Zyro had been injured more than he could count, therefore, had seen and tested numerous medicines. Earth's medical industry was already so advanced that medicines were seemingly magical. He didn't even have a single scar on his body because all wounds were cured perfectly. That's actually for the better, if his previous scars left its marks, little of his unharmed skin could be seen.
In his current condition, Zyro welcomed any remedy available. Still... He simply can't accept saliva! Coming from a bloody princess at that!
Zyro's mind went blank.
'No wonder she's so shy.'
Because Scarlet was indirectly asking if he wanted her spit!
Although, Zyro had no pride to speak of. Why does this feel somehow embarrassing? He even thought of outright dying to escape this situation.
Well, if Scarlet was a male, it would still be weird. But he won't be so conflicted to do so, it's an understandability male shared. They might even laugh out loud when they think about it I'm the future.
Unfortunately, or was it fortunately? The Vampire before him was a stunning princess, willingly offering him her natural liquid remedy to heal his wound.
"Let's just get done with it."
Scarlet shifted towards him, and gracefully kneel before Zyro. She's... Dangerously close.
She's too close!
In the dim room, he stare at the blushing princess Infront of him. Although, her actions were bold to take the initiative in this shameful deed. The burning redness of her cheeks was a testimony of her feelings.
Zyro was aware she was doing this for him, despite the extreme discomfort. So she could cure his bleeding wound to raise his chances of survival.
'Duck me side ways, maybe I should just tell her that I don't need it?'
No, his companions are too wise to be tricked. Surely, they will be suspicious if his wound miraculously heals after taking a stroll outside. Furthermore, although this method is not comfortable, it brings no harm... Physically, not mentally.
Besides. They already got this far, it's too late to turn back now.
Scarlet bring down her hood, revealing her beauty in full glory. This is the nearest Zyro had seen Scarlet face, at closer infection. He found no flaws on her silicate pale skin, her crimson eyes were like dazzling gem with tints of dark lines. Her natural blood dyed hair flowed down, smooth and shiny. It's hard to believe she doesn't use beauty products and it's all natural.
Trying to keep herself composed as much as possible, she slowly put her hands over his shoulder and leaned forward. Her pleasing scent dripted towards his nostrils. It's like the native smell of flowers.
But Zyro doesn't care anymore, for he had already entered a trance. His expression was blank, devoid of any mortal emotions as his thoughts was emptied. It's a condition similar to absolute concentration that can be achieved by mastering deep meditation. However, Zyro was simply concentrating on nothing. No thoughts, as if he had turned off his mind, so did his weird feelings. One could say he escaped reality.
"Tilt your head, will you." She said softly, her breath touching his right ear.
Zyro followed suit like an obedient machine. Wanting nothing more than this to be over with.
Then, in that blank world of his. The sensation of Scarlet's wet tongue touching his wound assaulted his sensory fivers. His trance suddenly crumbled as he was forcefully brought back to reality.
His calm eyes widened.
Zyro anticipated Scarlet to spit on him or something. And it took him a relatively long time to come in terms of what's to come. But never did he thought that she will be actually licking it!! It felt so wrong. No, this should be a crime!
She should have at least warned him. Then again, as the doer, Scarlet was probably too ashamed to say that vampire saliva is more effective if applied directly. It's like a natural medicine that expired immediately, and indirectly applying it degarde it's healing effect. So, she just did it to lessen the raging shame she's already feeling.
Zyro quickly understood this and remained quiet as a statue.
Her tongue touch on the wound are both painful and strangely pleasing. Well, his a growing man after all. Zyro had long developed immunity to pain, but this awkwardness was new. A girl licking his neck felt so wrong, at the same time, right? The mental attack was too strange. He didn't know what to do.
Under this weird experience, there's no way he could find inner peace anymore.
Suddenly, the Princess soft chuckle resounded near his neck. She then whispered, struggling to hold back her laughter.
"Why are you shaking?"
Apparently, the pressure of this odd sensation caused him to unconsciously shudder.
'Was this... Fear?'
Most likely, it's quite comical for someone who doesn't fear death and can face horrifying enemies and situations to be afraid of intimacy of the opposite gender.
Zyro's slowly glance at Scarlet in the corner of his eyes. At the sight of her, he confirmed his fear.
His afraid of this girl, for some reason.
"I-l don't know either." He said in a daze.
Scarlet leaned forward again and whispered in his ear.
"It's done, don't worry."
The procedure was actually really short, but felt like an eternity for these two.
'Thank goodness.' he heaved a sigh of relief internally. Then wondered why Scarlet haven't moved away yet.
Then, her voice sounded again. Her previous embarrassment was gone, replaced by forlorn seriousness.
"A while ago. When I said your unnaturally weak, I don't intend to mock you. Instead, I was thinking of something. In this journey of ours, I realized how weak I am. I need all the strength I can get to return home."
She stared at him straight in the eye, her gaze was full of cold determination. After a long stretch of silence, she said in all seriousness.
"Zyro, I can give you strength... If you want."
He had shrugged off the awkward fear within him, his mind was back to its previous calculative self. His thoughts race, speculating what Scarlet had just offered.
'Strength...'
It was the thing he wants the most, the thing he need to complete his impossible goal. Well, power is everyone's desire, after all. If what Scarlet claims was true, then why should he reject it?
"In exchange?"
Scarlet smiled.
"I told you, didn't I? I need every support I can get to return home. The moment I saw you fight, I knew you could achieve greater heights." She then pointed at his chest. "But your body shackled your potential."
"You see, us royal Vampires had a special special trait which is called bloodkin. Our fangs are not only for sucking blood, it can also function in reverse. By doing so, instead of taking blood, we will be the one giving blood to the one's we're biting."
Zyro read through her lines.
"Which means, I'll also be hosting a vampire blood? Making me partially a vampire too?"
Not only that, her main intention was probably to replenish his loss blood with hers. Only then could she insure his health recovery. However, doing so would lead to the crucial matter they're discussing now.
She praised.
"Smart, but more technically. You'll be connected to me by blood, it will allow me to know where you are and control your blood to some extent. Don't worry though, it's limited by distance."
That's a bit... Disturbing. Then again, power doesn't come without risk. Take soul cores for example, it bestow power to one's soul. In exchange, the bearer will be inclined to complete its owner will. Most soul cores belong to monstrosities, so the majority of participants didn't end well. Zyro considered the pros and cons of Scarlet offer, before deciding.
Although, having someone able to manipulate you to partially. Zyro wasn't worried to much, first of all, Scarlet power is only limited to his blood. Surely, she wouldn't used it to kill him, an ally. Furthermore, if they become separated, the negative effects are almost nonexistent. And the chances of her forcing him to stay by her side after all this is over are slim. Why would she need a weakling like him if she have an entire army under her command?
'But why do I feel like this is not supposed to be used like this?.'
After a while, Zyro states his decision.
"Fine, I'll accept it. However, only if you agree to one condition."
"Sure, what is it?"
He slightly leaned forward, then said slowly.
"Never... Ever... Use it against me."
His voice was cold as ice, and felt like sharp daggers piercing her ears.
Subtle chill run down Scarlet spine, or was it her imagination? She shrugged it off and maintained composure.
She responded sincerely.
"I promise in my name. That I will never use it against you. It's a deal then."
With that, Zyro tilted his head again, prompting her to bite. Scarlet hesitated for a exceptionally long time, before gritting her teeth and leaning forward, this time, her soft chest unavailably pressed against his iron like chest plate. Because it really is shrouded in steel.
Slowly revealing her glistening canine fangs, she gently but down, burying her fang where his wound are located.
Zyro felt a slight pang, then, some blood was being absorbed, but not that much. It's understandable for her to be hungry, she hadn't quenched her thirst all day. After that, the sensation reversed. It was him receiving blood now, it's like someone is injecting liquid medicine into his neck. Albeit, with two large needles.
As this transpires in the silent room, Zyro can only hear Scarlet seductive breathing. Her soft lips touching his neck overshadowed the uncomfortable pain.
It was strangely peaceful.
At that moment, someone suddenly coughed.
"Ahem, I don't mean to interfere. But I think you shouldn't do that kind of thing in others' presence. And... Holy moly! What are you two thinking!" Pert jump up in shock.
Scarlet and Zyro froze.