Crimson Bonds

Chained

I wake up slowly, the haze of sleep lingering over me like a heavy fog. For a moment, I forget where I am, my mind still clouded with the remnants of strange dreams. But the warmth of Dante's arms around me and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me quickly ground me in the present. I'm still cradled against him, his body a solid, reassuring presence that keeps the lingering fog at bay.

Blinking against the dim light in the room, I stir slightly, feeling the dull ache in my neck and wrists where they bite me. The heat from their healing is gone now, replaced by a low throb that's more a reminder of what happens than actual pain.

I shift in Dante's lap, and his arms tighten around me instinctively. I can feel his eyes on me even before I look up to meet his gaze. His expression is unreadable, but there's a softness in the way he watches me—an intensity that both comforts and unsettles me.

"You're awake," he says, his voice low and deep, a rumble that I can feel more than hear.

I nod, my throat feeling dry. "How long am I out?"

"Not long," Lila answers from the chair by the window, her voice soft but alert. "Maybe an hour."

I glance around the room. Nikolai is still lounging across from us, but now he's reclined on his back, hands behind his head as if he's been patiently waiting for something—maybe waiting for me to wake up. His eyes flick to mine, and a grin spreads across his face.

"Feeling better, sweetheart?" he asks, his tone playful as always, though there's a hint of something more beneath it—something curious, maybe even cautious.

I swallow, trying to clear the dryness from my throat. "I... I think so."

But the truth is, I'm not sure how I feel. My body is still buzzing from the aftereffects of the feeding, and my mind feels like it's struggling to catch up. It's as if I'm hovering on the edge of something, but I don't know what.

Lila stands and moves toward me, her eyes soft and filled with concern. "You do well, Olivia. But you should take it easy for a while. The feeding process can be too much for some."

That's an understatement. I still can't quite shake the feeling of heat that burns through me when they heal my wounds, the intimacy of their touch, their presence. I feel like something's shifted inside me, like I'm different somehow.

Dante's arms loosen slightly, giving me the space to sit up if I want, but he doesn't let me go entirely. I can feel the quiet strength in his hold, and part of me doesn't want to move, doesn't want to lose the comfort of being wrapped in his warmth.

Nikolai's grin widens, and he leans forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, it's not always so... intense. Though I have to admit, you handle it better than most."

I manage a weak smile, but my mind is still swirling with questions. "What... what exactly happens? Why do I feel like this?"

Lila kneels down beside me, her expression softening. "Feeding on a human, especially in a situation like this, creates a bond—an exchange of energy. It's not just about taking blood. It's about the connection between us. That's why you're feeling so... heightened."

A bond. The word sends a shiver through me. It makes sense, in a way, but it's also terrifying. I've known since I get pulled into their world that nothing will ever be the same again, but I didn't realize how deep it could go.

"So... we're connected now?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Like, permanently?"

Dante shifts under me, his voice calm but firm. "It's not permanent... unless you choose for it to be. The connection will fade over time if that's what you want. But right now, yes. There's a bond between us."

The weight of his words settles over me, and I feel the gravity of what's happening fully sink in. I'm not just an outsider anymore. I'm tied to them in a way I never anticipate, and the idea of that is both comforting and terrifying.

Nikolai, always the one to lighten the mood, smirks. "Don't look so worried, sweetheart. It's not like we're going to start reading each other's minds or anything. Well Lila-" Lila shoots him a sharp look. "It's just... a link. You'll feel what we feel a little more, that's all."

A link. My thoughts race, and I try to grasp the full scope of what that means. I glance up at Dante, who's still holding me close, his eyes watching me carefully.

"What do you feel right now?" I ask quietly, my voice steadying.

Dante doesn't answer right away, and when he finally speaks, his voice is softer than before. "Right now, I feel... protective. I feel your uncertainty. But most of all, I feel that you feel safe, and that's all that matters."

My heart skips a beat at his words, and for a moment, I don't know how to respond. I can feel that protection from him, like a warm shield around me. But there's more to it, isn't there? Something deeper that neither of us is ready to say out loud.

Lila stands and steps back, her gaze shifting between me and Dante. "You'll adjust to it, Olivia. You're part of us now. If you want to be." She gives me a confident smile and my heart skips a beat.

Part of them. The words sink in, and though I've been fighting it, I can't help but feel a strange sense of belonging. I don't know what that means for the future, but for now, I'm not as scared as I am.

Not of them, at least.

I don't answer the question hanging in the air. Instead I sit up a little straighter in Dante's arms, feeling the strength of his hold. "What happens next?"

Dante's eyes darken slightly, his expression turning more serious. "We lay low for now. You need rest."

I nod, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me again. But this time, it doesn't feel as crushing. I'm still scared, still uncertain, but I know I'm not alone. For better or worse, I'm part of their world now.

And as I lean back into Dante's embrace, I can't help but think that maybe—just maybe—I'll be able to handle whatever comes next.

With them by my side.

The exhaustion settles back over me like a heavy blanket, and despite my racing thoughts, my body craves rest. Leaning into Dante's chest, I let my eyes flutter closed, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath me. The quiet murmurs of Lila, Dante, and Nikolai talking softly fade into the background as sleep begins to pull me under once again.