My lips ached for his kiss, my ribcage could hardly contain my eager heart. My mind screamed at me to not make the same mistakes, though by then it was past due for such warnings.
“Perhaps next time,” Francis said at last, and I battled the startling disappointment attempting to break through my schooled features. “When we aren’t laying bare in a bath of cold water.”
“Next time.” I nodded, already wishing for that time to come sooner.
Francis smiled, pushing up from the bath, and I wished to have the bravery to ask for his promised kiss. Alas, I was not as fearless as I hoped to be: not when I had to ask for far worse than a kiss.
I rushed out of the bath, slipping the silky robe atop my shoulders on the way. “Francis,” I walked into the room, noting he had already put his trousers on, his hands drying his curls with a cloth.
My lips turned into a thin line as the blood rushed to my cheeks. With a silk robe around myself, I had never felt more exposed than in that moment. “I need—” I swallowed the words, unable to hold Francis’ piercing gaze.
“What is it you need, Princess?” His hoarse voice reached my ears, worsening my already fragile body.
“Nothing.” I shook my head as shame spread through my body, blood rushing through my troublesome center. “Never mind.”
I fought the urge to run when Francis’ amber eyes dug into mine. “Tell me” He caught my chin, bringing it higher until our eyes met.
His lips were far too close to mine.
Were someone to ask for my name at that moment, I surely would not remember.
“Cordelia?” His brows rose high, his gaze forcing the words out of me.
“I need to feed,” I whispered, before thinking better of it. “Before the meeting.”
Francis nodded as realization settled in his eyes. A sinful smile tugged on his lips. “That you do.”
I bit my lower lip, holding my breath as the words left without my permission. “I don’t want human blood.”
Francis chuckled, “You could just say you fancy mine.”
My cheeks turned hot against my wishes. “Your arrogance would know no limits were I to say that.” I rolled my eyes. “Besides, your blood is no different from others, I merely do not wish to partake in gruesome activities.”
Francis laughed, his head flying backwards. “Is that so?” His lips stretched out into a smirk. “And here I thought I was special. Turns out I am merely a means of survival.”
“Precicely.” I shrugged, though my voice shook nevertheless.
“Lucky for you, I am still happy with my downgraded title,” Francis rasped, catching my wrists in his firm grasp as he pressed my hands against his chest. His arm held me in an embrace, another brought my lips to his exposed throat.
My silky robe felt utterly soft on my skin when my lips felt his pulse. My heart beat in unison with his when my teeth dug into his flesh and the eruption of my peaceful mind made itself known.
His blood soothed the monster within me that I learned to respect. My tongue brushed against his skin, catching every drop that followed.
A muffled moan vibrated through Francis’ chest, reaching my lower stomach. My own moan followed after, and I didn’t bother to hide it.
It wasn’t long before my lips were able to escape his hold, as my tongue worked through his injury, satisfying the monster within. My eyes rolled back when the, sweet as honey, blood filled me; my head spun when his hand caressed my lower back.
“And I was told my blood was no better than any other.” Francis’ sultry voice exclaimed when I pushed away from his throat.
“Precisely,” I breathed, noting for the first time that we had somehow made our way onto my unmade sheets.
He smirked in reply, pushing off the bed.
Still splattered before him, I watched him reach for his shirt; his eyes never leaving mine as he worked through the buttons.
My lips caught aflame when my fingers felt the blood that covered my skin.
“Forgive me, I must go.” Francis did not bother to wipe the blood from his open injury. “Try to get some rest before tomorrow, it promises to be a rather difficult night.” He fondled my chin, forcing the flowers deep in my stomach to collapse all at once, before turning around and taking his leave.
