"Their understanding of vampire physiology was flawed," Sebastian replied. "They would have targeted the wrong areas."
"And the warrior with the injured knee?"
"A simple dislocation. Anyone with anatomical knowledge could have reset it."
Boarstaff's mouth curved slightly. "That's not how Stoneclaw tells it. According to him, you moved faster than he could track and saved his leg."
Sebastian frowned. "Exaggeration."
"Perhaps. But useful." Boarstaff studied him for a moment. "You haven't fed."
Sebastian wondered what had given it away, perhaps a pallor to his skin, or a slight tension in his movements. "No."
"How long can you go without?"
"Longer than this," Sebastian said. "But it's... distracting."
Boarstaff nodded. "The cave isn't far. We can talk there."
They walked in companionable silence toward the eastern section of the settlement. Sebastian was aware of eyes following their progress, some curious, others still wary. His participation in the training session hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Word spreads quickly here," Sebastian observed.
"Yes, you are interesting news to everyone in the village," Boarstaff replied. "Perhaps we do talk more than your kind."
Sebastian's lips pursed slightly. "The vampires aren't my kind anymore." A pause. "Though the orcs are still nosey."
That drew a genuine laugh from Boarstaff. "True enough."
When they reached the cave, Sebastian led the way inside and once inside Boarstaff reached for him, pulling him close. Their lips met with familiar hunger, the tension of the day melting into something else entirely. Sebastian's hands found Boarstaff's waist, his touch firm despite his careful control.
When they finally separated, Boarstaff studied Sebastian's face. "You've been holding back."
"An astute observation," Sebastian replied, a familiar sardonic edge returning to his voice. "Did the pallor give it away, or the fact that I've been staring at everyone's neck all day?"
Boarstaff's mouth twitched. "The pallor. And you nearly bit Thornmaker's head off when he questioned your knowledge of elbow components."
"Figuratively speaking. Though the literal version was tempting." Sebastian's tone was dry, but his hands remained on Boarstaff, unwilling to break contact now that they were alone.
Boarstaff's hand moved to cup Sebastian's jaw, thumb tracing the line of his cheekbone. "You don't have to pretend with me."
"I'm not pretending," Sebastian countered. "I'm genuinely contemplating the satisfaction of seeing Thornmaker's expression if I removed his head. The anatomical challenges alone would be—"
Boarstaff silenced him with another kiss, this one slower and more deliberate. When they parted, Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "That's a rather effective method of changing the subject."
"I've found it works particularly well with you," Boarstaff replied, amusement evident in his eyes.
Sebastian's expression grew more serious. "I need to feed."
Without hesitation, Boarstaff tilted his head, exposing his neck. It was a gesture of absolute trust, one that still sometimes startled Sebastian despite their intimacy. He stepped closer, one hand sliding to the back of Boarstaff's neck, the other resting on his chest where he could feel the steady heartbeat beneath his palm.
"I've been thinking about this all day," Sebastian murmured against Boarstaff's skin, his voice low with undisguised want.
"Is that so?" Boarstaff's voice held a mixture of amusement and desire that sent heat through Sebastian's veins.
Instead of answering, Sebastian let his teeth find skin, the familiar warmth flooding his mouth. He fed carefully, mindful of not taking too much, even as Boarstaff's arms tightenedaround him. The hunger that had been a constant companion throughout the day gradually receded, replaced by a different kind of hunger entirely.
When Sebastian finally withdrew, he remained in Boarstaff's embrace, their foreheads touching. "Your warriors would be scandalized if they could see their warchief now."
