Lowena stomped down the stairs, out the double doors, and into the celebration. At this point, she didn't want anything to do with either of them. Now wasn't the time for her to act rational; it was about time she stepped out of her shell.
The loud drums echoed in her mind as she approached one of the bonfires. The heat from the flames wasn't scorching but relaxing, controlled even.
"There you are," a seductive young woman whispered in Lowena's ear.
Lowena turned, eyes widening in surprise to see the two women she had danced with the previous night before her once more, offering the bat chalice. She gladly accepted, drinking a mouthful of the thick copper liquid. It warmed every inch as it crept down her stomach. Lowena licked her lips, hungry, before looking back at both the girls.
"What are your names?" Lowena asked.
"Celeste," the shorter woman introduced.
"Lucinda," the taller, slender one greeted.
"I'm Lowena."
The girls didn't respond but drank from the chalice and began dancing to the beat, enticing Lowena to join them. The way they swayed in unison and their flowing arms moved Lowena's problems away with a hypnotic effect that soothed her. They offered her another drink, which she took in kind. Lucinda began dancing behind her, her hips brushing against Lowena's buttocks, Celeste's enthralling eyes inviting Lowena in. It was intoxicating.
Slowly but surely, Lowena began dancing with them both. The drums echoed with the flames, the cool dirt between her toes, and the euphoria setting in. Everything was pulsating and throbbing. The sound of hissing caused Lowena to veer over her shoulder at Lucinda, Lucinda baring her fangs.
"Can I have a taste?" Lucinda asked.
Lowena hesitated and rubbed her neck. She froze, uncertain how to respond.
"Will it hurt?" Lowena whispered.
"No," Celeste answered, her seductive eyes aiding her will.
Lowena, glancing between the girls, wasn't afraid. She took a few deep breaths before gently leaning back into Lucinda.
"I won't die, will I?" she questioned.
"No," they giggled.
Once Lowena relaxed into them, they seized their opportunity. A brief sting, followed by an intense thrill, caused Lowena's eyes to fly open, tears of ecstasy leaking from the corners. Vertigo set in, but she didn't falter. How gently they suckled Lucinda on her neck, Celest on the inside of her left breast.
"What are you doing?"
Kage intervened, pulling Lowena from the girls. Lowena, drunk on their vampire venom, stumbled, nearly losing balance from lightheadedness.
"What? I let them!" Lowena slurred.
Kage studied Lowena momentarily, then looked deathly at Lucinda and Celeste, who bowed before rushing away.
"Who are you to them?" Lowena questioned, pulling her arm free from his grasp.
Kage intensified. His yellow-red eyes devoured her with intent. In the blink of an eye and a rustle of her hair, they were away from the bonfire and towards the woods.
"Wow," Lowena hushed.
Kage greedily wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in close and kissing her passionately, all within a brief moment. Lowena caved beneath him, leaning into his ice-cold body as if to warm the heat flowing through her veins.
"It's true what they say," Kage started, pulling back from the kiss, "When you're in heat, you'll fuck anything."
Lowena, annoyed by this remark, pushed him back.
"Fuck you!"
"That's what I'm trying to do."
Kage's hungry eyes locked onto Lowena's, freezing her in place. She wanted to lift her legs, but it was as if there were bricks strapped to her ankles.
"Wait-"
Fighting was useless, and Lowena knew that. Kage kissed her roughly and territorially, not compassionately as he had the previous night. Something inside of her burned, not for desire, but anger. With some fighting, Lowena broke free from Kage's hold.
"Impossible," Kage, baffled.
"No one can withstand my charm!"
"There are some stronger than even you, King Kage," Caspian said, emerging from the trees.
"King Caspian," Kage gritted.
Caspian walked over, a smug look on his face
"You aren't the only King to offer her your hand in marriage."
"You what?" Kage's voice deepened, death-like.
Caspian arrogantly smirked, "You offered your hand, too, did you not?"
Kage did not speak, his hands balling into fists, his jaw clenching as the animal in him began to awaken.
With a victorious chuckle, Caspian began walking over to Kage.
"Nearly half a century old, yet things never change with you. You are always quick to jump without knowing your opponent's hand."
Kage's eyes began to grow, his expression darkening, terrifying, and angry.
"Please, stop!"
Lowena's voice whimpered in both Kage's and Caspian's minds. It was so tender that it was nearly that of a sad, neglected puppy. They both stopped their quarrel, returning their undivided attention to Lowena.
"I don't want you fighting because of me," she hushed.
"We won't," Caspian reassured, looking over at Kage, cocking a brow, prompting him to do the same.
"Sorry, Lowena, we'll stop," Kage forced.
Lowena's head dropped to her bare feet, still uncertain how to feel.
"This is all new to me. I don't know what I'm doing."
Lowena sighed, raising her head and looking at Caspian and Kage courageously.
"But I do know I like both of you. In different ways. And I hope you can understand that I may want both of you to be mine."
Kage and Caspian's pride appeared to take a minor blow, but neither backed down.
"That's alright," Kage accepted.
"We understand," Caspian added, "It can't be easy for you."
Lowena exhaled, smiling, "Can we please get back to the celebration? I was having fun."