Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She gasps for breath, her lungs burning with effort. It doesn’t come though, not enough. It’s like she’s choking. Like there’s no air.

Like she’s drowning.

“Rayla!” Callum cries out, his eyes wild and focused solely on hers as he holds his scarf to her torn neck.

She wants to say something to him, try and reassure him, lie, but her attempts are met with only a strangled gargling.

“Oh dear…” Kim’dael drawls, her index finger trailing along her scarlet knife as she stalks them. “Poor girl, went and sacrificed herself for you.”

Callum’s sniffs, shaking his head as if he can ignore her words.

“What a waste...” the Bloodmoon Huntress circles them, dropping her hand and scraping her blade along the marble floor, the sound echoing eerily around the deserted room. “Such potential.”

“Shut up!” Callum grunts through gritted teeth, eyes firmly on Rayla’s. “Shut up!”

“I could save her, you know?” Kim’dael stops behind Callum, her cruel fingers threading through his hair, eliciting a disgusted shiver from him. “I could save her life.”

Callum’s wide eyes leave Rayla’s for a second. “What do you mean?”

“The ritual… I could perform it on her.” Kim’dael crouches down, gripping Callum by the chin and forcing his face close to hers. “She doesn’t have to die.”

“What do you want?” Callum’s eyes dart to Rayla’s as she gasps and chokes, pressing his scarf a little closer against her neck.

“Why do you think I’d want something, child?” The pale woman grins when Callum scowls at her. “Clever boy…” She gets to her feet, long fingers playing with her blade again. “I’m all alone… so many years now. Just me. My kind hunted and killed like dogs.” She grins at Rayla, still gasping on the cold floor. “But another Moonshadow, one with the potential of this one… well, perhaps there’s something in this for both of us.”

“No.” Rayla tries to whisper, her eyes on Callum’s face, but no sound passes through her cut throat.

“She hates you.” Callum spits, tears on his cheeks.

“She hates me now…” Kim’dael, smirks at Rayla. “But the hunger will chase that away.”

Callum looks down, avoiding both of their eyes. “She wouldn’t want that.”

“No, they rarely do.” Kim’dael strokes his hair once again. “But your only other option is to watch her die… slowly, as she drowns in her own blood.” Her fingers caress his cheek, in a mockery of compassion. “Are you prepared to sit by and watch that, boy? Watch the life slowly drain from her body, all the while knowing you could have saved her?”

Rayla wakes suddenly, bolting upright. Looking around, she’s surprised to find herself in a bed. Or perhaps a cot is more accurate. Canvas walls seem to bear in from all sides and she can hear the sounds of people going about their days on the other side.

Frowning, she tries to remember the events that brought her here, her hand coming to clutch at her neck. There’s a bandage wrapped around it and she shudders at the memory of the last time she performed that action… the sickening revulsion she felt to find her skin wet and hanging loose…

“Rayla?”

She starts, surprised to find Callum in the cot beside her.

“Callum?” Her voice is low and husky, not her own, but she can  speak. “What happened?”  

He swallows, sitting up. Tears immediately fill his eyes and her stomach lurches.

“I’m sorry.” He reaches for her, but she’s too scared and confused to take his hands. “I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t let you die.”

She inhales, dread filling her stomach as she reaches for her neck again. Her hands catch her attention as she does so and she stops, holding them before her. They’re deathly pale, a cold, icy white that causes the breath to catch in her throat.

“I got us away.” He’s babbling beside her. “I managed to get us away after. We’re at the Sunfire camp. With Aunt Amaya and Janai. Sun magic has healing properties so I thought…”

She tries to meditate, to push the persistent hunger  from her mind. Closing her eyes helps a little.

Just a little.

“Rayla?”

Reluctantly, she opens her eyes, finding Callum sitting before her. He lays a tray of food on the cot, pushing it a little closer. The sight of the fruit and bread turns her stomach.

“How are you feeling?” Callum asks, fingers twitching but not reaching for her.

She forces herself to look away from him, biting her lip in a vain effort to distract herself. “Tired.” She sighs. It’s not exactly a lie, but it’s not the truth.

She is tired from forcing herself to concentrate on anything but the hunger.  It gets worse as the full moon approaches she realises, and it’s still well over a week away. They try to distract themselves, study for Callum and recovery for her but she is struggling to ignore the thirst.

From his readings, she’s aware this is… normal  for her condition. That her hunger will wax and wane with the moon. That it always will. To merely persist she needs to drink blood but only the blood moon ritual extends life to unnatural lengths.

And she doesn’t want to live like this.

To crave life in a way that twists her gut while she thirsts constantly.

She can fight it. She has  to.

She knows Callum thinks she’s avoiding him because she’s angry. Which is for the best really. Whatever keeps him away from her is necessary. Even if it hurts him, even if he grows to hate and resent her. She can live with that.

Because the alternative is worse.

Some days all she can think about is the rich blood flowing through his veins. So full of life and vibrancy and vitality.

And she also knows this is what Kim’dael wants. She wants Rayla at her absolute end, desperate and wanting. Barely able to contain herself. She knows the Huntress is banking on her crumbling in some manner. Either succumbing to her almost overwhelming desires and taking a life in her desperate hunger or running to her.  Pleading for some kind of relief to her eternal torment.

She won’t give her that though. She’ll end it first.

“This might be something!” Callum gets to his feet and brings his book to her.

She’s happy he’s making some progress because she’s been unable to, her own book lying useless on the table in front of her. They're back at the bookery because Callum suggested she might like the change of scene and she's too tired to argue with him. She’s supposed to be reading about Aaravos or Startouch elves or Dark Magic. She can’t remember what in particular this book was supposed to be about.

She should try harder, work on her concentration. They only ran into the Bloodmoon Huntress because they were researching some way of purifying him from the stain of Dark Magic. This is a distraction he cannot afford.  

Callum takes a seat on the bench and pushes her book away so he can show her his. He leans forward, pointing to some passage.

“See?” He points to a text. “Maybe if we can purify your blood, it’ll free you from the curse? The tonic is for a different curse, but it’s a blood magic one so who knows, it might work!”

He leans a little closer, tapping something in particular and her eyes move from the book between them, to his neck and the pulse beating steadily beneath his skin. She’s not sure if her eyes are playing tricks with her, but she’s certain she can see it, see the evidence of his rapidly beating heart as he continues to explain whatever he's found to her.

Balling her fists beneath the table, she tries to control her breathing, to ignore the desperate longing. If she leaned forward just a fraction she could-

He turns his head though, eyes catching hers and mouth dropping open a little in shock.

She must look deranged, staring hungrily at his skin. “I’m sorry.” She turns her head and squeezes her eyes shut, trying to ignore every impulse in her body.

“Em, it’s okay.” He stammers and she can hear him shift about on the seat.

She opens her eyes, seeking out the book they are suppose to be discussing. “What were you saying?”

“Rayla, it’s-” He raises his hand, clearly moving to touch her and she flinches away. “I’m sorry.” Out of the corner of her eyes she sees his face fall as he pulls his hand back. “I understand you’re upset with me, but I promise I’ll find a way to fix this-”

“That’s not it.” She manages through gritted teeth, refusing to look at him. “I’m… afraid of what will happen… what I’ll do if you touch me.” She forces herself to look in his eyes, trying to prove to herself she can control that at the very least.

He inhales shakily, face falling as he seems to instinctively raise his hand before thinking the better of it.

“Rayla?” He reaches for her, then seems to remember himself, dropping his hand to the soft grass they are sitting on.

They’re taking a break from study for once. She’s never been good at it but it’s impossible now. It takes all her concentration to control herself. Which is making her frustrated and short tempered. Callum was the one who suggested they go for a walk, to try and give them both a break.

Glowing bugs make shaky trails in the meadow around them. Callum’s been asking her about the Xadian constellations again, making a valiant effort to keep the conversation light and distract them both from the heavy weight of their burdens.

It reminds her of that simple time pressed closer together, cosy and content in their bedrolls. The tentative little steps towards being them again that they had made.

She could almost convince herself it’s nearly the same. The night is bright and would have been what she considered near perfect.

Before.

Moon one night away from full, this would ordinarily be a pleasant time for her, but now all the extra energy and power only serves to make her thirst more.

It’s almost too much.

“Do you want to go back?” Callum leans forward a fraction, trying to capture her attention.

Her eyes fall to his throat, mouth immediately salivating. She thinks she can see the beating of his pulse, a steady thrumming under his skin. His blood soaked scarf couldn’t be salvaged and not for the first time she wishes he still had that extra barrier between his throat and her eyes.

She wants to grab him, fist her hand in his hair and expose more of his skin, lick it to see if it tastes as delicious and tantalising as it looks. She wants to sink her teeth into his flesh, feed on the life coursing through his veins.

“Rayla?” He asks, clearly concerned by her extended silence.  

“You need to go.” She cannot tear her eyes away from his skin, her breathing coming in unsteady pants as she grips the dirt beneath her.

“Go?” He reaches out for her, fingers gently grasping her curled fingers. “No, Rayla, I told you-”

And it’s like her world goes black, the touch of his warm skin against her own is overwhelming, all encompassing, everywhere. Before she even knows what she’s doing, she grabs his wrist, pushing him back against the grass. With a swiftness she can barely comprehend, she straddles his waist as she grabs his other wrist, pinning his hands either side of his head.

Shuddering, she leans forward and nips at his throat, her eyes rolling back in her head as she tries to resist the hunger.

Callum gasps, struggling for a moment, before he lies still.

Which pushes through her haze, making her come to her senses.

Leaning back, she covers her mouth with her hands, horrified with what she has just done. “Callum… I… I…”

She moves to jump off him, but he grabs her by her upper arms, whispering soothingly. “No, Rayla. It’s all right.”

“Let go.” She pleads, squeezing her eyes shut and trying desperately to concentrate on keeping herself in control.

“Rayla, no.” His thumbs caress her gently. “You need to let go.”

She opens her eyes, looking to his face to try and discern what he means.

“I can see how hard this is for you.” He looks at her steadily. “She told me it would be too hard for you to resist.” Swallowing, he turns his head ever so slightly, eyes still on hers. “You need to feed.”

She whimpers, her heart racing at his words and eyes drawn to his vulnerable neck. “I don’t want to.”

“I know, Rayla.” His voice is steady. Calm. “I know this isn’t what you want, but you need  to… while you still have some control. You’ll feel better after. We can continue looking for a… cure.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” She closes her eyes again, biting her lip in an effort to distract herself.

“It hurts me to see you like this, Rayla. To see you suffering.” He takes a deep breath, voice catching just a little. “I made this choice for you. It’s not your fault.” He lets go of one of her arms and she looks down at him, gasping with barely contained desire as he pulls the collar of his tunic loose. “Let me help you.”

Shuddering, she leans forward, pressing her face against his neck and inhaling deeply. The smell of him is almost over powering and she cannot help but moan. “I’m afraid I won’t stop.” She whispers against his skin.

Callum sighs, his hands so gentle as he strokes her waist. “Just a second.” He guides her back so that they’re both sitting. “Better?”

She shrugs because, well, it’s not,  but sitting astride him like she had been was almost too  much.

“Here.” He fiddles with his tunic again, pulling it looser.   

“Callum, are you sure?” She cannot look away from his neck, moving instinctively closer to him.

“I’m sure.” His voice is a little shaky, but he moves closer to her, hands reaching for hers.

Shuffling closer again, she reaches for him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he tilts his neck. When she presses her lips against his skin, he takes a deep breath, but doesn’t recoil or pull away. Instead his arms encircle her waist, pulling her closer.

And it’s not fair because this is the closest they’ve been in years and it’s because she’s been cursed. Because she’s a monster and despite it all he’s trying to help her.

They’re not even together any more but before this she’d hoped they were maybe working towards it.

Sitting like this, her mouth against his throat is like a mockery of everything she’d been hoping for.

He does gasp softly when her teeth bite down on him, but he stops her when she moves to pull away.

“It’s okay.” He whispers, stroking her back. “It’s okay. Just a little pinch… Keep going.”

She moans again at his words, pulling back a fraction so she can lap at the puncture wounds she’s made. Pulling him tighter, she shudders at the taste of his blood, warm and salty, satisfying her hunger in a way nothing ever has before. Slipping her fingers into his hair, she continues to feed as she crawls into his lap. Sharing something this intimate with him… she needs to be closer, to feel him pressed against her, all around her.

He shivers, arms tighter around her waist as he continues to caress her sides.

His gentle acceptance reminds her of what exactly she’s doing and she forces herself to pull back. She takes her lips from his neck but cannot immediately force herself to pull completely away. Inhaling, she tries to savour his scent, the vibrancy of the life rushing through his veins. She can tell  his heart is racing, the rapid rush through his veins practically buzzing in her ears.

“Better?” He asks, voice low and quiet as he continues to hold her. Comfort her.

After what she’s done.

She whimpers again, trying to sit back, get up, run away, but he holds her steadily, pressing his forehead against hers. She’s crying. Relief, that her desperate hunger is finally sated but utter disgust at herself for giving in. Relenting.

“It’s all right, Rayla.” He wipes the tears from her cheeks, his voice low and soothing. “It’s all right.” He holds her face in his hands, thumbs wiping her tears.

“I’m sorry.” She whispers, closing her eyes. She can’t look at him, his soft green eyes so open and accepting after what she’s become. The very monster he was told about at night, a story used to frighten human children come to life.

Vile. Bloodthirsty.

“I’m sorry.” He insists, sniffing as his voice cracks a little. “I know this isn’t what you wanted but…” Pausing to steady himself, he seems to wait for her to open her eyes again. “I couldn’t lose you, Rayla.” Leaning forward, he presses his lips to her cheek. “Not again.”

Whimpering, she hugs him closer, fingers gently caressing the hair at the back of his neck.

Callum sighs, leaning into her touch while he pulls her face closer to his. Eyes searching hers for a moment, he leans forward and kisses her softly on the lips. Rayla gasps, pressing herself closer still as she kisses him back.

His lips are soft, steady against her own as his hands leave her face, trailing down her sides and around her back, pulling her firmly against him. She shudders and moans, hungry in an entirely different manner now.

One she can control.

He holds her after, hands soft and soothing. “We’re in this together.” Kissing her gently, he continues. “We’ll find other paths together, right?”

She snorts softly, not sure how she feels about having her own words repeated back at her. It’s obviously not that easy, but she knows what he means, what he’s trying to say.

Their destiny has not been written.

She thinks about what he’s saying. Him, tainted by darkness because he played with Dark Magic to save her. Her, cursed because she threw herself between him and Kim’dael.

Perhaps they are both doomed. Fated to destroy themselves for each other, but like how he turned his back on what was known, forged a connection to Primal magic, maybe they can re-write their destinies together.

Chapter Text

Rayla walks through the Sunfire camp, eyes resolutely ahead as she tries to pretend that she can’t see the suspicious looks from elves and humans alike. Steeling her face, she swallows as parents pull their children inside their tents and priests make wards of safety and protection.

It is understandable they are afraid of her. All they know of Moonshadows cursed like she is, are what they’ve heard in stories and myth. Blood thirsty fiends, unrepentant killers.

Darkness come to life.

A threat to all things living, elf and human.

She sighs as her and Callum’s tent comes into view. Her home, her refuge. For now, at least.

He is sitting with his back to her, bent low over his work in a manner she knows will leave his neck and back aching later.

Rayla smirks as she sneaks up behind him, running her fingers through his hair and laughing softly when he starts. “Got your book.” She winks, placing the crumbling tome on top of the large pile in the corner of his makeshift desk.

Perhaps he is at a disadvantage, clearly engrossed in whatever he is doing, his back turned to her as she’d entered their tent, but frustratingly she’d never been that good at sneaking up on him of all people.

Not until recently…

“That was quick.” He turns into her touch, eyes bright and welcoming as he smiles widely at her. His hands immediately reach for her, and she slips into his lap, sighing contentedly as she embraces him.

The scorn of the outside world melts away when they are together. He never looks at her with fear or disgust, his smile always quick and welcoming.

Fond and loving.

Being with him, it’s like she can momentarily forget what she has become.

“There’s not exactly a good reason to hang around Lux Aurea, you know?” She teases, continuing to caress his scalp, licking her lips at the soft sigh that escapes his throat.

She hasn’t been gone long, only overnight but any time apart from him is too long.

“Still no trouble?” He frowns, eyes moving over her body, clearly looking for signs of injury.

“Nope,” she answers quickly. The fact the corrupted creatures in Lux Aurea seem entirely disinterested in her is still unnerving, but considering the circumstances, they need to use every advantage at their disposal. And it is a small comfort that she can get whatever books he needs without having to put him at risk. He’d obviously objected to these solo missions in the beginning, but eventually she had proven it made more sense to go alone. The propensity for self sacrifice when it came to each other resulting in both of them making risks they wouldn’t if she could just walk in there without incident.

And so, she has amassed a small library worth of books for Callum during her reconnaissance.

Not that their study has come to much-

“How are you feeling?” Clearly concerned, he tucks her hair behind her ear, his fingers soft and gentle.

“Fine,” she insists, rolling her eyes.

“I’m just checking.” He sighs softly, cupping her cheek. “You didn’t run into any trouble? Didn’t exert yourself? There was some big celebration last night, so lots of food and meat-”

“Callum, I said I’m fine.” She repeats, pushing down her irritation at his fussing. He is only trying to help. “Literally nothing happened during my trip. Anyway, the full moon is still a week away. You know-”

“I know.” He looks at her earnestly, thumb moving across the markings on her cheek bones. “And I also know you still don’t like to ask, so, like I said, I’m just checking.”

Rayla smiles, swallowing past the lump in her throat. He is right of course. She doesn’t like to ask, but he can always tell when the thirst begins to creep up on her, when her mind starts to wander and her attention wane. She’s only been cursed a few months, but exerting herself, using her new, dark powers makes her thirsty too.

 It isn’t as predictable as in the beginning when only the full moon made her hunger.

“Thank you,” she presses her forehead against his, kissing him softly.

“Anytime,” he answers without hesitation. “You know I’d do anything for you.” He pulls her closer, pressing his lips to hers.

She knows that of course. They’d do anything for each other, which was how they’ve ended up like this. Her, cursed with the thirst of the bloodmoon and him, tainted by dark magic.

Still, they’d promised they’d save each other, which was where they are now, endless research in at the Sunfire camp. Progress has been frustratingly slow. There hasn’t been news of Viren or Claudia, not in months but it still feels like they are constantly on alert, always working against some imaginary hourglass… counting down the sand grains until some terrifying doom makes itself known.

She pushes those thoughts away though, sighs as she leans into his embrace. The fingers in his hair are no longer soft and caressing, instead firm. Similarly, he pulls her closer against him, moaning deep in his chest as he kisses her harder-

“Em, Prince Callum?”

They both pull back, glancing at the entrance to the tent and who they knew to be Kazi outside.

Callum turns to look at her and she shrugs, getting to her feet and straightening her clothes. The night is still young, there will be time for that later.

“Yeah?” Callum gets up too, smoothing his hair as he makes his way to the tent door. Pulling back the flap, he addresses Kazi. “Eh, what’s up?”

“Begging your pardon, your Highness.” Kazi bows gently. Respectfully. “Queen Janai and General Amaya have invited you to attend a summit of the Six Horns.”

Callum glances over his shoulder at Rayla, his eyebrows raised, then looks back to Kazi. “The Six Horns? What’s going on?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, your Highness.” Kazi appears genuinely apologetic.

Sighing, Callum turns a little to Rayla. “I guess we should see what this is about?” He looks impatient already, clearly wanting to get back to his books.

Or perhaps what they had just started.

Rayla inhales to speak, only for Kazi to awkwardly clear their throat.

“Em, my apologies, Prince Callum. The request was specific to you.” They wince a little. “Quite specific.”

“Request?” Callum scoffs. “Wasn’t it an invitation a moment ago?”

Rayla can see him bristling, an increased tension in his shoulders as his upper lip curls just a fraction.

Kazi winces and sighs, clearly searching for the right words.

“Whatever,” Callum huffs, folding his arms across his chest and widening his stance. “It’s either both of us or neither of us.” His tone brokers no disagreement.

Kazi nods, stepping back and gesturing for them to follow.

Rayla catches up with Callum quickly, stepping closer to him to whisper. “What’s going on?”

Callum frowns, shaking his head. “Probably nothing.”

He’s angrier than she’d have expected from this request though. While they are very clearly together it’s not exactly official in a capacity that would result in joint invitations. He is the High Mage and Prince of Katolis. A request for only him would hardly be unusual.

There is more to this. That fact is written all over his face.

“Callum,” Rayla takes his hand, stopping him. “What’s going on?”

He sighs, looking around, eyes on Kazi. They have stopped too, but with a measurable distance between them all.

“It’s… it’s probably nothing-” Callum avoids eye contact with her, squeezing her hand has he tries to urge her on.

“Callum,” she holds fast, refusing to go a step further until he tells her what’s bothering him. It’s not about him, she doesn’t think. He doesn’t tend to get this indignant about issues that affect him.

Which can only mean-

“Amaya spoke to me the other day.” He scowls, looking frustrated. “Apparently there are people who don’t like what we’re doing.”

She swallows, her stomach sinking. “With the books?”

Callum takes a breath, biting his lip as he clearly searches for the right words.

Rayla’s heart falls. It is clearly more than that. More than the books. “With… with us?”

It isn’t like they’ve exactly disclosed how Rayla is coping with her curse, but considering Callum’s higher collars and increased appetite it probably doesn’t take much to assume.

“It doesn’t matter.” Callum takes her other hand, squeezing both tight. “It’s none of their business. Let's get this over with and get back to important things.”

He smiles at her so warmly, so lovingly, that she could almost believe him.

She tries not to look around as they walk towards the amphitheatre, pretends she doesn’t see people avoid eye contact and hurry away. Callum squeezes her hand tightly, smiling softly at her.

It shouldn’t bother her that people are afraid of her, not when the only person whose opinion she really cares about clearly loves her as much as Callum does. As a Moonshadow elf, she’s used to people not trusting her.

Doubly so for being a Ghosted Moonshadow.

Still, seeing parents clearly fear for their children around her, hurts her in a way she can’t put into words.

Kazi stops at the tunnel leading to the open hall, and gestures for them to enter, avoiding eye contact too.

Amaya and Janai turn as they see them enter, exchanging a look at their joined hands. Janai sighs and looks away, moving closer to the masked generals.

Amaya smiles at them both, her expression concerned.

“High Mage, the invitation was solely for you.” One of the generals addresses Callum coldly, eyes fixed on him only.

“Prince Callum, High Mage of Katolis,” Callum corrects him, his jaw clenched. “If you want to speak with me, you can speak with Rayla too. This is about us, isn’t it?”

The general exchanges a look with the masked figure to his left but doesn’t respond.

“This is about her.” A female general speaks up next, leaning forward over her lectern a fraction.

“Then she should definitely be here,” Callum snaps back.

“She is not to be reasoned with,” the general continues, standing up straighter.

“What?” Callum scoffs, rolling his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“She is cursed with the thirst of the blood moon, is she not?” The first general speaks up again. “She is dangerous-”

“She hasn’t hurt anyone.” Snapping, Callum steps closer to Rayla. “What do you care?”

“Do you think we don’t know how you’re keeping her repulsive urges at bay?” He continues, his eyes narrowing behind his mask. “That we are ignorant to the unnatural exchange you are both maintaining?”

Callum pauses for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders in an obvious attempt to appear nonchalant. “If we’re not involving anyone else, what’s it to you?”

“She is sullied by dark magic. And we are aware you are too, Prince Callum, High Mage of Katolis.” The general repeats the title, his voice sneering. “After everything that has happened to our people, do you expect us to accept this insult? Let you both pillage our precious Bookery?!”

“You want to leave it to the corrupted?!” Callum asks in clear disbelief.

 “She’s an abomination. Do you think we don’t know how she’s managing to travel through Lux Aurea unharmed? Even the Corrupted won’t touch someone as sullied as her.” A new general speaks up next, her voice dripping with contempt.

“Shut up!” Callum snaps, glaring at the masked general.

“She cannot be saved. It’s only a matter of time before she turns on you. Before she drains your life and then turns on the rest of us.” The woman puts a hand to her hip, to the sword hanging there.

The other generals follow suit.

“She needs to be disposed of.”

“No!” Callum bellows, the air in the enclosed space suddenly cracking with static electricity.

Rayla looks around, takes in the wide eyes of the assembled generals.

Amaya and Janai have stepped closer to each other too.

They are scared.

Not just of her, but of them.

She steps forward, slipping her hand into his. “Callum,” her voice is soft, a stark contrast to his wild, furious tone.

She can see it now, so plain, so clear. The Sunfires fear them. Both of them. It isn’t just that their presence offends them.

They are afraid.

Callum turns to her, some of the rage leaving his eyes as he looks at her face.

“We should go,” she speaks softly.

Callum’s face falls as he sighs, leaning into her a fraction.

She looks him firmly in the eyes. “We need to go, Callum.”

“We shouldn’t have to leave!” Callum spits as they hastily pack up their things. “What are they, stupid? We’re trying to help! Can’t they see we’re trying to help them?!”

“Are we?” Rayla sighs as she sits on their cot.

Callum pauses; a pair of underwear clutched in his hands. Huffing, he stuffs them in his bag before moving around to join her. “Aren’t we?”

She shrugs, unable to look at him. It’s what they tell themselves, what they repeat over and over when she goes to pilfer another book, rifles through sacred scrolls.

They’re trying to help everyone.

If they repeat it enough, maybe she’ll believe it.

“We’re trying to find a way to clear the corruption. That’ll be helpful to them if they want to reclaim Lux Aurea,” he insists, though she can see his heart isn’t in it either.

“Maybe,” Rayla sighs, eyes on his. “How much dedicated study have you given that stuff though?”

“I…. Well-” Shoulders slumping, some of the fight appears to leave him. “What are their options, sit in their tents and starve?” He shuffles closer to her, shaking his head and shrugging.

“They’ve lost everything, Callum. Lost their home. Their way of life. All they have is each other and they’re afraid that I’ll take that away too.” She looks down, her chest tight. “People do stupid things when they’re scared.”

“Rayla,” He takes her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs across her skin. “You’re not going to hurt anyone. We’re not going to hurt anyone.”

“I hurt you,” her voice catches in her throat. “I hurt you all the time.”

Shaking his head, he tries to pull her into his arms, but she resists. She doesn’t deserve his comfort right now.

She does hurt him. That she’s well aware of. He might have found a way of rationalising that fact, but she still feels him flinch when her teeth pierce his flesh. She can feel his pulse increase, the rapid beating of his heart.

She hurts him all the time.

Cursed like this, she can’t live without him in more ways than one and yet she hurts him all the same.

“You don’t hurt me, Rayla,” he insists, resigning himself to holding her hands once again. “We’re in this together, right?” Pausing, he takes a shaky breath. “I can’t imagine anything hurting more than us not being together.”

She finds herself relaxing a little as the camp fades away into the distance behind them. They can’t see it now, not even from the hill where they have chosen to make camp.

She is shuffling into her bedroll when Callum returns from his ablutions. He smiles softly at her as he slips awkwardly inside his own bedroll, leaning back against the felled log that marks the boundary of their camp. Without word, he wraps his arm around her shoulders, and she sighs contentedly as she snuggles closer to him.

“Looking forward to going back to Katolis?” she asks, interlacing their fingers when he reaches for her hands.

“It’ll be good to see Ez,” he sighs happily, placing a kiss to her temple. “And it’ll be nice to have my actual bed for a change.”

“Your own bed?” Turning a little, she smirks at him.

“I didn’t say I’d be sleeping by myself in there,” he grins, raising his eyebrows.

“Or that you’d be sleeping,” giggling softly, she leans forward to kiss him, stopping just short at the sound of a stick breaking in the forest.

Callum hasn’t heard it, still craning forward with his eyes closed and lips pursed. He frowns after a second, sitting up a little straighter as she continues to look around. “What’s wrong?” he asks, looking to the forest now too. “Did you-”

Before he can finish, she sees a rune being drawn in the air, hears a draconic chant. Gasping, she grabs Callum, rolling them both away just as a fireball erupts from the forest and engulfs the spot where they had been lying.

Cursing, she fights to extract herself from her bedroll. A moment later she is free, grasping her swords and putting herself between Callum and whomever is attacking them. He struggles to get out of the material, his attention clearly on his staff on the other side of the fire.

It is a calm night, barely any movement in the trees, even at the top of this hill.

He will need his staff.

Callum finally gets to his feet beside her, his eyes firmly fixed on his staff. They exchange a look and then, without speaking, they both dart forward so he can retrieve the staff. Rayla watches the forest, her blades held high as Callum scrambles for his staff.

He has just grasped it when another spell is cast from the shadows. Rayla cannot help but cry out, bracing herself behind her crossed blades as a fire ball streaks towards her.

“Aspiro!” Callum screams, rushing to her side as a sudden gale diverts the flames around them both. He glances at her, clearly checking she is unhurt, before he looks back to the dark forest. “Cowards! Attacking us at night? From the shadows?!”

There is a pause as they both await a response, a moment later a Sunfire elf emerges from the darkness… quickly followed by five more. Rayla can see Callum tense in response. They are greatly outnumbered.

“We’re going to Katolis,” Callum grips his staff tightly. “We left. Like you wanted.”

“We want Xadia purified.” The woman Rayla takes to be their leader steps forward. “Of corruption and dark magic.” She sneers, narrowing her eyes at Callum. “Of humanity.”

Rayla tightens her grip on her blades as Callum bristles.

“Like I said, we’re leaving-”

“That is not good enough,” another Sunfire speaks next, as they all brace themselves.

With her blood moon enhanced senses, Rayla sees the beginning of a rune before Callum does, acting immediately to push him out of the path of the spell as the spot he was just standing in erupts in flames. Flames which now separate them.

She doesn’t have time to think, as the glowing blade of a sun forged sword swings at her. Grunting, she flips backward, darting out of the way of the blade. The elf welding it recovers quickly though, running at her again. This time she swings around him, kicking him harshly in the back. He stumbles forward, screaming for a second before his voice abruptly cuts off when he falls on his blade.

Rayla doesn’t have time to react before his body is suddenly consumed by flames. Another elf swings at her, but she easily side steps him and hits him in the back of the head with the butt of her blade and he goes down too. Gasping for a moment, she looks around for Callum, her breath catching in her throat to find him under attack from the remaining elves.

They have combined their efforts, a huge wall of flames bearing down on Callum. He’s somehow keeping it at bay with aspiro, but Rayla can see his strength failing. He falls to one knee, his face red with exertion as she races over to him.

The first mage she disposes of easily, flipping backwards as she kicks him in the head, knocking him out cold. Landing in a crouch, pushes herself forward, slicing at the wrists of the second mage. He screams as he falls to his knees, but she ignores him as she runs for the next attacker.

The third has stopped her attack on Callum to defend herself from Rayla, but she is too late, taking Rayla’s elbow in her face before she can even raise a hand. The momentum knocks the blade from Rayla’s hand as the woman crumples backwards, landing awkwardly on the rough ground.

And so there is only one mage left, but Callum is out of breath, now on his hands and knees as aspiro begins to dissipate.

Rayla cries out in anger as she reaches for this man, grasping him by the throat and tackling him to the ground. He struggles against her, a sudden burning pain in her side, and she loses another blade as he manages to roll away from her. Screaming, he turns, dashing towards the forest as she pursues him. Grasping him around the neck once again, she throws him against a tree and despite the fact he’s much bigger and heavier that her, she lifts him effortlessly off the forest floor. His feet scramble for the ground, as she squeezes his throat.

The blood pounds in her head as he gapes down at her, his eyes wide and terrified. His fingers scratch at her hand around his neck, his feet still kicking.

Out of the corner of her eye she can see Callum still on his hands and knees on the ground, gasping loudly as he struggles for air.

She screams in rage at the man, wanting to rip him asunder… to tear him apart.

They attack them, unprovoked. They almost burned Callum to death.

She can feel the curse burning in her veins, her body screaming for blood, for vengeance. The world fades away to nothing, to darkness, as she stares at the terrified man, drinks in his fear and desperation. He so very much wants to live, his panic and terror so obvious she can feel it.

In just a second, she could drain him of his pathetic life.

Use it to sustain her own.

She squeezes his neck tighter, thrills just a little as his eyes bulge with terror. He is nothing in this moment. A terrified child unable to even beg for his life.

The edge of her vision goes dark as the moment seems to drag on forever. She can hear his panicked breathing, feel his pulse racing against her fingers.

His life… so easily ended.

She could consume him, use his energy to keep them safe, to protect Callum. To keep him from harm.

Harm she brings with her own needs. Her urges.

She could so easily end this man’s life, snuff it out like the nothing it is. Use his essence to make herself stronger, faster.

More powerful.

Blood pounds in her ears as she continues to stare at this man, as she decides his fate, the power hers alone right now. The curse races through her veins, her body practically shaking as her mouth begins to salivate.

End it.

End him.

Take his life.

Use it for her own.

Take him, take him, take him-

She drops him to the forest floor, stepping over his prone form and glaring at him even as her hands shake.

He wheezes as he stares up at her, frozen rigid, it seems.

It would be easy… so easy.

Take his life, use the power she would gain from his blood to protect Callum, to keep them safe.

This man tried to kill them; he doesn’t deserve to live-

“Run,” she gasps at him, clenching her fists.

He remains rooted to the spot, frozen in fear.

“I said run!” She screams at him, squeezing her eyes shut.

She keeps her eyes closed as she hears him scurry to his feet, other noises too. When she opens her eyes, the living Sunfires are nowhere to be seen.

Callum is struggling to his feet, his chest still heaving. She hurries over to him, her hands shaking as she reaches for him, burying the dark thoughts she had deep in her mind. She pleads to whomever might be listening that the blood lust is not evident on her face, that she doesn’t look like the deranged killer she almost became.

Bloodthirsty.

Callum smiles softly at her as he grasps her fingers with his own, still too out of breath to speak. His eyes dart around the clearing, obviously checking to see they are alone.

“We should-” he pauses to breathe. “-keep moving. Might be back.” His hair, drenched with sweat falls across his brow and he raises a hand to push it back, smearing blood from a scrape on his palm across his cheek.

Rayla’s eyes are immediately drawn to the red streak, her own heart still racing in her chest.

Her mouth salivating once again-

“Rayla?” Callum’s voice sounds far away… “Shit Rayla, you’re hurt!”

She blinks, looking down dimly as he reaches for her waist.

Her tunic is saturated, visible even in the flickering glow of the dying fires around them.

“Fuck,” Callum lifts the material, visibly wincing as he looks at her wound. “Rayla-”

It’s bad, she can already tell. The daze of the fight is wearing off and she begins to feel cold, lightheaded.

“Come on,” Callum lets go of her hand as he begins unbuttoning the neck of his tunic, tugging on it in his haste. “Hurry-”

Rayla’s mind begins to spin, gasping with want as her eyes dart to his neck.

She tells herself to calm down, to be patient, but her hands tremble as she struggles not to grab him, not to push him down onto the forest floor. She wants nothing more than to rip open his tunic and sink her teeth into his neck-

To feel him pliant and gasping beneath her, hands tight around her even as she pins him down. She wants to taste his blood on her tongue, warm and salty-

Feel it running through her veins, through her heart-

Filling every part of her with him

To consume him wholly and completely, until there is no her and him.

Only them.

Her heart is beating so hard he must be able to hear it, the blood lust overwhelming her senses.

She can’t-

She won’t be able to control herself.

She’s too far gone.

“No,” she gasps, turning from him and trying to run into the forest. Her body doesn’t respond though, fighting her, telling her to turn around, to take him-

He’s offering himself up without question-

Disorientated, she crashes into a tree, groaning as pain rips through her torn side.

“Rayla!” Callum rushes after her, reaching for her.

“Callum-” she gasps, darting from his hands and clutching her ripped and bloody waist. “You need to go.”

“No!” He continues to follow her. “You’re hurt.” He reaches for her hand, and once again she moves away from him. “Rayla, stop!”

“It’s too late, Callum-” The edge of her vision goes black as she tries to continue walking. She can barely make out the forest ahead.

She’s never been this far gone, not even that first time. It’s too late, she can barely contain herself, barely keep in control.

Blood, she needs blood. She’s dying, but she doesn’t have to be-

She squeezes her eyes shut, pushing those thoughts to the back of her head. She needs to get away from Callum, she is not safe to be around him now.

All she’s ever wanted was to protect him. She can do that one last time, even if it’s protecting him from herself.

“What? Too late?” He hurries after her, quickly catching up. “Rayla, your injury- You need to heal-”

“I don’t have control,” her voice breaks as she tries to move forward. He won’t even be there to comfort her when she goes. It’s not safe for him. “I need to be alone for this.”

“For this? What?” He pleads, reaching for her hands and holding firm once he gets hold of them. “Rayla, no-”

Blood pounds in her ears as his hand slips into hers, gripping her tightly. It’s too much, too overwhelming and she loses her footing, stumbling. Callum cries out as he catches her before she falls to the forest floor, pulling her against his chest as he holds her tight. She nuzzles his neck, pressing her face against his skin.

Breathing deeply, trying desperately to hold back-

Her lip trembles as she squeezes her eyes shut, tries to push away the intoxicating aroma of his skin. Without conscious thought, her tongue slips from her mouth and just barely grazing his neck.

He shudders in response, his hands pulling her closer, fingers in her hair, cradling her head, tilting it, pressing her closer against his skin- “Rayla,” he whispers, fingers caressing her scalp. His thumb strokes the base of her horn, and she moans softly in response. “Please, you need to hurry.”

Her head spins as she clutches at him, feeling her knees buckle and they fall to the forest floor.

“Rayla,” desperation sneaks into his voice and he catches her around the waist, pulling her into his lap as his back collides with a tree. “Rayla, there’s no time-”

Cradling her head, he once again holds her face against his neck. His skin is salty on her lips, warm and inviting. Her mind goes blank as she feels his pulse race, his heart hammering in his chest. He is so full of life, so alive, so tempting… irresistible.

“Rayla, please!” He pleads, pulling her tighter against him-

And she bites down on him.

He whimpers in response, not a whimper of pain but of relief.

Taking deep shuddering breaths, he caresses her scalp as she moans softly, his blood rich against her tongue. She’s still too weak to do anything but lie in his arms as she drinks, breathy sighs escaping her throat.

“Thank you,” he gasps, leaning back against the rough bark and exposing more of his throat to her. “Thank you…”

He holds her tight, continuing to take slow steady breaths as he reclines against the tree. Stroking her back, holding her close, like they are in a lovers embrace, rather than what they are truly doing.

Rayla moans again, her strength and focus returning with each lap against his neck. She runs her hands up his chest and across his shoulders, her fingers light across his exposed skin as she caresses him softly.

She feels herself heal, feels his blood coursing through her veins, replenishing and revitalising her. Focus and clarity returns as she basks in the very essence of him within her, in every part of her body, beyond anything but this experience.

Beyond intimacy.

His life force sustaining her.

This is what the Sunfires feared. They feared them. Feared their love and devotion. Their willingness to do anything for each other.

It is almost overwhelming, wild and thrilling. Making her body hum with a need to be with him.

In every way possible.

Taking a slow, deep breath, she presses her lips to his throat, to the puncture wounds she has made there, laps at them gently as she pushes her fingers through his thick hair.

Callum sighs softly, shifting slightly beneath her, his hands moving from her hair to grasp her waist.

Pushing her cheek against his, she trails kisses along his jaw to his mouth, pressing her lips to his softly.

He hums low in his throat, kissing her more firmly, though he pulls back a moment later.

“Sorry,” she whispers, eyes downcast. She feels hot and on edge after savouring him like she did, but they’ve just been in a fight for their lives, he’s probably hurt and tired and-

“I- no,” he kisses her again, though he guides her to lean back. “Can I check your wound?” Using his thumb and forefinger, he tilts her chin up to look into her eyes.

She nods, leaning back a fraction and gasping as she feels his hardness press against her.

He gasps, bucking against her as he squeezes his eyes closed for a second. “Check first.” It comes out breathy, which only serves to make Rayla’s heart race more.

Ever since the first time, feeding from him always ends like this. The desire, the craving to be together, as intimately as they possibly can be, fuelling them on every time.

Her pulse races still, but different from before. A different kind of desire for him.

She elects to indulge him, even though she can feel the wound has healed. Leaning back again, she pulls up her tunic.

Callum’s throat bobs as he runs his fingers over her waist. Where only moments ago had been torn flesh, now there is a pale pink line, though Rayla knows even that will be mostly gone by morning.

Callum sighs shakily, his eyes on her waist a moment longer before he looks to her face.

She leans forward, resting her forehead against his as she strokes his face softly, gently. A vast contrast to the heat and passion of moments ago.

“Thank you,” she whispers against his lips.

For trusting her, for loving her enough to allow her to do this to him, to use his life to sustain her own.

He smiles at her, his eyes soft and kind, even as his chest heaves. “I would do anything for you, Rayla.” He closes his eyes, sighing as he cups her cheek and kisses her.

He holds her face in his hands, thumbs moving across her cheeks... caressing her softly, gently... like she is the most precious thing in the world.

Nothing matters when they are together, nothing but them. The curse, the stain of dark magic- At times like this, it is obvious they will never matter.

They are each other’s saviours.

They would do anything for each other.

Sighing, he pulls back a little, whispers against her cheek. “I love you.”

“Callum,” She sighs, her fingers caressing the back of his neck, gentle now... Soft and sweet. “Callum, I love you so much.”