When she woke up, she was alone. Her head felt weird, really weird like it was swimming in oil. She couldn't move, she could hardly feel her limbs. Her upper stomach felt tightly coiled. Her eyes hurt, making her glad the curtains held the sun back, letting in a soft glow. Still, as much as she wanted to, she could not look around the room, her eyes were a bit fuzzy.
But, the bed was comfortable, and the blankets were soft and warm. The pillows were soft, but firm, an army of them like they were made from real feathers. Everything felt so. . . . soft. The room was heavy with warm lavender that made her feel better about closing her eyes, lulling her into calm, tranquil quietude.
The door opened, he walked in. "This could have gone better you know, could have been easier." Alex sat down on the bed touching her leg, stroking her hair. His hair looked perfect even when it was messy, black strands curling down onto his tanned skin. "Because of all this, I had to give you something strong enough to keep you down until tonight. But, I was finally able to cash in a favour."
'Tonight?' "Tonight. . . ?"
"Yes, until the ceremony. We will not be able to truly enjoy each other's company until you're bound to me." A thin sweat spread. " It would just be a stress for both of us." She pursed her lips, struggling to find words for what she wanted to say, but he put his hand over her mouth and shook his head. "With this drug, you won't be able to put together a full thought, let alone a full sentence. Let it be until tomorrow. You will have plenty to think about then." A smug smile absorbed the whole of his face. "You don't need to get any ideas, yet."
'A full thought. . . . what? Agh. . . . my head.'
Alex leaned down, lowering himself directly onto her, the force of his weight pressing the air from her lungs, staring intensely at the sweat that had begun to pool on her chest. "We know how well you know the Greeks and Romans, they were always so loud. But in Japan, they say you have fangs. In Africa and Brazil, the Mami Wata water snake was seen by the slaves as a healer," he leaned down to smell her hair," among other things."
Alex pushed down the covers and untied Ainoa's robe, his eyes glowing like pure gold. His hands rubbed her, firmly feeling everything, her hips, her legs, her shoulders. He sat for a moment, silently watching as her sweat quaking in the dip in her collarbone, pooled into her stomach and her arched hips.
"But it was in Ireland I believe the best of you lived." He fingered the warm liquid, smearing it across her open skin. "They say when you sang, the streams stopped and the fish danced with you, their green hair flowing like the many hills. Elvish maidens that graced the skies, called out for angry skies. They were known for their powerful magic, and would even be sought out on grand quests, but could be desperately cruel." He nibbled on her ear as he whispered. "There's a misconception that catching one is to be cursed.
"Although, what's wrong with a little taste," he turned his attention to her mouth, wrapping his around hers, trapping her tongue between his teeth, stroking the top of her mouth. "And what do you know," he huffed, "no fangs." He chuckled to himself. "The Melusine of France, Germany, Luxembourg and Albania harbour a sea fairy," his hot breath searing down her throat, "I can taste her coffee in your mouth," he gasped, lifting her tongue back into his.
"Russia. . . . Norway. . . . the Orkney Islands. . . ." he moaned, lifting her head, feeling deeper into her mouth. "Assyria. . . . Assia. . . . Britain, , , ," He sighed, lifting himself slightly. "I wonder if you really can make pearls," he sat quietly, watching her bare chest heaving. She began to feel sicker and sicker, her breast pounding waves upon waves of blood into her bony chest. Her stomach churned, her breath felt shorter and shorter, her eyes stung and began to water as if by the intensity of his gaze.
Alex smiled and rolled off of her and stared up at the ceiling. A large circular painting leapt above them, a wolf pack on the hunt. Trees and vines wound elegantly around and around, stretching to all corners but one, breaking into a cliff halting before plummeting into an ocean.