Chapter Nine

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Tabitha

"Do you think we should have stayed where we were? In case the others cross over too." I ask, my legs cramping. It's been a long time since I've had to walk so much, and though I am better from feeding, it has not been consistent enough to keep me in good health.

"We have not left the area, my queen. Not by much. If Kozzanth and Raisi pop in, I will know."

I nod and we keep walking. Theo is holding my hand so tightly mine is aching, along with sweating.

The area here is vast and barren. There is nothing around to show where we are or where we have been. It's a large open space with off-white dirt that is almost like sand, and clusters of trees here and there. If you stand in certain areas, you can see for what looks like miles, but can also take up safety within the trees that are nearby. They are beautiful, if only they weren't poisonous. The white bark is bright, almost glowing, and the leaves range from bright red to orange, resembling a flame. If you touch them, it gives you the same effect as fire would, but only when they are attached to the tree. The leaves that fall to the ground are harmless, and are used in some healing spells, though these trees hardly shed to it's difficult to gather them.

I should have known exactly where we were the moment we got here. The trees are a dead giveaway, and I learned much about them in school when I was a little girl. But the panic of being tossed here scrambled my brain. Though, this realm is one I don't know much about, as I'd never intended to visit this place. Who would? I know only what I was taught in school, and that was so long ago. Thankfully I am with someone who likely knows everything about it, which will help us escape alive. That is what I am holding onto right now because I don't have much else.

"What do you know about the Oedaeth Realm?" I ask quietly as we walk close to the edge of a tree cluster to keep hidden. I already know the answer to the question. Theodas knows a lot about a lot, but I need conversation to stop from panicking.

"Plenty enough to keep you safe."

"Do you know a way out?"

"The ogres keep their portals protected so people cannot come and go. Whatever brought us here is secret, meaning there are creatures living here that do not follow ogre laws. Whether they are ogres themselves or something else remains to be seen. Either way, this may benefit us."

"How?"

"If we find them, we will know how to get back without having to go through an actual ogre portal."

"They will not do this out of the kindness of their hearts," I say.

He shakes his head. "No, they will not. Which is why I hope Kozzanth and Raisi show up with our packs, so we have something to barter with."

I sigh, and when I take my next step, I stumble. Theo is there to catch me, so I do not fall. He puts me flat on my feet, hands on my arms, and bends to get eye level. "Are you okay?"

I want to say yes because I do not want him to think I am weak. But he is here to help me, to protect me, and if I'm not honest, it could be dangerous for all of us.

"My legs are stiff. It's been a long time since I've done so much walking."

Being locked up in a dungeon will do that to you. Three months free is hardly enough time to gain the muscle back, especially without feeding consistently.

"You must eat," he says after a long moment.

I shake my head. "I do not think that will help me. Besides," I gesture around, "I see nothing to eat here. Do you?" I huff out a little laugh, wanting to keep the mood light.

Theo shakes his head, straightens, and looks around.

He takes my hand and tugs me into the nearest group of trees. I'm grateful they are well above our heads, and we do not have to worry about being touched by the leaves. Once we are hidden, the area around us dark, Theo stops.

"My blood will help more than normal blood."

"How do you mean?" I ask.

"Draven's do not have normal blood. It is something that stays out of the books and isn't known to many, but it has healing qualities."

I furrow my brow. "It does?"

He nods. "It is not pure magic, but it should help enough. Even just a small bit." He sits on the ground, leaning his back against the tree. "Sit." He pats his thigh, and I sit over his legs, straddling him. He pulls his knife from his belt and offers it to me handle first.

"Make a small cut on my neck, and drink."

I shake my head, staring at the knife in disbelief. "What if I take too much? I may not be able to stop. And what about—"

He shakes his head, grasping my hip with his free hand. "I will make sure you do not take too much."

Glancing around, I know we are alone, but that doesn't stop me from being nervous about what comes with feeding. Vampires are needy for sex after feeding. Most do it while feeding. The more consistently you feed, the less powerful the need for sex is. Considering I have only just started feeding again, I am nowhere near capable of controlling that part of me. Meaning…

With a shaky hand, I take the knife. Theo tilts his head away, exposing his neck. This Draven is trusting me with his life. The vein thrums steadily, causing my mouth to water.

Taking a deep inhale, I let it out slowly and force my hand to steady. If I cut him too deep, he could die. Dragging my fingers along his skin, I stop along his artery, then press the tip of the knife just above my fingertips. Theodas doesn't flinch. I flick the blade up, and my eyes widen when the blood drips out. I drop the blade and bring my mouth to his neck and suck.

I pull in a mouthful and swallow the warm liquid, the metallic sweet taste sharp on my tongue. It warms me from the inside out, settling in my stomach. My favorite meal. I take another drink, and the tingling starts between my legs. Another drink and I grind against him. He says his blood is better than normal blood? It tastes much better too.

How many vampires are lucky enough to feast on Dravens? Hardly any, I'm sure. Vampires aren't typically buyers of Dravens. They are dangerous in their own right. If word got out of how good this was, and that it had healing qualities, Dravens would be in trouble.

Theo's hands tighten on my waist, and I feel his cock grow hard between my legs, which only makes me want him more.

I drink more down, letting out a low moan at the way my body is humming. Nothing has ever felt like this before, and I've drank from a lot of different beings.

"One more, my queen," Theo rasps out. I hear in his voice he's on edge too. He wants this too. Wants me. I hear it, and I feel it. The need to fuck is thick in the air.

I take another long pull from his neck and swallow. I take a moment to breathe, not wanting to let go of his skin but knowing I have to. So, I pull away. His hand moves to his neck and there is a soft yellow glow while he closes his wound. When he faces me, I see the way his eyes are dilated, the heat in them. I cannot deny the need of my body, so I crash my lips to his.

"My queen, this is a bad idea," he says against my mouth, but he still kisses me back.

"I know," I respond, clawing at his chest, needing to touch his skin.

"I can't agree with this," he says. "Your safety is my priority."

"Drinking from you has made me crazy with need," I say. "I want your cock."

He groans deeply, thrusting against me. Cursing under his breath, he gets to his feet, taking me with him. Both hands are beneath my ass, holding me up. I kiss along his jaw as he moves. I don't know where we are going or what we are doing, but I need more of him. I'm aching. Desperate. I won't let him go.

He puts me on my feet, but before I can ask what he's doing, he spins me and pushes me onto something cold and hard. I lift my head to look down at the large rock beneath me. Theo tugs my pants down, freeing my ass, but keeping them on in case I need to pull them up in a hurry.

"We have to be quick," he says.

"I will be," I admit, clenching my thighs together to stave off the ache.

His cock slips between my cheeks and he guides himself down, settling right over my entrance.

"You are soaked."

I press my ass to him. "I need you."

Gripping my hips, he slams all the way in, stilling for just a moment. I clench around him and smile to myself at how good he feels inside me. The way his body being connected to mine satisfies me in ways nothing else can. Being a vampire is so difficult. But times like this, I truly love it. I swear, everything feels better for us.

Theo fucks me hard and fast, just the way I need. He hits spots inside me I didn't know existed. The way he fills me settles something inside me, and I'm grateful he is okay with taking risks.

"I am already close," he says.

"Me too," I moan, scraping my nails along the rock.

The orgasm builds and builds, warmth pooling in my stomach, my pussy clenching onto him so tightly, never wanting him to leave.

A few more pumps of his hips and I'm spiraling, pressing my head to the cool rock as my body spasms. Theo groans low, his cock twitching inside me as he releases.

When he pulls out of me and fixes my pants, the clarity has me realizing how foolish that was. I jolt up, turning to face him.

"I'm sorry," I blurt, fixing my pants better and trying to ignore the way my cheeks heat.

He shakes his head and smirks. "I would not have done if I thought we were truly in danger."

"Still," I say, chewing on my lip. "Feeding from you was a bad idea."

"Your legs seem better." He gestures to them, and I look down.

"You're right." I sigh. "We should be more careful."

"Do you want me to say no next time? I will if it is an order."

I think about that and can't decide. In the moment, I would not have let him tell me no. Of course, now that it's all done, it's easy to think that way. I'm not sure what I should tell him.

"Let me think about it."

He nods, takes my hand, and we make our way out of the trees. I take two steps before Theo is yanking me to him. Not too far off, a small patch of dirt starts to shake. The small pebbles bounce along the ground. It's seconds before a whirlwind opens up above it. Theo moves me behind him, but I keep my head around his side so I can see what is going on. Within the whirlwind there is a flash of lightning, the wind picking up faster and causing the sand to swirl with it, making it nearly impossible to see through.

"What is that?" I ask.

Theo shakes his head, his hand still on my arm and guiding us back toward the trees.

"I do not know. But whatever it is, I am prepared to handle it."

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