[Some art I found on DeviantArt a million years ago which inspired this chapter💗]

Bhria

The ballroom was gloriously beautiful.

Bhria had smiled to herself as the Dralan and her dear friend had taken the throne together. He sat her proudly on his lap, like a King displaying his future Dralaq - the future mother of their country.

She was a vision, Bhria had thought. All night long she watched them from a distance, watched their love and glanced at their intimate moments they shared with the room; sweet touches and loving kisses. She had never seen the Dralan smile like that.

It was when their lips locked, Bhria had looked down modestly. Together they made such a strong couple. The Mihrisa had brought out a gentler, more compassionate side in the Dralan that the kingdom never knew existed, yet she had empowered him and laid strength upon him as he strongly sat in his throne and sipped his goblet, looking out at the people celebrating his life.

Bhria stood by her first impression of the Mihrisa; She was going to change the Dralan for the better and make a difference in the kingdom. It was already happening.

Nervously, Bhria fidgeted with her dress and stayed against the back wall, out of sight.

Unlike the other Kischmirs, who didn't serve the Dralan's Mihrisa, she wasn't dressed in the standard green and white Kischmir uniform. For weeks, the Mihrisa had helped her sew and design a dress fit enough for a high event such as this. She had been against it at first, but the Mihrisa with her good heart had been quite adamant. At last, Bhria had surrendered when she had shown her the design and laid out the reasons as to why she should wear it.

And now, upon the glorious night, she was.

Bhria fidgeted with the lace again and carefully smoothed down the gown. The threads were like silk under her fingetips; So soft and delicate. Never in her life had she owned such an expensive piece of wardrobe and she felt silly wearing it. As if she was trying to dress as someone other than a mere bahk.

But today, the Mihrisa had wanted her to look and feel royal.

And she truly did.

Bhria slowly looked up and glanced across the room. The ballroom was a river of gold and red, filled to the brim with dancing and entertained guests. But across the room, standing right by the open doors and the large curtained windows, the only eyes she could see were scanning the room as duty bound him to.

With a deep breath, Bhria clutched her hands together and nervously made her way across the floor. She went around the large party in a circle, following the wall until she was forced to walk around the musicians. It was then as she stepped into the light of the chandelier above, his eyes turned and saw her.

Bhria felt the butterflies in her stomach. His eyes never left hers, but his hand left his back and gripped on to the sill of the window beside him as she slowly approached him, feeling his burning gaze take her form in. It was as if nothing and nobody else existed that moment, everything else fading into the background.

Callath's gaze melted as she curtsied nervously before him. "M-my Lord."

The Kathmir seemed to take a second longer than needed to respond. He abandoned his duties for a moment and allowed himself to step out from his corner to meet her gaze.

"Dahna..." His voice was a low rasp, charged, but like a pot of melted butter. "You look... Sweet Miss, you don't look real."

As if to disprove his own words, he reached out and swept a lock of her freefalling auburn hair behind her ear. Bhria felt her heart thud hard in her chest as a faint scent started exuding from his pores. Dark... spicy...

She lifted a nervous smile and swallowed dryly. "You look handsome as well."

Although in his usual green Kathmir robes, he wore them with pride and honor. He might've been the Dralan's best friend and right hand, but status and uniform would not separate him from his fellow male Kathmirs. He was a male of great modesty, despite having grown up with all that he needed.

Callath returned her smile. Then, looking down at her dress again, he pressed his lips together. "I did not know you'd be working the ballroom tonight."

"I'm not," She truthfully replied. She had been assigned to the Mihrisa, but she would return to the kitchen as soon as they retired... which they had, about ten minutes ago. "I am going to the kitchen in a moment. I just wanted to..."

She caught herself. Biting her lip, her cheeks heated up as the male in front of her stepped forward and cupped her face.

"I'm glad you did," He whispered. He leaned down to her ear and pecked her cheek very gently. "I don't think I'd be able to focus with you here."

His hand touched the silk of her gown. Bhria automatically looked down and saw the slight rise beneath his Kathmir robe. Her cheeks instantly heated more.

"I will go now then," She managed to get the words out without a stutter and then gulped in a mouthful of air. Why couldn't she breathe this close to him?

The Kathmir hummed and then pulled back, but not before getting one last whiff of her scent. When she met his face, she saw the tips of his thirsty fangs sticking out behind his tempting lips. "Stay safe, dahna. For me."

Bhria gave a shaky nod, then curtsied before turning on her foot. She reluctantly began her quest back towards the kitchen area, leaving behind the party and her... and Callath.

In truth, he was the one at risk. Bhria's gut churned as she walked back downstairs, meeting Kathmirs, Kischmirs and Lathras on patrol, walking back and forth with platters of food and drinks from the kitchens, spare candles and refreshing towels for the guests. If anyone came to attack the castle tonight, the ballroom was where it was all at. The Dralan and the Mihrisa had retired for the evening, but they would have to go through the ballroom to get through to the Dralan.

And through Callath.

As Bhria entered the kitchen and met the few Kischmirs and Kathmirs who were stocking up the last few food trays before the kitchen closed, her mind was somewhere else completely. She knew Callath was a strong warrior, but could he defeat a whole army of vicious males, should they attack? She didn't even dare to entertain the idea.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head the best she could, her eyes lifted and suddenly saw the frame of someone she hadn't seen in days. He stood by the sinks and washed dishes, as was his new demotion ever since... ever since he saved the Mihrisa.

"Ahrron!" Bhria walked up to his side and gave the Kathmir a bright smile as he turned his head and raised a surprised brow. His lips turned up a little, but then fell again.

"Bhria. I thought you weren't supposed to fraternize with the likes of me," He replied, turning his eyes back to the dishes he was scrubbing clean of sticky meat sauces and dried berry juices.

Bhria pursed her lips in slight annoyance. Her brother had decreed that, and Ahrron was obviously as mad about it as Bhria. She couldn't be seen with him on account of his lowered status, but as her eyes scanned the kitchen and saw there were hardly anyone there, she smiled a little and nudged his shoulder. "What Byhron doesn't know won't hurt him. How have you been, friend?"

Ahrron snorted lightly in distaste. "I am doing fine. It's your brother I would be concerned about if I were you."

Immediately, her brows furrowed. "What... what do you mean?" She asked. Bhria had noticed her brother had acted different lately, but she didn't know why. It seemed now that Ahrron perhaps knew. "What's going on with Byhron? Please, Ahrron. He won't talk to me about his problems. Has he said anything to you?"

Again, the Kathmir scoffed and scrubbed away on a plate that looked more than clean. "Maybe if he took his tongue out of every willing Kischmir in his path, he would talk to you about—"

"What?" Bhria gaped. "He's... what?"

Ahrron seemed to halt in his movements. He blinked twice, then dropped the soapy plate he was washing into the sink. "Sweet Miss. I'm sorry, Bhria," He turned towards her, his voice much gentler. "I wasn't thinking. That was insensitive of me to say."

Bhria shook her head and tried to comprehend what he had just said. "My brother's... intimate... with females?"

Slowly, and stiffly, Ahrron nodded a single time. "I heard more than a few talking about it. I'm sorry, Bhria."

Bhria shook her head again.

Her brother was taking females to his bed again. Ever since... it happened... it had left a scar on the both of them.

Bhria knew how much he had blamed himself for what happened to her and how he had punished himself. He had been abstinent for years, staying away from females like sick blood ran in their veins. But now, upon hearing this... it seemed that maybe... he had finally... moved on.

"I can't believe it," Bhria whispered. She wasn't sure how to react. Her heart ached, but was it with happiness or concern? "I can't believe I didn't know."

"Bhria," Ahrron tried. She shook her head one last time.

"It's alright. I promise," She looked up at the kind male, then down into the soapy water he was drenched in up to his elbows. It was then her eyes landed on his raw knuckles and fingers. "You should go take a break. I'll take over the dishes, you get some air. You look like you could need it."

"No, it's alright," He said, turning towards the sink once more, picking up the same clean plate as before. "I'm fine. You go enjoy the party, I know where my duty is at."

The Kathmir started scrubbing the plate harshly again. Bhria pressed her lips together and looked at his angry demeanor. He wasn't fine at all.

"Ahrron," She laid a hand on his arm. "Please. I need to busy my mind, you go get some air. I beg you."

Ahrron paused. He then slowly sighed and retrieved his hands when he glanced her way and saw her pleading look. Bhria then instantly stepped up and took over as he reluctantly stepped away. He watched her for a moment as she took a dirty glass and started scrubbing away at it.

"Thank you," He then quietly said. Bhria sent him a quick smile before turning back to her soaps. "I won't be long. Don't overwork yourself. Not tonight."

Bhria smiled a little. The male knew her too well. "I'll try not to. Now go."

Ahrron dried his hands in his apron before taking it off and laying it on her arm. "Don't ruin your dress. You look breathtaking, by the way."

Bhria blushed moderately, but something about the male's complement sounded much less charged than a certain other Kathmir's. "Thank you."

"Fifteen minutes," He promised her, then patted her shoulder and left the kitchen, leaving her alone with the dishes and her thoughts. The kitchen had cleared out while they had talked, and Bhria was thankful. She needed the quiet to be alone with her own thoughts.

Sighing, she absentmindedly scrubbed the dishes while she thought about what her friend had told her. Byhron with females, taking more than one and taking his pick as well, or so it sounded... Perhaps he was trying to catch up for lost time... or perhaps... perhaps he had finally been brave enough to leave behind his own guilt and the past.

Bhria felt a tightening in her stomach.

Maybe if he had been courageous enough to try again... maybe... just maybe... she should try and do the same, too.

Be free of the past. Be free once more, Bhria. Do not be afraid anymore... be... be brave.

She closed her eyes and exhaled a shaky breath. Opening them again, Bhria then drew in a big breath. Brave.

On this, a holy night, it seemed fitting to start over. To start fresh and begin living again, instead of fearing every corner. Her whole life was waiting for her... a male was waiting for her.

Yes, she thought and let a little smile slip onto her lips. Tonight... tonight she would be scared no more.

Callath

He looked around the ballroom for any signs of threats. His eyes scanned it meticulously, but when he came up emptyhanded, he slowly exhaled.

So far, everything was going well. There had been no trespassing, no attempts of murder, or any signs of anyone trying to start a war inside the Dralan's castle. He prayed the night would hold up and continue to run smoothly.

Smoothly...

A warm sensation spread inside him as his mind fled back to his female.

Excused for the night, she was out of her Kischmir robes and adorned for the party. Wearing a breathtaking piece of slim, yellow finery that kept her modesty, yet enhanced her body's natural shape, Callath had nearly tilted over sideways when he laid eyes on her. Suddenly, his sole attention had been on her.

Her body had been framed and accentuated beautifully by the expensive threads that he knew only one person in this kingdom could afford. She and the Mihrisa had to have sewn it, without question for this single night alone. It had left him speechless as he remembered how she had anxiously bowed before him and awaited his approval.

And that meant this dress had been for his eyes to enjoy, alone.

Callath had had to fight every instinct inside his body to refrain himself from doing something he most certainly shouldn't have. This night his job was to keep an eye on everything so the Dralan could enjoy himself and show strength to his people, but as he and the Mihrisa had ventured off and left the party, his mind was starting to slip and welcomed distractions.

- Like imagining taking his Bhria into a corner, just to taste her lips so he could dream of them tonight when he went to bed alone.

Callath sighed. To see his gentle female presented in such a magnificent dress for all to see, but solely for him had been torture in the cruelest way. For weeks he had dreamt of seeing the body that hid beneath those unflattering, bulky Kischmir robes. Tonight of all nights, she had granted him her wish.

Callath rolled his head around and released the tension in his neck. Thankfully she had told him the kitchen would be her service area tonight. She had taken on the kitchen duty of scrubbing plates and cleansing goblets so that the other Kischmirs might entertain their mates or prosper finding one. In a way, he was thankful her past had led her to stay away from the larger crowds. Especially on a night as tonight where danger could be hiding around every corner. She would be safe in the service area, hidden away in piles of dishes—even if it was a waste of beauty.

Callath therefore stood in a corner of the ballroom alone now, watching the guests laugh and dance and enjoy the music and the food to the highest content. Glancing out of one of the draped windows, he saw that the festivities were equally as happy out there. The gardens were lively with bahks dancing and basking in the temporary lifted sundown curfew. Tonight was a night to celebrate and to forget the wars for one evening, and it appeared everyone was doing just that.

The night was a success, so why did his heart feel burdened?

Callath felt a slight weight press on his chest. He shifted and rubbed his sternum, but the ache remained no matter how he placed himself. Usually, only one thing triggered this sort of heaviness.

Looking around the ballroom once again, he searched for danger when his nerves starting acting up. His blood started pumping in caution, racing faster for every second he spent searching for the imminent danger his senses were picking up on.

But there was no apparent danger in sight.

Clenching his teeth, he decided to do a lap around the premises when the sensation inside him didn't dull. His body was riled up for some reason and he was determined to find out why.

Stepping out of the ballroom, leaving the party to the entertained guests and his Lathras, Callath started walking down the hall, towards the stairs to the entrance way. Something was wrong, and his heart was pulling him this way. As if something was yanking inside him, dragging him towards the invisible danger he could feel, but not see...

Callath halted up and felt as his feet rooted him to his spot when it slammed through him like a knife. One moment it was nothing but an inkling, the next...

Stone cold panic.

Pressing a hand to his heart, Callath felt everything inside him come to a grinding halt. Then, the blood was rushing in his ears, and when he looked down at his hand, he saw that it was trembling with nothing holding it back.

And that's when he realized.

It wasn't his own fear. No. It was the blood of his closest he was feeling—the panic of the body and soul his mind had bonded with.

- Bhria.

He moved quicker than death itself. Pounding down the hall, Callath raced past everything and everyone, sensing nothing as the ache in his heart yanked him towards the danger—to the person his sharp ears now heard crying as he neared the kitchen area.

He roared as he fired straight through the kitchen doors, slamming his shoulder against the wood so the doors splintered and flew off the hinges. His mouth filled with blood, and with his fangs protruding, he came face to face with his worst nightmare, right on the floor before him.

There, buried under a Lathra, was his female, crying and screaming, wrestling with her worst fear.

And the male on top of her was halfway under the dress meant for him.

Callath moved before The Blithesome Miss had even foreseen it. In one second he had the Lathra in a deadlock in his arm, prying him away from his screaming female. He heard nothing but his own pulse thudding wildly in his ears as he rolled the male off her and roared; Roared for the whole kingdom to hear.

Not his female.

The Lathra growled back animalistically and fought him. He could smell alcohol on the warrior's breath, and he knew the soldier was too far gone to act on his sanity. Like Callath, the animal part of him had taken over and was fighting for the one thing it wanted; A female.

What he had failed to realize was that choosing this female, he had subconsciously sealed his own death.

Callath snarled and coiled an arm around the Lathra's neck as he tried to reach up and pry Callath away. But Callath was far beyond the warrior; Grappling on to the warrior's head, he throttled the male into the stone floor and was on top of him before the second had run out. The Lathra, too inebriated and disoriented, never stood a chance against the bonded male.

Callath never saw the face of the Lathra before his fists were pounding into it and distorting it in every way possible. A veil of black had coated his eyes and ridded him of anything but the taste of wrath and blood in his mouth. He faintly heard the sound of bones crunching and the screams of pain, but nothing else registered in his body except for the sweet and macabre scent of vengeance.

He had touched her. Touched her. Had had his hands on his female, even though she had cried for him to get off. He hadn't. He had continued to violate her and take what wasn't his to touch. What wasn't his to claim.

Callath didn't sense as he leaned down and bit the male's throat and tore through his vein. He ripped the skin and tissue out as he roared and pulled back, the blood of his enemy dripping from his lips. He vaguely sensed the Lathra cry in agony below him before going limp.

Suddenly there were rushed and heavy footsteps. Many. The clank of metal and several female gasps was what finally broke Callath out of his frenzy and back to the surface.

Lathras had gathered around him and stared in horror at the sight that met them; Their brother in arms bloodied and unconscious under the wrath of the Dralan's Kathmir. None of them moved.

Callath's eyes suddenly shifted. Kischmirs stood huddled in a corner by his female, hiding her from his view, protecting her. Most likely attracted by the fight, they had scurried in and had seen their fallen sister and run to her while the Lathras now gathered closely around Callath. Everything was chaos, but nobody questioned his authority as arose to his feet and clenched his bloodied fists.

"Take him to the dungeons; Slit his wrists, bleed him!" He snarled, seeing the Lathras walk up to their brother to seize his arms and haul him away. Above all, their loyalty lied with the Dralan and his right hand; They didn't question his orders. "But keep him alive," Callath warned, seeing the male slump almost dead already in his comrades arms, barely clinging to his worthless life. "He's mine to finish."

The Lathras followed his orders and dragged the male out of the kitchen. They carried him down the halls, past the broken doors, to the stairs that would take them to the dungeon. When they finally disappeared out of sight, Callath's senses slowly came back as the threat was removed. He suddenly heard the females breathe timidly behind him.

Turning around, he saw the Kischmirs crouching on the floor next to his female, who had all but curled up into a ball. They were crying around her, talking to her, trying to soothe her, but nothing seemed to work.

Callath immediately felt his heart splinter. She wasn't moving, wasn't... anything.

Sweet Miss in the sky, what had he done to her?

And why hadn't he been there to save her...

Kneeling down next to her, the Kischmirs pulled back without a command. They let him shuffle closer to his female and gently pick her up off the floor. She was shivering, but the second he touched her, she gasped. Her eyes flew open and looked up at him. He cupped her face and leaned down to her, whispering against her lips when she started crying from the shock. "My sweet dahna... oh, Bhria..."

Her eyes started to focus, and with a soft exhale, it was as if her body recognized his touch and voice. She eased and allowed him to lift her up into his arms. The females around them all pulled back when he stood up and watched as he without word then carried their sister away. Callath knew had to get her out of there, away from the scene, away from the eyes, away from... everything.

Walking down the deserted halls, Callath kept his eyes locked for danger, but his lips near her ear. He wasn't sure what he was telling her, some of it was in the old tongue. She stopped crying somewhere along the trip, and amidst walking, he also noticed her heart stopped racing. Her pulse slowed down and a warmth suddenly exuded from her, the same time her hand curled in his robe.

She peaked up at him through wet lashes, and the sight that met him astonished him.

Looking up at him, he saw no fear anymore. As he entered his bedchamber and gently set her down on the edge of his bed, he tried to pull away to inspect her, only to feel her hands pull him back and keep him close. "Don't."

His body blasted with heat at the sound of her frail voice. Why was she so calm when he was losing himself with every passing second?

"Where did he touch you? Where did he hurt you?" He pushed out the words. When he tried to pull back again, to inspect her for wounds, she held on to him firmly, not wanting to let go. "Bhria..."

"Just hold me, please."

The frailness of her voice left him powerless and he surrendered to the thin arms that curled around his broad shoulders. They desperately clung to him and searched for his comfort, and like a bloodied slave, Callath bent and let her have it. He let his body ease to accommodate hers, fighting with his instincts to check her body for injuries.

He smelled blood in the air.

After another second, Callath couldn't resist any longer and pulled back on instinct, unable to stop when the blood entered his nose and registered as hers. His mind went into a black fog as he searched her body to find where the blood came from. And there it was.

A long tear ran up her thigh and her corset had been ripped in places. Through the tear of her gown, he saw her slender leg, and from a red mark bleeding on her thigh, he found the source of the smell.

Sharp and precise, Callath recognized the mark of a fang ripping through a fabric in the hunt of the flesh beneath it.

"Callath—"

Without question, he ripped a long length of fabric from his sheets. Wrapping it around his hand, he pressed it to her thigh. The wound tainted the white material red in seconds and bled through in another two. All he could see was red.

"Callath, please. Look at me."

Her pleading voice finally made him snap his eyes shut when she cupped his head and tried to lift it. Instead, it sunk down.

It all hit him just then. How badly everything could've ended had he not saved her in time. How much damaged that male could've done to her, how much it all would've shattered him apart, knowing she had been harmed on his watch, without him saving her.

How she could've slipped away from him and all that he had fought to preserve within her.

"Bhria."

She lifted his head and took the cloth from him. Kneeling on the floor in front of her, he felt the pain seep from his pores as she wiped his bloodied chin and dried the vile male's blood from his lips. When he felt her lips then graze his jawline, his whole body jolted alive, surging forward in need.

She caught his lips and gripped on to the roots of his hair as he quaked with need to feel her safety. She responded with a moan and pushed her tongue into his mouth, giving him her taste to suck on, to drug his mind and relieve him of his pain.

He pulled away from her the second her hands fell to his robe. She started untying it, but he couldn't focus. Not when the scent of her blood leaked from her thigh and ached in his chest.

Reaching for his sheet again, he tried to pull another strip off, but found Bhria's hands coming in his way, stopping him. "Don't, please."

"Bhria, your wound."

"I don't care," She whispered, gripping at his robe again. She unleashed the tie around his midsection and pulled the bloodied robe off his shoulders.

His chest was pumping as he let her slide the fabric off his shoulders. He gritted his teeth, but couldn't rip his eye away from the open gash on her thigh. "Bhria, I have to—"

"No, you don't," She started pulling at his tunic, pulling it up to remove the red stained tunic where his collar had been soiled. "Come here, please..."

He let her pull it off him only to appease her, for whatever reason she was concerned with him. She was the one who was nearly... and yet she was worrying herself about him.

"Let me clean your wound," He tried to pull away from her when her fingers threaded through his hair and pulled at the locks at the base of his neck. "Bhria... what are you—"

Her lips sealed over his and effectively shut him up. Callath reeled back in shock when his female tried to pull him between her spread knees and onto the bed.

"Bhria—"

"You would've killed him for me," She said, tears laced in her voice. "You would've... killed him to protect me."

He would've killed everyone in this kingdom, even the Dralan himself, if he ever laid a hand on her like that Lathra had done.

"You're my female," He told her, his voice rumbling with possessiveness when he realized she was. He wanted to claim her as his, forever. "No one will ever touch you again, Bhria. No one."

He felt her fingertips run along the edge of his jaw. Stopping at his chin, she lifted his head carefully and met his eyes. "I know."

Right then, Callath felt his world dissolve as she looked straight into his eyes with her blue ones. There was a strength inside them he hadn't seen before, a power he never knew a female with her past could possess. She pressed her lips tightly together and gripped the back of his neck.

"Callath..." She whispered his name. It was so frail, but her voice held such iron. "I'm done being scared. Tonight... what happened tonight... I don't want to be scared anymore."

His brows furrowed as she closed her eyes and let a single tear slide down her cheek. It was one of steely strength, but still frailness and need. "It'll never happening again under my watch, Bhria. You'll never have to be scared again. Never. I'll protect you."

Suddenly, her lips lifted. She smiled softly and Callath felt even more confused than before. Something was happening inside her and he was right here with her as it happened.

"I know you will," She said, laying a hand over his rapidly beating heart. "But I still don't want to be scared anymore. With or without you, or anyone else... I wish to be strong within myself. And I will be now. I choose my own life."

"Bhria... what are you saying?" Callath watched as the female before him pulled him closer and rested her forehead against his, simply breathing him in. Her hands caressed his hair, combing through it with a soft delicateness.

"Tonight, when that male walked in to the kitchen and started approaching me... all I could think was one thing," She confessed, Callath restraining his anger as it surged to the surface again at her words. One touch of her palm and she soothed him down again. "I thought... I thought I was going to die before... before ever having laid with you," She whispered.

Callath's heart stopped. As hers beat strongly, he slowly looked up and gazed into her eyes. Eyes that shone with new strength. "Dahna..."

"Take me tonight, Callath," She whispered, firming her hands around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. "I won't spend another second being scared when it could all end tomorrow. Or even tonight."

Callath felt his body burst with something completely carnal at her words, and had to leash himself as his hands gripped her waist and held her firmly. "It won't end, Bhria. I promise you. With me by your side, I'll keep you safe and loved every day you breathe and exist."

Her body bloomed at his words and he smelled the sweet scent of her arousal wafting from her pores. "Yes, you will. Callath... I—"

"Amorsa tua," He whispered before she could. Her eyes widened, but then slowly softened as he smiled up at her. "You know I do."

She nodded and then lowered her lips to a single breath above his. "Amorsa tua, Callath," She responded with all of her heart and soul.

Callath couldn't take it. His heart felt full and drunk, and with nothing more, his lips connected with his Amorsa's. She was finally his.

Bhria moaned softly beneath him and wrapped her arms around him as he kissed her deeply, kissed her with everything he had for her; every drop of his blood that loved her, every part of his soul that wanted to bond with hers. He couldn't believe his own luck, couldn't believe this female had chosen to give her love to him. It was a gift he did not know how to receive.

But a gift he would spend every day being worthy of.

"Bhria," He whispered and pulled back to meet her loving eyes. She smiled softly, but then lowered her eyes. Her hands came to her corset, what unbroken strings that were left. Slowly, she started untying them.

Callath watched as his female undressed herself for him, let him gaze upon her feminine skin. His hands itched to help, but stayed at his sides. He knew this was something she had to do on her own.

She slowly undid her corset and then swiped her hair to the side as she reached for the strap of her dress. With a gentle hand, she untied the knot behind her neck and let the silken ties fall. Her eyes lifted and met Callath's, timidly.

He nodded softly. With calm hands, Callath then lifted his hands and grasped the soft and now loosened fabric of her dress and slowly started tugging it down. His Amorsa sat still, but didn't turn her eyes away as the fabric released her upper body.

Callath gripped on to the edge of the bed and felt the floor spin beneath him for the second time that night as his female's beauty paralyzed his heart. By The Blithesome Miss, he was not worthy of this vision.

"Sweet Bhria..." He moaned and took in the heavy swells of her breasts. They were full and womanly, pale but tempting. The rosa peak of her nipples made his fangs extend, and the curvy shape of her lifegiving hips made his cock harden. She was everything beauty and more than he could ever have dreamt of.

Callath's eyes slid over her skin and saw the faint marks around body, stretched with the fullness of her shape. Pale lines contoured her and curved around her, leading down to the place where her dress was bunched. The scars of her past.

- The marks of her infinite strength.

"I have not done enough in this life to deserve you, Bhria," He told, watching her chest rise and fall with shaky breaths as tears filled her eyes. "But every day I wake by your side, I will dedicate to do so, my Amorsa."

"Callath," Bhria leaned in and cupped his face. "It's I who don't deserve you. Your goodness and your strong heart has me begging that I might keep you all to my selfish self. I don't want any other female to have you," She whispered and let the tear trickle down her chin. "I am too selfish."

His lips lifted every so slightly, but then Callath stood up. Rising to his feet, he cupped his female's face and saw her lift her head to keep his gaze. "I am yours, Bhria. Now and forever. This is all yours."

Taking her hand, he brought it to his chest and let her feel his heartbeat. The one that beat for her.

Then, sliding her hand down, he kept his eyes on her as her fingertips slid over the contours of his stomach, all the way down to the dip of his hips to his breeches. He folded her hand over his hard bulge.

The change he saw in her eyes was the one he had been waiting for as she finally felt him—felt what he had kept waiting for her. As he watched her eyes darken and her lips part, he tightened her hand around his stiff member and let her feel all that was waiting for her. 

"It's yours," He said. His female lifted her eyes to his again, after having dropped them to his waist. "No female will ever touch me, just as no male will ever lay his hand on you ever again. Will you be mine, Bhria?"

Her throat bobbed, heavy with arousal, and with a low voice, she whispered; "Yes."

Callath growled. With a possessive hand, he then swept her lips against his and pulled her up, only to tug the rest of her dress down. He felt as her hands ripped at his breeches as well, tearing the strings apart.

Within seconds, they both stood naked before each other. Callath heard her feminine gasp as she looked down and gazed upon him, but he refrained from doing the same himself. He wanted a closer inspection with his mouth.

Sweeping her off her legs, he took his female and laid her down on his bed, ready to mount her, once and for all. Bhria sought out his lips, and willingly he let her have them as his own hungry ones couldn't resist. He climbed on top of her, sliding a hand beneath her body to press her closer to his.

His female gasped loudly beneath him. Callath himself hissed as their sexes grazed, his hot member meeting her burning flesh. She was wet down there, her moisture staining his cock.

"Callath," Bhria dug her fingertips into his skin, her body shaking. But not with fear; With need.

"I have you," He promised her, kissing her lips once before pulling back. "I have you, dahna." And then he left his lips travel down her soft body.

She arched beneath his lips and gripped on to the roots of his hair as he cupped one swell and let her nipple into his warm mouth. A cry escaped her lips and she bucked, moaned as Callath sucked and felt the bud harden in his mouth. Her breasts which had never received a gentle caress, her body which had never felt the touch of a loving hand was finally getting what it deserved. Callath couldn't believe The Blithesome Miss had entrusted him the honor of giving her this.

Thank you, Miss, he prayed silently in his head as his hands gently massaged his Amorsa's breasts. The two soft swells which one day would nurture the life of his kin, if The Miss in the sky allowed it.

He paid each nipple his respect and pleased them until his female was a panting mess beneath him. Wracked with pleasure too untamable to be contained soon enough, he gave her heart one last lingering kiss before moving further down.

"Callath..." She panted his name, gripping frantically at his hair, tugging when he paused at her mound. "I... I... please."

She was desperate for a release, but he doubted she even knew. Had she ever experienced a climax, or would this be her first time? Would he have this honor, too?

He pressed a kiss to her stomach, right above her womb and prayed a silent prayer in his head for her fertility. She was young and healthy, so in time, when her bleeds arrived, she would be prime for carrying his seeds. For now, he knew they wouldn't take, but that didn't mean they couldn't practice.

"I will have you against my lips now, dahna," He whispered, preparing her as he slowly spread her legs and revealed her wetness to him. "I will make you feel as you've never felt before."

"Please," She begged, biting her lip, her fangs fully extended in her arousal. The sight made his cock jerk harshly. "Please Callath..."

Waiting no longer, Callath lowered his mouth and eyes to her tender flesh. In one go, he both tasted and saw her.

Her flavor hit his tongue like an electric sweet rush. All of him tensed and his eyes slid over with something primal as her honey tainted his lips. By The Miss in the Sky, she was sweeter than heaven.

Growling possessed, Callath lost his bearings and pushed his mouth against her warm flesh and lapped away at her nectar. He heard her scream in ecstasy, but he was too far gone to slow down. She had possessed him with her silken juice.

"Callath!" She cried as his tongue dipped and licked the flavor from her core, seeking in and tasting her from the source. His fingers gripped around her thighs when they shut in reflex, shaking as pleasure raked through her. He could feel her throbbing against his tongue, so warm and utterly sweet. He groaned throatily and drank more.

"Dahna," He rasped, pulled her closer to him, burying his face between her lush legs and taking greedily from her sweet temple, the sacred juice only devoured by the lucky ones. The juices of true arousal. Juices made just for him. "Sweet Bhria, don't stop... don't stop... let me taste more of you."

Her core gushed at his words and fulfilled his wish. He heard her cry out, writhing with pleasure. She was at her breaking point and he knew it wouldn't be long now.

"Callath!" She tossed her head back as he parted her with his fingers and ground his tongue deeper against her sensitive skin. Sought out her cluster of nerves, pink and swollen to the touch. He kissed it before leisurely sucking the little bud into his mouth.

With a scream, his Amorsa came apart, shaking and crying. Her feminine body couldn't stop trembling, spasming under his administrations, and never before had Callath felt such pride. Seeing his female become liquid and so vulnerable, knowing he gave her this much pleasure and that she allowed him and trusted him to protect her while she was like this... trusted him not to harm her while she was defenseless...

While she was still panting, Callath shifted and turned to the wound on her thigh. The long rip that still bled ever so slightly made him turn his lips and trace the wound delicately with his tongue. He licked up the injury and cured it with his tongue, lapping away until the wound closed enough to stop bleeding.

Amidst his nurturing, he sensed his Amorsa had gathered herself again. She was breathing shallowly, but her body had calmed after all the trembling. "Callath..."

Her hands grasped at his hair again, and with a gentle tug, she pulled him up. Callath let her drag him up until they were eye to eye, her swimming gaze filled with arousal and love. All of it for him.

A single tear slid from her eye, a tear not of pain, but of gratefulness. Her smile was heartfelt as she pulled him down and rested his forehead against her own. "T-thank you."

Callath understood. He pressed a single lingering kiss to her forehead, then slowly opened his eyes and brushed her cheek. "Always."

He had given her her first carnal taste of pleasure, the first touch of a male without feeling any harm. He had shown her what it felt like to be with a true male, and he was far from done. There was so much more he couldn't wait to show her.

Grasping her leg, he cinched it around his waist as he settled between her thighs, resting his throbbing shaft over her wet mound. He saw his Bhria suck in a breath and stare up at his eyes as he slowly rocked his hips back and forth. He let her feel the length of him, the softness and silk of his hard member, the one he wished to serve her with. He watched her face melt in pleasure and her lips part, a small sound escaping them.

"Look at my eyes," He told her. Even if he couldn't sense any unease from her, he wanted to look into her eyes to monitor the reaction in her as he entered her for the first time. Her first time since those hunters.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him, lust written inside them, but also a hint of nerves. She was not scared, only anxious of what being with a male was like. The real way.

Making sure that she was with him, Callath leaned down and pecked her lips. Her eyes slid shut as she fell into the lull of his mouth working against hers, and like that, he felt the last of her nervousness dissipate. She was ready.

Sliding into her warm temple, Callath stiffened as he saw his Amorsa gasp and roll her head back. Her chest rose up, and as he entered the last of himself inside her and found nest, his female eased with a soft smile. There had been no pain at all.

Feeling a burden drop from his chest, Callath lowered his lips to her heart with a deep sigh and kissed her sternum as he pulled out and gently thrust inside again. His Bhria moved, a garbled sound emanating from her throat. "Callath..."

"Does it hurt?"

Her legs tightened around him, and with a firm hand, she grabbed the back of his neck and pulled his lips to hers.

She kissed him hard and conveyed her answer through it as she moved beneath him and clenched her inner muscles around him. Callath gripped on to the headboard and hissed in response.

All of his cock was embraced by her, swathed in her wet warmth, nestled inside her tight canal. When her hips started moving below his, he lost his last shred of control.

With a harsh surge, he drew out and plunged back inside her with a growl. He heard her cry below him, but all she did was tighten her legs more. Her lips grew harder against his, her breath shorter. Before he could stop himself, his was driving into her with no abandon.

"Bhria," He groaned her name as he felt her tremble beneath him, whimpers of pleasure coating his lips as she expelled them against him. Their bodies molded as one and became fluent in motion as they both moved to their thrusts. Callath was too far gone, lost in his sweet Amorsa, swallowing her moans with his own.

"Callath!" She cried out and tensed beneath him, her breath growing shorter and shorter. Her body slicked itself in sweat and shone beautifully on her aroused body.

"I will claim you," He whispered, pushing deeper within her. Her head tossed back with pleasure. "I'll let every male know you're taken. Who you belong to."

"Yes," She whispered back, clinging to him.

"You're mine," He growled. "And I'm yours. Everyone will know you are my female."

"Yes," Her body arched as his thrusts quickened, surging inside her with purpose. He heard her cry out and felt as her nails ripped his back. "Callath!"

Callath grumbled possessively against her neck, his hips sliding against hers. She was so wet, he could hear their bodies meeting and colliding. He could feel his own body driving forward to feel her clench him, to feel her rupture with the pleasure he was so desperate to give her. The pleasure The Sweet Miss had granted him the ability to give her.

"Bhria," He swept her clingy hair away from her sweaty neck and kissed her lips hotly. With every thrust, they grew shorter and shorter apart. "Amorsa tua."

His female cried out, and then with a final thrust, he pushed her over the edge. Her head tossed back and her body tightened beneath his, going into soft, rhythmic spasms. "Callath!"

He kept pushing into her, driving her to her absolute limit as she came apart beneath him in ecstasy. Callath cursed as her walls clenched around him, restraining his cock in a wet vacuum. A violent shiver went through him as the pulsating of her orgasm massaged his length.

Without warning, he suddenly felt a set of fangs scraping against his neck, blindly searching for his vein. Callath arched his head to the side and willingly offered his Amorsa what she craved.

Hissing, he felt as her delicate, but sharp teeth pierced his skin and sunk into his vein. She latched on like her life depended on it, and it was the last Callath could do to hold his own climax back.

Groaning, his vision disappeared as he released and felt as her warm core accepted his seeds while her mouth greedily took from his vein. She milked him, she drained him, and he wanted her to never stop. Callath shivered and let his blood and seeds run free.

She was his, forever.

They both slowly came down from their high, Bhria's fangs pulling free of his neck. Callath felt sedated, but stirred with a need to find her eyes. After finding his own, he slowly lifted his head and met her gaze.

Hazy, swimming blue eyes, filled to the brim with love. They were tired, but happy, but the one thing he was looking for was not there. Fear.

She felt safe in his arms.

Smiling down at her, he watched her lips mirror his with a tired smile, and with a lazy hand, she combed it through his hair. He purred lightly and leaned down to her lips.

"Stay with me?"

She brushed his cheek tenderly and then lifted her head to kiss his lips. "Where else would I go?"

And with that, they both chuckled silently as Callath rolled them over and claimed her lips once again, only for the second time of many, many more nights to come.

*******

I'm scared to even speak at this point. Who wants to kill me for making you all wait so long for this icky update?😭💗

I'm so sorry, you guys.💗 I really really am, but I've been writer's blocked so long on this story, it became almost impossible for me to even open the draft without feeling the urge to cry.😓 I just got angry and sad every time I felt like writing here, so I didn't. This chapter took me MONTHS to write, and now it's finally here. I don't know how to feel about the outcome..💗

Anyway. Please try and enjoy it and also the next chapter after this one. I wish I could say I'm now back on track again, but I honestly don't know. It might take me long to update again... it might not. I don't know.💗 I hope you'll keep being patient with me, but if not I understand💗

If you haven't already, you can go check out my two new upcoming stories which I've uploaded some previews of on my profile💗 let me know if you'll want to read them after I finish Dralan💗

Thanks for reading!
Yours truly,
Karin xoxo💗