Chapter 265: Home Doesn’t Recognize Me Anymore
Later that night, Morvakar stood at the balcony of Lord Lucivar’s castle, his broad silhouette swallowed by the shadows of the arching stone. The cold night air rushed around him. Below him, the city pulsed—lights glimmering, alleyways twisting. It should have felt like home. Once upon a time, it had been. He had been the Royal Protector, the keeper of the old archives, the man entrusted with safeguarding not only the kingdom’s history but its very heart. And yet, as he leaned against the balustrade, all he could feel was the hollow ache of loss.
He inhaled deeply, tasting the night, and whispered to himself, "Home doesn’t recognize me anymore." The admission stung. He thought of the years lost to banishment, of the halls he had once walked with pride now echoing without his footsteps. Gratitude for Damien’s mercy warred with a gnawing certainty: he couldn’t stay. Blood City was no longer his anchor; it was a reminder of everything stripped away. He was grateful for the lifting of his banishment, yes. But freedom didn’t mean belonging.
He told himself he’d stay at least until the heir’s naming ceremony. But beyond that? There was no place for him here. He had no reason to linger where ghosts of his former life prowled every shadow.
Thessa joined him on the balcony quietly. The wind tugged at her hair as she leaned casually against the railing beside him, though her eyes were more on him than the sprawling lights of Blood City below. "Hey," she said gently.
Morvakar turned his head, regarding her in the dim moonlight. There were fine shadows under her eyes. "You should get some rest," he murmured. "I don’t believe you’ve had a full night’s sleep in days."
Thessa gave a small, tired laugh. "That makes two of us." She folded her arms, then shook her head lightly. "I will, I promise. Eventually. But I wanted to check on you first. After... everything. I heard what Gabriel said." Her gaze flicked toward him with cautious concern.
"Seems like everyone did," Morvakar replied, offering a smile that was too thin to be convincing but warm enough to be kind. He pushed his hands into his pockets. "My son is dead," he said simply. But then his eyes softened. "Still... a lot of things now make sense."
Thessa leaned a little closer, studying him as if she could peel back the layers he used to shield himself. Then, in a sudden rush of courage, she said, "How about this? We deserve to celebrate your return to Blood City. You’ve been gone too long. We can go out tomorrow night... if... if you want. See a bit of the city. Have dinner."
Morvakar’s brow arched, and he tilted his head toward her. "Are you asking me out on a date?" There was a flicker of humor in his eyes now, a dry teasing edge that hadn’t been there moments ago.
Thessa gave an awkward half-laugh. "Well, uh... I mean... yes. Yes, I am. Gods, I’m terrible at this. Don’t make me regret it by teasing me."
He chuckled softly. "Thessa... I’m not staying. I have lived by myself a long time. I cannot..." He trailed off, searching for words.
"You... you have to stay," Thessa cut in, stepping forward, her body almost brushing his as she tilted her face up to his. "We may have defeated the biggest threat to the throne, but that doesn’t mean the danger is gone. We need you."
"I cannot, Thessa," Morvakar said. His eyes fixed on hers, and he added almost bitterly, "because I will be totally useless."
Thessa let out a short, sarcastic chuckle, folding her arms across her chest. "Do you hear yourself?" she asked. The wind lifted strands of her hair and swept them across her cheek, but she didn’t bother brushing them away. She just shook her head at him, her lips quirking in disbelief. "You’re standing here, the most formidable sorcerer this world has ever heard of, and you’re calling yourself useless? Please. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in weeks."
Morvakar gave her a sideways glance, the faintest smile tugging at the edge of his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Not anymore," he said quietly.
"What... what do you mean?" she asked.
"Defying the heavens," Morvakar murmured, "is not something one can do without consequences." He exhaled slowly. "I drained my powers, Thessa. I am... almost your regular true-blood vampire now." His eyes locked onto hers as if daring her to flinch.
Thessa’s shoulders sagged, and her hand flew up instinctively to cover her mouth. "Oh, Blood Goddess..." she whispered, her heart breaking for him. For a man who had been more myth than flesh, to be stripped of what made him legend—it was unthinkable. "I... I am so sorry," she breathed, because what else could she say?
But Morvakar only shook his head. "It was worth it though.To see the light again in Luna’s eyes... to watch her break free from the shadows that bound her... completely worth it."
Thessa’s throat tightened, emotion surging too fast to control. She stepped closer, closing the distance between them until only a breath separated them. His stillness unnerved her; he didn’t move away, but he didn’t reach for her either. She wanted—no, needed—to comfort him, to remind him that he was still more than his lost powers, that he was still wanted.
She reached up, hesitating for the barest moment before her fingers brushed against his cheek. His skin was cool, marble-like, and his sharp jaw clenched under her touch. Morvakar’s eyes widened slightly, and though everything about his rigid posture screamed for her to stop, his gaze pleaded silently—don’t make me want this. Yet he did not step back.
Thessa swallowed hard, her courage trembling but holding. She leaned in, her eyes fluttering shut, and pressed her lips to his. It was soft at first, a fragile offering in the night air, and for one long second Morvakar remained rigid as stone.
Then the dam broke.
(Please see author’s note)