Persephone

25. A Pinprick

Persephone stood on the pedestal in the center of the room as Rowena moved around her an unnaturally quick speed. The girl had quickly come to realize that the woman before her was not human but was in fact a vampire as well. With this insight she began to wonder if everyone she had met thus far was also a vampire, not that she had met many but she thought back to the night of the ball and of all of the beautiful people there. Although that was only a few days ago, it felt like a lifetime ago. The girl she was then was so naive and afraid. The girl she was now was no less afraid but so much less naive. She now knew where she stood and how much power she held in this world, and that was none.

Alastair sat reclined on a couch opposite of Persephone, watching as Rowena sped around the girl, taking all sorts of measurements and holing up different fabrics to her skin to see how they worked with her tones. Finally, she began to create dress styles on the girl. At the moment she was wrapping her in a rich clover colored material, humming as she went. Just as she was sliding a pin into place, Persephone felt a sharp prick in her side.

She jumped, "Ouch!"

Alastair was at her side in less than a second, eyes black with desire. His cool hands fluttered around her body, pushing Rowena to the side, cupping her face before pulling the green fabric to the side to check where the pin had pricked her. Her bare ivory hip exposed, he knelt down to examine it. A dot of red had just begun to appear as he quickly swiped his tongue across it, making Persephone jumped at the warm wet sensation, effectively closing the small wound.

Standing up, he cupped her cheek again, pressed a firm kiss to her forehead before stepping away, eyes still black, to glare at Rowena, "Be more careful," he bit out before retreating stiffly back to his seat at the sofa.

Rowena nodded, not saying as word as she returned to her work on the dresses, spending several more hours on them, creating figures in multiple different colors before finally stepping away to turn to Alastair.

"You have to leave now."

He frowned at her, looking up from the paperwork he had had brought to him so he could work while his darling was being fitted, "I certainly do not."

"Yes, you do," she argued, placing her hands on her hips defiantly. Persephone shifted uncomfortable to the side, afraid of how Rowena spoke to the man. "There's something I need to make that you are not allowed to see."

Alastair's from deepened for a moment before he came to the realization of what she meant. He glanced at Persephone, finding confusion written on her face.

"No," he said firmly, " No, she does not, I have not.." He trailed off as Rowena's eyes widened as she understood his meaning, "I'm sure you can make something with the measurements you have taken."

Rowena sighed, "I suppose, it's not quite as magical though," she said pouting.

Persephone's mouth was slightly agape as she watched the exchange between the two, surprised at how Rowena spoke to Alastair and managed to get away with it.

Alastair made no response to her attitude, only turning to gather up his papers, "Please help her back into her dress for today, I believe it is time for lunch."

As if on cue, Persephone's stomach rumbled loudly, causing her to wrap her arms around her middle, embarrassed.

Alastair glanced up, shooting her a toothy grin, "Do not fret, my darling, you will eat soon enough."

~~~~

Alastair sat at the desk in his chambers, finishing up his work for the day, occasionally glancing up at Persephone to ensure she was eating. Lunch today was a bowl of chicken soups and a couple slices of bread. Despite her avoidance of the steak at dinner and the bacon at breakfast, she seemed perfectly fine with eating the soup. This puzzled him slightly.

"Why won't you eat steak?"

Persephone jumped, bread halfway to her mouth when he spoke. She slowly placed it back on the plate with the other slices, clasping her hands in her lap.

"What?" She asked, confused at his sudden words.

Alastair rose and moved to her side, "You will eat chicken but not steak, why?"

She glanced down nervously, twisting her fingers as she did, " I just, it, well it reminded me of when you," she took a deep breath, finishing very quietly, "Of when you bit me."

Alastair wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side.

"Please, don't punish me," she murmured.

Alastair frowned, tucking a finger under her chin, he raised it so she looked him in the eyes, "My darling girl, why would I punish you for such a silly little thing?"

Persephone shrugged jutting out her upper lip as she did, causing something inside of Alastair to stir, wanting to bite that very same lip.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked quietly, looking up at him, wide brown eyes questioning.

"Of course, my darling, anything you wish."

"Why didn't you bite me earlier? When the needle pricked me?"

Alastair chuckled, pressing a kiss to her hair, "I do have some self control, my dear." He paused and looked down at her, "Did you want me to?"

Persephone froze, wide eyes now frightened, "It hurts." She said after a long moment, not wanting to outright refuse him for fear of his anger.

Alastair brought a hand up, thumb stroking her cheek, "You are allowed to wish me to not to, I cannot promise I will always be able to abide by that," he tilted his head to the side, a gleam of something in his eyes that Persephone was not quite sure of, " But I can make it so it does not hurt," he paused, "I can make it feel quite good for you. Would you like to try?"

For some reason Persephone was not quite sure of, this suggestion excited her. She bit her lip, unsure. Alastair pulled her hair of her shoulder, exposing her neck, "Why don't we try and if you don't enjoy it, I will stop right away."

"Promise?" Her voice soft and timid.

"I promise," he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead, pulling her closer into his side. Slowly, he brought himself closer to her neck, "Ready?" He waited, she nodded.

Pressing a kiss the to junction between her shoulder and her neck, he drew back his lips, allowing his incisors to lengthen before biting down.