Her body pulsed faintly, internally, once more. She focused on taking deep breaths, noting how her vision was growing foggy, yet stark as well. Her fangs were sharpening, and her veins were twisting, demanding blood.

She needed human blood, for her own was tainted, cold, defective… and painful to retain. Though powerful, vampires were nothing without humanity, for their life was what allowed them to reach their full potential.

Nerys held two nails against her forehead, sorting her thoughts with an exasperated sigh. Her eyes remained focused and calm, for she did not give into her instincts. It never happened, not while many servants roamed around in her presence. She stayed motionless, seated on her throne, debating. Her highest priority was the safety of her people, the well-being of every single individual, be it a vampire or not.

Criminals included…

A lord had to think clearly, lead strongly, and be just. She had to make up her mind already, and be reasonable. Denying the thirst was foolish; she had to accept the past and focus on the future. She knew that before, but she had overlooked it due to her inner conflict.

Two guards blinked, because Nerys finally spoke up after hours of silence, calling with a snap of her sharp fingers. She whispered gratefully when a servant approached, bringing a goblet, which was full of blood. As she took it with an appreciative nod, the human bowed and stepped away, glad to assist.

Her green eyes stared at the chalice intently, all feral desires fading, silenced. No human was ever threatened by her clan, never forced to submit to a bite. Most blood was given through small tributes, to be preserved safely for later consumption. A few individuals did allow vampires to feed directly, but always willfully.

Even if no one would judge her and some would consider letting her feed an honour, she always avoided it. As usual, she took a deep breath and began to drink from the goblet. She did so slowly, to allow the blood to flow gradually, in order to drown her inner demons.

The pulsing in her veins faded a little, the hunger dying at last. No blind instinct would force her hand now, not for a while. She had been denying her thirst for days, disgusted by it. But she could not keep on like that. It was pointless and irresponsible, a futile dissent that would only lead to trouble.

Once the goblet was empty, she let it down on the armrest of her throne, standing up with a determined expression. No one questioned her as she walked out the courtroom, marching calmly. It was time she set things right. She had to make sure there was fairness in her domain, even for prisoners as guilty as him. He would be treated kindly.

Not that she had forgiven… it was not that, at all. She was just making a point, proving that she and her followers were just, merely firm upon any crime committed. She was not the evil creature she was believed to be.

It took little time for Nerys to open the door that led to the dungeons. Even if the sun did not reach the tunnels that composed it, she did not need a torch. She began to descend the long stairs that led to the cells, guided by her unnatural sight.

She walked silently and calmly through the long corridors, glancing tiredly into every empty cell. The shackles were never used; they were something that had already been there when she claimed this castle, much more decadent back then.

Her steps were so slow, that no sound echoed. Her heart was beating fast, much more than any other time. Before, she had not doubted to let her presence be known, but now she found herself approaching quietly. It was not easy to make up her mind, decide what should be done, and dare come back. She had to face him, and she could not keep on avoiding it.

It was shameful how she feared to near that cell now. Deep inside, part of her kept screaming, reminding her of what she had done. And still, to this very day, there were whispers that proclaimed her rage was justified. She had surrendered under that conflicting duality, and by doing so, she suffered an epiphany. The betrayal was terrible, and it hurt her greatly… but she was no longer angry. She only felt resignation now, tired acceptance. That was the reason why she was nearing, knowing she had to.

The warden blinked ahead, seeing her emerge from the shadows, closing in. In a second, he stood sharply from his chair, always alert in a room that preceded the deepest areas of the jail. He called worriedly, knowing she had been avoiding this place, keeping a distant supervision.

“Sire, is everything-?”

Nerys raised a claw, motioning for him to sit again.

“Rest easy, I’m not here to admonish your watch; I know you’ve followed my word dutifully.” She looked ahead again, whispering somberly. “I have decided what to do, and I will deal with it myself. You shall receive new guidelines once I have a word with him.”

The guard was confused by her tranquillity, for she was usually sullen or irate while near that cell. Still, he did not dare question as she marched ahead, her expression hard to read. She continued to advance towards her objective, without making a sound, crossing her arms behind her back to stand tall. It was a poised stance, which would fool others, but not herself.

When she reached the door, she finally frowned, unable to keep on hiding her anxiousness. She stood there for a long minute, silent as death itself, merely listening. After a few seconds, she heard movement, and then his voice.

“Keep off…”

Nerys froze, thinking she had been noticed, even if she had not made a sound or touched the door. She soon blinked in confusion, because Bastian kept on speaking, all too calmly and jovially for him to be addressing her.

“Don’t rip it. If it grows enough, I’ll be able to harvest it. That means I will share more food, Nadiya. So, be patient. And don’t give me that look… Even you must know that a vegetable is better than a leaf.”

Nerys shook her head slightly, wondering what Bastian was even saying. She soon feared that he had lost his mind, because isolation could do that to someone. He had been locked in there for a long time, after all, and not quite unharmed.

Her confusion only grew, hearing a strange raspy sound, which did not seem to come from him. It made her lean closer, and then reach for the door slowly, to open it gently and silently. She peeked in worriedly, unable to spot him through the small barred window, which only allowed a partial view of the cell. Bastian was not near the fountain, but kneeling near the far corner, where the stony floor was broken. He could now reach that patch of earth, because she had broken his chains.

His presence near that spot was not what perplexed her, but what idled at his side. She walked in silently, to look at them both. She stared at Bastian, who was still pondering something without noticing her… and then at the crow at his side.

There was a crow, a type of animal that was wild and very apprehensive of people. Yet there it was, sitting at his side, peering at whatever he was looking at. It was very close to him, without a trace of hesitation, a strange sight.

Bastian was blissfully unaware that the door had been opened, looking down at the earth with a thoughtful frown. His hand brushed the small plant that grew in it, attentively. It was only a sprout, as barely any light reached it, the corner far too shadowed by the walls. But still, he was able to make those tomato seeds germinate, against all odds.

Nerys took another step closer, amazed by both the animal and plant. She neared out of curiosity, perplexity, and that was when she was noticed. She was still quiet, but she had gotten far too close. Bastian’s eyes widened when Nadiya let out a loud croak, turning sharply and suddenly, baring her wings and beak. He tensed and gulped, a shiver running down his back. All ever slowly, he glanced over his shoulder, because the crow only reacted like this for one reason.

Their eyes finally met, hers narrowed worriedly, his wide in fear. Neither dared move nor say a word, not wishing to bring forth a harsh reaction. Both remembered well that dagger, even if they felt differently about it.

Bastian lost all the joy he felt moments ago, seeing Nerys there, looming behind him. She had finally decided to come back, and she did it so silently, that he did not notice it until now. If he had known she was approaching, he would have had some time to sort his thoughts out, perhaps display a more dignified stance. He had kept telling himself that he could face her with courage once she appeared, but his current shock proved otherwise.

He expected her to make the first move, not even daring to breathe. But breathe he did anyways, with a surprised gasp, because Nadiya did not wait for them to act. Nerys yelped when the crow flapped and lunged with a loud caw, not able to fly with her old injuries, but still capable of leaping high. The vampire raised her claws instinctively to shield herself, because she got multiple pecks, very angry ones.

Her alarm did not last for long, however, because her unnatural reflexes kicked in. She managed to swing a claw and snatch the crow in it, finally stopping its wild lunging. Though her grip did not harm it, her other claw had risen too, now looming over it while she kept it still. In that very moment, there was a scared yell. She looked sideways with a scowl, for he pleaded with a hand up, fearful of her nails moving and stabbing.

“Don’t hurt the crow, please!” She lowered her open claw slowly, ignoring the furious pecks on her clasped one, because he implored urgently. “S-she is harmless, her hostility is simple fear! I swear, she has not been stealing from your supplies and food storage! She could not fly, s-so she had to look in here for something to eat, I guess! She is not a pest, o-or…”

His voice failed him, and his body shuddered, for he could not read her thoughtful expression. He did not dare move under her stare, because he knew that he would not be able to stop her if he tried. And so, he let out one last faint whisper, which made her frown.

“D-don’t kill her.”

He did not think Nerys would kill the crow out of anger, not even to scorn him. But she could want to keep animals away from her property, more so if they were wild. Pests were no joking matter.

Bastian almost had a heart attack, because after a minute of painful silence, Nerys moved her free claw again. It began to loom slowly over Nadiya’s head, nails dangerously close. He just looked away, grimacing, expecting to hear a pained cry in a second. No sound echoed, however. And due to it, he slowly opened his good eye, to take a peek at the tall vampire.

His shoulders slumped down with pure relief, seeing no blood on her claws. Nadiya was still alive, pecking at those thick black nails, which were caressing her head softly and carefully. Nerys spoke while keeping a gentle hold on the animal, calmly, with a tone that was almost kind.

“I don’t wish for death…”

Her green eyes had been fixed on the crow at first, but when she said those words, she had looked at him instead. It was obvious that she was not only implying sympathy for the animal.

Bastian let his hand drop at last, perplexed. Meanwhile, Nerys sighed and stepped towards a wall, to kneel there. She spotted the hole, and carefully eased the crow into it, knowing it could only have come through it.

As soon as those claws stopped keeping her wings folded, Nadiya tried to leap back out, croaking angrily. However, Nerys was quick to block the gap with a rock, preventing her from coming into the cell again.

Bastian could easily let her back in later if he wished. But not yet, because Nerys wanted to have a word with him, in peace. He gulped when she stood again, crossing her arms sternly as she faced him.

“I want you to listen well, Bastian, for I won’t repeat myself. Do I make myself clear?” She disliked how he simply nodded nervously, not daring to stand up or look much at her. It made her let out an exasperated huff, but she continued. “I have determined how you may pay for your faults.”

Bastian gripped one of his chains anxiously, not looking forward to what Nerys would say, still unsure of her intentions.

“Y-you mean-“

He flinched when she glared down at him, scolding his thoughts, which he hinted clearly with his tone.

“Don’t you look at me like that…” She assured, bitterly. “I won’t bring you any harm. Not without reason.”

Nerys began to pace slightly, looking down at him firmly. She tried to sound monotone, and gladly, Bastian was still too wary to notice the faint nervousness in her voice. The words flowed without pause, starkly, like if they were a simple report.

“You are to become a thrall, what you call cattle. Or if you prefer it, a giver, the title granted to humans who shed blood for our clan. You may receive all the appropriate benefits of being one, and be treated as the protocol of my realm dictates. All that you need shall be provided, like it is done for all servants. However, you must remember that you are unlike them, a mere prisoner. No harm will befall you, except when fed upon, something that you can’t reject if demanded. You are guilty of many crimes, and arson is the least abhorrent of them all, so you shall remain here to-“

“H-hold on…” She was not pleased by his interruption, but he needed to express his confusion, her words not making any sense to him. “I was already being bitten, this does not change-“

“Bastian, did I stutter?”

He winced and shut up, hearing her growl deeply. He answered her rhetorical question blindly, with a quick shake of head, intimidated by her intense glare. Seeing him cower made her let out another sigh, snarling at the same time. She did not wish to have a discussion, at all. Her words were not for him to debate, but to pay mind to, very carefully. The faster she explained everything and he understood, the sooner she would be able to leave.

He had averted his gaze when she sighed, but he looked up again when he heard her move. She stepped closer, to stand by his side. Now she was further away from the door, staring at him sideways, sternly. She eyed him very carefully, because she was not between him and the open door anymore. There was a lot of space for him to bolt, and both knew that he had always been a faster runner than her, perhaps even to this day. She spoke slowly, having left that space willfully, to see what he would do.

“What I am trying to say is that… you can atone in a less arduous manner.” Her expression softened, seeing him stand slowly, but not to flee. He stayed still and met her gaze sadly, listening attentively, as she wanted. “Perhaps you will be a slave, but you won’t be mistreated. There are other humans in my fortress, and all are treated kindly, as my code dictates. I can’t make an exception with you, even if I maybe should. Your vain initiatives have caused great harm, Bastian… However, I must be honourable, so I will acknowledge your repentance.”

Part of the unease he had felt faded, even if she now pointed a nail at his chest, to keep asserting her will in a strict way. She was lost in her own words, trying to reassure herself, even if she did not realize it.

“I may seem cruel, but I can be reasonable. So behave, obey, and you shall live. Step out of line instead, and I won’t doubt to bring you down, like all who ever dare to threaten my realm.”

Nerys had closed her eyes to proclaim all that passionately, but when she opened them to look again at Bastian, she lost that conceited emotion. She noticed how he was frowning intensely, without looking at her. It was obvious that he wanted to say something, but he doubted to do so. And that was why she whispered softly, even if still firmly.

“Speak, I’m listening.”

Bastian was taken aback, because Nerys faced him calmly, stopping pointing with a claw and moving her arms behind her. There was no trace of malice in her eyes or stance, and because of it, he took a deep breath and dared ask.

“D-does… Does that really change anything?” He raised his hands in front of himself and tried to word himself carefully, not knowing if he would anger her. “I mean, f-from what I understand, you will still bite me and keep me locked in-“

“There is one significant change.”

She interrupted him, and that made him flinch, because he failed to recognize that she did not do so harshly. It took him a few seconds to realize that she had turned around, in order to walk towards the door. She halted there and looked back subtly, whispering tiredly.

“Yes, I may still seek you in order to feed. But perhaps you’ll be more willing, once you come to appreciate that you will be allowed to leave this dark cell.”

He gave her a look, for those words were not ones he would have expected. Ever since he was locked in this dungeon, he had been sure that he would only leave it as a corpse or to become one. He was wrong, it seemed.

“Are you really saying I can get out?“

She raised a nail with a frown, noting the hopeful glint in his eye.

“Don’t get any ideas, because you are not being granted freedom. You will be led outside at particular hours, and only to carry out certain tasks. Once done, you shall return here, always. I’m sure you will feel gratitude, as soon as you see the sun again. Remember, don’t make any wrong moves, or you will regret it.” Bastian looked down dejectedly, feeling slightly hurt as Nerys left with one last bitter reminder. “You are still a rebel at heart… and I can’t trust you. Not again.”

Those words hinted resentment, even if it was controlled. He just let out a shaky sigh when she locked the door, promptly walking away. There were no bites, hits, or yells. She did nothing to harm him, not this time.

There had been a faint trace of hope in his heart before, one that he had ignored. It intensified now, far too much for him to deny it was there, drowning his dread.