“I don’t understand it.” Her voice quivered. “He was doing so well.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.” He didn’t try and give her any false hope or promises. Just held her and was there for her, which meant more than anything.
When she finally calmed down, he slid a hand under her chin. “No, don’t.” She felt her nose run. “I must look awful.”
“Never, princess.” His voice was deep and rich. “Impossible.” He added, tracing her jaw line with his thumb. “I brought you something to eat.”
She started to argue but he covered her mouth with his index finger. “I insist. You haven’t eaten anything all day.”
“How do you know?”
“I make it my business to know everything about you. Particularly where your well-being is concerned.” His silvery grey eyes held her captive for a few moments before he broke eye contact, reaching for the object next to the bed. It was a container which he flipped open using one hand.
Normally she would have found the scents delicious but right now they made her stomach roll in objection. “Thank you, but I really can’t.” She swallowed hard.
“I brought your favorites. Strawberries, pears and sliced peaches.”
She felt her eyes widen. “That’s so sweet. How did you know they were my favorites?”
“We spent a lot of time together.” His deep voice washed over her.
“Yeah, but I never told you. I would’ve remembered if I had,” she replied.
He gave her a half smile. “There are a lot of things I know about you, princess, because I made it my business to know. Yet, I haven’t learned nearly enough. Not nearly.” His smile widened and he traced the shell of her ear with his thumb.
“That’s so sweet.” She whispered, touching his jaw with her fingertips and feeling the stubble catch.
His face turned serious. “I need you to eat at least a few pieces. We’ll take it one at a time.”
She nodded before opening her mouth and taking a bite of the strawberry in his hand.
“That’s it.” He said, as she chewed and swallowed. Xavier moved into more of a sitting position, taking her with him. His long legs were on either side of her, her head on his chest.
She’d expected to feel nauseous but the opposite was true. Her stomach growled wanting more.
Xavier smiled, reaching for the container again and feeding her a piece of crunchy pear this time. “We’re going to get through this… together.”
She nodded, feeling her eyes well.
“Oh, princess.” He pulled her closer, brushing his lips across her forehead. “I’m here for you. I’ll never leave you.”
Chewing on her lip, she nodded into his chest, wishing with all her heart that she could believe him. She knew he would never willingly abandon her, but maybe he wouldn’t have any choice in the matter.
Esral accepted another bite of fruit and another, and another. Xavier put a piece of peach into his own mouth. He chewed and swallowed, looking like he had just eaten cardboard. After putting a sweet, plump strawberry into her mouth, she watched him eat another peach slice. This time actually grimacing as he swallowed.
“I’ve never seen you eat food.” She racked her brain trying hard to think of even one occasion.
Xavier shrugged. “Some vampires enjoy it. I’m not one of them.”
“Why are you eating it then?”
He frowned, lifting one of his shoulders in a casual shrug. “I’m not a big fan of drinking from other males. It’s nothing to concern yourself with. The food will help get me to my next real meal. Now forget about me and eat another strawberry.”
The only problem with his statement was that it concerned her. Very much so. “You’re hungry. When did you last take blood?” Esral sat more upright, pulling away from Xavier.
His steely grey eyes held hers. He smiled. “It doesn’t matter, princess.”
“Rubbish! You are making me eat even though I don’t want to.” She shook her head while narrowing her eyes at him.
His smile widened. “It’s not the same thing. I’m fine. If I get desperate enough, I’ll take from…” Esral could hear that he was working to keep his tone even, she could hear the disgust in his voice. “From York. I’ll manage.” He quickly added the last.
She craned her head to the side and his eyes dipped to her neck. “Take from me,” she whispered.
“No,” a low growl. When she looked up at him, his eyes had bled silver.
“Why not? Just take what you need. You’re stubborn, you know that. You won’t hurt me.”
He shook his head, eyes still on the pulse at the base of her throat. She noticed that his nostrils were flared and his jaw was clenched.
“Why not? How is it any different? You made me eat because you were worried about me and I can’t do the same for you?” She shook her head as she spoke, narrowing her eyes at him. “Stop smiling. I should also be able to take care of you. This is not a one-way street you know?”
“You are so cute when you get angry.” His eyes had heated and were filled with affection. For her.
She ignored the warm fuzzy feelings that had started to brew and sucked in a deep breath ready to tear him a new one for that particular remark when he cupped her jaw. Although he stopped smiling, there was still a glint in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry.” He turned serious. “I know you want to help me but allowing me to sink my fangs into your neck is not the way to do it.”
“You’re hungry so eat. It’s as simple as that.”
Xavier’s jaw twitched. “No it isn’t. The taking of blood can be purely calorie related but it mostly isn’t.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” She felt herself frown and even cocked her head to the side.
Xavier made a sound of frustration and ran a hand through his hair. “For someone who’s spent so much time around vampires, you know very little about the taking of blood.”
“Well, I know you guys do it but I’ve never seen anyone drink blood before. I’ve never heard anyone discuss it either.”
Xavier chuckled. “I suppose you wouldn’t have. It’s an intimate act.”
“How can eating be intimate? I still don’t understand.”
“I don’t think I can drink from you without…” He swallowed hard letting the sentence die. “You see, sex and drinking very often go hand in hand with vampires.”
“You would enjoy taking my blood.” She shrugged. “That’s fine. I won’t let it go further.”
His eyes darkened. “I will love taking your blood, more than you know.” He took a deep breath. “It will feel really good…for you. You know that moment just before you are about to cum? Your whole body feels coiled. The pleasure is almost too intense to handle?” His voice had become a low rumble.
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Imagine that feeling only amplified by ten.”
“Really?” She gushed the word. “Will you feel the same way?”
Xavier shook his head. “You are attracted to me and therefore will be affected when I drink from you. The same would only apply if you drank from me.”
Her heart rate quickened and even though the thought should sicken her, it didn’t. Not one little bit. She could still taste the tangy, salty yet sweet taste of his blood from when she had nicked him with her teeth. Her cheeks felt a little hot just thinking about how she had sucked on Xavier’s root. Best she not go there right now. “You would stay in control?”
She hadn’t meant it as a question but Xavier nodded. “I should. There is no guarantee though. Vampires sometimes go into bloodlust and are unable to stop drinking. It typically only happens with humans but we have never been with elves so I am not sure what my reaction would be.”
“You’ve taken from a human?” For whatever reason, Esral didn’t like the idea.
He shook his head. “No, we are not permitted to rut or drink from humans. Too risky.”
“I’m sure it will be okay. I am much strong
There was a rap on the door and it slowly opened. “It’s only me,” York growled. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah,” Xavier said. Esral tried to move away from him but he tightened his grip on her.
“Sorry to interrupt, princess…my lord.” He inclined his head to each of them in turn. “Lazarus and I are just outside. We will make sure that the princess is safe. With all due respect, you should drink, my lord.”
“Cut the my lord crap.”
“Fine…” York growled. “Drink from your female already. You need your strength. Gideon is getting what he needs and should be on top form by tomorrow.” His blue eyes darkened. “Lazarus and I just became best fucking buddies not so long ago ourselves.”
Esral couldn’t help but to giggle at the thought of the two big males drinking from one another.
York fake smiled at her. “Yeah, yeah very funny.”
“I’m sorry.” She said through a wide grin.
“Don’t sweat it.” York waved a hand. “I would laugh too if I was you. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
Xavier ground his teeth for a beat. “How are you going to know if the princess needs help?”
Esral shrugged, raising her eyebrows. “I’ll scream.” Surely they would be able to hear if she was in trouble?
York and Xavier exchanged a look and both males laughed. “You’ll scream.” York mumbled. “You’re funny, princess, you know that?”
“I don’t get it.” She shook her head, feeling like an idiot.
“You will scream, princess.” Xavier whispered into her ear. “But it won’t be in pain, that much I can promise you.”
Esral swallowed hard catching York’s knowing smirk.
“We need a safe word.” Xavier growled, causing her nipples to pebble. Esral folded her arms across her chest.
“How about I just say stop if I’ve had enough?”
“Nah.” York shook his head. “You might yell stop but you won’t really mean it. Trust me. I’ve stopped dozens of times and every damn time the female got mad at me.”
“You could shout the word fire,” Xavier said. “If you even whisper the word fire I’ll stop. If I don’t…” His intense eyes held hers. “Say it again and York and Lazarus will save you.” His eyes moved to York. “No hesitation…get your asses in here and knock me the fuck out if you have to. I don’t like it.” He growled as an afterthought.
“It’s better that we do this now.” She put a hand to his chest. “I don’t know about you but I don’t want anyone around when we mate.” She felt her cheeks heat. “I know that it is vampire culture to drink during the mating. If we get through this today then we’ll know that I’ll be safe with you when we do finally”—she felt her cheeks heat—“you know.”
Xavier’s nostrils flared and his eyes glowed looking like moonlight on water. “Damn straight. Cock and fang.” He growled, causing parts of her to tingle with anticipation.
“Fire. Got it,” York growled. The door opened and closed as he left.
“Drink from me. I can take it. York and Lazarus are right outside.”
Xavier looked unsure. The crease lines between his eyes were back. “I would never forgive myself if I hurt you.”
Esral punched him on the arm. “I’m way tougher then you think. Just drink already. I don’t mind.”
Xavier nodded, his eyes flashing to her neck for the briefest moment before returning to her gaze. “Put your back here,” he commanded, tapping his chest. Esral did as he said. She could feel the heat radiating off of him. Could feel his heart drumming against her back, hard and fast.
Esral tipped her head to the side. “I will heal quickly so don’t worry about leaving marks.”
His hot breath was on her neck as he crouched forward. It sounded like he sucked on his finger before putting his hands around her waist where he held her in place.
“If it’s too much for you…”
“Yeah, yeah I’ll yell fire.” She said, feeling her heart pound with anticipation.
Xavier chuckled and she felt the rumble against her back. “I was going to say that you should open your legs and I’ll ease you.”
“Oh.” Her voice came out sounding really high pitched.
“Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. Just open up and I’ll take the pain away.”
“It’s going to hurt?” She tried not to sound worried and failed.
She could feel him nodding against her. “Yeah, but not in the way you think. Just do as I say okay, princess?”
She swallowed thickly. “Okay.”
“You don’t sound so sure about this anymore. I don’t have to do this you know?”
“I want you to.” At least it came out sounding confident. When the truth was, she was more than a little afraid.
“You’ll feel a small pinch and then it should feel really good.”
“I thought you said it would hurt.”
He chuckled softly. “It’s hard to explain.”
“Just do it already.” She said, gasping as he bent down.
She felt his fangs pierce her skin with a sharp jab that made her gasp even louder this time. His hot breath fanned her for a second before his lips closed over her skin.
Xavier made a sound of utter rapture as he sucked. Esral felt her blood course through her veins. It was as if she could suddenly feel each and every cell, each and every nerve ending. When he sucked a second time, the hard pull caused her nipples to pebble to the point of actual pain. Her flower filled with nectar. Her rosebud throbbed. It felt as if he were sucking on her there, only way more intense. The air hissed through her teeth as she tried to suck in a breath. When he took another suck, her back bowed off the bed and a cry was ripped from her. It was desperate, needy and yet didn’t come close to expressing the urgency that filled her. Her womb clenched. Every part of her ached. Xavier was right. She hurt with the all consuming need to cum. She writhed, trying to pull away from him but he held her in place with arms of steel.
When his finger flicked over her clit she melted against him on a hard sigh. When had she opened her legs? Sure as all hell, they were open. Her inner thighs burned from being so stretched. His fingers splayed her flower as he continued to strum on her rosebud in fast, firm circles. When he sucked on her, she felt her mouth slacken as an orgasm plowed through her with an intensity that took her breath away.
Just as she was coming down he sucked again, moaning as he swallowed. Her back bowed so heavily she was sure she was about to break herself in two but she couldn’t help it as another even stronger wave of rapture seized her. She trembled across her entire body as her muscles spasmed hard.
“No more,” she cried. “I can’t possibly.” Her voice was so thick and husky that she didn’t recognize it.
Another hard pull had her body shuddering violently as yet another orgasm tore through her. Hard and fast. Her mouth opened but no sound came out. Her eyes widened. There was a god-awful noise. It sounded like a wild animal. She realized with utter horror that it was her making those noises. She rocked against his hand for the longest time before slowing as she finally came down.
She gave a cry of both pleasure and loss as he retracted his fangs. Then moaned as he licked the spot. A zing of pleasure shot through her. Her flower wept. Her head lolled back. It was the most fulfilled she’d felt since meeting Xavier and yet she instinctively knew that there was so much more. Her stem felt empty. Her body achy.
“Soon.” He whispered, causing her to moan softly sounding more needy than she ever had before. “I will take you so hard and so deep that you will feel me there for days after.”
She nodded, fighting hard to catch her breath. Wishing he could take her now. It would help her forget everything going on around them.
“I’m going to get a washcloth to clean you up and then you must sleep.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if…”
“I’ll stay as long as I can.” He gave her the most devastating, heartwarming smile. “That is, if you will let me hold you.”
Esral nodded. “Knowing you are close will help me sleep.”
“It would be my pleasure. Lie back and, Esral…” She locked eyes with his. “Thank you. I’ve never tasted anything so sweet and delicious. For a second there I wasn’t sure I would be able to stop. I sure as hell won’t ever be able to drink from anyone else ever again.” He clenched his jaw.
“You’d better not.”
He smiled. “I told you that you were it for me and I meant it. I’ll starve to death if you can’t be my mate.”
“Don’t say such a thing.”
He smiled, looking sad. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
“I can’t mate York while my father is so ill anyway. I refuse.” Her lip wobbled so she bit down on it. “If he doesn’t make it…”
“Shhh. The healers know what they are doing.” He paused for a few beats. “I came here after checking in on him and they said he was resting peacefully. I don’t want to give you false hope but your elven healer said that he was doing much better. Still not out of the woods yet, but much better.”
She smiled, feeling a little better herself. Xavier disappeared into her bathroom returning moments later with a cloth. He carefully wiped her neck, which felt a little tender. The cloth was warm. It felt good against her skin. His eyes heated as they moved down her body to the juncture of her thighs. “Here you go, princess.” He handed her the cloth.
It was becoming a common occurrence, yet it still irritated her as her cheeks heated. Xavier dropped a kiss on her nose before turning. She got the distinct impression that he was trying to give her some privacy. Really sweet considering what had just taken place. He removed his shirt making a big show of folding the garment and hanging it over the back of the chair. For a second she felt spellbound as her eyes tracked the ink lines on his lower back. Thankfully, she snapped out of it long enough to wipe between her legs and down her inner thighs. She had to bite back a moan as the rough cloth abraded her sensitive flesh.
As soon as she was done, Xavier turned towards her. He held out his hand, his eyes on the cloth.
She shook her head. “I’ll take care of it.” Her cheeks must be glowing. They felt like she had spontaneously combusted.
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