Bound By Blood

+Four+

Bianca's POV:

I couldn't help but feel a little bad for Olivia. I mean, I didn't regret drinking from her, she was a human and a pet. It was her place in the world and she might as well get used to it. But the way she was trembling and her heavy breathing indicated it was perhaps a bit more painful than I had intended. As we walked back to the room, I spoke.

"Sorry about that. I'll be more gentle next time - there aren't pets where I come from, I'm not used to drinking from the source."

For a moment, neither of them made a sound save for a small whimper of pain from Olivia. Eventually, Elle spoke up.

"So... um... how did you uh... get blood?"

I turned my head, not slowing down. Her face went red and she looked down.

"Sorry, I was just... wondering..."

I smiled. "It's fine. And don't be so nervous, you two are free to speak, I don't expect you to stay silent. You're pets, not objects. And to answer your question, vampires can buy blood in bottles, kind of like wine. It's harvested from imprisoned humans."

Elle tensed, and Olivia looked horrified. Right... that's their kind I'm talking about... I turned my head back as we reached the door to me and Eva's room. I unlocked it, and gestured for the three to enter. Peter, who I just now realised had just been walking in silence that whole time, went in last. I followed close behind, mentally scolding myself for forgetting about him. Again. It was a common occurance - I couldn't explain it in any other way than he was simply very... forgettable.

I settled on a sofa, leaning forward to meet the eyes of the humans in front of me. I cleared my throat.

"Peter, I'm just going to go over the rules with Elle and Olivia. You don't have to stay for this if you don't want to."

Peter stayed where he was, but he turned to Olivia, who was sitting next to him. He whispered something to her, and she nodded weakly, her expression still one of pain. She moved her hair away from her shoulder, exposing the bite. I winced. It really could have been a little less intense. Peter began examining the wound, gently touching the skin around it with a level of care that, before I saw Olivia stand up for Elle, I would've thought humans were incapable of. I turned my attention back to the two girls.

"Alright. I'll admit, when King Aleksander told me you hadn't been bitten before, or even exposed to vampires much, I was surprised. So I think it's important that I explain the rules of belonging to me and Eva. Firstly, you may not try to run or escape at any time, and you will do your best not to resist when we drink from you. I understand that instinct will kick in sometimes, but I do insist you try. Besides, staying still often makes it hurt less." I glanced at Olivia. "Secondly, you will obey any order from me or Eva, and the King. However, do not let any vampire outside of that list harm you. Or at least, try not to. Finally, you will call me by my name, Bianca, and Eva by hers. Never Mistress or anything like that." Olivia and Elle exchanged a confused glance. I smiled softly. "I want you to know that while you do belong to us, we respect the fact that you are alive and have emotions -" I paused. "Something I admittedly didn't come to terms with until I saw you stand up for Elle in the dungeons," I said to Olivia. I sighed, feeling uncomfortable admitting to my cluelessness. "As for what you can do, you may roam freely within this room and you may use the bathroom at any time. You will find a variety of clothes in that closet." I pointed to a door on the left. "If you wish to go to the palace library or gardens, simply ask. I cannot guarantee the answer will always be 'yes', but you won't get in trouble for asking. And you may speak to Eva or me freely, at least when we are not in public. In public, however, I expect you all to be obedient and quiet." With that long speech over and done with, I leaned back on the sofa and examined my pets' faces.

Olivia and Elle looked shocked to be given such lenient rules. Peter was still carefully inspecting the bite mark. I assumed he would tell me what it needed in terms of treatment in 3... 2... 1...

"Bianca, I need something to clean it, and that cream that helps it close," he said, looking up at me. I smiled slightly. Right on cue. I nodded, standing up to get the things he'd said. "Infection hasn't begun to set in, but you weren't exactly gentle, so it still could."

Olivia and Elle stared at him in shock. He looked at them, confused. "What?"

I laughed. "I think they're surprised at how casually you talk to me, Peter."

"Oh."

I opened the door to the bathroom, going to the cupboard and retrieving the supplies. When I returned, Olivia spoke, which I honestly found surprising.

"Wait, I'm confused. You said you weren't used to drinking from the source, but..." she trailed off, looking pointedly at Peter. I handed the things to him and sat down again.

"Oh, I don't drink from Peter. Actually, he's not mine, he's Eva's. Technically, you two are mine, but I don't mind if Eva drinks from you. She, however, has a little thing about other people touching her belongings, even me. She can be a bit... possesive. So, I leave him alone." I shrugged. Olivia nodded, wincing as the action caused her pain. Elle rubbed her arm comfortingly. These humans continued to surprise me with their signs of affection. I guess Peter never really interacted with anyone other than Eva and me before the girls arrived, so it was all new to me. I shook my head, watching him gently treat the wound.

I guess all these years I was simply wrong.

I hated that.