Leyla

She tweaked the last garnish on top of the juicy cow shank she had cooked, and then took a step back to admire her creation.

For hours she had been prepping the Dralan's meal, taking pride in each little cut and slice as she knew every bite would feed the leader of their kingdom. The fact that he was allowing her to prep his food and feed it to him was an honor she couldn't express with words. The bare thought had her heart drumming faster and she quickly calmed herself down.

She knew he had been in a meeting with his councilmen all day. Hours of hours of planning and talking state matter, she expected him to come back tired and hungry. He was busy with the war raging on in his kingdom, and when he entered this room, it was her pleasure to lift his burden. She would sate him first with the food she had made, then offer him her vein to feed to his satisfaction.

And then, if he so desired, she had washed and prepped her body for if he felt like nourishing from her thighs as well.

Heat spread on her skin, and her legs made a clench as she thought back to the past few days. How he had attended to her and cared for her, expressed his affection and appreciation of her through his actions. Never before had a male courted her, but she knew that was what he was doing. And he was the King, no less!

She sighed and took a seat in one of the chair while she waited for him to return.

He was courting her like he had been supposed to court Lady Kahtrina. Sharing meals with her, spending late nights talking with her, drinking from her vein... one night all he had done was strip her of her clothes and lie with her, just to feel her skin against his.

He couldn't appreciate her the way he truly wanted to, so this was the best he could do. Sharing his warmth with her, feeding her from his hand and showering her with his compliments and gentle touches.

And to think this was the same male who had conquered the throne by slaying three warlords who at the time had joined together and taken control over Saurgohn. He faced them in battle and relieved them of their heads one by one.

After that, he had proven his worth to claim the throne. His blood was strong and his enemies were his drive. Nothing and nobody would take his throne from him, not even Phlague who was his current enemy.

- He would slay him in front of everybody to prove who was the real leader of the kingdom.

Just as Leyla thought that, the door opened. She sprung up and as did her heart when said leader entered the room and laid his electric blue eyes on her. His lip tugged upwards and then he was making his way towards her, strong and steady feet that had crossed battlefields.

The heat inside Leyla's body amplified as he stopped in front of her and cupped her face, brushing his thumb over her blushing cheek. She saw his nostrils move and she knew he had smelt her. Her arousal. The tint on her cheeks deepened.

"Dahna." His heavy voice filled her ears and she turned to soft clay beneath him as he leaned down and breathed her in. "Have you been thinking about me today?"

She nodded shakily. He hadn't left her mind for one moment. "I prepared you dinner."

The small purr that left his lips was appreciative, proud. "Let's eat. Come."

He sat down first as usual but brought her with him. Sitting her on his lap, he pulled her as high up as she could come. As always, the bulge of his manhood pressed against her rear, and tonight it felt particularly hard. She shuddered discreetly and tried to focus on the food.

Silently she picked the best food for him, feeling him watch her intensely as she did. She had noticed over the last couple of days that he liked watching her work. He kept staring at her while she fluffed his pillows and rearranged her stuff on the vanity table, but he never interrupted her like she expected him to. Instead he watched her work herself into a circle whereafter he smiled and shook his head.

But not tonight.

"H-how was your day?" She carefully asked, hoping to break the silence. He kept observing her as she started picking the meat off the bone and dipping it into the gravy she had made from fresh herbs.

"Fruitful," He replied, distracting her with his thumb that softly caressed her thigh. He didn't say more than that and left her hungry for more knowledge. She suspected on purpose. He wanted to hear her talk.

"May I ask you how your meeting went?" She hesitantly asked, turning to feed him the meat slice. He opened his mouth and licked the dribbling sauce off her fingers.

Once he was finished chewing, he answered; "I'm sure the politics would bore you."

She pursed her lips a little, but then turned to pic up a spud. "Mayhap. You could always try me?"

She turned just in time to catch the little smile that played on his lips before it left as he opened his mouth to receive her food. He chewed slowly, but then sat up straighter and tightened his arm around her. "My councilmen are proposing a barricade on the edge of the Phlagaris Mountains. We raise towers and build a perimeter to prevent anyone from entering or leaving. It means the only way in and out would be by sea, leaving my Lathras at the docks to search every incoming ship and screen every person coming off it. Meanwhile my remaining Lathras will be dispatched around the villages to keep up the local protection. I'm also decreeing a curfew. Nobody out after sundown."

Leyla let all the information sink in. "That sounds very smart."

The Dralan chuckled softly and lifted his hand to brush her cheek. "My beautiful female."

She didn't know about state affairs, so her compliment was perhaps naïve and that was maybe why the Dralan took it with a lightness. Still, she wanted him to know she appreciated him for taking actions and thinking about everyone in the country, not just the hardest hit areas.

She took his hand carefully and kissed it. Her lips lingered and her eyes fluttered shut as she kissed his strong, powerful hand that rested so roughly in hers.

"You are so good to us," She whispered kissing each of his knuckles. She slowly opened her eyes and looked back up to see him staring at her hard. "You think about all of us, do everything in your power you can to protect us."

"Without my people, there'd be no kingdom to protect." He let her kiss his hand, watched her shower it in appreciation. "My blood was made to protect. Without my people, I am nothing."

Leyla mewled softly. She looked up and him, just as a tug in abdomen made her body drum alive. "There is no better Dralan than you, Dohmenic. You take such good care of us. Of me."

"You grant me your blood," He said and leaned in, coming closer to her eyes which pulled him in. "You take care of me, dahna. You sustain me."

The heat inside Leyla became untamable. It roared until she couldn't keep it to herself any longer. "I haven't taken care of you yet... but I would like to."

She shifted and jumped past every warning signal in her mind, and cupped his hard length between his legs. His eyes flashed and his grip on her tightened as she softly began rubbing him, feeling him throb back at her. He burned her with his gaze. "Dahna..."

"Let me take care of you," She whispered and now shifted so she was straddling him instead, pressing her front against his chest. She saw his jawline stand out sharper as he clenched his teeth, his fangs elongating over the others. "Let me relieve you. You've more than taken care of me. Let me take care of my Dralan."

Veins stood out against his neck as she carefully squeezed him. A growl passed his lips, but that was it for him. With no further incentive, he leaned in and captured her lips, claimed them in a brutal thrust of his tongue. Leyla quivered, but returned his fervor as he cupped her rear and then lifted them both up. He carried her to the end of the bed and sat down, running his hand up her spine.

"You are perfect," He said in a throaty voice, kneading her rear in one hand while the other fared up and tangled in her hair. "My perfect little female who wants to please me. That's what you want, isn't it? Tell me."

"Yes," She breathily whispered while she kept rubbing him, feeling his length grow harder and harder against her palm. "I want to pleasure you. I want to make you feel as good as you've made me feel... I want to please my King."

He purred back, animalistically. "That's my female. Show me how much you want to, dahna."

Mewling, Leyla slid off his lap and knelt before him, her body trembling with need and excitement. She had never done this before, truly had no idea what she was doing, but she wanted to do this for him--nay, needed. It felt as if her world couldn't function before she had made him feel as good as she had, before she had returned the same pleasure he had given.

She therefore looked up at him with heady lust in her eyes as she knelt between his thighs. She kissed the bulge in his breeches, peppered it with slow, lingering tokens of affection. The Dralan let her work, only swept her hair back so he could watch every little thing she did for him.

"Dahna," He praised her name and lifted her chin up. She met him with innocent, dark eyes. "You look so sweet on your knees before me. Do you like it?"

"Yes, my Lord..."

"Do you like what you're doing to me?"

Leyla held back her moan and nodded eagerly, pressing another kiss to his bulge. "Yes, sweet Miss, yes." To think he was this aroused for her...

"Then show me," He said with a grated voice, his deep baritone sending chills down her spine that made the spot between her legs wet. "Show your Dralan how you please him."

Leyla couldn't fight it anymore. A moan passed her lips and she reached for the strings at his breeches, untying them with shaking hands. She then pushed the material down and held back her gasp as his manhood came to view. It rose strongly for her, almost scared her.

Her eyes looked pleadingly up at him. She didn't know what to do. Frozen, she had no clue how to handle him, how to relieve him. He had only once rubbed himself against her until he relieved himself, but how was she supposed to do that? He was bigger than her fist, almost as long as her forearm...

"Come here," He said, taking her hand and bringing it to his shaft. She couldn't hold back the squeak that left her as he wrapped her palm around his girth, tightening his own around hers. "Like this, dahna."

He showed her how to please him as he slowly stroked her hand up and down his length. She gulped nervously as she watched the tip of him begin to leak small drops of a clear liquid, dribbling down to her hand. The liquid lubricated his shaft and made her hand slide easier. After a few more strokes, he removed his hand.

She continued doing what he had done, watching him carefully for approval. He nodded and clenched his jaw again, then let out a small groan as she squeezed his base.

That sound send a rush through Leyla's body. It was like it set her aflame, a new kind of fire roaring within her. His pleasure was the most muskiest, headiest scent she had ever smelled and it nearly drugged her. She gave a moan back and found her hand moving faster, sliding up and down his thick length.

"Dahna..." He groaned and rolled his head back as she drew more liquid from his tip, rubbing it into his silky smooth skin that now glistened brightly. Veins popped out against it and rippled against her hand. "My sweet, perfect dahna... that's it..."

Leyla shivered and moved her hand faster. On instinct, her lips moved closer and slipped down to the heavy sac beneath his length and kissed it. A hiss of pleasure instantly flew from the Dralan's lips and his steely length jerked in her hand. She took that as encouragement and sucked the heavy sac into her mouth, rubbing her tongue against it.

"Leyla," His hand knotted itself in her hair and gripped it tightly. She saw his body quake as she slowly moved up and sucked the base of his length. "Fuck, dahna... your mouth..."

He liked her mouth. Leyla swallowed a lump and continued to lick and suckle on him while her hand worked his tip. His thighs twitched, and curses occasionally growled their way past his lips. His grip on her hair tightened and loosened with sporadic clenches of his hand, but it seemed that he burgeoned each time her hand moved faster and her lips sucked harder. The same movements made her own garments sodden as his groans lost control.

"You please me," He said in a growling voice as her lips fared up and down his length, sucking. "Sweet Miss, my perfect little female. Is this how much you like your Dralan?"

"Yes," Leyla couldn't recognize her own voice. It was so desperate, so submissive. "Yes, please, my Dralan..." her thighs clenched as he gripped her hair once again.

"Are you wet because of me? Is my pleasure making you drip for me?"

His words made the wetness between her legs so much worse. She let out a whimper. "Yes, oh Sweet Miss, yes..."

He groaned deeply. She was wet from pleasing him and he could smell it. The thought drove him past his sanity and finally caused him to stiffen in her hand. He reached his peak and released in her hand, covered it in his seeds. The warm, sticky substance had Leyla by surprise as it dribbled down her wrist and clung to her skin. The Dralan panted above her and had his eyes pinned on her as he marked her. He flexed his hips slowly to pump the last of himself into her palm, watching it dry and stay.

When he finally finished and grew flaccid, Leyla still couldn't find the bones to get off her knees. Her whole body felt soft and pliable as he pulled her up and shred her off her dress. With her hand still covered in him, he made her straddle his thighs once again, swiping her hair away.

His lips came to her ear. "One day, dahna... one day soon... I'll have you bathing in my seeds. Your skin will smell of me and your body will be mine and everyone will know," He growled, digging his fingers deep into the flesh of her rear. Leyla moaned and gasped when she then felt his fangs against her neck; her vein. "But tonight... tonight I only claim the hand you pleased me with and this beautiful, beautifully vein."

And with that, he struck and drank her blood while Leyla all but collapsed and disappeared in all that was him.

Bhria

"I'm so sorry I haven't been around more."

She looked up at her brother sitting across from her at the tiny table. She had felt guilty about not seeing him more, after coming home from Amascahr, but as it appeared, he had felt the same. "Don't apologize, brother. We've both been busy. As long as you are alright," She nervously said.

Byhron met her eyes and finished chewing a bite of bread. She had prepared them a humble dinner consisting of leftover broth and bread. It wasn't the meal he was used to receiving in the barracks, but he seemed to enjoy her cooking all the same.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm more concerned about you," He voiced. He gave her a thorough look, inspecting her of any harm or damage as always. "Are you doing alright?"

She tried to hide the nervous pull in her stomach. By all physical health she was doing great, but yet the matters of her heart had left her dreary lately. Between being a friend for the Mihrisa and avoiding Callath's advances, and hiding it all from everyone, it had taken a toll on her. If her brother ever found out that Callath, his commander, was trying things with his little sister...

Well, the war in the kingdom would be nothing compared to her brother's wrath. She got chills simply thinking about.

"I'm good," She therefore replied, forcing a little smile. "Well, good considering everything that's happening."

"Are you feeding enough?"

Another nerve. She tried not to flinch when he rose a suspicious brow. "Yes..."

"Who from?" He demanded to know. When she gulped, he narrowed his eyes. "Bhria..."

"I... I've been feeding from... Ahrron," She only half-lied. He had fed her before, a few years back. Every now and then they still exchanged the favor, but not so much lately. In fact, she hadn't seen him around in days.

Something inside her brother twitched at the sound of his name, though. She saw his jaw clench and his fist tighten, and suddenly the baritone of his voice changed. "I don't want you seeing that male anymore. He's bad news."

"What?" She actually gaped for a second. "But... he's my only friend besides the Mihrisa! He's been there for me--"

"He went against the Dralan," He snarled, his fangs elongating. "He's been demoted to a simple dishwasher. He's not even worthy of calling himself a male and I don't want my sister fraternizing with a traitor. You hear me?"

"But--"

"I am the male in this family and you'll do as I say!" He suddenly jerked up and glowered above her. His fangs were fully extended and his body was taut with seriousness, his voice brimming with rage. Bhria gulped, felt tears prickle in her eyes, and then looked away.

She couldn't believe he was forbidding her her only male friend. Had he learnt nothing?

She suddenly heard him sigh. "Bhria... Bhria, don't hate me for this. I'm only looking out for you. You don't understand. He's..." She heard his teeth grind slowly, but then he continued; "He's a disgrace. He's a laughing stock amongst the males, and if you're seen with him, it makes you an easy target. I can handle them making fun of the other Kischmirs, but I will not sit still and listen to them speak vulgarly about my own sister. Do you understand?"

Bhria felt the tears in her eyes burn, but she nonetheless nodded. Byhron then slowly sat down again, but the tension lingered. All she had wanted was a quiet meal with her loving brother, but instead it turned into a lecture and a reprimand. She could care less of how she was seen or whom she was seen with, but Byhron had always been protective of her. Even before... it happened. Back when they still lived in Nehlmir he had always chased away any danger in her vicinity. After it happened, it had grown out of control. This was the perfect example.

But she didn't say anything. There was no point in arguing, especially not now that all the Lathras were being shaped and groomed for war. Rumors around the castle spread fast, and she had heard whispers about how they were planning a frontal attack to the Phlagaris Mountains. The Dralan was sending a large platoon of his Lathras out there, the best in his ranks. And unfortunately, Byhron fell under that category.

"Has... has there been any news of whether you're... going or not?" She meekly asked, changing the subject. She slowly met his eyes, but saw him avert his. He picked up another piece of bread and dipped it in his soup.

"Not yet. I'll know within the next two days."

Once again, she fought with tears, but for whole other different reasons. She didn't want him to go, selfish as it was. He was her only remaining family, and even as protecting and overbearing as he could be, she loved him with all her heart. "I don't want to lose you, Byh."

"You won't, sister. But if I'm summoned, I'm going. And I'll go proudly."

She didn't want to pick another argument, but it was all she could do not to. She wanted to beg him to stay, but Byhron had never backed down from a fight in his life. He was proud to be a Lathra, proud to be a strong male. Defeat only painted his desire for victory stronger, and so he always got back up again when he was knocked down. The only way to keep him down was is if he was...

"Bhria," His worried voice brought her out of her thoughts. He suddenly moved closer, knelt down besides her and took her hand. "You're crying. What did I do wrong?"

"N-nothing," She sniffled, quickly wiping her cheeks down. "I'm... I'm scared, Byhron. I'm scared of what's happening to the world."

"Oh, Bhria." He sighed, but then leaned in and brought her in for an embrace. As always, his body seemed stiff, but she hugged him back nonetheless. He smelled like their father, earthy and sweaty, always fresh from the outdoorsy world. She sobbed a little, remembering their parents, but then pulled herself together.

"Do you remember our old home?" She asked, still coddled against his chest. "Our old fireplace where we gathered in the winter for warmth?"

"Dad always insisted on going out for more firewood, even when I offered to help, he said no. He wanted us to stay in and remain warm."

Bhria felt a genuine smile tug on her lips and she closed her eyes, picturing the setting again. All of them, her, Byhron, their mother and their father snuggled up in front of the fireplace, watching the flames while the snow fell in heavy loads. How she missed it...

"Promise me you'll come back again," She whispered. She was so scared to lose him, so scared she was going to be all alone in this terrible world without her brother. "Promise me you'll survive."

She heard her brother's heart thud silently beneath his tunic, beating a promising melody for just he ears. "I promise you I won't leave you here alone."