Blood Betrayal

Chapter Thirteen

While Zion pondered his precarious situation Ghanny let out a long deep sigh and turned her back to him.

"I think I would like something to eat."

Zion shifted uncomfortably. She didn't take well to bagged blood. He couldn't stop thinking about how amazing it felt but he had passed out from her feeding and was still a bit lightheaded. Feeding her so soon after losing that much blood would certainly be a bad idea.

"Something sweet with some tea maybe?" she added after a moment.

"Oh, ah yeah I could get you something." He smiled weakly a bit disappointed though he wasn't entirely sure why. He should have declined if she asked to bite him. "Just stay here."

Standing in the kitchen he read the back of the box of tea as a kettle boiled. Studying it carefully he followed the step by step instructions. Fifteen minutes later he had a pot of tea that he was confident in.

Picking a few bits of fruit and some cookies he arranged a tray. It wasn't Martha Steward good but it was impressive considering it was the first time he had tried to arrange a tray of food.

Juggling it on a knee and one arm he opened the door. She was already sitting at the table waiting for him.

"Tea cookies and I found some other stuff." He pointed to each as though she wouldn't know what a cookie or fruit was. She thanked him as he poured her a cup.

He couldn't help notice that she had put on the shorts and the teeshirt he brought her. The way they hung off her small frame made her look a little like she was swimming in them. He smiled to himself while pouring a second cup.

"Do you find me amusing?"

"Those clothes are a bit big. You look like a kid playing dress up." Immediately regretting saying what was on his mind he looked up ready to amend his comment. "But you can pull them off... I mean you look good in them, beautiful really."

Embarrassment heated his cheeks again. Usually, he teased and others got flustered. When he tried to joke with her he ended up turning into a blubbering mess.

"You're blushing." She sat forward lacing her fingers over her steaming cup with sparkling eyes full of mischief.

Keeping his eyes down he busied himself with sugaring his tea. "Yeah, usually pointing that out isn't something you do."

Unlacing her fingers she toyed with her hot cup. "I only mention it because you do it often and I like it. You're not dull."

"Great I'm not dull, quite the compliment," he quipped sarcastically.

"It is a compliment. You see I know a lot of very dull people." She leaned forward conspiratorially making him look up. "You've met Marthus?"

His eyes rolled of their own accord. "Yeah, a few times."

"Now he is dull," she said falling back in her chair.

Happy that she wasn't equating him with Marthus he nodded enthusiastically. "Can't argue with that."

"You have no idea how dull he can be after several thousand years. As a mortal, he was a soldier and still prattles on like one. It's as though he can only speak as a mindless warrior. Yes, my Queen, no my Queen, as you wish it, my Queen. It becomes maddeningly tiresome."

Ghanny had actually captured the tall vampire's cadence very well. Hearing how well made Zion snort with ruckus laughter.

"You're not bad with imitations," he gasped still breathless, "I thought all royalty was supposed to be as dull as my parents but you aren't what I thought the High Queen would be like at all."