Beast kept his eyes shut for ages. Gazes of his companions piercing in his body. He was aware of every one of them. Indifferent gaze of Ancient One, attentive yet worrisome aura of Duval, and highly curious eyes of a lovely maiden.

They all were so patient with him. Duval who had a habit of pulling off his hood when he was young, knew how much his Master hated his eyes, the most inhumane of his traits. His eyes were one thing that earned him the title of "Beast" by his sire and grandsire. He remained fearful of his companion's thoughts. More precisely, about the young maiden. He chided himself for worrying, he worried nonetheless.

"Open your eyes, Half-and-half! For your secretive nature has kept you alone for so long. Let others see you as you see them but better. Let them choose you before you reject them for the thoughts that earn you nothing!" Ancient Ones commanded.

He took a deep breath. He needed the strength to face the young maiden. He desperately needed her to acknowledge him as he was. A half-demon and half-human, A warlock.

He kept his glance at Ancient One as he opened his eyes, unable to meet Milah's. Ancient One's smile was reassuring and kind.

"Beautiful.." He wasn't sure if he heard it or not.

"Such beautiful eyes!"

He wasn't mistaken. Oh, he was so happy he wasn't mistaken.

An old memory hit him hard. He remembered despising his features when he was young. His sister and caretaker Lady Naula words came to his mind. "One day, someone will find your eyes beautiful and they will love for who you are, brother. Make sure to mind your manners then."

"They are, Lady Milah. They are, indeed." He heard Duval's delight.

Beast watched his reflection in Milah's emerald eyes. His stunning blues resting on black instead of ordinary human whites. Beast glanced towards Ancient One who was engrossed in conversation with Raven.

"I am Seren, son of Lord Fenrir." He politely bowed to Milah. "I am a Warlock., half-demon by uncanny circumstances." His words trembled.

His body shook as he felt Milah taking his hand in hers.

"Thank you for showing yourself, Lord Seren," Milah said kindly. "I am Milah Drayer, daughter of Mayor Adolphus Drayer of Town Riverside. I am pleased to meet you."

He felt sudden ease. After dejection from his own blood and the rest of mankind, he truly felt that he belong here. He belonged among the spirits of woods, a mage and a young maiden who accepted him in a nick of time. Millennium worth of solitude meant nothing for that very moment.

"Danger is still upon us."  Ancient One broke his relished state. "My bird here told me that Blackworld has learned of pretty creature's existence. They will come for her demanding the payment for what you did ages ago."

Milah couldn't comprehend what they were speaking about.

"If they learned of the ability Lady behold, there will be carnage and problems beyond our control." Duval chimed in worriedly.

"I agree. We must keep her safe. She mustn't pay for the wrongs I committed when I didn't know better." Beast said.

They kept talking ignoring her like she wasn't there. Her anger was getting more and more flared up as they continue to disregard her presence. She wanted to keep her dignity by not talking over them but she couldn't take it anymore.

"WILL YOU ALL JUST TELL ME WHAT ARE YOU ALL BABBLING ABOUT!?!" She shouted.

Men became stunned and quiet. Raven laughed aloud put her arm around her shoulder.

"A strong human this one is." Raven smiled at her.

"Talk to me about my matter," Milah said. she watched them as a mother watch her misbehaving children.

"I...I..." Beast stuttered.

"OUT WITH IT, SEREN!" she yelled once more.

"I tried to bring my sister back to life when I was an idiot brat." He said.

"Then?"

"I struck a deal with a Demon whose blood course through my flesh to revive her. We did revive her. But for a day, she died anyway. I am to give my bride as a payment for that black spell I used then."

"But you don't have a bride." Said Milah. She looked at others for an answer.

Duval averted his gaze. Seren lowered his head. He yearned for the obscurity his hood provided him.

"Brat likes you, pretty creature and that is enough for those Demons." Ancient One declared.

Seren lifted his head hurriedly, his mouth gaped with surprise. He believed as Milah lived in his castle, Demons might have mistaken her for what she was not. He was still learning what he felt for the maiden and he wasn't sure if it was something in that manner.

Milah's face turned rosy, which caused Seren to become more flustered. Duval watched both of them with interest and an all-knowing smile.

It was Raven who slapped Ancient One's arm.

"You have no tact, Sorbus. Half-demon hasn't even realized his heart himself. And there you are, declaring his unknown matters of the heart to the whole forest!"

"Aren't I hurrying it up? The sooner these fools realize it better."

Milah stole a glance at Seren, causing both of them to fluster more than before.

Duval couldn't keep it together. He laughed, laughed, and laughed till he was in tears. Raven joined in. Ancient One still hadn't realized what he had done.

"What will you both do?" Ancient One asked when the laughter of their companions died.

"I will not let Lady Milah be given to Demons!" Seren became angry. "With due respect Ancient One, Lady is under my roof. I will provide her with the needed protection. She is a person, not a gold coin!"

"Calm down, Brat. I will not give up my human, my pretty creature to those vile beings. This forest accepts her as its own. I accept her as my own. They will not go against me. But you have a debt to pay. Order must be maintained." Ancient One lowered his voice. "Price for such spells must be paid."

"And that bloody mage hadn't paid for saving me in my mother's womb as well." Seren sighed. "I have to pay for it as well. I am willing to give my own life, I have always been. They don't accept mine as a payment."

"Have you ever thought of fighting against them, you insolent fool?" Raven taunted.

"Fight against Blackworld's forces?" Duval was quite aghast. "Would it not disrupt the balance Ancient One hold too dear?"

"When pretty creatures can destroy Blackworld's curses, why fight them?" Ancient One's words turned heads. Then they all looked at Milah with expecting eyes.

"I beg your pardon, I can do...what?" Milah took a step back, surprised. "I don't know of such power I possess."

Seren went up to her. He murmured an ancient spell he thought he had forgotten and blow on Milah's face.

She lit up like a starry night. She radiated a delicate, warm light around her. Trees moved and fays started to gather around them, muttering and pointing out at Milah.

"What's happening?" Milah asked staring at her radiance.

Suddenly they went silent. Fays parted in two divisions and made a path for the fairy queen.

Tatiana first bowed to Ancient One with respect and then to Milah.

"We waited for you for eons, Charmer," Tatiana kept her head low. Milah hurriedly asked Tatiana to raise her head.

"Pay your respect to the Charmer of Magic, Lady of the Moon and Star, Destroyer of Casters, Fay-friend and Lord Sorbus's blessed, Charmer Milah!" Raven announced. Fay, their queen, Duval, even Seren knelt before her.

"Welcome, Charmer Milah!" They shouted.