Later that night, when the royal couple were asleep, Harley prepared a tray of food for Ardemys. A bowl of her stew, thick slabs of bread with a thin layer of butter on each and a bottle of Aeroso Beer. She hoped he would like this abundance of food and drink as she vanished to the room the queen had indicated. She was excited and nervous, nonetheless because she'd never seen or known of others with powers as powerful as her own.

She'd heard of Ardemys, the Sorcerer of Evil long ago but she'd never given it much heed. He was basically a legend, a myth because not many had come in contact with him and if they had, they were no longer here to tell the tale. She presumed that he was dead or missing like the other Sorcerers and Sorceresses. No one knew why almost all of them were disappearing so suddenly. She didn't even know where to start to look for them if they were even still alive. It scared her to death to think that something could happen to her but with Mark having her place a protection spell upon the palace, she hoped they were all safe.

But now with Ardemys here, they may certainly be the only remaining magic ones in the Immortal world.

She sighed and shook her head. It didn't do any good to worry about this now, though it was hard not to think of this.

She held the tray against her hip and knocked upon the door softly then she grasped the doorknob and turned it. She slowly opened it and peeked inside. Ardemys sat beside his little girl's bed while holding her small pale hand in his. He had his eyes closed then quickly opened them and looked at her as she softly cleared her throat.

"May I come inside?" She whispered.

He nodded then looked back down at Burgundi. Harley silently entered the room and placed the heavy tray upon the dresser then walked back to the door, gently closing it. Two big candlesticks were lit on either side of the little girl's bed upon bedside tables. She didn't recall this room having any candles but assumed that Ardemys cast a spell to bring soft light into this room.

She walked back to the dresser as candlelight gingerly danced about the walls, floor, and ceiling. She looked to the little girl and sensed that the transformation was complete. She wondered if it was different for children and adults to change fully. Would it take Burgundi longer to awaken? Harley hopes not.

Ardemys sighed then kissed the back of Burgundi's small hand and stood. He took a deep breath then cracked a weary smile and looked Harley's way. Her heartbeat increased as a blush rose to her cheeks. She glanced away quickly as he approached.

"The queen, um, told me that you might be hungry. I made you a hearty meal."

His mouth watered as he looked down at the abundant amount of food upon the tray. It all looked so divine.

"It all smells divine, Harley. I thank you very much for such a treat." He said, looking down at her with a soft smile.

'He knows my name?' How could that be unless the queen informed him of it while she was unconscious.

"My pleasure, sir. But now I must leave." She said and promptly turned away from him.

He gently grasped her arm and she froze. He noticed her reaction and frowned. She quickly composed herself and looked back at him as he removed his hand from her arm. 'Why did she freeze like that?' He wondered. 'Did she not like to be touched?'

"I did not mean any harm, Miss. I just do not want to remain alone."

She blinked then slowly turned back toward him, facing him now. She wouldn't meet his mysterious gaze, though. She averted her eyes and stood before him with her hands clasped together before her.

"Will you stay?" He asked finally, hoping she'd agree.

Harley exhaled, not knowing what she was so damn scared about. She hadn't been with a man in a long while. She was being foolish, she knew, but she just couldn't stay away. Talk about being nervous. She was being foolish, foolish enough to believe that maybe she would have another chance at happiness, to believe that she'd find an Immortal companion.

"I cannot stay, sir."

"It's Ardemys and why can you not stay?" He asked, the tray of food forgotten.

She just shook her head as she backed away toward the bedroom door. She wanted to stay but she was scared. Scared of him? No, but she was scared of the unknown. She feared that if she stayed this night that he'd want to see her again and again. With his long she'd been without, being near a powerful handsome man as Ardemys didn't bode well for her.

"I just can't, sir." She said then turned and quickly grabbed the doorknob.

"Then at least let me thank you for what you have done Burgundi and myself."

She paused but didn't turn around. He looked over at Burgundi then back to Harley. He slowly walked up to her and touched her shoulder. A shock set through her body as she gasped and quickly turned to him. He looked down into her wide green eyes and saw fear but not the fear he'd always known of. No, this was different. He didn't know how to describe it but it lured him to her. When they first made eye contact when he arrived in the palace, he was gracious.

Now he was intrigued.

He stepped closer to her and those eyes of hers grew wider. Maybe she should have left the tray then flitted out of the room when she had the chance. She was so nervous as she pressed her back firmly against the cool wooden door, her grip tightening around the knob.

"You already thanked me. Y-your food is getting cold."

Maybe he shouldn't do this. She must be frightened of him. Who could blame her? She had reason to fear him because of the dark reputation that followed him to this day. But he felt a shock when he touched her shoulder; a connection that he'd never experienced before. Did she feel it too? She must have because of her gasp.

But he stopped and frowned. How he wished to find another power yielder and now that he had found one, she feared him for his dastardly reputation.

"I didn't mean to frighten you, flower. Please forgive me."

Reluctantly, he backed away toward the dresser and stopped before it. Her back still pushed firmly against the door as she stared at him. His eyes were out of this world. So beautiful. Ice blue staring intently into her green ones. She just remained there as they continued to stare at one another.

"I want to thank you for everything, Harley. I am forever in your debt." He said deeply and bowed.

She blinked, unable to not be intrigued by Ardemys. He lifted a slab of bread and took a bite then smiled. He chewed and swallowed while still looking at her.

"This bread tastes like the kind my mother used to make. So are you staying or leaving, dove?"

She opened her mouth to respond when his little girl finally began to awaken. His eyes grew wide and he quickly set the slab of bread down on the plate then took three large strides toward Burgundi, stopping beside her bed. He sat beside her as her eyes opened.

They were an auburn color as she looked directly at Ardemys. The little girl smiled then, her razor sharp fangs showing. Ardemys smiled back down at her as her smile quickly vanished. Her auburn gaze snapped to Harley and she hissed, her eyes flashing to scarlet. Harley gasped and grew wide eyed.

Ardemys grew wide eyed as well then grabbed ahold of Burgundi as she hissed and fought in his iron hold. Harley couldn't move as the girl snarled and snapped at her with the eyes that unnerved her to the core.

"Get out of here, Harley!" Ardemys yelled, his Russian accent deep.

Nodding, she flitted away. Burgundi still fought him, thirst for blood overriding all thought. She didn't care where she got blood from as long as she got it. Ardemys' blood smelled so rich. He held her close, her face near his bare neck. She spotted a vein pulsing on the side of his neck and with a cry, she sank her fangs deep into the vein.

He flinched as she began to feed. Again, nothing could ever be this good…