Author's note: this is from Aldus's point of view

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I was relieved when Serina finally woke up after her six days-long slumber.

Just as Vesper diagnosed, Serina was trapped in her memories, too weak to face the reality. When Vesper said how this can last months or years I was dejected.

Serina made great progress in the last few months. I revived her in my lab and watched her grow from a shy girl into a confident young woman. She took classes and passed all tests I put her through, yet one bad news made it all crumble, telling me that her foundations are still shaky.

Luckily, Lazarus was able to eavesdrop on her conversation and I send Marius to investigate. It was easy for Marius to figure out that Mona's words were just rumors. I blame Mona for not checking if her information is true before spreading it further, but I will leave that for Serina to handle.

Serina woke up and I thought that we can finally relax, but then I found out that she rode on Graike's back!

I knew that the dragon had his eyes on Serina and that he was up to something. Why else would the Lord of Lightning linger at my place for a week and act as a construction worker? But without evidence, I couldn't accuse him of anything, so I waited.

I kept my eyes on him, but the flying incident happened while I was distracted in Vesper's room. If she kept her moans lower in volume, maybe I would hear the commotion outside.

If I knew that making Vesper my slave will turn her obedient and willing to serve me, I would do this a long time ago.

I made Vesper my slave because of my previous grudges and I wanted to have her services as a witch handy while letting her know that I can take her life anytime.

Vesper came onto me of her own will, and I can't say that I hated it. The witch has some moves, and she knows how to please a man. There is nothing more seductive than a woman without inhibitions who understands I am not interested in committing to a relationship.

The whole ordeal ended well, with our three guests dispersing, and Serina and I heading to Greece.

This will be a journey that Serina needs to take on her own, and I hoped that she is up to the challenge.

Back to the present…

The plane ride was three hours long. We were due to land on Crete in the afternoon and I observed Serina as she stared blankly through the window at the clouds below us.

"Why aren't you resting?", I asked her. Since she woke up from her six days-long sleep, she was keeping herself busy.

"I'm not tired, and my mind is a mess so I can't focus on practicing either.", she admitted.

I had a good idea that she was avoiding something important. "Why don't you read the file on Drago Orsini?"

Serina looked at me guiltily and I knew that my hunch was correct. She is so easy to read.

No matter what reason she gives me for not reading that file, it will all be an excuse to cover up that she is afraid of confirming that Duke had a good life after they parted ways while she stayed stuck with sweet memories of him. I don't blame her, but I need her to snap out of it.

"No matter what that file says, it won't change the facts.", Serina responded after a long silence.

I saw her ready to give up. She was looking down on herself, thinking that she is not important and as much as I hated to admit it, my words were not strong enough to convince her otherwise. There was only one man she wanted by her side, and that was the boy she calls Duke.

I couldn't let her drown in depression again.

"What facts, Serina?"

She took a deep breath before responding, "The fact that he abandoned me after high school and that he moved on with his life without me in it. This unreasonable crush is obviously one-sided and even if it's not, it won't change the point where I am an immortal while he is not."

So, she worries if he is human? That is a natural concern of an immortal who fell for a human.

I didn't tell her that for the Soul Echo both parties need to be exceptionally strong, and humans don't fall into that category. But I can't speak to her about my suspicions that Duke is not human, not without evidence. I don't want to give her hope only to disappoint her later.

However, I need to plant a seed of possibility, something she can hold onto until I find out the truth.

"Will things change if he is immortal?"

Serina's eyes snapped toward me. "Why did you ask that?"

"What if he is not human?"

She was on the edge of her seat. "Do you know something I don't?"

And here she was, gripping onto that sliver of hope, just where I wanted her.

I raised my hands defensively. "I don't have any proof one way or another and I don't want to plant ideas into your head, but I know that you have feelings for him. I don't want you to dismiss him only because you believe that he is human."

She eyed me suspiciously. Did I reveal too much? Did she see through me? I don't want to lie to her, and I wanted to postpone revealing my suspicions about Duke until I have proof, but she was in a bad place and I had to say something.

She nodded slightly before asking, "Are you saying that you can create a potion or a pill to prolong his life and make him immortal?"

I released the breath I was holding. This theory will work just fine. Well, I can prolong his life, so I will not be lying even though this was not the outcome I was going for.

I tried to be cool about it. "Maybe. I know you have feelings for him, and if it's mutual, we can find a solution for you to be together for a long time."

Serina frowned. "Are you telling me to go to him?"

"No. I'm telling you that the only regrets I have, are related to missed opportunities. You might be happy with a man who loves you, but for true happiness, you need to love him too. I don't know what will happen if you go to him, but I know that if you don't, one day you will wake up and regret that you stayed passive and missed your chance for happiness."

Serina let out a long exhale and focused back on the window and clouds below us.

Sorry, Serina, but I can't say more than this and I hope this will be enough to keep you going until I finish my investigation on that boy.

The Soul Echo told me three things. Serina and Duke are both creatures of great power, their souls are interlinked, and their desire to be together is mutual.

Now that I know he is Drago Orsini, the investigation will go smoother, but if Serina gives up on him, there is no point in me looking into that boy at all.

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