62. New Beginnings
Aleiraah
I’ve almost reached the nursery when a feeling of intense hunger flows into me through a tether. Wood slams violently into a wall somewhere. Hurrying, I follow the noise to Zien’s chamber. I burst inside to find the room in shambles.
“Zien? Where are you? What happened?” Following the sound of running water I find him hunched over the washbasin staring into the cracked mirror with gleaming blood-red eyes.
He’s clearly in turmoil. And it’s way past when he should have fed. I should have caught on when he started avoiding the nursery around a week ago.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” He winces at my stern tone but I don’t budge.
“We discussed this, Zien!” I spread my arms, exasperated.
He remains quiet looking at me guiltily, his nostrils flaring and I decide to push him a bit. “Are you planning to go back to drinking from blood sluts?”
His reaction is immediate. He spins around with a horrified expression and drops to his knees, grabbing my waist with both hands. “No! No, Love. I’d rather die than betray you like that again!”
“So you want to, what? Lose yourself to bloodlust?” I grab his raven locks and yank his head back. He swallows, the notch in his throat moving.
“I––I didn’t know if I could ask that of you. To feed me.” He regards me like a male dying of thirst yet not having the courage to reach out.
“Really? So who would feed you? I thought you were an intelligent vampire. Guess I’m stuck with idiots for anchors.” I flick his forehead, and his eyes widen momentarily then, a slow smile spreads on his face and he starts snickering. Almost manic.
But the laugh soon turns into silent sobs as he buries his face against my stomach and holds me tighter.
The raw intensity of his pain makes me sink to my knees, and I hug his massive shoulders. He must be nearing bloodlust.
“You can drink from me, Zien. And only me. Don’t punish yourself like this. It’s not healthy. I’m trying to let go of the hurt. I want a future with you. I need you all to move forward with me.” I rub his back and he sniffs the crook of my neck deeply.
“Tickles!”
Drawing back a little, he stares into my eyes. “The bathroom floor is not where I wanted to do this, Love. But I want to offer you something, if you’ll have me. I know I'm not worthy.”
I open my mouth to protest but he presses a finger to my lips softly.
“I’m not. But since I can’t live without you, and I only have myself to offer, I want you to share a blood kiss with me.”
He observes me nervously after dropping that bomb. “You know, where you bite me in return.”
My thoughts come to a screeching halt.
A blood kiss is a rare thing between a vampire and his bride.
It’s permanent, binding a vampire to his blood-bride for life—body, mind, soul. I exhale slowly, too stunned for words. We're already soul bonded, but this?
When he starts fidgeting, I ask sceptically, “You really want to make me your blood-bride?”
He growls which makes me want to flick his forehead again.
The blood kiss grants a bride absolute power over her vampire mate, a bond built entirely on trust. With the right mate, it deepens connection and seals absolute fidelity.
He’ll never hunger for another, and she’ll feel his fear, pain, and need across any distance.
But if things go wrong, that same kiss can become a shackle of torment.
The fact that Zien––who was kept as a blood slave for decades by his vampire sire would even consider it is extraordinary.
“I don’t wish to leash you, Zien.” My voice comes out uncertain and he looks unbearably hurt, probably taking it as a rejection. Placing my palms on the sides of his face, I pull him closer so I can look into his ruby eyes properly, and try to explain.
“I’m not rejecting you. I want you. But are you certain?”
Maybe it’s the bloodlust talking. Is he already in the throes?
“I’ve given it a lot of thought, Love. A blood kiss takes root when a vampire is on the brink of a bloodlust. I couldn’t muster the courage to ask you before, fearing you’d reject me.” His gaze drops, ashamed, and I tilt his face up.
“No, look at me. How could I ever reject you? You’re my anchor, Zien. We’re tied forever. Even if we weren’t, you’ve shown remorse and tried to mend things between us. Given how you were enslaved in your early years, I can't imagine you willingly wanting to do this.”
“Why did you never demand it?” He asks, sounding offended.
Feeling incredulous, I shake my head. “Because after courting me, you never brought it up again. And it’s akin to enslavement!”
A small regretful smile forms on his lips as he stares at me––enamoured––the tether thrumming with love.
He turns his head, placing a chaste kiss on my wrist, sending a zing through my nerve endings.
“I’m so sorry, Aleiraah. My cowardice held me back.
But because it’s you that I can offer a blood kiss without a single hint of worry.
Because I know that I’m safe with you, my Love. ”
Throat tight with overwhelming emotions flowing down the tether, I scoot closer, pressing my cheek to his stubbled one and whisper in his ear, “It would be an honor, Rhazien Bladeblood.”
His breath hitches and a strangled noise escapes him. He crushes me to his chest and I feel his fangs sliding into my neck the next instant. Euphoria takes over my senses.
When he finally pulls back, he traces his tongue over the bite, sealing it closed. A pleasant shiver runs through me as his molten grey eyes drift over me, bright and unguarded.
Grinning, he bares his neck to me and I place a soft kiss on the strong column of his throat.
My fangs lengthen, then, without hesitation I bite into his skin. Rich blood fills my mouth. Zien lets out a low moan and I drink down the mouthful, sucking the bite between my lips.
“Aleiraah, Love, don’t heal it. I want to bleed so the mark is deeper. Let it show, so everyone knows you own me.” He pleads in a gravelly voice and I lean back, licking my lips.
His eyes turn slitted, pale skin flushed with heat, and the power settles between us like a living thing.
I feel it then—how easily I can pull the strings, how absolute my hold is if I choose to claim it.
It’s intoxicating. Potent. And utterly useless against the one thing that matters most––my love for him would never let me willingly hurt him.
“You taste good, vampire. I see the appeal in drinking blood now.” I smile crookedly and he chuckles, grabbing me in a bear hug, peppering kisses across my shoulder and neck.
“Love you.” He says in a voice heavy with meaning.
“Me too.” I whisper back and he sways me gently within his arms, making me feel safe and loved.
A couple of months later on a hot summer day, Archie and Zien insist I take a portal with them.
By now I’m used to being pleasantly surprised by my anchors, so, feeling curious I give in to whatever they have planned.
We pass the treehouse on our way and I must seem a little suspicious because they offer identical smiles and wink at me.
Suddenly, we arrive at a clearing and a beautiful mansion looms ahead. It’s all sleek lines built from pale stone, and pristine columns. Moon quartz placed strategically catches sunlight by day and would glow softly at night allowing natural illumination.
I already feel my heart racing with joy as they lead me into it.
Where the old house had been heavy with past echoes, this one is filled with light and serenity.
Archie says he handled the design and structure—clean lines, wide corridors, soaring ceilings. Zien with help from Alistair and Azael ensured the security and that the protections are absolute but never invasive.
Water features thread through the grounds—reflecting natural pools and gentle streams—so the sound of flowing water is always present, creating a zen feel.
There’s a full wing solely meant for me––therapy rooms designed for supernaturals, magically adaptable to their species.
The common rooms are warm rather than grand––cozy hearths and divans line the walls.
The nursery for the babies is painted with beautiful murals.
The treehouse is for when I need solitude and grounding. The mansion is for connection, rebuilding, and the slow act of making new memories.
Covering my mouth with both hands I take it all in, unable to believe they had this built in such a short time.
“I don’t know what to say! It’s more than I ever thought was possible. How did you know that I wanted––needed a new home?”
Archie brushes his knuckles lightly against my cheek. “Because we know you, Moon. And we hate to see the occasional shadows in your pretty eyes.”
“We have been planning this ever since we came back from the Nephilim kingdom. Alistair and Rinn are building extended gardens for you. Baz is doing most of the heavy lifting. Silas has been busy getting furniture and setting up the nursery mostly.” Zien adds, kissing the back of my hand.
Unable to control my happiness, I burst into tears, and they engulf me in a hug, crooning to me. I kiss their chests, resting my head on the solid warmth.
For the first time since my heart fractured, I feel whole.