Chapter 5 Because

walked away, she felt Videric's gaze burning into her. Nyana noticed that the calling had stopped, the voices had fallen silent. Afterwards, she remembered the invitation she had made and thought about what it would.

be like to see him again. Chapter 4 They had been walking through the forest for a while, the horses were releasing clouds of steam through their infated nostrils. As they moved down the map, the weather became.

colder, which indicated that they were close. Arsene could see that Videric didn't really like going to the village

of Merik, that his brother found the energy of the place heavy, in particular, he hated those statues that the

Black Prince insisted on leaving in the garden. But Arsene had asked him to accompany him and Videric, even

though he was hesitant at frst, ended up accepting the invitation. Furthermore, since Arsene had embraced

wizarding blood, he spent little time with his brother. - The place looks even darker - Videric pointed out in a

whisper. It was even strange when someone spoke there, the sound of any voice sounded too loud. His eyes

darted around the village, alert. Arsene had to agree, the village of Merik had always been quiet, even though

the humans there lived like any others in the villages of Fhár. Except for the fact that they lived in an eternal winter, but they never realized anything was wrong. That was the fault of Merik's spell, which meant that the

humans in that village, handpicked by the Black Prince in the Early Years, were unaware that, despite time passing in that place as in any other, winter was simply not lasting. , but the only existing station in the surrounding area. Therefore, the inhabitants did not insist on leaving the place and, even if they did, their

memories were confused to the point that they had a desire to return to the village or run away and never see

it again. This was how Merik remained hidden from the human race, this was how he bargained with the

supernaturals: a piece of the corporeal world was his and he could command it as he pleased. The village was

more than quiet. Even with permanent snow, it was common to see humans walking back and forth

throughout the night, entering taverns, or even drunkenly singing after melting the snow with hot sour beer

piss. The trade was basically in animal skins and the huge nuts that sprouted from dry walnut trees. Residents..

obtained meat and grain from mysterious merchants who visited the border from time to time. Arsene always

thought Merik commanded that part too. When he found out, they were already arriving at the mansion and

there was still no sign of movement. Arsene stopped his horse just as the tall iron gates appeared through the

fog. Videric did the same. For a while, they remained silent, watching, until Videric sighed. - I think I've already

felt too cold for today. Lets go in? -It's just snow, Videric. - Arsene smiled. - My balls are freezing. Arsene

made a clicking sound with his mouth and the horse began to trot towards the high gate, snow crunching

beneath its tired hooves. Videric's followed the other mount's example and set in motion. Two men quickly opened the gates when they realized who the visitors were and then led the horses to shelter them in the stable, where they had protection from the snow, blankets for their backs and fresh hay. Arsene noticed

Videric's half-closed eyes watching those men. They were human, they could both smell the blood that ran

through their veins, but neither of them had ever heard those men open their mouths to greet someone,

profess their fury with that snow or even say that they needed to empty their bladder. Anything. Everything in

that place was strange, beyond normality, even by the supernatural standards they lived by. Arsene studied his

brother, Videric was used to hiding from the sun, quenching his thirst on other people's necks. He was used to

going on hunts at Domenico's request and, depending on the phase of the moon, hiding from witches. But Arsene knew that Videric would never be prepared to talk to Merik on his territory. Arsene noticed some..

discomfort in his brother's movement. No doubt he was already regretting having accompanied him. They were not escorted, but Arsene knew the way. He opened the large dark wooden door and the warmth of the

mansion's interior greeted them. Videric's countenance improved and, if Arsene knew his brother, he could

have sworn he was grateful to have the feeling in his balls again. His red eyes darted around the room and he

gave a curt nod for Videric to follow him. Merik's mansion was dark, but a warm light came from an open

door. The yellowish stripe illuminated the cold stone foor. Arsene followed that light and entered the room

where Merik liked to stay. The Black Prince was sitting in his favorite armchair, legs apart and a glass of wine

in his hand, he slowly rotated the glass and the dark red liquid glowed when illuminated by the fames of the

freplace. Upon seeing that he was no longer alone, Merik stopped moving and took a deep breath in a clear

sign of boredom, one of his defning characteristics. - I don't remember inviting them that night. Arsene didn't

mind Merik's lack of humor. He just walked over and sat in his usual armchair. Videric occupied the next

armchair, quieter than usual. Arsene was already familiar with the dynamics between the two: Merik was used

to the taciturn manner of Domenico's commander just as Videric was used to the dark air of the Black Prince.

However, Arsene had gone to that mansion for a reason and didn't want to waste too much time on

superfuous conversations. - Your garden continues to die - Arsene said. Merik remained silent for a while.

He spun the glass again and drank the rest of the wine in one gulp before placing it on the foor, close to where he sat. He wore dark clothes as always, reinforced leather pants and a black velvet doublet over dark

cotton. The Nobilitatis ring glowed as he ran his hand over his face in a rare sign of tiredness. - I had a small.

greenhouse built, a foolish and useless way of preserving it, but even that wasn't enough. - Merik showed

with this dialogue that he was partially open to a conversation. - One fower has died, the others seem to be weakening... - And do you feel a change in energy? Something different? - I can feel every pulse in that garden, it is part of me. - Merik's voice was low and sounded threatening even to Arsene, who was used to

exchanging tense conversations with him. Arsene didn't insist much, he knew that Merik would only speak

when he wanted, and it was foolish to ask more. -Did the witches feel any changes in energy, Arsene Lefevre?

- The voice was now curious and slightly malicious. Arsene didn't take the bait. He was not authorized to give

information from within the White Forests to anyone, much less a creature from the underworld. The witches

had felt a shift in energy, but the reaction was very different from when Merik had picked it up. - Lymena is

looking after her sisters, after what happened - he fnally replied. -And if she could, she would take your

head off. Merik fnally smiled. - Of course I would. -What is the reason for your sudden disappearance from

the Nobilitatis meeting, Merik? - Arsene asked the question Domenico asked. - I have bigger problems than conjecturing about a world that is still in motion. - The dark eyes stared at the two vampires ahead and Videric noticed a strange intensity. Merik knew something, but he didn't want to tell. Only Domenico could get

that out of him. - If we need to understand what's going on in the corporeal world every day, it's because you

didn't do what was asked of you. A piercing silence remained in the room. The three were tense, Arsene always paid cordial visits to Merik, even if she didn't agree with what he did and, now that he belonged to the

wizarding world, he needed to wait a while to enter