After the ceremony ended, the soft glow of the full moon still lingered in the sky, casting a peaceful light over the gathering as everyone slowly made their way back home. The air was cool, carrying the lingering scents of the lake and the earth. Aelor, filled with both relief and excitement, found Kaelen at the edge of the crowd, his heart pounding in his chest. Without a second thought, he ran towards him, his steps light and full of energy.
Before Kaelen could react, Aelor threw himself into his arms, laughing with pure joy. Surprised but quick to catch him, Kaelen spun Aelor around, feeling the weight of the moment—the way Aelor's laughter was like music to his ears, the way his warmth felt like home.
Aelor's smile was radiant as he looked up at Kaelen, his face flushed with happiness. "Did you like it?" he asked, his voice full of eagerness. "Was the dance okay? I was worried I wasn't doing it right. I didn't want to disappoint anyone." His words tumbled out, his eyes searching Kaelen's face for reassurance.
Kaelen held him tightly, gently setting him down but keeping him close. He gazed at Aelor with admiration, his expression softening. "Your dance was beautiful," Kaelen said sincerely, his voice low with affection. "It was perfect. The moon goddess must have been watching you and smiling down." He placed a hand on Aelor's cheek, brushing his thumb gently over his skin. "You didn't need to worry about doing it right. What matters is that you did it with all your heart. And that's what makes it beautiful."
Aelor's face flushed even more, a soft smile spreading across his lips. He bit his lower lip, feeling both a sense of accomplishment and relief. "I'm glad you think so," he whispered. "It felt right when I was dancing, but a part of me was still nervous, wondering if I was living up to what everyone expected."
Kaelen chuckled, brushing a strand of Aelor's hair from his face. "You don't need to live up to anyone's expectations, Aelor. You just need to be yourself. That's enough for me—and for everyone else, too." His eyes softened, full of warmth and affection.
Aelor looked up at Kaelen, his heart swelling with emotions he didn't know how to express. The worries from earlier felt so distant now, washed away by the kindness and love Kaelen showed him. In that moment, everything felt so clear: he was exactly where he was supposed to be, with the person who mattered most.
"Thank you," Aelor murmured, stepping closer to Kaelen. "For being with me through all of this. For accepting me."
Kaelen smiled, pulling him into a tight embrace. "You don't need to thank me for that, Aelor. I'll always be here, no matter what." He held Aelor tightly, feeling the beat of his heart in sync with his own.
As Aelor pulled away from Kaelen, a sudden presence behind them caught their attention. Aldric, standing a few paces away, approached with an air of seriousness that immediately drew both their gazes. His dark eyes were focused, and though his expression was neutral, there was an underlying tension in his stance.
"Kaelen," Aldric began, his voice calm but firm. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you privately."
Aelor hesitated for a brief second, sensing the shift in energy. His protective instincts flared, but before he could speak, Rylan moved to his side. He placed a gentle hand on Aelor's arm, offering a reassuring smile.
"It's alright," Rylan said softly. "Aldric means no harm. He just wants some time to get to know Kaelen better. It's nothing to worry about."
Aelor glanced between Kaelen and Aldric, his brow furrowing slightly. He didn't like the idea of leaving Kaelen alone with Aldric, but Rylan's calm demeanor eased his concerns a little. Still, his heart fluttered with uncertainty.
"I'll be right here," Rylan added, his voice gentle but firm, seeing Aelor's hesitation. "Just take a breath. Everything is fine."
Aelor looked up at Kaelen, his heart skipping a beat. Without thinking, he leaned in and pressed a quick, tender kiss to Kaelen's cheek. "I'll be waiting for you," he murmured softly, his gaze lingering on Kaelen's lips before he reluctantly pulled away.
Kaelen smiled, his expression soft and reassuring as he watched Aelor walk off. "Take care, Aelor," he said quietly, his heart warmed by the gesture. He understood Aelor's protective nature, and it only made him appreciate their bond more.
Once Aelor was out of earshot, Aldric turned his attention to Kaelen, his posture slightly more relaxed now that they were alone. He exhaled a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair before speaking again.
"I suppose we should start properly," Aldric said, his tone far softer now, though it still carried a touch of command. "I'm Aldric—head of the King's Guard, as you probably already know. I'm not one to make things complicated, but there's been a lot of tension between my people and elves over the years."
He paused, watching Kaelen carefully for any reaction. His gaze softened slightly, his arms folding across his chest. "I know you've been through a lot, Kaelen. I'm not here to judge or make assumptions. I just want to understand who you are and where you stand, especially with what's happened recently. We'll need to work together if we're going to get through this."
Aldric's voice had softened even further, though there was a trace of something deeper, something far less guarded, that had begun to emerge.
"Maybe we can begin with a simple question," Aldric continued, his eyes locked on Kaelen's. "What do you truly want, Kaelen? Out of all of this? What's your goal?"
Kaelen chuckled softly at Aldric's question, his dark eyes flashing with an almost detached amusement. "What do I want?" he echoed, shaking his head slightly. "I don't even know anymore. I woke up from my coffin with no memory of who I was, what I was, or where I came from. All I know is that I'm not like the other vampires, and I don't even understand what that means fully."
His voice held a tinge of sorrow, the pain of his lost memories lingering in the way he spoke. Aldric remained silent, watching Kaelen with a piercing gaze as the vampire seemed to lose himself in thought for a moment.
"I don't want anything, Aldric," Kaelen finally continued, his voice steadier now, though still carrying an edge of frustration. "I'm just trying to survive, to figure out where I belong in all of this."
Aldric's lips pressed into a thin line, and he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. There was a subtle coldness in his gaze as he listened, though his tone remained calm. "The Council demands protection," Aldric said, his voice flat but carrying an undeniable weight. "They don't trust vampires, not after all the history, all the losses. The things that have happened over centuries. You have to understand that."
Kaelen's expression shifted slightly, the calm facade cracking just enough to reveal a flicker of offense. His jaw tightened, and he met Aldric's gaze with a defiant look. "So what, you're telling me that because of the actions of my ancestors, I should be judged and feared? That I'm not allowed to make my own choices, to try and do better, just because of what others have done?"
Aldric's eyes darkened, and he exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders growing as he straightened up. "I'm not telling you anything, Kaelen," he replied, his voice edged with a barely contained frustration. "I'm just saying what the Council expects. If you want to earn their trust, if you want to prove you're not a danger, then you have to follow their demands."
Kaelen's lips curled into a slight sneer, the vampire's patience wearing thin. "And what is that? You want me to go back to Crelvaris, to the city of my ancestors, where everything's ruled by fear? You think that will make them feel safe?" His voice was low, almost dangerous now, as he stepped closer to Aldric, his eyes flashing with irritation. "You really think that just because I'm a vampire, I'm automatically a threat?"
Aldric took a step back, surprised by the sudden intensity in Kaelen's voice. He was taken aback, and for a moment, the hardness in his expression faltered. But then, in a sharp motion, he crossed his arms again, locking eyes with Kaelen, not backing down.
"I didn't say that," Aldric muttered, his tone less forceful now but still firm. "But the Council's demands are not something I can ignore. It's not just about trust; it's about survival. They want you to go back, Kaelen. It's the only way to prove that you're not a danger, that you won't turn on them or anyone else."
Kaelen's fists clenched at his sides, and for a moment, there was silence between them. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, though the frustration still burned inside him. "I'm not like those other vampires, Aldric. I'm not like the ones who've hurt your people. I won't turn on you. I won't hurt anyone here. I'm trying to find my own path, but I can't do that if I'm forced back into a world I don't even remember."
Aldric hesitated, and for the first time, Kaelen saw a flicker of something like understanding in his eyes. It was brief, but it was there. "I didn't like what the Council said either," Aldric admitted quietly, his voice less certain now. "I didn't like how they think they can control everything, how they want to dictate what happens with you, with Aelor." He paused, looking over Kaelen's shoulder, his gaze distant for a moment before he continued. "But they're still the ones in charge. And sometimes, you have to do things you don't want to, to make everyone feel safe."
Kaelen took a deep breath, trying to ground himself as he processed Aldric's words. He was no fool; he understood the position they were in. He understood the fear, the mistrust, the centuries of history that had shaped the Council's views of vampires. But it didn't make it any easier.
He let out a sigh, his frustration ebbing away as he spoke, his voice softer now. "I don't know if I can go back, Aldric. I don't know if I can be the person they want me to be, or if I can even be the person I need to be. I'm just trying to figure it out, one step at a time."
Aldric's expression softened, and for a moment, he simply stood there, watching Kaelen, his own mind working through the implications of what had been said. Finally, he nodded slowly, his voice low. "I get it, Kaelen. I really do." He paused for a moment, then added, "But you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out. Just… give it time."
Kaelen met his gaze, his eyes still holding a hint of wariness but also something more: a quiet understanding. "We'll see, Aldric," he murmured, his voice steady, though his heart still weighed heavy with uncertainty.
The two of them stood there for a moment, the night air cool around them, the sounds of the celebration drifting in from the distance. Neither of them spoke again, but in the silence, there was a mutual recognition — of the tension between them, but also of the fragile bridge that was slowly beginning to form, piece by piece.