Prince Phoenix's POV

I was finishing some paperwork regarding the recent war. More like forcing myself to do something. The urge of vengeance was constantly clawing at me. It was on the verge of exploding and bringing itself out. Dark thoughts constantly filled my mind and body. I craved for their blood and screams every moment of every day. Self control was getting extremely hard.

I did not want to walk into the dungeons now. Not before my Little Flower wakes up. I needed to know she was going to be okay with no permanent damage.

That was my priority now.

My plan was to make all of them to suffer for days but when I decide to end their pathetic lives, I want her to watch me do it. She needed to understand what would happen if anyone besides me dared to lay a finger on her. Dared to hurt her in any way.

I won't force her to watch but I would be very pleased if she doesn't defy me on the matter. I will make her watch them suffer if she doesn't want to watch them die.

One day after she was was moved into my chambers, Zenas, Esmie and Percival went down to the official castle dungeons and filtered out the guards who worked with Esther. We then moved them into the same place where Esther and Henrietta are kept.

I knew better than to follow them. I would have ripped everyone's head off.

I didn't know Percival shared a similar feeling towards one of the guards. Zenas told me the head butler punched one of the guards multiple times on the face before my brother had to forcefully pull him back.

I later learned that the guard had hit Odelle right in front of Percival when they were in the dungeons.

These past two weeks, the castle looked even more gloomy and dark. The atmosphere was quiet. I didn't know if I was the only one who felt it, but ever since this unimaginable tragedy befell my Little Flower, the entire castle and it's surroundings changed. It was never sunny anymore. The clouds were constantly grey.

I knew I played a big part in affecting the weather and the temperature, but the rest.

That was a big question.

It seems like everything got worse due to her current state.

Even the white roses that Odelle would put in the vase, wilted and turned brown in just a few hours. Little things like these bothered me but I didn't give it much thought. I just wanted her to wake up.

I continued to arrange the paperwork. It was late evening and I knew that the nurses were dressing her wounds. They always did it this time. The medicine given by the witches is said to make the healing process faster. Mostly for the external wounds. She might still carry the scars but they will be faded.

For this alone I was glad she was still asleep. She'd be in great pain if she was awake.

I did some more work for an hour before I went to my chambers. As I walked in, I saw her sleeping form. She was still wrapped up in bandages. She looked skinny. I took a quick shower and sat beside her on the chair. I caressed her cheek that was exposed.

"How I wish you would wake up."

~~~~~~~~

Beth's POV

"How's your arm now?" India asked.

"Better. Your ointment worked," I said softly. We were all given one big room to stay in. Mr or Mrs Salvador would come to give us our daily meals. The Dark Prince had ordered this. None of us were to leave or work until we were fully functional.

By we I mean me, Kyle, India, Tonya and Alex. For now, only Kyle was allowed to go in and out. He served Prince Timothy but I think he was more of a friend to the Prince than a servant. He also couldn't stand being in this room. Being in this situation. He needed a distraction and he had one.

It was depressing. No one spoke much. Each of us were in our own world.

So much has happened in the last three weeks. We were put in the dungeons by a psychotic jealous vampire, we were starved and betrayed by a crazy girl who was supposed to be a friend. I was stabbed. One of my friends is currently in a coma and none of us knew when she would wake up. My other friend is a witch and she's treating me using some kind of magic ointment. Tonya doesn't say much. The boy who I had, and still have a crush on never talks anymore and is more dead than alive.

I didn't know how or what to think after what happened. How were we going to recover from this?!! I was slowly losing my mind again.

Once my arm fully heals, I am going to start working. I have to ask for permission but I have to start doing something. I knew I would only need a couple of days more. My arm is much better already thanks to India.

I felt someone move my hair back. I looked at India. We were sitting on my bed. "You are strong. It's going to be okay. We'll get through this Beth."

"I don't know if I'm that strong. I still hear her agonizing screams in my head. It keeps replaying in my mind," tears began to wet my cheeks. "I can't bear to look at Alex. He's so pale. When will this horrid feeling pass?" I sniffed. She engulfed me in a hug. I then felt the bed dip on the other side of me. Tonya rested her head on my shoulder. "She will wake up. She will recover and so will Alex and all of us," Tonya spoke softly. She spoke after a long time so I was glad.

We stayed like that for some time. No one said anything. We just appreciated each others company and touch.

After a while Tonya sat up straight and stared at me.

"Bethany, you need to talk to him. He'll surely hear you out."

"Why me? What can I do Tonya? He witnessed everything." I whispered under my breath.

"He's close to you and I know you care about him a lot more than you admit. He cares for you too," she looked into my eyes.

"W....what? I...I..."

She gave me a genuine, soft smile. "You're the best person to talk to him now, Beth. I also hope that later, when all of this pass us by, you'll one day have the courage to tell him how you feel." I stared at her in shock, then slowly I loosened up and sighed.

She knows?

"I'll talk to him. Not now though."

"Thank you," Tonya said gratefully.

India then advised me to sleep as I wasn't getting any these past week.

~~~~~~~

Odelle's POV

"She destroyed the lives of so many in such a short time!!" I fumed at my husband. I walked back and forth unable to keep still. I was just so angry. I couldn't remember the last time I felt like this. I was never the angry type.

"I know," my husband muttered. I knew he was furious as well but he was good at controlling himself. He remained calm on the outside.

"If I were the Prince, I would definitely march down the south wing and....and....destroy them all!!" I shrieked. I started breathing hard until my dearest hugged me from behind.

"It's been years since I last witnessed your anger. Makes you cute actually," he chuckled. That riled me up even more.

"Percival!!!"

"Yes, yes I understand love. Calm yourself. Breathe," he stressed the last word.

I took his advice and controlled my anger. I had to take a seat.

"I....I just wanted him happy. His eyes....they were just beginning to look brighter you know? He had some color on his face. He was just starting to

feel. "

"I know. Even if he had no clue as to what he was doing, he still cared." My husband held me in his arms.

"She will be okay right?"

"Absolutely. It will take time. A lot of time but she'll be alright. With our help of course. Especially you my love."

"Both of us," I mumbled. She will need all the help and support there is. Just thinking about what happened it it burns me inside.

"I wish I could go into the dungeons."

"Love, you know we can't do anything to them. They belong to Prince Phoenix. He's just waiting for the right time to release everything he's been keeping, which includes his unsustainable wrath."

"When is the right time?"

"I'm not sure but soon." I slipped out of my husband's arms. "I have to serve dinner for the others. I'm sure they'll be hungry."

"I'll come with you, love."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beth's POV

Two days went by quite fast. My arm healed itself rather nicely. I asked Ms.Odelle if I could work again. She was hesitant at first, worried about my condition. After a lot of talking I convinced her to allow me into the kitchen. Tonya wanted to work as well. Ms.Odelle allowed it but she also instructed India to keep a close eye on her.

Now only Alex was left. He never spoke, he never touched his food and he doesn't sleep. I doubt Mr and Mrs Salvador would allow him to work any time soon. I told myself that I would speak to him that very night.

Work in the kitchen was light that day. The few of us there mostly helped with the cleaning. It felt nice to finally move my limbs a little. My arm would hurt at times but nothing I couldn't handle. I finished my work around eight thirty and went straight for our room. Once I took a shower and ate my dinner, I took some food and went to see Alex.

I found him in his usual spot. The balcony. He was just staring ahead. The balcony overlooked the gardens. In the far distance, trees and mountains. He would sit here all day and sometimes he would stay out the whole night. He no longer felt the cold which chilled his bones.

I quietly sat down beside him. Placing the plate of food beside me. I did not know what to say to him in that situation so I remained silent. I just sat there and gave him company. We stared into the inky sky. There were no stars. Not a single shiny dot.

It reflected the Dark Prince.

When Eve almost died, Prince Phoenix lost a huge part of self control, allowing his emotions to take over. Now that she's still in a coma, the prince isn't getting any better. Instead of dominating his powers, he unleashed them, spreading more fear among the people of Red Kingdom.

Him caring for our Eve came as a shock to us. More like a mind blowing fact but after listening to Kyle and even Ms.Odelle, everything that has ever happened to Eve made sense. We were the ones clueless enough to miss this bit of information. Every time I thought about her, my eyes welled up. I wanted her to wake up but I also feared the condition she would be in when she does. She would remember everything.

Could she accept all that's happened? Would she be the same? Would Alex be okay?

Unknowingly I reached out for his hand. I held onto to it tightly, not letting go.

After what felt like hours, his fingers tightened themselves around my hand. I held his hand with both of mine.

"I keep seeing it," he whispered so softly that his voice almost got carried away by the wind.

I waited for him to continue. When he didn't I asked.

"Keep seeing what?"

"What t..they d..did to her," his voice cracked. His brokenness shattered my heart. I knew he somehow felt responsible for what happened to his Eve. He was always like that.

"Whatever happened was not your fault. Don't you dare think that way Alex, please."

He didn't talk. It was like he refused to listen. I squeezed his hand and placed my other palm on his cheek. "Look at me." I turned his face towards me. When I saw his eyes, my heart ached all over again. They were filled with sorrow, regret and grieve. He was being tormented, still tortured by whatever he had witnessed. Alex was still living in the dungeons. His mind is still there, chained in the dark.

"Alex, she's safe now. Go see her."

"I can't."

"Yes you can. It's the only way you can come out of the dungeons. Just go see her. Talk to her. She might be able to listen and maybe when she hears your voice, she will want to wake up. She needs you Alex."

"No. No she doesn't."

"Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Who else does she have? The Dark Prince? She's terrified of him. She needs someone she can trust, someone who shares a tight bond with her. Family, Alex."

"You know this whole disaster was caused by a family member. Why would she need someone like me?"

"She's the girl you raised. She's the most meaningful thing that's ever happened to you. How could you even begin to ask ridiculous questions like these?!" I slightly raised my voice. He was beating himself up for the things he never did.

"She loves you more than anything and you, her." I never let go of his hand the whole time I spoke.

I felt a pang in my chest as I let the words flow. No matter what their relationship was, even if they say they're brother and sister, a part of me always believed that Eve was the best person for Alex and I had no right to have feelings for him. I couldn't stop my heart or my emotions though. I couldn't suppress them no matter how hard I tried.

Tonya just had to bring it up. That didn't help at all. Not in our current situation but she was right. I was just unsure and afraid about what would happen if I tell it out.

I forcefully pushed these unimportant thoughts behind me.

"Alex, go see her. Sit next to her. Hold her hand. It's what both of you need right now. The Dark Prince will allow you in, I know it. Please go." I spoke slowly meaning every word I said.

He stared deep into my eyes. His light blue bored into my dark brown. I knew he was contemplating what I had said. Battling with himself.

"Go, Alex." I whispered kissing his knuckles.

~~~~~~

Prince Phoenix sat watching his Little Flower sleep. The nurses had reduced the bandages covering her face. Now, only the left corner of her face and eye remained covered. He traced her bruised lips with his thumb. Just as he was going to lay down beside her, there was a light knock on the door.

He grudgingly walked up and opened the door. The Dark Prince was surprised to see Alex standing outside with a sullen look. What startled him even more was the boy's scent.

"C...can I see her?" he stared at Alex and after a while, he opened the door wider.

Alex hesitantly walked in. He went towards Eve in a daze. His steps slow. He then took a seat on the chair next to the bed. Alex couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked so fragile and small. He then nervously got up and went closer to her sleeping form. He brought his head near to her chest wanting to feel the thumping of her heart. He rested his head there for a few moments, with his eyes closed as if her breathing soothed him.

"She is alive."

"But not living," Alex mumbled a reply. He sat back on the the chair, looking at his Eve longingly.

"You should have more faith, boy. She will wake up.That's what keeps me going. That's what I wait for every minute of everyday ever since I found her in the dungeons." The prince's words left him dumbfounded. He still couldn't welcome the fact that the most feared hybrid in the world fell for his Eve. It was disturbing and he didn't want to think about it.

What the Prince said was true and good but it was easier said than done. Alex knew he had to be strong for Eve but he just couldn't. Not yet. The Dark Prince didn't see what he saw. The Dark Prince didn't hear her tormented screams, he wasn't there!!

Alex was. How could he erase everything and be her pillar of strength when he himself couldn't get back to his feet?!

"If she doesn't wake up, I will end my own life," he suddenly blurted out. The Prince wanted to hit him but he knew that Alex was just a kid. He was too young to witnessed something so horrific, and all that horror happened to his sister. Like it or not, the Prince had to understand.

"I don't think she would ever approve of you doing that," Prince Phoenix said instead. "I know it was hard...."

"No you don't Your Highness. You don't know how hard it was to watch those guys push her to the ground and take-"

"Enough!!"

"You can't even listen to what.."

"It's not that!! I need you to give me every single detail when I ask for it later! When I decide to torture those creatures for touching what's mine!" the prince yelled. He didn't want to listen to anything now. He wanted to know in his own time. The wrong words could trigger him in a bad way.

"So you'll punish them?"

"I wouldn't use the word punish. You have no idea what I've planned for them and I do not wish to talk about it. It only brings some sort of destruction so stop talking about things I do not want to hear right now." This made Alex keep quiet.

He looked at Eve again, all of a sudden wondering if she could hear them.

Maybe he could take Beth's advice and talk to her. Maybe.

"How did your parents die?" the Prince asked out of curiosity. Alex was annoyed because the Prince was making him talk. Talking felt like heavy work for him because it's been a long time since he last spoke this much.

"Mine were taken by vampires to work as slaves," his answer was short and clipped. The prince didn't care. The only word he heard was 'mine.'

"What do mean by 'mine'? The two of you are siblings."

"Yes but not blood related. We found each other as kids and grew up in the same house. I found her when she was seven and I was eleven at the time."

"Interesting. However, I wasn't asking if the two of you were siblings. You two are siblings. You are her brother."

"Yes, my Prince I know that. What I'm saying is that she's not my biological sist-"

"Yes she is." Prince Phoenix said deadpanned.

Alex didn't understand why the Prince just couldn't accept the simple fact that he and Eve were not blood related. He let out a heavy breath.

"What are you saying Your Highness?"

"You are her biological brother."

"But-"

"You share the same blood. Same kind of scent. One sniff and any vampire would know. So trust me when I say that you are brother and sister," he said sternly daring Alex to defy his words.

Alex couldn't process this information.

"You...I...You can't just..s..say something like this." Alex blabbered.

"You really didn't know?"

"Y...you must be wrong about this Your Highness. This can't be. I mean I know what happened about ten y..years ago."

"I don't know what happened or why both of you were clueless about this but I know one thing. I'm not wrong about this. We vampires would know if one being is related to another. I am a few centuries old Royal Pure Blood hybrid, boy. I am very certain.