Dark Hunger

When Caleb pulled back, Elize protested with a cry. He chuckled and then tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ears. "You need food, my dear," he said. He was about to nick his throat to tempt when she caught his hand. 

"Not so soon, Caldy. First you need to eat well. I won't be blooded by a starving werewolf. What about my nutrition?" 

Caleb couldn't help laughing at his wife. "Where's Auril now?" he asked. He had to thank him personally. 

"He is still here in Ixoviya. I haven't allowed him to leave. Not until he met you. That man—" her voice choked. "That man has helped you a lot. I wish to give a feast in his honor." 

"And your wish is my command, Lizzy!" he said and pressed a kiss on her temple. He caressed her arms and his fingers brushed Amber Moonstone. He had so much work to do.

A few hours later, they were all sitting in the main hall of Norhall Castle. Daryn and Auril were also there. Elize had made sure that Caleb ate well. She had ordered food immediately after they had their conversation. She was dying to have sex with him, but didn't want to hassle him with her needs. Nothing was more important than his health. 

She was sitting on his side, with her legs curled up, cradled in his arms with a silly smile on her face as he was talking to Daryn and Auril. He was gently brushing her arms as if that was such a natural thing to do. If he continued, she wondered if she would sleep again. It was so beautiful to be with him. Over the last two days, the servants and the guards of the castle were intrigued by her presence. While some felt intimidated by her, some were very forthcoming. The council members had all lined up one after the other to meet her and the king as soon as the news about their arrival had spread. The soldiers who had gone with her to kill Edyrm had already spread the stories of her valor and how she single-handedly took his down. People were in awe of her and wanted to meet her, be in her good books. But Elize—she ignored it all. She needed her husband next to her first. 

"I want to return as soon as possible, Caleb," said Auril, as he picked up a strawberry and ate it. 

"My wife wants to give a feast in your honor, and so until that is done, you are not allowed to leave," said Caleb with a growl. It was as if no one should dare to challenge his wife's command. 

Auril shook his head and looked at Elize who was smiling in her husband's arms, oblivious to the world around her, oblivious to the intense gazes of the servants. She was, after all, their new queen, but right now she only looked like a wife sitting cozily with her husband in their small apartment. He chuckled and said, "Then please do that soon. My mother must be waiting impatiently for me." 

"We will," said Caleb, settling when he saw that Auril didn't protest. He turned to look at Daryn and said, "Did you check upon Urhan?" 

Daryn exhaled heavily. "I did and there is nothing wrong about him or around him. Laurel hasn't come back and he has no idea what happened to her. He looks clean at the moment." 

Caleb's brows were knitted. "We have to keep a continuous watch over him." 

"We should, but I suspect that he is not alone in this. I heard that a group of people are spreading rumors about Elize that she is like a vampire on a permanent blood lust." 

Elize jerked her head back at Daryn's words. 

Daryn said, "You see, my mother had captured Emma, a vampire, who is the wife of King Lazarus of Wilyra. My mother used to offer her prisoners or servants to fulfill her bloodlust. People in Ixoviya were very scared of her. And that is the sole reason why they are scared of you. They think that you are like her and might attack them for your cravings." 

Elize was so appalled by what he said that her face twisted with displeasure. 

"Don't worry, Elize," said Daryn. "I am sure that with time, this fear will go away and you will be completely accepted. Just have faith in time." He couldn't say anything truer than this. It was time that healed Caleb both emotionally and physically. His brother was emotionally broken but now with Elize in his arms, he looked… complete. Daryn was very happy for him. Now that their father, Gayle wasn't there with them, he felt protective about Caleb. And the way Elize had brought him out of that hell hole—he didn't want to thank her and belittle her. 

"I hope so…" she said with a sigh. 

A moment later Daryn said, "I want to go back to Bainsburgh." 

"Why?" Caleb growled again. 

"Dawn has an upcoming appointment with the doctor."

"Then come back after showing her to the doctor. In fact, if possible, bring her here. I would like all of us together for the gathering," Caleb replied. 

Auril's facial expressions tightened. He looked at Daryn with hope in his eyes. "Cole is having his semester exams," said Daryn, without even looking at Auril and his hopes dashed. "But if the feast takes place after a week, he might come." And Daryn knew that Cole would come. Auril's face split with a wide grin. 

Elize laughed at him. She turned to Caleb and said in a soft voice, "You need rest, Caldy." 

"Hmm," he replied and then snapped his fingers. Elize found herself on their bed in their bedchamber. 

She giggled. "Benefits of being the wife of a sorcerer!" 

Caleb was already removing her clothes, no, ripping them off.

"Cool off, wolf!" She grinned at him. 

He narrowed his gaze. "Don't stop me from having fun." And before she could blink, he had lifted her and then put her beneath him on the bed, naked, and wedged his hips between her thighs. 

"Ah, you are one lusty wolf," she said in a breathless voice, feeling excited. She was very turned on by his penetrating gaze. Suddenly she saw… blood on his neck. 

"You need to feed, wife," he said in a sexy voice and all her resolve went down the drains. He cupped his palm behind her head as her gaze locked at his neck and then before she knew it, he had pressed her in his neck. Elize sank her fangs in him and lapped up all the blood with a sigh. He nuzzled her ear till her breasts grew heavy with want. He kissed her cheeks and nipped her ears. 

Her eyes snapped open when he placed his thumb between her teeth and removed her from him. She licked his blood and cried even as she squirmed beneath him, as heat pooled in her core. 

"Now I want you to feel the heat of my tongue on you," he said and leaned down, his warm breaths caressing her skin. He licked her stiffened nipple sending shivers down her body.. He took the nipple between his lips into the heat of his mouth.