Page 128 of Treasured

Sebastian tilted his head, exposing his neck to me.

“Drink,” he said huskily. “Then you can sleep.”

I didn’t even have the energy to put up a fight. I clambered towards him, licking the tips of my fangs before climbing into his lap. His arms wrapped around me, and then I bit him.

The first taste of his smoky, cinnamon blood filled a hole that I hadn’t known existed. The next made me feel stronger than I had ever thought possible.

And the third.

The. Third.

It consumed me. Overwhelmed me. Empowered me.

It flooded through me like lava erupting from a volcano. It filled all the cracks, all the exhaustion, all the weariness that had been present a moment ago. Now, something new and hot flooded through me instead.

I pulled my fangs from his neck, licking as his skin healed. Sleep was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I couldn’t help but notice that while I was dressed, Sebastian most certainly was not.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, hoping he was.

He shook his head, drawing me against him as he moved further on the bed. “No.”

My hand traveled down the planes of his stomach, tracing each line of his skin. Gods, this vampire was too beautiful for his own good. “Are you… tired?”

Sebastian caught my fingers as they dipped lower on his stomach. “No,” he said.

I wiggled my hand out of his. “Good.” I shifted, clambering back onto his lap and kissing him. “I’m not tired either,” I said against his lips.

For a moment, we both lost ourselves in the embrace. Every time we came together like this, it felt right. Good. Too soon, however, Sebastian’s hands landed on my hips. He lifted me off him. “You need to sleep, Luna.”

“No, I need you,” I protested.

He smirked. “I’m right here.”

I went to kiss him again, but he caught me, flipping me around so my back was to his front. “Sleep,” he whispered, drawing the covers over us both. “You’ll need your strength.”

My stomach dropped, and though I already suspected the answer, I asked, “Why?”

He chuckled, and there was more than a little darkness in the sound. “Because darling, tomorrow we are doing this all over again.”

I groaned.

* * *

Over the course of the next week, Sebastian and I fell into a routine.

A horrible, exhausting, not-at-all-fun routine.

After the first night when Sebastian completely decimated me, I started visiting Marius early in the evening. Like most humans and witches in the abbey, he kept the same hours as vampires. Marius would eat his breakfast, and Sebastian and I would drink coffee, my husband often just keeping his hand on my shoulder or staying in the hall to give my brother and me some privacy. Marius and I always arrived back at one of two topics. We’d talk about our family—that inevitably ended in tears—or we made plans for the future.

My little brother was still captivated by Phyrra. He wouldn’t stop asking Sebastian about the spymaster. Ever since Marius had learned of the spy’s reputation as one of the fiercest fighters in all Eleyta, he was making plans to train so he could fight like her. He had spirit, and slowly, he was gaining strength.

Every day, Marius looked better than the day before. His skin was filling out, his frame was less skeletal, and he had a healthy glow. I thanked Isvana each time I saw my brother. Soon, I would be as pious as the priestesses.

Not only did being with Marius bring me joy, but it brought me strength. I couldn’t explain it, but it was easier to tap into my magic after spending time with him. There was something about our connection that sang when we were in close proximity, especially when Sebastian was nearby.

After breakfast, Marius and I parted ways. Odette had taken a liking to him, and together the two toiled away in the underground laboratory, making more vials of the cure. There were so many humans affected by the sickness that it would take months to help them all.

While Odette and Marius worked, Sebastian and I trained. A lot. An excessive amount, really. At least, in my opinion. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take, but every time I asked if we could take a break, Sebastian said it wasn’t enough. He was tireless in his efforts to train me.