Free Web NovelChapter 325: Chapter 325
He needed to drink straight from the vein.
And that was a risk none of them were willing to take while he was in such a volatile state.
It wasn’t until she stood before his door, hand hovering just short of the handle, that she realized that this was a sacrifice she was willing to make. She was doing this for him because he was a friend, a good one, who wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for her, had she been in his position. And unlike her, he actually had a family who would worry if he didn’t survive this. freёwebnoѵel.com
Nieah came even closer, her heart pounding violently in her chest, each beat loud in her ears. Her mind ran relentlessly through everything that could go wrong simply by her being here alone. He might be chained, bound tightly to the bedframe, but that did nothing to lessen the danger he posed. If anything, it made it worse. She had read enough about vampires lost to bloodlust to know how unpredictable they became, how being restrained could turn them even more feral.
Bloodlust was an unbearable thing when it took hold. It devoured reason, memory, and made their self-control basically non-existent. It made them forget everything that mattered. Friends and family became strangers. Familiar voices meant nothing. All that existed was the thirst, burning and all-consuming, until it swallowed the vampire’s mind whole.
It wasn’t safe for her to be here. She knew that. And yet, everything she had done so far proved that logic failed her whenever it came to him.
She could only imagine how much pain he was in now. He was suffering right in front of her, and the sight of it left her feeling as helpless as she had the last time, standing by while someone she cared for bled. Had she come before the guards restrained him, he would have reacted with far more aggression. Even now, Casilo looked at her with barely any recognition in his eyes.
They could have replaced her with anyone else, and he might not have known the difference.
He tugged violently at the chain when she stopped beside the bed, as though he meant to rip it clean from the headboard. The sudden force made the metal groan and sent a jolt of fear through her. She flinched but forced herself to remain still. The green of his eyes glowed even brighter now in a way that was almost hypnotic.
"I will let you feed from me," she said quietly as she stood even taller, steeling her spine. "I want to help you."
She swallowed, then added softly, "But if you kill me, I swear on everything I hold dear, I will haunt you until your very last days."
That finally seemed to get his attention. He stilled, the chains clinking softly as his movements ceased. His chest rose and fell in heavy, ragged breaths as his intense gaze burned holes into her skin.
The mattress dipped slightly as Nieah lowered herself next to him, close enough that he could reach her even while bound. The moment she did, he lunged.
His movement was sudden and desperate, his body surging forward as far as the restraints allowed. His breath brushed hot against her neck before he sank his fangs into her flesh. The sharp pain tore a gasp from her throat.
He fed greedily, taking deep, desperate pulls of her blood as though trying to drown the burning thirst consuming him from the inside out. It was similar to the first time he had drunk from her and yet entirely different.
Back then he had wrapped his arms around her to hold her in place. Back then he had been gentle, afraid of hurting her. He had been fully in control to dull the pain of his bite and turn the experience into something pleasurable. But there was none of that now. Now there was only frantic urgency, panic and sharp hunger. He just kept going, drinking in heavy gulps.
It was too much—the sensation of his mouth on her skin and the raw need radiating from him in waves. Her limbs weakened, her body trembling as she forced herself to remain still while he took and took.
Stars burst across her vision. Dizziness washed over her, thick and disorienting, and she swayed. Instinctively, she reached for him, clutching his hand in a vice-like grip, steadying herself against the pull of unconsciousness.
"That’s enough," she croaked, her voice barely more than a whisper. He would truly kill her if he didn’t pull away. "Casilo, stop."
Though it was clear that her blood was working. She could feel it in the way his movements slowed, in the subtle shift of tension in his body. When she spoke his name, he paused, confusion flickering across his features as awareness began to seep back in.
His fangs remained embedded in her neck, even while he no longer fed.
"Casilo?" she tried again, her voice shaking now.
A low rumble vibrated in his chest. Slowly, he withdrew, his tongue darting out to lick the bite mark on her skin. The sensation of it sent an involuntary shiver through her.
Still, he didn’t pull away completely.
Instead, he leaned forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. The rumble in his chest grew louder, almost like a contented purr.
***
Five men from the capital waited at the front of the manor, their breaths fogging the air in thick, ghostly plumes as the cold gnawed at their lungs. Royal guards—there was no mistaking them, not with their polished armor, crested cloaks, and the unmistakable bearing of men who served the crown. Ragnar scowled the moment he spotted them from a distance. Royal guards never came to his estate without reason, and in his experience, that reason was never a good one.
He had only just been informed that Casilo had woken, had barely even seen him for himself, and already he was here, forced to deal with whatever this was.
"How can I help you?" Ragnar asked when he stepped outside to meet them, his voice calm despite the unease curling in his gut.
Of the five riders, two swung down from their horses, boots crunching against the frost-stiffened ground, while the remaining three stayed mounted, hands resting casually on the hilts of their weapons. One of the men stepped forward and bowed low, his posture rigid with formality before he spoke.
"His Majesty, the King, has summoned you to stand before the court," the guard announced. "You are to come with us calmly and without delay. Any attempt to defy the king’s orders will be met with force and swift action."
