Arthion held the oath fulfilled for the winged creatures. He released them from their service.
They went back in the cave, back to sleep, back to stone.
Once Ariel and Mefistofel recovered from the battles, they planned to be married in a grand ceremony.
After the battle with Feldor, Mefistofel took her back to the palace. It was the only place that had not been destroyed.
The palace was turned into a hospital.
All witches and warriors helping humans recover.
Werewolves turned themselves to humans to rest and heal for some time. Some had stayed beasts for so long, they couldn't change back again.
Mefistofel and his brothers recovered quickly from their injuries.
Humans needed more time to recover. Not only from physical injuries.
The Human mind is a fragile thing. Some couldn't recover. Some went to sleep forever.
Lucius, the general and Mefistofel's old friend, was amongst the injured.
He wasn't himself anymore. His eyes were empty, staring at nothing.
He will need a lot of time to recover, if he ever will be able to.
Seeing him like that made Ariel sad. He was the bravest soldier she ever met.
And yet he couldn't bear all the horrors his eyes had to witness.
Mefistofel took Ariel back to the royal room. The same one where Mefistofel woke her up.
He laid her down on the bed so gently, she never stopped holding on to him, as fearful of losing him again.
As he laid her down she loosened her grip, but didn't let go of him.
He noticed that and he looked at her with loving eyes.
Her hands lowered from the neck onto his face, gently cupping it.
He grabbed one of her hands and started kissing it, enjoying the warmth of her skin.
Her other hand was on his lips, caressing them and feeling them.
Mefistofel's eyes close for a few seconds, trying to resist the passion growing inside him.
Ariel's hands gently got hold of his rugged shirt and they pulled him down to her. She kissed him gently, then started looking for his tongue. Her fingers crossed on his neck, trapping him into her embrace.
His arms are wrapped around her tiny waist, holding her tight.
Her kiss is turning into passion quickly. Her legs are wrapped around his.
-Ariel....-
Mefistofel so gently breaks the kiss, to breath, in that moment she missed him even more than before.
-Do you really want this? I won't stop if you don't-
She puts his head closer to her, so she could whisper to his ear.-
-I always wanted you. I always will.-
Saying these words, she strokes his raven hair, wrapping her fingers like in a soft cobweb.
Mefistofel looked at her, deep into her eyes. He kissed her again, this time with more passion.
His hands go inside her shirt, her hands go inside his.
His lips on her neck, his tongue tasting her flesh.
It's not passion anymore. It's hunger.
He could feel her blood pumping. He could smell it. He wanted it.
His fangs opened up, his lips stretching wide open to let the fangs out.
Before Ariel realised, his eyes were crimson. his fangs locked and exposed.
She opened her eyes to see him above her, hungering for her blood.
She knew. She didn't plan to stop him. But that sight always gave her a chill on her skin.
His fangs dug deep inside her throat, with a beastly growl he went for her neck.
Drinking her blood with no mercy.
Ariel instinctively tried to fight his embrace, but soon realised it was impossible.
She wanted him, in Life and in Death.
Her hand moved from her arms to his raven hair, gently entangling her fingers in it. Almost holding his head down to her neck.
Although in pain, she endured his kiss until her strength failed. Her limbs fell on the bed covers, her eyes closed, her body collapsed into exhaustion.
Finally quenched of his thirst, Mefistofels removed his fangs from her frail neck.
His hand gently wrapped around her neck to support her. He laid her down on the bed again.
His beast features have changed back to their ancient beauty.
His lips dirty with her blood, his eyes back to their deep colour.
He looked at her, gently stroking her face, wiping away the blood from her neck.
He kissed her so softly.
She would wake up again. And they would be one. For ever.
