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Elijah?” A small voice called through the quiet library. Elijah Bellerose looked up from his book with a sweet smile.
“Yes, my pet?” He asked his thrall, before he raised one eyebrow “it's very late. Shouldn't you be sleeping?”
She huffed in annoyance, snorting out a breath as her light colored eyes looked at the ceiling “you have no room to talk” she retorted
“Sam,” Elijah found his bookmark and set his novel aside “you know how this works” he stood up, towering a full foot over her head, but not looming. “You need your sleep”
She folded her arms and stuck out her tongue. “So you tell me, every night.”
“And yet, here you stand,” he murmured. He tilted her chin up, with two cool fingers. “Is it nightmares again?” He asked gently. His thrall rarely slept through the night these days.
“No, I just can't sleep.” She sighed, taking a half step closer to Elijah, seeking his embrace. He readily opened his arms for her, watching her melt into his touch. “This is all your fault, you know.” She smirked, eyes twinkling with a little mischief.
“Oh, is it now, pet?” He asked curiously. “How so?” He started carding his fingers through her short brown hair, and immediately felt his thrall relax into his broad chest even further.
“You make me drink so much water, I have to wake up in the middle of the night to pee!” She complained with a giggle.
How precious, Elijah thought, before easily picking up his companion. “On the contrary,” he smirked. “If you were a good girl, and drank your water before I woke up, you wouldn't have this problem.” He started walking to her room, ignoring her protests that she could walk.
Elijah knew it was only part of the story, waking up to relieve herself. He knew some nights, her mind was just too loud, too busy, too much. She had gotten better about asking for help on her worse nights, even if she was the most roundabout thrall he had ever taken. It was never a direct request. But tonight, she had come to the library to find him, and that was enough. It was progress.
He freed one hand to straighten her rumpled blanket, humming softly as his thrall held tightly to his neck and shoulders. “I've got you” he murmured, before placing her delicately on the smoothed out sheet. “I can make you some tea” he offered softly, pulling the blankets over her body.
“No, that's okay” she snuggled into the pillows. “Will you stay a while?” She watched him, as the candles danced over her skin. He could see lingering anxiety in her pale features. Fear she was asking too much. He wished he could find those responsible for making her feel this way. But he smiled kindly instead, focusing on the thrall who needed him.
“Of course, my dear” he held her hand, gently bringing her hand to his cool lips. He kissed her knuckles gently. “I will be here, as long as you need me.”
He climbed into the bed beside her, laying flat so she could wiggle her body close to his. One hand reached up to card through her hair again.
“I'm very proud of you, my thrall,” he murmured. “Proud that you came to me tonight, and proud of your progress with your tasks. Your blood is becoming more and more delicious every passing day.” Her breathing was slowing as he smiled down at her. “You would have me simply undone, were I a less composed man,” he whispered. As his thrall slept peacefully, he slid out from under her. Checking the time, he gently gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, my pet.”