Chapter 135: A different kind of carriage ride.

The carriage had been travelling for some time, yet the quietness inside it had not become uncomfortable. The rhythmic sound of the wheels rolling over the road seemed to blend with the occasional movement of the horses outside, creating a strangely peaceful atmosphere within the carriage. Rosaline sat beside Xandros with Lucien’s small, cloth-wrapped gift resting carefully in her hands, her fingers occasionally brushing over the material as curiosity continued to gnaw at her.

She had not opened it.

Perhaps it was because she wanted to wait until they were farther away from the Western District, or perhaps because she simply did not know what to expect from Lucien. Whatever the reason, the little packet had become a constant object of her attention, even though she tried not to stare at it too often.

Xandros had noticed.

Of course, he had.

His grey eyes had fallen upon the wrapped object several times during the journey, although he had yet to ask about it again. Instead, he remained beside her with one arm resting comfortably against the side of the carriage, his expression composed as he watched the scenery outside the window occasionally pass by.

Rosaline eventually turned her attention away from the packet and looked toward him.

Xandros was already looking at her.

She blinked, slightly surprised.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing."

His answer was so calm that Rosaline narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"You have been looking at me."

"I have."

"Why?"

Xandros’s gaze briefly lowered toward the packet in her hands before returning to her face.

"Because I was wondering how you were feeling."

Rosaline’s expression softened.

"How I am feeling?"

"Yes."

There was no teasing in his voice this time. He sounded genuinely curious, and that sincerity caught Rosaline off guard. She lowered her gaze toward her hands and considered his question for a moment before finally answering.

"I suppose I am a little nervous."

"About Everbloom?"

"About seeing my father," she admitted. "It has been a while since I last saw him, and I don’t know what to expect when I return."

She paused, her fingers tightening slightly around the cloth.

"But I am not looking forward to seeing his wife."

The softness that had appeared in Xandros’s expression disappeared almost immediately.

"Queen Vivienne."

Rosaline nodded.

"Yes. Her."

She sighed quietly before leaning back against the carriage seat.

"I know I should probably be prepared to see her, but I would honestly rather avoid her entirely if I could."

Xandros regarded her for a moment, and then the corner of his lips lifted.

"Then we will find a way to get her out of your way."

Rosaline turned toward him.

"How?"

"That," he replied calmly, "will be a surprise."

For a moment, Rosaline simply stared at him.

Then a smile slowly spread across her face.

"A surprise?"

"Yes."

"What kind of surprise?"

"If I tell you, it will no longer be a surprise."

Rosaline laughed softly, shaking her head.

"You are definitely up to something big."

"And you can bet on that."

The reminder made her smile widen.

"I am beginning to wonder whether that was a mistake... telling you."

Xandros’s brow rose.

"Do you think it is?"

"No."

Her answer came almost immediately, and the sincerity behind it made something warm settle within his chest.

Rosaline turned toward the window again, but the smile remained upon her lips. There was something almost childish in the anticipation that had begun to brighten her expression.

If Xandros truly had a way of making Queen Vivienne suffer without placing Rosaline in unnecessary trouble, then she certainly wanted to see it.

"I am looking forward to your surprise," she admitted.

Xandros’s gaze settled upon her face.

The smile on her lips had not disappeared, and for some reason, his attention lingered there longer than it should have.

His grey eyes slowly descended to her lips.

Rosaline did not notice.

She was still looking toward the window, her mind apparently occupied with thoughts of Everbloom and what awaited them there.

Xandros, however, found himself thinking about something else entirely.

Then the carriage suddenly jolted.

Rosaline gasped as her body was thrown sideways.

She was not quick enough to steady herself.

Before she could fall against the opposite side of the carriage, Xandros’s arm shot around her waist and caught her securely.

"Careful."

His voice was low, but Rosaline barely had time to respond before another slight movement of the carriage caused her to lose her balance again.

Xandros reacted immediately.

His hands secured her waist, and with one smooth movement, he lifted her onto his lap.

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Xandros!"

She instinctively placed her hands against his shoulders and tried to rise.

"I can sit by myself."

"No."

His answer came without hesitation.

Rosaline stared at him.

"No?"

Xandros’s arms remained firmly around her waist.

"It is safer this way."

"I am perfectly capable of sitting in a carriage."

"You nearly fell."

"I only stumbled."

"And you nearly hit your head."

Rosaline opened her mouth to argue, but Xandros gave her a faintly amused smile.

"It is better that you remain here."

She looked at him for a few seconds before muttering, "You simply wanted an excuse to hold me."

His smile deepened.

"Perhaps."

Rosaline’s cheeks warmed.

She tried once more to move, but his arms did not loosen.

"Xandros."

"Stay."

There was something in the quiet firmness of that single word that made her stop struggling.

Xandros looked at her with amusement.

"Besides, you would not want to arrive in Everbloom with a bump on your forehead, would you?"

Rosaline sighed.

"No."

"Then stay where you are."

She eventually relaxed against him.

Xandros’s expression immediately became satisfied.

"There."

He adjusted his hold slightly, making sure she was comfortable before leaning back against the carriage.

Rosaline glanced at him suspiciously.

"You look pleased with yourself."

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because apparently your father’s wife has given me a very convenient reason to keep you exactly where I want you."

Rosaline stared at him.

"That is not what I said."

"You did not have to."

She shook her head, although the small smile appearing at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement.

After a moment, she looked down at herself before glancing back at him.

"Are you planning to hold me like this until we reach Everbloom?"

Xandros did not even hesitate.

"I could."

Rosaline’s eyebrows rose.

"Won’t you get tired?"

Instead of answering, Xandros shifted his hold.

Before Rosaline could understand what he intended to do, he turned her around on his lap until she was facing him, her knees settling on either side of him.

Her entire face immediately turned red.

"Xandros!"

He looked entirely unbothered by her embarrassment.

"What?"

"You could have warned me."

"You asked whether I would get tired."

"And?"

"This position is more comfortable."

Rosaline stared at him, clearly unconvinced.

Xandros leaned slightly closer.

"It seems you have forgotten something."

"What?"

"I am a vampire."

She blinked.

"And?"

"I have considerably more strength than you do."

Rosaline straightened slightly.

She seemed to think about that for several seconds before her expression suddenly changed.

"Have you had blood yet?"

A quiet chuckle escaped Xandros.

His grey eyes narrowed with amusement.

"Are you offering me yours?"

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"No!"

The answer came so quickly that Xandros laughed.

He studied her face, noticing the slight flush on her cheeks and the way her heartbeat had quickened.

His amusement gradually softened into something more curious.

"Are you still afraid of me?"

Rosaline did not answer immediately.

She looked at him for several seconds before finally shaking her head.

"No."

Xandros tilted his head.

"That took you some time."

"Because I was thinking."

"About?"

"What I would turn you into."

His eyebrow rose.

"Turn me into?"

"An animal."

Xandros stared at her before a slow smile spread across his face.

"Why would you turn me into an animal?"

"If you ever take my blood without my permission, I will."

His smile widened.

"Good to know."

"What is?"

"That you have already considered giving me your blood."

Rosaline gave him an incredulous look.

"I said if you take it without permission."

"Of course."

Xandros’s expression became deliberately innocent.

"With your permission."

Rosaline could not stop herself from smiling.

"There is something wrong with you."

"I have been told that before."

She shook her head, but her smile remained.

Xandros adjusted his position again, carefully guiding her until her back rested against him. Rosaline settled against his chest, feeling the steady warmth of his body beneath his shirt. The closeness made her suddenly conscious of every small movement between them.

She tried to ignore it.

Instead, she rested her head against his shoulder.

For a while, neither spoke.

The carriage continued moving, and the sound of the wheels seemed softer now. Rosaline’s gaze wandered absentmindedly until she noticed the movement of Xandros’s throat.

His Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed.

She stared at it for a moment.

There was something strangely fascinating about such an ordinary movement.

Without thinking, she lifted her hand.

Her fingers touched his throat.

Xandros immediately went still.

Rosaline did not seem to notice the effect at first. Her touch was light and curious as she traced the movement beneath his skin, following the subtle rise and fall of his throat.

Xandros swallowed again.

This time, Rosaline watched closely.

Her fingertip followed the movement.

Xandros’s entire body seemed to tense.

Rosaline finally looked up at him.

"Are you all right?"

He turned his face slightly away.

"Yes."

His answer sounded different.

Rosaline studied him curiously.

"Then why did you move?"

"Because you should stop doing that."

"Why?"

Xandros did not answer immediately.

He simply looked away, as though trying to regain the composure she had so effortlessly disrupted.

Rosaline frowned, still unaware of exactly what she had done.

Then, before she could ask again, Xandros turned her face toward him and captured her lips.

The sudden kiss silenced whatever question had been forming.

Rosaline’s hands instinctively found their way around his neck as Xandros deepened the kiss, his fingers moving gently to the back of her head to keep her close.

The kiss lasted long enough for Rosaline to forget the road, the carriage and even the destination waiting at the end of their journey.

She could hear nothing except the quiet rhythm of their breathing and the faint sound of the carriage moving beneath them.

When Rosaline grinded her hips on his laps, Xandros released a low groan.

The sound immediately made her realize how close they were and when Rosaline felt something hard touch her laps.

She broke the kiss.

Her face had become unbearably warm.

Instead of looking at him, she buried her face against his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

Xandros looked down at her.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"That would be a wise decision, my little witch."

Rosaline remained silent.

"Perhaps you should sleep through this boring journey."

Still, she did not respond.

Xandros could feel her heartbeat against his chest.

It was fast at first, beating with the nervousness that had followed their kiss, but gradually the rhythm began to slow.

He rested his chin lightly against her hair.

"Sleeping so fast?"

Rosaline’s breathing became softer.

Xandros remained still, allowing her to rest comfortably against him as the carriage continued along the road.

Eventually, the frantic rhythm beneath his chest faded into something slow and peaceful.

She had fallen asleep.

The journey continued for several more hours.

By the time Rosaline finally opened her eyes, the light that had once filled the carriage was gone.

She blinked slowly, disoriented.

For several moments, she could not remember where she was.

Then she realized that she was lying on a bed.

Rosaline immediately pushed herself upright.

She looked around the unfamiliar room, her brows drawing together as she tried to understand how she had gotten there.

The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint light coming through the windows.

She remembered the carriage.

She remembered Xandros.

She remembered falling asleep against him.

But she could not remember being carried into this room.

Rosaline slowly climbed out of bed and approached the window.

Outside, darkness was beginning to settle over the land. The final traces of evening light lingered beyond the horizon, painting the distant sky in fading shades before night completely took over.

She turned away from the window.

"Xandros?"

There was no answer.

Rosaline stepped toward the door and opened it.

The corridor beyond was quiet.

She looked in both directions.

Nothing.

She walked farther, her footsteps echoing softly against the floor as she tried to determine where she was and where everyone else had gone.

"Xandros?"

Again, there was no response.

She continued forward.

Then she heard it.

A sound.

Cold.

Chilling.

It seemed to travel through the corridor itself, raising the hairs along her skin.

Rosaline stopped.

Her heart began to pound.

She turned slowly toward the source of the sound.

Then, from somewhere beyond the darkness, a voice called her name.

"Rosaline..."

Her breath caught.

She looked down.

Blood covered her hands.

Rosaline stared at them in horror, unable to understand where it had come from.

"What..."

Before she could finish the word, something moved rapidly through the darkness.

A ball of fire came rolling toward her.

Fast.

Far too fast.

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

And the flames came closer.