An hour after Nex had left, Laura cuddled Liliene in her bed in a rare display of neediness, her mind reeling.
Nex was out there, tracking Sylvia. She truly worked relentlessly. Liliene had recounted their fight with stars in her eyes. How Nex handled the goblin swarm. How she had fought the troll. And now, Nex was even the source of a new power for Liliene.
“Lili…”
Laura pressed herself against Liliene, her head settling in the crook of Liliene’s neck as her hands gripped the front of her chemise.
“Can you turn me?”
“What?”
Liliene gently pushed on Laura’s body, but even as she moved back, Laura’s forehead refused to detach itself from her neck.
“I-I don’t know. I don’t know how any of this works. Why?”
“Theresa had blood magic. You have it, too. It’s a vampire thing, right?” she asked, but it wasn’t exactly a question. She felt Liliene nod. “I-I could fight by your side.”
“But you don’t need to? We’re strong, Nex and I. At least, I think we are.”
Laura let go of Liliene’s chemise and wrapped her arms around her waist with surprising strength.
“I don’t care about needing to. I want to, Lili.”
Liliene remembered Nex’s wisdom. Some choices aren’t meant to be understood, only accepted. But could Liliene accept putting her girlfriend at risk by letting her fight? She knew Laura wasn’t a bird to keep in a cage and admire, but that didn’t mean she should let her take risks recklessly.
Obviously, if that was what Laura wanted, she’d do it. But right now, neither of them had any idea how, or what the risks or consequences would be. And if the reason had been to stay with Liliene forever, she’d have bought it. But to fight? That wasn’t like her Laura.
“I don’t understand why. You already do the most work. I’m the one who does close to nothing.”
“But… Nex can stand by your side. She also won’t grow old like me. And she’s the link to your past—”
“Laura,” Liliene said, kissing her scalp. As her girlfriend refused to let go, that was the only available place for a kiss. “My past started when I met a pretty girl in a clearing, invoking snow during the summer.”
Laura’s legs rubbed against Liliene’s furiously, almost kicking her.
“But Nex’s blood can give you power. I can’t do that…”
“Nex’s blood could make my body impervious, and I still would want yours every day,” she whispered to Laura’s hair as her lover curled up on herself. “Do you know how hard it is for me not to indulge? I know it’s dangerous if I drink too much. But the blood of my beloved? There’s nothing comparable.”
“Lili…” Laura’s voice was almost a whine as she called her girlfriend’s name. “When did you become so… smooth?”
“Hm. I studied.”
“We’re never going to a bookstore again.”
Liliene was growing tired of kissing hair, no matter how pretty it was. Thankfully, Laura offered no resistance when she pushed her body this time. She brushed away a strand of hair, tucked it behind her ear, cupped her cheek, let her thumb glide along Laura’s soft skin, and finally pressed her lips to her girlfriend’s.
“You don’t need to do more than what you’re already doing. You could even do nothing, and I’d still love you.”
“Mmm. I love you, too.”
“But if you really want me to turn you… I don’t know how.”
She had that instinct kicking in every time she fed from Laura. To bite her own tongue and push some blood inside. But according to Nex, that was how thralls were made, and that wasn’t exactly what she wanted for her Laura.
“I understand,” Laura said. She shifted minutely to mold herself back against Liliene.
The mood was right. Liliene knew she shouldn’t, but she liked it when Laura needed reassurance. It made her feel truly loved. But unfortunately, she’d have to break the mood into a thousand tiny pieces. It wasn’t the right time, but it never would be, anyway. And knowing Sylvia… things could get ugly if Liliene went on keeping secrets.
“Laura. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” Laura’s voice came as a gentle breath, relaxed and trusting.
“I…” No, it wasn’t her. Not that she was entirely innocent. “Nex…”
But the words stayed lodged in her throat. It would have been easier to admit it the next day, as soon as she had that talk with Nex. Now, with everything else and Laura’s insecurities, it felt like a betrayal.
“Lili?” Laura pulled back, frowning as she studied her girlfriend’s face. “What is it?”
Would she lose her Laura? She wouldn’t, right? Laura loved her. Besides, she hadn’t answered Nex, so she was still safe. Feeding didn’t count; it was an emergency. And she probably shouldn’t talk about the bath.
“Lili. Talk to me,” Laura said, her voice growing hurried.
“Nex. She…” Liliene gulped, fighting with herself for each word. “Nex confessed to me.” Surprisingly, once she started, she found it easy to finish. “A few days ago. Just before… before the goblins.”
“What?” Laura asked, studying her girlfriend’s face carefully. “Are you sure?”
“Hm.” Liliene nodded.
Laura said nothing and disentangled herself from Liliene. She lay down on her back, staring at the ceiling. Liliene’s arm came to rest around her waist, but Laura neither pushed her back nor reciprocated.
“Are you mad?”
“I don’t know. Should I be?” Laura turned, her eyes asking, What else are you keeping from me? This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“I don’t know. No?”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
That was an excellent question. One she had no clear answer to. Fear. Guilt. The sheer incongruity of Nex confessing to her.
“I… I think I was still processing it. And I was scared you’d… want to break up.”
“Lili, I’m not going to break up with you because someone else confessed to you. You’re too pretty; it’s bound to happen again.” Laura sighed. “What did you tell her?”
“Not much. That I didn’t really know what to say.”
“You could have said no…”
“But I can’t say no without properly thinking about it.”
“Lili… How would you feel if I were to properly entertain the idea of going out with someone else?”
Terrible. She’d cry and kill them. No, maybe not. That sounded disproportionate. She’d ask Nex to kill them. But she’d still cry.
“Sad,” Liliene answered quietly.
“Then how do you think I feel right now?”
“Sad?” she answered even more quietly.
“I’m mostly conflicted. But yes, I’m sad, Lili.”
Liliene bit her lip and removed her arm from Laura’s stomach. But a hand grabbed her wrist before it went away completely.
“Don’t. Stay,” she said, putting her hand back where it belonged. “Just… hug me.”
Liliene obeyed in silence. Laura stayed immobile for an eternity until she finally tilted her head to meet Liliene’s eyes.
“You’re going to say yes,” Laura said, her voice holding a tired finality. It wasn’t an order, just a vision.
“I… I don’t know.”
“I do. You’re going to keep feeding on her, and it’ll change how you look at her.”
“That… That’s not—”
“It is. When we reunited, you loved me; I was sure of it. But you loved me… innocently. Like a child. Like we were still ten. But once you took my blood… I could feel your hunger for my body.”
Liliene stayed silent, biting her lips. What would be the point of denying it?
“I’ve been in love with you for years. And not like a child,” Liliene said, pouting.
“So have I. But my point is, Lili, you tasted Nex already. How long will you resist? How many times will you need to feed before wanting her?”
Liliene knew the answer already. Probably not that many.
“Lili. I need you to promise me something.”
“Hm. Anything.”
“Never feed on anyone other than Nex and me in the future.”
Liliene nodded before her brain could wander into an improbable scenario. It still did in the end.
“What if it’s an emergency and I’m wounded and you’re not there?”
Laura’s head turned slowly until facing Liliene. “In that case, you can. But you need to tell me about it. No more hiding things from me.”
“Yes.” Liliene nodded eagerly. She pondered saluting, but she wasn’t sure the mood was appropriate.
“And… Don’t answer Nex, yet. Please. Give me time.”
Liliene buried herself against Laura, reversing their earlier roles.
“If you never want me to, I won’t. And I’ll still be the happiest vampire in the world.”
Laura turned and showed her back to Liliene. “Now. You will hug me all night, and you won’t move before I wake up.”
“Y-Yes!” Liliene happily complied. “But. What if I wanna pee?”
Laura only turned to look at her, perfectly silent.
“I… I’ll hold it in.”
***
Nex strolled through the city's darkening streets, her hands folded over her stomach. The maid uniform was a second skin by now, and one that was surprisingly useful. A maid belonged to a noble family, and nobody wanted trouble with nobles. Though it felt conspicuous at first, it in fact made her completely invisible.
She had to pause her personal project today; her princess’s orders took priority. Besides, it was stagnating. Humans, she had learned, had a very short memory. What happened twenty years ago was history already, and few were able to tell her who participated in the assault. She had heard names; George was one that kept coming up. She had heard of heroes, like the man Liliene had killed. But she doubted he was the culprit. While annoying, he had been way too weak. She had no use for grunts. She wanted to know who had dealt the last hit. Who had killed Theresa. Nex would find them, kill everyone they held dear, then execute them. If they had children, she’d let one live on their own, to see how that felt.
Focus. She shook her head free of the intrusive thoughts.
Now, if Nex were an annoying, prideful, manipulative, obnoxious granny posing as a little girl… where would she be? She’d live in the city. Staying under their noses would amuse her to no end. Probably on the upper level. She’d never share rooms with commoners. Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.
Her feet started guiding her to the noble district.
What was her princess looking to accomplish by meeting Sylvia? Nothing good would come from listening to her. But she wasn’t in a position to offer advice, only to obey. Advisor wasn’t in the job description. And she had to admit, she was curious about the answer herself. Had Theresa wanted her for her power? Her younger self would have been devastated. But now? Now she hoped it was the case.
She had sworn to be her princess’s blade and shadow. But the troll had proven Liliene needed a blade no more.
Nex’s fingers brushed the discreet marks on her neck.
She was fine being the source of her princess’s shadow. After all, what else could she be? Laura was smarter than she was in everything that mattered, and she was Liliene’s true love. Even if Liliene’s heart ever took pity on her, Nex would still be a distant second. And big sister was a mantle she had decided to shelve. Forever. What big sister lusts after their little sister? A disgusting one.
That, again, was Sylvia’s fault. But bless her princess and her heart as wide as an ocean; she hadn’t hated her for it. If she had…
Nex wiped her watery eyes with her sleeves. Focus, dammit.
She stopped in a plaza and looked around. A prestigious hotel, maybe? Or had Sylvia convinced a couple she was their long-lost daughter?
Her eyes landed on a church. She’d ask the priest about recent divorces first. Succubi don’t tend to have a positive effect on stable relationships.
…
What was that granny even doing? It had been way too easy. It had taken a simple “Father. I fear my husband might favor another woman. I saw him arm in arm with another girl. Sniff. A younger girl.”
It had been promptly answered by a groan. “You too? Fifth time this month already. Lost in the pleasure of the flesh. Decadent generation.” And a few other colored words.
“Father. May I seek wisdom upon those heartbroken women?”
And Nex now had five addresses in her pocket. The first two had been a waste of time. And given how long the women had cried, a very long waste of time. At least, the tea was good. Nobles really lived by other standards.
She stood properly and checked her own attire before knocking on the third one. An elderly man with a well-trimmed white beard opened the door. His bow was impeccable, his outfit immaculate, and his sparse hair was arranged in a low ponytail. Yet he didn’t hold Nex’s attention. The sounds were. A rhythmic thump-thump and low, creaking noises were punctuated by muffled “Ah!” or “Yes!”
This was probably the right house.
“I need to talk to your mistress,” Nex said flatly.
“The mistress is busy.”
“So I hear. I’ll still bother her.”
Nex tried to enter, but the man quickly stepped in front of her.
“I can take your message. I vow to transcribe it word for word.”
The promise of one fewer interaction with Sylvia was tempting. But either she made the message cryptic, or she had to tell one more person about Liliene. Maybe Sylvia didn’t care about risks, but for Nex, they only made her job harder.
“I need to deliver the message personally,” she said, trying once again to enter. Her eyes narrowed when the man blocked her again. “I will move you.”
“Oh! My cute granddaughter came to visit me!” a grating voice cut in.
Nex had been too engrossed in trying to force her way in to notice the creaking sounds had stopped. Sylvia stood in the middle of the stairway, wearing… hair. Unlike most people, probably, it made Nex actively want to look at her face and nothing else.
“Now. Maid versus butler… I wonder who wins?” Sylvia said, giggling. “Fight!”
“Wha—”
A fist coming for her face stopped Nex from arguing. She rolled into the living room to avoid it and keep the fight off the street. So much for trying to keep a low profile.
Nex had no time to regain her bearings as the old man spun to land a high kick. She blocked by crossing her arms in front of her chest, and still recoiled from the hit. The impact would leave her bruised, she knew.
“Are you out of your mind?” Nex roared at Sylvia.
Not that Nex cared about a human, but she could already see the headlines. Maid entered a mansion; butler was found dead. No. Everyone inside found dead. If she had to kill the butler, might as well go all the way and be rid of the mistress.
Her musing was cut short when the man drew a short, concealed blade and threw quick strikes and feints her way. The blade hissed next to her face as she dodged them. The one time he overcommitted, Nex locked his arm under hers and drove her fist into his stomach multiple times. She kept punching, and only stopped when she heard the clang of his blade hitting the ground. She jumped, planting her foot on his solar plexus. The push allowed her a stylish backflip.
To his credit, the man rolled and was back on his feet faster than most experienced soldiers would. Nex quickly glanced around and grabbed a vase. She threw it.
The man’s eyes widened, and he dove to catch it, sliding on his back with the vase secured in his hands. He breathed a sigh of relief and set it down safely on the ground, intact. Still, just as the vase touched the ground, a knee crashed against his face, sending him flying away.
Nex looked at the unconscious man, at the vase, then at Sylvia. She kicked the vase, which exploded into tiny pieces.
“Did you have to?” Sylvia asked.
Nex exhaled slowly and brushed her uniform free of possible wrinkles. Finally, she folded her hands in front of her stomach in a bow.
“Your princess requires an audience tomorrow. Your presence is mandatory.”
“My sweet Liliene? How nice. There is a cozy café next door. Meet me there. At noon?”
“Acceptable.”
Nex stepped over the passed-out man and left without turning back.