Page 47 of Simon

He was a faun vampire!

As I screamed in terror, Simon’s face contorted into a look of confusion and concern. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice laced with worry. He stepped closer, but I held up my hands to stop him.

I pointed to his chest, my hand trembling as I did so. “Blood,” I stuttered out.

For a moment, his eyes widened in shock before he looked down at himself and let out a deep sigh. “Oh, this,” he said dismissively.

What did he mean, “Oh, this?!”

My heart raced as my mind tried to process what was happening. Blood? He was covered in blood? Was he sucking blood from an animal? Was it his own? Did someone attack him?

“Whose blood is it?” I demanded, my voice shaky. “Did you drink it?” Because it was all over his mouth.

Simon reached up and wiped some of the blood off his face with the back of his hand. “It’s a root I have dug up. It leaks red,” he explained calmly. “I was about to wash it in the stream because I did not think you would want to eat it when it leaks.”

Not blood. And I believed him. Although he kidnapped me, he had not lied to me. “You are not hurt at all?” I asked, concern filling my voice.

Simon smiled, his fangs glinting in the light sources glow. “Are you worried for me? For my safety?”

I turned my head as I narrowed my eyes. “Of course, I wouldn’t want you hurt.” I put both hands on my hips.

“You care for me!” He jumped and galloped around me. “You accept me as your mate!”

I held out my hands for him to slow down. How in the heck did he get that from me just trying to make sure he was alright?

“Easy, Simon. I don’t…”

He nodded his head excitedly, ready for me to speak.

Crap. I didn’t want to break his little heart. I also didn’t want him to think we were mates and we would be together forever. There would be a point where the group would find me and take me back. I had my father to still look after and a mission to finish.

My heart constricted in my chest at the idea of not seeing him again. He had grown on me, and in a twisted way, I really cared for him. He was sweeter, kinder, and more innocent than other men I’d seen or met.

And the orgasm. I mean, who could forget that?

“Simon, you don’t know we are mates. Mates are—”

“You are my mate!” He stomped his hoof. “I will prove more to you. I have worked on my tongue.” He continued to blab about speaking and exercising his tongue.

My traitorous body thought of other things he could do with it.

He took in a long whiff and smirked. “Your body knows. Soon, you will know, too.” He huffed and stomped off to the stream.

I watched as he trotted away, a mix of confusion and desire flowing through me. What was happening? My thoughts were scattered, trying to keep up with the revelation that I might be his mate and the inexplicable connection I felt towards him.

I took a moment for myself to sort out my feelings and gather my thoughts. Those few minutes alone made me realize that I hated the idea of being alone, in a forest with an ogre after me. I walked over to the stream where Simon had gone, and as I approached, I noticed something odd. The water seemed to shimmer slightly, creating a strange play of colors in the shallow pools of the stream.

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling a twinge of disappointment. I longed for the comforting weight of my trusty notebook in my hands, the pages ready to be filled with my observations. Itwasthe reason I was here.

I settled myself on the massive rock, with its rough surface pressing against my skin. The roots that Simon had been digging for were thick and gnarled, sprawled across the rock beside me. As I examined them closely, I noticed tiny droplets of red, like delicate jewels glimmered in the light. These must have been the roots that Simon had described earlier.

My body instantly recognized that he was approaching, the hair on my neck stood on end. My body was a dang traitor for him.

I turned around and saw that he had washed his toned body from the red dye that had come from the roots. He was wet, the light sources glistening on his muscular chest and his lean torso.

Um, yum?

Why did everyone in this realm have to be so attractive? Especially him?

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