The Vampire Prince's Toxic Consort (BL)

The Labyrinth of Mahoraga dispersed around the trapped vampires and werewolves like a mirage, and as everyone looked at each other in confusion, Julian exclaimed and ran to a dark figure.

Dorian disappeared before everyone’s eyes only several minutes ago. But now he was kneeling in the middle of the empty field where the sanctuary stood moments ago. To everyone’s astonishment, two giant wings spread behind him, much bigger than his original wings, and were covered with layers of beautiful black feathers with a lustrous emerald sheen. They were such magnificent wings that the mere sight of them was enough to induce venerable feelings in the viewer’s heart.

Serena gaped in awe, “Those wings...they look so much like Azreal’.”

Volke was also astonished by the new development, but he had to focus on ordering his soldiers to maintain control over the vampires, though it seemed like all of Silvan’s soldiers were also overawed by the Death Angel’s wings.

Silvan, completely paralyzed by the poison now and lifted from the ground by two werewolves, also gazed at his brother. A gleaming, acidulous light in his eyes that looked almost like gloating. He knew his brother well and could imagine how Dorian felt when the price he paid for those wings was his consort.

Florian stood not too far, and his dark eyes were burning with a frigid, controlled anger.

“Is it worth it?“The ex-hunter spoke quietly, earning a curious look from Volke, who stood near him,

As Julian approached, he felt a tingling on his skin. An ineffable energy buzzed in the air, radiating from the stationary vampire prince. His countenance was hidden in the shadow of several strands of front hair. Julian crouched down gingerly and called in a whisper, “Don?”

Dorian didn’t reply, didn’t move.

Julian tentatively put a hand on Dorian’s shoulder, feeling that vibrating energy goes through his body like an electrical current.

“Are you ok? Are you hurt?” Julian inquired worriedly.

“Leave me alone.“Dorian’s voice sounded hollow and exhausting.

“Please...“Julian said sorrowfully, “I know how much pain you are feeling now, but don’t push me away.”

“...”

“We have to leave...it’s not safe here.”

“I’m not leaving without him,” Dorian said, “I will wait.”

“Wait for what? He won’t come back.” Tears glided down Julian’s cheek. He gently held Dorian’s hand in his palms and continued, “He sacrificed himself so that we can live.”

“I have to fix this...“Dorian finally rosed his face, and the emptiness in his eyes pang Julian.

“We need to move.” Volke said as he approached them, “Before the Elder has other ideas.”

But Dorian was not responding to anything. Eventually, Julian stood up and said, “I will stay with him here for a while. We can meet back in the town.”

Lewis heard his words and signed, knowing he had to stay in to protect Julian. He glanced over at Florian curiously, “You look familiar. Are you the vampire hunter Florian Edelstein?”

Florian said, “Unfortunately, yes.”

“Gosh, everyone thought you were dead!” Lewis’s face lit up with mild excitement and interest, “how did you end up here?”

“I serve the Crown Prince Consort,” Florian said flatly.

“So...what’s your plan now?“Lewis said cautiously, “Your master is gone. I don’t suppose you will want to return to Eternia?”

Florian’s eyes fixed on the ground where the chasm existed only moments ago, but now only a flat surface of sand remained. His hand pressed against the small vial in his pocket.

It was Lucius’s last request to him.

“If something goes wrong, and I don’t make it. Take this and go to Anthor.“Before they entered the Labyrinth, Lucius said to him hushedly and hastily and shoved the Durchville Witch’s blood into Florian’s hand. And now, it was the only thing left for him to remember the man with beautiful hazel eyes.

Rage imploded in his chest, and he wanted to piece Dorian Ashdown’s heart with his sword. His hand trembled slightly, but his countenance was still calm as the deepest water.

“I have my place to be,” Florian said curtly, turned and walked away.

He would ensure that Lucius’s last wish was fulfilled and make all the vampires pay for what they’ve done to Lucius, himself, every enslaved human and the ones he lost in the war.

Soon Volke and his soldiers agreed to Julian’s suggestion and departed to the town. Serena decided to go with them to keep an eye on Simon and Silvan, but she left them some necessary supplies and two camels to survive in the desert.

In a couple hours, only Julian and Lewis were left, staying at Dorian’s side. The sun came and went, and then another day passed. The Labyrinth never appeared again. By the third day, Lewis became anxious.

“We have to leave today so we don’t run out of food and water,” Lewis said firmly to Julian, “by the end of today, I will knock you out and carry you away if necessary.”

Julian was also running out of ideas. The vampire didn’t move nor speak for two days as if he had been transferred into a statue.

Had Dorian and Lucius fallen for each other? He wondered. And the thought made him a little antsy.

He was the one who gave Dorian up when he chose to take the vow and ignore the feelings he had for the vampire. Laying with another man was a sin, and he couldn’t sacrifice his belief and his love for God for some transient mundane pleasure. But knowing that Dorian’s love might belong to another now still tormented him in unexpected ways.

Perhaps in some secret, selfish corner of his mind, he expected Dorian to always look at him the same way he did six years ago. As if he was the most precious thing in the world. He had thought...Dorian would have taken up his offer in exultation when he suggested switching his position with Lucius.

He didn’t expect the vampire to find him later that night and told him that he had developed feelings for his twin brother, and that their marriage was real.

And now...now Lucius died for them...for him...

Julian signed wistfully. He returned to Dorian, kneeling before him and said quietly, “Don, please, this will not help anyone.”

“He thought I betrayed him.” Dorian’s mask of stone cracked, and bone-deep grief contorted his elegant features, “how did I let things go this far?”

“It was not your fault...”

“Then whose fault was it?”

“It was the devil’s fault. He was the one who forced you to make impossible choices.”

“Can’t you pray to your God?” Dorian asked with the last sliver of hope, “Lu is your brother. Surely your God will help you if you pray to him?”

“I wish it was that easy...” Julian lowered his eyes in regret, “He only answers my prayer when it is not for my personal gain. I had prayed nonstop for two days, but he was silent.”

“And why would he help me, the devil’s scion, right? Especially when we both committed sinful acts by your standard.” Dorian said cynically, and anger once again burnt bright on his visage.

Julian cupped Dorian’s cold face between his hands, gently lifting his gaunt face and gazing deeply into Dorian’s eyes.“You may have lost my brother, but you still have me,” Julian said softly, “I won’t leave you to despair.”

“And then go back to Anthor and pretend I never existed in your life?” Dorian scoffed acerbically.

“I will not leave you alone this time. I promise.” Julian paused briefly, his long eyelashes flustered, appearing a little sheepish, “I...I’ve missed you too. All these years, I’ve never really forgotten about you.”

Dorian stared at him. If it was a year ago, he would have been the happiest man in the world hearing Julian say these words. But now...

Now, when he gazed at the angelic face, he only noticed that there was no dimple on one side of that face, and he felt an acute twinge cut his inner organs.

Time slowed down between their connecting gazes, and words were lost. Julian saw the agony in Dorian’s soul, and he wanted to heal it. He leaned forward, slightly half-closed his eyelids, feeling pulled in by the affections he felt six years ago but never dared to act upon it.

But at the last inch, Dorian turned his face to one side. It was such a subtle movement, but the message was loud and clear. Julian paused. Redness suffused his cheek as he felt embarrassed and stupid.

“I can’t.” Dorian murmured, “It’s too late for us, Jule.”

“I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to...” Julian quickly stood up, drew the sacred eye symbols over his forehead and prayed in shame.

Dorian also stood up and hid the wings away. His eyes roved around and saw no trace of the Labyrinth’s existence. Even the chasm that engulfed his consort was gone. Lucius just disappeared as if he had never existed. He couldn’t even give him a proper burial.

“I will come back for you, Lu...Even if I have to go to hell myself...“Dorian vowed quietly to the empty air. His eyes were dry, and his heart was a black hole. But he had to carry on, for he couldn’t stop just yet.

He had to finish what he started, so Lucius’s death wouldn’t be in vain.

Lucius wandered in the desert for almost a day before meeting a group of travelers on camels. By then, he was so thirsty, starving, and overheated that he was on the verge of passing out. The travelers gave him water and food and agreed to take him to the nearest town.

As they camped by the fire, a young woman named Yasmin, the only one who spoke Lucius’s language in the group, came to his side and offered him soup and naan for dinner. Lucius gratefully accepted it and gave her a charming smile that made her blush, and he said, after taking a seep from the bowl, “This is the most delicious thing I’ve had this year.”

She sat beside him, studying his face with curiosity, “Why were you traveling alone in the desert?”

“I wasn’t alone initially, but I got lost,” Lucius said quietly, nibbling at the naan.

“Where are you going after we take you to the town?”

That question had been hovering in Lucius’s mind since he was...released, and it dreaded him gravely.

To Dorian, Julian, and everyone else, he was dead. It was the best chance for him to just...go away. To sever all the pain, schemes, lies and complications and start afresh as if he didn’t have a past. And perhaps, his heart would heal in some distant land, and he would finally find peace.

But could he really let it all go? Could he really forget?

Did he even want to let it go?

All those memories, some sweet, some bitter. They risked their lives together, laughed together, danced together, fought together, and plotted together...did it all mean nothing?

Did he ever have a chance?

No...Lucius was angry. So angry that he wanted to scream at Dorian. But meanwhile, he also knew he didn’t have the right to blame him because he was not completely innocent in the game of betrayal.

Lucius was not the kind of person who would leave quietly and leave a nostalgic memory behind. He wanted closure. Even if that closure was something going to break him further.

“I’m going to find my husband.” Lucius replied with a wry smile, “And then, I’m going to punch him in the face.”