Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Hard times, part 1

"I'm hungry, my Emerald," Wei Caihong had been trying to feed from him for three days straight, but Nikola kept him at an arm's length.

How could he ever let Wei Caihong have him again, when Penemue was within reach?

"Go hunt then. You know where the invisibility potion is!" Nikola swayed dangerously on his feet.

His hands shook. He needed more of Wei Caihong's blood. He brought his hand to his mouth and bit down. The blood was normal, nothing like the nectar that flowed through Wei Caihong's veins.

It still calmed him down.

He slipped and nearly fell, but strong arms coughed him just in time and lips pressed to his bleeding hand. A tongue lapped at the blood greedily.

Nikola was having withdrawal and Wei Caihong was starving.

It seemed only fair that they suffered together.

Nikola tried to get his hand away, but Wei Caihong was having none of it. He finally had him in his grip and Nikola was too weak to perform magic now, and the vampire knew it. Nikola's limbs were shaking, and saliva pooled in his mouth from the closeness to Wei Caihong.

It would be so easy if he leaned in and bit down on Wei Caihong's neck. He could offer his own in exchange…

Just what was he thinking? He needed a month to get clean. If he drank now, then the last three days would be for nothing!

"Get away from me!" He snapped at the vampire, who now had his bleeding hand in his mouth. An expression of pure bliss on his face.

Wei Caihong looked awful. His eyes were completely red, and his skin was stretched thin around his flesh. It looked dry and there were small wounds all over Wei Caihong's arms and other parts of his body, Nikola imagined.

Nikola felt the fangs sink deeper and his vein tear. He winced. Wei Caihong was going to drink him dry, and then Nikola would be at his mercy.

A hand reached out to the collar of his robe and began tugging it down. Nikola did something he hadn't done since the angels came into his life.

He begged.

"I won't starve you anymore. So, please, don't do this, Wei Caihong. We can't remain as lovers. I love Penemue and ah…"

The bones in his hand snapped, and now Wei Caihong was more chewing him up in anger rather than drinking from him.

The noble did let go of his collar. He rested his hand on Nikola's waist instead. Nikola gulped.

This had been close. Too close for comfort. His hand was released, and he made peace with the fact that he would need for it to regenerate on its own. Unless Wei Caihong healed it for him, but he very much doubted that the noble would show him such consideration.

Wei Caihong looked him straight in the eyes, bringing Nikola closer to himself, all the while until they were pressed against each other. He kissed Nikola's neck and then bit down. Nikola moaned when his nose was pressed to Wei Caihong's neck.

He wanted to bite down so bad. To fill his stomach with the sweet blood of the vampire. He needed to control himself, he told himself, stubborn to the bottom of his core. When Penemue came back, things had to be how they used to be in their happier days together.

Better even.

When Wei Caihong finally removed his fangs from Nikola, the former emperor was feverish. His eyes were half-closed and the only thing keeping him upright were Wei Caihong's arms.

Wei Caihong picked him up as if he weighed nothing, his strength clearly returned. He carried him towards the bedroom. They were soon lying in bed, tangled with each other.

Nikola had no strength to resist in the embrace.

He was so tired. His heart was beating slowly as if it were a dying bird. If this was a plot by Azazel to kill him, then it was too well-thought-out.

I don't want you dead, Nikola. Now drink. You can't function like this.

Azazel was trying to sound calm, but Nikola could sense his anger. Why did his fighting instructor have to always hide behind falsehoods? Why didn't he yell now like he wanted to?

Why didn't he throw around the insults that were at the tip of his tongue?

Nikola had failed. Had been warned of the trap he was walking into for once and yet had let himself become addicted to blood of all things.

He tried to think of the possible incantation to accompany the ritual circle he had created during the first day of this agony. Back when a headache was his only worry.

The words were jumbled in his mind, and he felt as if he was going to summon something foul if he kept thinking in the language of the angels.

"You need to drink from me. Your hand isn't getting any better," Wei Caihong whispered.

Nikola's hand indeed throbbed in pain, but he didn't care. The shadows were dancing around him. Taking shapes and moving in and out of his eye range.

Had he indeed summoned something with his mind alone? He tried to warn Wei Caihong, but the man just sighed, and Nikola's lips were pressed against cold skin.

"Drink."

Drink, Drink, Drink.

The shadows repeated the order. He had seen many demons before. Azazel and Samyaza's rebellion weren't the first among the angels. Just the one which had been recorded and remembered.

Screams echoed in his mind, as he tried to take in a gulp of air. Drink, but what was he supposed to do when he refused to be conquered?

Drink, yes, it would bring him clarity, but what did he stand to lose? Wei Caihong wanted to own him. That was clear to be heard in the man's speech.

And, if Nikola let it happen, if he drank, would he be able to come back from it all? Would he be able to be happy with Penemue, if Wei Caihong's shadow stood between them?

Like a vengeful ghost, who wanted to see the end of a sinner? The sinner who had taken everything from him?

Drink…

Nikola did not want to.

His will was the only thing which kept him from ruin. And yet… for how long?