23. Feeding

Lady Ferra swept her skirts behind her as she stepped into the moonlight. Her presence was strange and alluring and Vayn felt compelled to stay rather than flee back into the shadows. She had not spent much time around the Lady, only stealing a few words at a time when Ferra came to the harem to feed. She had a seductive but proud demeanour that kept the women at a distance. She seemed ancient and untouchable and had never sought any of the harem out personally. Vayn could smell an opportunity. But she knew this would be a dangerous manipulation. If Lady Ferra suspected she was being deceived she had the power to unleash great suffering on anyone who would dare to disrespect her. Vayn knew she would have to be careful. She concealed her blade with her cloak before it could be seen and raised a hand to her face. As she slipped the knife silently into her boot her expression crumpled. 

"I am troubled by my heart," Vayn sighed. She rose to her feet and took a few steps forward but her body seemed to wilt. Ferra gestured towards the castle with the closed fan she held. 

"Would you not consult your sisters?" Ferra inquired. 

"They would not understand," Vayn whispered. Ferra looked her over curiously. 

"What would they not understand, child? They are your family, are they not?" Vayn's eyes seemed to flash in the dark. 

"They are my rivals," she hissed. Lady Ferra smiled gently but her eyes were intense. She snapped her elaborate fan open and Vayn jumped at the unexpected sound. Though Ferra flashed it up over her face before her expression could be seen, Vayn guessed she was smiling behind it.

"I agree," Ferra replied. She sank down onto a marble bench and invited Vayn to join her. "But you must have some love for them."

"For some of them," Vayn admitted, sitting beside her. 

"So if you cannot talk to them, tell me what is troubling you." 

"I compete with the other pets to become Favored," Vayn stated. "I have spent my years here trying to become close to the Lord. I have offered my loyalty and my affection. I have grown to love him. But there are many obstacles." Though Vayn seemed distressed she had never felt real love for August. Her motivation was power and wealth, not the affections of a man. But her act was convincing.

"Love is different for immortals," Lady Ferra responded. "They do not love easily, least of all fragile humans. Your lives are frenzied and short. Your obstacle is your humanity, not your peers." Vayn seemed troubled by this realization.

"And yet some pets are close to the Lord," Vayn argued. She did not say Lark's name but the implication was clear. 

"And yet they are still only a pet. A plaything for only one lifetime. And the Lord's tastes could change."

"What can I do to win his favor?" Vayn asked boldly. Lady Ferra shook her head. 

"That you want it so badly may be your undoing. He is mild and calm. He values your drive and passion but does not seem to seek it out. If you can be patient he may come to you when you least expect it." She smiled from behind her fan and Vayn was sure there was some hidden meaning behind it. Her confidence grew. 

"Is there any way to dethrone her?" she asked. 

"Only through force of will, " Ferrela stated firmly. "Any action taken will be swiftly investigated. It would be unwise to risk your current position. A Favored pet is a prized possession. You could not afford the price of damaging one."

Vayn sat in silence overwhelmed by her own frustration. But Ferra's attitude was unchanged. Her voice was still light, airy, and haunting. 

"She would have to leave of her own volition," she said softly. She fluttered her fan lazily and leaned back on the bench. But her words had clearly had an impact.

Vayn brightened and relaxed. This was something she had never considered. If Lark left once, perhaps she could be convinced to do so again. 

"She would have to leave of her own volition," she echoed softly. Ferra nodded and gazed up at the stars. They were bright and cold, so much like the vampiress herself. She seemed to get lost in them. Without another word she rose, eyes still cast upwards, and sank into the depths of the courtyard. Vayn was left alone, turning new revelations over in her mind. Though her blades were effective they could not taste the blood of a Favored pet. But her tongue could be just as sharp.

She would have to discover a way to urge Lark to leave the castle for good. Though she had returned once she may not do so a second time if her reasons were compelling enough. Once outside the safety of the castle she would also become prey. If she could be coaxed out into the open she could be permanently eliminated. But August would have to believe she had left of her own free will and that she had chosen never to come back. It would be a perilous task to orchestrate her departure. But it was not impossible. Vayn's steps were lighter as she returned to the harem hall. She would need to spend some time planning her attack. But the rewards would be well worth the effort. 

Inside the safety of her chamber, Lark now sat with both Sara and August. Her handmaiden was not eager to speak in his presence and allowed Lark to tell him the news of her reunion with her parents. He was touched by the news and quickly offered his congratulations. He was glad that healing had already begun for some of those who had been held captive. Sara thanked him and went to her room to give them some privacy. Once she had closed the door, August turned to her. 

"Where do they live?" he asked. 

"Their farm has been claimed by an estranged relative due to their absence," Lark admitted sadly. "They presently have nowhere to go."

August's brows furrowed.

"Then they must come here," he said plainly. 

Lark's face lit up and she sat closely beside him. She took his hand, unable to contain her excitement. 

"They will come here, my Lord?" she asked breathlessly. He laughed and cradled her face in his hand. 

"Of course. Once they have regained their strength. They have suffered greatly. It is my duty to help my subjects."

Lark's smile was bright and infectious. 

"Where will they stay?"

"We have available lodging in the servant's wing," August replied. "There is space for them to have their own room. The castle is never filled to capacity. I prefer a small staff."

"You have done Sara a great kindness," Lark whispered. "She has faced many difficulties in these past months."

"I am glad to help her. How could I resist a chance to make you happy?" August asked quietly.

Lark felt a ripple of joy flow through her. She felt as if she was glowing. That her influence could have helped Sara find so much happiness filled her with a sense of meaning. She realized the possibilities available to her. She could help her people. Lark ignored her etiquette lessons and flung herself into August's arms to embrace him. He accepted her affection, laughing at her enthusiasm. 

"This is a worthy reward," he whispered to her. But she was too happy to be embarrassed. She barely noticed the shyness creeping over his face as she pulled away. 

"Shall we go to your chamber, my Lord?" she asked. Her smile was mischievous. She rose to her feet as he hesitated. If he were still human he would have been flushed, startled by her boldness. After a moment he stood quickly and easily swept her up in his arms. She leaned into him as he brought her quickly from her chamber to the feeding room. But unusually, he did not not leave it. He laid her down on the pillows piled on the stone floor. They were clean and soft. Lark noticed they were different from those she had seen before but she was quickly distracted by August's form looming over her. She smiled up at him and he was surprised and comforted by her lack of fear. He laid down beside her, resting his arm over her body.

"You tease too much," he complained. "I have a request before I allow you to tempt me."

Lark knew from where they lay what his request would be. Her heart rate quickened. 

"Do you need to feed?" she asked. Her voice did not betray the anxiety that stirred deep in her chest. He lowered his eyes and nodded as he twisted a lock of her hair in his fingers.

"It is your choice," he reminded her. He seemed unwilling to meet her eyes and a storm cloud seemed to settle over him as she hesitated to respond. She lifted his face to hers and his gaze flickered to her and away again. She waited patiently until they settled on her.

"Then feed," she whispered. August had fed on many humans and only on the willing for centuries. But he still felt uncertain when it came to Lark. He was desperate not to lose her and some humans reacted badly to being fed on. Most humans felt euphoria or a sense of calm but some became ill. This illness sometimes resulted in them being turned accidentally. Otherwise they had to consume their sire's blood to complete their transformation. Most fledglings still laid in a crypt with their masters for their first night and were then initiated into their family or court. But a select few humans turned after a typical feeding. These fledgling vampires often became rogues as they had no mentor and often attacked indiscriminately as they had no idea what had occurred until they began to starve or let sunlight touch them. They were dangerous children with no sense of empathy. It was these individuals who had always given their kind a bad reputation. Only with guidance could most vampires assimilate into human society without leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. 

This ran through August's mind as he observed the creamy whiteness of Lark's exposed flesh. She had tipped her head back and her pulse was visible in her throat. Her heart pumped loudly and the gentle thrumming made him ache with hunger. He took her hand delicately and flipped it to reveal her wrist. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. 

"Are you sure?" he asked. Lark nodded firmly. 

In one swift motion his fangs extended and punctured her skin. To her surprise she barely felt it. It was like an insect bite which quickly faded to a warm sensation which spread up her arm. It almost felt like butterflies fluttering through her body as he drew her blood into his mouth. The pleasant sensation filled her chest and spread down her legs and into her head. She felt like she was in a dream, surrounded by a gentle glow that enveloped all of her senses. Despite her vulnerability she felt no fear or anxiety. She felt the peace and pleasure of the intimate act. August didn't dare drink too deeply and he held her wrist firmly to stop the bleeding as she slowly re-emerged from her stupor. He was pleased to see her reaction was a positive one. He used his fangs to pierce his own finger and spread the black blood over her wounds. This accelerated the healing and by the time she had regained her awareness only two small pinpricks remained. She sank into his chest and nestled against him. 

"It was nice," she murmured. She was tired but felt much closer to August than she had previously. It was almost as if the feeding had created a deeper bond between them. August smiled and stroked her hair as they relaxed onto the pillows. The room was dark and cool but her body was warm pressed against them in their nest. His hunger had greatly subsided and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Her joy had infused her blood with a rare sweetness. It tasted like sunshine. It was typical for vampires to hate the sun but August dearly missed it. The past years had been cold and dark. Lark was like a sunrise. His Ora had been dear to him but she never tasted so much like fresh fruit and cream. She had never smelled of elderflowers and the early morning. She was a ghost of softness and simplicity. Lark felt so much more real. 

He could hear her breathing slowing as she began to drift off to sleep. Though he was tempted to rouse her he lifted her gently into his arms instead and carried her back to her room where he laid her carefully on her bed. He kissed her forehead and withdrew to his own chambers. He had work to do before the sun rose.