Raven's P•O•V

Alec and I walked down the hall closely, my shoulder occasionally brushing against his bicep.

In my mind, the lack of distance between us was riveting. I had grown quite a liking to being near him. Although, I'd admit that his presence had engrossed me yet many times before. Even when him and I weren't as quote-on-quote intimate as we had now become.

I let Alec guide me through the castle, recognizing it as the way I went to go find Alec in the stables a couple weeks ago.

The door leading to the outside was opened by a guard. I realized that he hadn't been there the time I had gone out before. Seeing him there briefly reminded me that times were different now that DeMalo was missing. Seemingly, the events that had happened over the past three weeks had sparked a deeper sense of fear into these immortals.

I thanked the guard at the door and he bowed to me respectfully.

With the winter now fading and the snow starting to melt, I could breathe in deeply without feeling the icy chills fill my lungs. I sighed and followed Alec through the courtyard that was now starting to green.

"It's beautiful out today." I stated, trying hard not to get too excited for spring. Alec turned his head while we walked and smiled. He held his hand on the small of my back curtly.

"Just wait until everything starts to bloom." Alec leaned down as he spoke, his eyes bright not with hunger, but with joy.

I smiled and followed him to the end of the courtyard and onto the cobblestone path that lead to the stables.

I could see the fence and stables ahead as we neared. Instead of going up to the fence, Alec took me through the stables where the workers cleaned stables and brushed the horses. They all smiled as Alec and I entered. Some said hello in their thick Romanian accents as we walked through.

I followed Alec to the end of the long line of stables. At the opposite side of the barn was a set of gates leading out into the pasture. Alec unlatched the hefty metal gate and pushed it open.

I looked at him for a second, a little hesitant to enter the territory of these giants.

"Well c'mon!" Alec laughed, pushing the gate open further for me. "They don't bite," he assured me, "much..." He mumbled underneath his breath but looked at me playfully. I rolled my eyes with a soft laugh then followed him into the green grass.

We walked a couple hundred feet before the small herd noticed us. Their heads were held high as they raised from the grass and looked at Alec. I felt my face flush, thinking they may stampede at any moment.

Alec must have noticed my tension. He stepped closer to me and wrapped an arm around my waist gently. I instantly relaxed.

Alec whistled and I expected them all to come running. All of them stayed still. Alec stood waiting until I heard a loud neigh come from inside the group of horses. I looked and saw the horse I knew to be Alec's favorite. The large Friesian looked around the herd until he saw Alec from a distance. Behind him followed a mere white shadow of him. And I gasped at the sight.

The Friesian ran to Alec and I. Next to him was his polar opposite; a white Shire female. They approached us steadily. Alec instantly greeted his horse while the Shire bent down to sniff me. I stood still and let her do so until she bent down and held her head on my shoulder.

I looked over to Alec and saw the Friesian doing the same to him. He looked over to me and smiled, rubbing the beast's neck.

I turned to the female and did the same. I reached out gently so I could feel her soft white fur.

"Raven, is like you to meet Diavol and Lumină." Alec introduced me and I smiled as Diavol nickered. He pulled away from Alec and nuzzled Lumină.

Before I came to Romania, I had never seen a horse outside of a petting zoo or one of the carriage horses in the New York streets. Seeing these two creatures act so attached to each other was a sight to see.

Diavol turns and towers over me.

"I've already met Diavol." I inform Alec, rubbing Diavol's muzzle gently. He huffs under my touch and shakes out his long black mane. I giggle at him.

"How come I've never seen Lumină in the pasture before?" I asked curiously, wondering how they could keep these two separated. By the way they were acting, I couldn't imagine them being forced away from each other.

"We usually don't let them in the pasture together." Alec explained. "They get a little rowdy after being together too long." I laughed, making Alec chuckle as well.

Lumină pushed herself against Diavol and he snorted at her. I laughed at her playfulness and admired the sight of her and Diavol.

I could feel Alec watching me. I looked out of the corner of my eye and caught him glancing at me. He knew I caught him.

Alec smirked and wraps his arms around my waist, laying his head on my shoulder as his chest pressed against my shoulder blades. I still shivered at his intimacy, but not in fear, just bliss.

"Why don't we take them out for a ride?" Alec whispered in my ear and I turn around to look at him.

"I've never ridden a horse before..." I admit, trying not to sound as afraid as I really was.

"It's easy. Lumină is the calmest horse there is." Alec persists, starting to lead me back to the stables. Lumină and Diavol follow behind us.

"What if I fall off?" I ask fearfully. Alec chuckles under his breath and opened the gate.

"Raven," He looked at me seriously, "you won't." A smile tugged at his lips. I sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine. But if I do fall off and break my neck, then that's on you." I reply and he just laughed at me.

♱

Alec had tied Lumină to Diavol's harness, ensuring he'd lead the way and that I wouldn't have to worry. Although, when I was faced with Lumină's height and that loomed over me, I was still worried.

"How the hell am I supposed to get up there?" I asked, turning to Alec, completely dumbfounded by the female horse's muscular stature.

Alec shook his head, laughing at me once again at my inexperience and utter fear of getting on this beast of a horse.

She may be gentle, but there was no doubting she was a giant nonetheless.

"Here," Alec approached me and gripped my waist. I gasped as he lifted me up effortlessly and sat me on the saddle.

His fingers lingered on my hips for a second before he cleared his throat and held up the reigns. I took the reigns and clenched my hands around them.

I looked down at Alec and for once I was taller than him. Much taller.

"See, it's not so bad." He reassured me and I looked around, having a much higher vantage point. I kind of liked it.

"Yeah. You're right." I agreed, still in awe.

Alec hoisted himself up onto Diavol without any struggle. I rolled my eyes at him as he smirked, clearly showing off to me.

He turned back and lightly bumped his heel on Diavol's hip. Diavol huffed and started walking out of the stables. Lumină followed in suit.

Something about being on top of a horse made the blooming trees and green nature enhance. It was so much more beautiful simply being up above where you normally stood.

And I loved it.

Alec lead us into the woods, the trees thankfully spread out enough that maneuvering around them wasn't very hard.

I couldn't help but admire Alec as I watched him. He was in control of Diavol and his movements, although he never had to make a sound. It was infatuating just to watch.

Alec was right to trust Lumină. She was easy to ride and not stirred by much. When Diavol stirred at the rustling in the bushes, Lumină seemed to care less as a small fox rushed out from the bush.

After a half an hour, we arrived at a clearing. It was a perfect circle in the middle of the forest, trees enclosing the one clear view of the sky. In the middle was lain a perfectly flat slab of rock. In my eyes, the simplicity and serenity of the clearing was perfect.

Alec dismounted from Diavol and I nearly had to jump off of Lumină. We tied the horses to a nearby tree and entered the clearing.

"It's so beautiful." I murmured in awe, looking around.

"I thought you'd like the peace and quiet for a little bit. I know sometimes the castle can be too busy and loud." Alec told me. I smiled and returned to look back at him.

"I used to live in New York City. I don't think I've ever heard this much peace and quiet." I remark. Alec smiled.

"Very true." He agreed. We went over to the stone slab and I sat down on the hard surface. Alec sat beside me.

"So why bring me here?" I asked curiously. Alec made eye contact with me for a brief second before lying on his back.

"Lie with me." He said instead of answering me. I did as he said and lied back. Our shoulders touched but our feet dangled off the edge of the stone.

"Just enjoy the quiet for a couple minutes." He sighed in relief and closed his eyes.

I did enjoy the quiet. Although complete silence is a rarity, the sounds of soft birds chirping and the wind barely humming through the trees was enough.

I never closed my eyes like Alec had. I watched him, his pale skin smooth and unflawed. His dark eyelashes shadowed his eyes. I admired his soft black hair as it shone in the sun. I couldn't lie. In my eyes he was perfect. Like a dream almost.

Finally after five minutes, Alec opened his eyes. He looked at me and studied my own. Reaching out his hand, I felt his cool touch against my cheek.

"I'm so sorry." Alec murmured, his voice unnervingly sorrowful. I sat up a bit and turned to look at him.

"For what?" I asked, wondering what had him so apologetic.

He sighed and sat up. Looking out into the forest, I could tell he was avoiding my gaze.

"Alec, what's wrong?" I held his shoulder. He still didn't look at me.

"My father..." Alec paused, trying to find the right words to say. I kept quiet, letting him think until he looked back up at me. "The night after you drank from me, I went to my father. I told him everything, how I couldn't keep controlling myself... He told me what I had to do, but I can't accept it. I can't accept the duty I have to fulfill as king. I don't think I could stand it."

I looked at him in confusion.

"What did he tell you?" I asked, my tone filled with anxiousness, and not the good kind. I had this sinking feeling, like deep down in my subconscious, I knew.

Alec sighed and ran a hand through his hair before turning to look me dead in the eyes. His eyes looked so filled with guilt.

"He told me I had a month to turn you or you and I will both be banished." Alec told me flatly, hitting the nail on the head. I felt my heart drop into my stomach, my gut churning.

"That was two and a half weeks ago..." I whispered, my voice brittle. Alec nodded sullenly.

"And I have a little over one week to turn you into a Vampire."

❤❤