Chapter 17
Arran
Waking up with Audrey splayed across my chest while the sun’s rays dance across my stone floors feels like a dream I’ve never been brave enough to consider. Yet, here I am, holding her in my arms while I peek at the sunlight through the small gap between the bed’s velvet drapes.
I’ve grown so accustomed to the dark that having this moment happen in daylight feels like a monumental shift in the timeline of my immortality.
I stare down at the beautiful creature nestled against me—at her wicked mouth that always fascinates me, at the dark lashes fanned across her rosy cheeks, at the messy dark hair thanks to my fingers—and feel happier than I have since I’ve called this castle home.
As I gently caress Audrey’s naked back, I mentally relive last night, the conversations, the admissions, the sex. Everything just seemed to flow into each other in the most natural way, like the way she fits in my arms right now.
I wish I can keep her. Anita too.
Checking that Audrey’s truly asleep, I strategically extricate myself from her embrace and draw the curtains around the bed again. I apply a fresh layer of vampire sunscreen, throw on my kilt and shirt, then tiptoe to her wing to collect Anita.
“Hi, baby girl,” I say softly as I open Audrey’s bedroom door.
The pup bounds over to me on her short little legs, her big ears flopping happily as I kneel down to gather her into my arms.
“You were such a good girl all night, weren’t you?” I whisper as she licks my chin, happy little yips punctuating the action.
I quickly glance inside the room to check that Anita still has enough food and water and that everything looks to be in its right place, then head down the stairs with her.
“Let’s get you outside for some fresh air and exercise,” I say when I latch the front door behind me, still taking extra care not to wake Audrey.
I set little Anita down, watching her sniff her way around the grass, then, I simply close my eyes and let the sun warm my skin.
Over the past two to three years, things have been changing in Starry Hill, more so than they’ve done in a long time.
Our community has grown, become closer, and continuously tries to find new ways to help each other.
Creatures have found love, babies have been born, all while I watch from the edge of darkness.
I’ve grown so used to living on the outskirts of society that I let everything happen around me, never getting too involved, never dreaming along with them, always guarding myself a little too closely.
But now I feel ready to change with this island. I’m ready to embrace the day, the community, and, if Audrey allows, her too.
I have no idea how it would work between us, but I can’t let Audrey go. I can’t let her walk out of my life and go back to Cape Easton without at least knowing how much she’s come to mean to me, how much she’s affected me, and how much I want to keep her.
At the sound of new approaching footsteps, I open my eyes to see Bodin tracking down the cobbled path, carrying both Orion and Calliope in some kind of twin sling across his chest.
The big orc spots me too and waves his hand in greeting before moving closer.
“Does Audrey have you on dog duty?” Bodin asks, pointing his chin toward Anita now digging a hole underneath the rose bushes. He keeps his voice hushed, most likely not to disturb the sleeping babies.
Following his lead, but mostly for the benefit of someone else, I keep mine low too. “Audrey’s asleep upstairs and Anita needed a walk.”
“Long night, eh?” Bodin asks, reading between the lines.
I don’t deny the inference. “Very long, very nice night.”
Bodin claps me on the back while keeping one arm around the babies. “I’m happy for you. And happy to see you out in the sunshine. Glad you’re finally making use of that sunscreen.”
Lifting my face upward, I bask a little more in the warmth as I admit, “I fear I’ve been living in the dark too long. The season is ripe for change.”
“Whatever you need, I’m here,” Bodin says, punctuating the word with a squeeze to my shoulder.
I nod my thanks. “Same to you.”
When Bodin wanders back to his cottage, I stay out there for a while longer, appreciating the sights and sounds of the island.
Eventually, I call Anita inside and head straight for the kitchen. While the pup drinks water from her bowl, I get a fresh bag of blood and feed ravenously, needing the sustenance after all of mine and Audrey’s vigorous activities.
Earlier this morning, the temptation to bite Audrey was fairly strong. Luckily I was able to manage it well with all the precautions I took. After this bag is drained, I might just sneak upstairs again and wake her up with my cock.
Never could I have imagined Audrey’s sexual appetite would match so well with mine. It’s an honor to be granted free use of her body, an honor I’ll never squander, one I’ll reward her for most handsomely.
I stare down at Anita as she wrestles with a toy, and wonder what I should do next.
Would it be better to start cleaning the kitchen now before Audrey wakes, or maybe head into town and get something for her to eat? Or perhaps I should wake her up in case she needs insulin? It’s been quite some time since her last injection.
Finally, I settle on asking Audrey directly, not wanting to assume too much or seem like I’m trying to take over her care when she’s only just shared everything with me.
I check that Anita is secure and that all the outside doors are closed so she won’t wander off anywhere, then dash up the stairs and to my room. To Audrey.
Opening the curtain on her side, I sit on the edge of the bed and give myself a moment to take her in.
Audrey really is beautiful, fine boned and delicate. Until she wakes and you realize she’s larger-than-life, the creature others gravitate toward, a natural leader, and someone who’ll always keep you on your toes.
“Good afternoon, darling,” I say gently, brushing a lock of hair off her forehead.
Audrey groggily struggles to open her eyes. “It can’t be afternoon,” she mumbles. “Impossible.”
I pull the blanket down to her waist and watch her nipples pebble at the sensation of the soft fabric grazing over them.
“Need some motivation to wake up?” I ask, leaning down and sucking one nipple into my mouth.
“Yes,” Audrey mumbles again, but sounding a tad less sleepy this time. Without fully opening her eyes, she finds my hand and guides it straight to her core.
“Your wish is my command,” I whisper as I proceed to rub slow circles around her clit.
Audrey grabs onto my arm, her hips undulating underneath me as she positions me exactly where she wants. I push a single finger inside her and crook it against her front wall, keeping up my steady rhythm until her climax rolls through her in a quiet, lazy, wave.
“Can I get one of those again tomorrow morning?” Audrey asks with a drowsy smile perched on her lips.
“Whenever you want,” I say, then press a kiss to her forehead.
Sitting up again, I fidget with the hem of my kilt.
“I was wondering what to do next and didn’t want to assume anything so I thought it better to ask you.
How long can you go between insulin injections?
Or is it better to eat first when you wake up?
If you need a specific meal I can run into town and get you something, anything you like. Or if you want the snacks in your—”
Audrey presses a finger to my mouth and pulls me down, kissing me hard. “Thank you for not assuming. I need a finger-prick test first to check my levels, then I can think of the next step. Water is usually what I want most when I wake up, then food and meds follow after.”
I memorize the list, filing it somewhere in the back of my mind for any future references. “Got it. Can I bring your tests here? Or if you prefer I can carry you to your room?”
Audrey cups my jaw and glides her thumb across my cheek. “You’re a bit of a worrier, aren’t you?”
I fold my fingers over hers. “Not with everyone. But you, Audrey, you’re special.”
“I think you’re pretty special too, Arran.”
For a couple of seconds, neither of us move, the weight of our whispered words enveloping us as we stare at each other and truly accept whatever this is between us.
A tender smile transforms Audrey’s face as she gives me a small nod, my heart speeding up as I grin broadly back at her, probably looking like a fool with all my teeth showing like this.
Audrey taps my chest. “If I remember correctly, we have some plans for the kitchen today? I’ll meet you there after I clean myself up a little. If that’s okay?”
“Perfect. Anita and I will meet you there.”
Audrey comes downstairs wearing one of my shirts. And nothing else. Just her, barefoot in my kitchen, in my clothes, fulfilling a fantasy I’ve never had until now.
I’m speechless, motionless, as I watch her set about making herself lunch with the few ingredients she had in her room.
Audrey looks over her shoulder at me with a sly smile. “Hope it’s okay that I borrowed your shirt?”
“Aye, lass,” I choke out. “Very okay.”
When I have control of mind and my limbs again, I go up behind Audrey and pull her against my chest. Bending down, I whisper in her ear, “Anything of mine you want, it’s yours. Take without asking.”
Audrey turns around and arches a brow. “Are you saying I get free use of your castle?”
“My castle, my clothes, my body, me.”
“Good to know,” Audrey replies lightly, but the effect of my words are written in the softening of her eyes, the tender press of her lips to mine, and her easy acceptance of the offer.
The rest of our afternoon is spent cleaning the kitchen. But rather than it feeling like a chore, the day is filled with laughter, intentional touches, freely given kisses, and an abundance of questions as we get to know each other better.
I’ve opened all the windows to get rid of the stale air, and seeing the sun light up the room has been so inspiring that I went around the castle and drew back all the curtains to let the sun in and let the castle bake in her warmth.