Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 96: A warm touch

"Vampires prefer the taste of human blood. Ghouls go for much bigger animals and fairies don’t eat meat altogether," Silas explained, "Other species have different reasons not to go after squirrels either,"

That did it. It became clear that the lack of persecution towards those creatures allowed them to grow fearless and put their guard down around others that did not share their traits.

"That is quite lovely," without any prior warning, the young woman halted and bent down, cutting the distance even shorter between her face and the tiny gopher that had stopped mid-run right by her feet, "Squirrels are the most hunted creatures down in Lustris, in the colder regions. The needy pursue them for food while the wealthy put them down for sports," Arabella uttered while never once taking her eyes away from the adorable gnawer sniffing the fingertips she’d extended its way.

"These ones are used to the fairies and the folks that come to visit," Silas simply watched their interaction, looking completely unbothered at first.

The squirrel had all of her attention, almost eclipsing everything else. Upon whiffing her some more, it neared the young woman further, ending its journey nestled between her hands. Arabella cupped it gently then rose back to her full height.

"I think it likes me," she chirped.

She held it to her heart and cradled it the rest of their way down the valley. Seemingly comfortable, the animal made no fuss in her embrace. On the contrary, it curled up into a ball, lay its head right on her breasts and shut its eyes.

Silas’ eyebrow twitched which went unnoticed by her, seeing how enamored with the squirrel she’d become.

"They are trusting, but usually not this trusting," the freezing cold tone he’d used wrenched her eyes towards himself, a mix of curiosity and apprehension taking over, "I believe it is best to set it free,"

"I think it is... Sleeping," she muttered, her smile fading gradually.

"It can sleep on the ground," his demeanor harsh, retaining none of the warmth it previously held, "Lay it down," he ordered dryly.

Reluctantly, she obeyed, placing the little thing atop the fresh grass, "But... why?" the question came as soon as she’d stood up.

"As I said before," eyes ahead, Silas resumed walking, "They are bold, but not that trusting. They do not cozy up to other creatures that way,"

"Do you suspect... Malice from the... Squirrels?"

Very awkwardly, she wrestled her facial muscles from displaying a smile. The young woman quickly realized it was a good call after seeing the glare he shot her.

"No," he pressed on the word, "I do not believe mere squirrels capable of plotting complex devilry, but while such conspiracies are absurd, they may very well be used as a tool to achieve a wanted goal and that goal might just be you so, from now on, I will advise you not to touch anything while out here, as harmless or darling as it may appear,"

"My apologies,"

Arabella kept her eyes solely on the ground after that. Well, that was until Silas broke the silence between them again, "And there is one more thing we need to tend to,"

She copied his action and stopped, but kept quiet, waiting for his next line.

The vampire took his signature dagger out of his long sleeve and traced a line across his palm, one that left a bleeding gash.

The young woman utterly froze when he brought the wound closer to her face and declared, "Drink,"

"Wh... But...," the words to express the shock failed her.

"You’ve sustained some injuries across your feet and legs. Fairy ground is sacred and blood flowing in a way it shouldn’t is deemed a curse by the fairy folk," he stated as though it was the simplest of matters.

"I understand but...," she stared at his approaching hand as if expecting it to grow a mouth and devour her.

Hearing the drumming of her heart, Silas too stopped all movement, "What seems to be the problem?"

"Well, it’s merely that...," Arabella continuously trailed off before finishing any sentence while leaning away in a gradual manner.

"Oh, I see," there was neither rise nor fall in his intonation. His expression did not shift much either. The vampire only took his hand back upon grasping the situation, "You’ve drank blood from my palm before,"

Although composed, Silas somehow still managed to look like a child that discovered he’d been doing something wrong all along.

"Yes, but... The situation back then was quite different from now," a grimace apparent on her, her eyes never left his hand, "I was not conscious, and it also was a matter of life or death,"

"I did not think of bringing a cup with me to mix my blood with water," the rustling stream drew his attention away, "Let me see the cuts on your legs,"

She flinched when he suddenly crouched down before her. Gripping the sides of her own gown until her knuckles turned white, Arabella trembled a little. Blood traveled quicker through their tubes and rushed upwards to gather almost exclusively around her face, earning it the perfect shade of a strawberry.

Silas waited patiently, but she never lifted her dress, he glanced up with an expression that voiced his questions on his behalf.

Her heart rate hadn’t settled down, but he chalked it up to his earlier action. Nevertheless, he did not reach out to lift her gown and instead held that position for a few seconds until Arabella had plucked up the courage to do as told.

A breath escaped her control, lost as to whether it was to be inhaled or exhaled the instant his fingers brushed over her skin.

They were warm, dragging the memories of the last time she’d experienced his touch out of the special box they’d been tucked into.

"Is everything alright?" he’d stopped all movement, looking upwards.

"Yes... Yes! Everything is alright!" she practically squeaked. By then, her voice had completely renounced her authority.