F I F T Y

"You know, in my kingdom we have whole fields that grow Irises. Kind of coincidental, huh?"

Iris looked at Zoe with an arched eyebrow. "They must be very pretty."

Zoe chuckled and nodded strongly. "Oh very."

When the clouds kindly formed together and covered part of the sun, it was nice enough to enjoy a stroll down the walkway without feeling the stress of sweat stick on their skins. Iris was once again forced to get to know Zoe, and he almost felt guilty for wanting nothing to do with her. Almost. She was kindhearted, but something fierce was tucked away in her eyes, Iris saw that right away. She wasn't as soft spoken as she appeared, Zoe had a soft rasp to her voice that she happened to get embarrassed over out of nowhere. It made Iris smile.

Zoe was also very beautiful; fair, pale skin, lustrous and thick hair. Her smile glowed and her giggled sparkled her eyes. If Iris was attracted to females, he'd definitely be okay with her being his to be wife. But he wasn't and he didn't like how being around her made him smile, or want to. Then again, maybe it was a good thing that he was comfortable around her.

The two found themselves wandering on the path leading to the gardens. White cherry blossoms littered the stones as they were brushed off by the breeze, and Zoe couldn't help but compliment how beautiful Iris's kingdom was, better yet the scenery behind his mansion. She didn't talk about her own very much, and always turned the conversation around when Iris mentioned it. He didn't bother asking why, though. They stopped when Zoe wanted to look at a bush growing pink colored roses, which was located in the second garden they came across.

"I know I don't talk much about myself, but that's only because I really want to get to know you." Zoe looked up from plucking a rose off its stem and she smiled kindly at Iris. "You don't mind, right?"

Iris shook his head though deep down he wanted to say yes. "Ask away."

Zoe's smile widened and she turned to face the rest of the garden. "I want to know your opinions about the vampires." Then she glanced at him. "Sorry if that's too straight forward, I don't like sugarcoating a conversation that will tell me what I wish to know."

It would be a lie to say Iris wasn't surprised by her tone. It was determined just like the glint in her eyes. He straightened his back and proceeded to keep an unbothered mask on. He cleared his throat and wandered further inside.

"You want to know my opinions about them?"

"Yes. Truthfully, if you don't mind. I won't judge."

"What is there to judge?" Iris asked.

"Well, some, uh, some of us quite like the vampires. They are a friend and not a slave. I won't judge you if you think that way; I don't see them as a foe."

"Ah," Iris acknowledged. "Well, I don't see them as a foe, either. At least the ones I know I don't. I do consider them my friends. Someone I can rely on."

Zoe smiled at Iris before looking down at her rose. "If there were a vampire that was in need of your help, would you help them?"

"It depends on what they ask of me. But I'd try."

She nodded.

"What about you?"

"I'd certainly try as well."

Iris nodded to her words and a moment of silence was shared. The only sound was of the trees and bushes shivering in the breeze, their footsteps, and Zoe picking the petals off her rose.

She dropped them as they walked, making a scattered trail. Then suddenly she stopped.

Iris halted a few steps away when he noticed she did, and turned around. Zoe was staring at the half naked rose with her bottom lip between her teeth. The sight made Iris tilt his head.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Curiosity made his slight concern pale.

Zoe looked up squeezing the rose. She opened her mouth, clear hesitation washed over her face as she closed it, then opened it again.

"Iris, I have to tell you something."

Just as Iris faced the princess properly, the breeze picked up and Hyde stood right behind her. He put his hand on her shoulder, making Zoe drop the rose and whip around. He gestured to Iris with eagerness.

"I was ordered to bring you both back inside right away." His words were flat but honest, though Iris couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

"Why?"

Hyde gave him a brief glance before beckoning at him again. "I'll tell you on the way," he said.

Iris didn't feel like arguing so he followed the vampire and Zoe quickly out of the garden.

"There was an unfamiliar vampire spotted in one of your villages," Hyde began explaining while looking at Iris, "Some of your guards caught him."

The first thing Iris thought was that Kai must have been one of those guards, but the first thing he noticed was the look Zoe and her body guard shared. It was a glance holding something secretive and or nervous.

"What?" he asked right away, tearing their eyes away from each other and to him.

Zoe widened her eyed before loweing them to the ground. She fidgeted with the lace going down her chest.

"Well...your kingdom is safe right?" A quick flash of worry appeared in her eyes before they went blank, like Iris's expression.

He sighed and glanced away from her.

"I wish I could answer that; but I don't even know anymore."

††

When night fell that same day, Iris had gotten tired of pacing around his room feeling anxious and eager to see Kai. But he was unable to and he knew it would be another day or so until he could. That only deepened his desperation. To take his mind away from the loneliness, he left his room when the halls grew quiet and snuck through the corridors.

He entered the room with the balcony and sulked against the silver railing when he out outside. He crossed his arms over it and looked up at the sky.

It was paused in a glittering navy. The moon was above the mansion and behind him, so he only saw a lick of gray light it emitted when he looked directly up. A few stars blinked and one zoomed passed his vision.

Though the night wasn't pitch black, it was darkened with shadows, making it easier for those darker to move around. But along with the dimness came the silence.

No reedy cricket music or distant village sounds, no noise to mistake a crunch of a leaf, or excuse it.

Iris tensed when he heard the abrupt noise and uncrossed his arms when a voice swore with a deep tone. He was inches away from deciding to run but when he heard the voice he leaned over the rail instead.

The prince peered down and watched as the figure bellow looked up.

"Kai?"

A pearl white smile grinned up at Iris before making its way over to the tree near the balcony.

Iris stood straight and waited for Kai to climb his way up. He had one hand on the rail while his body was turned in the direction he assumed Kai would appear. And he did.

Kai hauled himself up the railing which he jumped onto and patted down his shirt when he landed. His hair that was usually brushed to the side was now laying slightly messy and falling over his forehead. But his smile, his gorgeous smile, was still the same.

"I was trying to sneak up on you but, well, that didn't work out."

Iris shook his head and walked closer to Kai. He reached up, caressing his face before holding it and bringing him down to kiss. Kai placed his hands on Iris's lower back and responded calmly to the kiss.

Despite their hearts jumping with joy, the kiss was soft and not urgent like their emotions were.

Iris pulled back with satisfaction and a pint of confusion.

"I thought you were supposed to be busy at nights? What are you doing here?"

"I flirted my way out. I'm pretty good at that."

Iris scoffed and leaned back but Kai kept his hands firmly against his back.

"Are you sure you shouldn't be out there? Considering what happened today, I mean."

"What did you hear?"

"One of those vampires were caught. Is that right?"

Kai nodded. "He was found in the second village snooping around," he confirmed. "We tried interrogating him but he hasn't budged. We'll try something else tomorrow."

With a sigh, Iris let his hands drop from Kai's shoulders and he looked off towards the villages.

"I remember when the only thing I had to worry about was beating you in a race towards the kitchen." Iris smiled and arched a brow at Kai when he chuckled.

"Things change, sometimes unfortunately."

"Yeah..."

Kai titled his head at Iris. His expression was bothered but the reasons were hidden deep within his eyes, too tucked in for Kai to interpret. His heart fell unsettled seeing Iris look this way, so distant yet close. So lost but displayed. And he hated that he had to leave so soon with his features painted sadly.

"Iris." Kai grabbed the prince's attention when he held his shoulders. "I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow. Some time, okay?"

"Oh," Iris breathed out sadly. "Okay." But he still showed a smile.

Kai leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on Iris's forehead. He smiled at him before backing up and putting his hands on the rail. Before he jumped over he glanced at Iris with a grin.

"Speaking of kitchen, I heard they're baking in there. You should..you know..."

Iris laughed and quickly leaned to place a kiss on Kai's cheek.

"I'll get you something."

Kai jumped over the rail but didn't drop down. He gleamed at Iris, not because he agreed to get him something but because his dismay was gone. Or at least some sparkle returned to his eyes.

Feeling satisfied, Kai dropped down from the balcony and he disappeared in the shadows the moon casted.

††

The vampire caught stalking around Vridora hissed out in pain and snarled at Cyrus as she backed away with a sigh.

"Ow," he growled. Despite his cries of pain and anguish, his evil expression didn't change. He continued to glare at the vampires that tried to pry hia secrets out of him. He tried attacking even though his hands and legs were strictly shackled to the cold stone wall he sat against.

"You can end this all right now if you just confess you sent you," Cyrus muttered. She crossed her arms and stuck her hip out. Her patience had never been tested so hard. This vampire was incredibly difficult to break, and demented. He laughed at nothing and talked to himself. Cyrus and the other guards started thinking he was just a screw up, not worth torturing for answers. But Kai wasn't so sure.

"I told you no one sent me!"

"Right, you're looking for someone. Who?"

The only information the vampire gave them was that he was looking for someone. Someone he called his leader.

The vampire groaned but didn't say anything.

"Who?!" she yelled. She returned glaring into his faded brown eyes but he didn't look remotely close to intimidated.

"My. Leader."

"Who's your leader?"

"Leader..leader leader leader leader..." The vampire ranted the word like a broken record. Even though he endured more pain his answer did not change.

Eventually Cyrus got bored and left the room, slamming the door shut.

"Nothing?"

Cyrus looked to her left where Kai stood leaning against the wall. She sighed and rolled her shoulders back.

"No." She held up her blood ridden dagger and threw it away blindly. They created a pile of weapons useless to their efforts. Nothing appeared to work on the vampire.

"Well, we'll try again."

"Kai," Cyrus sighed, "we've been trying for the last two days. The guy's mind is ready to give out and honestly I'm a bit tired of listening to him scream. I think we should experiment on him rather than push for answers."

Kai stared at Cyrus while replaying her suggestion. It was true experimenting would show other unanswered questions, be he wasn't ready to give up on the ones he needed to know.

He shook his head to say no. "He told us he was looking for someone. He came here for a reason. I'm not giving up."

Cyrus ran her hands down her face but didn't object. "Fine." She shrugged, "But his mind is already whacked. You need to be careful."

Kai smiled at her and she squinted.

"Oh, I'm not going to do anything. But I do have the perfect weapon."