[The incredible cover is made by the sweet The_Creative_Fire !!! Omg, I'm so in love with the model, thank you!💗]

Leyla

The following day, Leyla sat quietly in the same chair as yesterday. It was the middle of the day and the Dralan had of course left hours ago, at the break of dawn. He had left in silence like all the other days, only this time, it wasn't an empty silence, but one charged with something intense. Even after he left, the intensity lingered, like an odor or a perfume that hung in the air. It made Leyla's body shiver.

All she had ever wanted to do was to be heard; to make the Dralan realize she still existed. Instead she had ended up getting reprimanded and lectured like she was acting juvenile. And perhaps she was. She had deliberately crossed his orders, which at the time seemed like the right thing to do, but now she saw how foolish she had been.

She had been thinking entirely about herself, just like she had accused him of doing. In truth, that made her a hypocrite. Her panoptic sight had now landed her in this state of misery and had her feeling ashamed of herself.

He was the Dralan. She was but a Mihrisa—a glorified Bahk. He could do whatever he wanted and she couldn't judge him. Nobody could. She wasn't his responsibility. It wasn't his job to keep her entertained or even his job to be near her when he didn't need her. She was safe, after all. As long as she was that, he held up his end of the agreement they had made; She provided him with blood when he needed it, and in exchange, he kept her safe. And he had.

She had thrown that safety away by disobeying him and leaving his chamber.

"Stupid," Leyla whispered to herself and looked down at her hands that were twisting themselves in her lap. "Stupid, selfish..." Jealous.

That was what it was really all about, wasn't it? Even the Dralan had known. Her stunt yesterday had been an act to find some control, some freedom, and it did, but why did she really do it? Really?

It was jealousy. It was the fact that the Dralan was now devoted to the Lady Kahtrina and she was going to be his future Dralaq. Leyla couldn't stand that idea. The thought of that red-headed female giggling and touching him... she could just picture it and it made her face twist in a sour, bitter grimace.

Was it possible to hate someone you had only seen once? And more importantly, was it possible to fall for a male that she currently didn't even like all that much? Besides his protection and their few intimate moments she could count on one hand, what bond did they really have? When they begun, she knew it was only going to be temporary. She just didn't know that temporary would be this short and that in the timespan of 'temporary', she'd succeed in developing feelings for him.

Feelings that he clearly didn't reciprocate, but instead felt for the Lady Kahtrina.

Pain crippled through Leyla's chest. It was unbearable. She had never known heartache, but this had to be what it felt like; to watch a male she knew she could never be with fall in love with another female who was perfect for him. So perfect, it hurt.

The worst part was, she actually hated him at the moment—hated him for controlling her the way he did, for ignoring her and for pointing out all that she was doing wrong without her being able to return the favor. At least not without finding out what that new definition of 'punishment' was. It would almost be worth it, just to tell him how she felt, but then what? What good would it do? She'd end up back on the streets, kicked out and unsafe, and now after having learned of that male Phlague, Leyla was terrified to go back.

She would have to hold it all in to stay safe and continue what she was doing; Stay quiet and behave pliantly.

Leyla was on the brink of breaking down in tears when a surprising knock sounded on the door. It startled her for a moment and had her jolting out of her chair, because the only one who ever knocked on the door was Bhria, but she usually came in straight afterwards without Leyla having to ask her to. They were friends; She could always come in.

And the Dralan... the Dralan usually stormed in, so unless he had changed up his style, Leyla had no idea who was on the other side.

"Uh," She hesitantly said and cleared her throat when she realized it was hoarse from withheld tears. She had never commanded anyone in her life before, so she wasn't quite sure how to do it. "C-come inside?"

Carefully, the door was pried open. The person that stepped inside had Leyla's blood freezing and her jaw hitting the floor.

"Hello?" The Lady Kahtrina glanced inside and then found Leyla. She gave her smile and then politely spoke, "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you. Do you mind if I come in?"

Leyla stood still as stone. Panic, along with something bitter, tumbled around inside her and she quickly realized the bitterness was the jealousy. Just seeing the Lady Kahtrina and her effulgent face looking at her made Leyla's sight turn a shade of bitter green. However, after what she had done yesterday, all her confidence was shattered. She had no fight left in her. Leyla therefore let herself go numb and nodded to the Lady Kahtrina's question, and then watched as she stepped inside and closed the door. Leyla automatically felt smaller in her presence, less worth.

"Thank you. I don't think we've officially met," The Lady Kahtrina smiled and walked up to her with a straight posture; One Leyla's back would never be able to hold for a whole day. "I'm the Lady Kahtrina, but I'm sure you already know that. I never caught your name."

Maybe because the Dralan never introduced me, Leyla thought, just as her eyes landed on the ground. She felt a small pinch in her heart, but then pushed it away and quietly replied; "Leyla. My name is Leyla..."

"Leyla," The Lady Kahtrina repeated and offered her another smile. "I'm happy to finally make your acquaintance. It's an honor meeting the Dralan's Mihrisa."

Leyla suppressed a scoff. Oh yes, what an honor it was meeting the lowly Bahk who got to feed him before she did. The female who held the same blood-status as her, but not the same clerisy and social rank. The Lady Mihrisa was like boulevardier with grandiloquent ways, while Leyla was but a commoner, trying her best to find words to match hers. What an 'honor' to meet her, indeed.

"So... you're probably wondering what I'm doing here," The Lady Kahtrina begun when Leyla didn't speak, but just continued to look down at the floor.

Probably here to gloat, Leyla thought and felt the tears sting. Surely, she must have heard what happened yesterday, now that her and the Dralan were so tight. She wasn't mistaken.

"I heard about what happened yesterday," The Lady Kahtrina begun. There was a hesitance to her voice. "...and I wanted to make sure that you were... alright. The Dralan seemed... angry this morning."

Did he now? Leyla thought to herself again and suppressed another scoff. What a surprise. She couldn't see why the Lady Kahtrina would concern herself with that. Unless, of course, she was here to tell her to stop making him angry, because an angry Dralan was much harder to woo.

"So I just wanted to make sure that everything was fine with you," The Lady Kahtrina continued, unfazed. Leyla, however, had to frown.

"Why?" She heard herself say before she could stop it. Her eyes had flipped up and was now looking at the Lady Kahtrina, watching her every perfect little feature. "Does he... does he know you're here?"

The Lady Kahtrina pressed her plump lips together a little before she took a breath and replied. "No. The Dralan doesn't know I'm here. He's discussing business with my father at the moment. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing, maybe talk to you a little. I hope that's okay."

"Why?" Leyla asked again. It didn't make sense to her. Why would she come here and talk to her? Was she here to scope out the Dralan's old Mihrisa and see what she could do better herself, or was she simply just here to rub it in Leyla's face that her and the Dralan were a thing now?

The Lady Kahtrina sighed and then gestured to the chairs by the table, suggesting that they sit down. Leyla reluctantly obeyed and sat down across from the Lady Kahtrina who folded her hands on the table.

"I've been wanting to come talk to you for days now, but I never found the time," She begun again. "The Dralan always kept us busy and took us out on all these excursions."

Did she have to talk about what they did together? Leyla held in a small whimper. This was torture. Was that what she was here for? To shamelessly flaunt every little thing they did together and then watch as the blooming jealousy inside her exploded and drove her insane? If that was the case, it was cruel.

"But you see, through it all, I always wanted to talk to you first," The Lady Kahtrina continued, unaware of all the thoughts twirling around inside Leyla's head. "It seemed only proper that the two of us got to know each other with everything that's happening. Not just as a formality, but even maybe... to form a friendship."

Leyla had to drop her jaw now. Was she serious? Did she just tell her... that she wanted to be friends with her?

Leyla couldn't believe it. Out of all the things she thought would happen today, she never saw this one coming; the friend-angle.

Leyla's fists curled themselves in her lap, but she kept the rest of her body relaxed. She couldn't show any signs that she got affected by what the Lady Kahtrina said. It would only show weakness. She had to stay strong and not give in to whatever scam she was running.

"Friends," She therefore echoed, keeping her voice as neutral as she could. "You'd like us to become... friends?"

The Lady Kahtrina smiled and nodded. "Yes. I thought that could be nice. And then maybe... maybe you'd be able to talk to me about the Dralan—"

Leyla forgot everything she had just told herself not to do and snapped; Like a lightening bolt, anger struck down inside her and exploded.

Finally, the reason as to why the Lady Kahtrina was here revealed itself; she wanted information about the Dralan. She wanted Leyla to tell her all that she knew about him so that she could get ahead herself—so that she knew what to do and not to do around him, what would please him.

Like hell if Leyla was going to sit there and help her with that.

"How... dare you," Leyla said and interrupted the Lady Kahtrina in the middle of her sentence. "What kind of person are you to come here and ask me about the Dralan? What kind of female are you?" She didn't care that she was overstepping so many boundaries and that she was speaking out of turn. She had been ready to explode for days and this right here was the last straw.

"I may not be allowed to feel unhappy about the Dralan's pursuit of his future Dralaq, because it would be considered selfish of me to hate him for that," Leyla raged and furiously stood up, her fists still clenched tightly. "But I can choose to not sit here and tell you or any other female that may come his way what I know about him! That should be your job to figure out on your own, and if you can't, well then pardon me, but then you might not be the one for him."

Leyla's chest was heaving by the time she was done. The Lady Kahtrina sat absolutely stunned and speechless across from her, her mouth hanging half open. She quickly blinked and then stood up as well, trying to remain as proper as possible. "Leyla, I'm so sorry, I had no idea that—"

"Of course you don't!" Leyla damn well nearly shouted. It appeared that all her inner turmoils had decided to come out in this very moment, regardless of the consequences that would follow. "You don't know what it's like to be someone like me; Someone with no rank, no status, no chance to ever..." Her voice faltered as she felt the pathetic tears press in the corners of her eyes. She couldn't admit her feelings out loud yet. They wouldn't survive the open world. It was better to keep them safe inside where only she could care about them.

"Leyla," The Lady Kahtrina said and blinked rapidly, looking completely jumbled, "I know I've never been poor or lived on the street, but the fact that you are here now—"

"I never asked to become the Dralan's Mihrisa, it just happened," Leyla defended, just as the tears came. She couldn't stop them. "I never asked to c-come here with him, he just brought me. I didn't want any of this..." Tears now streamed down her cheeks and her voice cracked. She couldn't take it anymore. She broke down in that moment, crying.

Who was she kidding? There she was, hopelessly trying to fit in, and then the Lady Kahtrina showed up, having everything any female could wish for; being perfect, proper and pliant, and then she came here and asked Leyla about the Dralan. As if she needed anything more.

And now Leyla had broken down, so she had gotten what she wanted; she had broken Leyla and had now seen how weak she truly was—what little competition she was. She had to be ecstatic.

But the Lady Kahtrina surprised Leyla by swallowing silently and then speaking quietly; "Did you ever stop to think for a moment... if I ever asked for any of this?"

Leyla's sobs stilled for a moment. Her head went into a dull freeze as she processed the Lady Kahtrina's words and then found herself completely perplexed. "W-what?"

For the first time really, Leyla looked properly at the Lady Kahtrina—the real her. Gone were the polite smiles from before and gone was her façade. Her perfect mask had crumbled away, and now Leyla saw how insecurity flickered in her eyes. The rims of her waterlines were slightly red and her cheeks were a little puffy. Signs of someone who had been crying before coming here.

"Like you, I didn't ask for any of this," The Lady Kahtrina now quietly begun, sniffling as she sat down again. "One morning, I was awoken in my bed and told that the Dralan was on the lookouts for a Dralaq and that I was in his pool of consideration. My father," She dried her nose in her sleeve, "He made me send the Dralan a token with my blood. He told me that Lord Merram had approached him and had asked of my status. When he learned I was a perfect match for the Dralan, a day had barely passed before we learned that he was coming here to court me. I didn't have a say in any of it."

Leyla was stunned. When she realized her mouth was hanging open, she closed it up.

Was it really possible that her panoptic sight had stretched all the way to the Lady Kahtrina as well? It appeared so. Leyla realized in that moment how blind she had been.

The Lady Kahtrina was nothing but another victim of her gender. Just like Leyla, males above her had taken all the decisions for her and told her what she had to do and how to behave. Obviously, because the Lady Kahtrina was a female of status, every disobedience she might commit was judged by the public eye as well. When the Dralan came to court you, you didn't say no or recline; even if you could. It didn't matter what rank she was; females were females, and they would always abide to the males.

Leyla saw now how the Lady Kahtrina had been forced, just like her, into something she had no say in. It was like a social rape, a way of making them do things they didn't want to do.

"I came here today because I thought you of all people knew how it felt to be powerless against powerful males," The Lady Kahtrina silently continued, her bottom lip quivering. "I figured... since you'd spent time with the Dralan, you would know how to handle him. How to... tolerate him."

Leyla felt awful. She had completely misjudged the Lady Kahtrina and now saw how her façade had only been to maintain her public appearance. Now, though, it had crumbled.

"I'm so sorry," Leyla quietly said and looked ashamedly at the ground. "I didn't think to... to think about you. I just assumed that anyone..."

"...that anyone would fall head over heels by the offer to be protected by the Dralan forever?" Lady Kahtrina finished for Leyla when her voice died out. "I admit, I wouldn't mind the eternal protection, but I'm fed up with powerful males. Like you, I assume, I want to fall in love with someone who respects me, not just expects me to carry his youngs and cook him dinner every night... but I never will. My father wants me to mate the Dralan, so that's my destiny. Regardless of my own dreams."

Again, Leyla found herself speechless. She had no idea anyone would ever... reject the Dralan. Why should they? He was the finest male in all of Drala. The last pureblooded vampire. Strong. Healthy. He could ensure her lifelong protection and all the finest things in the world.

And yet the Lady Kahtrina didn't want him.

Carefully, Leyla sat down in the chair next to the Lady Kahtrina and put her hand on top of hers, squeezing it softly. She looked surprised up at Leyla, her eyelashes wet with tears. Leyla gave her a little smile and Lady Kahtrina tearfully tried smiling back. It never really reached her eyes. Just like Leyla, she looked drained.

Leyla would never have expected this to happen; the female she had hated with all her guts was now a female she felt sympathy for. Her situation was much worse than her own. She couldn't even imagine what it was like being controlled by males all her life. Powerful males.

Is that what would happen if one mated the Dralan?

Leyla pushed the thought out of her mind and exhaustedly shook her head. What a true mess this was; One female who didn't want the Dralan, but had to. One female who wanted the Dralan, but couldn't.

"I'm... I'm sorry if I ever came off as flagitious or arrogant," The Lady Kahtrina said and now carefully looked up at Leyla. "I was holding up appearance because you seemed to be handling everything so well, but then I heard about yesterday..."

"Are you kidding me? I've barely been keeping it together," Leyla confessed and shut her eyes. "I'm not used to any of this. Most of the time, I have no idea what's happening, only that I'm locked up in here and aren't allowed to go out. That's what yesterday was about. Well... mostly."

"You want more out of this room." The Lady Kahtrina said and nodded apprehensively. "I get that. It must be infuriating being trapped in here. What do you even do to pass time?"

Leyla shrugged meekly. "Nothing, really. I sew. I look out of the windows and admire the view. You have a lovely view of the ocean from here."

"Oh, Amascahr has the most beautiful beaches," The Lady Kahtrina now suddenly smiled. "The sand is so fine and the water barely has any seaweed. Thanks to the heat, the water is also mostly tempered. During summertime, it's like stepping into a warm tub—well, a tub that smells like salt."

Leyla chuckled shortly, but then her heart grew heavy. "It sounds amazing. Maybe some day, after I'm released from the Dralan's services, I'll travel back here and see it for myself."

"Why wait till then? You should come out with us tomorrow! Get some fresh air, feel the sand between your toes!"

Leyla's heart now accelerated at the idea, but it was instantly killed again when she realized what she was proposing. "The Dralan will never allow that. Taking me out into the open is too risky, he'd never agree—"

"Maybe," The Lady Kahtrina interrupted and got a thoughtful expression on her face. She seemed to think for a long moment. "Maybe we might just get him to do so. What if... what if I used my newfound influence on him and got him to agree on taking you out, maybe by making it into an outing? My father, my mother, my siblings, your Kischmir and the Dralan, his Kathmir and us," She said and smiled brightly. "We'll all take a walk down to the beach and have a great day. Heavily protected, of course."

It was Leyla's turn to think about it. "So... we'd all be going out? All of us?"

Lady Kahtrina nodded. "Yes. How does that sound?"

Leyla really wanted to, but she was still hesitant about how they were going to wing it with the Dralan. She bit her lip nervously. "I'm still not sure it would work..."

"Leave the persuading to me," The Lady Kahtrina said and winked cheekily at her. "When you've grown up amongst poweful males, you learn how to persuade your way into what they won't allow you to do. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

Leyla couldn't believe it. It would be amazing to get out and see the beautiful nature of Amascahr. She had always wanted to see the southwest. This would be a once in a lifetime experience.

"I can't believe you'd do that for me," She confessed and now looked down as another shameful confession had to be spoken. "I actually hated you before this moment... and I thought you hated me. I mean, logically speaking, we should."

"But don't you see, it should be the exact opposite," The Lady Kahtrina said and leaned forward a bit. "We should be supporting each other. That's what females do. In a world of powerful males..."

"...we only have each other," Leyla finished, knowing the secret phrase amongst females. Males could dominate them all they wanted, but no matter what happened, the solitude between females would never break.

"You asked me what kind of female I was," The Lady Kahtrina now said and looked into Leyla's eyes. "I'm the kind of female that doesn't betray another female. I'll continue playing my part in this whole mess, but know that my feelings towards the Dralan are as plain as rug. Just as I suspect his feelings are the same about me."

Leyla blinked, astonished. "What do you mean?"

A small smile lifted to the Lady Kahtrina's lips and then she calmly stood up. "He's always strangely distracted in my company and I have an idea why."

Leyla creased her brows a little in confusion. "Why?" She didn't understand; He had been spending so much time with her lately... if that wasn't interest, then she didn't know.

"Maybe because he has other things on his mind," The Lady Kahtrina replied, still wearing that little knowing smile. "Anyway, I should get going. I'm really happy we talked. And again, I'm sorry if I ever came of as rude or snobbish—"

"No, please don't apologize," Leyla quickly shook her head and stood up as well. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing."

Lady Kahtrina shook her head resolutely. "Let's drop the apologies then. I think if we've learned anything today, it's that we've both made wrong assumptions about each other. Let's start over."

Leyla felt as if some sort of dark cloud over her head had vanished and now allowed a ray of sunshine to caress her soul. Befriending the Lady Kahtrina suddenly didn't seem so horrible. "I'd like that."

A happy smile split the Lady Kahtrina's lips. "In that case, call me Kahtrina. I never cared for the lady title. I actually think that's what makes me seem stuck-up."

Leyla felt a small chuckle escape her lips. "You don't seem stuck up. I think it was just my prejudice that painted you that color."

Kahtrina grinned a little. "In any case, I hope I'll get to talk to you again soon. Maybe tomorrow, if all goes well."

Leyla nodded. She really hoped the Dralan would agree, but she had no high expectations. But, oh, how lovely it would be to get out and see the nature and beaches of Amascahr... "I'd love that. Thank you so much for this."

Kahtrina smiled warmly as she walked up to the door and twisted the knob. "It's my pleasure, truly. See you tomorrow!"

Leyla waved and smiled shyly as Kahtrina left, sending her one last smile.

It would appear things were looking up for her at last. This day had started out bleak, but had now ended in the most unlikely of ways; Gaining a unexpected friendship.