Page 58 of Widow

"What a fierce guard you have here, Prince. You're a fool for being outside the castle walls. Not that that would've helped you anyway."

I didn't know what to do. Did I stay and fight them to the death? Or did I run away and save at least one of us?

Four of the vampires came towards me, pushing me farther and farther away from Reve. He was pleading with them to let us go. Telling them they would never get away with this.

I made the decision then that I wouldn't let them get away with it. I would run back to the castle and get reinforcements.

Before I could second-guess my decision, I took off at a sprint. The vampires that gave chase soon left me and turned back.

I got to the village leading to the castle and shifted back. There was something awry.

Lilith had decided to make her move against the crown. She had evolved into some kind of demon that could control other demons. Since Reve was young, he was easily controllable.

So when she commanded him to kill his parents, he did. Then he chained himself in the dungeons.

I tried for years to find a way to save him, but the longer time went on, the stronger Lilith became, and the more hope slipped away from me.

Lia was brushing her teeth as I looked around the area we were in. Not far away, there was a little area surrounded by boulders that the stream was running into. I walked over to it and looked inside. I could see the steam wafting off of it. There must have been a heat vent underneath.

Inferna was so warm, despite the lack of a sun, because of the natural vents. Most of these vents were harmless and undetectable. They just radiated heat. In the south, though, some of the vents spewed fire.

With my back to her, I shifted my face and sniffed the water. There were no threats inside. I lapped at it with my tongue.

"You said you felt dirty. This is probably the only chance you're going to get to take a bath in the next couple of days."

She zipped up the little bag she had and made her way toward me. She eyed the pool warily, and I shrugged my shoulders.

"It's completely safe. I'll get in first, if that will appease your worries."

Without waiting for a response, I kicked off my boots and the rest of my clothes until I was naked. I could feel her eyes on me. She made a noise in her throat, and I could smell her arousal.

I smirked to myself.

I climbed over a boulder and slid into the warm water. The tension I had been feeling instantly disappeared as the warm water washed over my muscles. I dipped my head underneath and looked around. This pool was as pure and clean as it could be.

I came back to the surface and found her standing next to the boulder, watching me.

She picked up my clothes and placed them on the top of the rock.

"It's safe. Come in."

She hesitated for a moment before she started to take off her boots. "Turn around."

I did as she asked. I heard her unzipping her pants and removing the rest of her clothes. There was a splash behind me.

I turned around and gave her my best smile, moving closer to her. She put her hands out in front of her.

"Don't be like that." I laughed and swam around. I floated onto my back, and she took an audible gasp of air.

"Are you purposely trying to make me blush?" I was still floating on my back. I looked down and saw that I was sticking out of the water.

"Aren't you a doctor? You've seen plenty of penises, haven't you? Maybe not as nice as mine, but I'm sure you've seen your fair share."

"I've seen plenty, but in a clinical setting. Not in a warm pool of water that looks like blood. Naked."

She ran her hands over her arms, cleaning herself. I stopped floating and watched as she rubbed her hands over her smooth skin. I desperately wanted to reach out and help her.

"I can get your back for you." I sounded like a pup and cringed. "If you want me to."

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