"Our plan? What is it?" Isabela asked Mierla, eager to hear what the human would suggest. She inched closer to her as the two stood.

"I don't know. I'm trying to think of one," Mierla said, her dark green eyes full of fear and disappointment. "Crap." Mierla sighed.

Isabela thought for a moment. She gazed foward. Her dead, golden, vampiric eyes scanned the room where the two camped out. It would only be a matter of time for Isabela would have to the royal palace. That thought made Isabela growl in disgust.

"Hey," Axiothea began approaching the two.

Mierla groaned, showcasing her being upset.

Axiothea moved forward, coming to stop next to Mierla. "I'm sorry. Did I say something to offend you?" She inhaled. "I didn't mean to." Her hand came to rest on her abdomen.

"So, I take it as 'it worked'?" Isabela asked Axiothea, softly.

"What do you mean 'it worked'? What worked?" Mierla questioned defensively.

"Axiothea's race was dying…" Isabela swallowed. "I agreed to help her to assure her race wouldn't-" She stopped herself.

Mierla's eyes grew wide as she realized what Isabela was implying. "You two are having a child?" She angrily laughed. "Really? Really?"

"Just to make sure-" Axiothea was cut off.

Mierla growled very loudly, upset.

"What's your problem? Did I offend you-" Axiothea began.

Mierla stormed over to Axiothea, getting really close to her. "My problem is with you, succubus. You seduced a vampire princess…" She wetted her lips. "...tricked her to think she loved you—-tricked you were the only one who loved her."

Axiothea's eyes began to water.

Mierla continued on. "...and the fact is… that's not even the case. You're not the only one who loves her. I love her. I love her so damn much. She's picked you over me… I see that." She swallowed. "But, you know what… at least I'm not a monster who has to lie, cheat, and manipulate to be loved."

Isabela lurched forward toward the other girls. She saw the tears glistening in Axiothea's light pink eyes. "Mierla!" She shouted.

Mierla quickly craned her neck over when she heard her name being called out by the vampire.

"Calm down," Isabela said, nearing the two.

"I'm fine!" Mierla responded, defensively.

"You're not…" Isabela exhaled. "Take a walk. It'll clear your head… Maybe you'll come up with your plan then."

Mierla huffed, rolling her eyes slightly before pushing past Axiothea—-she nudged Axiothea with her shoulder as she passed. Mierla scoffed under her breath, "That should've been me."

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

Isabela and Axiothea had headed to the tavern to wait.

"About what Mierla said to you…" Isabela began. "I'm sorry she said that. I don't know what she was thinking-"

Axiothea, who's eyes were still watering, faked a smile. "Psh. It's okay. She's right. I'm manipulative."

"No. It's not." Isabela pulled herself closer to Axiothea. "You're none of those things. You're smart. You're kind. You're beautiful…"

Axiothea smiled, genuinely before snuggling up against Isabela.

Mierla entered the room, swiftly. "Took a walk," she said, approaching the two and getting their attention. "You were right. I do have a plan."