"...You haven't eaten recently," she pointed out, raising a brow when she caught his shoulders tense, "Oh please. We've established I'm old and I've had encounters with vampires before. I know the signs of malnourishment," she huffed, leaning heavier against the bricks to cross her ankles, "And something tells me you're not out and about to hunt for food."
"...You're clever," he mumbled, his tone hinting he didn't quite like that sentiment.
"I'm observant. And gifted when it comes to deductive reasoning," she quipped, her smile twisting into a crooked smirk. It reminded him of his progeny. He blinked again when she raised her wrist to the shorter brunette, his gaze flicking to the prominent blue vein before back to her eyes.
"You would willingly offer your blood?"
"Wouldn't be the first time," she chuckled softly, still keeping the limb raised, "And I get the feeling you have a lot more self control than the last starving vamp I gave my blood to," she continued with a snort of derision. He made no move to accept the offering, but his hands did tighten behind his back. Her scent was intoxicating and naggingly familiar, and there was a more carnal piece of himself he didn't trust to remain in control if he tasted even a drop from how long it had been since he fed. Taking it upon herself to continue surprising him, her other hand rose, watching as her thumbnail sharpened to a claw before she dragged it across her exposed skin. Crimson immediately flooded to the surface, and she dropped the limb she had used to slice herself open to catch the drops slipping down her arm before they could hit the ground.
"You would be letting it go to waste at this point," she cooed, a teasing lilt to her words as if she were making some sort of joke; although, considering current companyâŚ
He complied, caving to at least his hunger for blood and bending towards her arm. Despite there being no need to use them, his fangs still clicked out as her scent swamped his senses, her flavor exploding on his tongue as he caught the next rivulet back to the source. Even her taste had a nagging familiarity, but it was shoved back as a soft groan buzzed in his throat, readily drinking down whatever flooded to the surface. Her other hand fell away when it was clear nothing would be dropping to the ground, uncaring she was licking her own blood from her palm as she allowed this perfect stranger to drink from her. She was barely even dizzy when he pulled away, making sure the flow stopped before straightening his stance. He hadn't even realized he'd taken hold of the limb until he allowed his hands to drop.
"...Thank you," he mumbled, unsure of what else to say. She shrugged, sucking the skin of her palm again to make sure the staining was gone.
"You're looking better, that's all the thanks I need," she chirped as she lowered her hand, offering him another grin, "Seriously though, that's pretty dangerous going without a feeding. If you were younger you could snap. I've seen it happen," she chastised. He was still avoiding her gaze.
"I can go longer periods of time with less bloodâŚ" he half heartedly argued back, finally looking at her when she scoffed.
"I wouldn't have offered to feed you if you didn't look like you were about to meet the True Death from starvation," she griped, pressing her palms to the brick and hoisting herself up to sit on the ledge, "I get your hunger would be more under control the older you are and with proper discipline, but everyone has limits."
He was staring now. It seemed the woman held a compassion for vampires, and he didn't doubt that extended to other inhuman creatures. Willingly offering her blood to someone who could easily take her life? At least his progeny would be happy to know he had fed.
"What's your name anyway?" she asked, slouching forward with her elbows on her thighs and drawing his gaze briefly downward. Her feet were bare, her toes painted a dark purple, and there was a gold chain with a sun and moon charm clasped around her ankle. His gaze drew back to hers, pausing a moment before answering.
"Godric," he said simply, his head inclining forward in a bow. She smiled warmly at him.
"Rielle. Pleasure to meet you, Godric," she introduced, her smile widening when he carefully returned her expression, although his seemed more wistful, and didn't stay for very long.
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https://archiveofourown.org/works/49177813/chapters/124083142
dailybridgerton
areudirty
snowghoul
kianamaiart
origamiaround
