Nazmi had completely misjudged the dosage. It was far stronger than anticipated, which just made her more frustrated with the fact she had messed up the opportunity so badly. She regretted making such a highly concentrated pill. Never had she guessed that it would be used on her as well!
Not only that, but as a result she ended up in a super awkward and sexually tense position – with the man she wanted to kill most.
For what felt like ages.
After a while, Nazmi started to get sleepy. She had forgotten that drowsiness was one of the side effects of nosbene. In addition to the medicinal effects on her body, she was just exhausted overall. It had been such an eventful few weeks that she hadn't really had the chance to recuperate.
Despite the elephant in the room, or rather the elephant beneath her abdomen, the slight warmth that had started to flourish between their skin was a sweet sensation. It was hardly enough change in temperature to notice, but for someone who hadn't had prolonged physical contact with anyone besides her father when she was a kid, it was comforting.
Nazmi wasn't sure when it happened, but she did end up falling asleep on top of him. Everything about the situation screamed danger, but she just couldn't keep herself awake.
The nymph found herself in a short, but pleasant dream. It was rare she dreamt anything besides indecipherable nightmares, but this time was different.
The dreamscape was empty save for a huge, lone willow tree that towered before her. Its leaves were a faded green, and its bark was a dark, ashen brown. It looked like a normal willow tree had been visually desaturated.
But it wasn't dying or unhealthy. Something inside Nazmi told her that the tree was actually thriving, bursting with vitality and some other unfamiliar kinds of energy. Her heart swelled with happiness at the sight, and she felt… at home.
She wasn't able to enjoy the dream very long before she was thrust back to consciousness abruptly…. But not completely.
Nazmi was unable to hear or see properly. Everything was completely dark, except for a few moving shadows. Even with her eyes and ears hindered so, she somehow knew that Samir was rummaging and destroying her things… she could sense it. Her chest ached thinking about losing her father's mementos.
She faintly felt the cruel prince remove the disguised scimitar from her back. All hope left her body; that was her only form of self defense. There was nothing left once he destroyed that.
That is, until she heard him shout in pain and surprise. The outburst was followed by the smell of blood, and the odd feeling of lukewarm liquid dripping onto her skin.
What happened? Had someone come to her rescue? Would she be able to escape?!
Nazmi started to feel strange. The absurd series of events made her head spin and her stomach churn. All of the distant sounds and feelings slowly faded to nothing.
Where was she?
Was she awake or asleep? Or maybe even dead?
Thoughts raced through her mind, chasing each other in endless loops with no answers or solutions.
She sat in the darkness of her own consciousness and wept. Everything that happened after she left home was new and overwhelming. She felt scared and alone.
Worse yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't regain consciousness.
—
"What the hell is your deal?! Can nymphs even do that?!"
He looked down at the gaping wounds in his forearm and hand. Prince Samir's brows furrowed.
"They're… not healing yet?" He murmured, puzzled.
When Samir looked over at the nymph again, he was startled to find Nazmi's body shaking violently. Her eyes were open, full of tears – but it was clear she wasn't seeing anything.
Despite how much he hated her and found her attitude and personality revolting, he didn't want her to die. He couldn't afford to let her die. If the legends about fae blood were true, that those who consume it would gain strength and vitality – she might just be his ticket to the throne.
Since there were too many unknown variables revolving around nymphs, there was much to study and learn before he could decide her fate. Whether he wanted to kill her, or keep her as a pet… his own personal bloodbank…
Whatever the case – for now, she could NOT die!
He knelt by her side and prepared to feed her his blood, since vampire blood had minor healing properties. To his dismay, as soon as he got close he was attacked by thorny vines that burst from the sand.
Samir cursed and easily freed himself from them, but not without more injury. He was covered in small puncture wounds and scratches. The Prince took several steps backward and watched the vines retreat back into the ground.
What was he supposed to do? He couldn't even get close!
It was just as he thought this that Rasne, his poor attendant, returned to the tent looking pale
"Y-your highness! What happened?!" the vampire gasped. He assessed the dismal situation as much as he could, but couldn't surmise what had transpired to lead to both of them in such states.
"There's no time!" Samir hissed. "I want you to go over to her and see if you can pick her up. We can't let her die, she's of use to me."
Rasne nodded and obeyed without another word. Samir watched through narrowed eyes as his companion approached the girl. To his complete surprise, his attendant was actually able to approach her and pick her up! He stared in utter disbelief as Rasne lifted the small girl into his arms and turned to look at him questioningly.
"…Give her some blood," he ordered.
Rasne once again did as he was told. His fangs contracted and he bit into his wrist, then pressed the bleeding wound to her lips. Crimson liquid dripped into her mouth.
Samir was fuming as he watched. Did she only defend herself against him for some reason?! She was clearly in no state to differentiate people from one another, so why was it that she only had defense mechanisms that hated him?
"Ouch!" Rasne suddenly said, pulling his wrist away. "She just bit me!"
"…what?" Samir was brought back to reality.
Rasne turned his wrist to show the prince his new wound. There was indeed a bite mark there. It seemed she had even managed to draw some more blood. "The girl bit me! And it wasn't a nibble, either, there was definitely some hatred behind that!"
"Damn." Samir said. "She's not even a vampire, what's she going around biting people for?"
He looked at her tear-stained face and pale skin. Her eyes were still staring into nothing, unfocused… but her trembling seemed to have stopped. Samir did notice that her eyebrows had lowered themselves, turning her expression into an angrier one.
He couldn't help but laugh, "I think she was just trying to defend herself. Look at that determined face."
Rasne glanced down and sighed. "You're right, she looks rather mad now. Under different circumstances I'd probably call this expression a little cute."
"Shut up," Samir replied. "Get her covered in several layers and help tie her to my back. I'm going to take her back to Red Moon."
"…On your back? Wouldn't it be better to take a carriage inst-"
"It's too slow. I can get home in a few days by foot, in a carriage it would take a week at least. I'm a busy man, I don't have time for that."
Rasne sighed. "Yes, Your Highness."