Page 78 of His True Beloved

Christine’sbodyshutdown,letting the venom finally reach her extremities. This was the hardest part. Not for her to feel the pain, but for me to sink my fangs deeper into the bone. It was by no means pleasant for her but for a vampire inflicting the pain on their beloved, it was pure agony.

I held my fangs into her body. Her eyes fluttered shut from exhaustion. The human’s fight or flight reflex was hard to overcome. Christine’s body was powerful, and keeping her to where she didn’t hurt herself, such as my fangs accidentally shifting and hitting a major artery while I was buried deep into the bone, would not favor well. Especially with her blood clotting issues.

Her body limp, I kept my fangs inside, seeping more of the venom into her. Once I felt the bond release me of the powerful urge to change her, I retracted my fangs, licking her now bruised skin. It would remain a bruise for several days as the venom worked to turn her soft skin into something stronger.

My nose followed her neck, her scent drawing me closer to an artery. My stomach had emptied, my body weak from extracting too much venom. I gently tickled her neck with my fangs and sunk them gently into her skin. She sighed, her nipples tightening and arousal seeping into my nose as I drank just enough to help me stabilize my hunger.

Christine would need constant care when she woke, feeding from me as she learned to take care of the blood lust. I hope she had learned from her mother that she wouldn’t fight it, let it warm over her body, accept my blood and have her transition be as smooth and quick.

I couldn’t help but laugh at Justin’s nearly failed attempt to change his own beloved. Christine’s mother was so tender-hearted. It was the downfall of why she was stuck in the relationship with her now ex-husband.

Letting out a sigh of relief, licking the remnants from the corner of my mouth, I laid my beloved on the overly stuffed pillow. Christine’s body lay deathly still, the small pants of breath so small if I did not have my heart beating with hers, I would have sworn she was dead. Her eyes fluttered beneath her lashes, my fear crashing into my heart, thinking that somehow that incubus could crawl into the depths of her mind, but it couldn’t be true.

Not at all. It was the blessing of the goddess descending upon her. Rumor was humans were often visited by the goddess, expressing their congratulations. She was ultimately changing Christine, creating her in every way that would compliment my body so we could have children and live long lives in the mortal realm before we passed through the veil of death if it ever occurred.

After cleaning my beloved and myself, I dressed her in the most delicate silk gown I had prepared for her. As soon as I found her, I ordered from the best seamstress that Rowan had recommended to make her clothing similar to what she would do once we arrived back home.

Home.

Now this war, The Dark War that Rowan continued to speak of in passing, was occurring.It may not be much of a home when we go back.The sick feeling in my stomach told me there would be a lot of rebuilding, especially with Vermillion on the verge of breaking.

There was not much on the informational front of what was happening, but the worst was occurring. All we could do was pray to the gods that somehow we would pull through, and Earth would be left alone.

Pulling my mate to my chest, her body was like a beautiful porcelain doll, with blonde hair, unscarred skin, and thick dark lashes across my chest. I couldn’t believe I had found her. Amid all the darkness my home world was facing, I had her, and she was willing to return to the mess with me.

She’d be treated like the princess she was if my gold was still left where I had buried it all those years before King Darius forced me into his army. Balling my fist, I placed it on my forehead. I should have done more after my first beloved had died before me, taken in that rage, put a spin on Darius, and helped lead a rebellion against the crown.

But I faltered.

Yet, here I am now. More blessed than I could ever possibly deserve.

My eyes shut, thinking of the possibilities of the new kingdom that Taliyah will reign. She was the light that the dark kingdom needed, and I would do my best to help her, to help Queen Clara. Empires ruled by strong women would surely get us somewhere.

I smiled, knowing damn well Christine would be proud of her gender. Before I could sway my thoughts to nothing but more happiness in our new lives together, my eyes shut, welcoming the darkness as the sun approached the horizon.

***

The days and nights had run together. We slept through the day and into the evening into the next day. The first signs of life at the door were slight pants from a human on the other side. My interest peaked, and I threw on a pair of dark linen pants.

Opening the door, I saw the small boy greet me, Allen, who had trouble speaking but could handle Suron very well. Suron, who I hadn’t noticed before, was too busy watching the boy put a hand on his shoulder.

“Allen wanted to see if Chrissy was all right.” Suron gave a soft smile to Allen, who nodded his head. The handheld contraption I had seen him play with so intently was held out to me. “This is called a video game. It is what human children like to play. He wanted to offer it to Chrissy while she’s locked up in her room.” My lip curved to a smile, lowering myself so I was eye to eye with the boy.

“She’s sleeping and won’t wake up for another day or so. I’ll tell her you stopped by, and maybe you both could play when she’s better.” Allen nodded, his eyes never reaching mine, and hid behind Suron again.

“Is she all right?” Suron muttered, sneaking a glance. Suron was young in all things regarding a beloved, and he did not know how hard it was for me to let him see my beloved in such a state. She was helpless, lying in a bed, leaving her vulnerable.

Part of me knew that Christine would want me to be friendly, so I gritted my teeth, held back the anger that washed over me, and touched his shoulder to turn him away from the door. Shutting it, I leaned on the overly extravagant door and sighed. “She’s doing fine.” I ran my fingers through my hair.

Suron wrinkled his nose.

I probably smell and look like shit for sleeping so long.

“Do you need some blood brought up?” He eyed me. “You look a little gaunt.” I snorted back a laugh, Allen now playing with his video game again.

“No, I’ll wait for Christine to feed. It will taste better when we feed simultaneously.” I smirked. Feeling my cock already filling, I adjusted myself before turning to him.

“Her cat is all right,” Suron answered my question before I could ask. “He’s a sweet thing. He cuddled with me all night after the mixer.” I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest.

---