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"Mmm..." was the sound he made when she suggested to go and find the rabbit. "Right. Give me a moment and I will help you," he said, pointing toward the cellar. He was starting to feel the beast inside him rousing in hunger. "You go ahead, and I'll be up in a moment." He gave her a gentle smile as he made his way over to the door, and felt refreshed when the cool air rushed at him as he opened it.

By the time he grabbed a cold jar, and poured himself his meal, his eyes were bright crimson, glowing brightly, and his fangs pressed over his lower lip. The beast subsided though, and reverted to his normal self slowly. He sat in the chair for a long moment, his head leaning back, as he held the empty glass in his hands. He let out a slight groan and raised his hand to his face to rub it.

He stood slowly, feeling exhausted for some reason... a very odd thing since he had just fed, and headed back upstairs.

Zalia nodded in understanding and made her way upstairs, calling out the little rabbit's name. She'd find him curled up right in the middle of her bed, sleeping away. "Oh, you silly little thing." she said with a light giggle. "That bed practically engulfs you." She took the pet into her arms and carried him downstairs. "I found him, Alezander. He looks just fine."

That was certainly a relief to her.

He met her as she was coming down the stairs, and smiled down to the little animal. It was good to see that he was alright, since he would hate to see Zalia upset upon arriving home. "Seems he was waiting for you to get home. I think he really likes you. Definitely thinks you are his mother."

He placed his hand gently on her back and led her toward the study. "Are you hungry or anything? It's been a long walk over the past few days... so if you need anything, let me know." He knew she might be tired, since he had more unnatural stamina than she.

Zalia walked along with him, and sat down once they were in the study. He was right, she was exhausted. "I am a bit hungry." she said quietly. She pet Shadow as the bunny settled in her lap. "Hm... I never really knew what it was like to have a mother. I never had one." She pet the bunny on it's head. "But I am hungry...so maybe something to eat. And I should feed soon just to be safe."

Her eyes drifted closed for a moment, but then opened. "I'm tired." she admitted with a soft giggle. "After I eat, I'm going to bed."

"Sounds like an excellent idea," he said, standing up straight and walking for the door. "I'll be back then." He left the room, and made his way toward the kitchen. He opened the cabinets, and looked everything over. What would be simple to make, yet tasty enough for Zalia. His eyes moved about the shelves. Finally he decided a simple bowl of soup would suffice.

He warmed it, to a nice hot temperature, and made his way back toward the study. He pulled a little table over to Zalia and sat the soup in front of her, placing a few crackers next to it as well. "Nothing fancy, unfortunately."

Zalia looked at the soup that Alezander brought. "Thanks. It's fine, I don't mind. It looks delicious." She just wanted food, no matter what. She would eat it, while Shadow sniffed at Alezander's foot and ended up laying down on it. This produced a quiet giggle from Zalia.

Once she was done eating, she put her dishes away and picked up Shadow. "I'm...going to go to bed, now." She bit her lip. After sleeping in the same room as him for so many days, she was worried that being away from him might cause nightmares. "Uhm...goodnight."

Alezander looked down to Shadow when he laid on his foot. "That, not matter how comfortable it is, is not your bed. Sorry to say," he said, kneeling down, though careful not to disturb the bunny. He pet it lightly, quite surprised at how soft he felt. He knew young rabbits were soft, but Shadow seemed extra soft.

When Zalia stood, and picked up Shadow, he stood as well. As she said her good night, he moved forward, pulling her into him. He held her head against his chest and said, "Thank you again, for all you've done... for sticking by me through all of this."

Zalia's face grew bright red. "...you're squishing Shadow, Alezander..." she mumbled. She pulled away and set the bunny down, his noise wiggling discontentedly. Then Zalia suddenly turned back to Alezander and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. She held him, hugged him, wishing the moment would last forever. "I will always be here for you, Alezander. Whenever you want me."

She finally let go of him. "Alezander...is it possible...that you will stay in my room until I fall asleep? I know it's a silly, childish request..."

Though he was surprised by the request, he had no objection to it. Actually, he felt he would prefer it for the time being. It was nice to not face the lonliness of the day, alone in his room.

"Of course," he said, smiling and resting his hand on her head lightly. "I'd be more than happy to oblige." He took her lightly by the hand when she once again had Shadow in her arm, and led her quietly through the house. He made his way into her bedroom, pulling back the blankets for her and then making his way toward the door. "I'll let you change, just let me know when you are ready."

Zalia smiled in relief. She was so pleased that he had agreed, it was a great burden lifted off of her shoulders. She walked along with him to her room after securing Shadow in her arms, then would nod as he left. It took but a moment for her to change into her pajamas and fetch Alezander. "I'm ready."

She smiled and went to lay down in her bed, pulling up the covers and getting all settled. Shadow hopped up and curled up on top of the blankets, beside her. Zalia gave a soft giggle. "I'll admit...I do feel like a princess..."

Alezander entered when she allowed and made his way to a chair near her bed, pulling it a bit closer. He smiled gently when the rabbit made it's way to her side, and nodded his head at Zalia's words.

"That's because you are one," he said, closing his eyes for a moment, to relax himself for a bit. "Would you like for me to tell you a story? To help you fall asleep?" He remembered how his mother would do that for him, when he had trouble falling asleep. "Or should I remain quiet and allow sleep to come to you?"

Zalia smiled at his offer. "Yes, please. I would like to hear a story from you." She wondered what kind of story he would tell her. After a moment of thought though, she spoke again. "So...if I am a princess, Alezander, then what are you?" A moment more of thoughtfulness, and once more she spoke. "I never thought of myself as a princess before. But you make me either feel like a princess...or a child."

He smirked, having a feeling what she implied when she said what she did. "I am whatever you wish for me to be. I am quite good at adapting to roles." He leaned back, thinking for a moment. "I treat you like a Princess, because you deserve to be treated as such. Just like the story of Aschenputel, you've been told otherwise, but, with a little encouragement, you can overcome those lies and become the person you were meant to be."

His answer was less than satisfactory, actually. "No, Alezander. What are you? What you are isn't for me to choose." She looked at him, thinking for a time after he told her of Aschenputel. "Who was I meant to be then, Alezander? I say I feel treated like a princess, but I'm not actually a princess. I've spent my life running from my father and hiding from humans and vampires alike. I'm just a coward.." She looked away and then closed her eyes, sighing.

"No, you don't have the riches, and the possessions... or even the title of a Princess. But I'm not talking about that kind of princess. I'm talking about what's on the inside. What makes you who you are." He stood and walked over to the side of her bed. "Hardly a coward. Just lost, not knowing your true place in the world."

He leaned over the bed, placing a hand on either side of her. "As for what I am; I am what you choose me to be. Because it all depends on what you choose yourself to be." He leaned down, brushing his lips lightly against hers.

Zalia listened to him, sighing quietly. "On the inside, hm..?" He was right, however, when he called her lost. She was indeed lost. When he leaned over the bed, she felt the weight and opened her eyes. Those eyes went wide when she realized how close he was. "It depends on me?" she managed to question, before suddenly their lips were touching. Her cheeks turned bright red, she stared in shock at Alezander. One moment went by, then two. Finally she just wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, hugging him.

"I love you." she whispered. Still...she was worried. Her grip on him tightened. She feared he'd still run away from those words she whispered.

He merely smiled when she pulled him closer, almost able to sense the fear in her heart. But he wouldn't leave, he wouldn't run. That was the last thing he wanted to do now at the moment. "Then, I will be your Prince," he said, pulling away from her only a little. He smiled down at her, and closed his eyes as he muttered his next words, "I love you, too."

It felt a bit odd, actually admitting something like that. He had been trying to oppress those feelings, trying to determine if they were genuine or not.

Zalia buried her face against his shoulder. Never had she ever expected anyone to tell her that. Tears welled up in her eyes, and finally streamed down her cheeks. She was happy. Someone loved her. Someone wanted her. She was special to someone. She cried against him, holding him close to her. This was big for her. Her whole life, her father kept telling her how terrible she was, how much he hated her. How she didn't deserve anyone's affections. But now...now Alezander was making her see things in a new light.

Now Alezander made her feel like she was loved.

Alezander held her for a long time, just enjoying that emotional moment for as long as he could. Though he soon pulled away; but not before giving another light kiss to her. He stood up, stroking a few strands of hair from her face.

"I'll let you sleep now. After all that travelling, the restless nights in those inns, I'm sure you are very tired. You know what to do if you need me." He gave a soft smile, a rare, true smile, before he turned to her door. "Good night, my little Princess."

Zalia was a little more collected this time, and returned the light kiss. The kiss that was so very special to her. By the time he pulled away, she had stopped crying. She watched him go to the door, and smiled softly. "Good night...my prince.." She was so shy, saying it aloud. Her finger rubbed the ring that she wore, that would call him to her side. She never ever took it off. And now, it was even more special to her.