"This is your training," Akuppi-Adad began, leading Isabela to a dimly lit corridor.

"What do you mean training?" Isabela questioned, confused.

"Training meaning if you get attacked by a vampire or something you can defend yourself," explained a voice in the shadows. The shadows parted to reveal Ferrantino.

Isabela grinned at the sight of him.

"I know Vek's keeping an eye on you… and when he finds out you've been shacking up with Axiothea, he won't be happy." Ferrantino pulled a sword out from the wall that had been in the hand of a knight decoration and handed it to Isabela. "I think a katana would better… But, alas, we have to work with what we have."

Ferrantino stepped aside and called, "My liege, fire up the fruits!"

Akuppi-Adad grinned from ear to ear. He looked like he was going to implode from holding in his laughter. He picked up an apple. "Okay." He chucked it in with all of his might in Isabela's direction.

The apple hit Isabela in the right eye. Isabela stumbled backward. "Ow!" She held her hand over her eye. "What the hell was that for?"

"Isabela, you're supposed to slice the fruits with the sword…not your face!" Ferrantino pouted. "Let's get another attempt!"

Akuppi-Adad reached for a couple of fruits before pelting them.

Once again fruits flew through the air.

Isabela swung the sword and slicing a few incoming fruits—-most of the others she missed.

Akuppi-Adad and Ferrantino both clapped.

"Well done," Akuppi-Adad said, still looking like he was trying to hold in a laugh.

"Ferrantino?" Isabela began to ask, rubbing her injured eye and setting the sword aside.

"What?" Ferrantino responded with, wanting to know what Isabela's question was.

"How is this supposed to help me protect myself?" Isabela asked, with raised eyebrows.

Ferrantino had a confused look on his face. "You know what? I don't know…"

Right then Akuppi-Adad bursted into laughter.

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

Isabela knocked upon the door of the room that Axiothea was staying in. "Axiothea?" She called.

In just a few moments after, Axiothea opened the door. "Isabela?" She called, somewhat sounding surprised.

"Yeah," Isabela responded, awkwardly. "It's me." Stupid! Stupid!, Her mind cursed at her.

Axiothea stepped to the side, angling her arm out into the room. "Come in," she beckoned.

Isabela nodded to her before entering the room.

The siren closed the door after the vampire entered. "Can I help you with something?" She asked the vampire.

Isabela nervously twisted her cloak strings around her finger. "I um…" she trailed off.

Axiothea's soft, comforting gaze properly fell upon Isabela. She paced closer.

You can do this, Isabela told her self. She took a deep breath. "I've thought about what you asked of me before…"

Axiothea asked, "Y-you have?"

Isabela nodded. "I-" She inhaled. "I'll do it," she blurted out. That's not how I wanted to say it, she mentally groaned.

Axiothea raised an eyebrow. "Do you mean it?"

Isabela nodded. "Yeah. I do… I don't want your race to die."

Axiothea smiled, softly at her.

"We can do it now," Isabela said to Axiothea. "If you'd like, that is."

Axiothea nodded. "I would." She reached forward, untieing Isabela's cloak and letting it fall to the ground. She gently grabbed Isabela's hand, leading her to a bed with red pillows and sheets.

Axiothea let go of Isabela's hand as she laid down on the bed, starting to slip her own dress off.

Isabela slid onto the bed, right above the siren. She leaned down and kissed Axiothea.

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

Hours later, Isabela and Axiothea were still laying on the bed.

One of Isabela's arms was positioned behind the back of her head, cushioning her.

Axiothea turned, moving herself to lay on her side.

Isabela positioned her arm around Axiothea, embracing her.

Axiothea's head moved to lay upon Isabela's chest. She snuggled against the vampire. "Thank you," she whispered.

And all Isabela responded with was a kiss that she placed on the top of Axiothea's head.