Saint

Olivia felt both physically and mentally tired.

She didn't know when but at some point, Alexander had managed to hijack a horse and directly rode out of the palace gates with her tightly secured in his arms.

Olivia didn't bother to talk. She quietly lay in his arms, resting her head against his broad chest. She could hear the strong beats of his heart close next to her ear. So full of vitality and life.

The cool night breeze brushed past her face as she closed her fatigued eyes. Unfortunately, all she could picture in the darkness was that…thing. She felt her stomach churn slightly as she recalled its facial features.

What was it?

She couldn't even begin to fathom how such a thing came to be.

As her cheeks grew colder due to the passing wind, her thoughts had also drifted along with it. She wondered whether Eli was fine.

Standing still in that split moment, she knew she only had two options. To move out of the way, or be the sacrifice. Funnily enough, for some reason, she acted like some sort of counterfeit saint. Her body had automatically moved, forming a barrier. A dispensable wall. Deep down Olivia understood fully well that if she were like any other person, had she died there, no one would be thankful for her timely offering. So, the question stood, why had she done so?

People often spoke of human nature.

Humans are sympathetic creatures.

Humans should and would, always help others in times of need.

Therefore, was this her own way of trying to act as a human once more? Or rather, was it a show of her fleeting desire for her past self?

No, maybe it was much simpler, perhaps just a nice gesture on her part.

The answer to all these speculations, Olivia didn't know. And even if she thought about what it could be, she no longer had the time to do so.

The pair soon came to a stop. Alexander was the first to jump off the saddle, before reaching out for the dishevelled Olivia. When she got to her feet, she looked up, only to find herself at an unfamiliar location. The sun had long set, leaving the milky white hues of the moonlight to shine upon the land. Therefore, Olivia couldn't quite clearly see how the house before her looked like but she could at least tell that although, not as big as the De Vere estate, it certainly didn't lose out to it.

"Master Alexander!"

A servant soon came to the door, surprised at their sudden arrival. However, seeing the state they were in, he quickly ushered them in without extra delay.

"Your room is clean and ready to be used, Master."

Alexander didn't bother to speak, briskly walking past him with Olivia held firmly to his chest. Once they got to his room, he firmly shut the door behind him before seating her on the edge of the bed.

He then left her side, walking over to the front and lighting the fireplace, before walking back to her. The light from the fire quietly lit up the room, giving it a warm and tender glow.

Looking down, Olivia could still see the deep gashes on her arm. It seemed that the animal's attack was so deep that even her own body had to take some time to close it up.

"For whom did you do what you did?" A low voice dragged her out from her observation.

She looked up to face him. His expression was akin to a canvas. Blank.

She gave a sigh, "Who knows…"

"Do you think they'll remember your noble sacrifice? Think of the poor girl who had saved their pitiful lives from the door of death and be grateful? Perhaps you're even anticipating a reward," His sneering voice was harsh and mocking.

Olivia felt amused however, "Aren't you happy? I saved your friend's life."

"Fuck his life. Do you think you're some sort of knight, jumping in front of any sword just because you think death is not possible for you?" Alexander didn't know why he felt so frustrated at this moment.

No, he actually did know deep down.

His crimson eyes glanced over her, watching as the small amused smile slowly slipped off her face.

He didn't want to see it. He didn't want to watch her blatant disregard for her well-being even when he knew that chances were, she would end up coming out fine. But recently, a niggling thought whispered from within the dark crevices of his mind. Would such a thing always be the case? She could not say for sure, and he certainly knew that he could not either.

Funnily enough, he had never expected to be thinking of such thoughts. It was extremely unlike him, almost going as far to become unnerving.

No one spoke in the room, allowing the crackling of the fire wood to fill in the silence.

A small 'plop', interrupted the quietness. Followed by the first, was a second, and then a third soon after. Alexander's crimson glowing eyes immediately snapped to her arm that lay lamely by her side. Not only him, Olivia was also watching on as her blood formed a running streak down her forearm, dripping on to the wooden floor.

Although healing fairly well, the wound was indeed not yet fully closed. Now that all the adrenaline had worn off, Alexander could not help but feel the thirst creep up his throat as the tempting smell of her blood permeated the air around him.

Olivia was not oblivious and could feel the changes happening to him. Granted, they didn't have the best of conversations a few minutes ago, she couldn't help but recall that it was him that had saved her once again. She had called for him, not expecting much yet, he had answered and came running.

Sitting in front of him, she did not think any deeper and only pushed out the thoughts sitting at the forefront of her brain.

"I don't mind you drinking, that's… only if you want it," She lifted her bloody and sleeveless arm up to him.

His eyes narrowed at the enticing sight before him, yet he stood still.

Olivia didn't know what to do, her arm still drifting mid-air. Just when she was about to put her it back down, a warm hand caught grasp of her. Stepping forward, slowly but surely, his tongue lapped up the running blood, painting his luscious lips a beautiful dark red. Olivia's eyes could not tear away from the sight. Travelling upwards, she noticed that his eyes had somewhat changed in tone. They were rather florescent and glowing bright as he continued to lick away.

As his mouth moved further up, he soon arrived at where her wound was located. Right now, as it continued to close up, only a small gash was left. His eyes squinted and he slightly looked up to meet hers, without a word. As his tongue advanced, he slowly and gently licked against the surface of her wound causing a dull pain yet at the same time, sharp tingles travelled throughout her being, almost causing her to retract her arm. Around and around, his tongue circled her now small injury, only ever so gently skimming past the top.

To Olivia, she felt as if she was being teased. Her face was slightly flushed against the dim glow of the fire.

Not long after, he slowly let go of her, allowing her to take back her arm. Olivia didn't know why he hadn't taken a proper drink neither did she ask for the reason. She simply watched him as he licked the corners of his mouth, seemingly savouring the aftertaste.

"The bathroom is over there. Go and wash up," He pointed to another door in the room, much like the one in the De Vere household.

Olivia did not add anything on, only walking past with a lowered head.

Not long after, she emerged from her bath, wearing one of the servants spare night gown. Her hair swayed slightly as she walked out, still damp from the water. Looking over, it seemed that Alexander had also washed up and was now laying under the bed sheets. It was not the first time she had seen him like this and so, was not that flustered at the sight but awkwardness had indeed set in.

They were not in the De Vere household at the moment so, where was she to sleep?

"Why are you still standing there? Do you need me to tell you every little thing?"

Olivia did not need to be told twice. She quickly scurried over and slowly shuffled under the bed cover next to him, leaving quite a suitable distance between them.

Once again, only the slowly crackling fire was heard in the background. She didn't speak and neither did he. The two were bathing in their own comfortable and tacit silence.

Listening close to her rhythmic heartbeat and soft breathing, when her breaths came to a slow lull, he gently turned over to face her. He continued to stare at her, his eyes roaming over every inch of her face. He couldn't help but notice that, because she most likely used the bottles in the bathroom, she smelt just like him. Thinking like this, an unknown feeling swirled around his chest.

Quietly, he closed his eyes just as the final embers of the fire died out, plunging the room into darkness.