“And we’ll be just fine,” Felicity whispered, clasping his hand to her chest.
“Wonderful!” Mamaie exclaimed. “And the baby? Did you tell him about the baby?” she asked Felicity.
“No. He told me,” Felicity answered, looking lovingly at Enthrall.
“Then all is well. And you’re not hurting too badly. So, rather than drink this, I think we will just put the healing salve on the wound.”
Mamaie gently applied the salve, then stood back admiring her handiwork. “You will have a scar, Lici. But it will fade with time. And it’s a small price to pay for eternity with your man. Don’t you think?”
Felicity was still trying to wrap her head around all that had happened. Yes, she was alive. Yes, her baby was safe, and she now knew for sure that she had a baby. And Enthrall loved her and stood by her side, promising her that she’d have all she wanted for herself before she’d been attacked. But it was going to take her some time to adjust. “I’ll remember that, Mamaie.”
“Good. Now. What else can I get for you?”
Felicity looked longingly at Mamaie. “A bath? I would so love a bath.”
“Then you shall have one. Give me a moment, I’ll be back with a bandage to wrap your wound. Enthrall, be careful to keep her wound dressings dry after I wrap them. Other than that, you can bathe her normally.”
“I can bathe…” Felicity said, trying to lift herself off the pillows.
Mamaie set the lamp aside and placed her hands on either side of Felicity’s face. “Do you not realize, Felicity? You were dead, child. You were practically dead when Enthrall burst into the kitchen, you in his arms, the both of you covered in blood. This is not a small injury to be taken lightly. I don’t believe you have the strength to bathe yourself. I don’t believe you have the strength to rise and walk from this bed. Every cell of your body has been transformed. Lie back, child. Allow your male to care for you. Allow me to care for you. Do not be so quick to do for yourself. We are well aware that you were fully capable and will be again, but allow yourself the luxury of being cared for now. I believe you’ll find that you appreciate it more than you know.”
“You’re right,” Felicity said.
“I know,” Mamaie answered. “I usually am. I’ll be back. Enthrall, perhaps you could prepare her bath.”
“Will you be okay for a moment while I run your bath?” Enthrall asked, thrilled that she’d accepted the change well, and even more thrilled that he’d been given the chance to take care of her.
“Yes, go.”
Enthrall hurried across the hall to the bathroom the first floor bedrooms shared. He started the water and made sure that it was the right temperature. Then he laid out thick towels and made sure there was a fresh bar of soap and the honey-lemon scented shampoo Felicity favored so much. He took a few moments to wash his hands and brush his teeth, then he went back to his bedroom for Felicity. He heard voices coming from inside the bedroom and paused outside the door to listen.
Felicity lay in Enthrall’s bed, her mind a swirling storm of emotions and thoughts as she tried to make sense of all that had happened. She didn’t feel any different. Well, physically, she didn't feel any different. Emotionally, she was a wreck. She realized as soon as Enthrall had left the bedroom that she didn’t want to be alone. She was afraid of being alone. It was an unreasonable fear, she knew. But still, being attacked and almost dying could make one afraid of all sorts of things. If she’d had her voice fully recovered, she’d have called for Enthrall to come back to her. But she didn’t, and she was feeling rather weak. So instead, she lay in his bed and closed her eyes, willing him to hurry.
Felicity heard the squeak of the door as it was pushed open, and her heart leapt in her chest. Her eyes widened, and she watched the door praying it was Enthrall, and not the man who hurt her returning to finish the job. Her relief was palpable when she saw Shane’s head peek around the door.
“Hello, Miss Felicity.”
Felicity, recovering from her mini panic attack, smiled at Shane and raised her hand to him. He came toward her, shyly, but obviously seeking out her company.
“Uncle Lore says that you and my Dad are going to have a new baby.”
“Yes,” she answered, as the boy climbed up on the bed and slid closer to her.
“Do you think that it will be okay if I keep living here? I mean, now that you have your own baby, maybe Dad won’t need me here anymore. He said he needed a family, but now he’ll have the new baby. So…”
“You don’t want to get in the way,” Felicity finished for him.
“Yeah.” Shane shrugged. “I like it here. But I don’t want to be nowhere I’m not wanted. I could just go back to my ducks, and I’ll be okay.”
Felicity struggled to pull herself upright a little more. She reclined on the pillows behind her and raised her arm for Shane to fit under. Shane eyed her suspiciously, then slowly slid into place beside her, so she could put her arm around his shoulders. “You know, moms and dads can and do love more than one child.”
“Yeah, but it’s not like I’m really your kid.”
Felicity raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Well, yeah. I mean, Dad came out and found me in the park, it’s not like I was his from the first day.”
Felicity tried to smile as best she could without tugging on the skin of her throat. The Vampire blood in her body was making quick work of the healing process, but the stitches Mamaie had taken were pulling tight as the flesh healed. “Don’t you realize that makes you even more special?”
Shane looked at her, a confused expression on his face.
“Enthrall went out and searched for you. He asked people where you were. He walked the city at night, searching everywhere. For you. He didn’t want just anyone. He wanted YOU. And that’s why you’re here now. He wanted you to be his son. And he still does. And so do I.”
“Really?” he asked, perking up a bit.
“Of course! And you know what else?”
“What?”
“This new baby, he’s going to need a big brother to help learn all he’ll need to learn. I can’t think of anyone better for that job, than you.”
Shane smiled.
“Do you think that you could do that? Be his big brother?”
“Yes! I can do that.”
“Wonderful,” Felicity said. “Shane, don’t ever forget how special you are. Or how blessed we are to have you in our family.”
“I won’t,” he said, grinning as she leaned her head slightly against his.
“If it’s okay, I’d like to ask you a favor.”
“From me? I’ll do whatever you need!”
“Could you call me mom? I mean, if Enthrall is dad, and his friends are your uncles, would you mind terribly if I was mom?”
Shane’s face skewed up into a wrinkled mess. He was trying not to cry. “My real mom left me,” he confided, his voice cracking.
“I never will, Shane. I promise. Okay?”
Shane used the back of his hand to wipe his eyes. “Okay,” he croaked.
Enthrall chose that moment to interrupt. “Okay, your bath’s all ready.”
Shane grinned at Enthrall while he finished wiping his eyes.
“What’s this? Everybody okay?” he asked, his heart full to overflowing with the exchange he’d overheard.
“Yep. Me and Mom were just talking a little.”
“Well, good. You should talk all the time.”
“Yeah. I think so, too,” Shane agreed, sliding off the bed when he heard Murder calling his name as he came down the hallway searching for him. “I’m in here, Uncle Murder!”
The door pushed open, and Murder stood there, shaking his head.
“Thought you weren't going to take your eyes off him,” Enthrall said, sarcastically.
“He’s wily!” Murder answered.
Shane laughed. “I had to talk to Mom. But, I’m done now.”
“Good, sun’s up. What do you say we go outside for a whi
le?” Murder asked.
“Can I, Dad?” Shane asked excitedly.
“Of course. But, do not leave our back yard. Alright?” Enthrall asked.
“I promise.”
As soon as they were gone, Enthrall turned to Felicity. “You ready for our bath?”
“Ours?” she rasped at him.
“Yes, ours. And I need to stop asking you questions. You’ll never rest your voice if we keep making you talk. Come on, let’s get you into the bath tub.” Enthrall very carefully lifted her and carried her across the hall to the bathroom. He kicked the door closed behind them and sat her on the chair beside the vanity to undress her.
Mamaie knocked on the door to give them the bandage.
“Sit here for a moment, I’ll get the bandage.”
Felicity gave a very slight nod, rather than speak.
She watched Enthrall as he took the bandage from Mamaie, then closed the door, returning to her as quickly as possible.
“Here, we go,” he said, kneeling down in front of her. He unrolled the edge of the bandage and held it at the back of her neck as he began to wind it around her throat. He was very careful not to wrap it too tight. “Is that okay?” he asked, when he was done.
“Yes.”
He stood up and shucked his pants and undershorts. Letting them lie in a pile on the floor.
Felicity’s eyes rounded as she watched his naked body, his muscles bunching and clenching as he moved to kick his clothes to the side. Then he leaned over her and took her in his arms. He approached the tub and carefully stepped first one foot, then the other into the steamy water. Enthrall slowly set Felicity on her feet in the water and then steadied her as she sat down. He took a seat right behind her, settling her to lean back against his chest. “How’s this?” he asked.
“Perfect,” she rasped quietly.
He cupped water in his hands and drizzled it over her shoulders. “I heard you speaking with Shane.”
Felicity leaned her head back against his shoulder. “He was afraid we wouldn’t want him because of the baby.”
“You handled it wonderfully. Thank you for making him feel so welcome.”
“He’s our son. What else would I do.”
“I love you, Lici,” he said, kissing her hair.
“I was afraid,” she confided.
“When?” he asked.
“When you came to make the bath. I was afraid that man would come back after me. I know it’s silly. But I didn’t want to be alone.”
“It’s not silly. And you won’t be alone.”
“Do you think he’ll try to hurt me and Anna again?” she asked, the fear clear even in her whisper.
“No. He’s no longer living, Lici. He can’t hurt you or anyone else, ever again.”
Felicity sat up, and Enthrall sat up with her. “I’m ashamed to say, I didn’t do it. I wanted to, but I couldn't leave you. I needed to look after you. Lore took care of it. You are not in danger, not from him, not from anyone. And I will not ever leave you alone. Unless you tell me that you want me to give you some alone time, you’re stuck with me. And even then, I’ll most likely just be in the next room.”
Felicity snorted.
“Was that a laugh?” Enthrall asked.
“Sort of,” she answered. Then she sobered. “It’s going to be an adjustment, Enthrall.”
“I know. And I’ll be beside you every step of the way. No need to rush anything. No need to worry. It’ll be okay. We’ll work through it all together. One day at a time.”
Felicity leaned back against Enthrall again, and he leaned back against the tub, draping his arm around her middle.
“I love you, Enthrall.”
Enthrall kissed the side of her head. “I love you,” he whispered. “And thank you.”
“For?”
“Loving me. Giving me all I’ve ever wanted in life. Trusting me.”
“You’re welcome. Now, stop making me talk.”
“Yes, ma’am!” he answered, laughing and nibbling on her ear enough to tickle just a touch.
Chapter 25
Felicity sipped her coffee, closed her eyes and tilted her head back to welcome the bright early morning sun on her face. “Don’t you just love mornings?” she asked, her eyes still closed and face turned toward the sky.
Enthrall smiled, watching her enjoying just being alive. “I do now.”
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “I can’t believe I never took the time to enjoy a sunrise before.”
“You were busy. Now you’ve got time.”
“I do.” She scooped up some of the peanut butter on the saucer in front of her with a slice of apple. “But you know, it won’t always be like this. I’ll still have to work — I want to. And I’ll be busy sometimes.”
“I know, Lici. But it’s only been a couple of days. Pace yourself, allow yourself time to adjust. When you want to do more, when you’re up to it, you’ll know.”
“I’m up to it now. I have so much energy! I’ve never felt so strong, so alive… it’s amazing!”
Enthrall grinned. “I’m glad you’re happy.” He took a deep breath, then let it out.
“You say that like you weren’t sure I’d be happy.”
“I wasn’t. I was afraid you’d resent me.”
Felicity got up and rounded the table to where Enthrall sat. She tried to push his chair back a little, away from the table.
He obliged her, scooting back to accommodate her.
Right away she took a seat in his lap. Felicity kissed him, holding his face in her hands. “I’ll forever be grateful. And had I known how it would feel, I’d have accepted before you even finished offering that night outside your home in Whispers. I was a fool.”
“No, you were just afraid of the changes. You thought it would change how you wanted to do things.” Enthrall let his eyes drift to the soft, sheer batiste scarf she had draped loosely about her neck. He fingered it, gently lifting it and unlooping one end from the other. “You don’t need this, Lici.”
“I’m scarred, though. I don’t want to put off anyone by showing it freely.”
“Considering the wound, it’s minimal. And no one who is of any value would be put off by your scar. Rather, they’d see it a symbol of strength, survival of all you’ve overcome, and the fact you display it, without hiding from it, shows that you are filled with grace and honesty — this is who I am, I am not ashamed.”
Felicity’s hand lightly covered Enthrall’s where he held the end of her scarf, her fingers stroking his lightly, considering his words. “I don’t mind the scar so much, it’s just that it’s so red. It looks almost as though it is bleeding,” she confided, her eyes cast down.
“As you become stronger, your body adjusts more, the shade of the scar will fade. It will blend with your own skin tone more.”
“How will that happen, the becoming stronger, adjusting? Just over time?”
“Some, yes. But through feeding. Taking my blood will make you stronger. As with all scars they will fade overtime, but your body’s increased ability to heal itself will make that time span even less. And my strength added to your own will show you almost immediate results.”
“Really? It’s that simple?” Felicity asked.
“It is.”
Felicity’s hand increased its hold on Enthrall’s where it still toyed with the end of her scarf. “I don’t want to wear this anymore.” She pulled his hand, which in turn pulled the scarf from her throat. “Feed me, so that the color will fade and I can wear the scar proudly.”
“Are you sure, love? You don’t have to feed so soon. Your body is not calling for it, yet.”
“I’m sure.”
Enthrall raised his hand, intending to open his wrist for her, but she leaned over, pushing his hand away and licked at his throat, suckling a bit. He let out a soft moan and slid his fingers between her mouth and his neck. He extended the claws of two fingers to open the skin there and allow her to feed.
Felicity pulled ba
ck just enough to allow Enthrall to open his vein for her. She watched curiously every move he made. As soon as the blood rose to the surface of his flesh and began to form a droplet in preparation of trailing down his neck, she leaned forward and tentatively swiped at his blood with the tip of her tongue. Warmth immediately suffused her body, head to toe. She savored the flavor of his life’s blood, and licked another path up his neck. Her body responded immediately — tingling, pleasure, warmth and want filling her every pore. “Enthrall!” she said, sitting back to see his face.
Enthrall smiled up at his female. Her eyes were red, she was panting and the look of wonder on her face was beautiful. “Take as much as you like, Lici. I am yours.”
Felicity brushed her lips against his, nipping slightly his bottom lip, before soothing it with her tongue. Then she kissed her way to his neck and began to suckle in earnest.
Enthrall rumbled deep in his throat, unable to keep from pushing his hips up toward her body. Feeding one’s mate was a very erotic thing. He reached out his hands to hold her hips in place and pushed against her again with each soft pull of her mouth on his neck.
Felicity pressed down on Enthrall with each gentle thrust he made against her body. Finally when she could take it no more, she let go of his neck and stood, lifting her skirt. She held the skirt up and her eyes, still red with her Vampire nature, but clearly filled with passion and need, met his, then looked down at her panties.
Enthrall reached out, using his claws to tear them from her body, and the smile she rewarded him with promised all kinds of sins.
Without hesitation she moved to climb on his lap again, and he rushed to unzip and shove his trousers below his hips, exposing his throbbing cock. Facing him, she slid down on his cock, her body welcoming his hardness into her hot, weeping depths while her knees were braced against the chair he sat in. She clenched her muscles, testing his response, and his immediate snarl made her grin with the power she was just learning she wielded. Felicity stroked his hair back and rocked her hips at the same time she whispered to him. “I want more!”
Enthrall reached up with one hand to open his neck again, but she pushed his hand aside and smiled, pulling her own lips back to display tiny, new fangs. “Can I try?”
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