Dante bursts out laughing at my admittance, shaking the bed with peals of laughter. "I can't tell if you're brave, or mad!" he cries. "So now I finally see why they sent you out here."
I shrug ambiguously. The court doesn't actually know how far my plans run, and for now, neither does Dante.
"But as for why you called me out here," he adds. "You wanted to request a free day tomorrow, didn't you?"
I nod hesitantly, and he leans in. "And you wanted to...please me tonight so that I would be more amicable?"
I reflexively make a face at his phrasing. "Don't say it like that. But, yes." I turn my head to meet his gaze. "It's a fair trade, isn't it?"
"Hmmm…" He draws his fan along the side of my face, and I resist the urge to bat it away. "I suppose it is," he sighs eventually.
"Thank you," I smile.
"I suppose that means you want me to wait to feed, as well?" He leans over me, bed creaking.
"Well…" It's true that originally I was hoping to feed him in the evening tomorrow, but now that he's here, I doubt that would work. "Can you…" I begin hesitantly.
"Can you hold back a little tonight, and I'll give you more tomorrow?"
"Hmf," he chuckles. "'Give'." He leans completely over and straddles me. "I suppose I can be courteous for tonight," he says, and bites deeply into my neck.
He takes his time drinking, but even so, he doesn't let go for a long time, and I start to worry that he's not going to stop until he's satisfied. But just as I'm about to say something, he releases with a disappointed sigh. "I'm going to make you pay me back in spades for all this, little bird," he murmurs, pulling me to his chest.
I try not to worry about what he's plotting and let sleep take me.
Dante's already gone when I wake up, thankfully. I feel a bit fuzzy, but I ignore it. Today is my free day and I intend to make the most of it.
Once out of my room, though, I find myself sneaking around, trying to sense where everyone else is before I pass by. Not that it would really make a difference if they wanted to find me.
Still, I need to pass through the main room to make it to the kitchen. I can hear the quiet clicks of wooden game pieces, so at least I know Dante is there. He's playing shogi with Virgil. I wave as I pass by, but neither of them respond with more than a glance. It's strange how nervous I feel, now that I think about it. I suppose that's the effect living here has had on me.
I eat so quickly I almost make myself sick. My mind is whirling with plans for the garden. It's a bit late for planting season, but it's still technically spring. If I tended it myself, I'm sure I could keep a small plot alive. Besides, I also want to know exactly which plants are already growing here. Vampire gardens can be very useful.
Finally, the food is in my stomach and I'm out the door. I wander the gardens for a little while, mapping them in detail in my head. There's a lawn near the eastern edge that I'm sure I can just rip up and turn into a plot. In another corner, tucked against the mansion itself, is a tiny little shed. It's missing a lot of tools, obviously, but for now, all I need is a shovel, a trowel, and a watering can.
I figure I might as well be ambitious, so I draw the lines for the plot as large as is sensible within the space. It's not even noon yet and I already feel tired and hot, so I stop once I've dug up the outside edge. This is going to take a lot longer than I expected.
I go back inside just long enough to grab food, and sit on the bench under the willow tree to eat. I still feel overheated, so I put my feet into the pond. The cool water feels amazing, and for the first time today, I feel free. I wonder if this is what normal life is like. Well, except for the lack of sun.
Anyway. Back to work.
I keep digging the plot. I almost feel bad, pulling up such thick grass, but I keep telling myself how good it will feel to have something to do and I keep pushing forward. The pile of grass patches grows into a sizable little hill. Maybe I'll turn that into composting.
Finally, the plot is clear. I'm exhausted. I may have overdone it, considering I promised Dante another half-feed tonight. Oh well. I'm too tired to care. I slump into the kitchen and find myself putting on the recovery soup, just to have something quick to eat. On second thought, I make extra and put it into a canteen for later. I have a feeling I'll need it…
Dante's no longer in the main room, so I knock on his door.
"Enter."
I can't even see his face yet and already I can tell he's irritated. He's sitting at his desk, rubbing his temples.
"I should have brought tea," I realize out loud.
His eyes swivel to mine, and he sighs. "It wouldn't do much. Come, before Lucien comes looking for you."
"Did they really make it that difficult?" I ask, setting my soup on the table and sitting beside him. "It was your day today, after all…"
Dante shakes his head. "No, no, they were
willing to leave you be for a day."
"Then…"
He heaves another sigh. "Today was simply incredibly boring."
I know I shouldn't say it, but I can't stop myself. "You're this irritated from one day of boredom?"
As expected, Dante's black eyes grow stormy, and he smiles. "Why, yes. Without our toy, we were quite bored." He takes my wrists and pulls me towards him. "Now be a good thrall," he murmurs, gripping my hips and settling me on his lap, "and let me feed."
"I'm not a toy," I grumble, relieved he can't see my red face. He chuckles and grips my chin, tilting my head to the side. This would be normal, except that his other hand is still holding me by the hip. And I know he can hear my heartrate rising.
"Perhaps not," he murmurs into my ear, "but you certainly entertain me well."
Finally, he bites, and I reflexively squeeze his arm. I do my best not to squirm, but he has both his hands on my hips again, and it's hard to fight the urge. He smiles against my neck as he drinks, apparently enjoying my internal struggle.
I don't even notice the door opening. "Dante." It's Lucien, standing just a foot away.
Dante takes a few more deliberate pulls before he finally releases me. I find myself tilting forward, unable to process quickly enough to grab anything. Lucien just manages to catch me before I hit the table. I imagine Dante is giving him a smug smile right now, as he whisks me out of the room quickly.
"Lucien," I croak, "I had- soup-"
"Don't worry, I have it," he murmurs, kissing me on the forehead.
"Why...why are you doing that?" I ask groggily. I shouldn't feel this drained, should I? I feel almost feverish.
"I'm fond of you," he replies nonchalantly. "Did you think I only wanted your body?"
I stiffen in his arms. "Uhhh…" Well, yes.
He lays me on the bed gently. I can already feel my consciousness slipping.
He helps me sit up and puts the canteen to my lips. "Here. Before you fall asleep." It's lukewarm, but it's food, and I manage to finish it all. "Very good," he murmurs, pressing his lips to my cheek.
Groggily, I push at his face. I can feel him smiling under my fingers. "I don't...understand…" I manage before I fall asleep. Vaguely, I think I hear a response, but I'm already lost in sleep.