Bitten Ch. 02

"So, you and the Prince have been getting cozy with each other," Marius said to Rhys while they were sitting in his room about a month after midterms. "Rumors say the two of you have been meeting up a lot."

"To study," Rhys corrected him. "We're studying."

"Is that what you two decided to call it?" Marius teased.

Rhys gave his brother a look that spoke to just how unamused he was. "You know me better than that, little brother. If I was with him like that, I would simply tell you. As it stands, I only get to be with him like that in my dreams."

Marius' eyebrows rose in surprise at that answer. "So you are actually interested in him like that?" he asked.

"Does it even matter if I am or not? He has his entire life planned out for him, including who he'll marry, just like my cousin," Rhys grumbled. "And I don't want to be a king's paramour. Especially not in Arcasias. So my feelings on all of this mean nothing."

Marius looked at his brother with some sadness in his eyes. "So, all the time you're spending with him is... what? Your way of making sure you never want to come back to Arcasias once you leave? A means to break your own heart?"

"Stupidity, madness," Rhys replied, agreeing with his brother. He let out a sigh before he managed to notice the time. "Shit, I have to go and meet Vasile. We're going over the differences in psychology between the various magical races."

"You're such a nerd," Marius teased him. "Don't let me keep you."

Rhys rolled his eyes at his brother and grabbed his bag. Marius left the room before him, and then Rhys headed toward the North wing. The weather had turned cold and rainy, so they had begun meeting in their own rooms. So far they had met in Rhys' but today they were meeting in Vasile's because his class right before then was closest to his own room.

Rhys got there first and leaned against the wall waiting for Vasile to get there. Vasile arrived not long after, striding purposefully through the hall, his face set in a scowl. His countenance brightened considerably when he saw Rhys, but there was still thunder in his now-royal purple eyes. He grabbed Rhys up in a bear hug, a most unexpected breach in his usual decorum.

"I totally forgot about our session today, but I am eternally grateful to see you," he offered by way of explanation once he had set Rhys back down and placed an appropriate amount of space between them. "Why are you out here?" he asked as he opened the obviously unlocked door and strode into his lavish room.

Rhys smirked at that as he stepped in after Vasile did. "I thought vampyres were all about the decorum of being invited inside. It may not be something I'm forced to wait for, but I would never enter without a clear invitation," he teased Vasile.

Vasile chuckled as he spun around, gesturing grandly at the room. "For one thing, that never applies to close confidantes and family," he began, stopping cold once he was facing Rhys, who had not stepped beyond the entryway. "Uhm, close the door," he commanded, the tone in his voice concerning Rhys nearly as much as his change in expression.

Rhys did as he ordered, shutting the door behind him. He kept his eyes on Vasile as he did so, suddenly nervous as to what was wrong. It was only when he went to try and move away from the door that he realized he couldn't. He looked down at the floor, which was made of nice hardwood, but now that he was looking, he could see the spellform of the fae trap in the wood. He looked back up at Vasile in shock once he realized what had happened. Why did the prince have a fae trap in his room?

Now that Rhys was inside the trap, his glamour had fallen away and his true form was visible to anyone who was near him, which meant Vasile could see him. His ears were long and pointed at the end, and his eyes seemed to sparkle more with magic than they did before. He had intricate markings all over his face in a blue-green color, which normally glowed when he used fae magic but was just there when he wasn't. From the markings, which looked like knotwork of leaves and branches, Vasile knew that Rhys was probably a wood elf.

Vasile's expression was a mix between deeply apologetic and enamored as he quickly draped a nearby leather duster over the edge of the trap, breaking the spell and returning Rhys' glamour. "I will get rid of that, I promise!" he exclaimed, stepping back so Rhys could come further into the room. "I had no idea or I would have..."

Rhys stepped out of the trap, looking back at it like it was one that could cause actual harm. He looked shaken up, and he turned his eyes back to Vasile warily. "Is there... Why do you have a fae trap in your room?"

Vasile fell all over himself explaining. "I picked up a few superstitions during my time with the humans," he said apologetically. "I know it's racist to distrust the Fae but my tutors were also pushing the idea and it seemed like such a small thing to keep them quiet."

Rhys' expression turned to one of understanding. The humans were the most afraid of the Fae, and probably for good reason so it was hard to argue with that logic. Still, he found he felt hurt and shaken at the same time. Slowly, he nodded his head. "I suppose that makes sense. Are your tutors worried about the fae trying something on you? It's not like eating our food can harm you. The worst you could do is make a deal with one of us..."

Vasile nodded. "Two of the three of them are human. I completely understand if this experience upsets you and you choose not to continue our visits, but it would sadden me to lose your companionship," he said quietly. "I've personally never met any of the Fae - well, before you, I suppose. Your secret is most assuredly safe with me as well, no matter what you choose to do moving forward."

Rhys let out a sigh and sat down on the chair to Vasile's desk, letting his glamour fall away since Vasile already knew the truth. "To be fair, I'm only half Fae, though with the Fae, that counts as much as being born full blooded to them. Not so much to the vampyres though. My mom is the third born of the Caimaer royalty. A princess, who didn't want to be. Technically, the family doesn't have much to do with her since she chose the Duke and Duchess over home in Fyrie, but they still teach me and train me for if I ever needed to take the throne.

"Your people would hate me all the more if they knew I wasn't just a normal dhampyr," Rhys added without any mirth in his voice.

Vasile slumped down into a chair, seemingly defeated. "Probably, but I hope you don't view vampyres as a monolith," he responded. "I never based my friendship with you on your parentage, for whatever that is worth."

"Not all of them, no," Rhys agreed, and then his expression softened. "I know you didn't. You've been curious to know me despite what you've likely heard about me, or how odd I've acted. For the record, I didn't approach you with any ill intent either. I just... am drawn to you."

Vasile nodded. "I do have that effect on people," he said with a self-confident smile. "I meant everything I've promised you, and that still stands. Friends are rare and true friends are rarer still for people in our positions. I did have some inkling that you were more than dhampyr, though."

That didn't completely surprise Rhys, but he took the bait anyway. "Oh really? What gave me away?"

"Uncle Ingram," Vasile answered simply as if that was a complete answer.

Rhys stared at him for a long time, his expression showing clearly that he had no idea what that meant. "Did I... do something to him? Or did he see me do something very un-dhampyr like?"

Vasile laughed his melodious laugh. When he slowed down enough to speak he answered, "No, dear Rhys, he spends most of his time in crow form. When you responded to the others as if you understood, he was startled. I mused aloud in his presence that I hadn't seen you about in a while and he told me where you've been holding court."

Rhys looked like he remembered something as his expression took on understanding. "Ah, the crow that freaked out and flew away. And here I thought I was being so careful. My uncle would scold me for being careless with that. I suppose as long as you don't hate me though, both for hiding what I am and for being it, then it's fine. I don't think I could stand it if you did."

Vasile shrugged. "You can no more help being of mixed heritage than I can who my parents are," he said. "As for hiding it, I hardly blame you. You suffer enough stigma as a dhampyr, what more would you face if people knew you are also Fae?"

"That's exactly why my parents wanted me to hide it," Rhys agreed. "They even considered if I shouldn't glamour myself to look more vampiric, but I'd had the red hair and tanned skin for so long before I learned the glamour it would have looked odd." As he said that, the glamour returned, only now his rich tanned skin was pale, like perfect porcelain, and his hair was a much darker red to match what most vampyres would have instead of the fae. His eyes had darkened to a deep blue instead of the vivid aqua it usually was.

Vasile chuckled. "You're right, I prefer the way you originally appeared. I would offer that you not maintain the glamour in my presence, but I can imagine the potential for disaster should you become comfortable and forget and someone less progressive see you," he said regretfully.

Rhys let the glamour drop again. "It's risky to do that, you're right, but perhaps in the privacy of either of our rooms, it would be okay to not maintain it. I'll just need to remember to put it back up before I leave your room."

Vasile considered that, then held up a single finger before going over to a tall book stand and rifling through the pages of the tome supported there. He found his page quickly and read off a spell before gathering some supplies from a nearby chest. He waved Rhys over and pointed at the book, "Help me out here, chum. That's a perimeter spell. It'll tell us if anyone comes within earshot of this place and you can put your glam back on. With you here, we should be able to do it," he said cheerily.

Rhys smiled at him and got up to help him out. He grabbed the rest of what they needed and together they set up the spell to warn them if someone came near Vasile's room. Vampyres couldn't do much beyond their innate magic, but he was right that Rhys was proficient in spellwork. Only once they were done and both sitting on Vasile's bed, with their backs against the wall and their shoulders and legs touching, did Rhys look over at the prince.

He'd never had anyone other than his siblings and parents know about him, and he thought of something as he looked into Vasile's violet eyes. "Want to see something cool?"

Vasile smiled broadly before responding, "Only always."

Rhys got into his bag, searching through his seeds for a moment until he found the one he wanted. Then he pushed the bag away and took the seed in his hand. He concentrated and the markings all over his face and neck began to glow a bright green color while his eyes glowed a rich aqua. As he opened up his hand that held the seed, a stunning purple fae flower bloomed as if it was simply growing over time at light speed in the soil. Once it was done growing and had bloomed in all of the rich purple and pink colors of the flower, Rhys held it out to the prince.

Vasile admired it without touching it, afraid to damage the delicate-looking petals. "You're right, that entire experience gave me chills!" he said, awestruck.

Rhys smiled at him, putting more energy into the flower to make it look like a cut flower but so that it wouldn't wilt unless it ran out of his energy. When he put the flower into Vasile's hand, the prince could feel the warm energy signature left behind that was all Rhys. It was like getting a small taste of sunlight on his skin, warm and comforting and gentle.

"It reminded me of you," Rhys told him. "Rare, beautiful, and only blooms in the right circumstances."

Vasile could scarcely believe he'd been given such a gift. He carefully placed it in a crystal bowl on his mantle and turned back to where Rhys was sitting. "Careful, young Duke. Flattery will get you everywhere," he intoned.

Rhys grinned at that. "That's good to know. I'll keep it up then. Though you know, I'm technically not the next Duke. That title goes to my brother Marius."

Vasile made a dismissive gesture. "Silly details that I fully intend to exert power to change in the coming centuries. If not for your sake, then for your fellow folk. There's no reason to allow superstition to rule the apex predators of this planet, hm?" he answered. "You've inspired me to do more than the bare minimum in my political training."

"Me?" Rhys asked in surprise. "However could little ole me inspire you, Your Majesty?"

"Don't be obtuse, Dukey. It's below you," Vasile said. "Besides, it's not easy dealing with the expectations of an adoring public, you know."

Rhys smirked at him for the first part, and then nodded his head at the second. "Yes, that much I know. I've watched my cousin do it for some time now. I'm certain once you graduate from here, your engagement will be announced to the perfect vampyre lady and then your crowning will happen." Rhys wasn't able to mask the sadness that came across his face at first at the mention of an engagement.

Vasile groaned and slumped down farther into his seat beside Rhys. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm sure Mother is screening candidates already with not a care in the world that I've likely never met the future potentials and might actually want to find love instead of dealing with a political marriage. I've been trying to find every means possible to push the coronation off as long as I can for mostly that reason," he bemoaned.

"A prince marrying for love," Rhys mused. "Sounds like something in fairy tales. Though... my cousin is the one who gets to choose the lovely lady who will become queen, so long as she is of noble blood. I'm glad my uncle at least gave him that much control. I wish there was a way to help you too, but I have very little power to change anything here."

Vasile shrugged, defeated. "There's not much to do besides deciding not to foist the same on any successor I may have," he said without looking up.

That seemed to Rhys to be as solid of an answer about what Vasile would do as he was going to get. He wasn't surprised by the path that was chosen, but he was surprised by just how much it hurt. He sat there silent for a long time, his eyes on the window as he tried to rein in his emotions. Finally, he cleared his throat and reached for one of Vasile's books. "We should probably study," he said, his voice as even as he could manage to make it right then.

They got into the material, neither of them sure how to proceed on the personal front, but both willing to let their mutual company soothe the issue. At least when they were working on school work, neither of them could focus on the feelings between each other. By the time it was time to head back to his own dorm, Rhys put his glamour back on and carefully stepped over the trap, glad to see the coat on the ground still made it not work anymore.

Once Rhys was safely out of the room, Vasile worked on removing the fae trap spell, leaving the indent in place so as to keep his human tutors mollified. He put the coat back on the entryway rack where he had found it and sat down to have a think about what to do with these feelings he was experiencing.

Rhys tried to do the same on his own time, and he was coming up empty. He knew what his options were. He could be one of the King's side pieces, or he could walk away. There wasn't much more besides that. He eventually came to the conclusion that he either had to get okay with the idea of being with Vasile only for a little bit and outside of marriage, or he needed to leave the country, and the man, behind.

Vasile had trouble placing his feelings in order at first. He wrestled with the complicated nature of his viewpoint on relationships until he could distill it down to its simplest essence. What he arrived at was that his State Marriage was an obligation that had rules but that didn't necessarily require fidelity. Most vampyres recognized that marriages weren't enforceable as lifetime commitments because of their longevity and that understanding typically extended to arranged marriages. So long as promises were kept as they were made, all else was negotiable and would be negotiated prior to the ceremony.

Where all of that broke down was really up to hierarchies. Most vampyre brides expected to be the priority relationship and there was no way Vasile could take a forced marriage seriously. On the other hand, anyone else interested in him would expect to be the "side" person (and therefore relegated to second place, at best) while Vasile himself saw things the opposite. It was such a tangled web of feelings that he was left basically hopeless when it came to making anything satisfying work prior to meeting his commitment to his family and the crown.

The biggest problem for Rhys was that he knew that being the secondary person could work. He'd seen how the triad his parents had worked. It was loving, sweet, and fair. There were times, though, when the legal wife had to take precedence, and the legal children as well. Even more so for a future King, his secondary or third or fourth relationship, could never take any sort of priority because he had responsibilities to uphold.

If they could have the deal that his parents had, he'd be all for it, but whoever was chosen for his state marriage very well could hate Rhys and his entire existence. It was fine with his mom and dad and Ma, because they had all loved and respected each other. For that reason, their families respected each person because his parents would allow nothing less. Rhys didn't have that guarantee though.

On top of that, he didn't know how to talk to Vasile about this, and it seemed Vasile was having trouble talking to him about it as well. It was clear to both of them that the way they felt for each other was more than friends, but neither could find a path forward that worked.

Both of them knew that if they wanted to stop from being hurt more, they should probably stay away from each other, but the reality of doing that was easier said than done. Neither of them wanted to stay away, so they didn't. They continued studying together, having meals together, and getting to know each other.

In their downtime, Rhys told Vasile what it was like living in Fyrie for the time he was there and learning magic from his uncle. He told him how he had been given just enough blood to survive on, and the rest of his sustenance was Fae food. He had, of course, been making a joke before about his sweet tooth. He did indeed have one, but it was because of his ancestry, so fae food was his favorite but also wasn't dangerous to him.

Vasile listened with rapt attention to Rhys' stories of Fyrie, happy to improve his sorely lacking knowledge of the Fae and their society. In return, he expounded at length about court life and some of the lesser-known vampyre lore that dhampyrs weren't always subjected to. For instance, Rhys did not know that the vampyres were once severely allergic to sunlight. It was one of Vasile's ancestors on the Brosnya side who first discovered the cure.

Rhys asked as many questions about that as he could, and it was clear to Vasile that he really loved hearing about the scientific side of how it was cured. He talked about some of the issues the Fae dealt with that he had considered whether there might be a cure for, like the severe allergy to iron. Rhys pulled his jacket off and unbuttoned his shirt to let it fall down over his shoulders and to his waist to show Vasile the marks left behind from wrought iron bars used in buildings here from when he was a kid. Vasile could see a currently healing one on his left arm that seemed recent.

Vasile made a minor deal about the recent burn mark, not quite demanding that Rhys seek medical attention, as he knew that there was nothing their medical science could currently do about the heavy metal intolerances. Vasile did think it was interesting that Rhys knew near as much about the cause of the Fae iron allergy as Vasile's own uncle Lukas Brosnya knew about the silver allergy that he was studying. Uncle Lukas felt that he was close to a breakthrough and Vasile's entire family was quite proud of him. So much so that one of his brothers was named after the man.

"Perhaps I should meet up with your uncle once I become an ambassador," Rhys commented. "Maybe together we could figure something out. I want to see all of our people to thrive, and I hope to find more half-breeds like me. Maybe make a community for them to just be free and live happily."

Vasile loved that idea and swore his assistance in making it happen, once Rhys figured out how that was going to take place. He suggested that they figure out a name for the Fae-touched dhampyrs like Rhys, rationalizing that folks tended to accept things easier if there was a catchy name for it. Unfortunately neither of them managed to strike naming gold that day, but both of them were determined to think on it and inform the other should they work something out individually.

It hit Rhys as they finished up finals that semester and were going back home for a small break that he was in love with the Vampyre Prince. Completely and unequivocally head over heels for him. Despite knowing that he should probably distance himself from Vasile, he just couldn't.

So this was how the two of them spent their days in upper education. Sometimes they spent time with Rhys' siblings too, and Rhys even met all of Vasile's siblings at some point while studying with the prince. It was one of the few times Vasile got to see Rhys at ease around people. The royal siblings were all welcoming and kind to him, other than Viktoria who was generally cold and stand-offish with everyone including her own siblings, so he relaxed almost as much as he did around his own siblings.

Vasile didn't specifically warn Rhys about keeping his glamour up around the family. He knew most of them wouldn't care, but there was always that tiny doubt. Rhys always kept up his glamour around anyone who wasn't family though, so it never became a problem. The only time Vasile ever saw him without it was when they were alone, or when they were with just Rhys' siblings. Vasile was a little surprised the first time Rhys dropped his glamour in his siblings' presence, not because Rhys was comfortable doing so, but because Vasile was present.

His siblings did react the first time, surprised that Rhys would do so in Vasile's presence, but once Rhys explained what had happened and that Vasile had known since a little after the second part of fall, that calmed them down. Vasile did notice a few looks toward him at the mention of the fae trap, not really condemnations of him having it but definitely some judgment on it. He made his same apologies to them, which Rhys waved off as old news and mentioned how he didn't blame Vasile's tutors for wanting him to have it.

This was how they continued the entire time they were in school. Rhys had become Vasile's confidante, and vice versa. Everyone knew they would probably be seen together. They spent most of their free time together, studying and talking, just barely skirting the line in private. The most they ever allowed themselves were hugs and times when their sides would touch as they worked.

The tension that built between them was palpable by the time they finally graduated. Many of Vasile's siblings were of the opinion that they should just give in to their carnal desires and "get it over with" so they could move on after graduation, but Vasile knew himself better than that. He very much suspected that if he ever got a taste of Rhys he would never want for anything else.

Rhys was of the same mind about it. His own siblings had teased him for the years they were in school that he should just let himself give in to desire and ravish Vasile while he could so it would be out of their system. Rhys didn't think it would go that way for him though. He couldn't see himself getting to be with Vasile like that and not becoming addicted to it, so to speak. It would just hurt all the more to leave.

Even now, as he packed up his things to leave for the job he had already accepted, his chest ached and felt like it wanted to cave in at the idea of being away from Vasile. It would be so much worse if he had been intimate with the man.

Marius looked at his brother as he finished packing up his bags, the concern all over his face as he asked, "Are you going to survive this? Because the look on your face says you won't."

Rhys let out a laugh though it was anything but mirthful. He cleared his throat and shut the trunk he had been putting the final items in. "I'll survive. It just... hurts more than I thought it would. Am I making the wrong decision?"

Marius shook his head at that. He wanted his brother to be close to the family but he knew this had always been what Rhys had wanted to become, so he couldn't be selfish about this. "I don't know. I think the job is perfect for you, but I can't answer if it's right to be away from Vasile. I know you love him, and I know he feels something for you. I just don't know how deep his feelings go, or what he can even do about it."

Rhys looked sad at that. He remembered what Vasile had said in their first year and shook his head. "Nothing. He can do nothing about it. He can change it for his children, but not for himself. I hope for their sake, he does."

They didn't say anything more. Marius could see just how much this was hurting him, but Rhys put on a neutral face and then turned back to him and smiled like nothing was wrong before saying they should go and find their family. They went down to meet their parents, who were there with the rest of the siblings to celebrate them that day. Alavara hugged her son tightly, whispering to him in Elvish how proud she was of him.

As they were congregated together, the royal family came through. The Duke cleared his throat to get his family's attention, and they all bowed respectfully in front of the King and Queen.

"Your Majesties," Duke Jasper said. "Congratulations on the graduation of your son. Your Highness, both of my sons have spoken highly of you while they have been here." Behind him, Rhys smiled at Vasile to show that that was definitely true.

"Rhys more than anyone else," Marius said under his breath, but vampyre hearing was better than most so it wasn't lost on anyone there. Rhys elbowed him in the side gently, which just made Marius laugh.

Vortigern acknowledged the Duke's bow with a lofty nod of his head and his words with a cold smile. "Yes, we've heard that our progeny have been assisting each other throughout their time here. Vasile has also informed us that, were it not for his friendship with your son, he would not have the deeper understanding that he has developed for governance. We are eternally grateful for that and have endorsed him for the Ambassadorship he expressed interest in," he said. Vasile couldn't help but notice that Rhys' success as an Ambassador would also conveniently send him as far away from the political center of Arcasias as possible.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rhys said to the King with a deep bow. "I hope to make Arcasias proud as an Ambassador to show that your endorsement of me was not in vain."

"We all know you will succeed far beyond even our dreams, son," Duchess Iona said to him, running her fingers through his long red hair to try and tame it a little bit.

The closeness of their familial relationship was a stark contrast to that of the Royal Family. No one touched or even stood close to one another. Meanwhile, it was clear that Rhys' parents - all three of them - truly adored their son, and the rest of the children. Alavara hurried to fuss over Rhys' hair, trying to get it braided before the graduation ceremony.

Vasile stared at them, the nature of their relationship dawning on him as his mind zipped through the possibilities that this knowledge opened up for them. His mind was still reeling as they each crossed the stage to receive their individual recognitions and congratulatory statements from the staff. By the time he had the details of his approach worked out, however, the Dravens had made their goodbyes and departed for the train station to see Rhys off to his Ambassadorial training prior to his posting in the position.

Vasile excused himself from his parents' orbit as quickly as possible and rushed down to the train station but was too late; Rhys had already left. The train was already off in the distance now and Rhys' family were leaving towards the car. Marius had lingered for a little bit, watching the train that was taking his brother far, far away from home. Marius was only a few months younger than Rhys and they had been raised as twins, so watching his brother go off away from their province was difficult for him.

He turned and was surprised to see Vasile there. "Your Highness! Are you alright?"

Vasile nodded, waving toward the departing train. "Yes, just a little too late to say goodbye," he said dejectedly as he turned to walk back to his parents' car.

When he got there, his mother, Veronika Brosnya, looked at him with only a twinge of sympathy. "It's for the best, Vasile. You know that."

Vasile nodded, refusing to show any emotion around his family. They wouldn't understand anyway, his father had been obsessed with Mother from the moment they met. Their story was a rarity among royalty and especially among the vampyre community.

Rhys' ambassadorial training took him an extra year to get through, but it was all leading to a goal. He was doing the job underneath someone for the last eight months of that year. It was around that time that he came clean to his mentor about his Elven heritage, and he dropped the glamour for good.

Gossip like this tended to spread quickly, and it wasn't long before the news got back to Arcasias. The King and Queen looked annoyed by the news. They had known he was a dhampyr, but it left a bitter taste in their mouth to know that Rhys was also of Elven descent and that it had been hidden for over 130 years under their rule.

The King and Queen didn't ask their son, but his brother, Nikodemus, did ask Vasile if he knew his school friend was part Fae. Vasile implied that he did not know at all while adding that "now that I think of it, the signs were there."

Rhys' job took him all over their split continent, meeting with various people and getting to know them. Vasile's impressions of humans around the Fae showed true, as they were always looking at him with distrust. Still, he was a smooth talker and good with people, so he was able to work around it.

He rarely made it back to Arcasias, which had been by design before he had met Vasile. The few times he did make it back, it was either to see his family or to meet with some Lord or another, or to speak to the poorer areas. He had no real official reason to see the royal family, so his work never took him to the Capital or the palace.

Any newspaper clipping with photos of the prince, he would save though, along with photos from their time in school together. He kept it in a photobook that always traveled with him. Luckily his family was always kind enough to keep articles with photos for him when they got the paper or magazines.

Vasile wrote letters to Rhys, but never got any responses back. He told himself it was because Rhys was busy with his duties but it seemed unusual to get zero responses over the years. Still, he kept writing, keeping his feelings to himself but updating Rhys on what was going on in his life. He suspected that his parents were spying on what he said, so he kept things formal.

Rhys wrote to Vasile as well, every single week, talking about what he had been doing in his training and then eventually his job. He even told Vasile a few of the times he was coming back to Arcasias for holidays or to see his family, hoping that maybe they could see each other, but not a single word was ever sent back.

It was in Rhys' fifth year that he came across a settlement that was specifically for people who were born of two heritages. They called it Haven, and it seemed to fit the area well. It was in a wooded area, not too far from the neutral zone. Technically speaking, it was on the human side, but the humans had sold it to the people that now lived there.

It took a little bit to gain their trust, but they did immediately welcome him when he first came in and they realized he was of mixed heritage. He had just gotten the ability to live there when a couple - a young elf with his vampyre bride - came into the settlement horribly injured. They had a baby with them, and were begging for help. The doctors did everything they could, but they eventually succumbed to their injuries. It left their little daughter behind with no one, and with Rhys being the only one there of the same mix, he became a foster home for the little baby. It took a year to get the legal side straightened out, but his family immediately accepted her as their granddaughter and niece.

Rhys kept the items that her parents had come in with: photos, paperwork, magical items, and the like. He put them in a chest for her for once she was an adult. He didn't want her to lose her connection to her birth parents. They fought hard to try and stay with her, but the injuries were just too great. Now, though, he wanted to find out why they had died. They had been attacked, that much was clear, but why? Their accounts had been difficult to get out of them as they were dying, but the one thing that stood out was that they were called blood traitors before they were killed.

It took him down a whirlwind of information that led to unrest in almost all of the provinces that made up Avanær. He would need to eventually go to the leaders of each country, but he needed more information first. He would not rush this unless it was dire.

During that time, Rhys got to know the head of Haven, Virmarus Corden. He was a half dryad, half werewolf who had gone through hell so far. His father had abandoned him and his mother in order to stay in good standing with his pack so he could take over as pack alpha eventually. His mother died of a broken heart and was now just a hollow tree within the Rosewood grove, and the first person he had ever been in love with had been murdered by people who didn't like that she was with someone of mixed heritage.

Virmarus spoke about it in a very clinical and detached way, but Rhys could tell that it was something that bothered him quite a bit still. I was why he had founded Haven. It was also why he had founded a group called The Shell. It was called that because most of the people there had been treated as such their whole lives, but also because they used glamor to hide their identities, like a mask or a shell over the outside.

By the time Tierney, Rhys' adopted daughter, was two, Rhys was a full fledged member of the Shell and looking into the unrest that was happening in all provinces. They gathered as much information as they could and compiled it into files that laid out a picture that was both crystal clear and terrifying.

Once it was clear that they needed to act to save Avanær and, in particular, the people who ruled it, Rhys asked Virmarus to let him take over the job in Arcasias. If Vasile was in danger, then Rhys wanted to be the one to stop it. He wouldn't feel comfortable letting another operative be in charge of it when it was Vasile's life on the line. He would never be able to sit still if he stayed back in Haven.

"With your heart stuck on that prince, it might not be the best idea," Virmarus pointed out.

"I'm going to Arcasias to do something with or without your blessings, Virmarus," Rhys told him matter-of-factly. "So I can either do it with Shell backing, or I will do it alone. Your choice."

Virmarus wasn't angry. If anything, he seemed amused by the fact that Rhys would do it against his order. Finally he nodded his head. "Fine, pack up what you need and head to Arcasias. I'll leave the files you need, along with copies for the royalty, in your home before you leave. Good luck and keep in touch."

Rhys gave a salute to him and then turned to leave, his heart a mix of emotions. He was coming home finally, and would see Vasile again. Hopefully they could work together despite the hurt between them now.