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"Meet me at my shop tomorrow, I'll take your blood samples for some research." Lilith said, rising to her feet. She'd listened to Vespar's explanation about the unusual reaction he had after consuming her blood—he was careful, crafting a tale with just enough truth to be convincing while keeping Nyx a secret.
[AN] (Maybe he didn't cover everything? Who knows?)
After she left, the silence in the room was almost too loud. Vespar sat back in his chair, fingers brushing over the spot on his chest where her fireball had struck him. The skin was smooth, unblemished—completely healed.
"Well… that's handy," he muttered with a half-smile. A reckless idea stirred in his mind—something he'd try later. For now, though, sleep.
Or so he thought.
Two hours passed. Not a blink. Not even a yawn. His body didn't crave rest anymore. Instead, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the world wake up as birds began to chirp and golden sunlight filtered in.
As Nyx had predicted, the sun didn't burn him.
He rose, grabbing a set of fresh clothes: a loose black shirt, sleek black trousers, and polished loafers. When he slicked back his bright white hair, it shimmered for a moment before fading back to black—an ability he was still getting used to. Standing before the mirror, he smirked at his reflection.
"Handsome enough to give a noble a heart attack and make a duchess wet her sheets," he said.
[AN] (Don't know about the wet part but damn, he really is handsome. No homo.)
The streets buzzed with morning life as Vespar walked through the town. Eyes followed him—men out of jealousy, women out of desire, and merchants with curiosity. Soon, he stood in front of Lilith's apothecary, the bell above the door chiming as he entered.
Lilith stood behind the counter, her demeanor professional. Her eyes flicked to him, then to the small room beside her.
She motioned with her head, "That way. Chop chop."
Vespar raised an eyebrow. "Bossy today, huh?" he said, amused, and stepped into the lab.
"Drop your blood here." She placed a glass bowl on the table.
He noticed she hadn't broken eye contact. "What? Is there something on my face? Or are you just enchanted?" he teased with a smirk.
"Less talking, more bleeding." She huffed. "I don't have all day."
"Aren't you commanding me a bit too much?" he chuckled and casually sliced his wrist, letting the blood drip into the bowl.
But before a single drop could fall, Lilith moved with vampire speed—pressing her lips directly to his wound, drinking deeply.
The effect was instant. A wave of euphoric ecstasy surged through both of them. Vespar gasped, falling to his knees beside the couch. His limbs felt like jelly, his mind hazy.
An hour passed before she pulled back, licking the blood from her lips. Her eyes glowed with delight.
"Fuck, how is your blood this good?" she muttered. "Sorry for, uh… drinking without permission. But it's fine now, right… husband?"
Vespar blinked. "Y-Yeah, no prob—wait. Husband?"
She nodded nonchalantly. "Yup. Our tradition. Exchange blood, eternal bond. You're mine now."
"W-What the hell? We just met! We don't even know each other! I didn't sign up for this!"
Lilith shrugged, sitting beside him. "Vampire culture is different, darling. We feel, but don't rely on feelings. I smelled your blood, saw your potential, and confirmed it through taste. You're strong, handsome, and your seed will give me a legacy I can be proud of."
Vespar groaned. "So I got myself a beautiful vampire wife, huh?" He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Come here, darling. Now it's my turn to feed," he said, yanking her onto his lap. She instinctively straddled him. Without hesitation, he sank his fangs into her neck.
She gasped—a muffled moan escaping her lips. Her body trembled as he drank, his arms securely wrapped around her waist.
When he finally pulled back, she was slumped against his chest, panting. "Hmmm," he purred. "You're quite tasty yourself, sweetheart."
"You really think sweet talk and soft hands will win you wifey points?" she said, burying her red face into his chest.
"I'll let you off this time… just this once. Because I also forced myself on you," she muttered.
Vespar smirked. "Duly noted, my lady."
But as he pulled his hand from her hair, she snapped, "Did I say you could stop?"
She grabbed his hand and placed it back on her head. "Do it more… I'm not satisfied… please?"
He saw her then—not as the fierce, calculating heiress—but as a lonely girl craving the affection she was long denied.
"Okay, little princess. I'm sorry for stopping," he whispered, gently stroking her hair and cradling her close.
Within minutes, she was asleep, still in his lap. Her breathing was soft, her grip on him loose but trusting.
"She's cute while sleeping," he murmured.
Then he remembered something.
"Nyx," he said softly, "is it normal for vampires to… see memories when they drink blood?"
Nyx's voice was laced with confusion—and alarm.
[No, host. There is no record of vampires accessing memories through blood. I am also detecting a dangerous spike in bloodlust from you. Please remain calm until we understand this anomaly.]
But Vespar wasn't listening.
Because when he had sunk his fangs into Lilith, he saw something.
Flashes.
A memory not his own.
A massive black spire rising into the sky.
A blood-soaked throne.
A child screaming in chains.
Lilith... kneeling before something she should never have seen.
His breath caught. His heart—if it still beat—would've stopped.
"What the hell did I just see…?"
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