By the time Luc carried you to the velvet chaise, the candlelight had nearly burned out.

Your body was limp in his arms, your head resting softly against his shoulder, breath slow… delicate. Like you were sleeping off too much wine at your own party.

But this was no ordinary sleep.

When Luc was checking over the human districts, he saw you collecting water from a stream. The sun beamed over your face, casting you in an almost ethereal glow that instantly caught his attention.

He didn’t mean for you to see him standing on the other side of the river bank, but when you did, you simply watched with curiosity. Most humans would have fled at the sight of the ruthless vampire king, cowering in fear. Not you. That was when he knew he needed to have you.

Faster than you could blink, he lept over the water, whispering words in the ancient vampire tongue that had your eyes fluttering shut.

He gently carries you to his quarters, setting you down in the crimson sheets.