The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga) by Stephanie Hudson
“Well, if you two will excuse me, I think I will get a drink.” I was about to slide out from the Draven sandwich I was currently in when Draven’s hand gripped my waist in a very primal way.
“Stay!” Was all he said.
“Okkiedokkie.” I replied quietly as he slid me back in place.
“And what of the cousin?” He enquired.
“Bloody, bruised and beaten. She fought well, brother.” Oh jeez wasn’t I just the star pupil! It felt like I was in some weird, supernatural parent teacher conference.
Draven looked down at me and took my hand in his.
“Good girl, I am proud of you.” He said before squeezing my hand, that was, my right hand that had the ‘maybe’ broken knuckle. I yelped in pain and Draven growled letting go of the pressure but not my hand. He lifted it to examine.
“Ah yes, well I meant to tell you about that. Naturally, she hurt her fist in the beating process and that I could not heal...without...” He didn’t need to finish, evidently Draven got it.
“Yes, I understand. I would not have permitted that. I will fix it myself.” He stated in his usual masterful manner. Vincent made his move to leave but Draven spoke again putting full weight into his next command.
“Give me your hand brother.” Draven asked Vincent who looked as though he had expected what was about to happen. I was being moved to stand by Draven’s side while Vincent stepped forward to place his hand in Draven’s. They both closed their eyes and I could just make out the faint flickering under their lids. Almost like they were watching something.
I was waiting for a reaction I could never predict but he did startle me again when something he saw made a growl ripple its way up through his chest. I was moving backwards slowly trying to get away from whatever it was but his hand zipped out and stopped me without even opening his eyes. It was as if he could feel every move I made. Although I was breathing hard and scared of his next reaction, the hand that held on to my wrist started to sooth his thumb around in circles to put me at ease. Then he spoke but I know not what.
“Vous êtes le seul homme qui j'ai confiance pour toucher son de cette manière sans avoir besoin de vous tuer à cause de cela » (Means “You are the only man I trust to touch her this way without the need to kill you because of it.” In French) Draven’s words, even though in perfect French tongue had been icy cold, even I could tell that without knowing the meaning behind them. If I was a betting woman, I would put money on the fact that Draven had just seen all that Vincent had, including him healing me. One thought...oh shit! Draven let go of his hand and instead of hitting him like it looked like he wanted to do, he shocked me and grabbed him behind the neck and pulled his forehead closer to touch his own.
“Frater” (Means “My brother” In Latin) He whispered and Vincent repeated the word. It was such a touching moment that I found my eyes tearing at the sight of such a strong unbreakable bond. This action was the very translation of the word Brother. A love that didn’t need words to describe, it was just enough, singled and defined by its purity. It made me realize just how much strength the word Brother had. Brother at arms, Brotherhoods and Blood Brothers all had the same thing in common...they all represent men as comrades.
My feelings must have been giving off signals as bright as Las Vegas because when I looked up they were both looking at me with odd expressions painted on their handsome faces.
“What?” I said burning red.
“Viena veida” Vincent said (Means “One of a kind” In Latvian)
“Yes she is.” Draven said beaming with a pride I didn’t know the cause of.
“Hello, right here remember!” I said getting fed up of the mixture of languages I would never understand and the conversation that was going on above my short head!
“Oh I know, I would never forget that my little one.” Vincent smirked at my given pet name and I scowled making them both laugh.
“I will leave you alone a moment.” His brother said bowing his head slightly to us both, a sign of deep respect. Draven then took my wrist in his over sized hand making me feel like the doll his sister joked about me being earlier. I felt so breakable in his grip that I should have been scared by it not turned on as I was. He gently led me to the balcony and took off his suit jacket before letting the doors open even though I was touching them. He eased the soft fabric over my shoulders and then let me through the doors onto the cold, late November night.
“Are you alright?” He asked me without looking at my face. He was still behind me holding my shoulders from where he had placed the jacket.
“I’m fi...”
“Please don’t say fine. Not to me Keira, trust me enough not to placate me with Fine.” He interrupted before I could say the word that he knew was not true.
“What do you want to hear me say Draven?” I said regretting how snappy it sounded.
“I want to hear you say how you actually feel and not what you know I want to hear.” Well he was being honest maybe I could be.
“You’re not going to like it.” I reminded him before committing to anything.
“I’m a big boy.” He mocked impatiently.
“Yes a very angry big boy.” He waved his hand around dismissing this notion without words.
“Alright, but don’t get mad, ok?” He nodded keeping his lips in a firm line.
“I feel guilty, I hate myself for what I did and I’m ashamed for what everyone saw. I don’t know if I can face any of my friends again now they know the truth about my past and I don’t want the pity that comes with it. I HATE pity! And now they have something to pity me for I can’t stand it. I want to bury myself in a hole and never come out. It’s like when I found out you knew all about my past and how I wanted to hide that from you forever and if there was any way I could take the information back then that would be one of my three wishes!” I was almost left breathless by the time I had finished my little explosion of feelings. I mean can anyone say information overkill!
Draven was left looking astounded at my outburst and now I found myself adding to my long list of regrets. He was trying to search for the words to comfort me but from a bombshell of emotions like that he had too many options to choose, I doubted he knew where to start. Hell even I didn’t!
“I don’t think you express your feeling to me enough. You obviously feel an overwhelming need to shut everyone out where your problems are concerned, myself included, but what I don’t understand is, why?”
“Why?” I repeated stupidly.
“Yes, Why? Why is it you feel the need to keep all these feelings locked away in a place where I am supposed to hold the key? You make me feel quite useless and that is not a feeling I am accustomed to. I only want to help you but I can only do that when you let me.”
“But you do help me. You help me by just being with me. I don’t feel like this all the time Draven, most of the time I am blissfully happy and that is thanks to you. I guess I should have been more prepared that this was coming. My cousin’s hatred for me knows no boundaries.” I was stood facing him hugging myself taking little steps back every time he took a step towards me. I didn’t want his touch because I knew with it I wouldn’t be able to carry on this conversation.
“Where do you think her hate stems from?” I was surprised by his question...didn’t he know?
“I thought you were the mind reading expert, you tell me.” I shrugged my shoulders and let them slump back down with a sigh. He turned away for a moment so I couldn’t see his face and I didn’t know if this was a deliberate act or not. Was he hiding something? He still had his back to me giving me a fantastic view. His wide back looked huge thanks to the black waistcoat that pulled tight across his muscles and then there was his perfect behind, that looked like you could bounce nickels off it. I was close to drooling by the time he spoke.
“I think her hate goes back to a time when her father left but that is all I get from her. Her mind is too far gone and consumed by a pain and rage even she is confused. If she doe
“Do you still have that file on my past?” I asked, making him turn back to me in surprise.
“Yes but I don’t understand...why...”
“Because I will need it to get answers.” Draven just lowered his head as acceptance. He didn’t like it but he wasn’t going to argue.
“Let me see that hand.” He beckoned me to him with his hand and I found myself moving without thinking. I gave him what he wanted and placed my injury before him to fix. He held me with such care it was surprising how gentle such a warrior could be. Then I winced.
“The knuckle is broken, see how it is sunken in. The knuckle is the end part of the metacarpal bone, here.” He showed me on my other hand and continued to explain it to me in detail. It was like having a consultation with a real doctor and I had to admit I was impressed.
“Since when did you go to medical school?” I mocked laughing which made him flash me a brilliant, white smile that would have made any dentist fall in love.
“I have always studied medicine, even in its infancy.”
“Are you like...qualified?” I asked wondering if a game of doctors and nurses would ever happen. He raised an eyebrow at my giggle.
“I have my doctorate if that is what you mean.” I couldn’t help it, my mouth actually fell open.
“Are you really surprised Keira? I am an educated man, who has had a lot of time on my hands and have not spent all of it fighting battles and waging wars like you may think.” He looked a little offended as he said this.
“Hey, I didn’t say that but come on, this coming from the man who said himself that he collects weapons as a hobby, so cut me some slack. I didn’t know you also collected degrees!” I finished sarcastically, crossing my arms. He now looked amused and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up...was he happy, was he mad, was I crazy?
“I suppose there is still a lot we need to learn about each other. I know of your love for the arts, did you know about my own passion for the same subject?” This was difficult to imagine for all the wrong reasons. I knew that I was stereotyping Draven in a sense but it was hard to picture him sat reading Finnegan's Wake by candle light and going to art galleries on his days off to admire Andy Warhol’s Campbell's Soup Can or Claude Monet’s the Lily pond.
“Now I do.” I said looking down at my hand that was still trapped in his. He decided to change the subject.
“This might sting a little.” He said and when I reacted by trying to move my hand from his he merely tightened his grip and before I could utter a word of protest he lifted it to his mouth and bit down on me hard enough for me to shriek in pain.
“Draven what are you...!” I was struggling to get free when he just looked up at me over my hand with piercing, dark eyes. He watched mine widen in horror at the sight of him latched onto me like...well, like a Vampire. I could feel his teeth leave me but his lips stayed enclosed around the holes they had left and remained sucking the blood from me. He had bit me just below the knuckle closest to my thumb on the soft fleshy part. He was walking my body backwards and pushed me up against the wall to restrain me from struggling further. Once my back was flush against the stone he let his blood soaked lips leave my skin. It wasn’t hurting anymore and after the initial shock the only pain had been his teeth popping into my flesh. He licked my blood from his lips like the taste was a fine cognac he had just experienced.
“Mmm...even your blood is honey sweet. Hold still!” He’d closed his eyes and then flashed them open when speaking the command. I just nodded my frightened head. He let one finger trail down my cheek.
“Don’t look so scared little one, I won’t bite you again...well not tonight anyway.” He finished by winking at me before plunging those same fangs into his own hand. It made me scream.
“Ssshhh” He soothed, after releasing himself. I looked down and saw a large tear across his palm the full length. His flesh looked like it had been torn with a jagged edge as it made a zigzag where he had pulled his teeth along it. I flinched and wrinkled my nose showing my distaste.
“Doesn’t it hurt?” I asked, now being the one to cradle his large hand in both of my own. His grin was enough of an answer but I got the worded version anyway.
“I do not feel pain like you do. It is more of an awareness than anything else.” Oh well kudos to you I thought sarcastically.
“Close your eyes, this will feel...odd.” I did as I was told almost immediately as Draven placed his open wound on top of mine. I was struck by five different sensations all in within minutes of each other, each one taking the breath out of me. I tensed every muscle I had as the first wave shook me...it was pain. It shocked into me like I was being burned from the inside out. It was like flames had ignited in my bones and was licking at the inside of my skin.
“Keira, relax...please.” His voice sounded strained and I realised he was gripping my hand against my force to remove it. Thankfully the pain died very quickly and gave way to other feelings in its stead. The burning was diminished by a freezing cold that seem to spread like icy tentacles up my arm. It didn’t hurt but it wasn’t what I would call pleasant. That then gave way to what can only be described as energy. It replaced the cold tremors and turned it into an energy that was filling me up, racing through my veins like morphine. It made me feel strong, so strong that I had to fight the urge to tense my bicep and test it. I wanted to plough my fist into something but then I almost laughed out loud as that was what had got me into this position in the first place...since when I had I become so violent?
Whatever my thoughts I must have been reacting because Draven had tightened his grip just before the point of it being painfully breaking.
“Try not to struggle my girl” He said and though the words were kind they came through as firm and determined. Was I making this hard on him? I decided to relax or at least try to. Of course when the energy travelled up my arm and seemed to disappear in my heart I let out a sigh. I wanted it back, that strength it gave...almost like a taste of a drug so rare I didn’t know whether I would ever feel it again. And then I realised that it wasn’t the first time I had felt its presence. When I thought about it, it was actually a common occurrence. I thought about the aftermath of every time we had sex and yes there it was...only a diluted variation. I wondered if Draven would know about this?
This energy he seemed to transfer into me, this power of his that he would force into me making me feel a little stronger before collapsing in to an ecstasy induced slumber. That was what was kind of happening now, the feeling you get when you know you don’t have long before you erupt into the most blissful abyss of an orgasm. I don’t know how it happened. It came out from somewhere deep within me that was like a creature lurking in my belly waiting to show itself in all its ferocity. One minute I was feeling like Supergirl and the next my legs were quivering with the need to sink to my knees and curl up and convulse. And then BAM, the last stage hit me and I did just that! I came so violently, I lost my legs and let my body give way to gravity. Of course Sir Isaac Newton didn’t account for the Draven’s of the world to be there to defy it. He had caught me in his arms and was gently lowering me to the ground instead of letting me fall and no doubt injuring me further. Although that last bit of the experience it would have been worth a bump to the head!
No surprises, I was panting. I could now completely understand why he hadn’t wanted Vincent to do that to me. Not only did my hand feel fine but as a result my body felt like someone had injected me with sunshine. I felt fantastic. Draven still had his arms around me as I seemed to be in a crouching position by the wall. I sure was glad no one at that moment decided to get some fresh air, or they would have encountered more than they bargained for.
“Are you alright?” Draven’s voice hummed in my ear causing
“Did you know that would happen?” I asked.
“I did” He said unquestionably.
“Right, well next time you do that I think we should be on a bed.” I said full of lightheaded humour.
“Next time?” He raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“Tell me Keira, are you planning on joining a fight club any time soon or are you just referring to your utter lack of self preservation and inability to take care of yourself.” He was jesting with me I know but I acted insulted.
“Let me get this right...you’re saying you don’t think I can take care of myself?” I said putting my hands on hips after he had helped me up, an action that didn’t help my case.
“If the shoe fits.” He said looking blasé with a smidgen of amusement.
“Well I have made it this far and I’m still in one piece.” Now I was smiling because I knew what his comeback would be.
“Ah yes, thanks to a few patch ups by yours truly.” His eyes lit up at the challenge giving of little sparks of purple. That was the thing with Draven’s eyes. Real strong emotions brought out their true colour. Of course when he was turned on they were at their brightest.
“Well that’s nothing, just like having an MOT in my case. Besides I don’t have health insurance and I don’t have the money to pay for the health care here so I guess you’re good for some things.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his expression, shock mixed with the need for a cunning come back.
“Oh is that all I’m good for?” He grinned at me making me bite my bottom lip.