Arkins stepped out of the house, already sensing trouble. The moment he spotted Morganna and Kulture standing in front of the gate, he let out a frustrated sigh.
Great. Just what he needed.
Morganna stood tall, her dark, wavy hair cascading down her back, her piercing crimson eyes locked onto him with an air of entitlement. Kulture, on the other hand, looked as smug as ever, her icy blue eyes scanning him as if she had already won whatever game they were playing.
"You took your time," Morganna said, folding her arms.
Arkins ignored the comment, already regretting this conversation before it even started.
Before he could respond, Zyren and Ezra stepped out behind him, immediately pausing as their eyes landed on Morganna.
And then—
"BRO!" Ezra wheezed, barely able to contain himself. "Tell me this isn't really happening."
Zyren clutched his stomach, already laughing. "Oh my God! She's actually here!"
Morganna frowned. "What the hell is so funny?"
Zyren wiped imaginary tears from his eyes. "Snow White," he managed between laughter. "The apple has arrived!"
Ezra was gasping for air. "Yo—wait, wait, does this mean Arkins is still Prince Charming?!"
That did it. Zyren doubled over, cackling like a madman.
Even Kulture, who had been standing there acting like a queen, looked completely lost. "What… are they talking about?"
Morganna, looking increasingly irritated, turned her glare to Arkins. "Is someone going to explain?"
Arkins dragged a hand down his face. "Don't. Even. Ask."
But Zyren wasn't done. He grinned at Ezra. "So what does that make Kulture? One of the evil stepsisters?"
Ezra choked. "Nahhh, she's the side character who tries to break up the main couple but fails!"
At this point, even Kulture looked offended.
"Are you two done?" Morganna snapped, visibly annoyed. "I came here for Arkins, not to listen to you two idiots."
Zyren finally caught his breath and shrugged. "Nah, we're good. Just needed to relive that Oscar-worthy moment from earlier."
Arkins shot them both a warning glare before finally turning back to Morganna and Kulture. "What do you two want?"
Morganna took a step closer, flipping her hair. "You already know why I'm here. You left without a word, Arkins. And now you're back, pretending like we didn't exist?"
Kulture smirked. "And I'm just here to make sure your little human sorcerer girl knows her place."
Ezra shook his head. "Ohhh, nope. She is gonna eat you alive."
Kulture's smirk faltered for a second.
Zyren leaned on Arkins' shoulder dramatically. "Bro, you should probably warn her. I mean, after what she did to me, I wouldn't wanna be in her way."
Kulture rolled her eyes. "She's not that impressive."
Zyren and Ezra exchanged looks before bursting into laughter again.
Arkins, however, wasn't amused. His voice was sharp when he spoke. "If this is about Melly, drop it. Both of you."
Morganna narrowed her eyes. "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
Arkins didn't hesitate. "Yeah. I am."
Kulture scoffed. "You're making a mistake."
Zyren grinned. "Nah, the only mistake was thinking Melly wouldn't fight back."
Ezra nodded in agreement. "Let's just say… she doesn't do competition. She ends it."
Morganna's expression darkened. "We'll see about that."
Arkins clenched his jaw, already done with this conversation.
Zyren patted him on the back. "Well, this has been fun, but I'm gonna go before Melly shows up and starts casting spells."
Ezra smirked at Morganna. "Good luck, Snow White."
And with that, they walked off, still chuckling to themselves.
Arkins sighed heavily, looking back at Morganna and Kulture. "If you're smart, you'll let this go."
Morganna smirked. "Oh, Arkins. You know me better than that."
Kulture just smiled. "And I never back down from a challenge."
Arkins knew, without a doubt, that this was far from over.
Melly sat at the dining table, elegantly cutting into her breakfast with all the grace of someone who absolutely had no patience for nonsense. She was enjoying a rare moment of peace, sipping her tea like a queen—until, of course, trouble walked in.
Morganna and Kulture strode into the room like they owned the place, completely ignoring Arkins' warning. Their presence alone was enough to ruin Melly's appetite, but she wasn't about to let them see that.
Zyren and Ezra were already seated, watching with full interest, ready for the entertainment. Arkins sighed, rubbing his temples. He already knew this wasn't going to end well.
Morganna's heels clicked against the floor as she stopped right across from Melly. "Enjoying your meal?" she asked, her tone laced with fake sweetness.
Melly didn't even look up. She took another bite, chewed slowly, and then, finally, lifted her gaze. "I was—until I realized flies were in the room."
Zyren nearly choked on his drink. Ezra had to smack his back.
Morganna's jaw tightened. Kulture narrowed her blue eyes.
"You sure talk big for someone who just got here," Kulture said.
Melly smirked. "And you talk too much for someone who was never invited."
Ezra snorted, whispering, "Oh, this is good."
Morganna leaned forward, placing her hands on the table. "Let's get one thing straight, sorcerer girl. You don't belong here. You're human. You have no place among vampires."
Melly calmly set her fork down and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Oh, sweetheart," she said, voice dripping with mock pity. "That's so cute. You think I need permission?" She tilted her head. "Hate to break it to you, Snow White, but last I checked, this isn't your kingdom, and Arkins isn't some lost prince waiting for you to claim him."
Ezra fell off his chair. Zyren wheezed.
Arkins sighed. "Melly—"
But she wasn't done. She turned to Kulture, eyes flashing. "And you—Miss Side Character—why are you even here? Did you miss the part where I literally put your ego in a blender yesterday?"
Kulture bristled. "I am Arkins' best friend."
Melly fake gasped. "Ohhh, best friend? That's so adorable. Do you want a cookie? Or a gold star?"
Zyren leaned into Ezra. "Bro, she's killing them."
Ezra whispered back. "I love this girl."
Kulture clenched her fists. "You really think you're all that, don't you?"
Melly gave her a once-over, then shrugged. "No. You think that. And honestly? It's embarrassing to watch."
Morganna slammed a hand on the table. "Enough!"
Melly slowly turned to her, unimpressed. "Oh? Did I hurt your royal vampire feelings?" She gasped mockingly. "Should I apologize? Maybe throw a ball in your honor so you can feel important again?"
Ezra fell over again. Zyren was wheezing.
Arkins just groaned, rubbing his face.
Morganna's eyes burned with rage. "You don't scare me."
Melly arched a brow. "Oh, honey. I don't need to scare you. I just need to exist, and that alone is enough to make you insecure."
Zyren dropped his spoon. "SHE SAID IT!"
Ezra was howling.
Kulture and Morganna looked ready to explode, but Melly just went back to sipping her tea, completely unbothered.
Arkins finally spoke. "Morganna. Kulture. Leave."
They both turned to him, but his eyes were serious. "Now."
Morganna hesitated, but Kulture grabbed her arm. "Let's go."
As they left, Zyren leaned over to Melly. "Yo. You are brutal."
Melly shrugged. "I don't start fights." She took another bite. "I finish them."
Ezra grinned. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
Arkins just sat back, watching her. He was definitely falling harder.