The human kingdom was vastly different to what Selene has seen before. Unlike the cursed forest, the humans followed the vampires and preferred to live in towns. However, unlike the vampires, there was very little nature around, the buildings were not as spectacular or big. It was all rather dull. Half the buildings were made with a red brick, the other half was made of wood that looked as if a stronger gust of wind would make them fall apart. For anyone to live in such conditions seemed unnecessarily cruel.

After some time of walking, they made it to a location that was filled with humans walking on the street, most in a big enough rush to not spare them a second glance. The more people surrounded them, the harder it was to keep that distance of four steps.

Selene though even the fashion was an odd choice. There was such a lack of colours everywhere. Both men and woman wore creams, beige and browns. The buildings were dull, the clothes plain and the environment cold. How could someone bare to live like that?

Kaelan tugged gently on her arm and leaned forward. “I think that’s an inn.” He whispered. “By what we have seen so far, I would take a wild guess at the fact most people cannot afford such luxuries unless they are born in the upper class. And since you are basically a wildling, please just follow my lead on this one.”

A huff escaped her lips as she glared at the vampire. To be called a wildling was considered a grave insult for those who resided in the forest. It was to be considered as something less than the kingdom folk, someone not civilised enough. Yet in this situation, Selene could hardly disagree. The expectations and beliefs of humans were foreign to her. Her accent wasn’t as polished, the words she used might be considered to direct. Both of them already stood out, there was no point drawing even more attention to them.

With a stiff nod and a quick glance at the building they made their way in. The building outside was plain just like the others, the only reason why someone might have guessed this was an inn was from the large, damaged wooden sign at the front. The moment the entry doors creaked open, and they stepped inside, the place transformed.

The brick was decorated with paintings and dark wooden pillars, there were a few tables by the windows and a couple closer to the centre and the innkeeper’s desk. Each of the tables had a deep red cloth on top, which Selene suspected was to cover any damages. To their left was the stairs leading upstairs, to the right a large fireplace, and in the middle the innkeeper who watched them closely.

The vampire prince stopped a few steps short from the desk and smiled at the keeper. “Hello good sir, me and my wife were wondering if there are any rooms available for a night.”

“Aye we do for 2 silvers.” The man grunted as he leaned back on the chair. “Cheapest in this part of town, you won’t find a better price.”

“That sounds just fine to me.” Kaelan agreed. “I must ask you if we could pay upon our departure. The journey has exhausted my lady, and I am worried if she doesn’t rest, she might fall ill.”

“You pay or you can- “

“I must insist.” Kaelan said softly.

The innkeeper starred blankly bank at them, and only after a few seconds he nodded and handed them a key to a room.

Kaelan smiled and grabbed the key, leading Selene towards the stairs.

“What did you do?” She hissed quietly.

“Just some light encouragement.” The vampire’s voice was so innocent, but Selene knew exactly what he has done. Kaelan forced his will on that poor man.

Better that then not having a place to stay the night, or the guards being informed of their location. She would have done the same if she was rested well enough to play with someone’s mind.

At the top of the stairs, Kaelan stopped and looked at a young couple that was exiting a room.

“They look close enough.” He murmured as he approached them with the same soft smile. “Let me take care of this for you, looks way to heavy for one like you to carry. I will make sure it gets back to your home.”

The woman giggled and the man handed over their large luggage to him, in moments they disappeared downstairs. All Selene could do was stare at him in disbelief. Was it really that easy for him to just get people to bend to his will?

Kaelan dragged the case with one hand and opened a door at the end of the hall with the other. The room inside wasn’t large but it was enough. There was a small coffee table by the window, with two lounge chairs, a wardrobe close to the entrance and a double bed on the right, next to it a door leading to a small bathroom.

Selene honestly wanted to cry at the thought of being able to have a bath, even in a tub as small as that. They did not know how long they spent in captivity, or how long the filth covered their skin. With a deep breath, she released the glamour that still held onto them. Selene was flooded with exhaustion, nothing else matter at that moment. The questions of what they would do next could wait until tomorrow. They could try to figure out how to get out of the human kingdom or gather more information as to why they were kidnapped in the first place. But for now, she needed rest, and by the look on the prince’s face, he needed it too.

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“Ready to see our loot?” Kaelan said excitedly as he knelt before the case.

The excitement didn’t last long, when the case opened it revealed similar plain clothing that was present on the streets. Not like they could afford to be picky at that moment, or risk getting unnecessary attention of others. The case contained a few pairs of shoes, couple of dresses, a number of men’s clothing, as well as nightwear for them both. All different shades of that dull brown.

After they both exchanged a disappointing glance, Selene picked up a long, nightgown and made her way towards the bath, closing the door behind her. She took her time getting all the filth off her skin and hair, she let the hot water wash over her. A feeling she didn’t realise she missed so dearly. The small marks on her wrist, left by the bite of the prince stung when the water touched it. She inspected the puncture wound closely. Selene could only hope she wouldn’t have to serve as his meal again.

After she stepped out, she put on that painfully nightgown, wondered who in their right mind thought this would be comfortable to sleep in. The ripped ceremonial dress laid on the floor. Selene picked it up and thrown it in the trash, there is no way for her to salvage it.

When Selene opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom, Kaelan still hasn’t moved from his previous position, looking deep in thought. She was too tired to care or to question him right now. The moment she felt the bed and laid down in it, her eyes drifted closed, and the exhaustion took over.

The heat of the room felt suffocating, and the thick nightgown clung to her skin. Selene slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Darkness covered every corner and the moon shined outside the window. It was already in its third quarter, meaning around 3 weeks have passed since she was taken and imprisoned. The coven must have noticed at that point. There wasn’t any doubt in her mind they would be attempting to locate her.

The sudden movement in the corner of her eye startled her. Kaelan was sound asleep next to her. The prince apparently didn’t wish to sleep on the floor or the couch and deemed it safe enough to sleep next to her. She didn’t realise what a fool he was.

Selene quickly spotted the dagger from earlier resting on the bedside table. She swiftly grabbed it and sat up, one of her knees resting on the vampire’s chest and pressing down on him, while the hand that held the dagger presses into his neck.

The prince lazily opens his eyes when he feels the pressure on his chest and neck, and his eyes wander up from her knee on him to her face, his brow slightly raised in question. “Well, I must admit, this is not how I thought I would wake up today.”

“This is not the time for jokes.” Selene says while glaring down at him. “Prince or not, the sin of my coven must be cleansed.”

“Can this not wait till the morning?” Kaelan asked while yawning.

The dagger pressed more into his throat, causing a small cut. “No, it may not. I don’t trust you, and you’re an idiot if you thought you would be safe sleeping next to me.”

“To be fair, women usually have a much more pleasant reaction when waking up next to me.” After a moment, the vampire quickly gets a hold of Selene’s wrist and twists it, throwing the dagger to the other side of the room. “Now would you behave wildling?”

“You dare insult me?”

“If you do not wish to be called a wildling then I recommend not acting like one.” His voice held a hint of a warning, and the facade of the calm and collected prince was off.

“Says the man who tried to burn me at the stake.” Selene got her knee off him and moved away. Stepping outside of the bed.

“And I thought I succeeded.”

“A high coven witch cannot burn, just like the royal lineage of the vampires doesn’t burn in the sun.”

“Thank you for the tip, I will try harder next time.” The prince's voice was cold and mocking as he sat up and looked at her.

It was painfully obvious neither of them trusted the other. Even if the prince did promise to be on his best behaviour, their past cannot be buried. He tried to kill her, and he did succeed in killing multiple other members of her coven. Selene would eventually get her revenge, but first they have to get out of this mess.

“We need a plan.” Selene said that through gritted teeth. The idea of having to work with him for a minute longer was torturous, yet she knew it was unavoidable. “Either to get out of Theria or find out what King Flurin is up to.”

Kaelan only gave her a nod, then their planning began.