Jasper approached me. His every step filled with a grace and power that made fear grip me. I must have made Nefer mad.
"I rushed here when I heard Father had named a Mistress." He kneeled at my feet. "I am Jasper, Thrid Son of Nefer."
"You look like him," I said. "I didn't know people could look so much like a God."
He smiled, "As I said I am one of three Sons Nefer formed."
"Why are you here for me?"
"You are my Mistress. Typically when a Mistress is named the Gods children are the ones that see to her. I trust my brothers have been taking care of you?"
I reached for Lincoln, "Yes! Lincoln has been very helpful. He doesn't get upset with me no matter how many questions I ask. Thanks to the others I'm no longer starving and my blood purity has increased."
Jasper's smile softened as I spoke. Around the room I saw the others relax. They had been afraid. "Good. I will take you to the capital. Since Alaric is no longer your Beloved you can stay in the Manor there until you come of age and find another."
I felt my smile wilt. "But I wanna go back home. To my family."
He sighed, "I understand. Why don't we invite your family to live with you? That way you can continue your studies and make friends while also having your family close."
"Why can't I go home?" Why did I have to go back into another gilded cage?
"You can but you are a young Vampire. It's important that you live in the Vampire Kingdom until you are certain you can control yourself."
I felt the temperature in the room start to drop. Lincoln placed a hand on my shoulder, "Until recently her control was unshakable."
"It's the new titles," I grumbled. It had to be that was the only thing that was different. I don't want another cage.
Jasper shoots up from the ground. His hand closing around Lincoln's neck. "What does she mean cage?" Had I said that out loud.
Von appeared by my side, "Lord Alaric. I didn't want to believe it at first. None of us did. I couldn't imagine anyone treating their mate that way."
I growled. "Stop side stepping the point Von. Alaric kept me locked inside his manor. In the years since I came here I can count how many times I was allowed off the grounds with a single hand."
"He never fed her either," Logan added. Jasper dropped Lincoln and made his way back to me. "The Manor will be yours, Mistress. You will come and go as you please. You may invite whoever you wish and deny who you choose. It is your right by title." He ran his over my head. Almost cupping my cheek. I jerked back at the smell. My fangs snapped down. Amber, Cedarwood, Sandlewood, with spiced notes. There was something sweet too. Vanilla.
So good. He smelt so very good. I could feel drool pooling in my mouth. I knocked over my chair as I tried to put distance between us. Von gripped me. His hold kept me from crashing to the ground but also made the smell of his blood wash over me.
-Condition: Bloodlust
There was no thought to my movement. My head turned with my body. Von made no move to stop me as my fangs found his throat. Blood rushed over my tongue and I groaned. A finger shoved between my lips and his skin. I let go as I had every time. Hands lifted me to another neck. I bit down and drank. Again and again. From one neck to the next.
When I sat back blood was on my chin. My tongue moved over that blood. I was eager for more even if I forced myself to stop. I looked around the room. Pures leaned against walls and dabbed at their necks. Jasper sat in the chair I had tipped over. He leaned back in it. One arm leaned against the arm of the chair and propped up his head. His hair was much longer than Nefer's, that deep crimson red flowed like a river of blood.
"Are you satisfied now, Mistress?"
I pushed myself up to stand. His fangs were the longest I had ever seen. I wiped my chin with my thumb, "What are you? I haven't drank that much since my Debut."
He extended a hand toward me, "You may feed from me, Mistress. If you are still hungry?"
I stepped toward him. "What are you?"
"A Progenitor. There are very few with blood as pure as mine."
I scoffed, "So that's why you make me so hungry?"
"I am the Son of the Vampire God. Few will ever taste my blood. Fewer still could handle the power within me. So I say again, if you wish to feed from me I will not fight you. You who are favored by Father. You who are favored by the Gods. If you can drink from me and survive I will be assured that my Father has chosen his Mistress well."
I strode to him. My feet carried me to him. "Neck or arm?" I asked him. My voice did not waver as I asked him. He tilted his head further while also stretching out his free arm. So the choice was mine it seemed. I sat in his lap. I heard gasps from my action but no one said anything. I leaned into his neck and kissed it. "I'm curious. Will you be strong enough to stop the skill? I think I could come to like you."
His eyes glanced at me from my words as my fangs slid gently beneath his skin. His blood hit me like a draft horse kick. It tasted of vanilla, rosemary, and raspberries. I moaned, my arms curling around him to pull him closer. He let me. His own arms moved around me. Cradled me. I drank his blood as if it were the finest wine and he let me.
-Consort: Jasper (Potential Affection- 1%)
-Bloodline: Noble Vampire- Mid Purity
I pulled his blood in thick swallows. I pulled back as my body finally felt full.
-Condition: Full
I leaned my head back and sighed. I felt his lips at my neck. "Go ahead," I chuckled. I felt drunk. My head lulled on my shoulders. I felt weightless. Giggles spilled from my throat as his own fangs sank beneath my skin. He pulled once. Twice. And then he pulled away. I swayed into him.
"You're still alive," he mused. He sounded surprised. It made me laugh.
"Grow, they said. Drink and grow. They forced these fangs on me. I had no choice."
"You are drunk, little Mistress."
"I've never been drunk before," I giggled. "Alaric would have never allowed."
"Sleep now," he whispered to me. His arms moved around me to cradle me. "When you wake up we will be in the capital. You will be in your manor." I leaned my head onto his should and sighed.
"Another cage. So many cages. One after another. I was born in a cage and so I shall never know anything beyond."
I felt lips on my forehead. "You will. Soon you will hold the keys."
-Title Acquired! Child of Blood, Beloved of Blood