It took about an hour to arrange for a new door to be installed and the room to be cleaned up to its usual standard.Aric decided to take Liberty for a stroll during the break to clear his head while the others worked.Even though it was cold outdoors, he felt warmer when she smiled brightly at the suggestion.She clapped her hands enthusiastically and exclaimed, "I'd love to!"Her grin wavered as she questioned, "But what about the sun?" How much would that hurt, if at all?Aric groaned and said, "I told you." "We vampires are more sensitive to sunlight than humans are, but that doesn't stop us from going outside at noon.When he saw that her excitement was making it difficult for her to remain still, he replied, "Put on your shoes, and we can go."Then she rushed to a nearby chair and yanked on her boots while giving him a peck on the cheek.When Aric saw that she was prepared, he offered her his collar. When he saw the happy expression fade at the sight of it, he almost decided not
When I saw a group of tiny white blossoms trying to break through the thick pine needles covering the ground, I bent down and brushed the pungent needles aside.After selecting a couple, I rubbed my hands together to release the flower's delicious, spicy aroma.I held out my cupped palms to Aric and said, "Here, sniff."He bent forward and took a smell, seeming doubtful.He then stood back up and added, "Spicy."I sniffed my hands again and told him, "It's phlox." "Once upon a time, my father owned a book about wildflowers. I read it about twenty times before he finally agreed to swap it."I wiped my hands on my knees, got to my feet, and continued my investigation.If I didn't find anything interesting, I'd glance to Aric for approval to continue exploring.Seeing his approval, I descended the steep hill toward the running stream. The road was in terrible shape as I emerged from the woods.To get a better look at the river, I sprinted over the cracked asphalt, enjoying the roar of th
As his pulse raced, Aric clutched Liberty to his chest. Almost lost her, he thought.At that point, he had to look down, or he would have a nervous breakdown. He drew her closer, relishing the sensation of her lips on his. He was overjoyed when he felt her respond to his advances and her lips part for his inquisitive tongue.Freedom, he said, raising his head to look her in the eyes.She reached out and gently stroked his cheek as she called out his name.He picked her up and took her into the trees so that he could feel her body against his. He put her down and kissed her passionately as they tugged at each other's clothing.While Aric tore Liberty's leggings and underwear from her body, Liberty hurriedly undid Aric's belt, opening his pants and freeing his member.He picked her up and trapped her against a nearby tree, his manhood probing her wet orifice.He purposefully allowed the tip to tickle her inner folds, preventing her from slipping over him.He cooed, "Say it," savoring he
I could pull myself up and glance around when I realized what had happened; Aric was standing over me with a horrified expression on his face.That was the last thing on my mind after we had done it.I felt a knot in my throat as guilt and disgust for myself overwhelmed me.I turned my head away and wiped my lips in the dark to get rid of the bloody taste.I forced myself to my feet and, with tears streaming down my cheeks, tugged my sweater as low as it would go to hide my exposed legs.Aric led me into the woods and made me beg him to take me and wonder what I had done wrong.Did it have anything to do with the fact that I bit him?In a low voice, I whispered, "Aric," and I looked at him for the first time. I apologize for biting you.Never mind, he muttered curtly, seizing my elbow and dragging me back up the hill towards the home.Tears streaming down my face, I said, "Aric?" I was perplexed and terrified.With a tight grip on my arm, he growled, "Quiet," as we strolled by the oth
After using the facilities, Aric came out from the restroom feeling considerably improved. The fact that he was attracted to Liberty still frightened him. Why did he have such a strong desire for her?While scanning the room, he spotted her on her knees in front of the fireplace, where she was apparently burning something in the grate.Advancing stealthily, he peered over her shoulder and confirmed that it was the same outfit she'd been wearing.Liberty sobbed as she saw them disintegrate and wiped her eyes as she rearranged the debris to ensure complete combustion.He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Liberty."She screamed in fright and then ran away from him on all fours to hide behind a group of couches.She coughed, "I'm sorry," and looked at him with red eyes.He knelt beside her and asked, "What are you sorry for?"She wailed, "For making you upset," as she shrank from his extended palm.Inquiring, "What makes you believe I'm furious with you?" Aric asked.She blew her no
As Aric forced himself to his feet and fled the room, my arms sagged to my sides.As soon as I heard the scream of his automobile coming down the driveway, I recognized him. Because of me, he left.I couldn't figure out what I'd done wrong. He kissed me first, and I returned the gesture—did I not follow protocol?Where did you expect me to go with that? Did he get what he hoped for?Even though the sex had been hard, he never made it seem like he intended any harm. It wasn't like he'd tried to hurt me or strike me, but it was clear he needed me.I hugged my knees, placed my head on the floor, and cried.Before he kept me, Aric had informed me he didn't want a pet when he first caught me during a hunt.Sometimes he was kind, even friendly, and sometimes harsh, but the events in the woods were exceptional.I could sense that his kiss and touch were full of genuine emotion.Yet, why was he treating me so poorly if that were the case?After waiting an hour, it became clear that Aric wasn'
Aric waited in his car outside the bordello, watching as other vampires came and went, but he still couldn't bring himself to join them.The notion of caressing another lady had been appealing on the way there, but he quickly lost interest once he arrived.Sitting in his car, he mused, "What has she done to me?"When someone rapped on his window, he leaped startlingly.As he looked up, he realized Henry was gazing at him from behind the pane of glass.He sighed and pushed open the door, leaving the warm inside for the cold outside.Henry slapped his pal on the shoulder and said, "Hey, Aric." "Are you going to come inside, or are you just going to sit in the parking lot and observe people like some kind of crazy weirdo?"Aric said with a forced chuckle, "I intended to be the strange eccentric."His pal questioned, "What's wrong?" as he sulked.Aric groaned; his best buddy knew the truth about how he felt.I feel like I've made a huge mistake," he sobbed against his automobile.Henry ex
I awoke in a chilly, rigid state.When I opened my eyes, the sun had set, and the room was pitch black with no lights.To begin, I slowly straightened my legs by bending them at the hips instead of the knees.Once I could sit up straight, I waited for the prickling to subside before I attempted to stand.I had to relieve the pressure on my bladder to get my thoughts in order.As I dried my hands, I walked back into the bedroom and started flipping switches.It appeared that Aric had not yet returned, and the rumbling in my stomach had increased in volume.It was May; he was back, and I had missed it. When I walked to the window, I could see that the garage door was open and that his car had not returned.A sensation of hunger made my stomach knot up, but I forced myself to relax and focus on my breathing until it passed. It had been so long since the previous meal that I had forgotten all about it.It felt like at least a whole day had passed.As I bit my lip, I weighed the possibilit
The following morning, Liberty's mother came. She was saddened by the little details she knew about her daughter's ordeals, but overjoyed to learn that she was still alive. She embraced her daughter and her new husband, albeit with some reluctance.The newlywed couple's private apartment, located in a brand-new structure that Aric had selected as his seat of power, served as the setting for the day's festivities honoring them.The tower of suffering built by his father was going to be dismantled and lowered to the ground since this was already in the planning stages.Henry was given permission to transform Alfie, and a ceremony was arranged for them not long after his love awoke into his new existence not long after the ceremony was held for them.Two days after their hasty wedding ceremony, an announcement was made publically declaring the new Lord and Lady of the Northwest Territory. This notification was sent out by the law.Even though many of the lesser lords agreed with Lady Lea
When Aric's mother glanced at her son, completely disregarding my presence in the room, I couldn't help but nibble the inside of my lip nervously.Aric began by giving my hand a firm squeeze before rising to his knees and bending over his mother. "Mother," he said, "You did come to me earlier and tell me that Liberty was concerned that I might become like my father, did you not?""Well," Lady Leanor started, no indication that she was ashamed or trying to be deceptive, "sure I did since that's what she said."Aric continued, his tone becoming increasingly agitated as he vented his frustration, "You also insinuated that she had merely been using me until she could find someone with more authority to go on to.""What?"Emily inquired as she abruptly jerked herself upright, interrupting the conversation as her eyes swept over her mother, her brother, and me."Because she did," Leanor yelled at me while directing her murderous glare in my direction. "She leaped at the chance to abandon y
Aric took Liberty in his arms and led the way back to the chamber that he had staked a claim as their own.After temporarily leaving her to make arrangements for her mother's arrival, he returned to find Liberty standing naked under the stream of hot water coming from the showerhead.When he saw the scars that disfigured the previously smooth surface of her back, he couldn't believe that he had ever had any reason to distrust her.He undressed and joined her, then let his fingertips run over the scars his father had left in her flesh.While his arms were wrapped around her waist, he whispered into her ear, "For each and every one of these, I guarantee you a million wonderful moments."Liberty let out a contented sigh as she lay her back against his chest. She cherished the sensation of his strong arms surrounding her and protecting her at that very moment."Well," she continued with an invisible smile that suggested she was being playful, "you have eternity to do the work."Aric renew
When Aric looked down into my eyes, he muttered, "I know you worry, and I promise that with you by my side, I can cope with everything."I drew his lips back to mine and whispered the words, "I love you."I needed to feel him against me now more than ever. As I reached up, I fumbled around frantically, trying to undo the buttons on his shirt, and I was almost in tears since it felt like such a challenge.At long last, I could get it out of the way and get a feel for the velvety smoothness of his chest beneath my palms.Aric's hands were fumbling at the hem of my own shirt, pushing it up and over my head as I heaved a sigh of relief.After he freed his lips from the cloth, he kissed a path down my chin, going agonizingly down my neck and finally latching on to my nipple after pressing the cup of my bra down.I couldn't help but sigh in contentment as I ran my hands through his thick hair and gently cradled his head in my arms.I murmured, "Aric," with a longing for buildup buried deep
Aric's determination was almost shaken when he saw the agony in Liberty's eyes, but he managed to keep it together.If his mother's statement was accurate, he has been led to believe that she lied to him during their relationship. She has exploited her body to win his love and ensure her own future success.It seemed as though the evidence had been staring him in the face the whole time, didn't it?Because he had more authority, she ended up being his father's plaything, but as soon as that strategy backfired, she instantly found a way to get back into his bed.Aric muttered an expletive under his breath as he watched the woman who had once been his darling struggle to stand."Aric," she pleaded, tears streaming down her stunning face, "Aric, please, let me explain."While he had her by the shoulders and was choking her, he spat, "My mother explained enough." "You are more than a deceitful person who took advantage of me.""I never once exploited you," Liberty said under her breath as
Before I can continue, I need a few moments to collect my thoughts and proceed.I was finally allowed to talk to Lady Leanor when I told her that Lord Lothaire had brought me here and that he had made me one of his slaves."Did he cause you any pain?"Aric's mother questioned with sadness and anxiety on her face.I could not stop the tears from falling as I said, "Yes, ma'am," but "in ways, I wish I could forget."Lady Leanor groaned as she took another sip from her cup and remarked, "He was a dreadful beast."I nodded in agreement as I wiped my cheeks and said, "Yes, he was."When I looked up, I sniffed and said, "You know, I always wondered how a guy as violent as your father could have a kid as great as Aric, and I think I know the answer.""He had you," I said as I stood up and maneuvered my way across the cramped room to embrace the other woman. "Thank you."She was perplexed as she questioned, "For what?"I conveyed it to her while gazing down at her and saying, "for your compas
Liberty followed Lady Leanor into a cozy sitting area close to the office where Aric was working.Leanor stayed standing as she gazed down on the younger woman who had been chosen as the companion for her son and gestured for her to sit down."Are you hungry?"she enquired, noticing that she was beginning to feel hungry.Liberty said gently, "No, thank you," while wriggling uneasily under the inspection of the more experienced vampire.After nodding, Lady Leanor walked to the other side of the room and picked a blood bag out for herself. After ripping it apart, she transferred the blood-red liquid into a nearby cup before returning to her seat across from Liberty.Leanor couldn't help but emit a tiny giggle at the other woman's puzzled expression.Her voice was filled with mirth as she remarked, "I despise the taste those plastic bags leave behind in my mouth." "Call me old school, but if it's not coming directly from the vein, I prefer to drink it out of a cup," you can say that abou
"My mum!" I said, startled to realize that since I had sent her the little letter, I hadn't given her a second thought.As I whirled around to face Aric in a state of terror, I could hardly get the words out.I choked out the words, "I have to get to her!" "I don't want her to learn from anybody else about what happened to me.I pleaded with him, "Please, Aric," as tears filled my eyes.He reached out to wipe the tears from my face as he said, "Of course, my darling. We can board the plane and be there in forty-five minutes."When I heard the word "plane," the recollection of the last time I had been on a plane with Lord Lothaire caused my legs' knees to weaken.When I started shivering because of the recollection, Aric grabbed me about the waist and held me close while he seemed to understand that he had made a mistake.Despite Januarius's gift of peace, the recollection horrified me. All the atrocities I'd been forced to endure at Lothaire's hands rushed through my mind as though th
Aric's dispute with his mother continued until he discovered that Liberty was no longer in the area.As he looked around the room, he noticed that she was nowhere to be found at that point."Mother," he replied, holding out his hand to prevent her from offering yet another scathing response, "I am going to marry her regardless of what you think. I love her!""Love is not enough," Leanor said angrily in her response.A voice came behind them and said, "Love is enough."As Aric turned around, he noticed Liberty standing in the doorway, her chin lifted proudly over her chest.As she proceeded, she moved closer to Aric and intertwined her hand with his as she stood next to him. "Januarius informed me that our love was extraordinary," she said. "If he believes in us, then what gives you the right to doubt us?""I know you think you..." Leanor paused, staring at Liberty with a suspicious expression on her face. "I know you think you..." "Did you say Januarius talked to you?"Liberty said, "