9. Ants

"What is it, princess? I am not your babysitter."

Mauve resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She straightened her back as she prepared to tell the vampire that her bladder was failing her. "It is about time we take a break, aside from the fact that my rear end is killing me, I also drank a lot of water earlier today."

Danag raised a brow. "Basically, you want to take a leak."

Mauve swore to the heavens, she was trying to be as courteous as possible, and here was this vampire testing her. "Something on that line."

"Or is it number two?" Danag sneered, she could tell he was enjoying himself.

Mauve reddened even she could still get embarrassed at the thought of that. "Excuse me." She yelled and pushed the carriage door open.

"You should have just said so," Danag chuckled.

Mauve could not find what was so amusing. She stomped ahead. "Whatever," she returned loud enough for him to hear.

"Don't go too far, princess, there are wild animals about."

Mauve rolled her eyes this time. She did not need him to tell her that. There were in the middle of the forest, she knew better than to wander aimlessly.

She felt weird as she walked away, the eyes on her back were too uncomfortable. Thankfully, the moon was out so navigating her way through the forest wasn't hard. 

She did not go too far but she made sure she was completely off the path through the forest. She picked a tree to bend down behind and prayed to the gods that the vampires were decent enough to look in her direction. She knew of their great eyesight.

It was a nasty business and Mauve could feel grass rubbing her already sensitive rear end but Mauve ignored it and just focused on emptying her bladder. If she could hold it in, she would have but since that was not an option, she would do what she had to do.

As the rushing sound reduced to a trickle, Mauve heard a growling sound. Her body froze and she instantly stopped, her bladder clamping up as the liquid made its way back up, she wasn't even breathing.

Mauve slowly turned around to see a pair of eyes staring back at her. The forest was pretty dark but the spot she had chosen had a gap between the trees so moonlight poured in and she saw a black coat.

She tried to stand to her feet in an attempt to flee but she tripped and her bare butt landed on the grass. Mauve swore as the wild animal immediately charged in to attack her, seeing the perfect opportunity.

Mauve opened her mouth to scream but it came out as a whimper as she heard a loud ripping sound, followed by loud squealing and something dropped on her arm. She looked up and saw the sleek hair vampire standing in front of her, in his hand was a wild boar and its lower jaw was completely separated from its body.

Mauve eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and for a couple of seconds she forgot she had her butt to the grass but a sharp stinging pain pulled her from the trance. She did not get the chance to gawk at the display of strength or get disgusted at the gory scene in front of her.

Mauve flew off the grass like a projectile, she rubbed her rear vigorously and dusted her dress. She was on the verge of tears, the only reason she wasn't screaming and crying was that the situation was already embarrassing enough.

"Is everything all right?" The vampire asked. "Are you hurt?" There was concern in his voice.

Mauve opened her mouth to reply when she felt another sting on her already sore bum and all logic flew out the window. She screamed and fled out of the forest, jumping as she ran with the hope that whatever was in her dress would fall out.

It did not, she got to the carriage just as Vae rushed towards her wondering what was wrong. He opened her mouth to speak but another sting instantly rendered her speechless. It was taking all her willpower to leave her clothes on.

"Damon," Danag's voice broke through her screaming. "What happened there?"

Damon snorted and Mauve reddened. "I think she sat on ants."

Laughing at her misery, the bastard.

"Oh," Danag replied but she could hear the amusement in his voice. "The wild animal?"

"Dead," Damon replied and lifted his bloody hands for Danag to see.

"Good," Danag replied and did not bother to ask her if she was okay or offer any help. She bit her lips as she tried to suppress the pain. This was pretty hard, apart from the painful new stings, the old one sent occasional tremors through her body.

Thankfully, Vae was quite concerned and she quickly led her into the carriage and closed the door. The maid quickly lifted her dress. Her underwear wasn't all the way up and her rear was immediately exposed. Mauve could feel the tears pouring out the sides onto her cheeks.

She felt Vae grab something and crush it, she did this three times. "I am not sure if I got all of them, it is pretty hard to see. Let me ask the vampires for light."

Mauve grabbed her hands, "It is fine." 

"Are you sure?" The look of horror on Vae's face was cinematic, especially with the moonlight light slipping into the slightly open window.

"Yes," Mauve knew she could not take another embarrassment. She would rather be bitten a hundred times.

"But these are soldier ants if you don't remove them. The rest of the ride will be horrible."

Mauve already felt terrible, she doubted it could get worse than this. Her buttocks were on fire and considering the journey was not over yet, she would have to sit, she closed her eyes at the idea of more pain.

"I don't think they have any source of light. Have you seen any since the trip began?" Mauve asked.

Vae shook her head.

"I will be fine," Mauve murmured and dragged up her underwear. She resisted the urge to take it off and shake it vigorously. "As long as you did a thorough search."

Vae nodded, "I did but if you would like me to check again…"

"No, no. It is fine." 

She brought her dress down and sat properly. She sat gently but it still did not stop the sensitivity as her butt touched the chair. She felt like she was jabbed multiple times, she made a fist and took a deep breath as she tried to ease the feeling.

"Can we continue the journey now? We don't have all night." Danag sounded irritated.

Mauve wanted to throw a fit at the fact that he was acting as though her predicament was not worth being concerned about. She didn't, instead, she ignored him. It was Vae who answered on her behalf.