Varen watched as Valeri put on her robe covering her previously naked form. It has been a year since they finally met again and everytime they came together and he fed he could sense changes within her. It started with some of the gray in her hair fading back to its original luster. Some of the very subtle crows feet at the corner of her eyes smoothed. It was only until very recently that Valeri’s change had become obvious she was gradually becoming more like him, but if she left for more than a few days without him feeding on her she became haggard and began to revert back to her slightly more aged form.

After a few months of experimentation he learned how to control his urges and seduce weak-willed individuals to him. All he had to do was feed on them one time and they could be enthralled by him by a mere stare. Varen had long gotten used to his new name Varen Felmark, but he didn’t mind it as it had a very similar ring to Valum.

It was with that him and Valeri decided to go into action and begin to spread their influence among the merchants of Myredi. It didn’t take many nights to get most of the most influential to invest and back their endeavors. While he had some ability to enthrall others his ability to enthrall Valeri was near non-existent he assumed because she already loved him it had something to do with it.

“Valeri, it is early, why don’t you come back to bed?” He patted the soft mattress.

Turning to Valeri gave him a playful glare. “If it were up to you we would hardly get anything done.”

“Can you blame me? With a wife as beautiful as you, what man would want to work or leave his bed?” Varen smiled showing his fangs.

Valeri blushed slightly “We need to be ready for the next expansion and testing the extent of your influence in the regions we purchased.”

Grabbing her wrist he pulled her to his embrace. “Fine, but at least a kiss?”

Valeri sighed and inhaled his scent; she had always loved it even before his transformation, but now it was even more intoxicating. It was delicious and almost as if he would taste as good as he smelled.

Their lips came together his cool and firm while hers were soft and warm.

As she kissed him she made her way to his neck taking in the smell even more. ‘What would it taste like’ Valeri knew that he loved her taste more than anything he would say it every time he drank, but what about his?

As if compelled she bite down on Varen, filling her mouth quickly with his blood. Varen was surprised, but his instincts told him to allow it. To Valeri it was the most heavenly taste she had ever had immediately after swallowing a mouthful the wound she left closed quickly due to her husband's abnormal regenerative abilities.

As she felt the blood slide down her throat immediately a soft burning could be felt in her core as if she had fully given into something that had been there for awhile. Seeing her entering into a state of unconsciousness Varen had an almost instinctual reaction and let her go.

Standing up he tucked her in gently when she woke he would be there to welcome her into the night. Snapping his fingers, two enthralled servants came into the room. “Contact me the moment she wakes.”

…

Varen had waited nearly the entire day to wake up; he had attended several “business” meetings which consisted of him suggesting thralled merchants and nobles to obey. Some of the more strong willed ones he surrounded with thralls from their own family or even staff which enabled him to isolate them and force them onto his side.

Varen and Valeri’s goal was simple to grow their influence until they could develop the lands they bought into a wealthy region. At the point they would become a semi-independent region within Myredien. The reason was simple: he needed blood and the influence and power to cover up any issues that could arise from such a thing. Even importing people from abroad or punishing criminals. Either Way he needed a steady source and they discovered quickly that Valeri simply couldn’t keep up with him in terms of his desire to drink.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

Varen had discovered that the Temple of Caphaine had ancient myths from before the beast-tide and during it of powerful blood drinking beings who were incredibly powerful in the central regions of the wildlands where this place had been was long ago been lost to time. Yet it gave him a clue as to his nature. The weakness to sun, the thrallment of people who he drank from and now the fact that his wife was turning upon drinking his own blood. It all lined up with the mythology.

The Kingdom of Myredien was not exactly known for being hospitable to non-humans, but it was necessary to form a place of their own. The most difficult part of it all was how they were going to convince their daughter to join them, but he was sure he had time to consider that.

A knock came at the study door causing him to look up. “Speak.”

“Lord Felmark…your step-daughter is here.”

Rolling up the map of Myredien and sitting down he called out “Let her in.”

The twin doors opened a servant on either side opening for the young blonde haired girl wearing a well fight female fitted light blue tunic with white blouse below that accented her blue eyes. Varen was quite satisfied that besides the hair color she looked very much like her mother.

“How can I help you Maeve?” He kept it very formal as the last time he tried to call her daughter she nearly skewered him like when they first met.

Maeve walked to his intricately crafted desk and stood in front of him “I decided to take a leave of absence from the Paladins for some time.”

Varen raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Is there a reason for this? I never heard Valeri mention this.”

“Mother doesn’t know yet.”

Varen didn’t understand, but wasn’t going to argue with the girl. “So what are you plans then?”

Maeve smiled “Well I have had some time to think this last year since we met that I don’t know you well and have been distant. So I think it is time I put down the prejudice towards you and get to the man my mother has been so taken by.”

Varen almost immediately got a migraine. It wasn’t so much that he didn’t want to spend time with her, but the fact that she would be around all the time was only going to make his and Valeri’s job more difficult.

“That is most unexpected. I would naturally need to discuss it with your mother to see how we can accommodate you.” Varen attempted to deflect and give him time to consider his options.

Maeve smiled “no need I will talk to mother I’m sure she moved my room when you moved to this new home.”

Maeve turned around to head towards the master bedroom where his wife laid unconscious.

Varen springed up and made his way around the desk grabbing onto her wrist. “Maeve your mother is sleeping, why don’t you wait here and I will talk to her.”

Looking down at his hand around her arm Maeve felt a power exuding from him as if he was far more than what he seemed. “Varen…Let me make this clear. I am going to see my mother and you will not interfere. I may have decided to give you a chance, but we are not so close making it acceptable to lay your hands on me.”

Varen withdrew his hand. “Apologies Maeve, I merely did not want to disturb your mother’s sleep.”

Maeve sighed. “I’m sorry Varen…you must understand my suspicion and antagonism is not because of how you treat my mother. It is because of your age. Frankly I cannot seem to get over the fact that you are essentially the age of an older brother I never had.”

Varen was quite aware of how it must look and feel. It was never going to be easy even if they introduced him right away as her father it may even be more difficult to accept. “Maeve. You may not understand why your mother now, but someday you will understand that I have no desire to bring harm to you or your mother.”

“I-I hope that is true.” Maeve said not looking at him.

Turning to him she looked him in the eyes. “Now if you will let me see my mother I would very much appreciate it.”

Varen didn’t know what else he could do to keep her at bay.

“Are you looking for me?”

Varen’s eyes lit up seeing his wife come into the study. What was shocking was she looked even more beautiful than before, but a more primal yet ethereal beauty.

“Mother? What happened to you? You look different.” Maeve asked almost immediately, clearly sensing and seeing the changes as well.

Valeri looked at her confused. “What are you talking about? I always looked like this.”

With a smile Varen watched his wife masterfully manipulate her daughter into being someone accusing her of something.

Before Maeve could respond Valeri grabbed her daughter’s arm “Come darling, Varen lets us all eat together” she looked back at him “I’m famished.” her eyes widened emphasizing the word famished.