"I still don't know why she'd do this," Isabela said as she and the group stepped outside.

"Yeah. It is," Mierla agreed. She gazed deeply into Isabela's hazel eyes. She paused for a brief moment before continuing. "You're everything I ever would need." Mierla hardly breathed.

Isabela looked a little caught off-guard this so sudden comment. Mierla's truly headover heels for me, Isabela noted.

"Okay~" Ferrentino began. "I think that's our cue to give them a moment. I think there's a tavern around here somewhere." He headed off, with Akuppi-Adad and Langiva following.

Langiva casted a glance at the two, over her shoulder before continuing on.

Axiothea stayed put—-her arms crossed.

Isabela looked toward Axiothea. "Um…"

Axiothea laughed a little. "You're fine. Go ahead." She waved her hand at Isabela. "You two have fun." She then turned, racing off in the direction Ferrantino, Langiva, and Akuppi-Adad had gone in.

"Is there something going on between-" Mierla stopped.

Isabela took a step closer. She kept inching forward until their noses touched. Isabela could feel Mierla's warm breath on her pale, grey, dead lips. This was a feeling that she'd yearn for forever.

Isabela wanted this. Isabela needed this. Isabela ran her cold hand through Mierla's brown hair.

Mierla's dark green eyes locked with Isabela's golden eyes; she couldn't look away—-she felt hypnotized. Mierla swiftly kissed her.

Isabela now realized something.

Axiothea thought Mierla and Isabela were meant to be. Axiothea had pushed herself out of the relationship, most likely.

So much for being with them both, she thought. Isabela groaned quietly at this let down.

Mierla looked at her. "Did I do something wrong?" The brunette eyed the royal girl, her eyes and mind full of concern.

"No," Isabela said out loud. Isabela knew what she had to do. Isabela knew that she loved Mierla—-and that she loved Axiothea.

But, they'll never work together… never be together with me, Isabela thought to herself.

Isabela inhaled deeply before lounging for Mierla's throat—-to which Mierla gasped.

Just then Soare neared them. He had to do a double take. "I'm sorry..." He looked confused. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Isabela and Mierla quickly pulled away.

"Uh-"

Both of their cheeks flushed red—-only Isabela wasn't as bright of a red; it was more pale.

Soare started backing away. "Okay…I'm just gonna go." Soare made a break for the alleyway—-he left in minutes.

Once Isabela turned back to the other girl, Mierla was grinning from ear to ear.

Mierla batted her eyelashes. "How about we go somewhere more private?"

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

Mierla sat up. "So, how does it feel to-" Mierla trailed off

To answer Mierla's question—-that she didn't even finish, Isabela simply just giggled.

Mierla eyed her. "You've done things in that compound, haven't you?"

Isabela looked at Mierla and then looked away quickly.

Mierla continued, "That look says it all. Tell me about it."

Isabela laughed. "That story can be saved for another time."

"With Axiothea, right?" Mierla questioned.

Isabela froze, bitting her lip, before turning to look at the human.

"It was then," Mierla noted, sounding a little upset. "So tell me, was she better than me?" Mierla questioned.

Isabela sat up. "All that matters is that I love you. Okay?"

Mierla groaned. "And her apparently." The brunette's expression shifted once again. "So, once we do our plan, w-will the vampire thing work?"

Isabela raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking about me turning you into a vampire?"

Mierla sighed in defeat. "Yes."

"I'll try," Isabela said.

Mierla grinned widely, "Thanks."

Isabela grabbed Mierla's hand in response—-their fingers interlaced.

Mierla seemed confident. "Now, let's work on our plan."