Eudora's POV
A chill ran down my spine the moment I heard that familiar voice, the same husky and cold voice that made my blood run cold every time it reached my ears. I froze in place, my heart thudding painfully against my chest. I closed my eyes tightly, afraid of what he might do next.
Then I felt his hand brushing slowly over my shoulder, the way he touched me was slow and almost gentle. My breath hitched as his cold fingers continued down to the back of my neck where he traced my skin in a soothing motion. The chill from his touch spread through me, making me tremble. I didn't dare move because I was afraid that one wrong motion would provoke him. His hands traveled down my shoulders until they reached mine, which had been gripping the doorknob so tightly that my knuckles turned white. He wrapped his cold hands around mine, his touch firm yet deliberate, and I felt his body press closer against my back.
"Let's get inside…" he whispered. His voice was close enough that I could feel his breath graze my skin.
His voice is deep, too deep, the kind that makes the hairs on the back of my neck lift. Let's get inside. The words sound harmless, but something in them twists my stomach. I can't tell if it's the atmosphere or the way he's watching me, like he's already decided what happens next.
His grip on my hand tightened before he pushed the door open. The hinges creaked, the sound echoing through the empty room like a ghost's whisper. He gently pulled my hand away from the doorknob, his cold fingers lacing through mine as he guided me inside. Each step felt heavy, like a countdown to something I didn't want to face.
While we walked closer to the window where the full moon was in display right outside, I realized that my fear had subsided compared to how I was before, I still was but it isn't as intense anymore. Maybe it was because his actions showed no harm that I start to think like there's nothing to fear about him anymore.
As we walked deeper into the room, the glow of the full moon shone through the tall window, bathing everything in silver light. My fear hadn't left, not completely, because the emotion still lingered in my heart and wrapped around me like a shadow. But it wasn't as sharp as before. Maybe it was because his actions showed no harm that I start to think like there's nothing to fear about him anymore.
We stopped directly in front of the window, where the glow of the moon streamed through the glass and bathed the spot where we stood in a soft, ethereal glow. My hand was still in his, his cold touch making it hard to tell if I wanted to pull away or stay still. His boots clicked softly against the floor as he moved to stand before me.
When our eyes locked for a few seconds, I couldn't look away from the way his eyes glowed a bright, unnatural red under the moonlight, like molten rubies set ablaze by the silver light. He lifted my hand slowly and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft and deliberate kiss against my palm before lowering his lips to my wrist.
He bared his fangs at the pulse of my wrist and then without hesitation, he sank them deep into my skin, drawing a sharp gasp from my lips. Warm blood oozed from the wound, running down my arm. I had expected that he would drink from my neck but it seemed that was not the case, he leaned down and licked the blood from my arms and then pressed his lips against the spot where he had bitten me. He began to suck the wound, drawing the warm blood into his mouth while his eyes glowed a deep vermillion with hunger.
I watched him drink my blood with a hunger that made my pulse race, I felt his breath change into soft gasps, noticed his eyes widening and closing over and over as he tasted my essence like it was the first time he had ever drawn blood. His grip on me grew tighter, I could feel a strange gentleness in the way he held me and when he finally pulled away, his lips were stained crimson and his gaze met mine, filled with hunger and guilt and something else I could not name.
"It seems I drank more than I should have," he murmured before reaching into his pocket and drawing out a handkerchief to wipe my wrist, even as he did so, I could tell that he was still hungry because his eyes continued to glow a deep, beautiful vermillion.
He's wiping my wrist… Is he truly not as dangerous as Lilith told me? I thought.
He had been treating me well, showing a gentleness and even a care that I never expected from a vampire, yet I knew better than let one night fool me, I could not forget what he is or what he was capable of. I had to remind myself to never let my guard down whenever I was near him.
Once he had finished wiping my wrist I pulled my hand back to my chest and stared at the wound where he had bitten me, I reached out slowly to gently caress my skin with my thumb, feeling the warmth of the mark linger under my touch.
"My saliva stimulates healing and blood production, so you don't have to worry about blood loss…" he spoke in a low, reassuring tone.
I looked up at him and whispered, "Thank you… Master…" I had never imagined vampires could do something like this because I had always assumed they would simply drain humans until there was nothing left.
"You can leave," he said dismissively and then turned toward his bed, lying down on his back. I hesitated for a moment, taking one last look at him before stepping toward the door, but as I opened it I froze because Lilith was standing right in front of me, blocking the exit.
"Oh, you saved me the trouble of opening the door, thank you," she said with a faint smile and then added, "I see that the two of you are done."
I nodded and replied softly, "Yes, it didn't take too long, and I'm glad everything went as it should."
Lilith smiled softly, her expression calm but carrying a subtle confidence that made me feel reassured. "Well, I'll take it from here," she said, her voice gentle yet commanding. "Great job. Your room is just down the hall, at the corner on the left. "Once you come across a vase of roses, you'll know that the room belongs to you," She explained, giving me a small nod before turning and slipping quietly into his room, the door clicking softly behind her.
I stood frozen for a long moment, my eyes fixed on the door as it clicked softly shut, and I couldn't help but let my gaze linger on the spot where Lilith had vanished, leaving only silence.. Taking a slow, steadying breath, I finally tore my gaze away and started walking down the dimly lit corridor, trying to follow Lilith's instructions.
Right, since he chose to drink from my wrist, the revealing outfit that Lilith had made me wear turned out to be completely pointless. I thought to myself. I walked down the hall. My thoughts wandered as I finally spotted the vase of roses she mentioned, their crimson petals glowing faintly under the pale light. Taking that as my sign, I approached the door and slowly pushed it open, the hinges creaking softly in the quiet corridor. It was spacious enough to feel comfortable, though not nearly as grand as the master's chamber.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, running my fingers over the smooth sheets, and a faint smile tugged at my lips. This is nice, I thought to myself. I even get to have my own room. I really thought I'd be treated like a slave, but I guess not. With that comforting thought lingering in my mind, I let my body fall back against the mattress, releasing a quiet sigh as exhaustion slowly washed over me.
Back in the Blood Market, I had to endure sleeping on cold, hard floors with nothing but the damp stone beneath me, but now I got a chance to lay down in this soft, warm bed. I thought while letting out a soft sigh. I didn't know if this was luck, fate, or some strange twist of mercy, but for now it didn't matter. At least for tonight, I could allow myself to enjoy it.
A wave of relief washed over me, easing the tension in my shoulders and quieting the racing thoughts in my mind. I sank deeper into the mattress, letting the softness cradle me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, my body and mind gave in to exhaustion and I drifted off to sleep.