Midnight Pleasure [THE PLEASURE SERIES BOOK 1]

Chapter Seventeen - Drystan

Drystan kissed Melora's lips one more time before he slowly moved out of her. He began to kiss slowly down her body when a knock sounded at the door. He groaned as he sat up and looked at the door. Another knock sounded at the door, making Drystan get off of the bed.

He got dressed before handing Melora a new dress from the side table. "Get dressed, my love." Melora smiled at him as she did what she was told.

Drystan turned his attention back to the door. He opened it as Dante was about to knock once again. "What is it, Dante?" Drystan grumbled.

Dante gave him an apologetic look. "Carwel is wanting to talk to you and your mate."

Drystan felt Melora's hand grasp his. He looked down at her and smiled. Her bright eyes shined back up at him. Taking a deep breath, he was satisfied that her heat was over. For now. He didn't want her to be in the presence of too many vampire men without mates while she was in heat. It would be too dangerous for both of them.

"Lead the way, Dante." Drystan pushed Melora in front of him as they began to follow away from the house and to the center of the compound. He watched Melora as her head swiveled back and forth. Drystan gripped her shoulders and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Before your father hired me, this is where I lived."

Melora continued to look around her. "It's dark."

Drystan chuckled as he looked around. The compound was underground. Many of the people who lived here had never seen the night sky or the sun. Houses lined the edge of the compound walls. Families stood outside watching them walk past, curiosity painted onto their faces.

Dante stopped at the door of a circled house in the middle of the compound. He knocked three times on the door and waited. Drystan's hands tightened on Melora's shoulders as the door opened up, revealing a young woman. Her pale skin almost looked transparent. Black hair ran straight down her back.

Melora shrunk into Drystan as the woman's black eyes snapped over to her. The woman's lips turned up in a smile as she motioned them inside.

Once they were inside, the woman closed to door behind them. Drystan's body went rigid when he caught the woman staring at Melora again. He wrapped his arms around Melora and pulled her close against him, keeping an eye on the woman as she moved around them and between the tables in front of them.

The woman stopped and knelt in front of a small throne. Carwel sat on top of it, dressed in black. His black eyes looked bored as he stared down at the woman. He waved his hand, motioning for her to move as he stood up and walked toward them.

Carwel looked at the three of them, but his eyes stopped on Melora. "This is her?" his deep voice questioned.

Dante looked quickly at Melora before slowly nodding. "Yes. She is Drystan's mate."

Carwel chuckled slightly. "She's your mate, Drystan? Truly?"

Drystan's eyes narrowed at him. "Why is that funny?"

Carwel shrugged as he turned and walked back to his throne. "Just interesting that your father also claims her. I didn't know you were one to share, Drystan."

Drystan's arms tightened around Melora when he felt her hands on his arms. "I don't share. He never claimed her."

Carwel gave Drystan a pointed look. "You know he claimed her. Yes, his poison runs through her veins, threatening to change her, but he claimed her."

Dante reached out quickly and grabbed Melora before Drystan could. Dante pulled her over to him as they watched Drystan storm up to the throne.

"I. Don't. Share." Drystan growled. "He didn't claim her."

Carwel gave Drystan a smirk. "Of course, he didn't. He would want her changed first correct? That way you would find her and bring her back here."

Drystan leaned back. "What?"

Carwel's smirk turned down as his eyes narrowed at Drystan. "You were so focused on bringing her back that you didn't think about what the repercussions would be." Carwel pointed to Melora. "She is now a beacon for him. You know that Alathic wants our compound. He wants you. Now, he knows where you are because of her." He turned his attention over to Melora and his eyes softened. "It is not your fault, human, that this has happened to you. It is not your fault that fate has destined you to be mated to this man who doesn't think." He turned to Drystan, the coldness returning to his eyes. "You cannot live in your own house anymore, Drystan."

Drystan had his eyes on Melora. "Why?"

"Your house is too close to the outer hole," Carwel explained. "We need to make sure that you and your mate are safe. Your mate is going to be going through painful changes and you need to be there for her." He stood up and placed a hand on Drystan's shoulder. "Yes, you will bring war between the compound and Alathic, but it would have happened eventually." Carwel turned to Dante. "Please, take them to their new home and make sure that the warriors are ready for the possibility of war."

Dante nodded as he handed Melora back to Drystan. He didn't wait for Drystan to follow before he moved out through the door.

Drystan kept Melora in front of him as he quietly followed Dante further into the tunnel. The further that got, the darker it became. He and Dante were able to see perfectly, but he knew that Melora was starting to have trouble. She tripped twice before he decided to pick her up and carry her the rest of the way.

They continued to walk in silence before they stopped outside of a door that was flushed against the wall of the tunnel. Drystan sighed as he turned to Dante. "This isn't a home."

"Drystan," Dante sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is what Draco and I were trying to talk to you back at Alathic's castle, but you wouldn't listen." He moved toward the door and opened it, lighting the lamps on.

"She's not going to be comfortable here," Drystan continued as he placed her down on the bed. Instantly, he noticed how she started to shiver. He took the thick covers and wrapped her body tightly, hoping it would warm her up.

Dante shook his head. "I know it's not ideal for her right now, Drystan." Dante's eyes softened as he looked at Melora. "But this is the safest place for both of you. Alathic would have to work hard to get to you both here." He bowed his head as he turned back toward the door. "I'll make sure to bring more blankets for her." He closed the door behind him.

Drystan knew that it was freezing this deep into the tunnel. Because of what he was, he didn't feel cold. He didn't feel the temperature, but he knew that Melora still did. He didn't know how long it would take until she would be completely turned, but he prayed to whoever would be listening that it wouldn't be a long process. He was lucky when he was turned that it only took a couple of days, but Dante and Draco weren't that lucky. It took them months to fully transform.

"Drystan," Melora whimpered.

Drystan curled up next to her on the bed, hoping to warm her body up with his. "I'm here, my love."

"I'm cold." Her body convulsed in shivers against him.

"I know," Drystan whispered into her ear. "Dante said that he'll bring more blankets for you." He paused. "I'll ask him to bring better clothes for you as well."

Melora's hand reached out from underneath the cover and ran up his chest. "There is a way to warm up my body," she said slowly.

Drystan chuckled. "Melora-" He stopped and held in a groan when he felt her teeth graze the sensitive spot on his neck. He let her push him onto his back as she continued to place kisses up and down his neck.

Drystan gripped her hips and pushed them down. "You're not in heat, Melora."

Melora sat up and shook her head. "I'm not. But I need you." She rolled her hips over him causing a groan to fall out of his mouth. "Do you need me, Drystan?"

Drystan smirked as he reached underneath her dress and gripped her ass. "Of course, I do, Melora."