Midnight Pleasure [THE PLEASURE SERIES BOOK 1]

Chapter Fifty - Melora

Melora allowed Drystan to control her body and move her through the camp and toward the tent Carwel had set up for them. She wrapped her arms tightly around her waist, and her eyes trained on her feet. Despite how much Drystan tried to reassure her, she still felt guilty. She was glad that she wasn't with Alathic and instead back with her mate, but she couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she and Drystan never succumbed to their temptation and married Alathic. Would all of this pain have been avoided?
Probably not, she thought to herself. Melora knew the feeling whenever Drystan was inside her mind and knew whenever it was safe for her to think these thoughts, but she still felt as if he knew what she was thinking just by looking at her. Melora finally lifted her head when Drystan gently pushed her through the tent's flap. She heard him tie the flap in place before wrapping his arms around her shoulders, bringing her back against his chest.

"Please, do not blame yourself, Melora," Drystan begged her. His breath was hot against her ear. "No matter what, I would have gone and gotten you. I would not have let Alathic hurt you anymore."

"Drystan," Melora's voice cracked as she wrapped her hands around his forearms. She rested her head against his shoulder, welcoming the comfort his body provided her. "All of this could very well be my fault. Alathic is on a rampage because you took me from him."

Drystan was already shaking his head before she finished her sentence. "You do not understand, my love. Alathic is a sadistic person. Even if you weren't in his possession or I hadn't taken you away from him, he still would cause pain and harm to anyone that crossed his path." He took a deep breath. "All of this would still be happening." His arms moved down her body to wrap around her waist. "He will be stopped, Melora, I promise."

Melora closed her eyes as she felt tears threatening to fall. No matter what he told her, she still felt the guilt. Many would die because of Alathic. She unwrapped his arms from around his waist and moved to lay on the soft furs, wrapping one of them around her body. "I'm tired, Drystan," she said lowly.

Drystan laid down next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. He pulled her closer to him. "Then sleep, Melora. The sun is still high, and you are still getting used to your power slowly growing. It will take a lot of energy away from you, even at night. You will have to rest until your body has fully healed."

Melora turned so she was facing him. "The power you say is growing in me; do you know what it is? Do you know what I will be able to do?" She couldn't help but shudder when she remembered what she had done to Alathics minions and the pain she had caused. She had never felt that out of control before. It felt like someone else had taken control of her body and used it to harm. She didn't want to have that feeling ever again. She closed her eyes as Drystan ran his fingers through her hair.

"Your power is still developing, Melora," Drystan repeated slowly. "I do not know what kind of power you will end up having or if you will have any at all. When a fledgling is still developing, their body will fight the different powers that invade their body until one prevails."

Melora moved her body closer to his. "Do you have one?"

"No," he answered quickly. "My body had denied every single one of them. I don't resent it, Melora. Having power is rare. Most vampires gain strength, heightened senses, and speed. Every once in a while, one will gain power, but still, it is rare."

"I hope I don't have one," Melora whispered into the crook of his neck. "I don't think I'd be able to handle it well."

Drystan ran his hand up and down her arm, releasing the tension that she felt in her body. Just one touch from him could calm every single strained cell. "It would not be the world's end if you had power, Melora."

Melora shook her head. "I don't want to cause pain, Drystan. What had happened was horrible." Her voice couldn't stop shaking. She felt the tears wanting to fall, but she wouldn't let them. She could feel Drystan's fear for them about the war against Alathic, and she didn't want to add to his worry, but she couldn't stop asking her questions. She was beginning to be afraid of herself and what she was becoming. She didn't want to be a monster.

"My love," Drystan started kissing softly along her cheek and neck. His teeth scraped gently across her pulse. "You are not a monster. Believe me when I tell you this. You are not the monster here. If either of us is one, it's me, not you. I do not want you ever to think you are a monster again. If you do develop a power, you cannot fear it. I will be there with you to learn how to control whatever power you are blessed with together. You will never be alone, Melora. I promise."

Melora pushed against his chest and made him look at her. "What if Alathic takes you from me, Drystan?"

"He's not."

"But he could," Melora argued as she moved to sit on her knees. "He almost did back in his castle. He starved you, Drystan. He made you weak so he could kill you. What if he can do that again?"

"Melora," Drystan gripped her hand, his thumb moving loving caresses over her knuckles. "He will not be able to do that to me again. I will protect you. I will not let myself fail at protecting you and ensuring your safety. You are my mate. I can do no other than ensure your happiness."

"If you want to ensure my happiness, then don't go and fight him," Melora argued. She knew she was acting ridiculous, but she couldn't stop the words from coming out of her mouth. She was afraid for him. Alathic was powerful; he had centuries to grow his powers. Drystan was younger than him, and she was fearful that this battle wasn't going to turn out the way that they wanted it to turn out, with Alathic dead and Drystan victorious.

Drystan pulled her into his chest and ran his teeth up and down the collum of her neck. "Do not worry about me, Melora. I will be fine. I've got more allays here with me to fight him than I did before. We all want Alathic dead and that will be the outcome."

Melora couldn't help but shudder as his teeth continued to move up and down, causing a pool of heat to form at the pit of her stomach. She would never understand how quickly his touch would send her into flames. She knew what he was doing to her right now. He was trying to distract her and damnit it was working. Her right hand moved up to tangle into his hari, pulling his face up to hers so she could latch her lips to his. Drystan moved her so she was straddling his waist, already feeling his hardness against her. Drystans hips bucked into hers. His hands carressed over her curves.

"I will never leave you, Melora." One of Drystans hands moved in between them and started to rub her sex through her pants, causing a friction Melora needed to release. "Never," he growled.

Melora groaned he continued to flame the fire that was burning inside of her. "Drystan," she breathed.

Drystan chuckled as he flipped them over and pinned her hands above her head. "You have to be quiet." He started to leave soft kisses down her throat, stopping over her beating pulse. He pressed his tongue against her pulse, bringing a moan out of her. His hand moved underneath her shirt and cupped her breast, moving his thumb back and forth over her nipple. He was teasing her, trying to extend this feeling for as long as he could. She wasn't going to deny him of this either. She needed him to touch her right now more than he needed her.

"I will always need you, Melora," Drystan's voice was low and husky, causing another shudder to move through her body. "Fucking always." He pulled her shirt over her head and threw it to one side. "Keep your hands up above your head."