"Skye, I am not human, and for now you cannot truly comprehend what I am." he sighed.
"I can," she urged curiously.
Zed chuckled at her enthusiasm where she seemed like an eager child waiting to receive sweets. "You can't but I will tell you the reason I consume human blood"
She quickly nodded and listened with keen interest, her eyes wide like a curious cat's. No one was ever interested in him this way and he found it amusing that she was, the thought almost made him smile.
"I drink blood to live," he said simply. "I can't survive without it."
Her eyes widened even more. "So you're… a vampire?" she asked, her voice tinged with more awe than fear.
Zed chuckled lightly. "No, I'm not," he replied with a faint, crooked smile.
She nodded, still thinking hard, trying to piece him together with what little she knew of monsters and men. It took all in him not to laugh at her trying to work her little human brain around what he was.
After a moment, he changed the subject abruptly. "Skye, you'll handle the kingdom's affairs today," he said.
"What?" she blinked in surprise.
"I'll be fully recovered by evening," he said with a small smile. "But for now, the people will come with their requests and cannot be left unattended, Can you do that for me?"
"I'll try," she replied, smiling nervously and he returned the smile.
"Come, you need to bathe," she said suddenly, feeling bold and climbing off the bed.
Zed raised a brow. "And you're ready to wash me?" he asked amused.
Skye flushed, her face burning red. "Yes," she said quickly, trying not to meet his gaze.
He chuckled, he could tell she was excited. "You're impossible," he murmured with a smile, Standing up, he grabbed her hand and together, they disappeared into the bathroom, where both of them had not stopped smiling.
**•○•○•○•**
Day had broken and Skye made her way to a long table where Zed's authorities were already seated.
"Where is the Prince?" one of the councilmen demanded when Skye entered the grand hall.
"The Prince asked me to oversee today's meeting," she replied calmly, her chin raised. "He believes a new perspective could help the kingdom's welfare."
Her voice carried a quiet authority afterall se was a princess and would have been the next ruler of Gumstom. The men exchanged uneasy glances, a few skeptical and murmurs flew around.
"But… my lady—" the General began.
Skye gave him a look "Any problem, General?" She asked with a sly smile.
His throat bobbed nervously. "None, my lady."
A faint smirk crossed her lips. She suddenly felt a presence beside her one she knew too well.
"Well done," Pharian whispered from where only she could hear. "They already fear you. They think Zed has trained you in his ways." he praised her.
She fought the urge to smile, keeping her composure as she took her seat.
The meeting began. Pharian guided her, helping her with the issues she couldn't handle and murmuring advice. She found it strange that they couldn't see him.
Some matters were easy to decide, others tested her, but she handled them with a calm grace. When the final issue was settled, and the room cleared, she exhaled deeply.
With the meeting that was now over, she had to handle the affairs of the kingdom and the queries of the people. It was going to be a busy day.
•○•○•○•
"You did well today," Pharian praised her as they walked through the hallway and appeared at the stairs.
Skye blushed lightly, looking away.
"Zed would be proud," he teased, smirking.
Her head snapped up, her face turning crimson. "You think?"
"Without a doubt," he said with a playful roll of his eyes. "You're wiser than you realize, Skye. You'll make a fine ruler."
"Oh, come here," she said with a laugh, Then, impulsively, she reached forward and hugged him briefly.
"Though I still don't understand your relationship with my husband." she thought out loud. She had heard something about your 'own blood' last night.
Pharian chuckled, stepping back. "Why don't you ask him?"
She sighed. "He never wants to tell me anything."
"Then refuse him things he likes," Pharian said mischievously. "That'll make him talk." he suggested with a sly smile hoping to piss his brother off through Skye.
Skye giggled. "Pharian, are you married?"
He blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Me? No," he chuckled, waving her off. "I'm still too young for that."
But she noticed the faint redness in his cheeks and laughed harder.
Some maids looked at her like she had gone mad. With whom was the princess laughing with? They stared around her unable to see the entity that was Pharian.
She ignored their stares and continued walking toward her chambers, Pharian beside her like a ghost.
"I better leave now" Pharian smiled at her once they appeared infront of the room. "Goodnight, Skye."
"Goodnight, Pharian," she said warmly before he vanished.
She opened the room door and stepped inside. The room was quiet and she noticed a warm dinner had been laid out on the table, but Zed was nowhere in sight.
Moments later, there was a soft knock, and Helen entered.
"He asked me to serve your meal," she said gently. "The Prince left urgently but promised to return soon."
Skye nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. She began to eat her dinner in silence till she had enough for the night.
When she finished, she bathed and changed into her robe. But he had not yet returned.
Sitting before her mirror, she brushed her hair slowly, letting it fall over her shoulders. The scent of the oils filled the air.
She missed him and didnt like that he was staying out late.