Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Chapter 122

When Dulce got to the top of the stairs, the path diverged, and not quite sure where Asael had gone, he took one at random. More than the strange gloomy castle covered in poisonous black mist, he wanted to look outside.

All the curtains were drawn but it didn’t prevent him from parting one of them to look outside, it was dark inside but well lit, the lighting generous. He expected it to be incredibly dark outside, and not at all to be presented with a garden of bioluminescent plants.

The black mist was even denser outside but all it did was accentuate the glow produced by plant life. Even the trunks of trees glowed from the cracks in their bark, their strange colorful leaves softly glowing.

He lifted his gaze to the sky, at the strange celestial body beaming through the dark mist. There were three moons next to each other, a full moon and two crescents which flanked the full moon.

After satisfying himself with what little he could see of the outside, he continued wandering. Hoping he could find Asael before the Demon fell asleep, he had a few important questions to ask.

His plans were thwarted when all he did was wander around blindly for the better part of an hour, nearly losing track of what he wanted to do in the first place.

He didn’t have to keep searching because Asael came looking for him first. "Asael, I was searching for you. How long will you sleep for?"

Asael silently watched the Vampire; Dulce being on Earth hadn’t been enough to fall asleep, so the next option was to bring the Vampire to his castle. Now even while the wraithlike Vampire was wandering around his home, it still wasn’t enough.

"I can’t sleep," He said instead of answering the Vampire’s question, "Keep me company?"

"I can do that," Dulce agreed easily, walking after him. "Will we stay in Noctyrn for long?" He tried again.

Asael reached out to take the Vampire’s hand, although there was no way for him to leave. Once he fell asleep, he would likely remain asleep for at least a fortnight, but he didn’t want Dulce to know that.

Before coming to find the Vampire, he had been struck with a thought. His blood might be an antidote but it was still lifeblood, so as not to force Dulce to wait for him while he slept, he could just put the Vampire to sleep as well.

"Not long," He said vaguely, leading the way to his bedroom. "Drink this," He added when they arrived at his room, handing the Vampire a crystal carafe.

"What’s this?" Dulce asked even as he lifted the jug to his lips.

Asael didn’t reply, watching Dulce drink without hesitation, finding out for himself what was in the crystal carafe. The Vampire was completely trusting, not even a single drop of fear in his clear blue eyes, despite the confusing circumstances - but he was no better, he would do whatever the Vampire asked without question.

Dulce took a sip and lowered the jug in consternation, "It’s your blood?"

"I can’t have you succumbing to the poison while I’m asleep. Drink."

Dulce still wanted to protest, reluctantly lifting the crystal container to his lips. The silver blood was cool on his tongue, it was like a mouthful of moonlight.

"There are more in vials on that shelf," Asael gestured dismissively, "If you feel any discomfort, drink as much as you like."

Dulce paused drinking to take a look at the shelf, blanching in horror. "Did you just fill all those vials?"

Asael walked over to his bed, dressed in another pair of wide-belted pants, the silver-white bands tattooed on his upper arms almost seeming to glow. "I didn’t. It’s my antidote supply."

"Don’t you need it?" The Vampire frowned, certain the Demon’s useful blood was being wasted on him.

"No." Asael said bluntly, "They’re for missions and I’m not going on those while I keep you company."

Distracted, a hopeful light sparked in Dulce’s eyes. "You intend to stay?"

"After I sleep," The Demon grumbled, "Drink up."

This time, Dulce had none of his earlier hesitation, emptying the carafe. He weaved slightly on his feet as he walked over to place the empty jug on a table delicately carved from a strange metal.

He then gingerly made his way to an armchair, it shimmered and seemed to produce warmth of its own, it called one to sink in and never get up.

Asael didn’t get on his bed, he remained seated on the edge of it, watching Dulce fighting a losing battle with an encroaching trance. The Vampire’s eyes drooped, his head following suit.

He rose to his feet when the Vampire succumbed to sleep, blood drunk. He took the Vampire to his bed, feeling like his back was to the wall. He had never needed anyone for anything before, yet here he was, unable to sleep without a Vampire.

Asael got on his bed as well and got comfortable after making sure Dulce also was. The Vampire’s pale hair partially covered his face, the ties that once held back his voluminous locks tossed to the side.

He simply laid back next to Dulce, cursing when he almost instantly felt his eyes grow heavy. The Vampire was sleeping on his side, turned away from him, and after a few minutes of fighting against the very sleep that had deserted him, he reached out to pull the Vampire against him.

What was the use of keeping to the rules? The Vampire was already in his home and in his bed, he might as well do what he wanted.

Asael curled around the Vampire, his fresh scent filling his nose when he tucked his face in the curve of his neck. This time, he let the drowsiness take him, his eyes sleeping shut, his breathing steady.

The room soon fell into silence, nothing to show the passing of time but the flickering of candles, and the gentle swaying of the curtains as a cool breeze blew, both figures fast asleep on the bed.