Thicker Than Water

Chapter Eight

Note: I think I'm going to make the chapters a little shorter from now on. I find they're much easier to digest that way... if you prefer it the old way, let me know. I'm more than happy to be wrong! 

As always, thank you for reading. Vote and comment if you enjoy my work. I'd love nothing more than to hear from those who are reading!

*This story may contain mature content at any point - reader discretion advised*

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                I sat upright, breathing heavily. It was only a dream. I looked around, noticing the room was nearly pitch black. The sun had gone down, and I could see the moon shining in through the only window. Someone had lit a few candles around the room while we slept. That seemed odd, considering he had a floor lamp and a ceiling light.

Shadows danced on the rows of bookshelves around us. It felt almost too quiet in the room. I scooted to the edge of the bed, looking around. Only the two of us were in the room. No witches, no spells, just quiet.

I looked over at Apollo, who looked a hundred times better than he had earlier. His pallid skin now had a hint of color, his once pained face looked calm and relaxed. I took a deep breath, feeling relieved.

My arm, still in the sling, was throbbing. I could feel the telltale signs of thirst rising in me as well. 

On the table next to me was a tray with four glasses. The scent of blood hit my nose, and my stomach seared in hunger. I reached out with my good hand and grabbed the first glass, which was etched with an A. I took a sip, and it was delicious. I couldn't help, but I finished it all. I continued with each glass- labeled B, AB, and O. They all tasted good, but A was easily the best.

Energy hummed within me, my body thanking me for the nourishment. The pain in my arm was lessening. I wiped my mouth with the cloth napkin that was on the tray and got up. I found a CD player and turned on some classical music, making sure to keep the volume low so I didn't disturb Apollo's rest. Pleased with the songs playing quietly through the room, I moved along the shelves, glancing at some of the books.

I grabbed a copy of the vampire guide and sat down in the wingback chair. I spent the next several hours reading and learning. There was so much I didn't know, and I hated being ignorant about anything, especially my own body. 

"Uhhnn." I heard a groan come from over by the bed. I shot up out of the chair and set the book down.

Apollo stirred for a moment. His fingers twitched, and then he started to move. His eyes opened, and he looked around the room in a daze. He groaned again, his hands moving down to rest on his stomach where he'd been hit.

"Fuck... me." He moaned, pulling his blanket down to assess the damage.

"I'm afraid I'm not really in the mood." I smiled, walking toward him.

He looked over at me and grinned softly. "What a sight for sore eyes." He lilted. "Are you okay?" he added, pointing to the sling my arm was in. The sweet man was laying nearly flat on his back in bed with his insides sewn up and he was concerned for me.

I nodded, my heart full. "Doc says I'll be fine in a day or so. It already feels so much better since I fed."

"Fed?" he asked, his tone serious. "From whom?"

"Remus sent me a few glasses," I motioned to my empty glasses on the table next to where I had slept. "Speaking of feeding, I think you need some blood, too."

Ignoring the comment, he reached down and pulled up his gray t-shirt. A bandage wrapped around him, nearly all the way from his pecs to the waistband of his pants. "How bad was it?" he asked.

"It was... horrible." I whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I thought you had died. You fell like a sack of potatoes. Your stomach... well, I could see your insides. That spell hit you like a shotgun blast." I swallowed hard, trying not to remember what I felt when his life was in jeopardy.

"Feels pretty horrible, too." He said. He tried to sit up and winced. I jumped up and helped him slowly lift his body into a sitting position. "You're right, though. I need to drink. Can you call for Remus?"

"I can... but fresh is better," I sat right next to him. I undid my arm sling and tossed it to the end of the bed. I leaned closer to him, tilting my head to the side. "Go ahead."

"Are you sure?" he breathed, touching the curve of my neck with his fingertips. My skin blazed with heat as he touched me. "It can be pretty... intense."

"Absolutely." I was sure, but I still wondered what he meant by 'intense'.

A moment later, I felt his teeth sink into my neck. I gasped- but not in pain. What passed through my body was anything but painful- it was pure pleasure. Pulses of heat and sexual energy flowed from my neck straight to the place between my legs. My brain fogged a little, my eyelids drooped, and I could hardly think. It was like being stuck in a post-orgasm haze. Apollo's hands trailed down my arms and up my back. The contact was pure bliss, goosebumps forming on my skin where we touched. 

When he pulled away a minute later, his tongue grazed up my neck like I had done to him. My body shuddered in ecstasy. I was moments from what felt like an orgasm, but I held strong. For some reason having an orgasm in front of him felt wrong- if we weren't having sex, it would feel way too one-sided.

Apollo planted a gentle kiss against my neck and leaned back. "Thank you, Bridget. I already feel better. Can you call for Remus? He's going to want to check on me. I'd do it myself, but I don't think I can get up just yet."

I nodded. Moving out of my haze, I started to understand the gravity of what had just happened. Drinking blood was a very personal and intimate experience. No wonder Apollo had been filled with such desire when I had fed from him...

I went to the door. As I opened it, Hermes appeared in front of me.

"Oh, hello." He shifted uncomfortably, touching the back of his neck. "Is he awake?"

"Yes, he just woke up." I said, my hand coming up to cover where Apollo had bitten me. I knew it was hidden since he'd licked the wound, but I still felt very vulnerable. "I was going to get Remus."

"He's downstairs in the parlor reading." He paused. "Good work earlier, by the way... with that witch." His compliment was nice, but it still made me uncomfortable.

"Thanks," I said without emotion, trying to be polite. "Not sure how I feel about that yet. I just kind of... lost control."

"Well," he took a deep breath, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth. "Maybe you should lose control more often."