Chapter 264: Vampiress Checkup - Part 2

Jax held her gaze for a moment longer after her answer, "...Always."

The word lingered in the air between them, carrying far more weight than its simplicity suggested.

Jax’s smirk softened, just slightly, though he was definitely happier than before internally, and was eager to show that.

"Good."

He didn’t stay seated. Instead, he stood up, the movement was smooth, unhurried, yet very deliberate.

Nulissa’s crimson eyes tracked him immediately, sharp and attentive as always. Even now, even in a moment like this, there was that underlying awareness in her gaze, the same one that made her such an exceptional leader.

But beneath it, there was something warmer. Something far less guarded and a tinge of excitement within her as she wanted Jax to come closer to her, remembering the last time they met.

Jax stepped around the desk, closing the distance between them.

"...You’ve been busy," he said, his tone calm.

Nulissa tilted her head slightly, her arms crossing loosely beneath her chest.

"As have you."

Her lips curved faintly.

"Though I imagine your definition of ’busy’ has been... more eventful."

Jax chuckled under his breath as he heard that, "You’re not wrong."

There was a brief pause as the duo stared into each-other’s eyes. Then, Jax reached out. His hand found her wrist, not forceful or commanding, just firm enough to guide.

Nulissa didn’t resist or question it, just simply allowing Jax to pull her forward until the space between them disappeared entirely.

Then, with a smooth motion, Jax sat back down in his chair.

And pulled her with him.

Nulissa let out the faintest breath of surprise as she settled onto his lap, her body adjusting instinctively to the position. One of her hands came up to rest lightly against his shoulder for balance, her crimson eyes narrowing just slightly as she looked down at him.

"...Straight to this?" she murmured.

Jax smirked.

"Been a while."

That earned him a quiet, amused exhale.

"...It has."

Her posture relaxed just a fraction more, her weight settling naturally against him now. The earlier composure of the Vampire Queen didn’t disappear, but it shifted, softened.

Jax’s hand moved to her waist, resting there comfortably. The, he leaned in and kissed her. It wasn’t rushed or intense, just a gentle, loving kiss.

A brief, warm connection that spoke more of familiarity than urgency.

Nulissa’s eyes fluttered closed for that short moment, and she returned it just as softly, her fingers tightening slightly against his shoulder before relaxing again.

When they pulled apart, her gaze met his once more.

Closer now.

"...You’ve been away too long," she said quietly.

Jax raised an eyebrow.

"Missed me that much?"

Her lips curved faintly.

"...I already answered that."

He chuckled.

"Fair."

There was a short pause. Then his expression shifted, still relaxed, but a bit more attentive now.

"So," he said.

"How’ve you been?"

Nulissa looked at him for a moment and then, she exhaled softly.

"...Busy."

Jax smirked.

"Seems to be a theme."

"It is," she replied calmly.

Her gaze drifted slightly, as if recalling everything she’d been handling.

"The Vampire District has stabilized completely," she began. "Supply lines are consistent. Blood distribution is regulated without conflict."

Jax nodded slowly.

"I saw."

Her eyes flicked back to his.

"Of course you did."

A faint pause.

Then she continued.

"The integration into the military has been... smoother than expected."

Jax raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Oh?"

She nodded.

"Orianna’s structure suits them."

There was no hesitation in her voice.

"Vampires excel in precision. Stealth. Reconnaissance."

Her fingers idly traced a small line along his shoulder as she spoke, almost absentmindedly.

"They’ve adapted quickly."

Jax’s smirk returned faintly.

"Good."

Nulissa’s gaze softened slightly as she looked at him again.

"...It is."

There was a quiet moment and then her expression shifted again subtly.

"...I’ve also been keeping an eye on internal stability."

Jax didn’t interrupt.

"There were... concerns at first," she admitted. "With the rapid changes. New systems and new alliances, things could’ve potentially gone haywire,"

Her crimson eyes sharpened slightly.

"But those concerns have faded."

Jax’s gaze held hers.

"...Because?"

She smiled faintly.

"Because it works."

Nulissa leaned slightly closer, her posture more relaxed now than when she first arrived.

"The people are calmer and more focused."

Her voice lowered just a bit.

"They’re not just surviving anymore. Everyone just enjoys the warmth and comfort of this life you’ve provided,"

Jax exhaled quietly.

"...Yeah."

She studied his expression for a moment. Then, "...You’ve done well."

Jax shrugged lightly.

"Still a lot to do."

"There always will be," she replied.

A brief pause. Then, her gaze shifted again. This time, much warmer.

"...I did miss you."

The words came softer now.

Jax looked at her.

"...Yeah?"

She nodded slightly.

"...Things run smoothly."

Her fingers stilled against his shoulder.

"But that doesn’t mean they feel complete."

There was a quiet honesty there.

One she didn’t show often.

"...It’s different when you’re here."

Jax’s hand tightened just slightly at her waist.

"...Good to know."

Nulissa’s lips curved faintly again.

"...Don’t let it inflate your ego."

He chuckled.

"No promises."

A small laugh escaped he, —quiet, but genuine.

Her eyes flickered slightly.

"...I also heard something."

Jax raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"The Faeries."

That caught his attention fully.

"...Already?"

Nulissa nodded.

"Information spreads quickly when it matters."

Her expression shifted, interested now.

"...An alliance."

Jax smirked.

"Yeah."

Her gaze sharpened slightly.

"...That’s not small."

"Nope."

She leaned back just slightly, enough to study him more clearly.

"...Nature magic. Agricultural support. Mana refinement."

Her mind was already working through it.

"...And their enchantment potential combined with Lyla’s..."

Jax’s smirk widened.

"Exactly."

A faint spark lit in her crimson eyes.

"...That changes things."

"It does."

There was a brief pause.

Then—

"...I’m looking forward to meeting her," Nulissa said.

Jax tilted his head slightly.

"Yeah?"

She nodded.

"...An alliance like that isn’t just political."

Her gaze deepened.

"It’s foundational."

Jax leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Which is why I’m preparing."

Her lips curved.

"...Of course you are."

There was a quiet moment. She shifted slightly on his lap, more comfortable now, more at ease.

"...You called me here just to check in?" she asked.

Jax looked at her.

"...Partly."

Her eyebrow lifted slightly.

"Oh?"

His smirk returned.

"Also wanted to see you."

A softer smile appeared on her lips.

"...Good answer."