Times of peace have transformed our castle. The halls are clean and the floors shine. Weapons are hung in marvelous displays upon the walls, rather than upon the backs of soldiers. The grounds are green and lush, and the fields are full of ripening crops. Everywhere there is merriment and comfort. No where is this more obvious than the great hall, which once held long tables for seating and feeding the masses who hid within our walls and at which every able body developed strategies. Now a few tables remain, usually piled high with breads and fruits, but the floor has been cleared and polished making room for the profusion of dancers.
Each night as suits my fancy musicians are chosen, and the hall fills with the vibrant souls from our own township, and many from our newly formed allies. Most are girls just coming of age, and some are men, seeking the attentions of these girls. Everyone is welcome here, so long as peace prevails, and it does, so much so that even the guards are able to sneak in a few dances now and then, and even I have been known to take a spin with friends.
This night, although the swirling masses still make me smile, I seem less in the mood for them. I felt no need to ruin their fun, so I simply allowed them to continue without me. I knew, if the musicians are able, or should more talented souls be amid the dancers, the revelry will continue nearly until dawn. I felt a little disappointed in myself, for I had dressed specially for the occasion, in my favorite corset and matching skirts. I wandered the darkened hallways between guest rooms, pondering my moodiness, trailing my fingers restlessly along the mosaic artwork that adorns the walls. I was hungry, and although I know I have no real need to feed at such relaxed times when my magic is not required, I could not shake the need. However, the past has proved that peace will last longer if I don't hunt the mortals who support me, and enemies are both fortunately and unfortunately, no where near.
I continued to meander down the hallways, pleased as ever as I feel the stones of the mosaic beneath my fingers more and more often as smooth and sharp. I have come to my favorite passage. Gradually the light increases and reflects in the gemstones laid into the dragon mosaic of our master corridor. The way here is lit by candles in sconces on the opposite wall, put there for the effect they create, rather than the light itself. As the flames jump and dance the light reflected from the stones does too, painting the opposite wall and the floor with a myriad of tones. For a while I simply watched them, admiring them and the massive dragon, nearly alive, who creates them. I sought out the beast's heart-stone, barely touching it before my own magic recognizes me and with a creak and a pop a sliver of dull grey spell light widens as the hidden door swung inward.
Simon sat at the far wall of the windowless room, reclining in his chair at the end of the canopied bed. He was reading a massive old book, and making notes in another. He didn't immediately acknowledge me, and I wondered for a moment if he missed my entrance during his revere.
--I could smell you poppit, even if I hadn't heard you,-- said a deep, silky voice in my head, --come sit with me.--
Simon closed his books and placed them on the side table, patting his lap. I tried not to appear too eager as I headed toward him. I pretended to find creases in the bed-curtains as I stood just beyond his easy reach. Simon growled, leaning to catch my skirts, pulled me to him and I landed roughly upon my bottom in his lap. I giggled softly, still trying to play hard to get. This is my favorite game, and after hundreds of years it's lost none of it's pleasure.
--Surly little bitch! Tease me, will you?-- his mind voice sounded angry, but there was a sparkle in his eyes and smile on his face. He wrapped one arm around my waist and buried the other hand in the hair at the base of my red, waist length braid, pulling me to him in a brutally passionate kiss. I couldn't help it any longer and I moaned, parting my lips. His tongue danced into my mouth, tickling the roof of my mouth and tracing the sharp edges of my teeth, finally drawing back into his own mouth as mine desperately chased it. He sucked it in suddenly and bit, dragging his sharpening canines through the sensitive muscle. Blood filled my mouth and I began to panic, a deep seated instinct rising despite my familiarity with the situation. I struggled, but his hand shifted to the scruff of my neck, grabbing me, holding me still.
--Shhhh... shhhh... love, I'll only hurt you a little,-- his mind voice grew husky and low, becoming a growl, --trust...--
--Si, Si, you're... it's...-- all at once my mind reeled in a crazy mixture of adrenaline and endorphins as the magic of the feeding began, pain and pleasure morphing into a spirit that possessed me. A low guttural half growl, half moan built, escaping from my throat and roaring from my mind into his. Simon released my tongue and chased it back and forth, from my mouth to his as I felt the blood being drawn from me. Both his arms wrapped around my back and held me firmly, but gently close as I buried all my fingers in his long, dark hair, holding him to me. My vision wavered and pulsed, furthering my dizziness, when I closed my eyes I saw brilliant swirling colors. My nipples hardened against the rough fabric of my corset, fighting the hard boning, as my pussy became hotter and wetter, leaving a moist spot in my skirts beneath me.
Simon can't go without feeding so long as I can, nor can he do most of the spells I can. I've mastered a great deal of magic and learned to tap into some of the deep energy of the earth. This is what sustains me most of the time, so long as I'm not using this energy for my magic, as I can only pull so much. His strength and stamina far exceeds my own, however, and his fighting skills are unparalleled. Together our abilities make us a dynamic force.
Too soon he began to pull away, and the pain began to ebb, as he tried to break the connection before he sickened me. He could drain more from me than from a mortal, with no risk of killing me, but still there were dangers. Once or twice I had ended up unconscious for several days, as I still well remember, but still I held to him, feeding him, loving the experience once I was past the initial, instinctive panic. The danger only made me hotter.
--Stop!-- he thundered, worry plain in voice. He grabbed my braid and wrapped it around one hand, pulling me back enough to close the kiss. A thin ribbon of blood trickled down the corner of my chin and he wiped it away with his thumb, which he sucked clean.
--Suicidal tonight? What's got you in such a self torturing frenzy?-- his brow knitted and he looked at me quizzically.
"Heal yourself, for goodness sake, don't just tease me while you weaken," his voice was harsh with concern, but softened as he added, after a pause, "please, love. Please."
I closed my eyes and invoked the spell that would knit my wounds closed within a few moments, feeling the aching hollowness both in my magic reserves and the pit of my stomach.
--I'm hungry. So much so. In times like this there is no way to feed without planning, and I never plan for so early in the season.--
--I know,-- he replied cryptically, regaining his composure, the fire of my blood flushing his skin and brightening his eyes. There was a look of mischief about him, greater than the usual vitality of his feeding.
--?--
"Shhh, now poppit," his fingers pulled up the hem of my skirts and his hand slipped underneath, creeping up to caress my thigh, testing my wetness. "I have something for you." I could feel a warmth growing under my bottom, his hardness slowly pushing against me.
