Leyla

Bleeding was always worst the first few days; For the males as well as the females. But, as the days passed and the potency of her bleeds lessened, so did the alluring scent that tortured the males.

The Dralan, as stubborn and as concerned as he was with her feeds (as Bhria had predicted him to be), had refused to let her feedings slide even as she went through her bleedings. Even thought it would have been the easiest and far more convenient solution for everyone. But now that she was more vulnerable than ever, he thought it more important to feed her and put himself through torture than to let it weaken her.

- His pain for her wellbeing; In a nutshell, his solemn duty to the kingdom.

But the Dralan hadn't been the only stubborn vampire in the palace as the plans of the feeds were worked out. Leyla, perhaps primed with hormones and an extra spark of gumption, had fiercely told him that if he was insistent on still doing the feeds, they would happen at no ones painful expense; an even burden.

Feeds had always been sacred. In the olden days, feedings had been bound together in a harmony of passionate love-making and a vital intimacy to truly share the bond that one did when sharing their very essence to life; what all united them, Dralan to Bahk. Kathmir to Kischmir. Mihr to Mihrisa.

But, as times evolved, feedings became less... extensive. Vampires started to share their blood with strangers on a whim, caught up in bloodlust or just the regular kind. Lips and kisses had been enough. But then, the war had started.

The terror of Phlague.

After Mihr hunters started roaming the streets and drove the males to a blood frenzy, blood became a thing of need, of possession, of obsession. Nobody cared about intimacy anymore. They drank when they got thirsty, and they hunted for the purest source to make them stronger.

But throughout the evolution of the feeds, no matter what, one unspoken rule had always been above others; tooth to vein.

Blood was sacred, even if the ritual had died, the blood itself was an energy source that one did not offer or take lightly. To get it, you had to bite, and to give, you had to be willing to get bitten. Any other way was disgraceful, wrong and against nature; An offense against The Blithesome Miss.

But dire times sometimes required dire solutions. A situation like this one had never been seen before, especially not concerning the Dralan. Since Mihrs were in short supply and the Dralan had bonded with Leyla and couldn't stand letting her close to another male anymore... there was no other solution than to defy nature.

As Leyla emptied the golden chalice, she licked her lips and looked up at Bhria who stood by her side. She took the chalice from her hand, removing the gold-speckled goblet with remnants of dark red blood lining the inside.

"Tell me he's okay," Leyla whispered, seeing Bhria place the chalice on the table and walk back to her, taking her hand. "Tell me... he's alright."

"Callath's doing fine," She replied, keeping her eyes down. For five days, the Kathmir had cut his vein open and bled into a chalice for Leyla. For five days, he had gone against nature, all in duty to his friend and his King, the Dralan. Leyla would never be able to comprehend the bond the two males shared, but she hoped one day she would have that herself; someone who would do anything for her, no matter the stakes.

But perhaps, she already did.

Watching Bhria, Leyla felt a lead weight press on her heart. She hated seeing her friend in this position. Just like Callath, she had been doing her duty to the Dralan and for the rest of the kingdom, delivering the blood of the male she liked to another female. Blood could sometimes be more intimate than a kiss; Leyla was under no false impression this had been difficult for her friend, and knowing the female's history, finally having found a male she dared open up to and share her blood with... it was killing Leyla to know she was taking that from her.

The laws of feeding, however needed they were, could sometimes be crueler than love.

"I'm so sorry for this," Leyla whispered for the millionth time and reached out for the female's hand. The Dralan suffered knowing Leyla was drinking from Callath, Callath suffered giving his blood to another female than Bhria, Bhria suffered from having to bring the chalice of his blood to Leyla, and Leyla suffered knowing she was drinking her friend's lover's blood. The burden of the pain was carried equally throughout them, but it hurt no less to see her friend in such misery.

But the alternative of the situation had been far, far worse than this if they had done it any other way.

"Don't apologize," Bhria quietly told while helping Leyla get on back on the bed as the haze of the blood started thrumming through her. "As long as it's working..."

It was working, alright. Leyla had managed to drink a full chalice of Callath's blood every day for the past five days. With a bit of luck, tomorrow would be the last day she would have to.

Tomorrow was the night of the twelfth moon, aka the Dralan's birthday. The preparations for the celebration had taken weeks to prepare, but now the day was nearly upon them. The Dralan's birth was a day to celebrate in joy and happiness. Without him, the reign of the pureblooded vampires would be extinct. The old Dralan sadly only produced one male offspring. He never had any other youngs, no one to continue their purebred bloodline. That was why the Dralan's next of kin needed to be of strong blood and healthy heritage; He was the last chance of carrying on the purebred vampires.

"Is everything set up?" Leyla murmured, trying to fight the sleepiness the blood had given her. Bleeding and feeding were two exhausting things, but she needed her energy. She wanted to be ready for tomorrow. Needed to. She had prayed to The Blithesome Miss to let her bleedings be over by tomorrow. They had lessened drastically, but would the scent be weak enough for the Dralan to bear?

"It is," Bhria replied, a hint of a smile tugging at the female's lips. "His Majesty will be so pleased."

Leyla closed her eyes and tiredly smiled back. She had prepared something special for him. She hoped he would like it, but she wouldn't know until tomorrow. She had spent every wakening moment through her bleedings working on it. Bhria had helped provide her with what she needed, but Leyla had wanted to finish it by herself.

- It was her gift to him. It was all she could give him, but she would put her entire heart into it.

"I will go fetch you your lunch," The Kischmir voiced, her voice sounding miles away as Leyla started drifting off. She hummed in response, but she wasn't certain the sound made it past her lips as she fell into a deep sleep.

Tomorrow, she would be ready...

*

It was the eve of the celebration. As the Twelfth Moon rose in the sky, Leyla felt her hands nervously tremble as she readjusted her dress and smoothed it down.

She couldn't believe her luck. She had woken up that morning, feeling refreshed and more alive than she had in months. After a bleed, the body was cleansed. The Blithesome Miss had poured her love through her and made her ready for this night; her bleedings had all but stopped as the dark had descended.

Standing in front of the mirror, Leyla paused and took a moment to gaze at herself. As her eyes slid over her appearance, she hardly recognized the female staring back at her.

The female inside the reflection was a strong, fierce and yet gentle-looking female with a heart that seemed to burn with an unyielding passion. It was the kind of female who had survived wars, intimate battles, feelings, and the hardest one of the all; love.

It wasn't too long ago that she was but a confused female faced with her first encounter of love and male attention. And from the Dralan no less. She had stumbled around, had made poor decisions when it came to her heart, and had let the Dralan get away with far too much, all because she had been desperate to feel the love of the only male who had ever cared for her like he did.

Leyla felt she had grown so much. They had each made mistakes, but together, both of them had bettered the other.

The Dralan, while still irrational, stubborn and short-tempered, had learned a greater patience and understanding. When she first came to his castle, she was but another female, another vessel with the pure blood he needed. He had been caught in a war. She had needed to be his sanctuary. When she started challenging him as well, he had acted out and done things that was beneath him, even if status never disallowed him to do those things. But deep down, he had always been better than that.

Now... Leyla closed her eyes and felt the warmth stream through her like gentle sunlight on a summer day.

When the Dralan looked upon her, she saw the utmost respect in his eyes. She felt his dominance, but the way he asserted it on her was in a way that made her want to willingly submit to him. He treated her with softness and kindness. He whispered naughty things in her ears that made her virgin body tremble. He touched her with adoration and kissed her with passion and promise - with a love she had never known before he came into her life.

Tiny tears of happiness welled inside Leyla's eyes as she slowly opened them and looked at herself once more.

She knew without a shadow of doubt that she loved him. She loved the Dralan and would sacrifice anything to stay with him. He had long ago stolen her heart, but as she looked at herself now, she knew...

He hadn't stolen it. He had exchanged it for his own.

A soft knock on the door pulled Leyla from her thoughts. Blinking the tears away, she took a deep breath and centered herself; It was time to be strong.

"Enter," She timidly called, seeing Bhria poke her head inside. The Kischmir seemed nervous and on edge, and a second later, she understood why.

"The Dralan is here."

Leyla's breath hitched. This would be the first time in days they would see each other again. Since her bleeds, they had been separated for both of their safety, but now, with her bleedings being all but done, it was time to see if they could be in the same room together without... falling victim to their bond.

Leyla turned as the Kischmir bowed her head and then stepped away. A moment later, the aura of the room changed and Leyla's insides melted at the sight of him.

The Dralan walked in slowly, seeming cautious as he entered the chamber where his female were, but halted the second his electric blue eyes found her.

Leyla watched as the Dralan's tense expression dissolved as he gazed upon her. The deep, rich red silk dress with the golden stitching and diamond pendant in the middle of her chest was a creation of her own. It fell in a waterfall around her slim body and hugged her shy curves, contouring her soft shape. Her curly hair was falling in a golden stream around her shoulders, swept to one side and pinned with a red rose; A red rose in his honor.

"Blithesome Miss..." The Dralan didn't take his eyes off her. His lips parted, and the strong tips of his sharp incisors peaked out, slowly extending as he walked closer and drank in the sight of her with a hoarse groan. "Sweet dahna... Leyla..."

The tears Leyla had fought to keep at bay welled up in her again. She couldn't believe this day had finally the come; The celebration of the Dralan's birth, and here he was, standing right in front of her with a devoted look in his eyes as he gazed upon her gentle beauty. She had missed him so much in these past few days, she was overwhelmed by the sight of him now. 

He was wearing a beautiful red tunic that matched her dress. It was silken and imbedded with the royal seal on his chest. It fit perfectly on his muscular torso and was tucked into his black breeches, where by the belt, a dagger with a red ruby embellished in the handle, hung. Sheathed into a black metal scabbard, it was fastened by his hip, the dagger a symbol. It had been his father's and was the dagger that had been in the royal, pureblooded vampires bloodline since the dawn of time. Leyla felt a certain flutter in her stomach, seeing the dagger hanging by his hip, a true token to the male he was.

- Whoever carried that dagger held the fate of The Blithesome Miss in their hand.

The Dralan cupped her chin and raised her eyes to meet his. Leyla tried to remember how to breathe as his glowing eyes captured hers and beckoned her towards him. His black mane of hair fell in tempting strands around his face, begging for her hands to run them through it. Leyla swept them up his shirt timidly, feeling the warmth of his body for the first time in days. She nearly succumbed to his heat.

"My sweet, beautiful Leyla," He uttered, leaning down and pressing his forehead against hers. Leyla shivered as she heard him take a deep breath, inhaling her scent with a full lung, the one still faintly tainted with her bleed. She waited breathlessly as he absorbed her, a quiver going through every fiber of his body.

He tensed beneath her palms and a low rumble stemmed from his chest. Leyla nervously watched as his eyes flashed with a quick glimmer of heated lust, but it faded away and dulled down as he then exhaled.

"Is it...?" She anxiously whispered, waiting for his judgement. Would he let her attend the party smelling like this, or would he insist she stayed in his chamber, hidden away from other males?

"You'll be by my side all night," He grated out, his arm possessively curling around her waist, a clear message. He pulled her to his body, rumbling as Leyla gasped and closed her eyes, feeling every little bit of him press against the thin fabric of her dress. All that she had missed those lonely nights...

"Dohmenic..."

The Dralan growled lowly and lowered his head towards her neck, inhaling the scent of her blood, the blood he hadn't tasted for nearly a whole week. "I've missed you so much, my dahna."

"I've missed you too," Leyla breathed, but then forced herself to pull back before she got too carried away. She had something she needed to do before they left this chamber. "I... I-I made you something."

Drawing back, the Dralan lifted a brow at her, but then let her slip from his arms as she quickly moved towards the bed. She felt his eyes on her as she swallowed nervously, but then picked up his present.

The long material danced in a velvety shine against the flickering candles in the room as she hoisted it up and revealed the gift to him. Long, red and lined with fur along the edges, she held the robe out and gaged his reaction. She hadn't had much to work with in such a brief period of time, and since she hadn't known his measurements, she had had to work from memory. She had finished the last stitches yesterday, perfecting it to the point where her limits couldn't perfect it anymore.

The Dralan watched her, his eyes sliding over the robe. Slowly, he then walked towards it, taking in every small detail. She had stitched with a subtle golden thread along the edges and woven a delicate pattern into the red velvet that only a close bystander would notice. The fabric was the color of royal pure blood; a hefty dark red with a sheen of vermilion dancing across it.

"Dahna..." The Dralan reached out and touched the material, his finger smoothing over the fur lining on the side. "It's beautiful. You designed this?"

She nodded carefully. "D-do you like it?" When he didn't say anything, but simply kept studying the robe, she nervously added, "You don't have to wear it. I just wanted to—"

"Put it on me."

Leyla froze up. "W-what?" She looked up at him and saw him lower his head, cupping her face.

"Put it on me, dahna."

Her swallow sounded loud in the quiet bed chamber, but then with a nod, she shakily walked around him and lifted the robe to his shoulders. She had to stand on her toes to reach. Then, walking back around him again, she caught the little golden chain at the throat and secured it, fixing his collar until her hands started trembling with nerves.

His large palm came to rest over hers. Sliding her eyes down, Leyla watched the robe frame his shoulders and fall down his back in a regal strength. His shoulders and the broadness of his body was accentuated and contoured by the robe, the fur lining contrasting his ink black hair. Her eyes met his, and with a silent gasp, Leyla forgot how to breathe as he closed the distance between them and cradled her face in his hands.

"Dahna..." His voice thickened and his breath tickled her lips as he leaned down, inches away from her. "Thank you."

With the softest press of his lips against hers, Leyla's eyes fluttered shut. All the air vanished from her lungs as he claimed her lips unhurriedly, even after a week of being apart from them. Something coursed through her right then - a feeling she had never felt before. Something changed in that moment, but she couldn't place what it was. She knew one thing, though.

Through all the pain and heartache, through all the horrible that was still going on... somehow, right in this moment, she felt complete. She didn't know why, because nothing currently held a semblance of order in their lives, but as the Dralan kissed her lips with tenderness and sweet care, Leyla couldn't help but feel... everything was going to be okay after all.

Pulling an inch away from his lips, Leyla opened her eyes and met his molten blue orbs.

"Salutations, Dohmenic."

She slid her hand around his neck, and pulling him down again, Leyla pressed her lips firmly over his; Claimed him.

The Dralan responded with a harsh breath; A shiver passed through every ounce of his body, and she pressed her own against it, absorbing it. His arm wound around her waist again, and with a low growl from his chest, his lips parted and let his tongue slide out and meet hers.

Caught in the heat, Leyla moaned and curled her hands into his hair, threaded her fingers through the soft locks. Her whole body and her heart ached to be closer to him, to taste him, to feel him against her once more. She heard the Dralan grunt as if feeling the same urges, and felt as his hands slowly smoothed down, gripping tightly onto the curve of her rear and lifting her up. Leyla mewled and unmistakably felt his hardness pressing against her apex, rubbing against her dress. She nearly came undone.

Sweet Miss, the distance between them had been too long. She had almost forgotten the way his body felt against hers, the way it responded to him, the way his own returned it with fervor.

Their lips clashed and the air around them grew heated, so much so that Leyla started panting for her breath, her skin turning luminescent. The Dralan's lips moved harder against hers, losing control, stealing every chance of air she had.

Both of them were getting lost in their needs, and in the end, Leyla had to be the one to breathlessly tear her mouth from his, even if she didn't want to. But she feared if they continued, she wouldn't be able to stop it, and there was a party going for him just downstairs.

The Dralan rested his forehead against her and panted as well, his arms curled around her body. He pressed a last lingering kiss to her swollen lips, then hummed and simply brushed her cheek.

They didn't move for too long a time. Didn't speak. It wasn't needed; the silence spoke all of the things they wanted to say to one another. Leyla let her fingers gently comb through his hair, hearing the sigh of bliss that came from her Dralan as he closed his eyes and delved in the sensation. He clenched her gently in his arms, letting her feel his beating heart drum strongly against her palm.

The Dralan then finally shifted. Cupping her chin, he captured her gaze again and ran his thumb over her plump lip for the last time. "Don't leave my side tonight, dahna."

Leyla quickly nodded. She didn't want to be anywhere else either way. There was only one place she desired to be for the rest of the party and her life, and that was right here, in his arms.

*

The ballroom took Leyla's breath away.

As the grand doors started to open and Callath announced the presence of his royal Majesty the Dralan, Leyla had tried to move away to let the Dralan enter and make his grand entrance, but found that as she moved, he gripped her hand and wrapped it around his arm, pulling her back.

"You're staying right here with me," He told, and then with a little smile, Leyla heard as Callath continued speaking.

"...please rise for his Majesty the Dralan, and his Mihr, Leyla!"

All the blood drained from Leyla's face as the grand doors then opened and the Dralan pulled her forward. Walking alongside the King, she bore witness to how the whole room bowed and lowered their heads, honoring him.

- And her.

Clenching the Dralan's hand, she suppressed a whimper and saw him smile from the corner of her eye at her shock. She was walking alongside him! Leyla steadfastly kept her gaze on the red runner going all the way up to the large golden throne. She was afraid she was going to stumble or embarrass him, but the Dralan held her firmly and became her rock as her shaky legs carried her through the ball room.

Everything was golden and red. The chandeliers twinkled and the crystals from the decorations reflected in the gold and cast a luminous glow over the entire room. The harps that played softly in the background accompanied their steps as the Dralan led her up the stairs to the throne. When they reached the platform, he braided his fingers with hers, then gave her a quick smile before turning to face his guests.

"Welcome!" He loudly spoke, startling Leyla who nervously looked out at all the faces who raised their eyes and met the Dralan's. He smiled out to all of his subjects, and a Kathmir with a tray quickly walked up to him and handed him a golden chalice with a dark purple wine. "My loyal people, friends and family; It's with pride I bid you welcome on the night of the Twelfth Moon to join me in my celebration!"

Leyla was acutely aware that many of his guests were looking at her. To her surprise, she recognized some of the faces; Lord Merram was there, with his wife and what appeared to be his oldest son. A few other people from the Brakla Aurora where she had performed popped into her sight as well.

As comforting as it was to see their familiar faces in a crowd of hundred noble strangers, Leyla still couldn't help but think of what they felt seeing her there - a lowly Bahk - standing beside their Dralan.

- Until she suddenly felt the Dralan squeeze her hand and lift it.

"The Blithesome Miss has given me many blessings in my life," He voiced, turning his head and smiling to Leyla who's eyes widened in stun. "She puts me through countless trials to test my strength, but it is my solemn promise that I will never fail my people, or so give my life to defend them in the end," He turned his eyes back to his guests and then rose his chalice, the stealth in his voice resounding as he boomed, "Tonight, let's celebrate! Drink, eat, dance! Enjoy this night and feast in the strength that we build! Together."

"Long live Drala and the King!" Callath bellowed into the room, whereafter every vampire in the room raised their glasses and echoed loudly; "Long live Drala and the King!"

The Dralan raised his chalice proudly to his people and bottomed his chalice just as the loud applause broke out. They kept chanting the words, over and over again, until Leyla couldn't hide the pride in herself. Glancing up at the Dralan, she caught him turning his eyes down to her, giving her a little smile.

"Long live Drala and the King," She whispered as well, squeezing his hand back as the tears brimmed her eyes. Long live him.

The Dralan carefully drew her closer, then leaned down and pressed his lips to her cheek. "Thank you, Leyla."

With tears still in her eyes, she gave him a small curtsy which he admired with a prideful smirk. Palming her hand, he then led her to his throne, taking a seat and setting his chalice down on a tray that the Kathmir next to him held out. Glancing up at Leyla, the Dralan then leaned back and padded his thigh. "Sit with me, dahna."

Leyla choked on her air and for only the fiftieth time felt her face drain of color. "W-what?!" She couldn't possibly have heard him right! There was no way he was telling her to sit on the throne with him. In front of all these people.

"I cannot give you forever," He said, taking her hand and gently pulling her closer, until she stood between his thighs. "But I can give you this. Sit with me tonight, sweet Leyla."

Leyla's heart was beating out of her chest, but then abruptly stopped. Sliding onto his muscular thigh, she trembled with emotions as the Dralan wrapped his arm around her and secured on his lap, up against his chest. Leyla then timidly followed his lead and looked out at all the guests who watched them with smiles and solemnly raised their glasses again.

- They drank at their sight.

The Dralan gave her a squeeze when Leyla discreetly tried to wipe her eyes. He caught one tear and cupped her face, bringing her eyes to his. "Why are you crying, dahna?"

"I... I'm happy," Leyla whispered. She couldn't help but smile back at him, giving a soft chuckle when she saw him smile back. He cupped her neck and pulled her down, bringing her lips to his for just a moment. He kissed her softly, but held her dominantly; proudly.

- Nobody in the entire kingdom would ever be in doubt anymore that Leyla belonged to the Dralan.

*

The night wore on and Leyla watched everything happen from the lap of the Dralan. It was surreal, yet Leyla knew this wasn't a dream; her wildest imagination couldn't have conjured this up.

People kept coming up to the Dralan and bowed deeply before him, thanking him for the invitation and complimenting him on the lovely Moon. He spoke with them, smiled, even laughed and discussed pieces of politics with a few select males that was in his council who had also joined him this evening. Everyone appeared to be having a good time, and so far, everything was going smoothly.

Hearing someone clear their throat behind them, Callath came up and bowed to both of them. He smiled like the others and gave Leyla a smile as well. "My Lord. Milady."

"Callath," The Dralan spoke while Leyla blushed. He had addressed her as a Lady. "Thank you for everything."

Leyla met Callath's eyes and hoped he could read the same words coming from her. She owed him everything.

"It was my honor," He assured them both. Leyla caught the little nod he gave her. Leyla nodded back, holding back her tears of appreciation. He then bowed his head and turned towards the Dralan again. "The people of Drala have gathered in the gardens outside as per your request."

The Dralan nodded and gave Leyla a squeeze. "Let's go greet them."

"W-what?" As Leyla arose for the Dralan to stand, he held his arm out for her to take. He was going to acknowledge the Bahks as well?

"We're going to the balcony," He smiled, pecking her shocked expression on the cheek. Callath begun clearing a path through all the guests to lead them out of the ballroom.

Leyla followed mutely. This night kept on surprising her, but more so, so did the Dralan. Greeting his subjects, taking the time to acknowledge their presence on his night here as well... Leyla felt like he was acknowledging a part of her as well.

She was a Bahk by heart and by blood, but had she not had the purity inside her, she feared he never would have acknowledged her. Now, as she found herself headed towards the same balcony she had run to that night of the Brakla Aurora, she found her chest caving in as she realized he was going to acknowledge each and every single one of them.

"Will you speak to them?" She breathed, ten paces before they reached the balcony doors. The Dralan glanced down and raised a brow.

"Would you like me to, dahna?"

Now her heart seemed to swell. "Yes," She whispered, gripping tightly onto her arm. "Yes."

Leaning down, the Dralan pressed his lips to hers and then stopped up in front of the doors. "Then speak to them I will."

And then the doors were pulled open, and a cheer of joy and adoration erupted from the grounds below.

Leyla felt a surge of empowerment as the Dralan wrapped his arm around her and waved down to his people, seeing them all smile and wave back. Youngs up front were jumping up and down and pointing, their faces turning into gaping masks of interest as they laid eyes on Leyla. She was a vision in red, standing next to the Dralan in his robe, and everyone knew she was a Bahk just like them. Leyla felt each of their hearts and faces beam up at her, the females in particularly.

- They saw then that even a lowly Bahk could mean so much to the Dralan, and that he wasn't ashamed to proudly show his affections for her to the world.

Leyla nearly broke down in tears.

She saw the Dralan step forward and speak a few words to them, but Leyla heard none of them as something overcame her again - the same sensation as earlier, but much stronger. It rushed through her and she couldn't control it. By the time the Dralan stepped back and they left the balcony, Leyla couldn't stop herself.

The second the doors closed, her arms were around him, pulling him into her embrace. He seemed surprised for a moment, but didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her as she sobbed against his chest, happiness bursting inside her.

"Dohmenic," She looked up at him through tear-stained lashes and pressed a hand to his cheek. "Thank you for doing that."

He would never understand how much it had meant to her. He would never begin to comprehend the part of her heart he had just touched. Staring up into his eyes, she knew one thing that she couldn't deny any longer; The words she thought she would never give to any other male besides her mate fell from her lips, and she didn't want to take them back.

"Amorsa tua," She whispered, seeing the icy blue in his eyes expand, just as his lips parted.

"Leyla."

"Amorsa tua," She repeated, the tears sliding down her cheeks. She didn't care if he never said them back. She just needed him to know. She took his hand and brought it to her lips when he seemed frozen and kissed his knuckles. "Amorsa tua, Dohmenic."

Right then, it seemed he finally woke up. His hand lifted to her chin and pulled it up, cupping her wet cheek to meet her eyes, filled with love. "Leyla..."

He watched her with so much intensity. Every single little freckle on her skin was counted and adored, and every tear rolling from her eyes were quenched with the fire burning inside his.

He pulled her into his chest, curled his arm around her and then dipped down to her lips.

Leyla nearly fell apart as the Dralan kissed her with everything he had. His lips molded against hers and his tongue plundered into her mouth, ripping a broken moan from her throat. She clung to him and kissed him back with fervor; her heart beating out of her chest, trying to jump out and give itself to him.

The hallway burst with energy, and hearing the metal shields and paintings on the wall clatter, she felt the Dralan tremble beneath her lips, his fangs extending. She could smell his mating scent seep from his pores, soaking into her skin in uncontrollable waves. Leyla's knees weakened and suddenly she could hardly breathe.

The Dralan dragged his lips from hers and laid a hand on her cheek, pulling back, nipping at her lips. He breathed as erratically as Leyla, trying to catch his breath while something seemed to course between the two of them.

The night was still young, but the moon had long ago risen, casting a glow across the entire kingdom and its people.

"Come," He whispered against her lips, and without word, Leyla obediently followed him as he ordered his guards to close off the royal wing. He spoke a few quick words to Callath that she didn't catch, but then they were moving down the hall, up the stairs.

When the doors to the Dralan's bedchamber appeared, Leyla felt her heart speed up. The entire wing was deserted, only the faint sound of the party outside in the gardens breaking the silence. As the Dralan pushed the door open and led her inside, Leyla felt every nerve from the party tremble off her back and felt her mind ease. She gave a blissful sight, but then froze up when she felt the Dralan behind her.

"I needed you alone."

Spinning her around, he slowly captured her and brought his lips down upon hers. Leyla's eyes fluttered shut and she curled her arms around him, weaving her fingers into his hair. A small groan resounded from the Dralan as she with a throbbing heart bit into his lip and arched towards him. She needed him.

The Dralan started backing them towards the bed, Leyla feeling her body trembling. What was happening inside her? She felt alive and lucid, her body electric as the Dralan molded his body against hers. He sat down on the bed and pulled her down on top of him, bunching her dress up around her waist. Leyla willingly straddled him, panting to catch her breath, but didn't try and grasp at anything else but him.

"You are my everything too, Leyla," The Dralan suddenly moved his lips from hers to speak. Leyla opened her eyes and felt her heart pause it's rapid movements to catch every word that fell from his lips, stemming deep from his heart.

"D-Dohmenic..."

"I have never craved someone's heart more than their blood ever before in my life," He whispered, his hand moving down to press against her heart. He closed his eyes as they both listened to it beat. "Amorsa tua, Leyla. Amorsa tua."

Leyla let out a shocked sound. Cupping her mouth, a sob broke from her lips as she replayed his words in her mind.

Amorsa tua.

She cried silently and couldn't believe she had heard it. She stared down at him, seeing his electric eyes melt into pools as he cupped her face and took her hand. Placing it over his rapidly beating heart, Leyla fell apart as his lips brushed hers.

He loved her. He loved her with his blood, with his heart, with his soul, with all of his being.

Amorsa tua.

Suddenly, there came a burst of light from outside. Startled, Leyla broke away and spun around, glaring out of the windows to see what was giving the glow. The Dralan soothingly caressed her thigh and pressed a kiss to her heart as another colorful burst lit the sky up.

Fireworks.

Leyla gasped and gaped as the bursts and sparkles of the magical lights tinted the dark night sky an array of glittering colors. She felt the Dralan place another kiss on her heart, then sensed as his hands slid from her waist and padded her thigh.

"Go see them, dahna."

She couldn't stop staring and he knew. He allowed her to rise from his lap and shuffle towards the window to part the thin curtains and watch the lights she had only ever heard about. She knew what they were the instant she saw them, because her parents had spoken about them and left her no doubt in her mind that they would be as magical as they sounded. As she glanced up and admired the fireworks now, every dream of seeing them seemed bleak compared to the real thing.

It was... breathtaking.

Leyla continued watching the lights for minutes until she became aware of the eyes behind her watching her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the Dralan leaned back his palms on the bed, watching her with a crooked, adoring smile. Leyla felt her skin blush, then felt something course through her.

Watching him, she didn't break eye contact as she slowly turned and lifted her hand to the strap of her dress. Her breath left her lips in soft exhales as she followed the need inside her, the voice in her head that was telling her to do this.

Pulling the strap off of her shoulder, she looked down shyly and turned her eyes away, reaching for the other strap. She felt the Dralan's burning eyes staring intensely at her, sensing him slowly sit up.

The other strap fell, and holding the dress up by the mid section, Leyla slowly let her arms drop and the material fall.

In a whirl of red, it pooled by her feet.

A cloud slid from the moon, and like a beam of light, the moon cast its luminescent glow on her pale skin. Leyla heard the Dralan's breath hitch, and when she raised her eyes and looked at him, her heart stopped with what she saw.

His eyes were shining brighter than ever before, and watching her glow under the moonlight, he raised a hand to his chest.

*******

Guuuuuuys. I had to split the chapter into two. 😑

Lirerally, we have surpassed 6000k words and the other part will probably be just as long and the app was starting to lag when I tried to open this part. 😑🔫

So, THE GOOD PART WILL COME NEXT, I'M SO, SO SORRY! 💗💗💗

Please don't kill me. 😐🤧

I'll try to hurry, but I feel like I'll only disappoint you more if I promise I'll write it fast, because I probably won't be able to, and if I do it'll be crap. (And I don't like crap)

So if you still want to wait, I can't even understand your patience, can I have some of it, because lord knows I need it in my life (😵😬), but if you don't and you've finally had enough of me because this bitch promised you a chapter with good stuff last time, then I understand. I hate this bitch too and is very disappointed in her.

Shame on you, Karin. 😑

But for those who have the patience of Gandhi, please stay tuned! I love you all forever and always. 💗💗You're just... urgh, I just want to squeeze the bejesus out of all of you.

Yours truly,
- Karin xoxo 💗

(Also guess which bitch turned 22 today😑🇩🇰)