Chapter 5
Arran
The sun has crested the horizon and I should be heading upstairs to my four-poster bed, closing the heavy velvet hangings around me and drifting off to sleep.
Yet, here I remain in my darkened parlor, staring at the bottle of vampire sunscreen while I contemplate whether to head out and find Audrey, or wait for nightfall to finally talk to her.
All night I worked on preparing Audrey’s sleeping chambers.
I’ve swept the room, opened the windows to let in fresh air, and cleaned out the hearth.
Her sheets are washed and the maroon drapes are neatly tied back.
The sconces in her wing have been checked, melted candles replaced with fresh white ones, and the bathroom has been thoroughly cleaned.
I also placed Annamae’s posy on the table in her room along with a pitcher of water and the lantern she used last time.
I hope this will be enough to make Audrey feel welcome and help her settle in.
If she chooses to stay here, that is.
For barely a minute, I allow myself to imagine her in the castle, of her smiling at me as she saunters closer, wanting to show me her appreciation for my thoughtfulness.
My fingers drum on my thigh, and I entertain the thought of sliding my hand under my kilt, wrapping a fist around my cock, and—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
My thoughts scatter and my fingers still.
In my bones, I know it’s Audrey who’s here.
I quickly hide my sunscreen under a couch pillow and slowly make my way to the front door, keeping my steps unhurried, unbothered, and certainly not anticipatory.
Audrey stares up at me with her big brown eyes, her shoulder-length hair still damp from what must be a very recent shower, and plump red lips already poised in a small grin. “Oh good. You’re still up. I was scared I’d be too late and you’d already be asleep.”
There’s no greeting, no easing into the conversation, only direct communication while speaking her mind. It’s somewhat startling, and also a tad refreshing.
I frown down at her, keeping myself within the castle’s safety and away from the creeping rays of the sun. “I don’t require much sleep. I’m not human,” I remind her, lest she forget.
And it’s true. A couple of hours a day is more than sufficient for me. Most of the time sleep is but a habit that I partake in to cure some of the boredom of my daily life.
When one has been alive for as long as I have, it’s hard for something new to truly capture my attention and lure me into changing my routine.
So, I survive, one day at a time, one habit at a time, as the decades pass by.
Except for my recent weekly game night at Shinsu’s mill with him, Bodin, Ren, and Eleanor—creatures I’ve started calling my friends—I usually refrain from change.
It’s only a matter of a couple of years before the dynamics have shifted again, the trends have changed, or the creatures have moved on to greener pastures while I remain right where I’ve been for the last four centuries.
Lately, however, something has been happening in Starry Hill and changes have been aplenty, which is why there’s currently a housing crisis on the island.
Nevertheless, I refuse to turn a creature in need away. Starry Hill will always welcome all, just like the barren island did for me when I first set foot on its sandy shore. And just like I welcome Audrey now too.
Brown eyes rake over me as Audrey gives me a slow and thorough perusal from head to toe before her eyes settle on mine again. “Didn’t want to bother you when you’re getting your beauty sleep.”
It takes monumental effort from me to fight my instincts and not to give Audrey an equally thorough assessment, fixing my eyes on her face instead, and only then do I register what she said.
“What?” I sputter. “I don’t need— Oh, you’re making a joke, aren’t you?” I huff when I note the humor tugging on her mouth.
Audrey leans against the doorpost. “Too early for that? Or too late in your nocturnal case?”
“Not at all. Please, come in.” I open the door wider and step back, indicating toward the parlor.
I hold absolutely still as Audrey gives me a nod of thanks, barely breathing and definitely not scenting her as she passes by me and heads for the exact spot I had recently vacated.
Whirling around, I speed past her and quickly lower myself onto the couch, making sure the sunscreen is discreetly tucked behind me.
“Guess that’s your favorite seat? Is it okay if I sit over here?” Audrey asks cautiously, indicating the chair Pierre was in yesterday.
For reasons I don’t want to examine too closely, I don’t particularly care for this choice.
I point at the armchair across from me, the one Bodin, and then Katie, had occupied. “That’s a good one.”
Audrey’s brows arch, but she indulges me, lowering herself into the appointed seat. Leaning forward, she sets down a small dog with incredibly short legs and very large ears.
How did I not notice her companion when she arrived?
“When did you get a dog?” I ask, gesturing at the relatively cute animal now sniffing at my furniture.
Crossing one lean leg over her knee, Audrey tilts her head. “How do you know I haven’t always had a dog?”
“It’s small, which means it’s young. And you didn’t smell like a dog last time,” I add.
“Do I smell like a dog now?” Audrey asks as she holds my gaze with a level of curiosity that has me shifting in my seat.
I’m already shaking my head. “No. Not at all. I simply mean that I can scent many things, and a dog was not one of the things I scented.”
Audrey props an elbow on her knee and rests her chin on top of her open palm. “Tell me, Arran. What else can you scent?”
A thousand responses barrel through me and I consider what to disclose.
Would it be better, more polite, to give her a simple answer, even if it’s only a half truth? Or do I give her a detailed list of every single thing I can detect at present?
Taking my time, my gaze sweeps down the length of Audrey’s body. Ever so slowly, I work my way up again, dragging my eyes over her hips, her breasts, her lips, before settling on her eyes. “Anything.”
Audrey’s pupils dilate. “I’ll keep that in mind.” It might just be my imagination, but her voice sounds much huskier than before, the effect not lost on my cock.
After a few seconds of silence where we both study each other, Audrey asks abruptly, “Vampires aren’t allergic or something to dogs, are they?”
“No,” I answer, watching the tiny thing loping happily around the room.
“Good. Because if Anita can’t stay, then I can’t stay. We’re a package deal.”
The seriousness in Audrey’s tone has me focusing back on her. “Noted.”
“Sorry,” Audrey exhales breathily, her shoulders relaxing from their defensive stance.
“That sounded very presumptuous of me. Let me backtrack a little. I heard from Tilly that you offered a room for me to use while I’m here.
If it’s still available, then I’d like to take you up on it. Anita and I, both. If you’ll have us?”
“You are both welcome. I’ve already prepared the same room you had last time.” I make the conscious choice not to respond to her last question, because I can’t allow myself to think about having Audrey. Ever.
“Thank you.”
A comfortable quiet nestles between us as we watch the little dog exploring the parlor, darting into the foyer before returning to Audrey’s legs. It’s as if the pup is asking for permission to familiarize herself with the castle, and also inviting Audrey to join her.
Audrey’s eyes soften as she smiles down at Anita. It’s an expression I haven’t seen from her before, but I wouldn’t mind seeing again.
Not that I’ve watched Audrey that closely over the years. It’s simply that I’ve been aware of her since the first time she came to the island to attend Bodin and Tilly’s claiming ceremony.
Anita gives a little excited bark, then pitter-patters over to my feet, licking at my legs while she waits expectantly for me to pet her too.
It’s been years since I’ve last interacted with a dog, and I’ve forgotten how affectionate they can be. The island has a few but I’ve never considered having my own. Not since I was turned and…
I lift my eyes to meet Audrey’s already on me, hers watchful as she waits for my reaction.
Slowly, I lower my hand to let Anita sniff it, then I run my fingers across her soft coat as her tail swishes cheerfully behind her. She’s so lovely it’s impossible not to grin down at her.
Audrey lets out a faint murmur of delight and her scent sharpens to something that makes my fangs ache.
I try my best to keep my focus on the dog and not the human I can feel assessing me. When I’m unable to withstand it any longer, I sneak a quick glance at Audrey and take in the way she’s biting her lip and the way she’s squeezing her legs together.
As if Anita can sense she’s lost my attention, the pup jumps up against me, demanding that I pick her up.
Who am I to deny the delightfully fluffy being?
The tiny thing can almost fit entirely in my one hand, so I take extra care as I bring her to my face. Her whole body wiggles with excitement as she showers me with kisses, drawing a groany chuckle from me. “Aren’t you sweet, baby girl?”
Audrey sucks in a breath, but I don’t look at her. I can’t.
Instead, I think of ways I’m going to keep myself occupied over the coming days, weeks, or however long Audrey and Anita will be with me.
I’ve already made stone die for each of my Knights & Castles friends, but perhaps I can carve figurines for our game next.
Something to keep my hands busy instead of imagining them exploring Audrey’s body.
First though, I’m going to prepare my home for its canine guest. The last thing I want is for Anita to injure herself on the big stone stairs. Or getting herself lost in some corner in this old castle.
“Let us get out of your hair,” Audrey says as she shifts forward on her seat. “I’m sure you’re ready to head to bed soon. Thank you again for letting us stay here. I’ll gather my stuff and slowly bring them over after sunset.”
“I shall assist you then,” I state, not comfortable with the idea of Audrey lugging all her belongings here by herself. Nor am I okay with the thought of Tilly helping her, not in her current condition.
Audrey waves a dismissive hand as she gets up and walks toward me. “I really didn’t pack that much. Only some essentials and a few things to keep me busy while I’m here.”
“I shall assist you,” I repeat, also standing now.
Slowly, Audrey raises her chin. “There’s really no need. I might be small but I’m not weak.”
“I wasn’t implying you were,” I say gently as I hand Anita to her.
Audrey might only reach the middle of my chest, but there are certainly no signs of weakness in this formidably fierce creature.
“Good. You know, if you really wanted to help, you could consider asking nicely,” Audrey purrs, her gaze darkening as it locks on my mouth.
“May I assist you?” I ask, lifting my upper lip in a semblance of a smile, giving her a glimpse of the fangs she seems to be curious about.
“Since you asked so nicely,” Audrey says, stepping closer and pulling on one of my shirt laces. “I’ll let you assist me. But first, I have to head into town. I have a couple of appointments.”
I pretend not to know exactly what they are, and say, “I’ll meet you at Bodin and Tilly’s house after sunset.”
“See you then, stud,” Audrey calls as she saunters out of the castle.
When she’s out of human earshot, I whisper back, “See you then, darling.”