029:- Wine and Blood 2

The door opened then, interrupting the conversation. Luka's easy smile was back on his face like it never left as he walked over to Alessio, "You didn't have to bring it yourself."

Silvan studied the tall, proud Vampire quietly, it was clear that Luka thought highly of Alessio so his ire wasn't all too surprising. He glanced over to Alessio who helplessly watched Luka take the tray from him, Alessio nervously glanced over at him in turn, and he was reminded of how their night ended the day before.

Luka picked up on the furtive glances, the previously gentle look in his eyes hardening just outside of Alessio's line of view. He swiftly filled up three goblets, "The ceremony will be held soon, we might as well get started on drinking." He said shortly, emptying his goblet.

Alessio took his but didn't drink, perching lightly on a nearby ottoman, self conscious and in the same vein, worried about Silvan who didn't drink.

Silvan didn't return the Vampire Prince's looks this time, he mimicked Luka's actions, and drank down the entire goblet. It was nothing like the light sip he had taken last night, it was heady, it felt like standing under a waterfall. It was strange to think but it made him think that if he could taste Alessio, this was what he would taste like.

But he wasn't a Vampire, and wine wasn't blood…

Silvan placed the goblet on the table with a soft thud, it snapped him out of his haziness, wine was a terrible idea if it was already setting fire to his thoughts.

Luka's smile flashed fangs, it was easy to tell that human Prince Silvan couldn't hold his wine. "Let's have another drink," He fanned the flames, mischief glittering in the ruby depths of his eyes.

"I don't think…" Alessio quietly started a protest, certain that Luka had ulterior motives.

A stronger voice joined in, "Drinking before the wedding?" It was the Queen, she seemed to materialize out of thin air, her dark eyes severe for a moment as it rested on Luka. "Without inviting me?" She tagged on, feigning hurt.

"Your Majesty," Luka bowed, his gestures perfect.

Queen Nadia shot him a cool look but her smile never left her face, "It's almost time for the ceremony, maybe we should keep the drinking for later. Don't you have duties to attend to this morning, Luka?"

"I am merely stopping by for a brief visit, I was worried His Highness was plagued with jitters." He said smoothly, wisely taking a step back.

"Alessio has Silvan to keep him company, it's best to take your leave before Duke Ramiere comes searching for you." She dismissed him.

"Sure," Luka muttered dryly, vanishing into nothing after one lingering look at Alessio.

Alessio remained unaware, flustered at his mother's words. "Why are you back again?"

Queen Nadia boldly invited herself to take a seat, clearly having no intention to leave. "How forward for someone shamelessly drinking right before an important ceremony," She half scolded, worry in her eyes as she looked at Silvan who looked out of it. "And how could you influence Prince Silvan to join you as well?"

"Alessio had nothing to do with it, it was my choice," Silvan spoke up, his voice was slightly raspy and his gaze seemed to stare at nothing ever so often.

Nadia rose to her feet again to move the wine out of reach, taking the yet to be drunk goblet of wine out of her son's hand as well. "Very well, but that's enough wine for now. I came here to fetch you two, it quite not yet time for you to make your appearance but guests have begun to arrive." Her crown caught the sunlight as she smiled, "I've prepared a side room for you two, an official will come for you when it's time to complete the rites."

Silvan listened quietly, the wine had made his thoughts sluggish, it dulled the panic he had been feeling all morning.

Queen Nadia turned around and started for the door, leaving the two Princes to follow behind her.

Alessio turned to Silvan, concern and guilt in his eyes. He should have tried harder to stop Luka, without the other's interference, Silvan wouldn't have independently made a decision to drink. Silvan rose to his feet with ease, seeming unaffected by the wine, leaving Alessio no choice but to rise to his feet as well to leave his room.

"How do you feel?" Alessio asked in quiet tones as they walked some distance behind his mother, distance that felt to be deliberate.

Looking at Alessio took effort, it felt like the wine blurred his vision except when he looked to the Vampire Prince, then he saw in technicolor. He dropped his eyes from Alessio's face, catching sight of the faint stain of a drop of wine on his otherwise pristine clothes.

"There's no reason to feel responsible," Silvan replied, looking away. "I can hold my wine better than you think." His vision blurred lightly as he spoke, as if mocking his words.

Some of the tension seeped out of Alessio, he had a faint smile on his face as he responded. "I can see that." He murmured, noting that his mother used a winding hallway instead of using a more direct route to the grand hall. "I wanted to apologize about last night, I should have been more careful with my words." He said the words that had been clinging to the roof of his mouth all of this time.

Silvan glanced over at him in surprise, he hadn't expected an apology when he had been the difficult one. Alessio made it incredibly difficult to keep him at a distance.

"As a proper apology, what do you think about a hunt?" Alessio went on, losing more of his awkwardness as he spoke. "I could have one organized if you want."

The topic of hunting had been the bone of contention last night, for Alessio to make such an offer, it meant that he truly thought no more of it. Silvan was trained in the arts of the sword as it was necessary for a Prince, but all of his spare time had been spent studying about the Saint Kalla, and as soon as he was done with schooling, he had run off to be a disciple at the temple.