Undying flame

Undying flame
I froze after his words. 

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes flicked from his burning hand that didn't seem to be punishing his skin. How powerful was this man?

I looked at Armen, who had spoken a word yet.

The soft crackle of the fire was the only sound that dared disturb the silence as my mind screamed with confusion, shame, and rage.

My lips parted, but no words came.

Armen’s voice broke through the air, hoarse but still strong. “Don’t… Nyx,” he rasped. “Don’t give him what he wants.”

I turned toward him, every nerve in my body on fire as my instinct split between guilt and fury.

“He’s not going to kill me. He still needs me to make his fucking vampire elixir.” Armen continued, struggling against the iron chains, and standing up in his full height. He didn't meet my gaze even as I walked closer to
“I don't need you to save me. I would rather die than let you become another cup in his filthy collection.”

My throat tightened at the word “cup” 

I could remember Vale using it on that girl.

I clenched my teeth together. I couldn't bear to leave here knowing Armen was locked here for crimes he didn't commit.

I hated the way my body ached with anticipation, and how the way the idea of being bitten by him sent a shiver through me. I kept telling myself this wasn’t me. That it was Syndra demanding a release. That I was doing this for Armen and Hawke. And for myself. 

“You can mark me and make me your Blood Slave if you must,” I said quietly. “Just promise me you’ll let him go afterward and you won't go after Hawke or Eloise, either.”

Vale appeared beside me right after I spoke. His hands grabbed my waist and he pressed me directly against his rising erection. 

“What’s so bad about being my Blood Slave?” He said as his breath fanned against my skin. “Besides,” his voice dropped lower to a whisper that was audible enough for my ears only. “You'd be more than just a Blood Slave. You’d taste the part of me that craves you more than I ever crave your blood. The part of me that can't wait to be deep inside you.”

My knees buckled as his words caressed my core. I didn't know when I began to grind on him until I let out a moan.

“Nyx, please don't give in.” Armen yelled at me, but I had already closed my eyes, trying to shut the pain, the confusion, the guilt, and welcome the heat flooding my blood. 

The light in Vale’s hand faded, and the silence around us deepened.

Then I felt his sharp fangs sink into the side of my neck where Hawke had once marked me.

I gasped, biting my lips to suppress the intense pain and pleasure that overtook my body, but Syndra echoed in my head.

Enjoy it. Breathe.

My hands balled into a fist and my long nails bit my palms. I wanted to scream but instead, I forced myself to breathe slowly as his mouth sipped my blood. 

My body was trembling as uncontrollable desire and dread warred inside me.

Beg him to touch you, and he will.

She coaxed me, and another shameless moan escaped my lips before I could stop it.

I didn’t dare look at Armen.

I didn’t have to because I wouldn’t see him in the darkness anyway. But I could already feel the weight of his heartbreak, his heavy breath as he watched Vale mark me.

He pulled back, but I only stood there, yearning for his hands to pull my dress up. And just… ravage me.

He knew I had no panties and could easily slip inside me, right?

“Yes, I know.” He answered my thoughts aloud and my eyes widened as his deep and hoarse voice bounced off the stone walls. “I can smell how turned on you are. You’re practically dripping for me, Nyx. I can read your mind and feel everything you’re trying so hard to deny.”

My whole body trembled.

Fuck. He could hear my thoughts now!  

Instantly, I recalled his words the last time he appeared before me. 

“You can’t resist me. What we have sizzling between us isn't just any physical attraction. It’s a storm and I intend to drown you in it.”

“You’ll crave my bite and yearn for my cock. Even as you curse me.” 

Armen let out a low guttural growl that made goosebumps flare in my skin. I jerked away from Vale as I heard the chains snap. The next thing I knew, he was wrapping them around Vale’s neck. 

I could see his brown eyes boiling with madness but he didn't spare me a glance. 

They flew into the air and slammed into the wall, hard. 

The impact echoed like thunder and I quickly moved further from them as they fought.

Armen pulled the chain tightly as if he didn't intend to let go until he took Vale’s life.

My pulse quivered and I breathed heavily as I watched Vale struggle against his strong grip.

Armen’s action had either taken him by surprise or he was too distracted to notice his move because he was completely unprepared. My eyes trailed down his lean body and caught his stiff erection.

How could he still be so hard? 

His boots were scraping against the floor and his fingers clawed at the iron cutting into his throat.

“How dare you mark my woman?” Armen growled again and kicked him in his groin.

Vale screamed out and his hands instantly flared with fire. He used it on the chains and they began to sizzle, blazing red-hot. 

Armen jerked back as the liquefied metal splashed down and scalded his legs. He let out a sharp, pained roar. “You freaking demon!” 

Vale didn’t burn from the metal fire. It was as if the fire knew him. He drove an elbow into Armen’s jaw, broke the hold, and landed a brutal kick that sent him stumbling back.

The fire had seared Armen’s skin, leaving dark, cracked wounds, yet he shot Vale a fierce, unwavering glare.

In that instant, it became clear that he could never match Vale Orun, no matter how much strength he believed he possessed.

He might be a vampire now, but Vale was an immortal. And he could wield fire. This attribute was unknown to me until today. 

If he could summon flames and turn them on others without hesitation. 

Who was I to think I could kill him?

The more I discovered about him, the more he unsettled me. His powers were dangerous and utterly frightening. 

“I will kill you,” Armen swore, and before I could blink, he had teleported.

He disappeared out of the cell just like that. 

Wait. How did I know he had teleported?

“We should leave.” Vale muttered, his voice deep and tight. 

I gave a small nod and forced my legs to move, trailing after him as he stepped out of the dungeon.

As we ascended the stairs toward the side corridor, I could feel his gaze fixed on my neck. He couldn't stop staring obsessively at the place where his bite still throbbed.

I tried to shun him and walked to the main building but he grabbed my wrist and tugged me towards another one. It was a lone, gothic fortress with thick vines surrounding it, and there was a tall staircase leading to the entrance door. It was dark and cold. The sight alone frightens me.

“Where’s this place?” I asked him, my breath shaking from the chilliness, how intoxicating he smelled to me. My whole body ached to feel him, but I forced myself to yank my hand away.

“You didn’t seem shocked by Armen’s disappearance. Did you know Armen could teleport?” Vale asked all of a sudden as we began to climb up the long stairs, separately.

He dismissed my question. Why must I answer his own question? Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure how I knew Armen could teleport. 

Maybe it was from a fragment of my memory I hadn’t recovered yet

When my silence dragged on, he turned to me and caught the way my pupils were blown wide. His eyes locked on me, flicked back to my neck, and roamed downwards like he was carefully undressing me. 

“When I ask you something, I expect an immediate response.” He said in a low but firm tone, still gawking at my body. 

“I don’t remember,” I muttered and looked down at the big satin slippers I had on my feet, wishing he’d stop staring at me like that. 

“Spend the entire day with me,” he demanded unexpectedly. 

I was shocked. I wanted to look into his eyes to confirm that he was truly asking me this but I didn't see them. I could sense the undiluted passion in his voice.
“Fine,” I replied; then I began to realize that he might be taking me to where he'd fucked me without disturbance. 

My heart was beating faster at the idea.

“I’m not giving myself to you.” I managed to get the words out, though my voice trembled so badly that even I didn’t believe them. Let alone him, who could now sense the raging arousal rippling off me.

“We’ll see if you can keep your pretty legs closed,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “You're trembling and I could hear your filthy thoughts, yet you’re resisting me.” 

“Yes, I’m turned on, but I will not seek pleasure from you,” I said stubbornly, refusing to give in. Before I could blink, he was standing before me. His gaze was intense and penetrating as he stared down at me.

“We both know if I wanted you right here, right now, nothing would stop me.” 

He leaned in just enough to steal the breath from my lungs. “But I’m not going to. Because like I told you…” His voice drawled and his lips curved into a little satisfied smile as he traced my hardened nipples with his eyes. “When I take you, it’ll be because you’re begging for it.”