When woke up later that evening, having rested her head on folded towels as a makeshift pillow, she saw Mallen had placed a pillow outside the bathroom door. Her eyes darted around the room as Írásom held the door open just a crack. Mallen was on the divan, the blanket wrapped snugly around him as he continued to sleep.

He must've placed the pillow there sometime during the day, Írásom thought, hesitating before picking it up. She shut the door and locked it, walking over to the place where she had fallen asleep on the floor. She ran her fingers across the silk fabric, marveling at its smoothness. Írásom replaced the towels with the pillow Mallen had given her, placing the towels back where they were.

Mallen rose an hour later. He didn't have to check on Írásom to know she was in the bathroom; he sensed her there and heard her small minimal movements. He smiled when he saw she had taken the pillow. If she chooses to stay there, I'll make sure she's comfortable, Mallen thought, briefly leaving the room to retrieve provisions.

Írásom didn't leave the bathroom, choosing to stay where she felt safest. She heard Mallen come back into the room and place something outside the bathroom door. She heard him walk away, going over towards the windowsill side of the room. She heard the rustle of fabric and realized he was changing clothes. She heard a tiny metallic cling! as he clasped on a belt and put on his boots.

Írásom remained in the bathroom, too afraid to venture out. After he had left the room and she was sure he was far away, Írásom finally dared to open the door and saw Mallen had placed a plate of fruit at the door for her, along with a pitcher of water.

After unsuccessful tries of trying to convince her it was safe to go into his room, Mallen allowed the bathroom to be Írásom's room, so to speak. He brought her warm blankets, a bedroll, and extra pillows. He brought food three times a night with plenty of options to choose from: water, wine, nuts, fruit, olives, cheese, bread, berries, grapes, and meat.

Mallen kept his room locked so nobody could go in while he sewed clothing for Írásom up in the tower room. He banned visitors to his castle, only allowing Iérti to enter at his leisure. Soon, it was only Mallen and Írásom in the castle.

Having grown accustomed to the vampire schedule, Írásom slept when Mallen slept and was awake when he was awake. Her fear of Mallen began to gradually diminish each time he knocked on the bathroom door and presented her with a gift: a new dress, periwinkle hair ribbons, a hair brush, shoes, lotions, perfume, yarn, books, and chocolates. His kindness further showed when Mallen chose not to feed on her, instead using his hidden stores whenever he needed to feed.

Írásom spent much of her time reading and knitting while Mallen made clothes for her. One night, when Mallen came back into the room after putting some finishing touches on a stylish caplet for Írásom, he saw something outside the bathroom door and went over to see Írásom had left a knitted scarf for him.

Mallen picked it up, touched that it was the first thing Írásom had given him. It was a beautiful olive green color with white woven into it. Mallen treasured Írásom's gift and wore the scarf often in cold weather.

Her trust grew the more Írásom realized Mallen wasn't the cruel person she thought he would be. Írásom surprised him one evening when she suddenly emerged from the bathroom, stepping out and walking over to Mallen as he sat by the fireplace.

His eyes lifted when he saw her stand near, wearing one of the dresses he made for her. He couldn't help but stop and admire the way she looked in it.

The dress she chose to wear was a satin light blue dress that brought out her fair skin. The sleeves were long and flowy, draping towards the bottom of her dress. There were satin light blue ribbons flowing down, creating a water illusion effect. Part of the sleeves, bodice, and hem were adorned in silver embroidery. .

While Katlyn was more beautiful in Mallen's eyes, Írásom portrayed a youthful beauty in contrast to Katlyn's mature appearance. Mallen felt drawn to her vulnerability, feeling strong and protective of Írásom. He turned his eyes from her, returning them back to the pants he was mending.

Mallen felt Írásom's eyes on him as he worked. He could tell she was studying him, not in fear but in interest. He concealed the joy he felt within, hiding the fact he was happy she finally didn't fear him. A few locks of dark hair fell across his eyes, making him look extra hot and mysterious.

Now that she was sure Mallen held no ill will towards her, Írásom felt free to explore everything good about him. His physical appearance, of course, was what made him especially pleasing to look at. His long dark hair, his olive green eyes, his slim figure, his stylish clothes, his riding boots, his tall frame, his self-confidence, the way he moved with ease, the way he –

Írásom paused, feeling a blush flame in her cheeks. She went to sit in a chair across from Mallen, turning her eyes towards the fireplace. It was a cozy, well-lit fire with glowing embers. The room was comfortable and warm, feeling like home for the first time.

Mallen continued mending his clothes, occasionally glancing at Írásom, though the glances were brief. Írásom met his eyes during some of those glances, feeling something stir inside from their brief eye contact.

Wanting to dissuade herself from thinking of him too much, Írásom focused on what he was doing and found herself asking, "Where did you learn to sew?"

Mallen paused for only the briefest second before he continued his work. "My father taught me."

"You have parents?" Írásom asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought vampires were unable to have children."

"That is true. Vampires are unable to have children."

"Then how – " Írásom started to ask, stopping when she saw Mallen set his work down.

"My parents were human, as was I. They died long before I became a vampire."

"Oh," said Írásom, as if realizing she made a mistake. "I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry," said Mallen, not taking offense. "My parents were Ciprian and Blesilda Zaliċ. Zaliċ is a Slovenian surname. We have some ancestry in Slovenia, though my grandparents, parents and I were born in Romania." He pronounced his last name Zah-lee-ts.

"My parents were good people and I loved them dearly. I started working for a merchant named Crato Icertis at the age of sixteen. I liked to give some of my income to my parents so they could live more abundantly. I had a good life until...." He trailed off, not wanting to talk about the part of his life where he deliberately chose to damn himself by becoming a vampire.

Írásom guessed what he meant and said in understanding, "Until you turned."

Mallen met her eyes, once again captivating Írásom without intentionally doing so. After a while, Mallen looked away, wondering what his life would have been like had he never turned. He didn't want to think about it, nor did he wish to bring up more of his past, so Mallen returned to his work and finished mending the tear before he stood, folding the pants and putting them away.

Írásom stood as well, her eyes following Mallen. She rushed forward just as Mallen turned around, unintentionally jarring into him. Írásom made a small gasp as she bumped into Mallen's chest, Mallen giving her a look of surprised confusion, his eyes immediately concerned.

Írásom remained still, her eyes fixed on Mallen as she chose not to move from where she stood. Mallen cautiously moved back, not wanting to trouble her, but Írásom stepped forward, surprising Mallen. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to move away from him; rather, she wanted to move closer to him. Mallen remained still, his eyes full of confusion.

A few moments passed in silence before Írásom said, "Can you take me outside? I want to go horseback riding. I've been inside the castle for too long. I need fresh air."

Mallen's countenance changed as he stuttered, "Yes, sure, definitely, of course. I do apologize. Yes, I'll take you outside. Let me get ready first."

Írásom looked away as Mallen changed into clothes more suitable for riding: an olive green tunic shirt, purplish pants with gold accents, and his signature dark brown boots with gold accents. He tied his hair back with an olive green ribbon, the same color as his eyes. He put on an olive green cape with a purplish red interior and gold accents, making him look like a prince.

His beautiful olive green eyes turned to her, gazing into her soft blueish brown ones. Írásom blinked, forcing herself to look away. Mallen's eyes became confused, then he changed tack and said, "I made you a cloak to wear outside. For when we go riding."

Mallen went over to the closet and opened the doors, revealing an entire entourage of clothing. He held out a cloak for Írásom. Much of the fabric had periwinkle blue and olive green entwined together, the interior white with fleece on the inside to keep her warm.

Írásom ran her hand over the fabric, marveling how soft and nice it was. Írásom allowed Mallen to put it on her, feeling him clasp it just underneath her neck, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin as he moved away afterwards. Írásom remained awestruck for a moment, her body super aware of every touch he made, whether it was accidental or intentional.

Mallen watched her stand silently, unsure why she wasn't moving. "Is everything alright, Írásom?"

Írásom jumped slightly, Mallen's voice bringing her out of her trance. "Yes, everything's alright," Írásom said, wondering why she kept careful note of any physical touch. Írásom straightened and looked into Mallen's eyes, asking in a confident tone, "Are you ready?"

"Ready when you are," Mallen said, a smile touching the corner of his mouth. He held out his arm to her in a gentlemanly gesture, waiting until Írásom set her hand on it before heading out.

They descended the stairs and went into the stable. Mallen opened the door with a light push of his hand. The smell of hay and the cool night air greeted them as they walked in.

Ten horses were in the stables, five on each side. There was plenty of room for each horse to move around in, with buckets of fresh clean water and oats placed in each stall. There were apple crates near where Mallen kept the saddle gear, bits, bridles, and other equipment for riding horses.

Írásom approached a black stallion with a white star on his forehead, carefully petting his nose. Mallen's smile waned as he watched her interact with the horse, remembering his previous owner. The horse had belonged to the same patrol rider he fed on after he spied on Iérti outside his tent.

Mentally shaking himself of that brief memory, Mallen went over to where his own horse, Iulia, was kept in her stall. He checked to make sure she had fresh water and oats before taking her out of the stall.

"Who takes care of all the horses?" Írásom asked, turning to Mallen.

"I do," Mallen replied, putting saddle gear on his horse.

Írásom looked at him incredulously. "You're the castle lord, and you choose to take care of your own horses rather than hire someone to look after them for you?"

"That's right," said Mallen, leading Iulia over to Írásom. Iulia neighed and tossed her head as if giving Írásom a friendly welcome. Mallen smiled, petting his horse affectionately. Írásom smiled back, pleased to see Mallen so kind towards horses.

Mallen gestured towards the black stallion. "The stallion's name is Midnight. Do you want to ride him?"

Írásom nodded eagerly. "He's beautiful."

"He certainly is," Mallen agreed, petting the horse.

Mallen helped Írásom get on the horse after putting the saddle gear on him, then got on his own horse beside her. He began to lead the way out to the open field. Írásom followed close, excited to ride again. Most people in the land knew how to ride horses, whether the people were humans or vampires. They either loved it or were indifferent. Mallen and Írásom were those who absolutely loved to ride horses.

Írásom forgot all about her fears and doubts as she rode, letting the wind push her hair back as her horse took her across the open field. She felt the rush of exhilaration as they rode fast, galloping as swiftly as they wanted. For the first time since her arrival to the land, Írásom had fun.

Írásom glanced at Mallen riding beside her, her heart lifting at seeing a new side of him. She never thought she would be able to enjoy spending time with such a person, momentarily forgetting all about what he was and just focusing on who he was. Whatever horrible things said of him was proven wrong in Mallen's entire manner.

In turn, Mallen was enjoying himself for the first time in a long time. He smiled as they sped across the field, joining Írásom as they made several rounds around the yard, stopping where a quiet stream lay prettily across the grass like a glistening ribbon.

Tavaly stood watching them from a distance, his shiny eyes fastened on them like a viper on its prey. He had a look of disapproval on his face as he watched Mallen and Írásom sit together by the stream, their horses grazing nearby. He didn't like seeing the former vampire leader act carefree around a human. He believed there was a fine line between vampires and humans, much like the fine line between leaders and followers.

Írásom handed Mallen an apple, her hand delicate and small as she retrieved it from the small brown saddle bag they brought with them.

Mallen hesitantly accepted it, looking at its smooth red surface. He handed the apple to his horse, who ate happily. He subconsciously moved closer to Írásom, enjoying her peaceful presence.

Tavaly's eyes darkened with abhorrence. He's becoming more human than vampire. Tis wrong that he should think humans are of any equal to our kind. We will always be the superior. Humans need to be put in their place, and here the leader of the vampires is hanging out with one of them, as if they are equals. He isn't even trying to lure her, instead being like a friend to her. Does he have any intentions of feeding on her?

Mallen glanced towards the faraway open field as if sensing Tavaly's thoughts. His sharp eyes caught the orange-red blur of Tavaly's robes swishing away as Tavaly left, wanting to speak to Iérti about Mallen's unusual behavior.

Iulia's gentle neighing drew Mallen's attention away from Tavaly. He stood, offering Írásom a hand as she got up. His eyes turned back to the field as Írásom turned towards her horse, but Tavaly was gone. Mallen got on his horse and began leading the way back to the stable, Midnight trotting close by.

As they put away the saddle gear, Írásom turned to Mallen as he was hanging up the saddle. "Why are you so kind to me?"

"Because not all vampires are the same," Mallen told her as he finished putting the saddle back in its place. "Like I tried telling you, I used to be a different man. But then...." He trailed off, the memory of Katlyn nearly bringing him to tears.

Mallen pushed those memories and emotions aside, turning to fully face Írásom. "I had a good time today. Did you?"

"I did, yes. We should go horseback riding again." Írásom's eyes twinkled brightly, a rosy blush in her cheeks giving her a healthy look. She looked the happiest Mallen had ever seen in the short time he had known her.

Mallen led Írásom to their room, relieved they hadn't run into any vampires on the way. Mallen wished for as little vampire presence as possible in his castle, so he compelled his staff to leave and pursue their own castle dwelling. Few like Tavaly dared go near, though they didn't go inside. Iérti, of course, had free reign to go wherever he pleased.

Mallen contently put his cape up, feeling like it was one of the best nights he ever had. He smiled as Írásom sat in one of the chairs by the fireplace. Mallen sat in the chair directly across from her and leaned back with a book in his hand, feeling joyful.