Chapter 64: .•26.1•.

Diana's body softly convulsed with every hitching sob that wracked throughout her. Her throat hurt so much from all those repressed sobs, but she forced herself not to cry. She wouldn't. She didn't want to, even though her body desperately requested for it. She just wanted to stay like this for another moment. Close to him.

Her arms were still wrapped around the back of his neck, the rest of her pressed up against him. Close. Skin on skin. That shirt on her body was still torn open, but she couldn't have cared less. She felt safe like this now. Comforted.

She'd felt so incredibly scared back there, just a few moments ago. Terrified out of her mind by what was to happen to her. But then he'd stopped. He'd even offered her a small and remorseful smile. And she couldn't help but feel so grateful for it. He chose not to hurt her once again. Be kind instead of abusive and mean.

So she sat there and hugged him, basking into the warmth of his body. That nice smell of him that she inhaled with every breath that she took. And the very moment that she felt that strong arm slowly wrapping around the small of her waist she couldn't help but express a tiny and content smile, hugging him even tighter against her.

Those sobs gradually turned into hitching sighs. Her body calming little by little until there was nothing but sweet tranquility into her heart. For the first time in so long.

"Thank you," she quietly said, finally pulling back to look into his eyes.

He simply stared back at her, his expression though so conflicted. Looking like he wanted to say something in return, but he chose not to.

He softly and hesitantly let go of her waist, allowing her to sit back on her calves. And with another searching look into her eyes he brought his hand closer and bit into it, creating two small punctured wounds before offering it to her. Giving her the only type of nourishment readily available at the moment.

She timidly wrapped her hand around his wrist, holding the back of his hand with the other before she brought it closer to her mouth. And with a bashful and hesitant look between his eyes she pressed her parted lips against those still bleeding wounds, her tongue darting out to lick at them.

Nicholas couldn't supress that soft groan that escaped him as soon as he felt her wet and velvety mouth touch his skin. Lapping at it so gingerly.

"Fuck..." It felt even more arousing than the last time. And it sent an impulse straight into his pants. A shiver tingling down his spine.

He swallowed and tried to focus on refraining himself from any other similar reactions, intently peering at her blushing face. Her eyes were trained on him, evidently noticing that hungered look in his and his bated breaths but that didn't hinder her. She kept on sucking on his blood. Caressing him with that warm and wet mouth of hers.

It felt so teasing. So stupidly inciting. He wanted nothing more than to grab the back of her head and capture that mouth of hers. Taste himself on her tongue. He wanted to bite into her again. Savor her blood as he fucked her slowly. Tenderly. He wanted to have her. All of her and that thought scared him so much. He was growing way too obsessed with her. Already. And he couldn't even stop it.

No. He definitely needed to leave her there. It was better if he did. He hadn't really thought of it before, but after her mentioning it and what just almost happened he'd actually realized that it was the best option. For the both of them. He needed to stay away from her. It didn't do her any good if he remained there with her. He would only cause her trouble anyway, and nothing but suffering. Hell, he almost did just a few moments ago. He'd almost hurt her with his selfishness.

He needed to try and think of her first, before anything else. The safety of his soulmate. His only weakness.

She slowly detached her mouth from his skin after just a few more licks, those small and pouty lips of hers so deliciously stained with his blood.

He swallowed again, fighting that nagging urge once again. That pressing need to capture her lips with his.

"Do you also...need to...?" She timidly questioned, making him let out a small smile.

"Not right now,"

She quickly nodded in return, tucking a few rebel strands of hair behind her ear. His fingers twitched at his side in response. Fuck. They needed to get there faster. As soon as possible. If only if it would finally let them in. Fucking stubborn realm.

"Are you good to go?" He asked her after a moment, receiving a simple nod from her.

He didn't waste any more time and stood up to his feet, lastly noticing that his belt was still unbuckled. So he proceeded to fasten it, suddenly feeling that bout of emotions coursing through her. Lust. Embarrassment.

He trailed his gaze from his hands to that spot where she was still sitting, noticing that evident blush painting her cheeks as she looked away whilst buttoning up that shirt on her body. Sweet and beautiful little mortal. She was way too innocent for this world. For that realm expecting her behind the boundary.

He let out a tired sigh, simply peering down at her for a moment. And once she was ready he outstretched his hand and offered it to her, patiently waiting for her to take it.

She timidly placed her hand in his, that blush still present in her cheeks. Even as he helped her get up and then cradled her in between his arms. Her heart beating just a tad bit faster.

He peered down at her for another moment. Gaze roaming over her delicate features. And after another exhale he finally resumed to walking.