Chapter 72

"Madeline" the sound of my name was a whisper on his lips, almost a moan. His red eyes stared down at me, admiring the view below seductively, before a slow smirk appeared on his lips. "Beautiful…" he breathed out and I could feel it on my neck. I could feel his body leaning against mine and I didn't hate it.

I couldn't speak. My breathing becoming heavier as he traced a finger down my jaw, lips nearing my cheek before pressing against the skin slowly and then faster.

That familiar hardness pressing against my leg urgently. Rubbing against me while grunts escaped him amid his kisses. I wanted him to kiss my lips. I wanted my arms around him. But I couldn't move. I couldn't control my body. I couldn't even speak.

I might have stopped to ask why, but he didn't me a chance to as his lips rested on mine. His hands cupping my breasts, squeezing. Fingers travelling and pressing until they found my nipples. I shuddered, body feeling a rush of heat.

"You're so beautiful… and your scent" his words vibrated against my ear before his teeth grazed the edges of them. "I want to drink you till your dry…"

I was light-headed. So very, very light headed.

His hardness was between my legs, my thighs to be exact. And they pressed further, pulling away and thrusting while his hands pressed my thighs together. He was at it for so long And I wasn't sure what was happening except it made me feel a strange itch.

"Ah- this feels- I've never experience something so…" he took a deep shuddering breath, hitching before something warm spilt across my legs.

I wanted to see what it was, but I couldn't move and it was only when I felt an immense cold that I realised it was a dream. I blinked in confusion, feeling sweat all over me as I stared wide eyed at Crystal who looked if anything concerned.

"You- You weren't waking up so I wanted to prank you… did I scare you?" She asked, voice full of worry and I blinked again. Realising she was as real as the terribly cold room.

"No- I was dream- why is this room so cold?" I croaked, looking around towards the window where the recently dawned sun could be seen. It was a windy night so I had the fireplace blaring, but in its place was a pile of cold logs. I would've thought it was a draft in the night except the fireplace was tidy, no ashes blown across the carpet to be tidied. Someone had snuffed it out.

"You should've asked a maid to start a fire. You must've been freezing all night".

"No I actually"- my face flushed as I recalled the dream I had and I stopped speaking.

"Yes?" Crystal prodded and then shook her head, "No. now isn't the time. The next task begins tonight and I think I know what it'll be".

"It's too early for this" I groaned, moving off the bed and towards the water basin.

"But I thought you should hear it. Last night I spoke with the prince at dinner and he hinted that the next task would be a physical test!"

"And how did he hint that exactly?"

"That strange power burst he did in the middle of dinner!" She was suddenly clutching my shoulders and shaking me back and forth in excitement. I could barely wipe my face down, "you were right about him! The prince is a good man".

I gave a sleepy nod, as pleased as I was, sleep was not something I enjoyed having interrupted and it was obviously still the early hours of the day.

"Hmm so why are you here then?" I asked yawning as I washed my hands.

"Well knowing how much a traveller you are, you must know about some type of self defence and attack stances" she looked so sure of it I felt a bit guilty.

I shook my head and her face fell.

"No? No you won't teach me or no you don't know?" The desperation in her voice was comical.

"The last one. I can show you what I know but it won't do much in a fight" I noticed the fresh breakfast already prepared for me and sat down on the small dining table. Crystal sat with me, stealing a sausage piece as she continued.

"Do you like the prince?"

I almost choked on my tea.

"Why do you ask?" I sputtered, wiping my face with a napkin.

"You said you liked him before and I was sure you were lying. But I think you truly like him now. And he also seems to like you" she seemed confused over it and I felt guilty at the sight of it.

"It's complicated, but on that matter I could use your help!" The idea struck me suddenly and I beamed up at my unsuspecting cousin.

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*Jules POV*

I woke up in pants. Breathing shallow and heavy, sweat on my neck and my entire body flushed as I recalled my dream. I had hoped it was a dream, but I knew full well what that was.

My father had often told me stories about how mother would visit him in his dreams each night, even after her death. A trait that vampires have when they share a blood connection. As their souls bind in the process.

People have speculated it was a means of silent seduction, pulling unsuspecting prey towards the beast in what they would deem their own will.

I had never suspected I would do the same.

Had I realised it wasn't a dream! - my face felt so flush as I recalled her face and her reactions. It was so real. I had never understood the desire for a marital relationship. It was an enigma to me, but that was no longer the case.

I couldn't explain the ecstasy that I had experienced. It was a sort of pleasure I didn't realise was possible. As if I had discovered a worldly beauty I had never really noticed. I knew that men had urges, but I had never felt them nor had I understood why they were so driven by them. Just the idea of experiencing it again sent shivers down my spine.

If she were to realise that I had intruded in her dreams and made them my own she would be angry for sure. Knowing her…

Knowing her…

How could I say I knew her when I knew so little of her. I had learned an odd fact on our walk and even little when I had paid visits, but I truly knew so little it was upsetting. Almost so that it calmed the heat in my body a little.

I needed to clear my head.