Forever Entwined

Blood and Love

The air in the room grew thick with anticipation, a silent hum charged between them. Cass moved, his hips a slow, deliberate tease as the swollen head of his c**k brushed against her aching wetness.

"Cass, please," Nix whimpered, her voice a fragile plea. She shifted beneath him, desperate for the solid weight of him, craving the profound connection only their bodies could forge.

He chuckled, a low rumble against her ear. "Patience, my love. I want to savor every inch of you." His lips found her breast, suckling gently, drawing a gasp from her as her pearled n****e tightened further.

"Caspian!" she stuttered, her body arching involuntarily as a searing heat ignited deep within her. The world narrowed to his touch, his scent, the burning desire that consumed her.

A slow smirk spread across Cass's face, a predator's grin that promised both pleasure and a delicious torment. Then, with a groan that seemed to tear from his very soul, he plunged deep, filling her with a single, potent thrust.

Nix's back arched, a strangled whimper of pure satisfaction escaping her lips. Her thighs instinctively wrapped around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer, desperate to meld their bodies entirely.

"All day," he panted, his voice raw, as he began to move, a relentless rhythm of hips rocking, thrusting in and out of her slick warmth. "Through all those endless, boring councils... all I could think of was you. Your soft, round t**s, your hot, wet cunt, just waiting for me." He rasped the last words into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"Caspiannn!" Nix cried out, her climax tearing through her, a wave of liquid heat that cascaded down his shaft. The wet, rhythmic slap of their skin filled the silence, a testament to their union.

Cass bucked, a guttural roar leaving his throat, then stilled, his body trembling as he flooded her. He held her close, pressing her against him until his release slowly ebbed, warm and heavy, a delightful overflow.

"I love the feeling of your seed filling me," Nix groaned, resting her head on his chest, her breath still catching.

He smiled, a lazy, contented curve of his lips. "And I love filling you, my beautiful mate." His gaze drifted over her, taking in the golden-brown hair fanned across the pillow, her hooded, content eyes, her full, luscious lips. "You're so perfect," he murmured, his kiss slow and tender.

"I know," she giggled, the lingering euphoria lightening her heart.

The next morning, Nix woke with a familiar groan, a feeling she'd grown accustomed to since she was twelve. Her eyes widened as she pulled back the sheets, a cringed gasp escaping her lips. Blood. It was everywhere. And this time, Cass had stayed the night.

A desperate flush crept up her neck. She tried to roll the stained sheets, to somehow discreetly conceal the crimson evidence, but Cass's substantial form made any stealth impossible. Hot, silent tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Nixie?" Cass mumbled, stirring beside her, about to roll towards her.

"No!" she yelped, her voice a sharp cry of alarm, pushing at his shoulder. She couldn't bear for him to roll into it.

"Huh?" Cass sat up, confusion clouding his features. His eyes drifted down, registering the blood, and he jolted upright. "Are you okay?" His gaze swept over her naked body, searching for any sign of injury.

"Yes... it's just, my cycle," Nix confessed, her cheeks burning a furious scarlet.

A moment of silence stretched between them, then Cass's expression softened. "It's okay, little one," he said, his voice gentle. He reached out, his thumb tracing the tip of her nose, wiping away the tears. "It's just nature. Do you want me to run you a bath?" He offered, unsure, but wanting to help.

"Yes," she nodded, looking up at him through her tear-soaked lashes, relief washing over her.

By the time Cass returned, the bathroom air fragrant with steam, Nix had already torn the sheets from the bed. She'd bundled them tightly, a red-stained secret, and handed them off to the laundry maids.

"You don't need to be so embarrassed," Cass said, trying to comfort her as he led her to the waiting tub.

"I can't help it," she admitted, shrugging. "I know we've been together for more than six moons, but... on those days, you were always busy. I just haven't had to deal with a situation like this before."

"I haven't really either, not like this," he conceded, rubbing her back as he helped her into the warm water. "But it's normal, Nix. It happens. And believe it or not, I've seen more than a little puddle of blood before." His attempt at humor was gentle, easing some of her tension.

"I have to go," he said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "But I'll come back as soon as I can."

It wasn't long before a soft knock sounded at the door. Nix, still in the tub, hastily wrapped a thick robe around herself before calling out, "Who is it?"

"It's Me!" Millie's familiar voice, with its usual lilting laugh, floated through the wood.

Nix opened the door. "Come in."

"I passed Cass on the way here," Millie began, a curious glint in her eye. "He said something rather cryptic about you having a sensitive morning?"

Nix let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Oh, I've just got my bleed again, and it was... messy. He stayed over last night, and I didn't prepare." It was easier, she found, to talk about it with a fellow female.

"Ohhh," Millie nodded knowingly, understanding dawning.

"Well, I was about to suggest we spend the day with the court ladies for some gossip, but I don't think you'd be up for that right now."

"No, I kind of want to just be alone today, I think." Nix knew Millie wouldn't be offended. "Maybe you could go do your rounds, collect the gossip, and then let me know tomorrow?"

Millie nodded again. "If you feel particularly unwell, don't hesitate to call for the physician."

"I won't," Nix promised, giving Millie a quick, grateful hug before her friend departed.

Nix spent the rest of the day cocooned in her bed, finding solace in a book and the chocolates Cass had sent. She picked up her mother's old potion book, but it was more than just recipes. Interspersed among the medicinal concoctions were diary entries, intimate thoughts about her daughter. Her mother had written about her hopes for Nix: that she would find her mate, that she would follow her dreams, forge her own path.

Tears welled in Nix's eyes as she imagined the quiet pain her mother must have endured, birthing so many stillborn babies, with no choice in the matter. Yet, her mother had stayed strong. The last entry, dated just two days before her death, held a single, heartbreaking sentence: I can feel that this will be my last child.

At about four in the afternoon, just as he'd promised, Cass returned.

"Are you okay?" he asked, noting her red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"Yes, I'm fine," Nix lied, not wanting to delve back into the sorrow of her mother's past.

"Well, then," Cass said, a warm smile gracing his lips as he sat beside her on the bed. "I thought we'd have dinner here tonight. The food will arrive within the hour."

"That sounds good," Nix sighed, a wave of relief washing over her. Eating in front of the court, feigning normalcy, was the last thing she wanted to do tonight.