And her name is…

Most of the guests are gone, the last few approach us where we are off to the side for goodbyes. Each bows and thanks us for being invited, they then compliment me on my appearance and then Helion for the pairing before leaving.

“Theodosine, you really are beautiful,” he whispers in my ear when the last couple has left.

I scoff rolling up one of my sleeves. “I’mcoveredin scars, be it on my skin or on my soul.”

“They don’t see that. They just see what they want to. You are a charismatic and charming and, despite what you mightt believe,-“ he angles my chin towards him as I roll my eyes, “- beautiful. You are beautiful, Theodosine.”

He glances around the room and everyone is gone, then he turns back to me and picks me up quickly. “Helion! Put me down,” I whisper yell at him, but he’s walking quickly out of the ballroom.

“Not a chance,” he grins. “I’ve been thinking about this all night and now I finally have you to myself.”

I’m still a little tipsy, and now I realize what he wants to do. I see a glint in his eye before I close mine to keep from getting dizzy at his brisk pace. I recognize that glint and I giggle at him.

“You were jealous,” I grin out, laughing again.

His pace falters slightly for a moment before he turns and clears his throat. “What?”

“Jealous,” I say again. “You – were – jealous.”

“I’m the King, why would I be jealous,” he returns, now at the spare room I use to get ready and closing the door behind us.

“Because those men were thinking about me, talking about railing me inyourballroom atyourparty….”

“Stop,” he interrupts. “Fine, it upset me. I’ve known those men for decades and I never thought they could be so disrespectful, and then to do it to you. If I hadn’t told you to pretend you only spoke common they would continue to be around you with those perverted thoughts.” He sits me on the bed and then kneels before me, taking one hand at a time but kissing the backs of both. “*I’m sorry.*” he says softly to me. “Please forgive me.”

“I was never mad,” I return easily. “I got in the last word with those two, thanks to Sanji, and honestly the blood leaving their face was enough to cheer me up.”

He kisses his way up my arm to my neck and then across my collar bones. I hum out loud, ready for some physical attention. If I’m being honest, the comments from those men irritated me because of who they were, but the idea of being bent over that table had me craving some attention.

“Helion please,” I whisper.

He sucks on my neck. “Darling? What is it you’re asking for?”

“Please be rougher on me,” I beg, surprising myself.

I want tofeel.After so many injuries my skin doesn’t react the same. His gentle kisses are like feathers brushing me and his hands touch me like I’m not even here. I’d beg him to really bite me if I wasn’t worried he’d get a taste for my blood.

He moves to kiss me and I can feel his response before he says it. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

My heart sinks and I feel as tall as my thumb. I can’t decide if I want to let this progress or put an end to it and he notices.

“Theodosine, you do enjoy being with me. Don’t you?”

I nod, and a small smile pushes itself onto my lips. I have enjoyed his company, and I know how to make the best of it. My femurs are possibly the only bones Kheliq never broke, so my legs are strong, and I roll him over to sit on top. I start shamelessly grinding against him and he groans beneath me.

“Darling, you’re killing me,” he returns through clenched teeth and I stop.

My rosy emotions become flooded with panic as I look around for where my affinity has touched. I can’t believe I let it take control without me and I search around my dress and press my palms over Helion’s chest and arms. His brows knot together, and I think I’ve found where I hurt him, but he reaches to hold my hand.

“Oh no, darling, never mind. Not for real, you just felt so good on top of me, it was a turn of phrase, I’m sorry.” His expression is genuine and I feel incredibly embarrassed.

Of course it is. I know that it is. I’ve probably heard my friend Connor say that a thousand times after a joke.

“It’s fine, I’ve been drinking… I thought maybe I lost control,” I admit, at least I think it’s an admission but my head is fuzzy.

“We can stop. I want you to want to be with me,” he brushes some hair back from my face.

Before I can answer there’s a knock on the door and I get up to go meet Tiago. He looks exhausted, and I start to tell him not to worry, that we can stay here tonight, but he glances at Helion enough for a wave and we’re gone.

I already knew Helion would be staying there tonight. He was expecting incoming messages in the morning and needed to be reachable. Without him, Tiago didn’t need to stop in the middle, but he looks ready to fall over when we appear in my room. His hair is a messy, and there is dark bruising under his eyes, suggesting that he’s tired.

“Sorry fighter, I nearly forgot you there. Started dozing,” he chuckles but he stumbled over and needs to grab my couch for support.

“You should have forgot me there, you’re spent,” I argue. “I would have understood.”

“I always keep my promises.” His voice leaves no room for argument, but I feel like shit anyway.

He let’s me pull him around the couch to sit for a minute and I think quickly. Even if he falls asleep right now, he won’t replenish the magic he’s spent over night. Tiago has given me so much, despite everything I’ve ever told him that says he shouldn’t even trust me.

I sit in the chair across from him and slide it closer. I take in several quick breaths and I can feel Tiago eyeing me carefully. Without another thought I lean forward for the knife in his boot and cut the meat of my thumb before holding it out toward him. He just stares at it.

“I don’t have any shot glasses in here, just drink it,” I urge, holding my hand out further but he doesn’t move. “Just take it, you’ve been carting me back and forth, and training me and shit. So I kinda owe you, don’t make it weird.”

As he reaches for my hand I move it closer, leaning in as he brings his mouth to the wound. His eyes look at my hand and I can see a hundred questions running through his head, but I know he’s going back to my request it not be weird. He ignores his questions and I resist laughing as I see his tongue move up to get a small taste. The first taste it small, but then I can feel a shiver run through him and he moves in for another. After he’s licked the blood off he moves to start sucking the blood from my veins. I let him for a second, and then pinch his cheeks with my thumb and fore finger, and jab the other three fingers in under his chin with the hand he’s holding. He jolts back and stares at me, his eyes wide and a dozen emotions flashing over his face.

“You need to go now,” I say softly. “I’m not safe around you until the buzz wears off from my blood. It’s your first time having it and when it sinks in you’ll want more. You’re physically stronger than me. I’ll have to kill you to stop you.”

I can see his energy returning, and I’m thankful he’s self-aware about it. He nods and reaches for my hands, taking both of mine in both of his and dipping his head to kiss my thumbs. He nods again as he stands and I can see it as realization begins to settle in. I watch him reach for his knife and I understand the movement, carefully holding it out to him. He’s convincing himself that the blood left on the blade will be enough to calm this guttural need.

I walk five steps behind him on the way out but before he opens the door he stops, so I do too. “Thank you,” he begins.

“Don’t mention, literally if possible. You didn’t have much, the craving will be gone in like twenty minutes, but it’ll be more than uncomfortable and dangerous if you’re still around me.” I plead with my eyes.

“I won’t be like the last man you helped,” he assures, and goes quickly.

Nope, not opening that box tonight.

I untie the dress as I stumble to the bed. What a night this has turned into. Now that everything is officially done with I’m beyond tired. I sit down as I untie the dress then stand as I slide it off to the floor. I want to lay down now, but I need to do a few things first. I go to quickly confirm my door is locked and place the glasses behind it, check the windows, and then climb into the wardrobe. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I fell asleep with Helion. The individual rooms are sound proof, but if he was beside me there was no denying he would hear me scream when the nightmares returned.