Beauty in the Darkness

Chapter XVI - The Tease

I dried my hair as I slipped into my bathrobe. I'd taken to bathing in the mornings, to clean up after the dreams I'd started to have after that fateful night.

I put the towels back to where they were before, slipping out of the bathroom and starting to walk over to my room.

"Encre?"

I sighed a little, turning to face him. "Oh, um, good morning, Jasper."

"Morning." Jasper looked at me, judging me like all teenagers do. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Well, what are you doing up so early?" I deflected.

"I'm a vampire. I'm supposed to be nocturnal."

"Yes, but you sleep at night. You know, growing boys like you need eight hours of sleep, no matter when they're going to bed!"

"Why are you in a bathrobe?"

"You're not listening to me."

"And you aren't answering any of my questions." Jasper crossed his arms. "You should be asleep. You're a human, so actually need sleep. And it's so early in the morning. It's suspicious that you're up at this hour, and wearing nothing but a bathrobe."

I blushed. "I-I'm wearing underwear under this!"

"That's not the point. You're walking around a castle with vampires, with your legs and neck exposed." Jasper leaned in, whispering, "Are you some sort of feeder-prostitute or something!"

"W-what?! No!" I blushed more. "How would that even work?"

"Like, a prositute. Being a feeder is inherently intimate, you know. So you get paid to be scantily clad, and, I don't know, feed the vampires. Have sex with them? Somewhere there."

I felt my face burning. I probably looked like a cherry or a tomato or something! "I don't know why you'd think this! I just finished showering! That's it!"

"Are you sure? Because now that I've said it, you being a feeder-prostitute makes a lot more sense."

"I-I've never had sex with anyone! A-and the only one who feeds from me is the king! I haven't even met the other vampires!" I insisted. I didn't want this kid to think I was some streetwalker or hooker!

"Are you sure? Because it's completely fine to be a prostitute! There's no shame in it!"

"Yes, I'm sure!" I felt my cheeks burn, feeling teased and mocked. "Besides, you're too young to know about things like that!"

"I'm nineteen, Encre. I know about a lot." Jasper giggled a little. "Anywho, you should get to bed! You're probably so tired from sleeping so little!"

"Jasper, I'm a full grown man! I can dictate when my own damn bedtime is!" I blushed even more, feeling ashamed that this child, this boy, was treating me like a child. I was old enough to be his father!

"If you don't go to bed right now, I'm going to tell my father. And I overheard him telling Bunny about how much he misses cuddling you, so good luck moving before nine!"

I huffed. "Fine! I'll go! But later, you are in big trouble, young man!"

I walked to my room, my face red in embarrassment. I locked myself into my bedroom, grumbling about how unfair it was that he dared talk to me like a child. I was a full grown man, and he was the little boy! And yet he talked down to me, threatening to tell his dad if I didn't go to sleep!

I grumbled as I braided my hair. I ranted to myself as I slipped out of the bathrobe and into something nicer. I cursed as I tightened my corset, rambling as I pulled my pants up, raving as I buttoned my shirt. I was so pissed. I would storm out there and show him who was boss!

I stormed out of my room after an hour of venting to myself. I looked around for him, prepared to tell him that he should go to his room!

"Encre!" Fallacy exclaimed, hugging me and picking me up.

"O-oh! F-Fallacy!" I felt the heat in my face turn up. I was quickly distracted from my anger.

"Why are you up so early, mon chéri? Is everything alright?" Fallacy put me down, gently taking my hand and kissing it over and over again.

I melted a little at his affection. "Oh. I just woke up early. Because we're here, I'm guessing it's time for breakfast?"

I saw how Fallacy's eyes widened and drool slipped down his bottom lip as I moved my shirt collar aside, tilting my head to expose the right side of my neck. He quickly cleared his threat, looking away from my skin.

"No. I'm not that hungry."

"Come on. Breakfast is the best way to kickstart a good day!"

"No, Encre, I'm fine. I want to spend some... time. With you." Fallacy rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "When you feed me, one of us always runs away, and I don't want that. I want to just spend some nice, quality time with you."

I gently bit my lip. I could leave, and be mad at Jasper for... whatever I was mad at him for. Or I could spend some time with a sweet, handsome vampire, who's voice makes me weak at the knees.

"Okay," I said, starting to grin. "What should we do?"