Worriment

Caleb didn't like the idea at all, but he was impressed at the way Laurel offered her services. She didn't have to because he was more than enough to take care of his wife, but at present she was in a very weak state and he couldn't leave her alone, and so he nodded. "Thanks for all your help, Laurel," he said in a low voice that sounded jittery. "I appreciate it."

The sorceress blushed. The king acknowledged her help, which was a step towards acceptance. She bowed to him in all politeness even as her spine ached. She dug out the leather skin from Auril's satchel and then left the cave in search of an animal.

Caleb's gaze went back to Elize. He fought panic when he saw how battered her body was. He concentrated on her heartbeat and it was uneven. Her lips were pale and cracked and her cheeks were hollow. He cradled her head. Her body trembled a little and he pressed her tighter against his chest. "Elize," he called her.

Her eyes opened dazedly and she moaned. She mumbled something unintelligible as she looked at him with her half-open eyes and then slipped back to darkness.

"Wake up! Wake up!" He massaged her back. He knew that she hadn't drunk properly in Arawn's cabin because when he went to see the fridge, he found that most blood bags were not even open. And the ones she had opened were discarded into the trash, half empty. "Why don't you drink from me, Elize?" he muttered. "I am capable of giving you as much as you want." It was his animal need to protect her. He knew that she was too hungry, and that she latched on to him greedily, but she wouldn't do that when he was this close to her out of stubbornness. He grew agitated because he wanted to slice his wrist and give her his blood, but he was afraid that if she woke up in the middle of it, she would push him away. And right now, he wanted to savor the closeness with her.

The hard ground crunched under the boots and Caleb whipped his head to the cave's mouth. Auril had come with a skinned rabbit who he had skewered. He lifted his shoulders and said, "This is all I could find! He was sleeping in his hole and I dragged him out. Skinny guy, but would do!" Saying that he arranged a makeshift stand over the fire to roast the meat. When he was done, his eyes went to Elize who was warmly tucked in the cloak against Caleb's chest and somehow his heart went out for her. He wondered if she could eat the roasted meat. He pursed his lips and then looked away. "Where is Laurelll?" he asked, his tongue twisting melodiously as he spoke her name.

"She has gone to find blood for Elize," he replied coldly.

"I see!" Auril rubbed his hand and warmed them over the fire. Thunder rumbled on the outside. "It is going to rain soon. She should be heading back soon!"

They waited for another fifteen minutes when Laurel came in. With a huge smile on her face, she came to where Caleb was. "Here!" she lifted the leather skin in her hand and placed it in front of him. "This one contains the blood of a bird. It was an easy catch!" She didn't mention that she used her sorcery, because that would have brought Auril's wrath. She didn't want a drama.

"Hey! That's my leather skin!" Auril said as he jerked his head back. "I use it for water!"

Laurel shrugged. "Well, it will be used for storing queen's food now!" she said in a flat voice.

Caleb suppressed a smile at her smugness. He opened the lid of the skin and cradled Elize's head in a way that he was able to pour some blood down her throat. By the time he had poured half of it, Elize's skin started to warm up. Her pale lips turned pink and her breathing evened. He wiped the corners of her mouth with his thumb.

She opened her eyes with a jerk and the first thing that came in her vision was Caleb's face. He was watching her intently, his raven black eyes filled with… fear. She lifted her hand to touch his cheek, as if on a basic instinct. Comprehension hit her. Removing his hand from her waist, she got up out of his lap and sat at a distance. She looked at Auril and Laurel and stopped herself from snapping at him. There was no necessity of holding her in his warm lap against his rock-hard muscles. She gulped as her conflicted thoughts raced. Warm? Rock-hard muscles? And the blood tasted horrible.

He is a sorcerer. A voice from inside told her. Trickery. It hissed. She drew in a ragged breath. Was she hallucinating?

Caleb bit back a grunt. He already missed her closeness, her warmth. His hands missed the curves and skin and scent of his mate. He suppressed those feelings but it was impossible. "Your food…" he said and passed her the leather skin.

She wanted to refuse it. The taste was like stale broth. "I don't want it," she said and tipped her head back to look at the ceiling of the cave where the shadows swayed against the soft fire light on the walls.

"Please, Your Highness," said Laurel, bringing her attention to them. "You need blood, desperately. I have heard that vampires like to be blooded from a living human or a Lorean." She bit her lip and glanced at Caleb with care and worriment. Fluttering her eyes, and delicately turning her neck to her, she added, "I didn't want our king to be your source for now, because he has to again shift to be your ride, and so I personally hunted fresh for you. Please drink it." While she showed her concern for Caleb, she pointed out how selfish Elize would be to drink from him.

Elize shot a glare at Laurel. She had again insulted her. "Maybe, I should drink your blood then. You won't be shifting, will you?" she snapped.

Laurel paled. A shudder rippled through her body, seeing those bared fangs and red eyes in which the flames danced.