“There was no one in your village?” she asked curiously.
“There was one boy and some kissing, a little touching, until Father caught us. I don’t know who was more embarrassed; Father or me. He scared that boy something silly. He didn’t even say a word, just stared him out.” I laughed at the memory, though when it had happened, I hadn’t been able to look at Father for days afterwards. She laughed lightly with me.
“I like the sound of your father,” she said.
“What about you?” I asked curiously. She was certainly more experienced than me. She even had a box under her bed at the castle where she kept cuffs, and I didn’t know what else. I wanted to peek inside often, when I was alone, but never did - too scared of being caught.
“Do you truly want to know, pet?” she questioned, and I lifted my head to look at her.
“Yes, Ma’am,” I answered, suddenly feeling a sort of anxiousness I hadn’t before. Her nostrils flared, and she kept my gaze for a few seconds.
“I’ve had other partners, some for only a night, others longer affairs,” she told me.
“Did you love any?” I questioned, sure I would be broken if she answered in the affirmative, but I needed to know anyway.
“No. Not even close. Most I didn’t particularly like and desired only sexually,” she answered.
“You said you haven’t been with anyone else since me. Do you want to be? Are you going to be with others?” I asked her.
“I do not desire to be with others,” she told me, her hand fisting in my hair to draw me up as she leaned forward to kiss me. “You are everything I want in a sexual partner,” she said when she leaned back and resumed running her hand through my hair.
“I am?”
“Darling, who were you made for?” she asked softly.
“You, Ma’am,” I answered. “Do you want me more than for my body?” I asked nervously. Dylan thought she only wanted me for my body. I thought that too, for a while. But moments like this when we were together in each other’s company made me think differently. “I mean, do you look forward to being together like this, only talking?” I continued after a few moments, when she didn’t answer.
“When we are apart, I long for you to return to me. Sometimes because I desire your blood or body, but mostly because your presence calms me. I would not keep you here with me if you were not entirely welcome - if I did not want all of you. I had originally intended for you to stay in the servant residence halls. Still, after that first night, by the end of our first full day together, I knew that separating from you would only cause me distress,” she answered after a few more long moments where I suspected she would not. “I very much look forward to this time with you,” she finished.
I leaned more heavily against her leg, pressing my eyes shut tight to avoid any tears escaping. It was a relief to have her confirm that I meant something more to her.
15. Gifts with Meaning
Persephone Flores
There was a whole week of dance lessons and I thought I was getting the hang of it. I wanted my dance with Selene to go flawlessly, but I was nervous. Sebastian said I had improved greatly, and Justin willingly took Dylan’s place as my dance partner. But I was still a little clumsy and I only knew the basics. I suspected that Selene was an expert dancer, and I didn’t want her to be disappointed in me.
“Are you worried about the ball tonight?” she asked as I sat down and accepted the mug of coffee she handed me.
“I’m worried you will be unhappy with my dancing abilities,” I admitted, taking a sip.
“I understand you are new to the type of dancing expected at a ball, sweetheart. I will not judge you harshly,” she said, and ripped into a bloodbag.
I watched her drink. Something was captivating that drew me in when she ate or drank anything really, but particularly blood. Maybe because a part of me was a little upset she wasn’t drinking from me. I knew she couldn’t always feed from me; I’d end up dead fast. But the part of me that wanted to give everything I could to her protested all the same.
“Your eyes burn into me every time I drink from a bloodbag,” she told me.
“I think I’m jealous,” I told her. She stood laughing and discarded the empty bloodbag. I watched curiously as she began to push the couch back towards the wall, followed by the coffee table.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
She stood in the middle of the space she had created and held her hand out toward me. I went to her at the silent command and placed my hand in hers. She pulled me towards her taking me in her hands as if to dance.
“I thought we could practice,” she whispered. “You are new to ballroom dancing, and I have never led before. A little practice will dispel any anxiety we both feel,” she told me.
“You’ve never led?” I asked, surprised.
“I am a princess. When I dance, it is expected that I follow,” she explained.