F O R T Y-O N E

Kai raised a hand up to his face to shield the sun from his eyes as he walked down the path leading towards the gardens. He muttered under his breath as he opened one of the long silver gates. Kai figured that he no longer applied to the rule of vampires not allowed to enter the garden after three, so he wasn't worried as he entered the one with the willow trees.

While he was watching the prince, who was peacefully doing his work at his desk, Kai made the mistake of going into his room for a literal minute. When he came back, Iris's room was vacant. He was no where in the mansion and Kai couldn't understand how someone could disappear so fast. So skillfully– especially from him. Eventually he came across Sage who helped him out and told him Iris often wandered to the gardens, so that's where he found himself going.

Kai kept his senses peeled while he walked through the garden, stepping on the peach colored tiles that guided him around.

Unintentionally, he entered the garden with the willow trees first, because that was his favorite, and he had no idea it was Iris's, too. No one could blame him, it really was beautiful. Flowers and plants with tendril leafs, surrounding the area with a pleasant fragrance. Further in the spacious garden was narrowed by a copse of willow trees, and their dangling green tears.

Kai stopped when he heard a rustling noise to his left. He narrowed his eyes and walked slowly towards a wall of leaves. Without saying anything he quickly drew back a large patch and peered inside the small space.

"Hm, took you long enough."

Kai stared at Iris with a dumbfounded expression. He let the leaves fall when he stepped inside the shaded area. The tree was large enough to create a secluded area with a pond in the middle. Iris leaned against some rocks with a plate of grapes on his lap, just feet away from the small pool.

"Were you...was this a test?" He asked while a sending a glare of disbelief.

"No. Just, considering you're a vampire, I assumed you'd find me faster."

"I wouldn't have had to if you didn't leave."

"I was just getting a snack."

"And you never returned."

Iris shrugged and tossed another grape in his mouth. "It's called a break."

Kai tensed his jaw, he had several things to say but thought it was best to keep his mouth shut. He watched Iris eat another grape with squinted eyes before directing his attention over at the pond. He knew there was one in the garden, hidden behind a wall of weeping willow vines, but as he got closer he didn't realize it was home to about five orange golden fish.

He stood near the edge of the pool and peered into it. The water was calm, cerulean and glittering. The fish were like liquid gold swimming around, unbothered. While he observed them absentmindedly, Iris was studying him.

The vampire couldn't have been much older than Iris, since he had a youthful but harden facial features. His hair was combed to the side, tamed back and off his forehead, and when a lick of sunlight shined onto it, Iris could see a distinct color of brown luster. His muscles made his clothes hug tightly around him and Iris found himself biting his bottom lip as he trailed his eyes up and down his body.

As if feeling the attention on him, Kai turned his head away from the pond and looked at Iris, who quickly diverted his eyes. He cleared his throat softly and looked around to appear innocent. Kai just shook away the feeling and backed away from the pond.

"How long are you going to stay out here?" Kai asked while walking around the limited amount of shaded space.

Iris hummed in thought, eating the last of his grapes. "I don't know. You can go back in if you want."

"Oh, I would if I could, but that's not exactly my job is it?"

"Again, I blame you for this situation."

Kai rolled his eyes, "If you were me you wouldn't have objected to the idea either."

"Eh..I would've expressed some sort of displeasure."

"I doubt that."

"Well you don't know me, so if course you would doubt it."

"It's common sense for a vampire like me to not oppose to their owners wishes. Really, if anything it's your fault."

Iris furrowed his eyebrows, "You can't blame me. I told my dad it was a dumb idea."

"You're the one who put yourself in a risky situation, influencing his idea in the first place."

"That's a pathetic excuse. It's clearly your fault." Iris stood up, dusted his pants, and started walking towards the leaves, "But I'm going to be mature about it and forgive you."

Kai scoffed dryly and followed him, practically ripping the tree's leaves off when he excited the hidden area.

"Mature..it was childish to bring up the situation to begin with."

"Shut up."

Kai scoffed again and shook his head. Why did he get stuck with this job? With this fate? With this person–who as he watched while walking behind him–he felt a strong and unwanted curiosity about. Kai wanted to kick himself for it.

But like Iris, the more Kai tried to hate the prince, the more stronger the urge was to get to know him.

Then suddenly, all that curiosity erupted.

"So, how.."  "So, do.." They started saying in unison.

Iris slowed down so they were walking side by side and he motioned for Kai to continue.

"You first."

"It wasn't important, you can go."

"Okay. I was just going to ask how you got here in the first place."

"Like, as a guard?"

"Yeah. Did my dad find you, or did you volunteer?"

When Kai stared at Iris for a little longer than necessary, Iris looked away while scratching the nape of his neck nervously.

"I–I mean you don't have to answer, I don't really care, I was just curious."

Kai let his eyes wander, too. He walked with his hands behind his back as he honestly tried to remember how he became a guard. He knew it wasn't his idea, he was content being the rogue, lawless vampire he once was, with Sage by his side. He remembered it was her who always talked about becoming a guard, but they never took her ideas seriously. Not until one of Arlo's secretary found them along with one of the first class guards.

Kai remembered the secretary telling him that they knew who he was, and that they'd be honored if he joined that guards. Apparently his life as a mischievous nomad wasn't as quiet as he thought is was.

Now that Sage's idea was achievable, they discussed it together, before agreeing to basically give up their freedom. However, thinking back and recalling the past years, Kai may not be able to go where he wants to or do what he wants to, but he wouldn't give up being a guard any time soon.

"Long story short," He finally came to answer, "I agreed to become a guard. So I wasn't forced into it or anything."

Iris glanced up at him with surprise but nodded to show he respected the answer, and looked back ahead.

When they neared the back door, Kai opened it for Iris and the prince gave him a weird expression before entering. But he didn't mumble a small 'thanks'.

Kai found himself amused all of a sudden as he walked next to Iris again. He noticed many things in the five minute conversation they held. Kai acknowledged one.

The prince of Vridora didn't smile much.

Which was a shame.

††

"Again!?"

Kai groaned as he ran his hands down his face and nodded, wanting to bang his head on something. Hard.

"I turn my back for one second and he's just..gone!"

Despite his frustration, Sage couldn't help but laugh at Kai. They met at an intersection of two hallways, and Kai asked for her help again. He didn't want the King to find out he's lost Iris, again, because he didn't want him to think he was incapable of the doing the job. And if anything he didn't lose him, he just escaped from his sight. Which he learned wasn't as attentive as it should be.

"Did you check the gardens?" Sage asked.

"Yes?"

"The training areas?"

"Yes."

"Library?"

"Yes."

Sage tapped a finger against her lips, "Well, where haven't you checked?"

"This place is so big I lost count of where I've been. But I'm pretty I've checked everywhere."

Save laughed again.

"It's not funny, Sage. I'm going to be in so much trouble if the King finds Iris first and I'm not with him."

"Or...if he finds you first."

"Yeah that, too."

"No," Sage grabbed Kai's face and turned it so he was looking behind him, where they watched as the King himself started turning the corner. He was distracted by something his secretary was showing him.

Kai made a suprised noise but before he could scurry away from Sage, Arlo looked up.

"Oh, God. I'm so dead."