Heart Of Stone - Episode 19&20

 

HEART OF STONE

Heart Of Stone - Episode 19&20

 (..Sold•To•The•Pit•Of•Hell..)

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025.

By: Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

[Mount Zhitomir]

Bodies lay scattered everywhere, all bloody and out of life. Many heads are separated from the bodies, and several legs are far from the bowels.

The few bodies that are still intact are either dented in the tummy or pounded with a ghastly hole in the head. Blood covered the rocks till there's no bloodless spot left.

The smell of gore and doom lingered thickly in the air.

The scene isn't for the weak-hearted, there's no single living soul in sight.

Azura appeared on top of the mountain, and Zeke landed right beside her, both unable to conceal the shocks on their faces at the realization of the scene.

They're stepping corpses like rugs as they walked forward, blood painted the base of their shoes.

"It's a total massacre here" Azura muttered, the smell of blood driving her wild already.

"They're 301 in number" Zeke rounded the bodies with his large eyes. "Twelve full generations. He did it as if he has been waiting for this day for years."

"He didn't use the ice power. If he did, then these people would have shattered and melted, we wouldn't even meet their corpses." Azura said.

"Of course it's the ice. The ice can't only freeze and shatter, it can also slaughter so far he fuses it with the core of his own soul. It works in stages, and you just witnessed the second stage. I told you this before, did you forget?" Zeke explained.

"You never said anything to me about stages!" Azura argued, stalking to him like a child. "And did you just say stages? So there's still another stage beyond this one? He killed this much at once at stage 2, so when he gets to the last stage, he'll be able to wipe out the whole of this city at once?"

Panic surged in her eyes as the words slipped out of her mouth.

"He won't be able to get to the last stage without his partner, and did you forget we'll never let him use her? Even if he gets to that stage, I have his sister's lifeline. He'll forever remain our captive, our tool! The more ice stages he unlocks, the more power we get to absorb from the orb. It's all working for our own good after all." Zeke held her shoulders, levelling his eyes with hers.

"I'm still restless. You mean to tell me we're just gonna let him be after he killed this much?" Azura scoffed.

"There are over five million citizens in this city, so him killing 301 means nothing. We have to keep quiet and let him think he has absolute power for now." Zeke smiled.

"But why? Why would he do this? Agreed, he's always killing one or two, but what drove him to kill this much?" Azura wondered, still very restless.

"We'll have to find that out when we get back. Now, shall we feed our hunger?" Zeke faced the bodies.

Azura did the same, their eyes went shut, and they connected with the aura of death.

They began sucking out the souls of the dead bodies. It merged with their own bodies in form of a dark fog.

The fog surrounded the mountain.

--

[East Palace, Heartless Tower]

Ryker is still in front and tower, so is Shayla.

Her two hands are still holding his one hand, and their eyes are still staring deeply at each other, as if they're communicating with the stare.

Cheyenne's unconscious body is gone from the ground. Sage came for it already, so it's just the two of them.

The dark weather is gone, the day is as bright as it should be, though the weather is insanely cold.

Shayla's eyes went down to the contact, and they stared at it for long.

He's got beautiful slender fingers, but she was quick to push that thought away before looking up again.

He's still looking at her.

"Um...will you...kill me if I let go of your hand?" She talked.

"Depends" he replied, a little low.

Slowly, she slipped her hand away from his own, and Ryker folded his hand, wanting to keep the lingering warmness there.

Normally, during extremely cold weather like this, his ice acts up more than usual. 

Also, he just unlocked the second stage of the ice power, so he's supposed to feel cold like never before and get weak for hours, but none of it is happening.

He's fine, and he's stronger than ever... just because she held his hand? Just because he felt her warmness?

If she's not the partner, then who is this innocently bold slave?

His brows went arched before he knew it, and the blood on his robe made DRIP sounds as they dropped on the rocky ground.

"Then...am I... forgiven?" She spoke again, raising those lashes at him.

"You think forgiveness is that easy to buy?" He replied sharply.

"Then what do I have to do?" She asked, her stutters disappearing.

"Should I bring you some food? I can make you fruits salad." 

"I told you, I do not eat." He declared, point-blank before proceeding further.

"Moy Vladika!" Shayla went after him again, blocking his way.

"Do you want to die?" He glared.

"I know you don't have to eat to satisfy your hunger, but it's my way of saying sorry. I promise I'll make it moderate, you'll like it." She smiled, moving away from his path.

Ryker finally went into the tower, and the door closed on him.

Shayla left in a rush.

--

[Knights Quarters]

Cheyenne lay flat on the small treatment bed, and Sage stood beside her with a blue pill between his fingers.

He opened her mouth slightly, pushing the blue pill inside. 

Despite her unconscious state, Cheyenne swallowed.

"C'mon, c'mon." Sage muttered, watching her eyes and waiting for them to peer open.

In exactly one minute, her eyes opened, widely.

"Cheyenne!" Sage sat beside her quickly, smiling in relief.

Cheyenne sat up, recollecting what had happened before she passed out.

A smirk took over her face.

"Lord Ryker stroke me down cos of her? There was unity between the three of us, and now that she's suddenly here, she's trying to tear us apart? She's clearly seducing him!"

"Seducing who? Are you serious? He won't get drawn to anyone who's not his partner, you know it!" Sage cautioned.

"The why is he doing all these for her? Even hurting me for her?" Cheyenne flared up, showing him her wounded elbow.

She sustained the injury when Ryker made her land on the ground earlier.

"Look at it! Has it ever happened?"

"He's not doing anything for her! Calm down and think!" Sage said.

"He killed 12 people and their generations just because they bullied her! And you're telling me it's not for her? Make it make sense, Sage!" 

"He needed to kill as much as he could to unlock his second stage! Don't you get it? He needed to shed as much blood as possible! He might have killed them cos they bullied her, but trust me it's just an excuse. He has been waiting years for this, he just needed an opportunity, and it appeared the moment they bullied her! Calm down for once in your life!" Sage shouted.

Cheyenne released heavy breaths, looking him dead in the eyes.

"He's in the second stage already?"

"Damn it! Yes!" Sage said, looking totally frustrated.

"Fine, he killed them cos he needed to unlock second stage, but we both know he hates physical touch like mad! The only person he allows touches from is Granny, that's because her aura is pure, and he only even allows her touch once or twice a year. When you mistakenly touched him during the feast last year, tell me what happened?" Cheyenne demanded.

"He paralyzed my hands for two full days." Sage replied calmly.

"Correct! But earlier in front of the tower, he allowed that girl to touch him and...geez! I'm going crazy. I just don't feel good about her." Cheyenne held her head with an hand, pacing around the room.

"He's our Lord, you can't go against him. I'm warning you again Cheyenne. He knows what he's doing and you know his temper is fiery. I don't want him to kill you so lay low very well. As for why he allowed the slave girl to touch him, I'll investigate." Sage said.

"I don't care, all I know is that any girl that's not the partner is not allowed beside him. I won't allow him to fall into that sl+t's s+duction!" Cheyenne barked, exiting the room.

Sage took a long deep breath, resuscitating his tight lungs.

"I can't with her anger issues." 

--

[Ryker's Resting Domain]

Ryker changed into another outfit when he came back from the spring pool. Usually, he spends more time soaking inside the water, but today he only washed away the blood on his body and clothes.

No matter how much he loves blood on himself, he can't afford to get it on his treasure tower, so he got clean before coming here.

His robe material is open on his porcelain chest, and he just sat on his large throne-like chair, relaxing his mind and trying to  measure the extra abilities that comes with this second stage.

He tried mind travelling on his seat, and his mind's eye travelled beyond this city, extending it's sight to the human world.

Perfect.

His sense of smell is sharper, his teleporting ability got stronger too. He could feel his inner energy bubbling, and his eyesight grew clearer than before. Even his hearing ability broadened...

"Fruit Salad? Hmm! Looks delicious, who's it for?" 

"I'm making it for Lord Ryker. Not sure if he's going to eat it, but I'll make efforts at least...show him how sorry I am."

Those voices belongs to Granny and Shayla, and he's not even surprised.

But why always Shayla's voice? And she's really making fruits salad? 

It's been years since he ate, so he has even forgotten what food tastes like. It's as mundane as everything else about lowly humans.

Cheyenne and Sage entered the slumber, his eyes stayed on Sage only as he relaxed on his chair.

Cheyenne went on her knees quickly...

"It's always easy for you to get on your knees after going against me, and now seeing you on your knees angers me." Ryker spat.

"That would be the last time I'd be unreasonable. Also, I was only trying to shoo her away cos she looked like trouble. I'll stay off the matter from now on." Cheyenne apologized.

Ryker said nothing more, but he's surely counting her sins in his mind, awaiting the next time.

"Now that the second stage is attained, what's going to happen?" Sage asked.

"The news will spread to the West Palace, and Kasia's desire to get the FrostOrb will heighten." Ryker replied with high sureness.

"Then?" Cheyenne pressed forward.

Ryker smirked, "The rest will play out according to their poor tactics, we only have to wait. Also, they're not the only ones after the FrostOrb. There are several bloodlines who want the orb in this city and even in the human world. Get ready for more enemy attacks."

Sage and Cheyenne exchanged looks.

--

[Kings Residence, City]

Kade sat on a sofa at the hallway sat the right side of the rich mansion, and Liza stood in front of him.

Her back is on him, and her palms are folded at her sides. She has finished talking, and Kade is only trying to process what she just said.

"You covered her mark with a restriction spell, and you won't even tell me how the spell can be removed from her body?" He stood.

"I know you, Kade. If I tell you, you'll go ahead and do something stupid!" Liza faced him.

"What could I possibly do? I'm outside, and she's inside the East Palace, a palace that can't be entered without permit. How the hell would I even enter?" Kade retorted.

"The moment the mark appears on her body, Ryker would want to kill her, and you're the one person who wants her dead the most. Telling you how to remove the spell is like giving you the key to her death cos you'll find a way to tell Ryker!" Liza said.

"Oh...so it's about protecting her after all. How dare you even protect a girl you abandoned! The whole Luminaria only know me as your child cos you kept her birth a secret and I've been keeping it with you cos you're my mother anyways, but if you do not tell me how to remove the spell, I'll do something crazy." Kade threatened.

"You know better than to threaten me, Kade. You want me to lock you in the coffin again? You must have missed the smell of the sandalwood." Liza smiled, dusting imaginary dirt from his shirt.

"This time, I'll make sure you spend a year in the coffin before I wake you." She got serious, and Kade slapped her hand away from himself.

"You're the worse" he muttered, walking down the corridor.

"Where are you going!" Liza shouted.

"Ballet School! The dancers will be performing at the Feast, and I can't miss it. Gotta show everyone this handsome face!" He shouted back.

"You said you grew tired of dancing! You can't continue going to a school where Esme is the head teacher!" Liza ranted.

Kade turned back to face her, smiling with cruel intentions.

"Esme is your rival and the only woman you badly wanna win against, but I'll support her in this upcoming Feast. I'll make sure she wins the beauty crown again! That'll be your punishment for trying to protect your slave daughter!" 

He stepped away, and Liza bit the inside of her mouth.

"That scum of the earth." She mumbled, then a letter came flying with the air.

She took it and opened it. It's informing her about Ryker's 301 killings at Mount Zhitomir.

"301 people? Meaning he has attained the second stage. Now the struggle for his FrostOrb gets more intense. This year's Feast will be a whole level of different." She muttered.

--

[Black Swan Ballet School, Resting Haven]

The twins are sitting on the same bed, and they both look much better than they were before.

Their bleeding stopped immediately the rain stopped earlier, but they're still under the watchful eyes of professional alchemists.

Alchemists dominate this city instead of doctors. They're the drug manufactures, and they establish the magical pharmacies.

They were contacted to make elixirs and syrups for the twins.

"You should drink more of the medicine from that cup. Take the complete dose to avoid side effects." An alchemist said.

"You expect me to drink that bitter thing again? Are you trying to ruin my buds?" Sadie glared up.

"I was just being considerate of your health, Grand Princess." The alchemist apologized.

"Considerate of my health with a cup of medicine? Are you trying to say that's how weak we are?" Sadie stood.

"No! I didn't mean it that wa—"

Sadie already poured the cup of black medicine on his face before he could finish.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to anger you!" The alchemist shoved his head down.

"Get out! All of you!" Soren ordered.

The alchemists exited the room, now it's just the twins inside.

Soren returned to his phone.

"Why have you been on your phone!" Sadie demanded.

"I'm texting the Old Chef. He needs to tell his daughter to come to this school. I need someone so kick." Soren replied.

Sadie sat beside him, placing an arm on his shoulder.

"Yunno the more I think about it, the more I get to know you're more wicked than me." 

"Thank you." Soren replied, and Sadie laughed.

"Peeps!!" Mercury screamed, rushing inside with unbalanced breaths.

"What the hell! Stop screaming like that!" Sadie spranged up.

"He came back to school! He's back!" Mercury announced.

"Who?" Soren stood too.

"Liza King's son!" Mercury said.

"Kade?" The twins chorused.

A minute later, they're already leaving the Haven.

When they arrived at the hallway, it's total chaos again.

Kade enjoys attention just like Soren, and the females spoil him with attention anytime he comes to school, just like now.

"Kade is back!!"

"OMG! I miss that face!"

"Kade King!!"

They're going bunkers for him, and he's grinning arrogantly as he entered, feeling like the owner of the world in his brown shades and studded outfit which costs a fortune.

Kade has a heavy crush on Sadie Millions, though Sadie is a cold-hearted devil who hates him more than anybody else. Sadie probably doesn't even have a heart.

"Words can't express how much I hate the guts of this animal. His crush on me is as disgusting as his face." She muttered.

"The fact that his mother is my mother's beauty rival, I boil ragingly whenever I see him." Mercury said.

"He's back to share the spotlight again, and he'll probably be the next one to die by my hands." Soren said hatefully.

"Share the spotlight? He has never had a chance. You remain the s3xiest guy in this school." Mercury replied, secretly checking Soren's face out.

Sadie saw that, but she kept quiet.

"Yo! I'm back." Kade removed his shades when he arrived at their faces.

"Back to die? I hear your mother locks you in a coffin anytime you make her angry. You might be entering the coffin for life if you don't learn how to stay away from me and my twin." Soren warned.

"You? I'm not interested in you. And yes, I was interested in Sadness, but not anymore. Her time is past." Kade laughed.

"What did you just call her? Sadness?" Mercury flew to him.

He almost attacked him, but Blaise joined the gathering.

"My redhead bud!" Kade grinned.

"You didn't tell me you'd be coming back!" Blaise smiled.

"It was meant to be a surprise, and it worked! I missed you!" Kade hund his arm on Blaise's shoulder, going away with him.

"Both losers, of course they'd be friends." Mercury scoffed.

"Good thing Kade is back. I'll just kill him and Blaise at once. Mercury, get me some of your dead father's ashes." Sadie said.

"What for?" Mercury blinked.

"Poisoning, what else?" Soren rolled eyes.

"Oh...of course." Mercury shrugged.

They're standing in front of the bulletin board, so they stepped aside when Esme arrived with some other ballet teachers.

Notice about the upcoming Feast was pasted, and everyone began checking it out. Names of the dancers that are gonna dance got picked out, and as expected, Mercury and the twins top the list.

"Wait...mother! Only one person will take the center this time? What kind of weird formation is that!" Mercury questioned.

Esme faced her.

"You and the twins have been occupying the center of the dance floor for years. We need a change this year. Only one person will occupy the center and stand under the spotlight. That one person will be chosen after several practices." Esme sternly said.

"And what's this second poster about? You're gonna be taking in new dancers through auditions starting from next week?" Sadie came forward with a smirk.

"Yeah. People already know the talents of everyone in this school. We need new talents and new faces. This year's Feast won't be the usuals, and Grand Supreme has ordered the best ballet dance performance so I can't disappoint." Esme replied flatly and left with the other teachers.

"Your mother is growing annoying...these days." Soren muttered.

"Yunno what? Sadie... I'll slow down my dance during the practice so you can be picked to be at the center. Trust me." Mercury said.

"Don't follow me, I'm mad at you and your mother right now." Sadie rolled eyes and left.

"Soren!" Mercury held his shirt.

"You can't be mad at me too! My mother made the announcement, not me!" She said.

But the disregard in Soren's eyes made her quickly let go of his shirt.

Soren left, and she stumped her foot on the ground.

"I hate when they're both angry!" 

"Hey, is Grand Prince Soren with you?" A calm voice made her turn.

She was creeped out to see it's Xena, looking as homeless as ever in her faded clothes.

"Eew! How did you even get into this school environment?" She poured saliva on Xena's face.

"Grand Prince Soren ordered me to come. Said he wants to kick me." Xena said, not bothering to wipe the saliva.

"Soren texted you to come? Or you came just to see his face? Wait...do you like him by chance?" Mercury drew closer.

"That's impossible, I'm here following his orders." Xena replied.

"Then go back! Leave this school right now! Soren wouldn't wanna see dirt like you!" Mercury pointed at the door.

"But he's going to punish me if I don't show myself to him." Xena said.

"I said go!" Mercury pushed her.

Xena staggered to the wall, and her eyes caught the posters briefly before she left the school.

"Ugly thing. Wanna see Soren? Sounds like a curse." Mercury rumbled as she left too.

--

[School Coffee Bay]

Blaise and Kane dropped the cups of warm coffee from their lips at the same time, their faces clashing.

"So...how has school been without me?" Kade sighed.

"Boring. But the girls missed you. You're their food." Blaise winked, sweeping his red hair back with his palm.

"I heard the gist about how you blinded Sadie's one eye and was almost killed by thunder but Ryker repelled the thunders for you? Do you now see why I say I love that man? I wanna be like him. He even killed 301 today, I'm in love with his brutality!" Kade laughed.

"301? Where?" Blaise gasped.

"You know nothing, do you?" Kade scoffed, getting his phone and clicking the news at lumi web to show him.

"At Mount Zhitomir? Geez! I'm gonna puke!" Blaise quickly dropped the phone.

Kade laughed.

"But I'm slightly scared. He saved me, and he'd want something in return. What if he asks for something I can't give?" Blaise said.

"Chill, I'm here for you, bud." Kade nodded at him.

"But why do you adore him so much?" Blaise asked.

"Cos I need him to kill someone for me." Kade replied seriously.

"You only just returned to school today, and you're already killing someone?" Faye said, settling down with them.

Immediately she sat, Blaise stood.

"I'll be at the gymnasium."

"Bud! Are you still crazy about this step siblings hate? Be mature, you small fry!" Kade shouted after him.

"He's never gonna change. I knew it was over the moment he gave his dog my name" Faye said.

"Oh that's fucked up." Kade laughed. "How have you been coping with him without me?"

"Coping? I'm not trying to cope, I'm just gonna live as if he doesn't exist." Faye shrugged.

"Great!" Kade smiled.

"Your name is on the list of dancers for the feast. How did you do it? You only just returned today" Faye blinked.

"I'm Liza King's son, of course I can." Kade laughed.

"So arrogant." Faye snickered, taking his cup to drink from.

--

[West Palace]

"Second stage attained, now we have to move faster. I don't even care about the last stage. It might take another century before he gets to that stage, so I'm gonna make my move now. On the night of the feast, we strike the East Palace." Kasia said.

She's in the lobby with Winona and Astor.

"This is too dangerous. Our generations will be wiped the moment Ryker finds out about this plan." Astor said worriedly.

"I hate when you talk like a weak individual! We're not weak, we just lose our powers every midnight and the feast won't last till midnight so we're safe! Don't muddle this plan!" Kasia said insistently.

"What do we do?" Winona asked. "I'm always with you all the way. We own this city, and any procedure to take it back, I'm all ready." 

"Keep entering Jude till he lets his guard down. I and Astor will find a way to get close to Granny Jojo." Kasia said.

"How? She barely leaves the East Palace." Winona said.

"But she's an ambassador of loco, her favorite shoe brand. They're hosting an ambassadorial conference tomorrow, and she'd be there. We'll start from there." Kasia clarified.

--

[East Palace, Slaves Kitchen]

Xena had to borrow her father's phone, and though the phone is already malfunctioning cos it's slightly broken on the screen, she still managed to use it.

She can't miss this opportunity.

She saw the audition website name on the school poster, and she has to make a move before the spots gets filled.

She typed the ballet website name on the phone, waiting for it to load for minutes.

When she was finally able to enter the website, she was overjoyed.

She applied for auditions for her and Shayla, but she used different secret names though. If she uses their names, they'd be caught.

When she got to the pictures column, she just downloaded random pictures from the human web and inserted them on the columns.

She clicked submit on the two documents, and she folded her palm on the phone.

"Yes!"

She's gonna tell Shayla about it tonight.

"Xena, you didn't take dinner to the basement yet." Old Chef said from outside.

"I'm coming!" She rushed out of the kitchen.

--

[Soul Hall, 7PM]

Azura and Zeke are walking the corridor behind the hall, and their mouths are running as they discussed the same thing...

Ryker.

"He slaughtered that much people because a slave got bullied?" Azura said, eyes malicious.

"Did he actually got seduced by a female who's not his partner?" 

"Not possible, do you know how many naked females he checks out whenever he does his checks at the Groove? He's not that easy, and you know it." Zeke replied.

"Then what do we call this? I started this suspicion the moment he saved her from the beast forest and injured Lilith." Azura said.

"I'm calling a family meeting tonight, it's been a while since I heard him talk. Let's hear what he has to say. He has lots of charges to answer to." Zeke said, pushing the Soul hall door open.

Lilith is already standing beside her bed. She's fully awake.

"Welcome back, messenger of death." Zeke smiled.

"Nice timing, dwarf." Azura said.

--

[Granny's Chamber]

Jojo sat in front of the mirror again, trying to speak to her shadow.

And it's working. Her eyes are widely open, and she's smiling as her shadow self stated back at her as a reflection.

Finally after several trials, she got this ability back.

"Been a while, shadow self." She waved shortly.

"You didn't die?" The shadow asked from the mirror.

"If I died, you'd be dead too... dunce." Jojo laughed. "I need new techniques, and you better teach me everything you know."

Shayla came out of the inner chamber, wearing another one of Jojo's youth skirts.

This one is long free yard which covered all her legs except her flat shoes. It's color black but with white stripes at the base.

Her button blouse is slightly cropped, so her extra slim waist is showing.

She's carrying the small cooler of fruits salad which she had made in the morning. 

She went to the the tower to deliver it, but she knocked several times and it wasn't open, so she brought it back here and kept it in the freezer to maintain the coldness.

Now she's just gonna give it to Xena to eat so it won't turn sour before tomorrow morning.

Since Jojo is busy in front of the mirror, she left the chamber without saying goodbye.

She's gonna be meeting Xena at the bleakly-lit corridor. Same corridor where she mimicked Ryker.

Xena has promised to teach her more of the language.

On getting there, Xena isn't there yet, so she set the cooler of fruits salad on the open windowsill, sighing.

"I knew it, she's always the late one." 

She sat on the windowsill too, holding the cooler to her side.

"Shayla?" Jude appeared in the corridor, and she quickly stood.

"Grand Prince...

She tried to bow, but just like the other time, he stopped her.

"Don't bow for me, it's irksome." 

"But I can be punished if the Grand Supreme or the twins sees me talking casually to you." She replied carefully.

"None of them are here, so talk as casually as you want." Jude insisted.

"I can't do that, ...sir." Her face went down.

"Why? Do I look untouchable?" Jude came closer, and she shifted back.

"I want to live long, and I don't want complications." She said.

"You're doing that running away thing again. I was starting to think you're you allergic touches, but I saw you placing your hand on Ryker's palm when you teleported with him, so the problem must be me. Do you hate me?" Jude questioned, eyes looking hurtful and needy again.

"No... Why would I hate you? You healed me, and I'm still grateful for that." Shayla muttered.

"Then why can't I touch you?" Jude went closer again.

Again, Shayla shifted back, but he grabbed her two arms, shoving her closer to himself.

The fruits salad cooler nearly fell from her, but she held tight, trying to break free from his hold.

"Can you... please let...go?"

"I don't want to." He replied, and she hastily looked up at him. 

The moment their eyes met, his eyes squinted suddenly like he's in pains, and he let go of her arms with difficulty.

"Grand Prince?" She blinked.

He squinted his eyes deeper, grabbing his head tight.

"Grand Prince?" She repeated, and he stepped back, groaning.

"It's headache, I think." He sniffled, water forcefully crawling out of his eye corners.

"Headache? Out of the blues?" Shayla said, not understanding.

"F+ck it!" Jude groaned again, his head banging in a loop.

He staggered out of that corridor, leaving Shayla all alone.

"That was... strange." She muttered, adjusting the cooler stes holding.

She made to place it back on the windowsill, but then she saw him, standing there on the same spot he stood that night...

Ryker.

The bleak lights didn't do justice to his face, but it's unmistakable.

"Moy Vladika?" She blinked.

"Does that sound better in your ears?" He deeply talked, coming closer with cold steps.

"If you don't like it, I'll go back to calling you My Lord." She replied when he got to her.

His eyes dropped on the cooler she's holding, and she noticed it.

"Oh...um...I came to your tower with it, but no one opened the door. It's still fresh though." She said, opening the cooler to reveal the fruity meal. 

It smells temptingly good too, and there's a really small fork with just two tines.

"Is that your idea of an adult fork?" He said, glancing boringly at the fork.

"I can get you a bigger fork." she quickly said, but he already took the fork before she could move.

He stabbed the fruit salad with it, taking from it, and without waiting, he brought it to his mouth.

Shayla gasped inwardly in shock. 'He's eating it!'

TBC

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