It’s been hours since Draven’s been given the herb and I have been bawling my eyes out since then, clutching his hands near his bed and praying that he wakes up soon. I wanted him to at least open his eyes but there was no such luck and at some point, I just sat there, my tears already dried up as I put on an expressionless mask.
“He’s going to be fine now, get some sleep, Adriana. You haven’t slept since last night-”
“I know.” I choked out, cutting off Edward, who let out a deep sigh.
“Whether you like it or not, you’re coming down to eat. There is nothing we can do but hope for the best right now and you can’t even do that if you starve to death, Adriana.” He said harshly yet softly before I heard the sound of the door closing shut but I ignored his warning.
“Why? How could this happen? He’s not going to die, is he? There is no way, right? So why, why isn’t he waking up?” I asked myself as I let my eyes wander outside the window, staring at the dark grey clouds and listening to the sound of pouring rain. It was so much more relaxing this evening and I have somehow brought myself to calm down. All I can do is have hope and-
My thoughts came to an abrupt stop when I heard a groan and I turned to look at Draven, who was now struggling to sit up straight. Without another word, I helped him up and he let out another groan, clutching onto his already bandaged bare chest and inhaling deeply before hissing in pain. I followed his motion and finally sat down on the bed in front of him, going silent. It felt as if a million bricks had been lifted off my shoulders and I just kept my gaze on him, grateful that he was alive and still breathing. His eyes finally averted from the bed to me and my breath hitched as the lump in my throat tightened at his painful expression but I held back, remaining silent until he spoke.
“What happened?”
“Y-you got stabbed by Dexter and-” I wanted to finish but I couldn’t and he seemed to finally understand what was happening with me and an expressionless look appeared on his face before he reached out to graze my cheeks, making my heart pound loudly against my chest.
“You’re a mess.” He mumbled and I knew that he was referring to my faded mascara and messed up strands of hair that was sticking out from practically, well, everywhere now. “But still beautiful though.” He added when a drop of tear fell down from my cheeks and onto his palm that were now resting on my cheek. Without warning, I threw myself at him and he let out a painful groan but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to hold him so badly.
“I was so worried, I thought yo-you died…” I cried, sobbing and tightening the grip I had around his neck as he went silent for a while before two large hands wrapped around my waist securely.
“I’m fine, Adriana.”
“No, you’re not…I-I thought you we-were really dea-”
“Shh, hey, it’s okay now, stop crying.” He said in a soothing voice, brushing my hair with his fingers and I only cried harder, burying my face inside his neck and swallowing the lump in my throat.
“I-I’m so-sorry, it’s all my-my fault…” I trailed away, sobbing and sniffing at the same time but at this point, I didn’t care. God know how unattractive I must look right now, with a runny rose and swollen red eyes.
“It wasn’t your fault, Adriana, we both know that. Now stop crying and hey-” he stopped when another sob escaped my throat and my heart dropped when he untangled my hands away from him gently. I wanted to hold him forever and never let go.
“Relax, breathe. I am fine, look at me, Doll face. I’m not dead,” He sounded as if he wanted to be sarcastic about the statement but decided not to after realizing that I was not in the mood to joke. “Go take a bath, you’ll feel a lot better.” The thought of hot water washing down my body made me feel a lot more relaxed but I hesitantly shook my head.
“I’ll stay here, you have to eat…or drink, or whatever.” I suggested and Draven simple raised a brow at me before shaking his head.
“Adriana, go. I’ll stay here, I promise.” He said with a nod and I gave him a long look before getting up from the bed and slowly making my way out of the room, sending him one more glance as he returned it.
x-x
After taking a long and hot shower, I wore a new light pink sweater with a pair of black shorts and hugged myself as I stared out of the window. The weather only seemed to be getting better and for someone who is obsessed with rain, I couldn’t have been any happier right now. I hurried out of the room and bolted inside Draven’s room, and came to a sudden halt when I noticed everyone huddling around his bed, including Ferra, might I add, and I pressed my lips together into a thin line before making my way towards them.
“You’re not getting any better, you need to heal faster before it gets worse.” I heard Jason say and Draven simply shook his head in annoyance.
“It’s fine, I am not in the mood to-”
“You can drink from me Draven. Human blood does heal you faster, right?” Ferra spoke up, taking a step forward and I flinched a little before looking at Draven, who was surprisingly staring at me now too.
‘I’ll pass. Like I said, I’m fine,” He raised his voice a little and was about to get up but stopped to hiss in pain, his face scrunching up in pain before he leaned against the bedpost again. “Fucking hell.” He muttered under his breath and I could hear the boys trying to convince him to do as they say.
“You can have my blood,” I blabbered out without even thinking and everyone grew quiet at my words. “Just-just get better…” I trailed away and I watched Draven furrow his eyebrows together before shaking his head.
“No.”
“But I’m just-”
“I said, no, Adriana.” He cut me off sharply, his eyes piercing into mine and I blinked away the tears before taking a step forward.
“No, I want to give you my blood. It can heal you, right? Why are you refusing anyways? You are in no position to have a say in this.” I argued and his frown tightened but I decided to stand my ground.
“And you are in no position to tell me what to do, doll face, keep that in mind.” He emphasized each word and I went silent before biting my lip angrily, refusing to let my anger get the best of me again.
“Alright, everyone can go now, I’ll be down for dinner tonight.” Draven mumbled, sending me one last look before turning around and burying himself inside the sheets. I watched everyone walk out and I stopped to look at Vincent, who was now motioning me to follow him as well but I didn’t listen. After everyone left, I made my way towards the bed and sat down on it before folding my hands across my chest stubbornly.
“Come on, doll face.” He grumbled, tossing the sheets and sitting up straight again.
“No, I’m not leaving till you drink my blood and get better. I’m not letting you die.”
“Letting me die-god, I’m not dying, Adriana. I’m healing and I’m doing fine.”
“Yeah, right. Because that’s exactly what your brothers said, right?” I huffed when he went silent and turned my head towards the dressing table. “If you’re not going to do it then I will.” I muttered impatiently and got up before walking up to the dressing table, rummaging through the drawers till I found a small pocket knife inside it. Perfect.
“What are you even looking for-” he stopped when I walked over to him with the knife and extended my arms before pointing the knife at my wrist.
“Is it easier for you to drink from the wrist or-”
“What the fuck, Adriana! Put the damn knife down, right now!” he snapped and lunged to grab it but hissed in pain, clutching his chest painfully before he could even get off the bed.
“No, this is for your own good.” I hesitated but was about to slit my wrist when Draven practically jumped from the bed and charged towards me, almost making my heart rip out of my chest as I backed away. I didn’t have time to even drop the knife out of fear because Draven had already grabbed it forcefully with one of his hands, while the other was still covering his chest as he took deep even breaths, trying to calm down and probably ease the pain too, which made me feel bad.
“The fuck is wrong with you?!” he yelled, his eyes growing a shade darker as he took a step forward and out of instinct, I took one back.
“I-I’m just trying to help!” I shot back, tears glistening in my eyes as I glared at him but he returned a ten times more deadly one.
“You want to help? Do as I say and fuck off, yeah?” he hissed sharply and I went silent at his cold words. “And don’t you ever do something like this again.” He finished, leaning his face closer to mine and I gave him one last glare before turning around and starting to leave. Just as I opened the door, a hand slammed it shut from behind and I didn’t even bother to turn around and face him anymore.
“I’m sorry, alright, just can we please-”
“No, I’m sorry for caring. Didn’t think it would bother you this much.” I turned to say sharply and he let out a sigh, resting his lower arm on top of my head on the door and leaning closer to me as I pressed myself back.
“It’s not that I don’t want you to care, alright? I’m happy you do but you really need to stop acting out without thinking. You keep doing dumb shit all the time now.” I cocked my head at his words and I could tell that he was holding back a smirk or grin now, which pricked my nerves.
“Nice choice of words.”
“I try, doll face.”
“Of course you do.” I made a face and he simply shrugged in response before backing away.
“Now go downstairs. I’ll be right behind you. We still have to eat.” He said, letting out a painful groan as he stood up straight and I couldn’t help but pity him. I’ve never seen him in so much pain before. I decided to listen to him and leave him alone for now and gave him a small smile before leaving, not really happy with the thought that he refused to let me help him but then again, I can’t force him to drink my blood either. That was his choice.
After a few minutes of roaming and pacing around my room, I finally made my way downstairs to the dinner room and a few butlers greeted me as I entered the room. Everyone was now gathered at the table, including Draven and I made my way as well, taking my usual seat.
“As I was saying, we need to go out tonight and find him. He can’t have something so powerful in his hands. He’ll come back for all of us.” Tyrell said out loud and I stopped to look at him.
“That’s true, unless we go and find him now, there’s no way we’re ever getting it back.”
“They have the upper hand now, Draven.”
“Alright, we’re leaving in an hour.” Draven finally agreed and my jaws dropped open at his words.
“Wait, you’re hurt, why are you leaving already?” I questioned, almost jumping up from my seat but managed to hold myself back.
“He’s fine now and he’ll heal in time. We don’t have the time to wait around and do nothing while they have the silver dagger that could kill us all. You saw what it did to Draven, Adriana.” Danny said, giving me a hard look and I shook my head hesitantly, looking at Draven, who gave me a blank look before going silent.
“Like I said, we’re leaving in an hour.” He confirmed and I could feel anger boiling inside of me as I tried to calm myself down. For once, why can’t he just listen to me? He could rest for a day even and go, that’s fine. But it’s not even been 24 hours since he’s been stabbed and his wound isn’t getting any better so why?
“I’ll excuse myself.” I mumbled, standing up and leaving the room, ignoring Draven who kept calling my name.
I stuffed a pillow on my face and sighed in exasperation, taking in everything that’s been going on. To be honest, I don’t know why I freaked out so much about this situation but I guess I was just scared that he was going to die. I think anybody in my position would, right?
“Hey, you up?” I heard Draven’s voice as he opened the door to my room and I mentally groaned to myself.
“Leave me alone.” I said bitterly, recalling everything he said to me today and I heard him sigh as I threw the pillow to a side to look at him. He was already wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt with a pair of normal black jeans, as if he was ready to go out and I couldn’t help but get a bit disappointed at the sight.
“So you’re leaving?” I questioned and watched him sit down next to me on the bed before nodding.
“I’m only doing it because I have to.” He responded with a sigh and I went silent before turning away.
“You can leave then.” I finally mumbled, lying down on the bed and gasped when he towered over me, pressing both his hands on either side of my neck.
“No.” he replied shortly and I raised a brow at him, trying to ignore the beating heart against my chest.
“Are you going to drink my blood then?”
“No-”
“Draven, just do it. You would have done it before in a heartbeat so why not now? Just do it.” I stated impatiently and I watched him flinch a little before closing his face to mine.
“I said, no,” he whispered, resting his lower arm on the bed and using his other hand to touch my cheeks. “I wouldn’t say no to a kiss though.” He brushed his thumb on my lips and my eyes widened at his words as I tried to come up with some witty remark but sadly, my mind had gone all blank.
“I’ll let you kiss me if you stay tonight.” I decided finally and a soft groan escaped his lips before he started to get up but I wrapped my legs around his torso before he could and pulled him back in as he stared at me in surprise.
“Are you sure you don’t want to?” I blinked innocently and I know this was a low card to play on him but if it’s going to make him stay and supposedly save his life tonight, then yeah, I’ll gladly use it.
“Yes.” His voice was barely above a whisper now and I gave him my best pout before shrugging it off.
“Fine then.” I started to push him away but he didn’t even budge from the spot and instead, I watched his eyes fixate into mine before they landed on my lips and the next thing I knew, his lips were covered perfectly on top of mine. I wrapped an arm around his neck as he cupped the side of my cheeks, savoring every moment as the kiss turned from passionate to a more rough one. I held back a moan as he tugged on my bottom lip and I heard him let out a groan in pain before pulling away, my breath coming out in a short gasp as he did.
“It hurts so fucking much but at the same time this feels so good, I can’t stop.” He breathed and I was about to ask him to rest instead when he connected his lips onto mine again and this time, he was more demanding. His tongue brushed against my bottom lip but I didn’t allow him, earning a soft growl from him as he pulled away and moved onto my jawline, placing multiple wet kisses on them. I suppressed a moan but it eventually slipped out when he reached down to my neck, tugging and biting on my soft spot seductively, making the butterflies in my stomach go on a rampage. Before I knew it, he had started to lick all over my neck, sending goosebumps to rise all over my body and I gripped his neck tightly as he whispered the words that had my pulse racing ten time faster than before.
“Can I?” he breathed in my ears, biting my earlobes before moving back down to my neck, something sharp suddenly grazing against my skin and I gulped softly before going silent.
“Yes.”
xxx
