Rose was exhausted. The whole day she was either helping the innkeeper in the kitchen, or she was cleaning the inn. Nevertheless, she was pleased with the result. The kitchen and the whole inn were clean and shining, the customers had their stomachs filled, and she even got some meat and sweets as a reward. Rose decided to prepare a delicious dinner for the two of them, using the meat and sweets she got plus some cheese and vegetables. She could have asked for some wine, but she didn't have the money. Nonetheless, Rose was sure that Balok would enjoy everything she had prepared. It was almost night time when she had everything ready. She wondered where Balok was and when he would return.
She sighed and dropped on the chair, her eyes closed. The incident in the kitchen came back to her mind´s eye. The innkeeper was right. She SHOULD have got a burn, but there was nothing at all. As if she was imune to the fire. Rose was confused and worried. She had to tell Balok about that. Surely, being of elven kind, he definitely had some magical abilities and some kind of knowledge about magic. She was human, so this was weird; the fire was supposed to leave some kind of mark on her hand. She was also glad, that the innkeeper thought he imagined the whole thing. She knew that she couldn't explain to him what happened.
The door to their room opened and her dark lover entered with a thoughtful expression on his face. He smiled as he saw her, showing his snow white, slightly sharpened teeth. Rose wondered if he had found the person he was seeking and what that person actually told him.
"Hello Rose," he said, "did you get bored while I was gone?"
"No, I helped the innkeeper in the kitchen." Balok frowned at this. "I simply couldn't sit here doing nothing at all. Don't you worry, nothing bad happened. He was nice to me and gave me some meat and sweets as a reward. I also asked him for some vegetables and cheese, because I wanted to make dinner for us."
Balok approached her and took her in his arms, beginning to kiss her passionately. His kiss made her melt away and she almost forgot about the dinner until she heard his stomach growling.
"I would rather devour you, my dear. But my stomach won't agree with me and the food you prepared smells delicious and it would be such shame to waste it." Balok said to her. Rose giggled at that. She would not mind if he wanted to devour her because that was exactly what she wanted to do to him. They sat at the table and started to eat. The atmosphere was pleasant, but Balok noticed the worried expression on Rose's face. Was he so deep in his own thoughts not to notice that?
"Rose, are you alright?" his eyes were fixed on her. Rose looked at him.
"I do have to tell you something."
"So have I, Rose."
"You go first."
"No, you go first, because I can see that something is troubling you."
"You also look troubled Balok... but never mind. While I was working in the kitchen, something happened." Balok stared at her half surprised and half worried. "No, no... nothing like THAT happened. The incident was very strange. I was putting dough in the stove when a small flame caught my hand. The innkeeper was scared and tore me away from the stove. He told me, he thought that he had seen the fire burn me, which was true. The flame had indeed touched my hand, but I felt no pain at all. There is no burn, see?" Rose showed him her hand. Balok was confused and a little worried. "I had to convince the innkeeper that he had merely imagined the whole thing. I don't know what happened and you are the only person I know who possesses some magic and also the only person I trust, Balok."
"Maybe I should have told you this sooner... during our travel, when we were sleeping; you always pushed away your blanket in your sleep. I would cover you again only for you to push it away again. It was as if you were so warm that you didn't need the blanket."
Rose stared at him, as if he had two heads. More than once she tried to speak, but no sound came from her lips. Balok was also worried now. For the first time in his life he felt useless; he didn't know what to say or what to do. It was crystal clear that something was happening with Rose and he didn't know what. This fact led him to his decision. He would take her to Vetehinen. Perhaps that sage knew how to help her.
"What is happening to me?! Please... Balok, help me."
"Rose..."
"Did I...did I cause the fire in the brothel?" she was nervous and Balok wished he could say something to calm her down.
"Please, calm down. You see, when I found Vetehinen and talked with him, he said that he wanted to meet you and talk with you. Maybe he knows something. We shall go to him first thing tomorrow."
"You told him about me?! Did you tell him about my...work?" She was worried. What if that man knew about her, about Madame Ruby and the brothel? She didn't want to be exposed and for a moment she believed that Balok had told him everything.
"Certainly, I would never say something like that. That is a matter merely between you and me." His expression was weird and Rose could not figure out what it was. It was obvious that Balok was slightly annoyed and the tone of voice when he said it made clear that he meant it. But the thing which caught her attention was that strange expression on his face. It was almost...as if he would blush, but there was no trace of redness on his black cheeks. Rose tried not to giggle and Balok noticed it. "This is not funny, you know. That man has an excellent sense of smell. He even knew that it was only a few hours since we both had sex ..."
Rose was now laughing while holding her stomach. Yes, this was embarrassing, but also so ridiculous that she could not help herself. Balok stared at her; he was surprised, annoyed and glad at the same time. Yes, he was annoyed because she made him remember what Vetehinen told him, and glad that she seemed less worried and in a better mood than before. The two finished their dinner and went to bed. This time they didn't make love but only cuddled.
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The blonde vampire was stroking himself in the night. His eyes were closed in sadistic passion as he was pleasuring himself while bringing back the memories of his Meadora. He recalled their passion and the way she would make him climax. Why the hell she chose a human rather than him? After all he gave her the gift of immortality. He wanted her for himself and couldn't bear the thought of her being with another man; despite her decision. A decision that made life a living hell for the both of them. They could have lived forever, dominating over other beings. But of all races, Meadora chose a human. Her heart belonged to a simple human being, the lowest of all races! How that happened was still an enigma to the blonde vampire. He screamed as he climaxed, his bloody seed covering the snow beneath his feet.
Recovering from his orgasm, the vampire smiled. Now it was time for the hunt, but he still wanted to know something more about the drow he heard of. He had a vague idea about what kind of task the drow could have; but he wanted to see his level of power. Surely, the race of drows could not be described as weak; even the weakest of them had some kind of great power or skill. The vampire could attack the drow right now, but he wanted to know whom he was dealing with. He would wait, observe and listen. He had to be ready and needed enough information about the drow before he would attack him.
As for the little bitch, all he knew was that her power was growing; but he didn't know her current level of power. He wondered if he would have to kill her to steal her power; or if he could simply take what he longed for, keeping her as his slave. If he let her live, he would certainly make sure to make her life as miserable as possible. He would torture her in every possible way and make her wish she was dead. Unfortunally his former plan didn`t work out too well, because his most loyal servant made a big mistake. Instead of making Rose´s life a living hell, his servant acted like a useless fool and then the damned dark elf destroyed his plan. He had to use some other tactic to gain what his dark soul craved most.
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Rose was nervous while they were walking through the town. Although Balok had told her that Vetehinen only wanted to talk to her, she was worried. What if he knew everything about her and wanted to take her back to her native city? By law, everyone who found an escaped slave, or in her case a prostitute, had the right to return this person to its master; even by using force. A gentle squeeze on her shoulder brought her back to reality. His amethyst colored eyes were watching her confused as the dark elf suddenly stopped in midstride which made her realize that she had also stopped. They continued their way side by side.
