Life in a new Kingdom

"Did she say exactly what she needed?" Walking with Eckhart, I press for answers.

"Celia didn't say, only that she needed you. I would assume she worried about you, but she needs you for something."

"Was she sick still?"

"Not nearly as before, but we shouldn't count us lucky. I'll let you handle it however you see fit, my Lord. Also, may I have a suggestion before seeing her?"

"Go ahead."

"Forgive me for saying this, but you should wash yourself before seeing her. You smell of alcohol." I stop suddenly and give myself a quick sniff. My eyes shot wide as it wasn't because of my drinking last night. Gale had stumbled and bumped into me, spilling his beer all over me. Either way, I certainly needed to change.

"Ahh...yeah... Thanks for pointing it out."

"Make sure you keep up your responsibilities. You may not believe it, but I used to drink often with my friends growing up in the Empire. Just maybe not as young as you, I'd say."

"Do you still think about your life in the Empire even if they are your enemies?"

"Dwelling on the past and present doesn't shape a good future. However, I only think about my time with Arlo and your father."

"You never told me what happened after you joined his services. Only how your duel went."

"Right, I am afraid it is quite a boring tale."

"We are still far from the manor; I got time to listen."

"Very well. Truth be told, it wasn't as dramatic when I was training against your father. Being in his service gave me even better opportunities to hone my skills alongside him. Your father outclassed many as a knight. Since I was also a close match against him, we sparred nearly daily, which helped us grow far stronger than we realized then."

"Was it like that for the remainder of your time in the Order?"

"Yes, that would be all of it. Sadly, I didn't have nearly as exciting a time as yours."

"Calling it exciting while I know my father and brother are engaged in battle isn't exactly exciting."

"Forgive me, I am used to warfare and the downtime of it. After helping your father with some rebellions and small Demon uprisings, it has only lessened the effects of war."

"I would say you are lucky to feel that way. Not many share such resistance to it."

"Your father finds it amusing, but he never found a piece of it amusing this war. I guess family is very close to his heart, which I admire. Something that helps me train you every time."

"Well, let's not disappoint him. Let's train hard to impress." I walk ahead of Eckhart as we approach the manor. Mei welcomes us in; I tell her to prepare food while I clean up. After a brief time in the shower, I dress in my casual attire, slicking my hair back into a small ponytail. My bangs hang loose in front of my forehead as I knock on Celia's door.

"Come in." Her voice seemed low, but it was her. I enter into her room, which is a simple place. Celia rarely had anything personal to her other than necessities. Her bed was big enough for two people but had no fancy engravings or banners on the frame. She didn't have a window, nor did she have a table, only a dresser and closet for her clothes. She sat in her bed, her long red hair unkept and her tanned skin soft and clean as she hadn't been outside the room for a while.

"I heard you wanted me; how are you feeling? Do you need anything?" I lean on the bed frame and look at her; she gazes at me briefly before sitting up straight. I get a slight glimpse at her chest, which is barely covered by her nightwear. Respectfully, I look away and try not to stare, a slight flush in my cheeks.

"Sorry, and thank you, Caleb... My body still isn't normal since our encounter with the Shadow Hunter..." Holding her head down, she seems ashamed.

"No need to beat yourself up, Celia. You are important to me, and I want you taken care of. Sorry, I haven't been around the manor much, dealing with some things personally, but I am glad to say it has been taken care of, so I should be around much more."

"Oh, you don't need to do so much to take care of me. Eckhart and Mei have done a good enough job as it is."

"Then what did you need me for?"

"Right, that... Sorry again..."

"Just get to it; no need to apologize, Celia." After a moment, she takes a deep breath and sits closer to me, holding her arm across her chest and gripping the other arm.

"Ever since I tasted your blood... I can't imagine myself without tasting it again. I've tried hard to let it go, but it continues to burn inside me, the urge. I had to remember more of the Blood Rite and the culture of it after so long..."

"You said you hated it. I can see why if this is what happens. Being addicted to drinking human blood doesn't sound all too good, does it? Is there something I can do to help? Do you know?"

"Caleb... I only tasted my husband and your blood. I haven't grown accustomed to such power and desire. Yet...there is one issue that I am on." Celia places her hand over her chest and breathes heavily. Deep down, she is fighting back any impulses that are trying to manipulate her.

"Issue?"

"We only get addicted to human blood because it makes us powerful... But it naturally makes us stronger the more we consume humans. I made do after my husband to slowly feed on any animals I could find while I was enslaved... It helped me lose that burning feeling."

"But haven't you been drinking animal blood since coming back? It should have helped you ease off like before."

"Demon blood is powerful; the reason why we consumed humans was to avoid us eating each other since that made us powerful but would drive us to kill our entire race... Humans grant us strength without having to resort to eating each other. The Blood Rite bound us together, and Demon blood is the most addictive and most powerful substance we consume. I only had my husband... A Demon... And you..." She shifts closer.

"Then why have I been facing such a massive surge? The Blood Rite of my blood should have been-" A sudden thought hits me. All this time the answer had been in my mind all along, but I never realized it.

"Caleb..." Her voice is a low hum, almost like a purr.

"Sorry, I think I understand what is happening. I think I know how to help-" A strong hand grips my shoulder and roughly slams me onto the bed. Shocked and unable to react, Celia pounces on top of me. Her hands were pinning my arms to the bed while she sat on my stomach to prevent me from moving. Staring at her, I see the red in her eyes glowing bright, her Demon heritage fully expressed. The heat of her body and skin is close to burning as she sits on me. Moving my arms proves futile. "C-Celia..?!"

"Master... Caleb... You look so delicious right now... I just want to have a taste so bad..." A wide, gluttonous grin forms across her face. Her teeth were exposed, and her fangs elongated as saliva drooled from her tongue and onto my face. I stay speechless at the visage of Celia staring at me with such hunger. Her hot breath brushes my face, and she slowly draws closer. Her teeth ever so closer to my throat, ready to sink in to devour...