He spoke in a voice as smooth as silk, "Let me give you some insight about me." he murmured. "I told you, I don't do love or relationships. I get involved only with women who know the rules"
He paused, for his words to sink in and in a low voice he continued, "One thing you should never question, Princess.." He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear as he whispered, "I never take what isn't offered. I don't need to."
Seconds passed between them and his voice turned razor-sharp, "Men who force themselves on women? I kill them, slowly… So if you ever so much think that me asking for your blood is a ploy to get your body, think again."
Evelyn felt his cold aura brush against her and gradually, her glow began to recede. The tension between them thickened in the silence, so taut it felt like it might snap at any moment.
His hand then came to hover just above her heart as he whispered, "If anything were to happen between us…it would only be when something changes….. in here." He pointed at her heart.
Before she could utter another word, a sharp clink cut through the air. Her gaze dropped to have dread creep in.
Ivan was holding on to her amber locket or what was left of it.
The once beautiful amber stone at the center was now like a fractured star. Cracks webbed across its surface like a spider's snare, as if it were holding itself together by sheer will.
In a smooth movement, Ivan finally pulled her onto the platform, allowing Eve to place her feet back on solid ground, away from the edge. Once steady, she released her grip on the crumpled Ivan's cloak and slowly stepped back, glancing behind her to make sure she wouldn't fall again.
Then her eyes dropped to the locket still in Ivan's hand. "This… why is this happening? Is it because I used my powers on those dark creatures?"
Ivan examined the locket, his eyes narrowing slightly. Without a word, he let it go. His gaze shifted to the staircase leading down into a dark chamber within the lighthouse.
After briefly extending his senses to confirm no one was below and no trace of darkrot lingered nearby, he lifted his hand towards her and said, "There are certain things you need to know, things I need to confirm. Shall we find out together, Princess?"
Eve glanced at his hand, then looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean by things you need to confirm? Where are we going?"
He didn't answer immediately. A hint of a smile ghosted his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Some truths," he murmured mysteriously, "can only be found in the dark." He then asked again, "So princess, are you planning to stand there looking lost all night, or do you actually want to figure somethings out?"
Eve's eyebrow furrowed slightly at his mocking tone, "I do and... I can walk on my own Prince Ivan," she said, refusing to take his hand.
He tilted his head slightly and replied nonchalantly, "Yes you can. You clearly walked to your death just moments ago." Then, in a more serious tone, he added, "Where we are going, it's going to be pretty dark. Unless you've suddenly developed night vision like a vampire, I suggest you accept kindness while I'm still offering it."
"It's not like your kindness comes for free. I already paid for the last one, in blood, no less." She muttered quickly under her breath.
Ivan, who heard her perfectly, let a smirk curl on his lips. "Don't worry, princess. This kindness is on the house" When she gave him a doubtful look, he added, "I give you my word."
With a hesitant breath, she slipped her hand into his. His fingers closed gently around her, firm and warm—as he led her towards the dark staircase descending into the lighthouse's chamber.
As they walked down the staircase, Ivan took one steady step at a time, making sure Evelyn didn't trip and fall. He could feel her nervousness in the way her grip tightened around his hand with every step. Her heartbeat hadn't calmed since she nearly fell from the top of the lighthouse.
He let out a soft sigh, as his senses were beginning to grow overwhelmed by her jitteriness.
In a quieter tone, he said "Calm down, princess. At this rate, someone across the street could probably hear your heart pounding."
Evelyn sighed heavily and said, "I apologies, but this isn't exactly a walk in the park and I don't see why I should be relaxed."
"Hm true." He seemed to consider something for a moment before adding, "How about I answer one or two of your questions until we reach where we're supposed to?"
Eve blinked, clearly caught off guard, "You'll actually do that?"
"Yes. Didn't I say I'd consider answering one or two of your questions if you answered mine truthfully and to my satisfaction?"
Thinking about her answers, she blushed again as her thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened between them some time ago. Shaking her head inwardly, she cleared her throat and said softly, "Can you tell me exactly who these darkrots are?"
"Darkrots are evil creatures who were once humans. They were amongst those who were not blessed by the gods with any powers, neither as lumens or vampires. Their envy and greed drove them to practice vile and forbidden magic, which granted them dark powers. But such power comes at a terrible cost. As a punishment for going against nature, their body began to rot from within, leaving them deformed, hollow and hungry. Now, they walk in shadow, sustained only by blood and souls of the innocent they sacrifice to keep their decay at bay."
"How do they survive by sacrificing others?" Eve asked, her voice low.
"They kill them," Ivan replied grimly. "And through ancient, forbidden rituals, they use their victims' blood and souls to summon power from the darkest corners of magic. It's as cruel as it is unnatural. They mostly target women and children, like you witnessed that day."
"Why only women and children?" she asked, horrified.
"Because children's souls are the purest, untainted and full of light. And women... they prey on the depth of their emotions. The anguish, the fear, the heartbreak–it fuels their spells. Like children they go more after virgin women than others since they consider them pure. The more innocent, the more effective is the sacrifice. And the more pain they inflict on others, the more negativity they feed on. They are not just evil, they're monsters who've abandoned every shred of humanity they once had."
"That's…horrifying." Eve whispered.
"It is, princess, which is why you should stay clear of those vile creatures as much as possible." warned Ivan.