Page 26 of Vows Forged in Blood

“Am I in danger here?” I ask Takara quietly. I know that though the majority of the Revenant forces are beyond the Sisters, held back by Alaric’s army, there are still nests hidden within Braxhelm and attacks still happen from time to time. Plus, humans are just as capable of being monsters.

“You are perfectly safe,” Takara assures me. “Your guard are simply doing their jobs.”

I cast a glance over my shoulder. Descartes looks like he would tear someone in half without a second’s hesitation if they so much as breathed threateningly in my direction. A young boy’s eyes widen when the vampire’s eyes narrow at him, sending him scurrying away so quickly he almost falls twice. Malcom, Viktor, Isaiah, Cyrus, and Kane all look equally as lethal, equally as ready for a fight. I’d almost forgotten how terrifying they really are. I’ve grown so used to them and their jesting and easy smiles around the camp. To my relief, Viktor throws me a very quick wink before schooling his features into a hard mask again. I smile and turn to continue on with Takara beside me, pointing out the different shops down the main thoroughfare of the town. I spy the infamous blood house that most soldiers from the camp come here to visit and my mind whirls with curiosity. I don’t go in, of course, but…maybe one day…

After a long day and many, many purchases—pastries and writing supplies, a few new garments, gifts for my father and sister, and even a broach in the shape of a wolf that I thought perhaps Alaric might like, though as soon as we left the shop I chided myself for being so ridiculous and decided to give it to Wesley or Nova instead—we finally arrive back at the camp. To my utter surprise, I’m happy to be back. It still doesn’t feel like home, exactly, but it’s becoming a close approximation. I feelsafe here and I like the familiarity of it even after only a few weeks.

I eat a quick dinner and let the night before play through my mind over and over again. I’d been exceptionally drunk, sure, but did I really imagine the moments with Alaric? He’d been more relaxed with me, for sure, but it was more than that. I swear he’d looked at me like…well, like maybe he wanted me the way I wanted him. Had he been able to tell what I was thinking? To know exactly how badly I’d wanted to move those few precious inches when he was taking my blood, our bodies so achingly close, but not touching the way I desperately needed? Had he known that I wanted him to lift my wrist to his lips, to feel his tongue and teeth against my skin?

Even now just thinking about it, my pulse begins to speed, my chest rising and falling quickly as my imagination begins to spin out of control. What would it feel like to have Alaric’s fangs pierce my skin? For him to do…other things while he drank? I shiver and then put my head in my hands, groaning.

“What in the seven hells is wrong with me?” I sigh and head to my room, deciding to write to Enid to distract myself.

Enid,

I got to visit the nearby village today. Well, nearby is a bit of an overstatement—it took us hours to get there, but it was so nice to be around people again. I felt almost normal (and don’t even say that I’ve never been normal). I got you and da a few gifts that I’ll send along with this letter. I hope you like the journal. The snow lilies engraved on the front reminded me of the dress you used to wear every day when you were six or seven. Doyou remember? Mum could scarcely get you out of it long enough to wash it.

I smile at the memory, the bittersweetness of it making my chest ache. I honestly don’t even know if it’s a real memory or if I just heard the stories so many times, mum and da telling them beside the fireplace and smiling fondly down at Enid and me, that it’s branded into my mind.

Last night there was a small revel with some of the soldiers. I went with Wesley and Nova, of course, but you’ll never guess who showed up—the High General himself. I couldn’t believe it, but Wesley said he often spends time with the men, celebrating and sharing a laugh over drinks. Well, he doesn’t really laugh very much, but you get my meaning. Who would have thought? The stories they told of him were crazy. If even half of them are true…well, it’s no wonder he’s the High General and the greatest warlord Braxhelm has ever known.

I chew on my lip, the need to talk to my sister about my ridiculous growing…what? Infatuation? Desire?Feelings? for Alaric nearly overwhelming.

I think there’s something wrong with me, Enid. I’m having…thoughts about Alaric. Thoughts that no Consort should be having for her prince. I thought it was just because of the binding during the Choosing, but I don’tthink that’s all it is. I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t stop myself, can’t stop my imagination from running wild whenever I think of him, can’t stop this…wanting. I almost kissed him when I was drunk last night (speaking of which, I’m having a cask of the ale sent with this letter as well—it’s absolutely delicious, but dangerous when it comes to decision-making it seems. Use it wisely). What do I do? This has to stop, but I don’t know how. I wish you were here.

I scrub tears from my eyes.

I’ll write again soon. Give da my love and give him the sketches enclosed so he can make a pair of swords for Wesley and Nova.

~Dahlia

I seal the letter and lay it on the table with the gifts and sketches so I can give them to the squire tomorrow morning. I crawl into bed and try to sleep, but it’s no use. My mind is too busy, my thoughts too tumultuous, my body too on edge. Maybe I should go to Wesley’s cabin and slack these desires, take the edge off of these needs that are driving me mad. Maybe that’s the whole problem. I just needsomeone, not necessarily Alaric. The bond just has my thoughts confused. Even without the spark between us, Wesley and I can surely find our way to pleasure together.

But even after convincing myself that this is the perfect plan, I don’t move to dress or leave the cabin. I remain in my bed,staring at the ceiling but seeing dark curls tumbling over golden eyes. I close my eyes, but the image remains. I sigh and give in to the inevitable, skating my fingers over my breasts and down my stomach, my skin so sensitive that goosebumps erupt over every inch. Eventually, my hand slips beneath the blanket. I let the picture of Alaric in my mind change and move as my fingers delve, making my hips arch and a gasp escape my lips. I cast my mind back to last night, when he’d been standing so close to me.

In my mind, he doesn’t pull away when I lean forward. Instead, he cradles my face as I press my lips to his, as I grab the front of his shirt and tug him forward. In my mind, he shifts so that his hips are wedged between my thighs, and I swear I can feel him against me now, hard as steel. In my mind, he whispers my name. I move my hand faster as the vision in my mind grows frantic. I imagine him running a hand down my side before gripping my hip and wrenching me hard against him; his lips hard and urgent on mine, demanding his due, dominating my mouth; him kissing across my jaw and down my neck; him flicking his tongue across the soft skin of my neck before sinking his fangs deep into my flesh?—

I cry out as I come in a rush on my own fingers, my hips bucking and writhing. My climax rips through me like wildfire, setting every nerve aflame and leaving me in ashes on the bed. It feels like hours before I come down from it, my breaths finally slowing and my heart quieting inside my chest.

“Seven hells,” I croak into the darkness before turning to bury my face in my pillow.

Chapter 15

ALARIC

Ipace in my chambers, trying and failing to keep Dahlia from my mind. I distracted myself with training a new group of soldiers fresh from the academy most of the day, punishing my body and theirs in an effort to keep my mind away from things that had almost happened last night. Things thatcan’teverhappen. It hadn’t worked of course, just as pacing a hole through my rug isn’t helping now. Her soft touch on my chest, the way her lips had parted in what looked like invitation…or demand. The way she’d leaned forward…

A growl rumbles through my chest remembering what came next: the way my body had reacted to her touch, the things it had craved, the way my mind was completely consumed with wants and needs. I’d never felt so animalistic in all my years, never more like the monsters vampires used to be called. The absolute fear I’d felt at the idea of hurting her—or worse—had been the only thing to clear my mind and help me regain control of the primal instincts screaming inside my body.

I run a hand roughly through my hair and toss back my drink, enjoying the sharp burn and closing my eyes. I’ll master this, I’ll figure it out. I’ll?—

My eyes snap open and I stare towards her wing, as if I can see through the walls straight to her chambers. My heart races inside my chest, my body tensing as my fangs slide long, sharpening. I thought I’d heard…yes, there again—a gasp…and a soft moan?

“Oh fucking hells,” I groan. She’s in the throes of something, there’s no doubt, butwhatexactly? Is she alone? The thought of her pleasuring herself has my cock as hard as the mountains surrounding us in a heartbeat. But then another thought rises: what if sheisn’talone? What if she’d brought another man—or woman—to her chambers? A swift and hot rage floods my chest like lava. I strain to hear a second heartbeat, to sense another, but find nothing. The relief that washes through me is absolutely staggering, nearly making my knees buckle.

“Get a fucking grip on yourself,” I command, taking deep, settling breaths.

Which is a terrible mistake. A glorious, spellbinding, terrible mistake. Every muscle in my body goes rigid as her scent hits me like a battering ram. Her arousal is even sweeter than her blood, like honey, and I can barely breathe from the force of it, the pull of it.

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