Page 18 of The Exiled Dragon

His hand was cupping the back of my neck while his forehead sat there, his eyes closed, breathing in powerfully. My heart was doing somersaults in my chest until he pulled away. Partly disappointed, partly relieved, he grabbed a few furs and gestured for me to sit on the bed to carry me.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, he pulled me past the cloth and into the back where the hot pool stayed, but he continued. There was another room across from the pool with a long fur draped across the opening. Walking inside was another bed of furs, just for my height. A fire at the far side of the room was blazing with several logs beside it. Creed sat me down gently, covering me with the new furs he had gathered from outside.

He gave me my own room.

As simple of a room as it was, it was my own room. Creed must have made it while I was sleeping. He was giving me the privacy I so desperately wanted when I was captured, made to be humiliated in front of all the Vampire demons. My eyes watered; it was such a sweet gesture for a man or Dragon who didn't have many guests.

I pulled the fur around my body, grateful for what he had done but slightly disappointed. I had enjoyed our night before; he was close and made me feel secure and safe. Now I was behind the cloth in the back of the cave with no one here. I was being selfish; he made this for me to be comfortable. This was something I couldn't deny him; his face was lit up brighter than the fire itself.

Looking up at him, I spoke the only words I could say. "Thank you, Creed, this is sweet." My voice cracked. His hands returned to mine, forehead touching mine again, but just as before, his warm touch retreated, making me feel the coldness of the cave.

He walked out, giving me one last glance before the cloth shimmied back into its place.

"Walk faster," Master Enoch hissed. His arm clenched tightly against my bicep. He no longer pulled me by the rope around my wrists; the Duke's favorite place to feed was around my wrists and forearms. The Vampires enjoyed my legs, my thighs, and the occasional backbite, which was uncomfortable with their large jaws extending not far enough to get a good grip.

I winced, feeling Enoch throw me into the cage. It was nothing but a 4x4 cell initially, but I was upgraded two months later to a six-by-six. The mattress on the floor was an inch thick, and a rag for a blanket and a small bucket in the corner. Some humans threw menacing glances at me, the ones that had been here the longest. They had been stuck in the same small cages and never got the "special treatment." I never asked for any special treatment; they just stuck me in here one day when the Duke said to treat me better. Most Vampires didn't listen; the Duke thought I was sleeping in one of his private rooms.

The female Vampires that were in charge of making sure the humans were fed and producing enough blood wouldn't have me getting any special treatment. I was a pathetic human, the dirt under their fingernails. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to stir up any more trouble. I made not one human friend in the entire basement because of this ‘special treatment ‘of such an expansive cage.

My wrists were bleeding; the Duke had been rough with me tonight. He was testing me to see if I would cry or beg for mercy. I never did. I never would. That's what they wanted; they got off on that. The Duke was extra happy tonight as he trailed his tongue across my arm. I shivered in disgust until his fangs plunged into my forearm.

I sighed, rubbing the opened wound. They could heal us, but they preferred to make us suffer, to feel it heal slowly, or only to be plunged into the same area the next day. They could be so much gentler; their venom could numb the area, and on top of it all, seal the wounds. They snuffed out the little hope we had to be free of the pain.

My heart sank heavily while I sat on my mattress. "Psst." Pulling the ragged blanket closer, I leaned my head forward to the sound. No one dares to talk to me; who would start now? "Psst," the sound became louder.

Everyone was asleep; the swinging dim light shook above the rest of the cages. My hands gripped the bars. "Hello?" I whispered, only to have my arm ripped from one of the bars. Deep red eyes shone back at me. They were hungry, starving. My heartbeat erratically in my chest, dropping into my stomach.

Fangs plunged into the same holes the Duke had left not but a few moments earlier. The re-entry was more painful than the initial. My mouth opened for a silent scream, still not wanting to let them have their satisfaction. The gulping noises were heard from their throat, the constant swallowing, the grip on my forearm tightened.

He reused the holes to go undetected that someone else had used me. No one was to use me anymore, only the Duke.

My vision darkened; my skin turned cold as my body slumped to the floor. I no longer held my arm in a tensed fashion; it was now limp. He had gone past the usual feeding; he had been starving. He was the second Vampire I had fed today, my blood already low. I no longer had the will to live; I had hoped he would drain me to end the suffering.

He let go quickly, realizing he was taking too much, and my body collapsed on the damp floor. I didn’t even have the energy left to crawl onto the mattress; I laid there until the last light of the basement went out.

Chapter Thirteen

Creed

Ithadbeenthreedays since I had put Odessa in her own area of the cave for sleep. I imagined she spent many nights in front of other humans and Vampires, watching her every move. I prepared a room meant for storage, just extra furs, baskets, and dried meats to get me through the winter months. Odessa slept contentedly in my nest our first day back and gave me plenty of time to surprise her.

As much as I wanted to keep her in my nest, this would be best for her. Eventually, I hope to get her into mine more permanently.

The back cave dwelling was dark, but the fire area I had created would keep her warm through the night. My Dragon disagreed with me, wanting to keep her in our own nest. Having her so close the night in the treehouse gave him rest; he purred contentedly, watching her eyes close gently. Odessa's soft features nestled into the cloud-like pillow, her hair scattered about her face. My finger had traced her cheek numerous times, my Dragon pushing me to climb onto the sizeable downy nest to be with her.

I could not scare her away, not when I just got her back. My Dragon continued to fight with me. He wanted reassurance, to hold her and keep her safe. He was worried about her warmth, but I knew she was fine in the safety of our cave.

The furs I had placed on Odessa's new nest were nothing but the best. Some from the Eskaski, the same animal she screamed for when I chopped off the male's head for our meal.

I should have thought of that. Her kind may not be used to seeing animals cut open and drained of their innards to prepare for a portion of food. Odessa's ways of life and mine were different, completely different worlds. My heart raced when she screamed, fearing she would surely want to leave me now. Her eyes only held understanding once she realized the animal's purpose. Odessa had learned to adapt quickly to her surroundings, but I didn't want her to adapt; I wanted her to overcome. If she didn't like something, I wanted to know. Making her comfortable, ensuring she did not want to leave, was my Dragon's priority. Right now, if she wanted to go, I don't think I could let her.

Razak was an intelligent animal, although needy when it came to Odessa. My own Dragon would kill him instantly if he started to pull her attention away from us. However, his own fascination to help feed my fawn gave me the greatest gift to give her.

Dragons often gave gifts to their mates; I had seen it many times with my stepfather and mother. He would help the Cerulean Moon Kingdom with rogues and demons that would escape the Underworld. Each body a dragon would bring to the Queen, she would reward them with whatever they wanted. Male Dragons asked for jewels to decorate their mates. I had never fought after rogues; I had no mate to give them to, and I had no hoard hidden away like many. Living my life in peace, away from other supernaturals, was what I did. Not unless I needed money for better weapons, soap, and oils. I had fought many times in the underground Shifter fighting rings. That was where I would earn my coin.

It had been many years since I had been to a fight. Now that I had Odessa, I wanted to shower her with gifts. One day I will have the courage to ask her to be my mate, and then I would gift her with as many jewels I could find, even if it meant going to fight again.

For now, to show her my devotion to her, I would give her the Eskaski fur, the purest fur. This fur was resistant to stains, dirt, and debris, but most of all, it was known for its warmth. Eskaskis roamed the tops of mountains. With one being so close to us, it meant winter was coming, ready to coat the forest with a dusting of the white iridescent powder. Odessa would need warmer clothes. The clothes we had taken from King Osirus and Queen Melina's secret hideaway would not keep her warm. I had thought to take more of the clothes, Her Majesty was thoughtful and kind, but I wanted to provide Odessa, not take from another.

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