It was still dim, the whole room shrouded in darkness when Emrys stirred. His eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy as it darted around before settling on the feminine silhouette lying beside him.

Adaliah was on her side, her knees bent and her hands cushioning her cheek as she snored softly.

Emrys admired the coal strands that framed her face, flowing behind her back and pooling over her chest. Her dress had slid down, exposing her shoulder. 

He mimicked her position as his gaze followed the slow rise and fall of her chest before it dipped to a dainty waist that rose into feminine hips, full and inviting. A deep inhale and he stared at the exposed skin of her legs where the crimson fabric had slipped off.

His hungry gaze lingered for a moment before it moved up again at a leisurely pace, rousing an unfamiliar ache deep within before it settled on her eyes – heavy with sleep and full of insatiable hunger that he was sure mirrored his.

Red greeted him as she blinked at him lazily.

Adaliah sat up, pulling her dress over her shoulder. Emrys tried so hard not to stare at the front dip that exposed the swell of her round, perky mounds.

"How long was," he cleared his throat, "I asleep for?"

She hummed. "A few days, I presume."

"You don't know?"

"No. I was asleep as well. Time is irrelevant to me."

Silk shifted over his skin when he moved to sit as well. He stilled, growing aware of his naked state. Where were his manners?

He hesitated before inquiring about the whereabouts of his cloak.

"I burned it."

He blinked at her. Adaliah smirked, stretching and yawning before standing up. She trudged silently to the other side of the bed – a predator approaching its prey – and stood next to him.

"It was soiled beyond cleaning. No amount of water could wash away the dirt and the blood." She scrunched up her nose and he was mesmerized for she looked a little more approachable and human with that single expression. "Let us not bring up the smell."

His heart picked up its speed when her eyes glinted with mirth and her lips stretched into a smirk.

"Do not worry; I did not peek...too much."

A fire was ignited deep inside – one that he couldn't control. He was thirsty. However, he wasn't seeking to satiate his grumbling belly or itching fangs but rather the flare of lust that clouded his senses.

His fingers gripped the sheets tighter.

Emrys needed to distract himself from the unfamiliar urges overtaking him. However, when she stood in front of him like this, a rose with thorns, he didn't stand a chance.

Adaliah bowed slightly, her eyes burning and setting his body aflame. Her nimble fingers grazed his neck then her tongue darted out to wet her plump lips. Goosebumps covered his skin at the contact and Emrys followed the quick movement before one hand rose to cup her face. His thumb brushed over her jaw as he pressed his nose to her cheek.

"Who are you, my lady?"

In one final attempt to restrain himself, his murmur reverberated around, lifting the stillness that blanketed their surroundings and the haziness that swirled in her garnets.

Adaliah blinked, pushing away from him.

"I shall leave you to clean up."

Emrys opened his mouth to speak but remained frozen, not knowing what to say, as he watched her step away and turn her back to him.

She clicked her fingers. Flames flickered to life in the corners of the room. Then, she pointed to a door to the side. "There is a bathroom in there. You will find new clothes waiting for you when you are done."

With that, Adaliah left, her dress trailing behind her – blood flowing down jagged walls of a broken soul.

Water cascaded down the length of his body.

A body that felt foreign to him.

For instance, and he had to check multiple times again, his injuries had truly faded away. His complexion was still pale but healthier and he felt lighter despite the looming grief within.

Emrys felt stronger. He's always been tall and lanky but now felt even taller, though he was yet to gain muscles. Did drinking blood do this?

His brows were furrowed as he scrubbed, trying his best not to melt under the warmth of the soothing water. It felt too good. Perhaps, it was because he hadn't washed in so long. Heavens, he must've been a stinking eyesore.

With a grimace, he wrapped a towel around his waist and peered outside. As promised, there was a pile of clothes atop the bed.

After drying himself, Emrys poked the black bundle before picking up what turned out to be a silky shirt. He pulled it over his head and enjoyed how soft it felt over his skin. After wearing his undergarments, he shoved his legs through a pair of dark pants and tucked the shirt underneath.

Emrys felt strange as he tested the luxurious outfit by walking around, sitting down, stretching, and moving his limbs. The stretch wool and the silk were beyond comfortable and he found himself smiling as he put on socks before slipping on a pair of leather shoes which were loose at first but then slowly adapted to the size of his feet.

He wasn't surprised. It was obvious this place was brimming with magic.

So, instead, he walked over to the mirror. Vivid blues stared back at him as he ran his fingers through his damp strands and adjusted the loose collar of his shirt that exposed a bit of his chest. He looked different. He felt different.

He was different.

Emrys had been revived after a hundred years of anabiosis and was now only satisfied with sticky red flowing down his throat.

When he was done, the faint glint of a gem caught his attention. It was a ring that's been hidden beneath the pile of garments. The sapphire shimmered as he inspected it closely.

It reminded him of familiar blues – his eyes.

Emrys let out a deep breath and slipped it on his finger before stepping out of the room in search of his mysterious crimson beauty – his nepenthe.

The place was a little brighter as he strolled through one hall to another. Scattered flames flickered. They cast warmth and orange hues colored the walls.

Adaliah was in the same spot as the night before, gazing at what lay beneath her grand castle. Though, this time, she noticed him approaching and turned around to meet his eyes.

Unfathomable feelings swirled within as both stood still – statues staring at each other as blood poured into ocean.

Word count: 1121.

Total word count: 10925.

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Anabiosis, the ability to return to life after apparent death; suspended animation.

Nepenthe, (n.) an ancient Greek word that's defined as a medicine for sorrow. It is a place, person, or thing, which can aid in forgetting your pain and suffering.