Chapter 10 alastor
We finally reached Glenndehl just as the afternoon sun began to settle into a warm golden glow over the valley. The tall stone gates of the city stood open, welcoming travelers and residents alike. The moment we stepped through the entrance, I glanced over at Lexie.
Her eyes lit up immediately.
She looked around with open wonder, taking in every little detail like a child seeing the world for the first time. The cobblestone streets were alive with movement. Vendors called out to passing customers, selling fruits, fabrics, enchanted trinkets, and weapons. Creatures of every kind walked the streets together—vampires, fae, elves, werewolves, and dwarves—all living side by side in the bustling city.
“Wait until you see the castle,” Destiny said with a grin as she walked ahead of us.
I laughed quietly to myself as I watched Lexie try to look at everything at once. Her head turned left and right as people walked past us, talking and laughing.
“Do… other monsters live here?” she asked softly, her voice full of curiosity.
“Yeah,” I answered, glancing down at her. “And some of them are even mated to other races. It’s not unusual here—except maybe for dwarves. They usually stick to their own kind.”
Lexie nodded slowly, clearly fascinated by everything around her.
Just then, something small and glowing fluttered down from above.
A tiny fairy landed gently on Lexie’s shoulder.
Soft chiming bells rang out as the fairy’s wings shimmered in the sunlight. Lexie froze for a moment, her eyes crossing slightly as she tried to look at the tiny creature perched beside her face.
The fairy sparkled with soft green and gold light. For a second she hovered there, studying Lexie carefully.
Then, in a blink of light, she transformed.
Where the tiny glowing creature had been was now a small woman no bigger than a child. She had delicate wings that folded behind her back and long hair the color of summer leaves.
She smiled brightly at Lexie.
“I’m a nature fairy,” she said happily. “Your familiar.”
Lexie blinked in surprise.
Then she broke into a grin.
“Cool! I’m Lexie,” she said.
The fairy jumped excitedly into the air and spun once before landing lightly again.
“I’m June!” she announced proudly.
I couldn’t help but smile at the scene. It wasn’t uncommon for powerful beings to gain familiars, but seeing Lexie react to it so naturally made it feel special.
We continued walking toward the castle gates while June happily flew beside Lexie, occasionally landing on her shoulder like she belonged there.
Soon the castle came into view.
Lexie stopped walking for a moment.
“Whoa…” she breathed.
The castle of Glenndehl towered over the city, massive and beautiful all at once. Its tall spires reached toward the sky, built from deep crimson and dark stone. The walls were lined with balconies and arched windows that reflected the sunlight.
But what made it unique were the gardens.
Bright flowers climbed the castle walls in colorful vines. Roses, moon lilies, and glowing night blossoms bloomed everywhere along the pathways.
“It’s so bright… and happy,” Lexie said softly.
I followed her gaze.
The outside of the castle was a mixture of dark and bright red stone, softened by the gardens my mother and Destiny had spent years planting. It gave the place life—something most vampire castles lacked.
Destiny glanced back at me.
“We have to take her to the cave,” she said quietly.
I nodded.
“Yes… we do.”
But for now, I let the moment last a little longer.
I gently pulled Lexie closer to my side as we walked toward the main entrance.
The massive doors opened easily, and we stepped inside.
Lexie’s eyes widened again.
“Wow… it’s so big,” she whispered, turning slowly in a circle as she looked around.
The entrance hall stretched high above us, with towering columns and long banners hanging from the walls. Torches burned with soft crimson flames, lighting the dark marble floors beneath our feet.
I chuckled at her amazement.
“Have you never been inside a castle before?” I asked.
“No,” she admitted, shaking her head.
Destiny gave me a knowing look before slipping away down one of the side hallways.
“I’ll meet you later,” she said casually before disappearing.
I rolled my eyes slightly, knowing she was leaving me alone with Lexie on purpose.
“Come on,” I said to Lexie. “I’ll show you around.”
She followed eagerly as we walked through the halls.
I showed her the grand dining room, the training courtyard, the long hall of portraits, and the balcony overlooking the city.
Everywhere we went, Lexie looked completely fascinated.
Finally, we reached my room.
I opened the door and stepped aside.
“After you.”
Lexie walked inside first.
June fluttered in behind her and landed on the bedpost.
Lexie slowly walked across the room, taking everything in. My room was large but simple. A large bed stood near the window, while bookshelves and weapon racks lined the walls.
She ran her fingers along the top of the dresser.
“Red and black?” she asked.
“I like it to be dark,” I replied with a shrug.
She nodded thoughtfully.
“It suits you.”
She moved over to my desk and sat down in the chair.
Several sketches and drawings were scattered across the surface.
Her eyes lit up again.
“These are amazing,” she said as she picked one up.
I leaned against the wall, watching her.
Lexie studied the drawings carefully—landscapes, creatures, battle scenes, and symbols.
Then she picked up one particular drawing.
It was a heart with small devil horns, wrapped around a book.
She tilted her head.
“Was this your mate mark?” she asked.
I nodded.
Slowly, I lifted my sleeve.
The mate mark was etched along the inside of my arm, dark and permanent against my skin. The design looked almost identical to the drawing.
Lexie gently reached out and traced it with her finger.
Her touch was soft, careful.
“I didn’t know it would tell you I was a librarian,” she said quietly.
I chuckled under my breath.
The mark had always confused me growing up. A heart with horns and a book meant nothing to a vampire prince.
Until I met her.
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“Yeah,” I murmured softly.
I pulled my sleeve back down, but my eyes stayed on her.
Lexie looked up at me with a small smile.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The room felt quiet… warm.
June fluttered lazily through the air before settling onto Lexie’s shoulder again.
“So,” Lexie said softly, glancing around my room once more. “This is where the scary vampire prince lives?”
I smirked.
“Scary?”
She grinned.
“Well… maybe a little.”
I stepped closer until I was standing right in front of her.
“And you’re not scared?” I asked quietly.
Lexie shook her head.
“No,” she said.
Her answer was immediate.
Certain.
Something in my chest tightened.
Because the truth was… she should be.
Vampires were dangerous. My world was dangerous.
And yet she looked at me like none of that mattered.
Like I was just… Alastor.
I reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You might be the bravest person I’ve ever met,” I said.
Lexie laughed softly.
“Or the dumbest.”
I smiled.
Maybe both.
But as I stood there looking at her, one thing was certain.
No matter what dangers waited for us…
No matter what the cave would reveal…
Lexie had already changed everything.