Just a drop...

Iris smiled as she scooped the ice cream into Cassandra's mouth. She chuckled at the sound she made. "I'm glad I didn't hurt you...I couldn't live with the thought." She shook her head. "I'm glad Julian found you that night, I would hate to imagine what could become of you if things had taken a different turn." She shook her head then as she fed her another bite and fell quiet. Iris raised her brow and playfully chuckled as Cassandra spoke that she had no stories to offer in return. "It isn't always about what we have in our past." She searched Cassandra's eyes as she faced her.

Iris closed her eyes, her breath shook slightly as she felt Cassandra's breath graze over her lips. Iris felt her pulse increase, she could feel the heat on her cheeks as she leaned forward slightly. Then the door opened suddenly. One of the spoons clattered to the ground as Iris jumped up catching the ice cream in her hands, her eyes wide. Iris looked to Julian with warm cheeks. "Don't you knock?" She asked her brow raised. She then glanced to Cassandra before she looked back to him as he walked from the room. "He's in a mood..." She muttered.

Iris chuckled then as she looked to Cassandra. She took in a deep breath as she looked to the ice cream. "Hm." She took a bite and savored it, a smile curving up her lips. "We should continue this later?" She looked to Cassandra her eyes danced about her. "I'll put this away." Iris was gone in the next moment she returned. She grabbed a piece of paper as it flew up from her desk from her quick movement. She set it back down. "I feel so good." She noted and then grinned. "Thank you." She stepped over to Cassandra and cupped her cheek. She searched her eyes, a smile curved up her lips once again. She chuckled, "Ah can you hear my heart?" She asked and grinned as it raced within her chest. She shook her head as she stepped away. She stepped behind the dressing screen and pulled on a new outfit. She pulled on a black tunic and fastened over a black corset with dark blue stitching. She then pulled on tight black leggings before she pulled her boots on. Iris stepped out from behind the screen and over to her dresser, she brushed through her hair and pinned in her rose as usual. She then smiled to Cassandra. "Ready?" Iris asked softly.

She turned and headed down the hallway. She had to focus on slow movements, she glanced behind them, she could hear the clatter of the kitchen as food was being prepared. Everything was heightened. She looked to Cassandra and then grinned, she had a playful smile about her face. "You really should get to enjoy yourself more." She spoke grinning. "I'm going to make a point to make sure you do." She knocked gently on the study door.

The door pulled back and Lucille pulled Iris into a tight embrace. "Iris." She breathed. Her eyes moved to Cassandra and she gave a smile. "Cass, good to see you, thank you for looking after her."

Iris stepped into the study and was greeted by an embrace from the king. He held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he pulled back, his hands on her shoulders. He stared into her icy blue eyes.

Iris nodded to him. "I feel different...but much better, thanks to Cassandra." She glanced to her, her cheeks flushed pink for a moment before she looked back to her father. "What did they do to me?" She questioned. "I remember the chamber...I...I couldn't move, I tried so hard to get out...I remember Arden standing on the otherside of the glass staring at me....he had a wicked grin...." Her eyes darkened, her breathing increased.

Sebastian watched his daughter, he watched her eyes change. He stepped forward and gently gripped her jaw, "Let me see." He spoke. Iris opened her mouth for him. Sebastian turned her jaw from side to side gently examining her. "I think that scientist is right..." He muttered and glanced to Lucille. "I think he did succeed." He searched Iris' eyes looking to the beautiful teal color that sat within the black depths. "I think you're the first full hybrid..."

Iris drew her brows together. "But...I'm not an animal..." She spoke and shook her head. "I'm not a Lycan." She took in quick breaths.

"You're not fully a Lycan dear." Lucille smiled softly. "Though, you've taken on some of their traits. But at least you haven't adopted their stench." She winked before she looked to Cassandra a long moment. It was as if Lucille knew something. "At least you're here, you're safe. That is all that matters. Now we just figure this out."

"And kill Arden." Iris spoke, she crossed her arms, her smile was wiped from her expression. "I want him dead. I want them all dead." Her fangs lengthened slightly, her claws grew in, her breathing increased.

"In time, we need to understand what they've done to you first." Sebastian narrowed his brows. "I need to know you're in control..."

Iris looked to her father a moment with her dark eyes, her brows tucked together. She then glanced to Cassandra her expression softened and her features slowly melded back to normal. "I'm in control." She spoke as she looked to her father.

"You know how Lycans are." Sebastian spoke softly. "Could you and Cassandra interrogate the scientist? Find out what you can. Maybe he knows where Arden ran off to, I can't believe he hightailed it. I've never seen him run so fast." He chuckled then. "You put up an excellent fight, Cassandra...I forgot to tell you that with everything going on..."

Lucille's eyes were on Cassandra, as if she was studying her. She looked to her husband and nodded. "Yes, no one in the coven has been able to chase Arden off like that. You really scared him." Lucille stepped forward to her daughter and cupped her cheek. "I'm so glad to have you back, Iris." She hugged her again holding her tight.

Sebastian glanced to Cassandra, his eyes watching her. "Are you feeling well?" He asked his eyes curious. "You've a bit of blood." He stepped forward and brushed blood from her neck, it was only a few drops, but he'd noticed. He glanced to his daughter then, a bit of a smirk turned up his lips. He realized how she'd recovered so quickly now.

Iris looked to her father, her cheeks blushed slightly. "We will go interrogate that scientist now." She spoke as she slipped from the room. She tugged Cassandra along with her. She looked to her as she stepped down the hallway. "He knows that you let me drink from you." She spoke and then let out a soft laugh. "You know, humans don't really allow that, never willingly." She chuckled as they made their way down the stairs to the basement. "But, you're not just any human." Iris chuckled as she looked to her.

She pushed the door open to the interrogation chamber where the scientist was bound to a chair. "Ah hello." Iris stepped into the room. She stood before him, her arms crossed. "Tell me what you've done." Her eyes darkened.

Nigel looked to her, he trembled slightly. "I did what I had to do..." He whispered. "Arden forced me into it...I...tried to tell him not to do this to you." He had a pleading look in his eyes.

Iris leaned forward, her fangs were visible as she sucked in a breath. "Arden." Her voice was a growl. "Where did he run to?" She questioned. "I want him dead."

Nigel looked to her with frightened eyes. "I...I don't know...he um..he..." He looked to Cassandra and then back to Iris. "He always spoke of a fortress to the north...the mountains...he said he was going to take you there once we finished off the coven..."

"He planned to kill everyone?" She questioned, her brows tucked together.

"Y-Yes he planned to finish off the king and queen, everyone in the coven. That was a plan of King Levi...he spoke of the future...King Levi did...of what a hybrid would mean...Arden...h-he didn't care...he just wanted me to do it...that's why he did it to you...this was only supposed to be done as a trial on a human subject...." He swallowed hard. "He made me..."

Iris stood she crossed her arms. "Ever heard of something like that? A fortress up north?" She glanced to Cassandra. She growled lowly. "I'll rip his head off, no....I'll break his fucking back..." Her breathing increased. "He wanted to wipe out the entire coven? A coven that hasn't hunted him...a coven that has stayed out of their way as long as they stayed out of ours....other covens hunt the lycans down just like the order." She leaned in, her hands gripped over his wrists, her claws pushed into his skin. "I'll make him suffer..." She snarled beginning to give in to the animalistic side...allowing her lycan to come forward. She breathed quickly. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now." She gripped his throat her eyes stared into his. Nigel writhed slightly, he couldn't breathe with how tightly she'd clutched onto him. He stared to her with wide eyes as he tried to speak, not a sound escaped him.

Iris' eyes softened as Cassandra touched her arm. Her grip loosened slightly. She took in quick breaths. Slowly her hand fell away from Nigel's throat as she looked to Cassandra, the icy blue color returned to her eyes. She only nodded and took a step back as she watched Cassandra speak to the lycan. Her eyes watched intently. She listened. He'd kept her safe. THe memories rushed through her mind now. She remembered him stepping up to the chamber, his eyes looked sad, almost worried for her. He'd even pressed his hand on the opposite side of hers as he spoke to her through the glass. She couldn't make out his words, but they didn't feel agressive like Arden's. Though each time Arden would return Nigel would slink away, hiding that he had any emotion at all.

Iris took in a gasp of air as he spoke of the transfusion. She remembered feeling so powerless. So cold. She could barely move. She bit her lip slightly, they were injecting her with something to cause her to feel that way. She drew her brows together as Cassandra spoke of keeping him. "That isn't going to go over well with my father..." She spoke as she glanced to Nigel. "I remember the kindness in your eyes." She nodded and took in a slow breath. "I'll try to help, just as you helped me..." She then followed Cassandra back to her father's study. Iris stood calmly she watched the two, her father had the reaction that she expected. "Father, if I may." She spoke, "He did help me. I can remember the arguments he got into with Arden...as he tried to speed up the process...I was locked in the container for..." She looked down and shook her head. "I'm not sure how long I was in there...but I know that every chance the scientist got, he stood before me when Arden was gone. His eyes were concerned, he spoke to me...If anything he shouldn't be killed just for the sake of keeping me safe...I still don't know everything that has changed...but I'm not in control..." She shook her head and glanced to Cassandra. She knew Cassandra was her control, somehow in some way Cassandra would have to save her from herself.

"Well if you're going to keep your new pet don't forget to pick up after him." Lucille pipped up from the desk. She chuckled then. "Dear, it is very possible that...." She paused. "Nigel...did you say?" She looked to Cassandra. She then gave a warm smile. "Yes, that Nigel kept our daughter alive. We owe him that at least. He may be a Lycan, but you said it yourself...he isn't like the others...it is possible to be a monster on the outside but not on the inside and vise versa." She tilted her head slightly. "Cass, I'm going to task you with taking care of him. I don't want to go anywhere near him, I can't stand the smell." She wrinkled her nose slightly. "We have rooms in the basement that have acted as cells before. He will be safe there."

Sebastian drew his brows together as he looked to his wife. "Lucille if the council gets word that we are hosting a Lycan." His voice was a growl.

Lucille stepped to him, her hand on his chest, she gazed up into his eyes. "Calm down dear, as far as the council need be concerned he is our prisoner due to circumstances. We need him to make sure our daughter is safe." She nodded.

Iris watched as her father softened and gave a nod. "Very well...Cassandra and I will take care of him."

"No." Lucille spoke, "Cassandra will take care of him. I don't want you near him." Her eyes stared to Iris then. "I don't want him near you...more like. Unless you become ill. I don't want him trying to conduct any more tests."

"Mother, he...."

"No." Lucille spoke. "I don't want you getting mixed up in this dear."

"Mother I already am." Iris' eyes darkened, her voice a growl. "I have no choice in this." Her new fangs were visible as she spoke.

"Hm..." Sebastian watched his daughter. "You've always had a bit of a temper." He chuckled, "It's just a lot easier to tell when you're upset." He grinned. "Lucille let her, if we're going to keep him he might as well perform routine checks on her when they take him food."

Iris looked to her mother whom nodded. "Of course." Lucille spoke. "Why not break all of the rules?" She then chuckled. She looked to the clock. "Dinner?" She questioned.

Sebastian licked his lips. "Yes, that sounds lovely dear." He stepped forward and hugged Iris, "Be careful." He whispered to her and kissed the top of her head.

Lucille watched Iris a moment before she glanced to Cassandra. "Cass, could I have a word with you?" She asked her voice calm.

Iris glanced to Cassandra a moment before she quietly stepped from the room and leaned against the wall outside, she crossed her arms as she waited. Sebastian followed her a smile on his lips.

Lucille smiled as she stepped forward to Cassandra, she searched her eyes. "Iris is very fond of you." She spoke. She glanced to the closed door of the study. Lucille let out a slow breath. "I want you to be careful." She was speaking of Cassandra giving Iris blood. "Iris is very careful, but I don't know how she's going to act with lycan blood in her veins...she was one of the most controlled vampires I've seen in my time." Lucille stepped forward, "I've only met a few humans in my time that willingly allowed a vampire to drink from them." She raised a brow. "You're very trusting." She searched Cassandra's eyes. "Just be careful dear." She cupped her cheek a moment, her hand fell away and then she grinned. "Also, don't upset Iris." She winked. "I'd hate to see her hurt, that poor girl hasn't smiled like she does with you in a long time." Lucille then stepped to the door and opened it. She briefly gave a hug to Iris before she slipped away with Sebastian.

Iris looked to Cassandra with curious eyes. "Is everything okay?" She questioned as she walked toward the kitchen. She began pulling things from the cabinets. The home was silent. Empty. The others had left to find a human to feed on. Iris coated fresh green beans in an egg mixture before she dipped them into another mixture and she slipped them into the oven. She then began seasoning up some chicken before she began cooking it in a pan. "How do we find Arden?" She asked and glanced to Cassandra as she flipped a piece of chicken. "Have you ever heard of this place to the north that Nigel spoke of?"

Iris glanced to Cassandra, she sighed softly when she mentioned that Lucille had warned her. "I...." She drew her brows together and shook her head, she then gave a slow nod. "It may have been risky, but I'll never hurt you." She then fell quiet. "They are afraid because of what Arden had done to me..." Iris was quiet as they walked down toward the basement. "To be honest, I'm a bit afraid too." She then shook her head, "But not to worry..." She then gave a soft chuckle. Iris was quiet as she watched Cassandra tend to the lycan. The stench didn't bother her nearly as much as it had before, or maybe it was this lycan? She watched as Cassandra warned him not to break her trust.

Iris looked to Cassandra as they walked back up the spiraling stairs, she gave a nod. "Yes, I did. Actually, Regina should have finished with that task. You remember Regina?" She glanced to her, Regina was the woman that had played her double. "She runs the creamatorium just a city away. I'm sure we can go pick up his ashes now..." She took in a slow breath, she still felt horrible for what happened.

Iris then smiled, though it held a bit of sadness behind it. "I would enjoy going with you..." Her voice trailed off, "Though, it all depends on if I can...If I am to take over the throne..." She sighed and shook her head. "We will do it before then, hm?" She then offered a bit of a warmer smile. "I want to go with you...I know you can handle yourself but...the more vampires that know about your ability...that know what you are..." She shook her head. "Honestly mother should have been warning you about that more than anything. Your blood is quite addicting, the high that comes from drinking it is unlike anything I've felt. Then again, that may be for other reasons." Iris looked to her a playful smirk turned up her lips. She then let out a soft chuckle. "Though, that's not the only reason another coven would take you, you know very well how important the healing ability of your blood is."

Iris sighed softly. "We should head to Ripmore and retrieve Bran's ashes from Regina." She paused a moment. "Then we can work toward ending Arden and his pack, a few less lycans in the world never hurt anyone." She chuckled. Iris then stepped into her room, she glanced out onto the balcony, a storm was brewing outside, rain was beginning to hit the side of the home. "We can take my car, I'm sure you haven't traveled much by motor." She winked. "It'll keep us dry." She looked to the time and nodded, "We should be back before it gets too late. Let me write a note for father." Iris sat at her desk and dipped her quill in ink before she began writing. She had beautiful handwriting that was very well practiced, over her centuries of life she'd perfected the art. "There." She smiled.

Iris then grabbed her pistol and her dagger fitting them onto her thighs. "Let's go." She led Cassandra outside and opened the passenger door helping her into the car. She then moved around to her side quickly. Iris chuckled the rain was cold as it fell from the skies, marking that the end of summer was near. "I cannot wait for the winter." She smiled as she cranked the engine over. Iris clicked on the headlights and they were off down the road. Iris fell quiet as she drove, a look of contemplation on her face. Rain fell against the car, pelting the windshield as she drove. "I...apologize for the negative atmosphere in our home..." She spoke and glanced to her. "I know that the king and queen can be a bit pressing, we aren't used to new things...the way our lives have been have been the same for years...and now something new happens and it disrupts their routine...I..." She paused then and shook her head. Iris offered a tight smile then, it was forced.

Soon enough they pulled into a small town the sign that hung over the road stated Ripmore. Iris pulled down a few different roads before they came before the large building that was marked 'Atlas family funeral home'. "There we are." She spoke and nodded. Iris slipped from the car, the rain had softened to a sprinkle for the time being. Iris glanced in the distance, lightning flashed and thunder sounded. She then turned and pushed the door open to the funeral home. The bell jingled happily as the door was pushed open.

Regina sat behind the desk, her nose buried in a book. She looked up with a bored expression. Though a smile split her lips when she saw the two. "Ahh Iris, and Cassandra." She stepped forward and offered a hug to both. "It's good to see you well...I heard..."

Iris watched her a moment. "What did you hear?" She questioned.

"The lycans took you...I worried they would kill you." Regina spoke as she moved over to a set of cabinets. She pulled a key from her pocket. "I imagine you're not here to chat though." She gave a gentle smile as she pulled the beautifully crafted urn from the cabinet. "Just as you asked for." She spoke. "I separated the ashes into 6 individual pouches inside, so that spreading them in those places may be easier." She bowed her head.

"Thank you Regina." Iris spoke as she looked to the urn in her hands. She'd had Regina do designs of a lake, and other beautiful artwork into the urn to honor Bran. Iris had gathered that information the first night, she'd listened to everything Cassandra had to say about Bran and incorportated it into the artwork of the urn. It had its costs, but Iris covered it. "The design is beautiful, as always."

Regina grinned from ear to ear, "Thank you, princess." She bowed her head. "Somehow it means more when a member of the royal family appreciates my work." She chuckled, her cheeks slightly rosy.

Iris smiled to her a moment. "Credit where it is due." She spoke and looked to Cassandra. "Ready?" She questioned. Iris led her back to the vehicle, she took in a breath as she sat down inside. "I'm starving..." She spoke and glanced to Cassandra. "Are you starving?" She questioned, a brow raised slightly. "I happen to know a lovely dinner spot..." She continued and then started the car. Iris drove through Ripmore and parked the car. She led Cassandra into a beautiful little restaurant.

A small old man greeted them at the door. "Iris." He spoke a smile on his lips. "It's been moons since you've come. I worried you'd forgotten about us." He chuckled. "Come on then." He led them inside.

Iris offered a smile to Cassandra before she looked back to the old man. "I could never forget about this place Charles." She spoke as they were seated.

Charles chuckled as he placed two wine glasses on the table and poured a lovely rose wine into the glasses. "Would you like the regular?" He asked.

Iris grinned, "Oh yes, of course, how could I stray from my ways?" She asked, her voice delighted.

The old man chuckled. "I'll get that right in for you." He bowed his head and then left.

Iris looked to Cassandra, the flicker of the candle that lit their table cast a beautiful glow on her skin. "Did I forget to ask if you wanted to go on a date?" She asked, a playful smile on her lips. "I was afriad you'd say no." She winked then as she took a drink of her wine. She sighed happily, the flavor was incredible. "The meal is four courses, so I hope you're hungry." She grinned then. The booth that they sat in was one for only two people. A hot burner sat on the table before them with a thick metal pot.

Soon enough a waitor came out with cheeses and wine which he dumped into the pot. He then set down vegetables and skewers on the table before he slipped away. Iris smiled as she stirred the fondue. She took in a deep breath. "I haven't been here in years." She spoke softly. "Here." She skewered a few vegetables. "I bet you've never had fondue." She smiled as she diped it and offered the food to Cassandra.

Iris watched Cassandra with curious eyes. She bowed her head slightly at the mentioning of Bran. "Forgive me." She spoke. "I understand how it feels to lose someone you care for...I promise to help you lay him to rest properly, the way he would have wanted it..." She searched her eyes a moment as they began to eat. Iris took a drink of her wine and then ate a piece of broccoli. "Hm, me a flirt?" She raised her brow and then chuckled, her cheeks flushed pink then. She then smirked when Cassandra mentioned the years of practice. "Yes, of course. I've perfected the art, or at least I would like to think I have." She winked and took another drink of the wine. The waitor refilled her glass just as soon as she'd set it down. "Thank you good sir." She nodded to him as he walked away.

Iris grinned as she listened to the story of when Cassandra was undercover. "Oh, a high guard hm?" She chuckled, "That does sound fun." She grinned, "Vampires can't truely go undercover, not without the help of a vanishing root, which there isn't much of. Lycans can tell the difference between us and humans, just as we can smell them." She ran her fingertip along the brim of the glass. "Though it is incredible that you took out Crydor, he was a bit of a thorn in the side of my kind." She looked up, "The Vonabeir family is incredibly brash, they stop at nothing to kill a vampire or two." She offered a small smile then. "Though, as you said, enough about work hm?"

Iris looked up as the waitor returned, she watched as he switched things out. He poured wine into a fresh pot and added in seasonings and fresh herbs. He disappeared with the dirty plates and moments later he returned with a platter of meats. Iris grinned as he set it down. "Ah yes." She smiled, "Thank you." She nodded to him. She reached forward and skewered a few pieces. "Duck, bison, lobster, chicken." She smiled, "Have your choice." She set her skewers into the pot.

"So you've really never took the time to relax? To have fun?" Iris questioned, her eyes curiously looking over Cassandra. "I couldn't imagine. I know humans are short lived, but to spend your life working...what is the enjoyment in that?" She raised a brow and chuckled. "I may be the future queen but even I get to enjoy myself." She smiled then. "So, Cassandra, if you could do anything, what would it be?" She plucked her meats from the pot then and began to eat. She let out a happy hum before she finished her second glass of wine. The waitor came and swiftly topped it off before disappearing once again. "Truthfully, I would travel, if given the chance. I sometimes feel like a prisoner to the royal ways, I'm not allowed to wander far." She rolled her eyes and chuckled. The wine was taking effect on her, much more than it had previously. "It's always do this Iris, do that." She made a silly expression as she spoke this before she took another bite of her food. "Marry this man, blah blah." She shook her head. "The downfall to royalty I suppose." She sighed softly.

Iris watched Cassandra as she sipped on her wine, "Hm, hiding." She raised her brows. "You may have meant humans, but we hide as well. It's how we survive without becoming hunted. One slip up...one human spreads the word and it sticks and we become hunted just like the Lycans and..." She paused searching Cassandra's eyes. "Perhapse our meeting wouldn't have been so astonishing to you? Perhapse if we hadn't hidden all these years you would have come to Netherfall after me? My family? The thought of it." She shook her head and shivered slightly. "As much as I despise the Lycans, I can only imagine what it is like to constantly have hunters at your doorstep..." She looked away, "Not that what you do is bad, they deserve every bit of it, honestly." Iris fell quiet then.

A smile came back to her lips as Cassandra spoke of the hot springs. "Oh yes, I've heard of this place." She nodded. "To be honest, I've always wanted to go, just haven't been able to slip away." She chuckled then and grinned. "Perhapse we should make that a goal then, hm? I'll make sure you get there." She nodded.

Iris glanced around a bit as Cassandra hushed herself. She chuckled then and shook her head. "It is in my blood." She spoke, "To become the queen, it is something that I've been brought up into my whole life. I want to better our kind...I want to free us from the fear of the Lycans...to have a safe home that we no longer have to worry about defending." She shook her head and chuckled. "Though, those are just daydreams of mine, ending the ageless war between my kind and the Lycans." She shook her head again, "It's impossible. As you said before, you kill one and two more are turned. Lycans run rampant through society, there are more of them than there are of us. Thus, truthfully they have the upperhand, we just have the advantage."

"mhm." Iris looked to Cassandra, her eyes playful. "Of course I did." She chuckled. She finished off her glass again and ate a piece of lobster. She watched as her glass was refilled once more. "I ran away with another vampire at the time. Of course, it wasn't love it's was more lustful than anything. I was very young. Stupid." She shook her head. "She convinced me to run away, told me that being a princess wasn't worth it." Iris took a drink of her wine. Her speech was a bit slurred at this point. "To which I believed her. We ran away in the middle of the night. It was a blast for the first week. Running from town to town, drinking, dancing, partaking in just about anything you could imagine." Iris chuckled then, "Though, Crydor caught wind that I'd left the mansion." She raised a brow. "He sent his pack after me. A princess without protection? Easy target." Iris ate a piece of chicken then marking the end of the meat. The waitor came and switched the pots out. He poured a dark liquor into the pot and placed a few pieces of dark chocolate in. He disappeared and came back with a plate of fruits to dip into the chocolate mixture.

"Crydor nearly killed me." Iris spoke, her voice soft. "My mother was a basket case. My father was infuriated." She shook her head, "In the end, running away like that. I'd caused my family more pain than anything. I'd opened them up to damage. They lost members of the coven searching for me...and they nearly lost me..." Her voice was soft, her fingertip traced along the brim of her glass, the crystal hummed softly. "I still regret it." She spoke, "The vampire I ran off with, she died, I watched it...." She tilted her head slightly, still staring to the wine. "I watched Crydor pry her heart from her chest..." She closed her eyes then and took in a deep breath.

"But..." She looked to Cassandra. "That was a long time ago, I was barely 20 years old." She spoke softly. "I have to protect my family, Cassandra." She dipped a strawberry into the chocolate and then held it toward Cassandra, offering it to her. She grinned then. "Now that I've all but ruined the mood." She spoke, she looked away slightly. "I would really like to travel with you..." She whispered softly. Iris coated a piece of cheesecake in chocolate, "I will if I can." She searched Cassandra's eyes. "Besides, anything to postpone the wedding that is looming over my head makes me happy." She giggled then.

Iris reached forward, her hand rest over Cassandra's she searched her eyes and smiled. "You're one of the most beautiful souls I've met." She spoke, her eyes locked there for a long moment before she withdrew her hand and sat back. "Besides, I'm sure I can convince my family to let me go, you need protection." She winked. "So I'll protect you."

Soon enough dinner was finished. Iris stood, she waivered slightly and giggled. "Perhapse a walk around the park?" She asked as she wrapped her arm around Cassandra a grin on her lips. She led her out of the restaurant. She'd left a sizeable tip on the table for the waitor. Iris turned out of the door and walked up the street a ways. She knew this town well. They turned and entered a beautiful park, filled with treelined pathways. Iris looked up to the clouds, the sun was just setting. She leaned a bit on Cassandra and chuckled. "Ah I have something to show you." She smirked as she led her through the park. Soon enough they came upon a gazebo that rest before a beautiful lake. Iris smiled as she turned to Cassandra. "I'm going to travel with you." She spoke, her words still a bit slurred. "I'll be at your side, to hunt lycans and go on adventures." She then leaned in and kissed Cassandra. Her hand raised to her cheek, her other held her waist, holding her close. She kissed sweetly for a moment before she pulled back, her cheeks on fire. Iris giggled again as she leaned against the railing. "Only if you want me to go, that is." She glanced to her, a smile on her lips.

Iris let out a soft sigh. The clouds were filtering away. She looked up then a strange feeling in her chest. She drew her brows together as she stared at the full moon. Iris could feel her pulse increasing. She gripped onto the rail and let out a muffled whimper. "Cass..." She grit her teeth. Her back made a snapping sound then. She fell to one knee. "Cass...you..." Her voice was full of pain. More snapping came from her body as bones began to shift and change. Iris took in gasping breaths, she let out another cry of pain as she fell to her side, she curled as claws grew in, her fangs were visible. "G-go...!" Her voice was a frightened growl. Her eyes were dark with the teal color in the center. She rolled to her back as she let out a cry of pain as her body changed. Iris gripped her dagger from her thigh. She fought to maintain a hold on it.

The dagger clattered to the ground as the transformation finished. Iris took in deep growling breaths, her eyes seemed to glow, drool dripped from her mouth. She took on the form of a lycan, though she was small, especially compared to Arden's size. Her corset and clothing had ripped from her body and lay on the ground. Her fangs were large and glistened in the light of the full moon as her eyes fell on Cassandra.

Iris had whimpered as Cassandra stabbed her. Her breaths gasped until she'd become completely still. Her teal eyes stared as she was carried away. She tried to fight the silver, small movements happened here and there. It was much like being subdued in the container by the scientist. Iris took on a form that could be mistaken as a wolf....a large wolf but a wolf none-the-less. Her fur was jet black with beautiful ashen markings speckled into it. Her fur was as soft as can be, much like one would think a puppy would feel.

Small whimpers would come from Iris as she lay on the bench seat in the back of the car as they bound down the road to nowhere. She heard every word that Cassandra spoke. Iris tried to fight, she tried to speak, to get something out, thought nothing came. Eventually Cassandra had set her on the couch of the old abandoned farm home. Iris' eyes were welled with tears. That probably hurts, but I don't have a choice... Cassandra's words filled her mind. She had no control of this beast she'd been forced to become. No control at all. She'd tried to harness it as the monster within her took over, as she transformed everything became fuzzy. Iris remembered lunging forward, though it was as if she was watching the whole thing happen...she'd tried to run, just as she lunged she was off, she'd had it in her mind to get as far away from Cassandra as possible...just when she was stabbed with the silver...

The hours of the night drew on. Iris' body began to quiver as the silver remained in her. Though this is what was keeping her safe from the monster within her. As the moon began to sink from the sky something happened. A popping sounded from Iris' body. Her bones and muscles began to revert. Her body slowly transformed back into her human form where she lay. She was curled into a ball her eyes closed. Her expression was filled with pain. Her fingertips were wrapped around the point where the silver was sticking from her arm. Black lines had formed up her arm from the site where the silver pin punctured into her. A side-effect of having the silver in her body for so long. A bit of blood leaked from her nose as her body shivered. When the sun finally began to peek through the windows of the home Iris felt the pin lifted from her arm.

She was still for a long moment as her body reanimated. She let out a painfilled groan. "Fuck..." She grit her teeth. "God..." She gasped for air. "Damnit...." She cursed her breathing labored. Her eyes were still dark with the teal at the center. She didn't move as she gripped onto her arm. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Iris held back a whimper as the pain ran through her body like fire over a pool of gasoline. "Cass.....th....thank....y-y-you..." Her voice was broken as she lay trying to recover.

It took several minutes for her breathing to soften. But eventually Iris pulled a blanket around herself and sat up. She was shakey. "I'm...I'm sorry..." She whimpered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "You...you should have killed me...I..." She shook her head. "I'm a monster...I'm the exact thing you hunt...what have they done to me....?" Her hands shook as she held the blanket around herself. "My family..." She breathed. Fear gripped her. Would the king and queen be forced to shun her? She was more than a vampire with a few Lycan attributes...she could transform...

Iris stood and stumbled, she fell against the wall and caught herself. "I...I'm okay..." She choked out. "I..." She looked around with blurred vision. "I..." She collapsed then, she was still recovering the from the silver.

A slam came from the door then. "Hey! Hey!!!" A hand tapped quickly on the door. "Open up! Open up please!!!" The man begged. "Please you gotta open this door!!!" He slammed against it again just enough to slip into the home. A skinny man stood with terrified eyes. "Um...I..." He pushed the bookcase back. "We need to move." He looked to them. "They're coming, I can't stop them, no one can stop them." He had golden eyes which fell on Iris then. "P-princess?" He asked and gasped. "Iris is that you?" He rushed to her side.

Iris was leaning against the wall, she stared at him. "Leon?" She asked, "What's happening?" Her voice was soft.

"Your eyes..." He spoke and then shook his head. "Lycans....that's what's happening. Fucking Lycans!" He exclaimed.

Another slam came from the door and then a deep growl. Iris' eyes turned to the door. "Lycans..." She breathed. She could feel something then that same feeling. It stirred within her chest as she felt her pulse increase. Iris watched as the door was kicked in and the bookcase slid across the wooden floor.

A man walked in a deep chuckle came from his chest. "Ah it looks like I'll be having a full course meal then. Eh boys?" He looked over his shoulder to two other men that stood behind him.

Iris' body twitched slightly. She watched as the man began to transform. "N...no..." She grit her teeth.

Leon looked to her, his brows pulled together. "Come on." He lifted her. "Come on!!" He called to Cassandra. Though as he took a step forward Iris began to transform in his arms. Leon watched with wide eyes as she changed into her wolf like form.

Iris wiggled from his grip and snarled as she landed on the floor. Her teal eyes watched the three lycans. They were all bigger than her and took the normal form of a lycan. They snarled as she stepped forward baring her fangs. Then suddenly the fight broke out. Iris launched forward she knocked the smallest of the three Lycans down and immediatly went for his throat. Her fangs ripped into his flesh and blood splattered across the wooden floors. She spun then as one lunged for Cassandra. Iris jumped on his back and growled deeply. Her claws dug into him as he ripped her from his back. She snapped and bit down onto his forearm harshly. The lycan howled in pain and stumbled back as he fell back into his human form. "What the hell are you?!!!" He exclaimed as he looked to Iris whom growled deeply, her eyes trained on him.

The leader attacked from the side and the two went into an all out brawl. Leon rushed forward and stabbed the other lycan with his dagger. He then stepped back his eyes on Iris. "Is...that Iris?" He asked. "That is Iris isn't it...." He breathed. The snarls and growls echoed through the home as Iris fought with him. She was slammed back a few times but got right back up. She bit forward and ripped out a chunk of his back before she slammed him down and ripped into his throat. Iris howled afterward, she licked her chops as she looked back to Cassandra. She'd somehow controled it...the monster listened to her...

Iris took in quick breaths as the popping began to sound again. Her body slowly changed, she let out a cry as she fell back into her human form. She quickly wrapped a blanket around her body again as she lay back gasping for air. "Cass...are you....okay?" She breathed.

Leon stared with wide eyes. "H-how...?" He muttered in disbelief.

Iris shook and grit her teeth as she was set on the couch. "Cass...." Her eyes moved to Leon as the two began to talk. She pushed against the couch sitting herself up, she was incredibly dizzy. Her eyes fluttered slightly. Her body wasn't used to the transformation. The words of Leon and Cassandra sounded as if they were miles away, she looked up just as Cassandra defended herself, shooting Leon. Her eyes followed his head as it rolled and bumped into the couch. Iris' eyes were wide as she stared to his dismembered head. Moments later Cassandra scooped her up. Iris leaned against her and shut her eyes, her breathing was still labored as she leaned back in the passenger seat. "Wait..." She breathed as she watched Cassandra go back into the farm house. The flames licked the wooden structure lighting it quickly. Iris looked to Cassandra as she climbed into the car.

As they drove off Iris leaned her head against the cool glass, she had her knees pulled to her chest. "Leon..." She spoke softly. "He's a part of another coven yes." She shut her eyes, focusing. Her body was still in a great deal of pain. "A coven that you wouldn't want to cross, they do not see things the way my father does...if he found out what you were the entire coven would hunt you and bleed you..." Her voice was soft. Everything seemed to loud.

Iris looked to Cassandra she offered a small smile. "Just....weak..." She spoke, "Thank you for saving me, Cassandra." She shivered slightly. She then let out a soft laugh. "That was an expensive corset." She chuckled then. "I can't make a habit of doing that." She joked and then grit her teeth as the laughter sent shockwaves of pain through her body.

Iris glanced to the world around them, her eyes tired. "You traveled south." She spoke, "We need to go back to the north and west. We are in that coven's territory, it makes sense why we saw Leon." Iris stared to the road, "Make a right here." She spoke and it led them down more dirt roads through the forest. "I'm sorry about all of this..." She whispered softly. "We need to talk to that scientist and find answers to this...thing that I am..." She looked out the window as she spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears. "Left." She spoke and pointed to a road that was nearly hidden.

Iris closed her eyes. "You'll come to a fork, go right, and then take the first right after that..." She muttered her body threatening force her to fall asleep. The bumps of the road kept her semi-conscious as she called out a few more turns. About two hours worth of driving passed before they finally rolled up on the mansion.

Like a cue Lucille was outside she rushed forward to the car. "Iris!" She opened the door and pulled Iris into her arms. "Oh thank god." She spoke and looked to Cassandra. "You're alright?" She asked searching her eyes. "Come on then." Lucille carried Iris inside and up to her room.

"Mother..." Iris spoke softly, she looked up to her with the dark teal eyes.

"Shh dear, you're alright now." Lucille spoke she then looked to Cassandra. "Tell me everything." She spoke her eyes serious. "Are you hurt at all?" Lucille checked over Cassandra carefully, "The moon last night..." She glanced to Iris. "With her condition..." She swallowed slightly, Lucille didn't want to speak it. She didn't want to say her daughter had Lycan blood in her veins. She looked back to Cassandra. "The scientist told me that she might transform...that she might lose control...I questioned him when you two didn't return from getting the ashes..." She crossed her arms.

Iris curled on her side her eyes heavy, she took in a slow breath, she gripped her arm that still had black marks on it from the silver. She'd never felt silver burn like it did now.