The vapor of the spa spatches was serpenty on the surface of the water, mixing with the fragrant breeze coming from the woods around. It was all calm, silent. Malak UG, the veteran paladin of dark skin and robust torso, dived to his chest in the warm waters, resting his wide arms on the stone edge. His eyes closed, his breath slowly ... For the first time in years, he felt at peace. 

"It's too good to last ..." he murmured with himself. 

His body, marked by scars of dozens of battles, now rested. But his soul still carried the weight of unfinished missions. There was still war, there was still a false god on the loose. 

The light steps did not announce their arrival. Just the sound of a soft dive and the aroma of night flowers warned Malak that he was no longer alone. 

"Such a strong and lone warrior deserves company in sacred waters," - said Aether, queen of the elves, when she emerged softly by her side. 

She was naked, her raw skin contrasting with wet silver hair that stuck to her lap. There was a slight flushing in their cheekbones, but the golden eyes stared at Malak firmly - a mixture of desire and fear. 

"Majesty," he said, trying to focus on her eyes, though his gaze diverted for a second. 

- Don't call me that here. I don't want to be queen now, "she said, getting closer - I'm just a woman now.

Malak hesitated. He was a paladin. Devotee, disciplined, guided by sacred votes. But it was also a man. And she ... was beautiful like moonlight. 

"If you allow me to be just a man, then I don't see sin in that," he said, the serious voice, almost embargoed. 

Aether bite her lower lip lightly, delighted with the answer. She climbed on him with elegance and hunger contained. Malak welcomed her firmly, the bodies intertwined under the warm waters. It was intense, kind and true. 

After the act, still hugged his chest, Aether said softly: 

- It was my third time ... 

Malak looked surprised. She smiled confidently, even if she blocked her. 

- Don't underestimate me ... I like to choose well. 

- I would never do that. And why an old paladin? 

"You're strong, fair and ... too good to just be a woman." - She snuggled up. - That girl ... is your daughter? 

- Almost. Pupil. I took care of her like my daughter 

Aether nodded thoughtfully. 

"If you stayed I could give you a honorary Count title, you know?" You could be my consort ... maybe husband. 

"But I wouldn't survive under the elapses, Queen." He laughed with irony and tenderness. 

"I could open an exception," she said with a malicious glow in her eyes. 

Malak just sighed. 

- When all this is over ... Maybe I retire from the sword. Find a wife. Alive of the earth. 

"Maybe I'm waiting for this day," said Aether, softly, enchanted. 

Later, at the Magic Portal, Axiel, Elena, Iris, Aurelia, Nivea and Nyalan appear teleported by Loriel, who already plays with her usual humor: 

- I arrived with the circus! Vampire, elf, two semi-edigned and one mascot! Who wants cotton sweet? 

The group appears in the Garden of Spa, and the first thing they see is Malak and Aether coming out, wrapped in towels, with damp hair. Elena snorts on time. 

- You brought us where to make it? asked the vampire. 

- Serious? Spa? Now? Said Elena, incredulously. 

Aether jumps lightly, happy, oblivious to tension. 

- Hello, Axiel! I loved your friend. Malak is well ... competent. - She blinks, platter. 

Nivea, even with bandages, laughed discreetly. Malak lifted an eyebrow, not denying what had just happened as Loriel cried with laughter. 

Hours later, gathered in the castle halls, Elena reveals to Aether what happened to Aurelia and the mother queen. Nyalan, the millennial counselor, also listens. Aether, though reluctant, calls his armies to prepare against Arkaaniel. 

Meanwhile, Axiel and Malak gather on the balcony. The vampire looks at the horizon with his scarlet gaze. 

"I'll need your help," says Axiel. 

Malak watches the vampire's dark face and does not disagree. He understands. 

Loriel plays: 

- If I'm a taxi driver, I hope tip. Teleporting vampire and harem is expensive! 

"I didn't ask," Iris grumbles. - This is getting too dangerous! 

"You'll be here for security," says Elena, firm, and delighted with her beauty, "not for choice." 

At night there is a big party in the castle's silver halls. The possible last party before the war. Laughter hide fear. 

Aether joins Malak and Aranna, laughing at simple things. Nivea, Aurelia and Nyalan, talked about different politics and cultures. Iris approaches Elena and, drunk, exchange confidences on men, misadventures and shared beds. 

Loriel, now adult, silently approaches Axiel, isolated on the porch. The vampire watches the moon with an empty expression. 

- Why don't you join the party? 

- In all the fragments I remember, you are in them. What did I go to you? 

She kisses him. Far away. Passionate. More memory fragments explode inside him - Loriel, younger, lying beside him, whispering promises. A forgotten love. 

When he opens his eyes, she has already returned to the fairy form, disappearing at night. 

He punches the wall, frustrated. 

- Who am I? Why do I feel I lost everything for nothing? 

Elena and Iris arrive, laughing, stumbling into wine. Iris throws himself upon him and kisses him teasing. Then kiss Elena. Axiel laughed surprised by the taste of both, losing focus of the lost anger. When he prepared to get out of the room, Elena holds his hand, looking in the eye. 

She kisses him. 

- Oh no, Axiel. Tonight ... You are ours. 

Axiel hesitates, but then relaxes. I smiled. 

"Today we are the Predators, dark hero," Iris said, taking his own clothes and Elena. 

Axiel smiled again, and that night, between naked bodies and the shadows of the past, Axiel accepted the present. 

In the dark, invisible, Loriel cried. Not just by jealousy. But for all that was forgotten ... and everything that would still be destroyed. 

...