Benedict the Vampire Centaur (complete)

Female Main Character (chronic illness) x Male Monster (both cis)

As a child I began developing a rash all over my body. It was painful and horrible, and it caused me to cry at all hours of the day. It strained my parent’s both mentally and physically, as it seemed nothing could placate me.  It seemed that only at night did my screams quiet and I was able to find some semblance of peace.

My parents were worried, for more than just the obvious reasons. They feared some sort of curse had been placed upon the family, especially when my mother became pregnant with my brother. They became frantic to find out what was wrong with me so hopefully they could combat it before my brother was born.

I remember very vividly a priest standing over me when I was about five. He was so tall and thin, and clad in all black he looked quite the fright. He threw holy water in my face and shouted incantations while I screamed from fear. This gave them credence to the whole ‘curse’ thing and they leaned into it. I was kept in a room all by myself under the strictest of instructions from the priest. My rashes began to go away, and my parents were relieved.

Unfortunately, my brother was born with the very same affliction as me. Which caused them even more grief due to the fact that this was their heir, their glorious male child. I heard talk of them sending me away, but luckily, a doctor came and changed their minds.

The doctor explained that what was afflicting my brother and I was an allergy, not a curse even though it would feel like that. And the priest had accidentally stumbled upon the best treatment for us, not saved me from the clutches of a demon. He discovered it was the sun that my brother and I were allergic to, and from there things grew both easier and harder for us.

My brother Dane had a lot of expectations to uphold as the heir to the family, which was all well and fine while he was still young. But the older he got, the more apparent he would be hindered by our common allergy.

“They dress so strangely!” We heard that quite often when we had to leave the house.

Of course we dressed oddly! If any of our skin was touched by the sun we would be as inflamed and in pain as Satan himself. We dressed head to toe in bright, bloody red clothing. When we first tried this method we wore black, but it sometimes grew too hot for us. Neither of us liked white, and we discovered bright red worked just as well. Irony, considering we could be bright red without it. Dane and I were known as the Bloody Twins because of this. Although we were not twins, nor were we bloody as long as we followed basic safety precautions.

“No one will touch them. I am sure that priest was correct before and that this is a curse upon us!” We heard our mother lamenting this one evening to our father.

Dane and I preferred to sleep during the day and spend most of our waking hours when it was dark out. So often, we overheard  things we weren’t supposed to.

“Do you think they’re talking about you getting engaged or me getting engaged?” Dane whispered to me.

“Good question,” I murmured. “My extra cookie at tea says it’s you.”

Dane rolled his eyes with a smile. “Mine on you then.”

The two of us hunkered together, listening to my parents continue to lament ‘their’ rotten fortune at having two defective children.

“I don’t see why we can’t just find someone with how much we’ve added to the dowry because of this,” our father tutted.

“Who would want her?” My mother whined.

Dane shoved me. “Ha! It is you.”

I shoved him back. “Oh goodie, that makes me feel grand.”

Mother moaned loudly. “All these responses so far have responded in the negative. No one wants her! She will be useless in a few years. I don’t want Dane to be saddled with such a burden.”

Dane squeezed my hand. “I’d rather be burdened with you than anyone.”

I put my arm around him and hugged him. “That soothes the sting a little. Thank you for carrying such a heavy weight.”

“Now, now, surely there must be one amongst them who could be persuaded.” I heard my father walk across the room and then stop. “You’ve not even opened this one.”

“What’s the point?” Mother continued to whine.

There was silence in the room as father opened the letter. “Well now, our luck might be changing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dr. Von Tettingen seems very interested in our little Lili.” My father sounded so pomp and smug.

“He is!”

Dane looked up at me with a panicked expression. “Whose this doctor?”

I recognized the name, although it felt so far away and distant in my memory. “That’s the doctor, I think, who diagnosed us.”

“They really were desperate,” Dane mumbled.

“A doctor would be best for Lili,” my father said. “Someone who could take care of her, as well as be on hand for Dane.”

“But he’s one of those...creatures, dear,” my mother murmured. “Are we that desperate to marry Lili off?”

“Are we?”

There was a long silence that was only filled with Dane’s nervous breathing. He clutched tight onto me, and I kept my arms wrapped snugly around him.

“We are,” my mother replied.

Dane turned around and held onto my neck. “No!”

“It’s okay,” I coaxed him. “It’s okay.” I didn’t want to leave my precious brother, more than anything. The two of us were peas in a pod, no one else could understand what we had to go through.

But it was set in stone, and I was to marry Dr. Benedict Von Tettingen. Dane was livid to say the least, he barely came out of his room since our parents revealed the great news. Between that moment and the time it would take for the doctor to arrive my life was packed into trunks.

There would be no pompous ceremony for the wedding. I couldn’t have a beautiful daylight service, and no one would want to attend something that felt like a funeral at midnight; so my parents and a priest would be the only guests in attendance as I became Mrs. Von Tettingen.

My betrothed arrived in the night, stooping as he came through the doorway. His long white hair was braided and tied at the end with a beautiful crimson ribbon. His skin was somehow paler than my own, which surprised me with how much it comforted my nerves.

Dr. Von Tettingen’s hooves clopped against the marble floor, and I could see the visible pain that caused my mother. The lower half of his body was equine and pearly white with shifts of heather gray.

“Very good to have you with us, young man,” my father greeted him first.

Young man, there was no way, I thought. The doctor had diagnosed me and my brother when I was five, he must be older or the same age as my parents. He looked young, surprisingly enough.

“Aline,” the doctor said with a gentle voice. “I’ve brought you a gift.”

I stepped forward. “That was unnecessary, sir.” My mother shoved me and I frowned, quickly replacing it with a genial smile. “Your presence here is a gift enough for me.”

He smiled at me, approaching and bending down to present me with a small box. “This is a family heirloom. I’d like you to have it now before the ceremony.”

I opened the small box to find inside a grand ruby as big as my eye. “Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed. “This is so grand!”

I could see the envy and awe on my parents’ faces as Von Tettingen placed the ring upon my finger.

“I know it is not a  traditional gift, but I thought it would suit you.” His massive hands were so lovely. His nails were long and almond shaped, and so obviously meticulously cared for. His skin was soft and fingers elegant, which hid the fact they were also strong and thick. I was attracted to hands and his were exceptional.

“Thank you.” I was breathless, taken away by the size of the jewel. I’d never had anything quite like this before.

Von Tettingen smiled warmly. “Consider it a thank you from me.”

I almost laughed. “For what?”

“For becoming a part of my life.” His elegant hand rested upon his chest. “I have been alone for a very long time, and I am so excited to have such an exquisite creature as you in my home.”

There was no way he was this good. “I am a creature,” I said warningly. “Thank you for noticing.”

His soft smile grew larger as he chuckled. “I have a gift for you brother as well. Is he here?”

“Don’t worry about him,” my mother swooped in. “He’s acting petulant. Let’s go on now so the two of you can start said life.”

“What a shame, I was so looking forward to meeting him.” Von Tettingen glanced down at me.

“It will be alright,” I murmured. I offered my hand to him. “We have time, dear doctor.”

He took my hand, raising it and pressing the softest kiss to my knuckles. “Call me Benedict, Ailne.”

My heart wasn’t sure what to do, nor was I. I led him into the dining hall where we were having the ceremony, which was nondescript and boring. I had never imagined a wedding for myself, but even if I had this wouldn’t have been it. Even the drinks at the end to celebrate were bland.

“No, I don’t drink,” my new husband turned down offers from both parents. “I’ll be fine without them.”

I drank a few, but I didn’t want to appear sloppy to my new husband. I drank enough so I would feel tipsy and giggly, a stage that would let me feel comfortable touching and being touched. Which, I assumed, would happen as soon as we were alone.

We were given one of the grand guest rooms for our first night together. I was taken there first so I could ‘prepare’ myself. But really, all I did was undress and put myself into a robe. I was more interested in getting this all over with than anything.

When my husband arrived he appeared more nervous than  I was. I was at least grateful he was handsome, I liked looking at him; which had been an early warning from my mother when I was little. I was told often how I might get married off to a man I wouldn’t like looking at.

“You must be tired,” he murmured.

I shook my head. “I haven’t been up long. I’m my best self at night.”

He nodded in silence. “How funny, so am I.”

I saw no use in playing around and I stripped off the robe, standing naked before him. His eyes gleamed and his lips parted as that gaze traveled down.

“Don’t expect much from me,” I murmured. “I know how things work, but not the motions.” I trailed my hand around my clavicle, letting the ruby on my finger catch the light of the fire. “Just do what you’d like, I suppose.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything to happen. I had planned on us getting to know one another.” He knelt down before the fire and held his hand out towards me. “But if you’d like to, I can show you something I truly enjoy.”

I furrowed my brow at him. “You wanted to talk? I’m just your wife.”

“I’m going to spend a great deal of my life with you, Aline. I’d like us to at least be friends.”

I picked up the robe and placed it back on. As I approached him he placed his hand around my waist. His eyes trailed down my chest where the robe was opened along the curve of my breast. He pressed a kiss there then sighed softly. He breathed in on my skin and a smile bloomed.

“What?” I laughed from nerves.

“There is something you should know about me, something I wanted to discuss before we delve  further into our relationship.” He cupped his beautiful hand around my cheek. “You and I share a very similar affliction.”

There was a small rush of relief. “You too?”

“In a different way.” Benedict gazed into my eyes. In the light, his eyes appeared more amber than black, and I was pulled in. “I can’t go out into the sun, and I also must adhere to a very strange diet.”

I cocked a brow up. “How strange?”

His fingers brushed aside my hair then kneaded into the side of my neck. “It’s something you can provide for me, if you so wish.”

I grabbed his hand and forced it back. I glared down at him while his expression remained somewhat shy and gentle.“Either you’re telling me you're a vampire, or I just married a cannibal.”

Benedict nodded. “I’m a vampire, Aline. So glad you caught on. I’m not good at these sorts of things.”

“Wow,” I murmured. “A centaur and a vampire, my parents must be desperate to get rid of me.”

His hand moved so he could hold mine. “They only know the centaur bit. For now, you’re the only one here who knows the other.”

“No wonder you didn’t drink tonight.” I licked my lips as I tried to decide if this was a bonus or not. “I was a bit worried you wouldn’t understand my affliction. But this is a bit of a relief.”

“Don’t let the vampire bit scare you. I don’t need much to survive, and I won’t take from you if you are uncomfortable.” He took my hand and placed it upon his chest. “On my honor, my bride.”

I sighed and placed my hand on the back of his head. I pulled him in, exposing my neck to him. I felt his mouth open upon my neck in surprise and his breath shuddered.

“Go ahead and do it now, get that first bite over with so I will know what I am dealing with.”

He pushed against my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “You are nothing like I expected.”

“I’ve had to live my life in the shadows, of course I’m a little odd.”

“I would much prefer that if I am being honest.” Benedict’s smile relaxed me. He removed my robe enough so it fell off my shoulder then pressed kiss there. It felt nice, even though I knew what was soon to follow.

“You smell so good,” he whispered against my skin.

My breath hitched as his tongue glided along my neck. “Like food?”

“No,” he chuckled. “More like a beautiful woman.” He pressed a kiss to my neck and wrapped an arm around my waist. “This will only hurt a moment.”

I prepared myself for the bite, but as I felt his teeth press upon my flesh I was taken by a warmth that ran down my spine and through my limbs. The bite hurt no worse than a pin prick, and after that it was nothing. He moaned against me, drinking my blood and clutching me close.

His bloody lips pulled away from my flesh, and his tongue lapped up a droplet that had fallen between my breasts. I shivered and felt light headed, but not in the way I expected. Perhaps I am too odd because the bite aroused me greatly.

Benedict’s lips and mouth were stained with blood. He wiped at his chin with a shy expression upon his face. “Let me clean myself.”

I dove in, kissing him before he had a chance to move. The way my blood lingered upon his lips, mixed with the somewhat guilty expression in his eyes made him look so alluring.

He breathed out slowly as our lips parted. There was a haze to his eyes that held a confidence with the shyness. Benedict swallowed then licked his lips.

“You are strangely magnificent, Aline.” His fingers brushed against my lip, wiping up the blood.

I wasn’t sure what to say so I remained silent. I was surprised with myself, I had never acted that way before. I blamed the wine from before, but I knew it was mostly me who acted in such a way.

The next evening we left for his home. It was, thankfully, not a long journey. My own regret was that Dane would not come out to say goodbye. I left him a letter, so hopefully I would hear from him soon .

“This is your home now,” Benedict told me. “You are free to go wherever you like. All except the west wing.”

I was so sad I didn’t get to see my brother that I hadn’t even thought about my new home. I looked up at Benedict as I was brought back to my new life.

“What’s in the west wing?”

“It is forbidden!” He said sternly. He then cracked into a big smile. “That’s where my office is. I’ve converted that wing into a small hospital in case I have patients who need extended treatment. I don’t mind you there, but it’s a work space.”

I chuckled. “You had me for a moment.”

Benedict kissed my cheek. “I want you to feel at home with me, so do what you need to make it your own. I have a couple of rooms I’m sentimental towards, but other than that, you should feel free to redecorate as you please.”

“Is it really that awful?” I teased.

“That’s up to you.” He took hold of my hand. “But I think my home is nice.”

“I don’t have much of an eye for such a thing. I’ve only ever really cared about the library back home. That’s the only room I may pay attention to.”

“I have a great one,” he said proudly. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”

It was nearing sunrise when we reached his home, so it was a rush to get all my trunks inside. I was used to curtains, but it appeared Benedict’s home had very few windows at all.

“Wait a moment-” Benedict murmured over a trunk. “There’s something strange with this one.”

“That’s my gowns. What do you mean something is strange?” I knelt down to open the trunk. “Maybe one of the cats snuck in.” I threw it open and stood in alarm by what I saw inside.

Dane was curled up inside amongst the gowns, asleep and resting quietly.

“Something snuck in.” Benedict was visibly holding back a laugh.

I reached inside the chest and plucked Dane out of it, waking him and startling him. “What on earth are you doing?” I shouted as I shook him.

“I want to stay with you!”

Benedict pried me off him and helped Dane get out of the box. “Welcome, my brother. Are you hungry? I can have you something made right away.”

Dane smoothed out his clothes then he looked around. “Nice place.”

I shoved him again. “What are you doing Dane?”

He scowled at me. “I told you already, I want to stay with you. You expect me to just live with mother and father alone?”

I huffed and wrapped my arms around him. “I am happy to see you. But you know they must be in a mad panic.” In a way, this made me laugh. Just imagining my parents forcing open Dane’s room to find him gone was hysterical. Of course I’d let them know he was here, but I wouldn’t offer to send him home until they begged.

Dane’s arms tightened around me and he tried to cover his whimper of relief. “Let them. I don’t care.”

Benedict sighed. “I’ll get a room ready for him then. So nice to have you here, Dane. Our home is your home.”

Due to our shared affliction, Dane and I rarely got the chance to travel; so being in Benedict’s home, Dane was quite excited.

“So, do you like him?” He asked me one day.

We were sitting in the dining room, being tended to by Rosalie, Benedict’s maid who had taken on a doting role for the two of us.

“I suppose so,” I murmured.

Dane gave me a closer inspection, reading me easily to know I was hiding something. “That’s it?”

I set down my cup and smirked at him. “What do you want me to say? Do you like him?”

Dane crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “I suppose so.”

It was a standoff.

“Oh here, Aline, let me refresh your cup for you.” Rosalie refilled my drink and gave me a soft pat on the hand.

“Thank you, Rose,” I said as sweetly as possible.

Dane got a strike of inspiration and sat up in his chair. “Rosalie, how long have you been working for the doctor?”

The older woman stopped and gazed off into the distance with thought. “I was the same age as your sister I believe. I had just given birth and the doctor was taking care of me in his hospital wing.” She pointed off towards the west. “My husband was still away so he let me and my son stay here so that we were safe. I started working for him not long after. And once my son was off on his own and my husband buried the doctor invited me to stay.”

“So you’d say he is  a good guy then?” Dane asked.

“I’d say more than that. Strange man, but lovely all the same,” she chuckled.

“Then did you two ever-”

I hissed at him. “Dane! Hush up!”

Rosalie just threw her head back and laughed. “The doctor isn’t that sort-” her eyes then cut to me. “Or at least, I thought he wasn’t. Never seen him with a partner before. But if you’re worried about your sister, I wouldn’t worry too much. I’d say she’s in good hands here.”

Dane leaned back into his seat. “Thank you Rosalie.”

I smiled to myself as I sipped at my tea. It was quiet for a moment, but only until Rosalie left the dining hall.

“You don’t find it weird that some old, lonesome bachelor just suddenly decides to marry you?” Dane quipped.

I rolled my eyes. “I find it weird you’re thinking about it.”

“I’m just concerned. As the heir of the family, I have to make sure my sister isn’t being fed to some creep.”

His choice of words made me sputter on my drink. I set the cup aside and patted my mouth. Dane didn’t find it strange that I was wearing a blouse that covered my neck; that was normal for us.What wasn’t normal was the bite marks hidden underneath it. Quite literally, I was being fed to my husband, just not in the way Dane was alluding.

“I like Benedict,” I stated firmly. “He has so far appeared kind and gentle. But should he start behaving atrociously once you’re gone I’ll make sure to tell you so you can wave a stick at him or something.”

Dane grimaced. “Dad has taught me to shoot guns. I won’t be waving a stick.”

I giggled then saw Benedict coming into the dining hall. His hair was loose and falling over his shoulders in an icy cascade. “Hello there, my darling,” he beamed sleepily. “And good morning, young Dane.”

“Did you just wake up?” Dane asked.

“I’m not as good a riser as you and your sister.” He came to my side and pressed a kiss against my cheek. “Sometimes it takes me a little after sunset to feel alert.”

I peered up into his eyes. “Did you sleep well at least?”

“Very well. I’m sorry I got in so late, I hope I didn’t wake you.” Benedict reached for the tea pot and tipped it, only to find it empty. “Rosalie? Are you making a fresh kettle?” He called out.

“Yes, fair doctor!”

He sighed and knelt himself down by my chair. “We’re still not used to having company,” he chuckled.

Dane perked up with the most wicked look in his eyes. “Why? Because you killed the last bride you had?”

I threw my spoon at Dane.

“Now, now,” Benedict laughed. “I have never been married. Nor have I killed anyone in such a way. I’m a doctor, I’m sort of against that. I promise you, Dane, I have no plans to harm your sister. It wasn’t even a thought. I plan on falling in love with her.”

“So you can steal our money?” Dane threw back.

“I swear-” I started to fuss at him but Benedict’s laughter cut me off.

Benedict fought hard to control his laughter. He was in on the joke, thankfully. “Goodness no! I have my own money. Why would I ever do such a thing, Dane? What silly notions.”

Dane’s eyes narrowed. “Everyone is a fool for not marrying my sister. I just want to know why you weren’t one of them.”

Benedict smiled softly. “So either I am marrying her for some gain of my own or there’s something else afoot?”

Dane nodded. “Exactly.”

Benedict raised his hands into the air. “Alright, you caught me. I married your sister for a very selfish reason.”

Dane stood up with a huge grin. “I knew it! Lili, start packing your things, I’ll be taking you home.”

“Now wait a second,” Benedict chimed. “Don’t you want to know my reason?”

Dane’s smile faded. “As long as it’s not gross.”

Benedict laid his hand over mine. “I wanted to marry your sister so I could fill my home again and not be so lonely.”

Dane grew a disgusted expression. “I said not to say it if it was gross.”

Benedict chuckled. “I thought it would be nice to share my home with someone who had a similar affliction as I do. With your sensitivity to the sun, don’t you wish to share your life with someone who understands?”

Dane shrugged and sat back in his seat. “I suppose.”

Benedict turned to me with a smile. “Speaking of which, I only have a little work to do today, are you busy at all later?”

I shook my head. “No. I was just going to be spending some time with Dane while you were busy.”

He got a concerned look, but smiled as he turned back towards Dane. “You don’t mind if I have her to myself for a bit today, do you Dane?”

Dane pouted but nodded. “You married her, I guess that’s your right.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Benedict kissed me on the cheek. “I was hoping the two of us could-”

Dane stood up suddenly. “I’m good.” He left the dining hall and I began to chuckle.

“I like knowing that he’s protective of you.” Benedict leaned in closer to me, kissing my cheek and jaw.

“He’s taking it hard,” I murmured. I shivered as his lips slipped down to my neck. “Careful,” I whispered.

“You just smell so lovely to me first thing in the morning. I buried my face into your pillow when I first started to wake.” I turned my head, meeting his kiss.

“You sleep like you’re dead,” I murmured.

He kissed again. “Technically.” He smirked as he pulled back and Rosalie came into the dining hall with the new kettle. She poured his cup with a big smile on her face.

“Don’t let me ruin the mood,” Rosalie tittered.

“You’re fine, Rosalie.” Benedict took his cup and sipped.

I raised my brow at this. “You can drink tea but not wine?”

“I like tea,” he said so simply. “I’ll be quick with work, but once I’m done I was hoping the two of us could share some alone time.”

I turned towards him, lowering my voice to a soft whisper. “What sort of alone time are you aiming for?”

“Whatever you want to give. It’s been a few days now, and with Dane being here it’s been a little harder than planned to spend our time together.” He placed his arm around me. “I am willing for whatever you would like to do.”

My cheeks flushed bright red and I averted my gaze. “Okay, sounds nice. What time should I expect you?”

“Sometime between lunch and supper,” he replied.

I was a bit excited. The time we’d spent together had been quite eye opening for me. I had discovered a few things about myself, including that my husband was a vampire was a bit of a bonus. I really did like him, but these were just the early stages of our marriage. I was hesitant, as all these good feelings could change on a dime at any time.

Dane fell asleep in the library, so I placed a blanket over him and went back to my room. I noticed the door was open as I approached. Inside I saw Benedict was taking off a dirty shirt. There were scars along his arms, and a few along his back. He turned and smiled at me.

“What are you doing just standing there?”

I stepped into the room. “Dane fell asleep.” I closed the doors behind me and looked up at him. “Glad I found you here.”

“I was just getting ready to come find you. I got a bit filthy and wanted to wash up a bit before I did.” He folded up his dirty shirt and looked at me before his eyes flicked to his arm. “Not too pretty, are they?”

“What happened?” I murmured.

“I was pretty sick as a kid. It’s part of what led me to being a doctor.” He sighed softly. “It seems so far away now.”

I stood closer beside him, placing my hand over his arm before taking his shirt. “I suppose you’ve been alive for a while.”

“At least,” he chuckled. He placed his hand upon my face and brushed my hair aside. “Yet it’s moving so fast right now. I don’t quite know how to handle it.”

My heart pulsed and I nodded. “I feel that too.”

Benedict bent down, pressing a kiss onto my lips that felt much heavier than the others. I parted my lips slightly, moaning softly. His teeth touched my skin and I swooned at the thought.

“Easy,” he purred. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Scare me?” I balked. “You think that frightens me?”

Benedict looked away guiltily. “What else would it do?”

I pressed my lips together, embarrassed at the prospect of confessing this to him. But he was the one causing these emotions, these feelings, and he was my husband after all. He should be made aware of what his actions cause.

“I’m not scared when you bite me,” I murmured. “When your teeth...and then you-” I wasn’t sure how to get this confession out correctly. “It’s nothing bad. In fact it’s-”

“Do you enjoy it?” Benedict murmured.

I nodded and Benedict began unbuttoning my blouse.

“Perhaps we are more of a match than I assumed.” His fingers went very slowly. Each time he opened a button I lost a little more of my breath. His cool fingers smoothed down my skin and he placed his lips upon my cheek.

“That first time I tasted you I was greatly aroused,” he whispered into my ear. He knelt down upon the floor and placed his strong hands around my waist. “I was wondering why I was  all this time. Now I realize it was you.”

I stepped closer into his grasp, smoothing my hands up his arms to his shoulders. “Why didn’t you assume that?”

Benedict chuckled. “I didn’t think that feeding off of you would be an arousing moment. But I shouldn’t have underestimated you.”

I combed my fingers through his long hair, marveling at how silky it felt to the touch. “Don’t do that again.”

“I won’t.” He untucked my blouse from my skirts and pressed his lips against my breast bone. His hands smoothed up along my waist and to my back.

“Is this the alone time you wanted?” I whispered.

“Only slightly.” His eyes flicked up from below, causing a big smile to erupt on my face. He chuckled, picking me up from my waist and carrying me over to the bed.

I was laid upon the covers and he placed his torso upon me, leaning over the side he was able to press close against me while I relaxed on the bed. I placed my arms around him, letting him kiss and nibble as much as he wanted. It was wonderful to be wanted, even more so to be desired like this.

“Is it alright?” he whispered.

“Huh?” I snapped back to the present, gazing into his eyes as he looked down upon me. I saw his sharp teeth behind his full lips and I suppressed the urge to giggle like an idiot.

Benedict’s hand trailed down my body and his fingers hooked under the band of my skirts. “I would like to have a bite.”

“Where?” I felt dumb the moment I said it.

His grin grew and he kissed me again while he made quick work of all my skirts and underlayers. He laid them aside gently and smoothed his hands down again. He laid kisses upon my belly and thighs and I had never felt more like a woman than I did then.

“You can bite me wherever,” I swooned. “I don’t mind.”

“I’m glad.” Benedict gently pried open my thighs, licking the underside of one while his eyes flicked up to me. I felt the first painful prick and then nothing but sweet, liquid warmth.

I fell back upon the bed, closing my eyes as I took in that deep rush from below. I could hear his deep moaning, his urgent breaths as he took his feast. I grew hotter and wetter from the flow that pulled me down, down, down.

Benedict lapped up the bite mark, blood lingered on his lips and he looked flushed in the cheeks. His hand that held my thigh moved in closer and his finger brushed against my loins. I whimpered loudly, bunching up my knees as he came closer.

“Let me thank you,” he murmured.

I gulped down a breath. “How?”

Those amber eyes pulled me back in, his smile, even bloodstained, was beautiful. “With a special handshake, Aline,” he teased.

I huffed and pressed my foot onto his chest. “Sure, make fun of the virgin,” I pouted.

Benedict’s fingers moved more against me, touching something that shuddered every nerve in my body. I lost my breath and held it until it felt like I was going to cry out.

“Such a silly construct,” he murmured. “You’ve never had sex, let’s just say that.” His fingertips massaged into the soft flesh. I felt opened and exposed, and anxious he might think I was disgusting.

“You looked scared,” he murmured.

“I’m not. I just-”

Benedict smiled. “I’m getting to know you, Aline. Every part of you is made perfect. Even if you don’t feel that way. I am admiring something I find very beautiful.”

I sat up shakily on my elbows. “My mother said-”

“I swear, that woman,” he huffed. “Sorry, your mother annoys me.”

I smiled, relieved by the comment. “That’s okay.”

Benedict reached up to kiss me, and as he did his fingers found that spot again that made every fiber of me spark like fire. I moaned against his lips, gasping for breath the longer he touched.

“What is that?” I whined.

“A very special part of you that is made solely for your pleasure.” He moaned against my flesh. “Do you like it?”

“It’s so strong,” I whimpered.

Benedict slowly moved his hand back and I found I missed the touch. I looked into his eyes, seeing that he was just as aroused as I was.

Benedict licked his fingers clean. “Do you want me to continue?”

I nodded, and took a deep breath. “Please?”

He smiled brightly, pushing me back down upon the bed and spreading my thighs open. His fingers returned and I cried out excitedly. I bit my lip as Benedict stoked the fire growing inside me. I could not place the sensation if I tried. It felt so deep, so desperate that I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I needed it, I wanted it more and more.

Benedict’s fingers slipped inside me. My back arched and I cried out loudly again. I had admired his hands right away, unaware of what strange evocative feelings that could cause inside me. They moved slowly at first, urging on the desperate quickening in my belly. His lips, his tongue, they joined in separately but they all melted together.

I was losing my mind and track of reality the more he was near me. I wanted to escape but my body would not allow it. There was something more, something that was needed to escape this madness, this all consuming pleasure.

Something leapt inside me. An idea, perhaps, a distant thought of the future. Like a fright of surprise it lingered inside me, this idea remained there crouched down and waiting. Benedict moaned against me, pressing his fingers deeper and that idea came closer. Closer. Closer.

I kicked and struggled, pushing Benedict off me as everything became overwhelming. I couldn’t think or speak so much as gurgle and sputter. I curled up into a ball, writhing with this over-powering flood. I laid there shivering not from the cold, but from something so much bigger.

“I’ve got you.” Benedict’s hands brought me back. He looked into my eyes and I was able to focus upon him. “There you are.”

I breathed again for the first time. “I’ve never felt like that before.”

“I could tell.” He kissed me softly. “Your body is so sensitive, my Aline.”

Even his kisses were a bit too much for me in this state. My mouth felt dry but the rest of me felt wet. “What did you do to me?”

“I made you orgasm,” he chuckled. “Let me fetch you some water.”

I laid there pondering that, wondering if I only got to feel that once while also craving it all over again. I sat up shakily as Benedict returned with water, which I gulped down greedily.

Benedict kissed the top of my head and leaned into the bed with me. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I think so.” I was ashamed to look directly at him. “It’s kind of scary.”

He kissed my cheek. “You’ll get used to it. I plan on sharing them often.”

I licked my lips. “You’ll have to teach me how.”

“I don’t mind that.” he laid me down and crawled into the bed with me, resting his body to one side so his torso could remain on the bed with me.

I was quiet for a long time, drifting between sleep and the waking dream I was in. I glanced over to him, his eyes were closed but they opened as I peered at him.

“Can you turn me into a vampire?” I rolled onto my side and curled up close to him. “Will you do it?”

“I can, and no.” He stroked my cheek, brushing my slightly damp hair from my face. “It’s not something I was planning to do. Why do you ask?”

“How come?”

“I didn’t think it was something I should do. Not yet.” His fingers tips smoothed along the side of my neck. “I wouldn’t want you to grow to regret it.”

“Is it bad?” I murmured.

He pulled me into his chest, holding me close. “It’s hard to explain. And right now, it’s not something I would ask you to understand .”

I rested there in his arms and yawned quietly. “I was just curious, was all.”

Benedict chuckled. “For now, I’m just grateful that you understand.”

I kissed his neck sleepily before I drifted away.

Later in the week, word returned from my parents asking if I had any intention of sending Dane back home.

“I suppose it would be the proper thing to do,” I murmured.

“Yeh,” Dane grunted.

Benedict chuckled. “No sense in replying right away. We can send word back on how they wish to receive him home. We’ll wait for their reply then.”

“I don’t want them thinking we’ve kidnapped him or anything,” I chuckled.

“If they insinuate anything, we’ll simply respond that we have been cooperative this whole time. It’s them who have been unclear.” Benedict laughed.

Dane sighed. “I should go home soon though. I’m sure you two have better things to do without me here.”

I smirked at him. “Such as?”

“Don’t be gross, Lili.” Dane turned away from me and opened the book in his lap.

I glanced towards my husband, eyes drifting along his body. He’d taught me quite a lot in the past few days, and I was such an eager learner.

“Wouldn't think of it, dear brother.”

Benedict gave me a warning look before breaking into a seductive smile.

“We enjoy having you Dane. You’re free to come here whenever you want,” Benedict replied. “I know how close you and your sister are, I would hate to try and ruin any of that.”

Dane sighed, barely looking at his book. “Well, I like you too and I don’t want you to think you married into some annoying family.”

I reached over and mussed up his hair. “Isn’t that sweet? He likes you, darling.”

“Perhaps we shall be able to say the same about our children one day,” Benedict said dreamily. “I would love for them to be as close and loving.”

“Really? I’ll be  an uncle?” Dane nearly leapt up out of his seat.

“Maybe one day.” I suddenly turned shy.