Fear and Loving

Chapter 10: Ancient Magics

It seemed like I laid there for ever with the Titania stroking my hair gently but staring intensely at the others in the room as if she was part of it from all the way over here. And maybe she was, she spoke directly into my head and was probably doing the same to them. I couldn't quite make out anything that was said but I could feel the tension rising and the familiar chill creeping into the air. I closed my eyes and wished to be anywhere but here. I knew the signs, his voice dropped, his icy aura clawed at me like a beast, I couldn't see his eyes but I knew they had to be glowing that murderous red. There would be bloodshed. Probably mine. The argument reached a crescendo and then suddenly earie silence fell over everyone and they turned in our direction slightly wincing. I looked up at Titania, she looked beautiful and terrifying. She glowed gold and her hair floated wildly as if caught in a violent wind. She must be screaming directly into their minds. I'd wince too. I held my breath, waiting. She looked down at me and her expression softened. She spoke aloud for the first time quietly as if only to me but she addressed us all.

"I will not sentence this child to anymore suffering. She will be given a new job and home. She will be under my protection. She is special. She will regain her strength and the power to break this bond. I know not how long it will take. Until then to keep Argos and his beasts in check they will spend one day a week together. She is free to do as she pleases with her free time. No marriage or mating will be performed."

I could feel the rage rolling off of Argos, icey, clawing, lashing rage. But he said nothing. The other council members were tensed, ready to restrain him if necessary. He stared at me and I looked back at him without making eye contact. Titania set me on my feet and Argos approached slowly.

"May I say goodbye to my mate?" Argos asked, his eyes slowly returning to their natural hazel color. I looked to the queen. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze and nodded floating towards the door behind the other council members. I was afraid, but I trusted her. She must have a way to protect me if she left me alone with him.
I tried to remain calm keeping my breathing even and tried not to fidget under his gaze.

Suddenly I was grabbed. He held me tightly, but gently pressing his nose into the crook of my neck and inhaling deeply. If he was still being burned by contact with my skin he didn't react. He just held me inhaling and lightly brushing his lips against my throat. I squirmed and then he spoke.

"I'm sorry. For everything. But specifically for this, I know you don't want me touching you and for good reason but I can't help it. I need this. I need you. The thought of not being able to see you for a week at a time is driving us all crazy. This is the only thing I can do to calm the hell in my head." I couldn't move & didn't want to anger him by trying. So I just nodded slightly & clenched the hem of my blazer tightly in my fists. I tried to focus on staying calm & relaxed but I trembled slightly in his arms. He pulled back and used a hand under my chin to make me look at him. I met his gaze. It was back to red. I stopped breathing. I watched horrified as he slowly leaned toward me. I turned my head at the last second so that his lips landed on my jawline.

"Please don't." I whispered as I looked away.

"Very well. The traditional way then." I didn't have time to question what he'd said before he was kissing his way down my neck. When he reached the crook of my neck he was licking & sucking harshly. I bit my lip trying not to make a sound. & then I felt his fangs pierce my skin. It didn't hurt but it was a distinctly sharp feeling. As he sucked I started to feel an immense pleasure. I felt like he was caressing me everywhere at once. I squeezed my legs together as waves of heat & pleasure went straight to my clit. I would definitely cum if I didn't stop him. Why was this happening? Weren't vampire bites supposed to be painful? My breathing was erratic. I brought my hands up and pushed against him.

"Argos please," I begged. "That's enough, please stop." My voice coming out in barely a whisper. I hated myself for it. Surprisingly he obliged. He removed his fangs from my flesh & ran his tongue over the wound.

"I promised not to harm you again. Yet you are not pleased that I chose to give you pleasure instead of pain?" I could feel his gaze burning holes into the side of my face but I kept my eyes closed.
He sighed, an exasperated sound. And then he grasped my chin making me face him.

"Look at me little human. I want you to look me in the eye and answer me when I speak to you." His tone wasn't harsh but I was still afraid. I opened my eyes slowly brown met red, mine fearful his curious but sad.
"Do you not want me to pleasure you mate? Would you prefer to feel pain as I feed from you?" He seemed genuinely curious. As if he had no concept of human emotions.

"Argos you-"

"Abalon." He interrupted me and then stared at me expectantly.

"What?" My head was still spinning from him feeding on me. What had he said?

"My name is Abalon, mate. You are not speaking to Argos right now. I am in control. You knew that already." I did. I just never thought to ask the name of my tormentor. To me they were all 3 the same person an awful, evil, sadistic person. I understood now that they were basically 3 souls in one body but it didn't change much for me. I took a deep breath.

"Abalon," He smiled wickedly at the sound of me saying his name. "We've discussed this already. You know how I feel." He frowned but said nothing.
"Nothings changed. We're mates now but I'm human. That means nothing to me. I'm grateful to not be beaten recently but it doesn't take away all the times I was. I turned 25 & you felt the mate bond or whatever but if I wasn't your mate I'd probably be in the hospital right now nursing whatever you chose to inflict on me. I'm still not a person to you, I just got promoted from punching bag. You didn't even care enough to ask my permission before feeding from me. And the way my body reacted, I feel disgusting. I feel used & dirty. I don't want anything from you, pain or pleasure or even words. I want to be free of you but I can't..." I had no idea where all of that came from but it felt great to get it off my chest.

Abalon said nothing, just stared at me brow furrowed and eyes unfocused. I couldn't be sure but I assumed the three of them were speaking. It was bizarre to think about three entities inhabiting one body. When his eyes refocused on me he removed his arms from around me and took a step back. He maintained eye contact and spoke.

"I apologize little human, for my previous behavior and my transgressions against you. I will try my best to make amends and be better in the future. The others would like to speak to you. Goodbye."

I couldn't believe my ears. He had apologized! I wouldn't be jumping into his arms but it was nice ro hear at least.

"We would like to apologize also," two voices spoke at once layered and harmonized in an unnatural way. "We don't have any memories of what he did since he blocked us out during it but Titania showed us yours. It was horrific. We didn't think he'd be doing such things at work. We assumed he just enjoyed working so we didn't fight him when he took over." I didn't know what to say. He did look as if he wanted a response, he just smiled sadly.

"May we ask a favor of you mate?" I was skeptical. What could he possibly want from me? I nodded. He raised his arms to the back of his neck. In his hands he held a necklace I hadn't noticed he was wearing. He held it out to me.

"Will you wear this? It is a dragon scale that's been enchanted. It will protect you & also let non humans know you are...." He paused his face scrunched as he searched for the right words. "Spoken for & under your mates protection. And part of royal families." He finished. I reached out took the necklace & put it on it glowed & hummed slightly. He smiled.

"Thank you. Between that, & the faerie kiss you are probably the most protected being in the country right now." He laughed both voices at the same time bouncing & echoing in the stone walls.

"The faerie kiss?"
He nodded pointing to my forehead. Oh yes, the queen has kissed my forehead.

"Faerie kisses contain ancient magics. Unless she removes it you are safe from magical attacks & mental invasion. Even Abalon wouldn't be able to enter your dreams unless you allowed or invited him. The necklace will protect you from physical attacks. You are essential untouchable."