Leyla

It was several hours later that Leyla woke up, after once again having been overthrown by her needs. It was as if her mind had stayed in the fervid emotions of last nights events and clung to the carnal demands her body had demanded. Ripe for the taking and still hungry for its lover, she had awoken and allowed the Dralan to take her body once more before surrendering to sleep again.

A sleep that had overpowered them both.

Now, Leyla was awakened by a gentle heat on her arm. Tickling her skin, she slowly opened her eyes and found the sun peaking in through the still closed drapes, caressing her skin.

It was right then she finally felt it; her entire body's immense soreness and exhaustion. The spot between her legs felt raw and ached with even the slightest movement, but as her mind fled back to every moment of the night before... the pain faded.

He had finally claimed her. He had taken her virginity and claimed her as his female; his future Dralaq.

He wanted her and no other female to carry his seeds.

Sliding a hand down her stomach, Leyla rested it over the lower bulge of her abdomen—closed her eyes and felt a grateful joy spread within her.

"Thank you," She whispered with a tear in her eye, hoping The Blithesome Miss heard her eternally grateful prayers. "Thank you, Sweet Miss."

For giving her the Dralan and for letting her carry his seeds inside her, even if they had not taken. They were within her, and she would forever be grateful for receiving them.

Opening her eyes, she slowly turned around on the bed when she felt the need inside her stretch once more. She shifted and found the object of all her answered prayers laying on his back, sleeping soundly. He was every bit as exhausted as she, but looked just as sated and satisfied.

Feeling the heat inside her, Leyla's eyes swept down her male's large body, looking at the corded muscles she had clung to for many hours. His rippled, hard torso and his soft, thick hair, such a beautiful contrast to each other. Behind his closed lids was his electric blue eyes, the ones she remembered gazing fervidly at her every time she came apart and accepted his seeds.

Her eyes slowly swept down to his hips. Beneath the covers that faintly spelled out his muscular thighs, she watched the bulge between them, the vessel he had pleased her with endlessly last night and this morning. Her mind flashed with memories of how glorious it had been as he had made her take it, sit on it, and slide it inside her warm core repeatedly and to no minds of his own pleasure. He had come with her many times, but he had been solely focused on her and giving her his seeds. His lips had been on her skin, his teeth tugging at her sensitive nipples. His hands had touched every inch of her skin and gripped her rear in the fervid throes.

The heat intensified in Leyla as she kept remembering everything. Amorously, she laid her hand on his chest and closed her eyes as she felt his heart beat strongly within his ribcage.

He loved her more than his very life. That very thought made Leyla's own heart hammer in her chest as she realized just how true those words were.

Last night, while giving her everything she had ever wanted, he had taken his only source of blood away from himself. He could no longer feed from her, no longer nourish on her tainted blood. She was no Mihrisa, no Mihr. Only a female now, a female no different than any other.

And yet with this knowledge, he had still taken her status and sworn his undying love for her. For even without her blood to sustain him, he would rather die than live without her love; The last pureblooded vampire in the world, happily sacrificing his life for her love.

Tears welled up in Leyla's eyes, and with a vigorously beating heart, she leaned in and kissed her lover's chest. Her lips lingered and felt the heavy beat of his heart drum against her lips.

"Thank you," She whispered against it, then laid her cheek to his heart and wrapped her arms around her Dralan. "Sweet Blithesome Miss, thank you."

It was right then she felt him stir beneath her, his hands mindlessly seeking out her shape and wrapping themselves around it. A faint inhale sounded above her, and then a deep, satiated exhale.

Lifting her head up, she found the Dralan's eyes - found the tired, heavy rings around them, but the curve of his lip still peaked as she laid eyes on him. Her own face mirrored his as he gently pulled her closer, cupping her face and threading his fingers through her golden locks. With the softest of kisses, he kissed her lips hungrily, always ready for her sweet flavor.

Leyla moaned softly, feeling the Dralan nibble languidly at her lips. She couldn't help but smile softly, smelling his arousal filling the air. They were both insatiable.

"We fell asleep," He finally whispered, pulling only but a breath away from her mouth to speak, still caressing her hair between his fingers. "You have not yet eaten."

It was true. Her body slowly started to wake up to her other needs, those that demanded sustenance and water. Her stomach was starved and her throat felt dry, after several hours of sweating and moaning in ecstasy. They had barely stopped to catch their breaths.

"Neither have you," She reminded him, looking down at his thick pecs and bulging arms, the flesh that needed meat to keep it strong and healthy. They had truly been reckless, forgetting everything but their carnal needs.

"Oh, I ate," He rumbled lowly, a hand slipping down to cup the soft swell of her rear. He clenched it softly and made Leyla bite her lip not to release a breathy moan.

With a heated gaze, he looked into her eyes and reminded her of the many times he had sought between her legs last night to taste her sweet juices. Her body flashed with heat at the memory and instantly felt the ache where he had been.

"Dohmenic," She breathed, tightly.

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. "You shall eat and bathe now, dahna. I won't take you again before you've fed. Come."

"My Dralan," She whispered back, obediently. She swept a hand across his cheek and watched his eyelids close for a moment, dwelling in her touch.

And with that, the Dralan then sat up and helped her out of bed and carried her over to the tub, this time with the intentions to clean her. As Leyla watched him call for breakfast and then proceed to go to the cabinet for the bath salts, she couldn't help but silently think.

– How happy a moment this was, the first of many mornings she would wake up to his voice and his love. A fragile future, so easily destroyed, she would cherish every second that it was still so.

Laying a hand over her stomach, Leyla closed her eyes while the Dralan was finding the scented salts. Once again, she silently prayed to the heavens.

Thank you, Miss.

*

"Take it."

"I cannot," She begged, swallowing. As Leyla looked down at the Dralan's hand, holding out another piece of melon, she shook her head, feeling ready to burst. "I am so full, my lord."

The Dralan smiled pleased, but at last accepted her words. He lifted the slice of melon to his own lips and let it pass the plump gates. She watched him chew the juicy flesh before swallowing as well.

"You've been fed," He then declared, his eyes veering down to where his other hand rested; softly pressing against her full stomach. "Now we must talk. There are important matters we need to address, and you, my Leyla, will need to listen."

Furrowing her brows, Leyla gave a soft nod. Then, allowing the Dralan to pick her up off his lap, he walked her across the floor and gently sat her down on the foot of the bed. He smiled at her faintly, before tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Dahna," He started, taking her hand. Leyla felt her heart flutter nervously, but she could not determine if it was for the better or for the worse. "Mea Amorsa. Now that I have taken you and made you mine by body," His eyes swept down to her breasts, her stomach and finally the crease between her legs that now laid covered by her silken dress. A soft purr came from his throat. "You know what problems we face."

Leyla gulped, hard. Yes, the flutters in her stomach was definitely not the good kind. Last night, as heavenly as it had been, had only given them problems of today and henceforth. "Yes."

"You may be carrying my young," He voiced, placing once again a hand over her stomach, caressing it softly. Leyla tried her best not to let the tears pressing in her eyes fall. "And if you are, that young will be the future of Drala."

Leyla held her breath. Then, laying a hand over his, she nervously pressed her lips together. "The seeds may not have taken. If they have not—"

"If they have not, I will still be taking you," The Dralan's voice pierced hers, and looking up in shock, Leyla met his eyes and found them almost glowing.

Parting her lips, she could but stare. She replayed his words and tried to make sense of them. He would take her? But... how? She was not of royal or noble blood... it was not strong, it was not... qualified enough to mate his. She could not possibly ever be...

"My Dralaq," The Dralan spoke. Cupping her numb face, he leaned closer towards her and whispered against her lips. "I will take you, laws be damned. I have already consulted my head Kathmir, and I will make it happen, dahna."

Leyla stared in absolutely shock. Angst, along with disbelief rattled her stomach as she watched the Dralan and heard his solemn words. He spoke with sincerity.

– He intended to make her his Dralaq.

"But..." Leyla tried to find words. She blinked when her world blurred over with tears, both happy and confused. "But... how? The people... your kingdom, I am not suited—"

"You suit me, and therefore you suit the kingdom," He stated, firmly, almost growling the words out. Her truthful judgement sounded like an offense to his ears. "You are more than worthy, even if the law will not abide it. I will have you as my Dralaq and you will birth my youngs."

Leyla cupped her mouth and couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. Sobbing into her hand, the Dralan swept her cheeks with his thumbs and kissed her forehead.

Sweet Miss. Her, the Dralaq. Last night... it had changed everything. The moment had felt destined somehow, and now here they were, changing the world. Her mating the Dralan would break one of the most sacred and holiest of laws.

"How?" She whispered hopelessly again. How would it ever be possible? She was not pure anymore; The Dralan could not mate or feed from anyone impure before a bond had been made in front of the holiness, The Blithesome Miss herself. The whole kingdom would know she wasn't pure, and the Dralan's pure blood would be tainted if he drank from her—

"The details are mine to worry about," He whispered against her lips. Kissing the corners lightly each, he then pulled back. "Nothing will burden you, dahna. Not while you could be carrying my seeds."

– The seeds that would one day own and rule the kingdom.

Leyla sucked in a deep breath and pressed her hand over her stomach once more. Such a responsibility to carry. A burden she had been chosen to fulfill.

"What shall I do then?" Leyla replied, her voice lightly shaking. She was overwhelmed, and knew not how to process this... honor. He was asking her to be the mother of his kingdom and his youngs. Her, a lowly bahk. It was an honor she was not educated to respond to.

"We need to find you a feeder," The Dralan spoke, his voice suddenly hardening. She sensed pain laced through it as he continued to speak through clenched teeth. "Callath has taken your Kischmir as his female, and I will not disrespect him by asking him to share his vein any further. He will no doubt do it if I ask, but his blood should be only for his female now."

Leyla's eyes immediately widened at the information he had shared; Callath had taken Bhria?

Adding that to her information to process, at least a spark of happiness blossomed within her. Bless her sweet sister Bhria for having found her love and courage. Leyla could think of no better male to keep her safe than the male who protected the Dralan. A true match blessed by the Miss in the sky.

"Once we are mated, you will feed only from my vein," The Dralan voiced, bringing her out of her thoughts. She met his eyes and saw them light up at the very thought; his veins which had forever been untouched by any fangs. "You will sustain yourself and our young on my blood, but until then, I need you to stay strong. We need to find you another reliable feeder, one who will keep his mouth shut and his limbs to himself, or so by the Sweet Miss, his life will be ended."

"How about Ahrron?" Leyla prompted, but instantly regretted it as she saw the Dralan's eyes thunderously cloud over.

"The male that took you without permission?" He hissed out, a blast of icy coldness shooting out from his body. Leyla shivered and crimped. "No. Never mention his name again, dahna. Do you hear me?"

"He is a good male," She argued feebly, pressing her hand over his chest to calm him down. "Please, my lord, he never meant any offense. He saw that I was thirsting and jumped to my aid, on the risk of his life. Had he not helped me, I would've perished."

The Dralan snapped his eyes shut, as if the mere image caused him gut-wrenching pain; imagining her dead corpse on the balcony, parched to death. His lips curled back and his chest started pumping with wrath, and it was then Leyla leaned in and soothed him with a soft kiss on his lips. The Dralan responded, cupping her face hungrily, but slightly harshly, biting into her lip; a promise that the past would not be forgotten, no matter what.

"He may have saved you, but I will forever dislike him," He replied, gritting out the words. "The male is of low value. He does not deserve the right to feed the future Dralaq."

Leyla sighed, heavily. She knew he would not convince easily, but the truth was, there were not many males she trusted enough to feed from. Other than Callath, Ahrron was the only male she had fed from here in the castle. Before that, kind strangers and mutual exchanges of blood had been her only source of feeding.

"I will not drink from a male you do not see fit," She whispered against the Dralan's lips, combing her hand through the bottom locks of his hair. She saw him close his eyes and relish in the sensation. "I trust you, my lord. Amorsa tua."

"Amorsa tua," He replied softly, sealing his lips over hers again. Kissing her featherlight, he then pulled back. "I will find you a suitable feeder. And I will do it quickly. Now more than ever, you need to stay strong."

And for the final time, they both laid their hands over her stomach where, with The Blithesome Miss's blessing in the sky, the hope and future of Drala was currently growing.

Bhria

It was evening time and Bhria was finishing up in the kitchen. The whole day had been one chaotic mess, and it was that exact reason why Bhria's mind had been completely elsewhere ever since... it happened.

Pressing her lips together, Bhria thought back to the expression on her brother's pale face when he had realized what had been going on; She had bonded with Callath.

She had planned on telling him later that day, after having summoned some courage, but all of that became needless when he had caught them in the act.

After the confrontation, he had stormed off. The pain in his eyes had been enough to pierce her heart, and she had brokenly called his name and begged him to come back; He did not.

Instead, he had run off to gather his pride, the pride she had taken and carelessly forsaken.

It was true, she had not foreseen falling for Callath, but even then, the right thing would have been to come to Byhron first and get his permission. He was the patriarch of their blood, but she had ignored his claims to deem Callath a worthy male and let herself get swept away without care.

And the truth pained her more than it pained Byhron.

Wiping a single tear away from her lashes, Bhria quickly finished the dishes and dried her hands off in her apron. It was almost time for bed now, and she was more than ready to end the day.

"Dahna."

His voice slightly startled her, and as she spun around, she found Callath coming inside the kitchen, the other few Kischmirs around her curtsying and stepping aside as he acknowledged them briefly with a nod. He walked up to his female, who was standing by the sinks, and smiled down at her gently.

"Callath," She replied. When he leaned down and cupped her cheek, she sighed blissfully when he kissed her cheek tenderly.

"Are you all ready to go?"

She looked up at him with a hesitant look. "Go... where?"

Callath frowned ever so slightly. "To my chamber. You sleep by my side now."

Her heart soared into her throat, but an anxious and guilty pull filled her stomach. Looking down and away, she bit her lip in thought.

She wanted so dearly to sleep by Callath's side, to listen to his heart as they fell asleep together, and yet at the idea of staying in his chamber, the guilt returned to her body.

Her brother had not yet approved of their bond. She felt like she was disrespecting him by following Callath to his chambers, even if it was only to sleep there. Which was silly, because she had done so before.

Back then, it hadn't been so serious, though.

"I just don't know," Bhria whispered, placing her hands on Callath's chest. She briefly remembered a time where she had feared doing this; touching a male. Now she would never need to touch another. "I just... m-maybe we should—"

"You still worry about your brother," Callath voiced back, understandingly. When she gave a desolate sigh, he rubbed her arms, gently. "Dahna, he must understand that you are happy. Even if we did not go about it the proper way, he must see sooner or later that you are happy, protected and forever safe with me. If he truly loves you, then that is all he will ever want for you."

Bhria closed her eyes, wanting to keep his words as proof that she was doing nothing wrong. But still... the guilt persisted.

"But it's only ever been us," She feebly spoke. A sniffle suddenly made it past her nose, and she shook her head a little to stop more from coming. "After our parents passed, it was only us. He's protected me for as long as I can remember. He deserves to be included in my happiness, Callath. I just..."

"You love your brother," He whispered. When Bhria nodded and felt tears well up in her eyes, she heard Callath sigh deeply, before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Alright. I will speak to your brother tomorrow. I will try and mend this, but whatever he says, you will forever still be mine, Bhria. Understood?"

She nodded back, quickly. All she wanted was for the two most important males in her life to get along and respect each other. She wanted her brother's blessing, but first he had to approve of Callath. "Thank you."

"Now will you come to bed with me?" Callath murmured into her ear. He kissed her gently down her neck, and it alit the fire in her stomach that had been burning faintly ever since last night. It now roared alive as his hungry lips nipped at her skin. "Will you let me please you once again, Amorsa?"

Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, Bhria gave an affirmative nod and let Callath take her hand and lead her out of the kitchen.

But as she walked down the hall and gazed towards the corridor where her brother had run off earlier, her mind couldn't help but worry again.

She hoped wherever he was and whatever he was doing, he was okay.