Aliana watched the exchange nervously, turning her gaze onto her king when he spoke directly to her again. "Oh, yes, I am finished, sir. I'm sorry I didn't eat it all," She apologized softly before standing up slowly.
"Um… sir? Will my family be okay? You said you will bring them here, right?" She turned her gaze up at him. She looked and acted young, but really she wasn't. She was adult-age.
He looked at her plate. "You ate what you could. The wolves, or Blizzard enjoys the leftovers." His lips twitched, but no sign of a smile. He nods. "I am a man of my word." He says simply. He began to walk, his eyes forward as he does so. Blizzard walked towards them, nuzzling into Aliana's side as she walked, before walking beside her. His tail flicked back and forth in a relaxed manner.
Aliana nodded and moved after him, staying behind him carefully as to not upset him. She ran her fingers through Blizzard’s fur, letting the tiger calm her down. She smiled down at the pretty beast, bending down as she walked to press a small kiss to his big head. She was so thankful for him. She was really very thankful for everything that had happened. She was expecting to wake up and find out she had overslept or something, and that it was just a pleasurable dream.
Blizzard gave a happy little purr as he nudges her legs gently, his ice blue eyes glancing up at her happily before looking forward again. Cian was walking slowly, the moon casting a gentle shadow behind him, giving him a softer look. They came upon two big glass doors that lead into a garden full of plants no human had ever seen.
Aliana looked up at her king as the moon illuminated their figures. She was more interested in how his hair shone like the finest of silks as he stepped into the cold night. The wash of cold air made her shiver and immediately bring her arms around her in a hug to preserve her heat. But she looked around slowly at the blooming flowers, gasping softly.
He hummed and slipped off his cloak and placed it over her shoulders when he saw her shiver. He walked towards the bushes full of what seemed to be crystal roses, he checked on each one carefully, making sure each one was in the light. In fact, most of the flowers seemed to be in a crystalline state, each of them a different but dazzling color. In the center of the garden, a fountain that seemed frozen in time. His golden eyes glittered in the moonlight.
Aliana smiled shyly up at him and followed him slowly across the gardens, looking around with her wide eyes. She seemed to catch onto every strange little flower, and with each one a small gasp left her throat.
"Sir… sir these are beautiful," She breathed up at him when they paused near the roses, wanting desperately to reach forward and touch them.
Cian looked around and smirked faintly, "It is alright." He mutters and guides her hand forward to touch the flowers. "Here you are." He mutters gently. His eyes are gentle and he withdraws his hand and walks to the fountain and sighed a little before gently touching the flowers himself. He withdrew his hands.
Aliana jumped a little when he took her hand, but allowed him to lead it to the flowers. She stroked the petals between her small fingers, her eyes wide and amazed. She looked up to watch him walk to the fountain, then back down at the roses.
"Um… what is this place? How did it get like this?" She asked finally into the crystal silence.
"The garden of life…" He mutters softly. "But it… It is not… truly life…" He mutters. "They are the souls of my lost family." He whispers. "When Vampires were forced underground, my family, the Nightshade family… fought against it. My sister and I were the only ones to survive…" He places the flower down. "I managed to save their souls… But my sister and I were the only one to live…" He whispers.
"O-oh…" She slowly moved her hand off of the rose, gazing sadly at them. "I'm sorry, sir." She slowly walked closer and set her small hand on his elbow, blinking up at him. "It's nice you were able to preserve their souls, though," She tried to assure gently, moving her hand off of his elbow as soon as she placed it on, shifting in her place and looking down at her feet.
He starts at the contact. Not even his sister would touch him. Rarely would he do that. He glances at the other and shook his head. "The reason we vampires rose again was to avenge the lives of my family." He looked around and sighed, "We are the last of the royals. I am glad I could save them as well…" He walked towards the fountain and waves his hand. The waters part and two roses were revealed. "My father and mother." He mutters quietly.
Aliana moved after him, gazing at the roses as they sprouted out of the fountain. She didn't say anything, just sadly gazed at them. She wanted to ask about his intention with his human subjects. Clearly he wanted revenge, and he just said he did. Yet he was saving her life and the lives of other human livestock. She clearly looked puzzled, but also sympathetic.
He chuckled. "Humans think of us as monsters. Yes, we require human blood to survive. But my intentions were never to harm the humans… even though they destroyed my family, they have knowledge even I cannot process." He mutters. "Humans and vampires… two completely different worlds… and yet human nature always intrigues me." He readjusted his mask and sighed. He gently touched one of the flowers, before looking at Aliana. "You must tell no one of this place. Only my sister and I know of this garden." He says strictly. "Why I am showing you this is to show not all vampires are heartless monsters." He says before leaving her side. "You may visit here as you wish."
Aliana nodded slowly, looking up at him when she saw him move, her eyes a little wide from his words. "I-I don't think they are heartless," She called softly after him. "I have seen how they treat their families. With such kindness and care." She moved after him with Blizzard at her side, just shuffling a little.
"Um… will I be able to see you again? And can I know your name?" She spoke at a raised tone of voice, trying to get it to carry to him.
He hesitated before looking towards the female. "You are certainly a curious human." He mutters before walking towards her, "I am Cian Nightshade." He says as he gazes at her. "And I will see you, just call my name, and I shall appear." He replies before fading into the shadows.
Aliana curled her fingers together, smiling up at him. "I like your name. It's pretty." She nodded at his words, looking down at Blizzard and running his fingers through Blizzard'd fur.
"Should we go to the book-room? Sumika showed me one."
Blizzard looked up at her and purred before walking beside her.
Cian appeared on the perch of his tower, gazing at her. His eyes were filled wit curiosity and wonder about this human he had let into the castle of the Nightshades. With a huff, he disappeared into his room once again.
Aliana moved around the castle slowly, looking this way and that. One hand was secure on her necklace, the other in Blizzard's soft fur. She soon found the small library she was introduced to and pushed open the door, walking in. She wasn't really the best at reading, but she quite enjoyed looking at the pretty covers and words on the pages.
Blizzard purred as he walked, keeping by her side protectively. He looked over at her and licked her hand gently as they entered the library. He looked rather relaxed as he settled on the floor by a crackling fireplace and huffs softly.
Aliana picked out a couple books she thought looked pretty interesting and joined the tiger near the fire, setting the books down and gazing into the flickering orange depths. She had rarely seen fire so up close and warm… She moved closer, knowing well not to touch it, but still kind of wanting to. She scolded herself gently, calling herself silly with a grin.
Blizzard curled around her gently and purred softly as he does so.
Sumika appeared in front of the Nightshade gates and opened them, a small group of people behind her, each of them freezing cold. She walked briskly towards the doors, her eyes narrowed as she does so.
Aliana giggled softly and hummed softly into the fire-filled silence.
Aliana's family had grown quite small. She only had an older brother and a little sister, the other human livestock that Sumika found were even smaller and more disheveled than any. Some had been in the process of dying from lack of blood and the freezing cold that the small huts they were put in.
Sumika glances at the humans before entering the door. "Food, clothes and shelter will be provided. There is only one rule. Never enter the highest tower. That is where his highness stays. There are baths down the hall, third door to the right. Please warm yourselves while I have the cooks prepare food."
The humans stopped their soft talking to listen to her, some nodding and others glaring at her with distrust (mostly mothers and fathers protective of their still-alive children). One particularly large guy started to lead the way over to the rooms she gave them, the humans taking turns warming up and freshening up in the restrooms with the maids' help.