To Love and Loathe
The couple had moved from the dusty hallway to the main bedroom of the 'Fly Away' wing. The little vampire was resting her head on the snoozing werewolf that sat on the burgundy sofa. Xiana combed her fingers through Arlot's shoulder length hair and sighed into his embrace. "This isn't your fault. I'll admit this isn't the situation I'd imagined marking you in, but I have no regrets. Do you understand?" whispered the werewolf with closed eyes. The bite Xiana had given had been cancelled out by Arlot's mark, but the process was draining for him. The process of imprinting demanded that a consummation happen as soon as possible, but that option was out of the question.
Arlot had put away his ears and placed Xiana on his chest to relieve some of the rush he was feeling. Although he was having a hard time controlling himself, he knew that her close contact would soothe him over for the time being. Xiana hummed in surprise to her fiancé rubbing her shoulders and stared out the terrace with a blush. The hellfire outside casted a green glow about the room in a bright dance. "I'm sorry you can't use your ears," Xia apologized in a hushed voice. The werewolf took in a deep breath and looked at the back of her head. "No. Don't worry about it. I hate using them down here anyways," he answered before closing his eyes again.
Arlot felt his stomach churn with guilt and let out a long sigh. How dare he exchange blood with a creature unlike himself, not because it was illegal, but because the birth of The Cursed Creature of Cursed Blood was born from the very same method. Arlot took note that he had participated in the process of forming a monster like the being that harmed his sister. He leaned his head onto Xiana's and began to speak. "Do you know what makes this room so special? It was the original fortress top before the remodeling. Lucifer constructed it specifically for Lilith," he began with a scoff. The vampire girl sat up and looked into his light eyes. "He fell in love with her, and she broke his heart. Grandfather gave her everything she could ever want. I could never imagine having the center of my universe leave. This whole wing was built so that Lilith could have her own freedoms with the safe security of home, but she took it for granted and left. I don't like that woman," Xiana scowled.
Arlot smiled sweetly at his lover and twirled his hair before pulling her back to his chest and shaking his head frivolously. "Lilith's womb was cursed to have children that would follow the laws of the Supreme Deity. My mother is a wolf solely because she could have only one mate forever. If it weren't for such a thing, then I probably wouldn't be alive, nor would I have met you. They do say curses are blessings walk hand in hand," the werewolf said to warm the conversation. He sighed as he thought about his mother's parents and how hard his mother's life was; he had never even met his father's family. It was somewhat frightening to think that someone you loved could be lost in only a moment. Lucifer had once loved and now loathed fairies because of one woman; although, in comparison, hatred was still a form of love against his grandfather's feelings for Lilith. The separation of family for Xuario and the werewolf's parents was also an example. Perhaps, the reason Arlot loved this wing was because it shown the progress of love to a broken heart. Maybe the room resonated with him because it gave hope for a return.
"Aren't you glad I asked the servants to keep this wing clean?" Xiana asked to dismiss the growing silence. The gray-haired werewolf looked at her face and hummed in response. "Thank you for looking after the wing. I'll be needing a good night's rest for the meeting tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be quite a show," he groaned as a knock sounded.
Startled, Arlot jumped out of his seat and flung Xiana across the sofa. The vampire girl quickly composed herself before the door opened. "Brother," peeked Juliet's little face into the room. "Are you in here?" she greeted and smiled once she saw the duo. The winy werewolf ran to her brother with raised arms her arms, but Xiana came between them and swooped the child up instead. Arlot was surprised when his fiancé did this, but after a moment, a sudden realization came over him. A healing herb was enough to cover Xiana's bite mark, but the only think that hid the deep punctures of the boy's own skin at that time was his long hair.
"I thought you weren't coming until later. I'm sorry I didn't meet you at the gate," Arlot apologized before petting his sister. Juliet squirmed to get into her brother's arms, but Xiana began to protest. "You don't want me to hold you? You always used to beg me. What happened to that?" she exclaimed before tickling her. "Daddy said to bring Arlot to the East wing. Grandpa and Amiana are with him," Juliet said in between giggles. Arlot tensed and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder. "Is she awake?" he asked with disappointment to the subtle head shake.
Xiana pursed her lips and gave her fiancé a look of sympathy. Juliet tugged at her dress and looked to Xiana from her hip. "Can we make dessert for dinner tonight?" the little girl asked. Xiana smiled brightly and spun the child around the room. "That sounds like a wonderful idea! Should we make a monster's glob? How about we make cannol-eyes?" the vampire shouted gleefully. Juliet licked her lips and nodded her head in approval to the different treats. "Alright! Let's hurry and see Daddy and Grandpa so we can get to cooking! You got to hurry, or Uncle Xuario will eat all the ingredients," Xiana warned. Arlot smiled started to creep up on his little sister who began to run away. "Ahh! Brother is going to get me!" she screamed down the hall. Xiana turned to see the worn-out werewolf boy smiling sadly. "Take your time and go see your sister. I can handle baking with Juliet," the vampire said before slipping out the door.