27: 27 Pricked by Thorne (AVOT)

27 Pricked by Thorne (AVOT)

"Lord Blackthorne," Daisy's mother greeted with a gentle curtsy. Daisy, on the other hand, could only stare in surprise.1

The man before them was a vision of impeccable elegance. The tailored lines of his clothing highlighted his tall, statuesque figure. The grace and ease with which he moved betrayed a refined sophistication that never ceased to catch her off-guard.

"This is quite an opulent place you have arranged," Helena said. 

"It is but my duty to ensure the comfort of my mother-in-law," Rhain responded with a gracious ease that somehow, impossibly, made her mother blush.

"Thank you, my Lord," Daisy said, unable to bring herself to be informal in front of her mother.

His response was a warm smile, a slight upward curve of his lips that reached his peculiarly colored eyes, causing a small flutter in her stomach. "Allow me to show you around," he offered.

They followed him through the cozy, intimate garden. Despite its moderate size, the garden was brimming with blooms, their vibrant colors beautifully contrasting against the green foliage. It was a lovely area, radiating a sense of calm and serenity that was instantly soothing.

As they entered the house, they were greeted by a number of servants, each bowing and welcoming them into the new home. These were the people who would be at Helena's service, ensuring her comfort and meeting her needs.

Helena, taken aback by the array of staff, protested softly, "Such an extensive array of service is beyond my needs, Lord Blackthorne."

Rhain offered a gentle smile, his gaze softening as he turned to face Helena. "Your comfort is paramount, Lady Helena," he responded, his tone resolute. "You need not be concerned with their number, merely accept that their service is a token of my commitment to your wellbeing."

Daisy scratched her neck with discomfort at her own overwhelming emotions. To see her mother so well taken care of brought a lump to her throat, and she was deeply grateful to Rhain. 

As she spoke her voice was subdued, her words hesitating on her lips, struggling to find the right words. "I find myself at a loss for words, my Lord," she admitted, her gaze meeting Rhain's. "My gratitude runs deeper than words can express."

Rhain found himself drawn to the depths of her warm brown eyes. A variety of emotions danced there - gratitude, surprise, perhaps even a flicker of admiration. He had unintentionally stirred something within her, eliciting a response he did not wish for. 

It was not her affection that he wanted. He had only wished for her compliance and to subtly calm her fears until the wedding. He did not want to make her tear up with gratitude. He almost laughed at the irony of the situation. If she only knew this was all part of his ploy. 

Even if it was true that he did have an interest in Helena's well-being, it was mostly to ease his own guilt. Daisy was Helena's only child and soon, he would take her away. The guilt he felt was perhaps uncalled for. After all, it was simply the way of the world. Humans were sustenance. It was a fundamental hierarchy of life. 

He offered her a smile, "Your gratitude is felt, Daisy," he replied. 

Rhain observed as both Daisy and Helena explored their surroundings, their enthusiasm infectious. They seemed incapable of waiting for each other, oftentimes parting ways to explore different sections of the house on their own. The moments they called each other over to share an exciting discovery were entertaining, their faces bright with wonder.

Rhain felt detached from their experience. It had been many years since he had parents of his own. The memory of what it felt like to be a part of a family was long since faded.

As Helena engaged with the servants, engrossed in discussions about plants and herbs, Daisy found herself drawn to the library. Rhain watched from the doorway, observing as she marveled at the abundance of books and admired the intricate architecture.

Her attire for the day was a simple brown and white dress. The simplicity of her outfit caught his eye. Her curls were a bit tousled, perhaps a remnant from their rain-soaked adventure the previous night. An image of her in that rain-drenched gown, highlighting her body's contours, stirred within him.

As Rhain followed her through the labyrinth of bookshelves, he noticed her voice echoing softly, "It's really expansive," acknowledging his presence behind her.

"Do you take pleasure in reading?" he asked, a hint of curiosity seeping into his tone.

She came to a halt, spinning to face him. "I've rarely had the leisure for it, but I'd absolutely love to," she admitted.

"With the life ahead, you'll have plenty of time," he lied with ease. He didn't know for how long he would keep her. 

Her face bloomed into a radiant smile, one that appeared to emanate from her very soul. "Mother will be overjoyed with all of this," she said, her gaze filled once again with profound gratitude.

His irritation flared. A prey unaware of its fate was far less appealing. What intrigued him about Daisy was her innate sense of self-preservation, her ability to instinctively perceive the danger surrounding her, and even sensing the moments when hunger was at its peak. But her emotions were now clouding her judgment. The intimate moments they had shared the previous night, her proximity, and their shared kiss were all causing a fire in his throat, a hunger so intense he could devour the entire town, yet she was relaxed. 

"Daisy!" Her mother's voice rang out abruptly.

Daisy, startled, maneuvered her way through the bookshelves to come into view of the door. Helena stood there while Rhain appeared right behind Daisy. "I'll be exploring upstairs while you continue here," her mother informed, and then turned to the servants, mumbling something. 

"I'll accompany y…" Daisy began, attempting to follow her mother, but Rhain's firm grip on her wrist halted her.

She turned, looking at him with surprise.

"You've yet to see the upper levels of the library," he reminded.

Daisy's eyes darted from her mother, who was now out of sight, to Rhain who appeared completely at ease. "My Lord, what are you up to?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. She tried to free her arm, but his grip was unyielding, like steel encased around her wrist.

"Why have we reverted to such formalities?" he inquired, a playful glint in his eyes.

Daisy glanced anxiously towards the door and then back at Rhain. "This is inappropriate," she scolded.

A wicked grin spread across his face. "Didn't we mutually agree to indulge in a little impropriety?" he retorted, drawing her nearer and expertly spinning her around so her back pressed against the bookshelf.

Rhain watched the flicker of alarm in her wide eyes and sensed her racing heartbeat as he placed an arm beside her waist against the shelf, effectively barring her escape. She glanced anxiously towards the entrance again before returning her focus to him. "What are you doing? We could be seen," she protested, attempting to shove him away with her free hand.

"We could have been seen last night too. Isn't that the thrilling part?" 

She blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Your perception of excitement is quite... unique," she retorted.

"I suspect yours isn't too different. Did you not long for another kiss last night, Daisy?" He watched as a rush of color painted her cheeks, a silent but revealing confirmation. "Or perhaps you found yourself thinking of our kiss before sleep took over?"

His enhanced senses were honed on her quickened heartbeat, the pounding rhythm echoing in his ears. He could sense the rush of blood under her skin, drawing him closer. Her lips parted slightly, no doubt preparing to rebut his presumptions, but all he was focused on was the warm, soft exhales that danced on his skin.

In a sudden, impulsive move, Rhain leaned in and captured her lower lip between his own, his tongue tenderly caressing the soft flesh. An involuntary gasp escaped her as he gently bit down, his elongated fangs piercing her skin just enough to draw a tiny droplet of blood.

Daisy felt it like the sting of a thorn against her lower lip, startling her. The sharp pain was fleeting, swiftly replaced by an odd but not unpleasant sensation as Rhain began to gently suck at her injured lip. It was as though he was savoring the taste of her blood.

The subtle pull of his lips against hers sent an unexpected shiver racing down her spine, making her knees weak and her insides flutter in a way she never knew possible. 

Rhain reveled in the intoxicating taste of her blood. The sweet iron tang, barely enough to quench his insatiable hunger. It was as though he'd been offered a mere drop of water after crossing an endless desert, the precious fluid only serving to inflame his thirst rather than quench it.

The delicate tremor of her breath beneath his lips, did little to help him regain control. He could feel her warmth under his touch, the faint scent of her blood filling the air, mixed with the thrilling beat of her heart. 

Her hand, which had initially rested on his chest in a futile attempt to push him away, had now transformed into a form of anchor. Fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, her grip tightened, a silent plea for him to venture deeper, to claim more of her. 

Rhain obliged, parting her lips further with his tongue, seeking to replace the taste of her blood with the intoxicating flavor of her own mouth. A faint whimper escaped Daisy, a vulnerable sound that vibrated sweetly against his lips.

Hearing Helena return, Rhain began to reluctantly pull away, making sure nothing about his nature would be visible in his eyes. He drank in the sight of Daisy as he retreated: the flush on her cheeks, the slightly parted lips glistening and swollen, and her eyes — those warm brown orbs sparkling with a mixture of surprise and desire.

With a soft breath to regain his composure, he whispered, "I believe our exploration of the library has been… educational." His eyes flickered with veiled amusement. 

Daisy blinked, and then her flush deepened as she understood the hidden meaning of his words. Then, startled, she drew back her hand from his chest as if she had just become aware of her reaction to his kiss. Her hand went to her lips instead. 

"Oh, Lord. The chivalrous etiquette lessons of your upbringing need revisiting."

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