something warm and sweet that I've long forgotten; but why can't I be? Why can't I be happy--with them?

"I'll be down in a minute," I call and head for the door.

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

Whoa, there's a lot to unpack in this chapter. Seren's thinking a lot about family, not just what he wanted had things gone differently, but also Lore's current family. How do you feel about Seren's thoughts? Is he finally opening his eyes or is this going to send him into even worse thoughts?