Married To Darkness-Chapter 369: Night To Feed

"What if we eat some of it now? Then it won’t take up space!"

Lucius groaned. "That’s not how packing works, Jean."

Jean ignored him. "What if we bring a cook with us?"

"No," Alaric and Lucius said in unison.

Jean gasped. "You didn’t even think about it!"

Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose. "Because the answer is no."

Jean turned to Salviana for support. "You see what I deal with? They’re oppressing us."

Salviana laughed. "We’ll make do. But maybe we should add a few extra snacks."

Alaric sighed, knowing that fighting this battle was pointless. "Fine. But nothing excessive."

Jean grinned. "Excellent. Now, let’s get to work before someone suggests we live off dried meat and wet bread."

Lucius muttered, "I still don’t see what’s wrong with that."

Jean ignored him completely, dragging Salviana toward the kitchen, already planning out their emergency snack reserves.

"I still don’t understand the trend of these two complaining about things like they’re more royalty than us, fiery wife,"

"They’re not even royalty!" Salviana laughed while the two rolled their eyes at the topic.

They were royals at heart.

After their second meal—because Jean had insisted that food was a priority—Alaric leaned back in his chair and exhaled.

"Get some rest," he told the women. "We leave before nightfall."

Salviana frowned. "Why at night?"

Alaric glanced at Lucius, who simply raised a brow. Then, with a small smirk, Alaric stood and walked toward Salviana, closing the space between them.

She stiffened, aware of how his presence always did something to her. She had been mad at him this morning, hadn’t she? Then why was her heart racing like this?

Alaric leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, "We need to feed."

A shiver ran down her spine.

Of course.

She pulled back slightly and met his gaze. He looked as composed as ever, but she could see it—the hunger simmering just beneath the surface. It was the same with Lucius, though he was better at hiding it.

Lucius finally spoke, his voice smooth. "We’re setting off on a long journey. It’s best we leave at full strength."

Jean, who had been nibbling on some leftover fruit, suddenly looked up. "Ohh," she said knowingly. "You mean... you need a blood snack."

Alaric sighed. "Must you put it that way?"

Jean shrugged. "It’s the truth, isn’t it?"

Salviana exhaled and crossed her arms. "Where do you plan on—" She cut herself off and looked between them. "No. Never mind. I don’t want to know."

Lucius smirked. "Good girl."

Salviana rolled her eyes, but Jean’s curiosity was very much alive.

"Wait, wait, wait," Jean said, leaning forward. "Are you two... going to the city?"

Lucius tilted his head. "Of course."

Jean gasped. "Then I want to come."

Alaric and Lucius simultaneously said, "No."

Jean groaned. "Why not?"

Salviana shook her head. "Jean, I don’t think watching them drink blood is on your bucket list."

Jean hummed. "You’d be surprised."

Lucius chuckled darkly. "You wouldn’t handle it."

Jean scoffed. "Please. I’ve seen Alaric kill people before."

Alaric gave her a pointed look. "This is different."

Jean pouted. "Fine. But you better not come back all broody and mysterious. I prefer my vampires well-fed and tolerable."

Lucius laughed. "We’ll do our best."

Alaric turned to Salviana and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was warm, and his voice was softer when he said, "Rest, my love."

Salviana hesitated before nodding. "Just... be careful."

Lucius smirked. "We’re always careful."

Alaric, however, held her gaze a moment longer before stepping back. Then, without another word, he and Lucius disappeared into the night.

As Alaric and Lucius stepped out into the cool night air, they signaled for the three guards stationed outside their chambers—Samion, Jaefel, and Heappal.

The men approached quickly, standing at attention. They were expecting orders for the night, perhaps even an assignment.

But instead, Alaric simply said, "You’re not coming with us."

The three guards visibly deflated.

Jaefel frowned. "We can fight."

Heappal crossed his arms. "We’re fast."

Samion tilted his head. "And we’re very, very bored."

Lucius chuckled at that, but Alaric shook his head. "It’s not about fighting. This is not an adventure, it’s... necessary business."

Jaefel narrowed his eyes. "Necessary business? That’s the most suspicious way to say it."

Heappal muttered, "Sounds like an adventure to me."

Lucius smirked but didn’t comment.

Alaric sighed. "Look. If we ever have to go on another trip after this, we’ll take you three along."

Their expressions immediately lifted.

Samion grinned. "Promise?"

Alaric gave a slow nod. "Promise."

That was good enough for them.

Jaefel clapped his hands together. "Alright then! While you two go on your ’totally-not-an-adventure,’ we’ll guard the chambers."

"Watch them well," Alaric instructed. "Especially tonight."

Heappal raised a brow. "Why tonight?"

Lucius’s gaze darkened slightly. "Because it could be a long one."

The way he said it sent a slight shiver down Jaefel’s spine.

But Samion, ever the relaxed one, just grinned. "Got it. We’ll make sure no one gets in... or out."

Alaric nodded in approval, and with that, he and Lucius stepped into the night, vanishing into the shadows.

The darkness concealed them like a second skin as Alaric and Lucius moved through the shadows with predatory grace, their vampiric speed carrying them effortlessly past the unsuspecting guards. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Neither man spoke as they descended into the Wyfkeep Castle dungeon, the air growing thick with dampness, rot, and the distant sound of groaning prisoners.

Lucius let out a slow exhale, his sharp eyes adjusting to the dim torchlight. "You know what I like the most about feeding here?"

Alaric was already smirking.

Lucius grinned. "We can suck them dry."

Alaric chuckled lowly as their boots echoed against the stone floor.

They walked deeper into the dark alley of cells, passing filthy, half-starved prisoners who barely registered their presence. Most of them were too broken to care who came or went.

But they weren’t here for just anyone.

Before they indulged, before they entertained themselves with the pathetic creatures rotting away in the dungeon, they had a different kind of prey to find.

Sweet Jaron.