Prince of Crows

As Seraphina stood transfixed in the doorway, her senses enveloped by the mysterious visitor's intoxicating presence, she couldn't help but feel a rush of conflicting emotions wash over her. The scent of Malakai filled the air, a heady blend of earthy musk and something uniquely his own, stirring a primal longing deep within her core.

   Her heart fluttered erratically as she locked eyes with him, her breath catching in her throat at the intensity of his gaze. His deep, dark blue eyes seemed to hold a universe of secrets, each flicker of emotion dancing in their depths like stars in the night sky. Framed by long, dark lashes, his eyes drew her in, holding her captive with their magnetic allure.

   But it wasn't just his eyes that captivated her – it was the entirety of him, from the smooth, pale skin that seemed to glow in the dim candlelight to the lean, muscular frame that hinted at hidden strength and power. Dressed in a black and gray suit accentuating his commanding presence, Malakai exuded an air of mystery and allure that left Seraphina breathless.

   As she took in his appearance, a surge of heat flooded her veins, her blood pulsing with newfound urgency. It was as if every fiber of her being was drawn to him, compelled by a force greater than herself. As she recalled her father's tales of mates and destiny, she couldn't help but wonder if this enigmatic stranger standing before her was meant to be hers.

   With each beat of her heart, Seraphina felt the weight of her father's words pressing upon her – the notion that mates were destined souls bound together by a bond more potent than any other. As she looked upon Malakai, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to be hers, the missing piece of her soul she had been searching for all her life.

   With trembling hands, she reached out to him, her fingers brushing against his in a hesitant gesture of greeting. In that moment, she felt a spark ignite between them, a flicker of recognition that transcended words and spoke directly to their souls.

   As Malakai took Seraphina's hand and gently kissed her knuckles, lightning raced down her spine, sending a tingling sensation coursing through her veins. His touch was electrifying, his words dripping with charm and grace as he addressed her with the utmost courtesy.

   "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madam," he said, his voice smooth and velvety like melted chocolate. "May we enter your home? I wish to get out of the chill of the night."

   With a sense of newfound purpose, Seraphina nodded eagerly, her heart fluttering excitedly at the prospect of welcoming Malakai into her home. Stepping aside, she gestured for him to enter, the warmth of the hearth beckoning invitingly from within.

   "Of course, please come in," she replied, her voice tinged with nervousness as she watched him cross the threshold into her home. "I was not expecting an answer to my letter so quickly. May I know how you know Branwen?"

   As Malakai stepped further into the room, Seraphina's gaze was drawn to the five crows that accompanied him, their presence both mesmerizing and intriguing. Two perched upon his shoulders like silent sentinels while the other three settled upon the bookshelves nearby, their dark eyes glinting with intelligence.

   Unable to tear her gaze away from the fascinating creatures, Seraphina felt a surge of curiosity bubbles up within her. What secrets did they hold? And how did they come to be in the company of this enigmatic stranger who stood before her?

   But before she could voice her questions, Malakai turned to her with a small smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth and mischief. "Branwen is my mother," he explained, his voice low and melodic. "She sent me a message and a gift for your father. I hope I am not intruding."

Malakai's POV

   'How lovely,' I thought, my heart fluttering with a newfound admiration for the woman before me. There was something ethereal about her, something otherworldly that drew me in like a moth to a flame. And as I breathed in the intoxicating scent of fire and moonlight from her blood, I couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite combination.

   "Her son? I was unaware that the Raven Queen had a son," Seraphina remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity and astonishment as she sought to unravel the mystery of my lineage. It was clear that there was more to me than met the eye, and I found myself eager to see more of her reactions. 'Not that I am not also curious about her. I sense magic in her blood as well as something feral. I assume that is the shifter in her.'

   With a gentle smile, I bowed to her, my hand to my chest in a gesture suited for nobility or court. "Pardon me for my ignorance," I said, my voice warm and sincere. "I am Malakai Azriel Rook, son of Branwen, and it is truly a pleasure to meet you, Seraphina Selene De Rosario."

   Settling down in the living room, Seraphina inquired about the crows that accompanied me; I couldn't help but smile fondly at the creatures perched nearby, their dark feathers shimmering in the room's soft light. "They are my dearest friends and family," I explained, my voice filled with warmth and affection. "Each one has been by my side through thick and thin, sharing joy and sorrow."

   As the first tendrils of dawn began to weave their way through the darkness, painting the sky with hues of soft pink and golden orange, Seraphina and I found ourselves immersed in conversation, our voices mingling harmoniously as we delved deeper into the intricacies of each other's lives.

   Seated across from one another in the cozy confines of the sitting room, we exchanged tales of our pasts, sharing memories and anecdotes with a warmth and openness that belied the shortness of their acquaintance. With each passing moment, we discovered new layers to each other's personalities, forging a connection that transcended mere words.

   But our intimate conversation was soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway, signaling the awakening of another within the house. Seraphina's heart skipped a beat as she called out to her father, excitement lacing her voice as she relayed the news of my arrival.

Konstantine's POV
  "Papa, Branwen sent her son with the medicine and a letter for you," Seraphina announced eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation. Yet before Konstantine could respond, Seraphina invoked their shifter bond, her thoughts reaching out to him with a message that left him momentarily stunned.

"He is also my mate," she whispered silently, the words echoing within Konstantine's mind with a clarity that sent a jolt of surprise coursing through him. For a moment, he was rendered speechless, his mind reeling with the implications of his daughter's revelation.

   Gathering his thoughts, Konstantine turned to regard Malakai with curiosity and apprehension, his gaze lingering upon the boy's youthful features and striking resemblance to his mother. There was a sense of recognition in the air, a dawning realization that this young man held a significance far beyond what had initially seemed apparent.

   "I have known Branwen for centuries now," Konstantine mused aloud, his voice tinged with awe. "I was unaware she had a child, although I recall her mentioning her desire for one every new century."

   His eyes were still fixed on Malakai, and Konstantine couldn't help but wonder about the boy's age and origins, his curiosity piqued by the enigma that stood before him. "How old are you, boy?" he inquired, his tone gentle yet probing. "You don't look more than eighteen, like my daughter."

Malakai's POV
As Konstantine's probing gaze lingered upon me, I couldn't help but feel amusement at the older man's curiosity. With a small, knowing smile, I met Konstantine's eyes, my gaze steady and unwavering as I prepared to reveal the truth of my origins.

   "I was born in 1506," I began, my voice calm and measured. "But I stopped aging days before my 18th birthday."

   There was a weight to my words, a gravity that hung in the air as I spoke of my ageless existence. I was no ordinary mortal – I was bound by ancient magic, a creature whose life spanned centuries rather than mere decades.

   And as I looked upon Konstantine, I could see the flicker of surprise and realization in the older man's eyes, a dawning understanding of the truth hidden beneath my youthful facade. At that moment, the gap between them seemed to narrow, bridged by the shared knowledge of their extraordinary heritage.

   But despite the revelations that had been laid bare, there was a sense of acceptance in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the bonds that connected them – bonds forged not by blood but by fate itself. 

   As Konstantine's probing gaze settled upon me, I could sense the weight of the older man's curiosity pressing upon me like a tangible force. With a calm demeanor, I met Konstantine's curious gaze, my eyes reflecting a depth of knowledge and understanding far beyond my years.

   "I am unique," I replied, conveying mystery as I carefully chose my words. "I am born of ancient magic and bloodlines that stretch back through the annals of time."

  I paused as I considered how best to explain my true nature to Konstantine, knowing that the truth of my existence was not easily conveyed in mere words. But as I met Konstantine's expectant gaze, I felt a sense of trust and kinship, a shared understanding of the complexities of our intertwined destinies.

   "I am a being of both darkness and light," I continued, my tone measured yet resolute. "I am a creature of the night, bound by the ancient laws of magic and fate. But I am also a guardian, a protector of those who cannot protect themselves."

   My words hung in the air, heavy with significance as I spoke of my dual nature – a reflection of the eternal struggle between darkness and light that waged within my soul. And as I looked upon Konstantine, I could see the flicker of recognition in the older man's eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the truth hidden beneath my enigmatic facade.

   "You are a shifter witch like your mother?" Konstantine surmised, looking in surprise.
I nodded in confirmation. "I was also born a vampire. Mother often jests that I am a gift for centuries of prayers to the goddess Arianrhod. Although I do not believe she is jesting at all."

   Despite the complexities of my existence, I knew that I was more than just a creature of myth and legend – I was a friend, a confidant, and a companion to those who walked the path of destiny alongside me. As I stood there, bathed in the soft glow of dawn, I knew that I had found acceptance and a sense of belonging in the company of the De Rosario family.

Looking at the beautiful young woman near me, I felt something shift in my being. 'Why do I feel less alone when I look at her?'