Author's POV
Inside the bathroom, the world had drifted away. Tsukia stood frozen as the faucet dripped, her mind trapped in a vision of red spider lilies and a black-oak tree with leaves as white as bone. She saw a nation of peace—children's laughter, vibrant homes—only for the scene to glitch into a sea of rising blood.
A sharp knock shattered the dream.
"Are you good?" Nightshade's voice was low, vibrating through the wood of the door.
Tsukia startled, quickly killing the flow of water. "Yeah," she managed, her heart still racing from the sight of the blood-red sea.
When she opened the door, she was met with the full force of Nightshade's presence. He stood there, his medium-wavy silver mullet framing a face that was unfairly handsome. His deep silver eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. She looked down at her feet, unable to maintain eye contact with a "face card" that powerful.
"Lori and Jasmia are having a deep talk," he said, his voice smooth as silk. He reached out, his cool fingers wrapping around her hand. "Wanna go outside for some fresh air?"
Tsukia found herself nodding before she could even think of an excuse.
As they went outside skipping the room where Lori and jasmia are, The moon was a brilliant coin in the sky, reflecting off the rushing water of the river. The air was biting—winter was only a few weeks away. November 23rd. Tsukia hugged herself, shivering as the wind sliced through her thin clothes.
Without a word, Nightshade stripped off his jacket, leaving him in only a thin shirt that hinted at the lean muscle beneath. He draped the heavy fabric over her shoulders.
"Don't you feel cold?" she asked, pulling the jacket tight. It smelled like him—rain, expensive coffee, and something metallic.
"I'm a vampire," he chuckled, the sound low and melodic. "My body is already cold. My hometown... it's much worse than this. You get used to it."
"I want to go there someday," Tsukia hummed, watching the moonlight dance on the ripples of the water.
"Nah. It's dangerous," he said, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Not all vampires are as kind as I am."
"Shut up"
They shared a quiet laugh, a rare moment of peace that felt fragile, as if the slightest loud noise would break it. Tsukia thought about her upcoming birthday on March 10th. For the first time in her life, she felt like she had a reason to celebrate.
"What's your dream?" Nightshade asked suddenly. The question hung in the air, weighted and serious.
Tsukia paused. "Maybe... a dream where I can finally understand myself better."
Nightshade turned toward her, his sharp features softening. "Can I intervene?" he asked, stepping a fraction closer so that she was almost shielded by his frame. "I want to understand you better, too."
Tsukia's heart skipped a beat. The slow-burn tension that had been simmering since the day they met felt like it was finally catching fire. "What about you?" she whispered. "What's your dream?"
"A normal life," he said simply.
The honesty in his voice was staggering. For a prince of a dark nation, a "normal life" was the ultimate rebellion.
The snapping of twigs interrupted the moment. Nightshade's instincts flared instantly; he stepped in front of Tsukia, pulling her back against his chest. His heart was steady, a rhythmic thrum against her shoulder blades.
But it wasn't a monster. Lori and Jasmia emerged from the trees, looking confused but happy. Nightshade slowly released his grip on Tsukia, his expression shifting back to his usual cool mask.
"What are you guys doing out here?" Jasmia asked, tilting her head.
"Nightshade said you and Lori were having a deep talk," Tsukia explained, pointing back at him. "We didn't want to interrupt."
Lori and Jasmia exchanged a look of pure bewilderment.
"Deep talk? Since when?" Jasmia asked. "We were literally just watching TV and eating. We were waiting for you! Nightshade said he was just going to the bathroom to check on you."
Tsukia's eyes snapped to Nightshade. He was suddenly very interested in a particular cloud, whistling a tuneless note.
"My vampire brother is trying to score," Lori teased, throwing an arm over Nightshade's shoulder. Nightshade didn't argue, he just let his eyes flash a predatory red for a split second, a silent command for Lori to shut up.
The sheer absurdity of it all the lie, the weirdly protective streak, the almost domestic vibe of the moment hit Tsukia like a ton of bricks. She actually burst out laughing. For the first time in forever, genuine tears pricked at her eyes, but they weren't from the "disaster" or the cold.
She looked at them, the fire-user who wore his heart on his sleeve, the healer who kept them grounded, and the hybrid who was a total nightmare and it finally clicked. She wasn't just a girl hiding on a mountain anymore. She finally had a reason to keep moving.
Jasmia grabbed her hand, leading her back toward the basement with the boys trailing behind like a pair of silent guardians. Tsukia didn't look back, but she could feel Nightshade's gaze on her a look of protective, unspoken desire that promised this was only the beginning.