When I awoke the next morning, Ruin wasn't up yet. She was in front of me, her hair undone and covering both of us. She grinned in her sleep, and soft breaths came from her mouth. I smiled when I saw her, though I was still slightly upset with her. I slid off the bed, stretching out and taking in the cool air around me.

I paced into the bathroom, as sweat covered my body. I smelled. After pumping the tub with water, I stepped in and closed my eyes while I lay in the water. The heat of the water spread throughout my body, and I felt shivers run up my spine while the heat melded with my chill.

When I'd rested within the water for twenty minutes, I noticed I heard something. My ears picked up frantic whining, Ruin calling out my real name along with my nickname. She seemed terrified, sobs audible. I swiftly jumped out of the water, bursting out the door to see what was wrong. I didn't care that I was soaked or that I drenched that which I touched, as I couldn't stand to hear her so sorrowful.

Ruin stared at me when I ran out, pacing and hugging onto me. I combed through her hair, holding her close to calm her down. She was speaking erratically, so I couldn't understand her. I hushed her, kissing her cheek.

"Are you okay, Ruin? Calm down. It's alright."

"Sin. Sanneroal. I thought- No! Don't leave me!" Ruin murmured and wailed quickly, crying and breathing deeply.

I rubbed down her back, moving her with me to the bed slowly. I sat down on the mattress, setting her down on my lap. She snaked her hands around my body, wiping her salty tears against my chest.

"Regulate your breathing. It's alright. I'm here," I calmly said, my palms gliding against her smooth back and my fingers catching knots in her hair.

"I-I th-thought you wouldn't c-come back. I thought y-y-you left me."

"Don't worry. I won't do that. Calm down. I just went to take a bath."

"Why d-didn't you take m-m-me with you? Sin. Sin. D-Don't leave me," Ruin mumbled, appearing scarred or as if she was reminded of a dark past that already bore the scars. I kissed her forehead, holding her tightly.

"It's okay, now. I won't leave. I didn't take you since I wanted you to rest. Stay quiet until you calm down. Just hold onto me until you're better."

"Sin. Sin. Sin. Sanneroal. I was s-scared."

I rubbed her back, shushing her. Her voice slowly fazed out, only soft weeping heard. I pressed myself against her, holding tightly so my arm muscles were slightly flexed and tense.

After a few minutes of silence, she was well enough to speak, and she was breathing normally.

"Are you better, Nuinalue?"

"I think so."

"Now, what's wrong? Explain," I told calmly, trying to keep her emotions stable.

"I don't want you to leave me. I thought you left because of yesterday. You weren't there when I woke up."

"I'm not leaving you. Disagreements happen in relationships. It's okay. I wouldn't ditch you without saying anything."

"Okay. Thanks. I'm better. I just... can't handle it if you leave," Ruin muttered, a few tears running from her eyes.

"It's only been a few days. I love you, but why are you so afraid of me leaving?"

"I-I just can't deal with it again. Everyone leaves."

"What do you mean by everyone?" I questioned, hugging her closely. She trembled, kissing my neck.

"First my father, then everyone I've had relationships with. I can't handle it anymore," Ruin explained, tearing up so the water dripped down my nipples. It was so cold, at least to me. The cool feel might've been amplified since I saw how miserable Ruin was, causing a false sense of frigidity.

"How did your father abandon you?"

"He just couldn't handle me any longer as a child, so he drank from a vile. He left me."

I kissed her, deciding I didn't want to know anything more about her past. It's clearly dark, so it doesn't matter. I just need to give enough happy memories to her to overpower the bad.

"It's all good now. Let's drop your past. It's painful, so forget and just think about you and me."

"Just you and me. I can do that," Ruin muttered, looking toward the ground. I tipped back on the bed, scooting up with Ruin over me. I changed my position, moving on top of her and grinning. She turned red, and my lust pulled my strings.

After a half an hour, I had a dopey grin on my face, and I was slightly sweaty and red-faced since I was worn. I turned to my side, kissing Ruin's cheek. She was directly beside me, staring up at the ceiling with me. As I waited for my heartbeat to die down, I heard the door to my room swing open. I yanked a blanket over Ruin and me, as Ruin's dress was in shreds and I couldn't locate my robe with my orbs.

Hex walked into the bedroom with Fall behind, but Fall appeared sad and slightly annoyed. Hex also appeared upset, glancing back at Fall occasionally. He strolled to me, seeing that Ruin and I were tired and sweaty. He sighed, placing his hand on his face.

"Sin... Are we heading to Duvirnon's?" Hex questioned, a hint of disdain in his voice. Fall went beside him, but he glared at her and kept her behind him. She was teary-eyed.

"Yeah. Did you see any of my servants?"

"They're waiting outside the door."

"Can you go get them to bring clothes to Ruin and me? We're naked. Ruin's dress was shredded," I asked. Hex sighed, turning to Fall. I listened in, though he didn't want me to.

"Go. You can handle this," Hex whispered, aggression in his voice.

"B-But, Hex."

"I don't want to hear it. You're MINE, so do what I say. I'm the man, not you. Don't you know how relationships work?"

"Yes. I'll take care of it," Fall murmured, starting to move. Hex motioned her to stay, so she did as he wanted.

"Good. Don't question my choices next time. You're acting too obstinate. I love you, but shove your ego down."

"I will."

"Then do what I asked," Hex demanded, and Fall left to go get the door. Hex sighed, facing me. "What were we talking about?"

I stared at Hex, my mouth gaped open. He was a total asshole to Fall, and I couldn't comprehend it. He was treating her how all of the other vampire males treat their women, which just isn't right. I needed to bring it up.

"Hixrinas, why are you acting like an ass?" I sternly questioned. He brushed his hair back, sighing.

"What do you mean? I'm not an ass."

"How you talked to Fall. It isn't right... You're treating her like she's lower than you."

Hex scowled, and he looked directly at me. I wasn't fully sure how to react to him, as I thought we were in the same boat about not treating our women like decorations or finding ourselves superior.

"I treated her how she should be treated. It's how we've been doing it for hundreds of centuries. I'm stronger and male, therefore, I'm her better. She's just supposed to do what I ask of her," Hex said, finding it just. I put my hand on my face, unsure of how to deal with him.

"Hex... Did we ever talk about women and how they should be treated?"

"No. That never came up in any of our discussions."

"Well, you're handling this wrong. Treat her like an equal, and she'll be more content. It'll make you both happy. She isn't a doll or a marionette that you can control. You don't always need to listen to her, but you should still try," I explained, finding his behavior strange. Hex chuckled, and I knew his feelings with women wouldn't change.

"Sin, you're clueless, aren't you? Treat her like an inferior, and she won't leave you. Can't leave you. Besides, I doubt she'd say anything useful to me. Don't think you can change my mind, Sanneroal."

I lay back in silence. It was terrible to know I forgot to teach him something when we were younger. He got contaminated by the others, so now he thinks it's fine to treat women poorly since he's stronger. And he likely thinks Fall can't deny him, so he'll just use her how he pleases.

Ruin glanced over at me, recognizing I was ashamed with Hex. I held my arms out to her, pulling her within my grasp. Her warmth felt good against my cold skin. Fall came back to everyone, moving to Hex.

"The servants will be back with clothes shortly."

"Good," Hex responded, bending his head down and kissing her. She didn't appear fully into the kiss but allowed him to do so for a short while. After, he wrapped one of his arms behind her and moved her closer to his body.

"Are you fine with how Hex's treating you, Fall?"

"Don't ask her that! She's fine," Hex aggressively insisted, kissing her again. She put little resistance, though she stared at me as if she wanted to respond. When Hex moved his mouth away, she faced me.

"It's okay. This is how males treat females. I expected as much when I wanted a relationship. He loves me, so I'm glad," Fall replied, looking up at Hex.

"See? She's fine with it. So, drop it, Sin. Don't question how I treat her again."

"I'll bring it up again if I feel the need to. Don't act so controlling. And don't demand that I don't question you. I'll question you if I want to," I told Hex, finding the need to reprimand him. He blew me off, kissing Fall once more. He seemed to be into kissing more than the previous day.

The servants walked in soon after. I felt enraged since Hex didn't respond to me, but I didn't do anything about it. Both Ruin and I slid from under the covers of the bed, moving away from it so we could be clothed. Once again, I was wrapped in the silky and luxurious fabric of the deep purple robe.

After Ruin was clothed, I gasped. So beautiful. She was so beautiful. She wore red for a second time, and it was a deep and bloody red that made her look like she was blood-soaked. Like she just killed a mortal. It was mostly strings that were woven together to create holes for clothes, with finely woven patches over her nipples and privates, covering that which I don't want others to see. It was so revealing, though it was long-sleeved and it ran down to her ankles. As I said, it was practically just holes.

Ruin didn't look too sure of the dress, but when she saw me breathless and in awe, she seemed to be fine with it. I paced to her, grasping onto her and kissing. I couldn't resist. I can never resist kissing such a beautiful flower when she has been put into new outfits that accentuate her femininity. I moved my hand down her back, one going as far as her ass. I left it there, engrossed in my desire and her voluptuous body.

I ended my grasp, the cool air of the room making me long for Ruin's heat. Hex was still kissing Fall, though she didn't really look like she was into it. He was forcing himself on her, holding her body close to his with his bulky arms. She tried to leave a few times, but he didn't seem to allow it. I didn't think Hex is like this. He seemed normal with her the past day, so he's either angry about the fight or he hadn't told her what he expects from her until after I left the previous day.

"Hex, we've got to go," I insisted, my voice slightly deep because I was in a serious mood. I was angry with how he was choosing to show his love to Fall and how he forced her to do whatever he wanted. I can force my love as much as the next guy, but I know when to stop. Hex doesn't.

Hex moved his face away from Fall, and she looked thankful. He moved back from her, removing his massive arms from around her back.

"Yeah. Let's go."

I held Ruin gently to my side, making sure she was okay. Fall moved to Hex's side as well, though she was held in place by Hex's arm. We walked out, and Ruin nuzzled her face against my arm. We quickly paced to Duvirnon's room, and I knocked when we reached his door. It swung open, and Duvirnon smiled when he saw us again.

"Greetings, Prince Sanneroal and Prince Hixrinas."

"Thanks. Can we enter?" I asked, keeping a polite tone.

"Come in."