11. Faye

11

FAYE

I stand frozen, my mind reeling from what I've just witnessed. Cassius, the man I'd kept bound for days, has transformed into something... inhuman. His speed, his strength, the way he tore through those dark elves like they were nothing - it's beyond anything I've ever seen.

He stumbles back toward me, his pale skin even more ashen and blistered than before. "We have to get to the cave," he rasps, his voice rough and strained.

I hesitate for a split second, but my body moves on instinct. I hook an arm around him, supporting his weight as we make our way back to the safety of my hideout. His skin feels cold against mine, and I can feel him trembling. He's covered in cute and sores that I don't know how I will heal.

Once inside, I lower him to the ground. This time, I don't reach for the ropes. My hands shake as I step back, eyeing him warily.

"What are you?" The words tumble out, barely above a whisper.

Cassius looks up at me, his dark eyes intense. "I'm a vrakken," he says, his voice low and tired.

"A what?"

He sighs, running a hand through his long, white hair. "We're... an ancient race. Immortal beings that feed on blood to survive."

My breath catches in my throat. "You…what?"

He shifts, wincing slightly. "We're fast, stronger than humans. We can use magic, and some of us, like me, have wings." He sighs. "We're as old as the dark elves, and all this time, we've been hidden beneath the mountains."

I remember the leathery appendages I'd examined while he was unconscious. "And the dark elves? Did they know that? What you are?"

He nods. "Our oldest enemies," he says, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "We've been at war with them for centuries."

My mind races, trying to process this information. It's too much, too fantastical. And yet, I can't deny what I've seen with my own eyes.

"Why are you here?" I ask, my voice stronger now. "In the forest, I mean."

Cassius hesitates, and I can see him weighing his words carefully. "I was sent on a mission," he finally admits. "To gather intelligence on Liiandor."

The name of the dark elf city sends a chill down my spine. Memories I've tried so hard to bury threaten to surface, but I push them down.

"And now?" I ask, my eyes narrowing. "What happens now?"

He groans and slumps down a little. This is as weak as I've ever seen him. "I need to fucking heal."

"I"ll get you wa—" I stop, turning to look at him. He doesn't drink water. He doesn't eat food.

Immortal beings that feed on blood to survive.

Like when I gave him that carcass that he seemed not to eat from. He drained the blood.

I watch Cassius closely, noting how his breathing has become labored and his skin seems even paler than before. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut - he needs blood to heal.

And I have none. I have no animal to offer him, and I can't go hunt. Not if there are dark elves out there in the forest. There's only one option.

My heart races as I consider the implications. I should be terrified, disgusted even. But something in me, some inexplicable pull, makes me take a step closer to him.

"You need to feed, don't you?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cassius's dark eyes lock onto mine, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Yes," he admits, his voice strained. "But I won't force you-"

I cut him off, rolling up my sleeve. "Do it," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. "You saved my life out there. Let me help you now."

He hesitates, his gaze flicking between my face and my exposed wrist. "Are you sure?"

I nod, swallowing hard. "Just... be careful."

Cassius takes my wrist gently, his touch lighting me up. He sucks in a deep breath, looking up at me with those dark brown eyes. "If it's too much, tell me." I nod, and he swallows hard, looking half-dead already. "It won't hurt," he promises me. "My venom…it's meant to be pleasant."

I nod. "Just take what you need." He brings it to his mouth, and I feel the sharp prick of his fangs breaking my skin.

I gasp at the initial pain, my body tensing. But then something shifts. As he drinks, a warmth spreads through me, followed by an unexpected wave of pleasure. It's intoxicating, making my head spin and my knees weak.

I find myself leaning into him, my free hand gripping his shoulder for support. The cave around us seems to fade away, leaving only the sensation of his mouth on my wrist and the building heat in my core.

Just as I feel myself starting to get light headed, Cassius pulls away. His eyes, now flecked with green, meet mine, and I see a mix of gratitude and something else - something I feel stirring deep in me.

"Thank you," he murmurs, his voice low and husky.

I nod, unable to form words as I try to process what just happened. The bite on my wrist is already healing, leaving behind only a faint mark and the lingering memory of his touch.

I feel dizzy, my body humming with an unfamiliar energy. The spot where Cassius's fangs pierced my skin tingles, sending waves of warmth through me. I can't seem to tear my eyes away from him, his presence magnetic.

Without thinking, I move closer. "Do you... need more?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cassius's eyes, now a mesmerizing mix of dark brown and vibrant green, lock onto mine. He shakes his head slowly, a look of concern crossing his features. "No, sweetheart. I don't want to push you too far."

His words are gentle, but I can see the struggle in his eyes. There's hunger there, not just for blood, but for something else. Something that makes my heart race and my skin flush.

I find myself swaying towards him, drawn by some invisible force. "I'm okay," I murmur, though I'm not entirely sure if that's true. My mind feels foggy, my body alive with sensations I've never experienced before.

Cassius reaches out, steadying me with a hand on my arm. His touch sends a jolt through me, and I gasp softly. "Easy there," he says, his voice low and husky. "The venom... it can be intense the first time."

I nod, trying to focus on his words, but all I can think about is how close he is, how his scent envelops me. "I didn't expect it to feel like that," I admit, my cheeks burning.

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "It's designed to be pleasant," he explains. "To make the feeding easier for both parties."

"Pleasant is an understatement," I mutter, then immediately regret my boldness. But it's true. It feels euphoric.

And I need more.

I don't even think as I move closer to him, his hand still on my arm. He doesn't stop me as I shift, as I slide my leg across his lap and clutch his shoulders to steady my body. I feel light, like I'm floating, and I want more.

I want him.

Fuck, I've thought Cassius was hot since the second I saw him. But right now, now that he is brimming with life, with the taste of me….I can't think of a reason to keep away from him.

I can feel his breath, cool against my heated skin, as I press closer to him. His hands, strong and sure, grip my hips, holding me steady as I straddle him. My heart races, pounding in my chest like a wild drum. I've never felt this way before, this intense need and desire. It's overwhelming, consuming every thought in my mind.

"Cassius," I whisper, my voice barely audible. I can feel his lips, soft and gentle, as they graze my throat. A shiver runs down my spine, and I tilt my head back, giving him better access. "Take more," I urge, my voice laced with desperation.

He hesitates, his grip on my hips tightening. "Faye," he murmurs, his voice a low growl. "I don't want to push you too far."

I shake my head, my hands reaching up to tangle in his long, white hair. "You're not," I assure him, my voice firm. "I want this, Cassius. I want you."

His eyes meet mine, dark and intense. I can see the hunger there, the need that matches my own. He leans in, his lips brushing against my throat once more. Then, I feel it - the gentle bite, the sharp prick of his fangs breaking my skin.

A moan escapes my lips, the pleasure overwhelming. It's like nothing I've ever felt before, a wave of intense ecstasy that threatens to drown me. My hands grip his hair tighter, holding him to me as he drinks. I can feel his need, his hunger, and it only serves to fuel my own.

"Cassius," I gasp, my voice breathless. "More. Please."

He growls against my skin. His lips move against my throat, the gentle sucking sensation sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

I lean in, my heart pounding in my chest. Cassius's scent envelops me, a mix of something dark and enticing. His breath is cool against my heated skin, and I can feel the tension radiating off him. I want more. More of him.

When he pulls back, licking the spot where his fangs were, I shudder. It feels so good. "Cassius," I moan as he kisses up the column of my neck. "I want to feel you. Make me feel good."

"You're not in your right mind," he murmurs, his voice a low growl.

I shake my head, my hands reaching up to cup his face. His skin is cool under my touch, a stark contrast to the heat coursing through my veins. "I've been thinking this since the second I saw you," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes lock onto mine. I can see the hunger there, the need that matches my own. I lean in, pressing my lips to his. He hesitates for a split second before his hand grips the back of my head, deepening the kiss. It's intense, feral, and I can feel myself losing control.

His lips are soft yet demanding, his tongue exploring my mouth with a desperate hunger. I moan into the kiss, my hands fisting in his long, white hair. He growls, the sound vibrating through me and sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body.

I press closer to him, my body aching for more contact. His hands roam over my back, gripping me tightly as if he's afraid I'll disappear. The sensation of his touch, combined with the pulse of his magic, is intoxicating. I feel like I'm on fire, every nerve ending alight with sensation.

His lips trail from mine, kissing a path down my neck. I gasp, my head tilting back to give him better access. He nips at the sensitive skin, drawing out a moan from deep within me. His hands move to my hips, gripping me tightly like he can't let me go.

I can feel his arousal, hard and pressing against me. The sensation sends a fresh wave of heat through me, and I grind against him, desperate for more friction. He helps work me up, breaking away from the kiss to murmur in my ear.

Our breaths come in ragged gasps, the sound filling the cave. The air is thick with tension, the scent of our combined desire heavy and intoxicating. I can feel myself getting closer to the edge, the pleasure building to an almost unbearable level.

He pulls back, his eyes dark and intense. "Faye," he murmurs, his voice a low growl. "Are you sure about this?"

I nod, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. "Yes," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want this. I want you."

His internal war plays out on his face before he nods. I quickly strip away my shirt while he undoes the lacings of my pants. Once I'm undressed, I tear his pants away, and we are both naked as I settle back on his lap.

His dark eyes gaze into mine, intense and hungry. "You're in control, sweetheart," he murmurs, his voice husky with desire. "Everything is up to you."

His words send a thrill through me. I've never been in control like this before. But I know he means it, even if I want to stop. He has me set on top of him where I can do whatever I want.

I lean down, pressing my lips to his, kissing him deeply. His fangs, still tinged with my blood, nick my lip, the faint taste of copper making me shudder with pleasure.

I break the kiss, reaching between us to grip him. He's massive, and my thighs clench at his size alone before I lift him up and slowly sink down on him. I grip his shoulders, my nails digging into his pale skin as I start to move, riding him slowly.

Cassius groans, his hands flexing on my hips. "That's it, sweetheart," he growls. "Take what you need."

Heat pools in my belly, spreading through me like wildfire. I can't get enough of him. I move faster, my body tightening around him.

Cassius's eyes never leave mine, his gaze smoldering. "You feel so fucking good," he says, his voice strained. "So tight, so perfect."

His words spur me on. I lean back, my hands resting on his thighs as I grind against him. Cassius's lips part, his fangs glinting. "Fuck, Faye," he groans. "You're driving me crazy."

I smile, feeling a sense of power I've never experienced before. I ride him harder, faster, chasing the pleasure that's building inside me. Cassius meets my every movement, his hips thrusting up to meet mine.

"Touch yourself, sweetheart," he commands, his voice rough. "I want to see you come while you're riding me."

I hesitate for a moment, then slide my hand down my stomach, my fingers finding the spot that aches for release. I circle my clit, my hips bucking as waves of pleasure wash over me.

Cassius groans, his grip on my hips tightening. "Fuck, you're beautiful," he murmurs. "I could watch you do this all day."

His words push me over the edge. My body convulses, my inner muscles clenching around him as I come hard. Cassius lets out a low growl, his own release following mine. He pulls me down to him, his arms wrapping around me as we both ride out the waves of our climax.

I collapse against him, my body spent, my mind racing. Cassius brushes a kiss against my temple, his voice soft. "You're amazing, sweetheart," he murmurs. "Absolutely amazing."