by M. A. Thomas
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked, gently thrusting into her. “Am I hurting you?”
“Keep going,” she said, clasping down on her lower lip.
“Even in my sleep, I dream of you, your lips, your breasts, your skin, your touch…it makes me go crazy,” he said.
“I want more of you,” she said.
“And you will have all that you want,” he said.
“Oh, Eldrich, I can’t stand it.”
“Are you enjoying what I’m doing to you? I don’t want to hurt you.”
She licked and chewed her lips and arched her back and erupted.
He then liberated himself on the small of her back.
“You killed me,” she whispered, turning on her back.
He fell next to her and pulled her to his chest. Tenderly stroking her nipples, he asked, “What else will you have me do to you?”
“Cradle me,” she said. “I want to rest in your arms.”
“Is that all you want?”
“For now, only for now,” she said.
***
Lela and Eldrich held each other in silence. The stillness of the dark forest comforted her. She wondered where they were, to what kingdom had they crossed? Her teachers had taught her about the different known kingdoms of the world. Some scholars believed that there were undiscovered kingdoms, hidden and too far for any human to reach. They claimed that the witches of Barmoth knew where they were and that they traveled there often in search of new ingredients for their potions and spells.
Lela wondered if the witch who had cursed Eldrich, turning him into a frog because he would not lie with her, had gone to another kingdom to learn how to cast a spell on a vampire. Everything she had read in books about vampires stated that they were near-immune to a witch’s spell.
Lela didn’t know whether or not undiscovered kingdoms existed. Her teachers taught her that there were only thirty kingdoms. She had memorized each one.
A screeching sound interrupted her thoughts.
“Keep quiet,” Eldrich said, coming to his feet.
“What do you think made that sound?” she whispered, ignoring him.
“Don’t move,” he said, sniffing the air.
She had never seen him do that.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“It’s too late. Whoever is out there knows we’re here.”
“Is it another vampire?”
“I’d already know it.”
“What then?”
“I’m not picking up its scent. Stay behind me.”
“I’m scared,” she said.
“I won’t let anyone harm you.”
She buried her face in his back.
“Make yourself known!” he said.
A man and a woman holding torches walked toward them.
“Apologies,” the woman said. “I tend to get carried away when...” She giggled.
She had long golden hair that came down to her ankles.
“Yes, please accept our apologies,” the man said, extending a hand to Eldrich.
It was the flying man. Feeling instant heat on her cheeks, Lela lowered her stare.
Eldrich said, “We didn’t know anyone else was around here. It is we who should apologize to you.” Then he placed his hand in Lela’s and said, “We should go.”
“Oh, no, please stay,” the woman said. “We never have visitors and well, as much as we do entertain ourselves,” she winked at the flying man, “we’d love it if you joined us for dinner. I have a stew cooking.”
Lela was tempted to shout a fast, yes, we’d love to! She couldn’t decline a stew, for goodness sake. Her mouth salivated.
Eldrich sensed her eagerness and answered, “We kindly accept.”
“Hooray!” the woman yelled. “Come, follow us.”
She removed her cloak and offered it to Lela.
Blessed Gods, she had forgotten she was naked and so was Eldrich and what’s more they hadn’t brought any clothes with them. My goodness, she felt utterly foolish.
“Thank you,” Lela said, wrapping the cloak around her body. “I’m quite humiliated.”
“Don’t be, you’re pretty. Now, if you were an ugly distorted hag, well, by all means you’d be right to be embarrassed,” the woman said.
The man unbuttoned his long cape, leaving him wearing nothing but the same trousers he had on when he intruded on Lela earlier in the day. He then handed the cape to Eldrich.
“Many thanks,” Eldrich said.
“Well, let’s be on our way,” the woman said and began walking ahead of Lela and Eldrich.
The man stayed at Lela’s side. Lela hoped he wouldn’t mention their earlier meeting.
“I’m Lela and this is Eldrich,” she said.
Eldrich gave the man a nod.
“My name is Xavier,” the man said.
The woman turned her head and said, “I’m called Zel. And what Xavier didn’t mention because he’s being shy is that he’s the prince of our kingdom.”
“Forgive our intrusion into your kingdom,” Lela said, her cheeks flushed.
“May we know your kingdom’s name?” Eldrich asked, squeezing Lela’s hand, a sign she took to mean he didn’t entirely trust these strangers.
Zel came to a stop and turned to face them. “Why this is the Kingdom of the Lost,” she bowed, “welcome, we’re thrilled you’re here.”
Lela quickly ran the names of all the kingdoms through her mind and no, she had never heard of the Kingdom of the Lost.
“Stop being dramatic,” Xavier said, blowing her a kiss. “She tends to get carried away, sometimes.”
“A trait you adore,” she said, winking.
He took her hand and resumed walking.
Lela and Eldrich let them walk ahead a few steps before pacing forward.
Eldrich leaned into Lela’s ear, “I don’t trust them. Something is off about them. Once you’ve eaten, we’ll take our leave.”
“We can go, now,” she whispered.
“No, love, you need to eat and besides we have already accepted their invitation.”
“Once you get to know us, you’ll like us,” Zel said.
“Don’t worry, she can’t hear your whispers or read your thoughts,” Xavier said. “Aside from being dramatic, she’s also a bit insecure and can’t stand anyone not liking her.” He kissed Zel on her forehead and said, “Right, my love?”
Giggling, she shoved him. Puckering her lips, she said, “Kiss me.”
And he did.
“They’re distracted,” Lela said. “With your speed–”
“Hush… she may not be able to hear us but something tells me he can,” Eldrich said in a whisper.
Just then, Xavier stopped kissing Zel and winked at Eldrich and Lela.
“Come, up head is our home,” Xavier said, pointing to a tall, circular structure which resembled the prison towers of Barmoth.
Their home was a prison tower!
Lela bit off a nail and then another.
Reaching the tower, Eldrich said, “If we may ask, is it custom for a prince to live in a tower in your kingdom?”
Xavier laughed. “Of course not. I don’t reside here all the time. This is actually Zel’s home, but since I’m here often I guess I think of it as mine as well.”
“Is she your prisoner?” Lela asked, instantly regretting her question.
Zel burst into laughter. “Why yes, of course. He’s the prince of the Lost and I’m his eternal prisoner.” She licked his bare chest and bit down on the cross hanging from the chain around his neck.
“Later, love, later,” Xavier said. Then he opened the door to the tower. “The stew smells delicious. I’m starving.”
Zel followed him inside and waved Eldrich and Lela over. “Hurry up,” she said.
Once they were all inside, she shut the door and said, “It’s a long way up.”
Eldrich gave Lela a nudge forward to the spiral staircase. Upon placing her hand on the rail, she realized the staircase was
made of golden hair.
Xavier started climbing; Zel followed and then Lela.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Eldrich hushed into Lela’s ear.
Up the golden staircase they went. Eldrich could have been at the top in a second and Xavier, well, she knew he could fly. Yet, neither one of them was willing to expose their skills.
As Lela continued to ascend, she recognized that her life was about to change again. And she was terrified.
***
Breathless and feeling pain on each side of her stomach, Lela finally made it to the top of the staircase. She was the only one out of breath and in pain.
“Come sit down before you faint,” Zel said, taking her hand and leading her to a chair.
Lela was sure she was going to vomit.
“Breathe,” Eldrich said, his hand on her shoulder.
Xavier disappeared into another room and three seconds later reappeared holding a cup. He brought it to her lips and said, “Sip slowly.”
She couldn’t resist swallowing the cup’s contents all at once which caused her to cough and gag.
“You disobeyed,” Zel said. “Does she always do things as she wants and not as she’s told?” she asked Eldrich.
“She’s not a child,” Eldrich said.
He was not amused and Lela worried he would lose his judgment and attack Zel and Xavier. Without knowing where they really were or what these two creatures were capable of, Xavier could fly and she guessed he was also strong and Zel, well the long haul up the stairs didn’t affect her in the least bit, there was a possibility that Zel and Xavier could overtake and really harm Eldrich.
“I feel better. My, the stew smells wonderful,” Lela said, trying to lighten the situation.
“Oh, yes, the stew,” Zel said, dashing off.
Xavier pulled up a chair next to Lela. “Where are the two of you from?”
“Barmoth,” Lela said.
“That’s a ways from here. A long way, indeed. How did you get here?” Xavier asked.
“We’ve been traveling for days,” Eldrich said.
“Yet, you have nothing with you, and you were naked when we found you.”
“That’s because we left our things in the camp we set up not too far from where you found us,” Lela said.
Xavier put his hands on the back of his neck and reclined in his chair. “I don’t believe a word you’re saying. But, your business is your own. I won’t press any further.”
“We’re grateful,” Eldrich said.
“Let’s move to the table,” Xavier said, standing and dragging the chair to a round table.
Lela scanned the room. The walls and floor were painted red. The whole room was red, including the drapes on the single window and all the furniture.
“Is Zel really your prisoner?” Lela asked Xavier. She absolutely had to know.
“Love, our host has asked us to take a seat at his meal table. Let’s not pester him with questions.”
“It’s all right. I’m not offended.” Xavier put his elbows on the table and rubbed his chin.
Lela and Eldrich joined him at the table.
“I apologize for my persistent curiosity,” Lela said.
“Although she enjoys pretending she is, Zel is not my prisoner,” he lowered his head, “but, she is a prisoner. I hope to someday free her.”
“What do you mean?” Lela asked.
He raised his stare. “A few short months ago, I came across this tower. I’m the prince of this land, yet I had never in all my travels seen this tower. One morning I quite literally bumped into it, almost lost consciousness. It appeared out of nowhere. Just when I had regained myself, golden hair dropped to the ground in front of me. I looked up to discover that the hair was coming from a window at the very top of the tower.”
“Time to eat!” Zel said, striding into the room carrying a large, red pot.
She put the pot in the center of the table and then said to Xavier, “Will you help me with the bowls and spoons?”
“Please excuse us,” Xavier said and followed Zel out of the room.
Now alone, Eldrich leaned into Lela. “Everything about this place is odd. Have you noticed that everything is red?”
“How could I not? And whose prisoner is she? And that story he’s telling.”
“I went too far. I shouldn’t have gone so far from Barmoth,” Eldrich said, sighing.
“It’s not your fault,” Lela said.
“I suspect they want something from us. And the way he looks at you as if he’s familiar with you.”
She implored her face not to give anything away to Eldrich. She should have told him about her encounter with Xavier. Her confessing now would only anger him. And what’s more, he would probably think she kept it from him because she had indulged with Xavier. She was doomed.
***
Xavier and Zel returned carrying bowls and spoons which not surprisingly were also red.
After filling each bowl with some of the stew, Zel said, “I hope everyone likes it.”
Eldrich brought a spoonful to his lips. “Please forgive me,” he said, putting the spoon down. “I’m not very hungry.”
Lela’s heart sank. “I told you not to eat all of that bread,” she said, chuckling. “He stuffed himself with bread not even two hours ago,” she said to Zel.
“What about you, Lela?” Xavier asked. “Did you also eat too much bread?” he asked, grinning.
She swallowed down two spoonfuls and then said, “I’m starving.” She was not lying. Although the stew was not the least bit tasty, she was glad to be eating something other than fruit.
Lifting her bowl, Zel said, “Well, here’s to more stew for the rest of us!”
Xavier stared at Eldrich who was fidgeting in his seat. Human food, particularly aromatic cooked food, disgusted vampires and Lela was sure Eldrich was doing all he could not to vomit.
“We need your help,” Xavier said.
Lela swallowed a last spoonful and wiped her mouth, her eyes on both Xavier and Eldrich.
“We desperately need your help,” Zel said.
“In what way?” Eldrich asked.
Xavier glanced at Lela. “Meeting you on the river bank was not an accident,” he said to her. “I sought you out.”
Lela coughed. She did not dare look at Eldrich. She could feel his eyes on her.
“You know him?” Eldrich asked.
She nodded.
“Look at me,” he said.
Coughing and silently pleading with the Gods to take her, she timidly moved her stare to him.
His eyes near-bleeding, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Did you lie with him?” he asked, tears coming down his face.
He was breaking her heart.
“No, I would never...” she tried to take his hand but he brushed it away.
“You kept it from me. What am I supposed to think?”
“She did not lie with me,” Xavier said. “I swear it.”
Eldrich exposed his fangs. Zel screamed. Xavier stood, spreading his wings. Yes, Lela had been right. Her life was about to change again.
“You’re a vampire,” Xavier said.
“And you’re an angel, which explains why I couldn’t detect your scent. Despite your shameful past, your creator still protects you from us.”
“I’m not to blame for what my ancestors did,” Xavier said.
“Yet, you’re cast out from the Heavens, nonetheless,” Eldrich said. “I should drain you right here and now.” He took a step forward.
Xavier didn’t budge. “And you think I will let you kill me? Try and we shall see who wins.”
Eldrich laughed. “Ah yes, I had forgotten how vain and overly confident fallen angels are. It’s been two hundred years since I’ve come across one. And how appropriate that you preside over a place named the Kingdom of the Lost. Is this where all fallen angels sought refuge after the war with my kind?”
/> Lela didn’t know what to do. She had never heard of angels, fallen or otherwise. They weren’t even mentioned in storybooks. Not only did they exist but they had been in a war with vampires. Her head was spinning and her stomach ached. At this moment, she was sure she was the dumbest girl in all the kingdoms. Truly, what was she doing? She was a princess for blessed Gods’ sake and instead of helping her father take care of the people of Barmoth, she had run away to live with a vampire and was now in a tower in a land unknown to her and what’s more, an angel was asking her for help. Just another day in the forest!
“Please, hear us out,” Zel said, moving between Xavier and Eldrich.
Eldrich retracted his fangs. “Speak,” he said.
“I’m imprisoned in this tower for all eternity, only able to leave it at night. And even then, I’m not allowed to venture too far. A witch took me from my parents when I was born and has kept me prisoner my entire life.” She sighed.
