Ares trailed behind Eleanor, staring closely on her slender figure as she glided down the corridor in a slow, ethereal pace. His silver eyes sparkled with curiosity, and his lips parted slightly as he wondered.
Was sleepwalking a common habit of hers? Where was she headed?
She wandered through the castle's winding corridors, her path meandering through multiple corners and down several flights of stairs. And each time she was on the verge of colliding with an obstacle, he was swift to intervene, gently guiding her toward a clear route.
Surprisingly, she made her way to the balcony, which offered a stunning view of the castle's courtyard. There, she stood for a long while.
Ares positioned himself behind her, his head tilted to the side in curiosity. He felt an overwhelming urge to call out her name, but instead, he remained silent, observing and waiting to see what her next move would be.
And then, in a move that left him stunned, she grasped the concrete railing and hoisted herself onto the balcony.
The wind instantly swept her dress and hair to the side, as if trying to pull her back. But she stood firm, turning to face him, her eyes still closed, yet there were tears streaming down her face.
Her lips trembled uncontrollably. "Mother... Father..." she whispered, the words hanging in the air like a desperate plea.
"Bloody hell!" he rushed towards her, and just as she seemed to let go, surrendering to her pain, he swept in, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into a tight embrace.
With a deep, ragged breath, he lifted her off the railing, cradling her limp body in his arms. Suddenly, she went still, her silence a complete difference to the emotional turmoil that had consumed her moments before. Her eyelashes trembled, and she slipped into a deep sleep, her head nestled against his chest.
Ares looked at her in disbelief, realizing that her emotional pain was far deeper than he had initially thought. The loss of her family had left her deeply scarred.... Scarred enough to make her want to kill herself.
His heart swirled with a mix of pity... guilt... and frustration. He couldn't help but feel responsible for her pain, yet he knew he couldn't have prevented it.
The phoenixes' trust in the vampires had been their downfall, and their demise was inevitable. But his little bird was a different story altogether. She was a rare exception.
Ares returned her to the chamber, tucking her into bed with a care. He chose to stay by her side, watching over her as she slept, ready to catch her if another sleepwalking episode were to occur.
He immersed himself in a book, attempting to distract his mind until dawn. Yet, his eyes kept wandering back to Eleanor's peaceful form, her serene beauty captivating him.
He couldn't help but steal glances at her sleeping face, taking in the gentle curves of her features and the soft rise and fall of her chest. Whenever he caught himself staring too long, as if entranced, he would force his eyes away, blinking rapidly to break the spell.
But his attention inevitably drifted back to her, for she was far more fascinating than the words on the page.
As the sunlight streamed into the chamber, its warm rays danced across Eleanor's face, illuminating her porcelain skin and casting a golden glow on her golden hair. The gentle light seemed to bring out the delicate features of her face, making her beauty even more captivating.
Ares couldn't resist the sight, closing his book and placing it on his lap. He reached out, gently brushing the stray strands of hair from her face, and let out a deep sigh.
"Breakfast must have started half an hour ago," he muttered, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Then with a deep breath, he leaned away, rose from the bed, and made his way to the bathing room.
...
Eleanor's eyes fluttered open, her gaze blurry, meeting the row of dresses lined up for her to choose from. A sharp pain shot through her head, and she rubbed her forehead, groaning softly.
As she sat up, her fingers tangled in her hair, she noticed Ares seated on the cushion near the fireplace, his attention absorbed in the book he held. His rugged features and chiseled profile caught her attention, and she couldn't help but admire how handsome he looked, already dressed for the day.
"Are you just going to stare?" He asked, his voice and face emotionless.
She frowned, her eyes never leaving his face. "I have eyes, and I'm simply using them as intended,"
Ares' lips twitched, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Do you have legs?"
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Don't you?"
Ares closed his book, placing it on his lap, and turned his intense gaze on her. "You were supposed to be awake an hour ago,"
Eleanor's eyes flashed with irritation. "And whose fault is that?"
Ares nodded in agreement, his expression solemn. "Fair," he acknowledged, before rising from his seat and striding towards the row of dresses.
"Breakfast started an hour ago, and thankfully, they'll all be expecting us," he added as he selected the red dress.
"I'm not exactly thrilled about dining with a room full of vampires." Eleanor climbed off the bed and stretched out her arms, her movements fluid and graceful.
Ares paused, his eyes darkening a bit. "Do you want me to remind you?"
"That I don't have a choice?" Eleanor walked towards him, her eyes locked on his, and smiled slyly. "I'm well aware of that fact, Ares Mazitis, and I've made a decision about what I'll get when you achieve your goal."
Ares was taken aback by her words, his eyes widening in surprise. He was impressed by her boldness and confidence, his eyes burning with curiosity. "What decision, Little Bird?"
Eleanor looked away from him, her eyes clouding in thought as she sighed softly. She poked her cheek thoughtfully, her expression brooding. "Well, your demon friend told me that you didn't play a role in the downfall of my kind," she began, her voice low.
"I don't know him, but for some reason, I believe him. After all, you did save me from your brother's clutches."
Ares' impatience grew, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward. "Where are you going with this, Little Bird?" he pressed, his voice strong but controlled.
"This betrothal of ours," Eleanor's lips curled into a snarl, her anger seething just below the surface. "It was supposed to end the war between our kinds, but your kind reneged on their promise."
Her words dripped with bitterness, her hatred for the vampires growing with each passing moment.
The logic was simple. Royal blood united with royal blood to end the war. But Eleanor's mind raced with questions. Why not the first son? Why had they chosen the illegitimate son, the outcast, and the feared?
The secrets lay hidden behind this betrothal... She was going to uncover them!
"When we marry, I will use my power as queen to wipe out the vampires once and for all." she declared, her eyes hardening as she stared at him.