☼ Chapter XVIII ☼

picture; Lorelai Ylisove (we haven't seen my girl in a minute, so I'm gonna let y'all have a taste of her beauty and charisma again this chapter)

song; "Desire" by Meg Myers

author's note; The beginning of this chapter is a smut scene between Sonya and Derik. The rest of the chapter has some other important events happen, so if you are uncomfortable about smut scenes, then you can skip over the beginning.

For those of you who like smut, tell me what you think! It is my first ever smut scene I've ever written, and I did all the fancy things we love to use as writers to make these kinds of moments bigger than life, but I also kept it very realistic. I mean, as realistic as two Vampyres having sex can be... you get my drift.

Comment + Vote, enjoy!

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Lying my hands over his chest, I slid them up to his shoulder blades and pressed myself against the front of him. A feral fever slashed its way over my skin, apparent and determined to enrapture the both of us. Derik seemed paralyzed by my bold movements, but the insatiable gaze that came down over me showed me that he wanted this as much as I did.

He moved forward with me, Derik's arms strangling my waist, until the back of my legs met the bed, and I sat down on the edge once again. The palms of my hands pressed flat onto the mattress as Derik leaned down to become eye level with me. Hands settled along the outside of my thighs before landing on my waist. Derik squeezed my hips as my fingers moved to splay over his neck.

With expertise, my fingers slithered down to the hem of his long-sleeve gray t-shirt to assist it over his head before casting it aside. My eyes moved down to his strong chest and defined stomach, my mouth literally watering at the exquisite feast before me. Derik was an unmatched image of Godly perfection in my eyes.

"Aren't I a lucky girl?" I playfully breathed as my hands melted over his skin. The striking difference of our skin tones was unrivalled in compliment. He pressed a kiss to my jawline before claiming my mouth with his. I savored the way his hands moved so hesitantly over my skin, almost as if he were afraid to touch me.

Derik's hold became tighter as I deepened the kiss, the desire to fully invest myself into him nearly overwhelming my logical mind. When he leant up higher to get closer, I felt a hardness press against my core, and I sucked in a sharp breath at the feeling. His mouth deftly coaxed me into sweet delirium as his taste once again enslaved me.

His body molded against mine and the heat that slammed through me sent demoniac, throbbing jolts straight down to the crux of my womanhood. My thighs began to slide together from the wetness that spilled there.

I could stay like this with him forever; nothing else would seem as essential as his lips and hands and the fire that warmed the both of us thoroughly to the core.

Derik's fingers skimmed over the bare skin on my back as his tongue caressed mine. A sudden, euphoric sting startled me as my lip was cut when his fangs slid out. A voice I barely recognized as my own moaned and Derik's tongue took the blood that began to seep from the slit. My nails stabbed into his back as I spoke in a breathless, pleading voice. "More."

"Your wish is my command." He whispered back and Derik's tongue led the way down to my chest. More stinging lovebites were left in his wake before they were soothed by Derik's ever gentle lips and tongue. A new, much more urgent and violent prick of pain was born in my right breast and I heard my Mate's salacious groan as he eagerly drank the blood that was leaking from the fresh wound.

As Derik drank, I felt his fingers slide lower down until they came upon my crying pussy. His fingers glided over my clit, once, twice, before delving into my vagina. Arched back, pointed toes, another cry of pleasure. Derik leaned away at the sound of my desire to watch me writhe under his fingertips. My blood dripped erotically from his lips onto my breasts, and Derik's eyes had become so dark they appeared to be a glowing black.

"Wow," He muttered, seemingly more to himself than to me. I wanted to laugh at how articulate he was in that moment, but the building fire had me spellbound and effectively mute. Derik's fingers played with me with skill and wonder, and I leaned deeper into his touch when he gradually began to withdraw. A whimper leaped from my lips as the obnoxious and wanton fire growing in my abdomen greatly lessened.

"Sorry, baby, but you can't come like this." Confusion rushed over me before it was essentially and immediately cleared up when Derik lifted me to a sitting position. Adjusting himself underneath me, he grasped at my thighs so tightly it hurt and forced my core down over his face. This new position left nothing hidden from him, and it was exactly what he had wanted.

Derik's mouth touched every part of my pussy and I thrashed against his lips, unable to control the lust that was incinerating me from the inside out. Rhythmic, maniacal throbbing began to roll through my vagina and I knew that I was close to my climax.

"Ah, Derik..." His name was an indecipherable moan within my cry of pleasure as I orgasmed hard. My body trembled at the intoxicated thrumming that coursed over my skin from the sensation. A dreamy haze cascaded over me, and Derik allowed me to lay down over the bed for a moment, but not before Marking me once again on my inner thigh.

Derik took more of my blood while I tried to recover, and with never ending hunger, he pulled me up to face him before claiming my lips again. I dug my nails into his shoulders in protest, wanting just a minute more to rest, but Derik seemed to only grow more ravenous at the sensation. The ferocious appetite he had for me seemed dangerous, and I was mesmerized by this part of my Mate.

Abyss-like black eyes peered down at me, and when Derik pulled himself into me, an incandescent crimson ring surrounded his pupils. My back arched as Derik's member filled me and I felt the sultry fever that permeated between us coil over us entirely.

Derik's thoughts and emotions seemed to materialize inside my own mind as he thrust into me, each time the pulsating from before ricocheted with a newborn fierceness. As his mind and feelings opened up to me as we completed the final step of the Mating Ritual, I could sense so many things.

Hunger. Wonder. Love.

The devotion slammed into me over and over. Derik's skin and body pressed on mine, slick and firm and so, so warm; his hands anchoring my hips so he could tear into me again and again. There was such a severity to the adoration, such a passion and unbreakable want. Derik seemed to be telling me without words so easily: I love you, Sonya.

"I love you, too, Derik." I whispered, more to myself than to him. Derik seemed to hear me though because his mouth touched mine again, turned down, lower, to my neck where he Marked me a third time and took more of my blood as I climaxed again.

"Sonya, vechnost' ty moya." I wasn't exactly sure what it is that he had just told me since I didn't know Russian, but it really didn't matter. The enthralling flames that spilled over me was the only thing I could understand; the feel of my Mate above me, the safety and comfort that pressed in on every inch of my existence was the easiest thing I'd breathed in for a while.

I don't know how long we actually sat in the quiet and just revelled in the sensation of our skin pressing against one another, but it gave me such peace. I could forget about everything else and live and dream and love only Derik.

It was terrifying to get that deep into someone, wasn't it? To love a person with such totality that they could crush you as easily as they could make you smile was dangerous. I felt like I was at the precipice of unrelenting and ethereal perfection—the kind of fairytale love that didn't honestly exist in the type of life we lived.

It was a flawlessness that was fabricated from delusion and false, misplaced hopes—a world where the line between mirage and reality was too blurred to be deciphered. Everything was too euphoric and beautiful to be real, yet somehow it was and it shattered all your old beliefs because you think that you're dreaming—but you're wide awake.

As the euphoric waves began to calm, I realized I had meant to ask Derik something else. "I was questioned about the farsa." I began slowly, and Derik's fingers that had been running up and down my spine paused only briefly before continuing the action.

"Yes, Genevieve let me know before you were removed from class." My brows furrowed together at his response, intrigued but confused.

"Why did she tell you?" I wondered aloud.

"Well, Genevieve worries about you obviously, and I am her nephew. She didn't know what had happened at the farsa and knew that being questioned by the Stationary isn't necessarily a good thing." Nodding I tried to show I understood, though I don't think Derik could see me since his head was on my stomach.

"I told them what Ever had said at the farsa. About how those Hunters had come for me."

"The Stationary told you that Hunters attacked the farsa?" Derik sat up to look into my face, most likely thinking the same thing I had about the possibility of Hunters attacking the club and only killing one supernatural. An image of my sister's maniacal soulless eyes flashed to the forefront of my mind and Derik's eyes widened suddenly. "Your sister killed that girl?"

"Derik..." I warned lowly, feeling like an idiot. Now that we had completed the final Rituals, he was able to tune in to my thoughts easily.

"You have to tell the Stationary. I know she's your sister, but that means she is a Rogue."

"I know! I connected with her for the first time in years. I think it was partially our Thread as Siblings and my Gift of Seeing. She is working with someone else. Cetilayn killed that girl because of me. I don't want to be at the center of that bullshit, Derik. If I ever see Cetilayn again, I will not hesitate to eliminate her." The words came out frigid and assertive, and it wasn't because I was trying to convince my Mate but rather because it was true. The shell that looked like Cetilayn was not the girl I grew up with.

That monster was not my sister, especially considering the fact she was present the night that Rene murdered our mother and did nothing to stop him or even to protect me. Fuck that bitch. She is just as responsible for everything that's happened in my eyes.

Derik splayed his fingers over my back and crushed me closer. "Sonya, stop." A new sense of calmness tumbled over my skin and I exhaled weightlessly. "I'm not going to say anything to anyone. It's your decision to make, but killing her yourself might not really be something you want to do. It seems like a good idea right now, but your sister is still inside her somewhere."

"I don't care." I admitted after a while of silence. "I really don't fucking care."

☼

Her fiery hair caught my attention from across the plaza and I yelled for her to stop. Ever turned to find the person who had called to her before meeting my gaze and then twisting away again and taking off.

An annoyed groan surged passed my lips as I ran after her, shouting for her to come back, but she moved forward until the trees swallowed her up. Gritting my teeth against my anger, I pushed on—opening my senses wide so that I could grasp her scent and see her hiding under the waning pre-dusk twilight.

An unfamiliar, flourishing ravenously animalistic part of me loved the chase and I grew excited as I tracked her steps through the maze of gnarled trees. My ears picked up on her ragged breath and thundering heartbeat. Her fear tasted so good that I couldn't pause to keep myself from drowning in it.

Ever only hesitated for a second to decide where she was going to turn next, but that one second was all I needed. I propelled myself forward with ghastly hunger, slamming her relentlessly up against the nearest tree. Ever's dark eyes widened in fear as she pressed her hand over mine that squeezed her throat.

Come back to me, Sonya. His words slithered into my mind and just hearing Derik's voice allowed the realization of what was happening to loom over me. Blinking rapidly, I grounded myself back into the right state of mind gradually, becoming aware of the crackling flames that had ignited behind my irises.

My fingers unwrapped from around Ever's throat and she collapsed back into the tree I had held her captive against. She coughed and sputtered for a moment, before turning subdued daggers into my direction. "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me."

"That's what happens after Darkness Marks you. That primal part of you starts to come out more often through your emotions and actions." Ever was still babying her throat but her dark eyes began to cloud over with understanding instead of irritation.

"Why did you run away from me anyway?" Scowling, my fists planted onto my hips as I stared at her.

"I didn't know what state of mind you were in. And I heard that you told those Protectors about what happened at the farsa. You could be paranoid out of your mind at this point and might've been trying to kill me..." She paused and peered curiously at my throat where I wore Derik's Mark. Ever's face descended in relief and a small smile littered her lips. "But you have a Mate, so you are safer than anyone right now."

"He brought me back. He must've felt my emotions." I reasoned thoughtfully, remembering his consoling words in my mind. "Derik is great to have to help me through this, but I think I need someone's who's actually been Marked."

"I don't know how close you actually were to truly Awakening, but the Dark Mark may have already made that happen. You'll start to notice a shift in your Gifts and Powers soon if that's true. You still need to be careful once you Awaken however. Because your body is getting ready to start the Change, you need to make sure you don't put yourself under any kind of intense emotional distress. It pushes you closer to the Darkness."

"How do I do that? I have a feeling that this Mark is just the beginning. I don't think Darkness is just going to Mark me and leave me alone." Ever sighed and twisted away to commence our way back to campus. "How did you do it?"

"Katherine helped me. She cast a Powerful protection seal over the Mark that nearly killed her. She also strengthened our Thread so she was able to help me carry the weight of the Darkness. It was still hard because a protection Ritual can only do so much, and Kat could only hold so much. I wouldn't let her risk being dragged down trying to protect me so sometimes I would just... let the Darkness take control."

"What do you mean?" Ever seemed to visibly shudder though she hadn't the entire time we'd been out in the wintry air.

"Whatever Darkness wanted... sometimes I would do it. It would sorta leave sometimes after, or at least it wasn't as noticeable."

"And? What did it want you to do?" She pushed her gaze to me, written over her face was a look that told me I should already know.

I could guess. If Darkness turned Cetilayn into an emotionless look-alike of my sister that allowed her own mother to die before her eyes, I could guess the things it would make you do.

"Your sister..." I began again, but thought better of it. "I'm sorry about what happened to her. And I'm sorry if it's my fault."

"Don't pretend to be so fucking innocent." Ever's entire demeanor switched so quickly, I almost got whiplash from witnessing it. "You know it's your fault. You know who it was that came to the farsa that night."

"The Protectors said it was Hunters." I reminded her carefully, suddenly unsure in her presence. Maybe she would turn on me and avenge her sister. I know I would if I were in her shoes. "I have no idea why Hunters would be after me besides the fact I'm a Vampyre too."

"Darkness only Marks people for a few reasons. They always see them as an asset of some kind, but the most common reason is because they're crapat. We all know why Meredith Reinove was stripped of her titles and lived amongst humans. She fell for a Hunter and she sacrificed her life here for a man that didn't truly love her." Anger surged through my entirety and the fever that had waned behind my eyes from earlier instantly returned.

"Watch your fucking mouth." Ever side-stepped with a vicious smile, her dark eyes twinkling with pleasure at my anger.

"You can't be upset at the truth, Princess. The man didn't even show up to the late Princess Reinove's funeral. Everyone knows." When I swiped out to attack her, Ever's hand cast upwards in a claw-like motion. Sickness overwhelmed me and I staggered back, almost unable to stand. Her eyes had turned a brilliant violet-yellow, and I knew this was magick.

"I'm getting tired of you attacking me, Princess. You tried to lie to my face just now but claim that you want my help. I should kill you here and now just because you're the reason my sister is dead, but I'm not keen on becoming a Rogue." The sweltering nausea spiked suddenly and then eventually diminished. "The only reason I won't kill you is because I know that it really isn't your fault. My sister was disposable and ultimately collateral damage, just like the rest of the people you step over, Princess."

"I didn't ask for this." Sweat had made my skin slick, but I was starting to cool down once again. "I never wanted to be a Royal or a target."

"And that's why I want to help you. You weren't even raised in our world and you were thrown into this because of the mistakes of your mother." Gritting my teeth, I tried to ignore her comment--really, but she wasn't wrong.

If Meredith had married someone of her own kind, I never would've become crapat, and Cetilayn and I would've grown up protected. Cetilayn and I would still be sisters. Maybe the man that would be my father would've loved me unconditionally like a parent should.

Maybe I would've had a normal, if privileged, life as a Royal within the Unknown World. I had never thought about these things before now, and some part of me wished I would have grown up in the Unknown World.

Despite the responsibilities and stringent life that came with being a Royal, I could still possibly be happier. I would have a family still. I could've met Derik sooner.

But then I never would have met Lainey or Gavin. I probably wouldn't be the same person I was today. Without a doubt, I would be much weaker.

"Why do you hate Royals so much if you are one?" The words plummeted from my mouth suddenly, and Ever scowled and opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of someone calling my name from a few feet away pulled my attention elsewhere.

Lorelai was bounding my way and a huge chunk of me was so relieved to see her. I had so much I needed to talk to her about, and over the last forty-eight hours that Derik had held me captive, I hadn't seen her at all and desperately needed girl time. She would be proud to see the Mark on my neck as well. And I couldn't wait to gush over it finally with her.

Ever made a strange noise and the smile that was born on my face as I began to greet my friend diminished as I saw her clawing and wringing her hands so hard that it was leaving red welts. An eyebrow quirked up as I watched her concernedly. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly?" She shook her head and froze as Lorelai calling my name again met our ears.

"Lori, hey. I have a lot to tell you." A salacious smile lingered on my lips as I tilted my head slightly to give her a better view of my new Mark.

"Did you...?" Lorelai's grin was slow and intimate as she jabbed her thumb into my Mark and laughed. "You nasty bitch!"

"You're proud of me." I playfully shoved her before lolling my head back once again to peer over at Ever. "Lori, this is Ever. We have combats together. Ever, this is my friend Lorelai."

Ever's breathing was coming out in short, scared little pants and her eyes were squeezed shut tightly. She was still wringing her hands and I reached out to stop her, noticing a couple welts had begun to bleed. Lorelai was stopping me before I could touch her, and she looked at me with serious eyes. "I got it."

"What—?" I opened my mouth to ask what was going on, but Ever turned and their eyes connected. The swirling warmth that rose was all too familiar and I stepped away, understanding that this was probably what Derik and I had looked like when we'd first met.

Lorelai splayed her hands over Ever's neck and gazed into her eyes.

"I've waited for you for so long." She breathed as Ever grasped onto Lorelai's hips and I watched as my friend claimed her Mate's lips with her own.

An anger I didn't expect surged through me as I watched the two of them. Without saying another word, I twisted away and left them there. My rational mind knew that I should be happy for Lorelai because she had waited so long for her Mate, but I didn't trust Ever. She was Marked by Darkness and had admitted to doing whatever it wanted in the past. What if she hurt Lorelai? What if she dragged Lorelai down into the Darkness with her?

Lorelai is strong, but is she strong enough? There was nothing I could do to really help her if things got too bad. I would be useless and forced to watch my only friend become like Cetilayn. A shudder of disgust coupled with terror satiated my spine. Upon entering my dorm, I slammed the door shut with severe force that caused the hinge to crack.

"Whoa, Sonya. You okay?" Ankiel and Trent were sitting in the living area playing some first-person shooter I didn't recognize. Ankiel's gray eyes immediately grew cloudy with worry.

"No!" I threw my hands up as I snarled the word. Gripping my jacket's edges, I shrugged out of it and aggressively placed it in the closet beside the front door.

Ankiel and Trent were both on their feet in an instant, watching me with a strange intrigue as I continued to slam things around. "What is that smell?" My eyes snapped to Ankiel as he questioned me.

"What smell?" I barked back rudely. Trent and Ankiel shared a look that seemed as if they were communicating something to one another that each of them already knew.

Trent grasped onto my upper arm and twirled me to face him. The jolting electricity that surged over my skin was violently enthralling. I seized at the sensation before leaning desperately into it. Hunger reverberated through my entirety as I looked into Trent's violet-amber gaze. Trent seemed to sense it because he hurriedly released me, and my senses slammed back into me.

"It's Darkness." Trent wryly smirked, though the smile chilled my spine, and so did his words. He clenched and unclenched his hand that had grabbed me, a weird satisfaction lulling over his face as he looked at his palm.

"How do you know..." A memory of the night I was Marked and me brushing passed Ever surfaced. I had felt a similar electric connection to her, one that was undeniable but wildly weaker in comparison to this voltaic wonder I felt when Trent touched me. Was I able to sense these other people who had been Marked by Darkness for some reason? Did this mean Trent had been Marked too? "You were Marked by Darkness." I blurted my thoughts as they filtered into my mind, and a set of violet-amber orbs delved into me again.

"Did you feel that too?" Trent seemed happy with the idea, but that happiness disintegrated instantly when his eyes landed onto my throat. "What the fuck is that?" Trent's voice was low, and his eyes darkened without hesitance.

My hand dashed to my throat to obscure my Mark from his view, almost in a protective fashion. He had it in his had that you and him were Mates. Ankiel's words from a few nights ago was like a curse whispered into my brain.

"I'm sorry, Trent." I muttered as I took a step back. I wasn't ashamed of the fact I had Mated with Derik, actually, I was proud to wear his Mark--all of them. But because Trent had thought he was my Sufletul Oglinda, I felt the need to hide the truth from him.

"You Mated with the Seilyar." Trent's voice was abnormal, almost a snarl, and I didn't respond. I felt bad, even though this wasn't my fault.

"Trent," Ankiel pushed forward now and touched his friend's shoulder. Trent snatched away and tossed a vicious look his way. "Oy, mate! Don't take it out on me, wanker. I told you!"

"Fuck off, Kel." Trent shoved him and Ankiel grumbled deep in his chest.

"Trent, stop." I tried to intervene, but Ankiel had already cocked his fist back to punch Trent in the face. "Wait!" Deflecting his attack, I moved between them, which seemed to piss Trent off even more.

"Move, Sonya. Stay out of this." Shaking my head, I pushed at the two men's chests to make them step away. I didn't understand why Trent was so mad at Ankiel, but I also knew he wasn't in the right state of mind.

I knew how I would feel if I saw some other girl's Mark on Derik's throat, and I didn't want Trent to hurt someone he considered a brother because he was upset about something that he couldn't change.

"Stop now." Power I didn't know I had rushed into my tone and both men promptly sobered at my words. "Why are you two even fighting? This doesn't make sense. It isn't Ankiel's fault that we're not Mates, Trent."

Trent's expression was cold, calculating, but I could see disappointment in his eyes. "We're not Mates." His voice was robotic, and I shook my head, though I felt really bad doing so.

"No. Derik is my Sufletul Oglinda." Should I tell him that I experienced the same electric feeling with more than one person? Or would that just hurt him more to know that he wasn't special or unique to me in any way?

Trent scoffed in aggravation before storming out of our dormitory. What a child.

"I tried to tell him, Sonya. That's why he's mad at me. I tried to prepare him for this day, but he didn't want to listen to me. I know a Mated couple when I see one." Ankiel ran his hand through his wild curls stressedly, and my guilt skyrocketed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even think about him being here, but I couldn't let him think that we're Mates. This is because we've both been Marked, isn't it? I've felt the same thing with someone else who's been Marked by Darkness."

"You're able to feel other people who have been Marked by Darkness?" Ankiel looked thoughtful for a moment. "That could be because of your Seer Gift. Seers can sense things about people by touching them... no, that wouldn't explain why he felt a Mate pull from the first moment he met you."

"I don't know." Sighing, I plopped down on the couch in the living room and rubbed my hands down my face. "I didn't feel anything when I first met Trent. I thought he was handsome, but that's about it. With Derik, I felt the Mate pull. I feel it everyday."

Levelling my gaze at Ankiel, something suddenly clicked. "Trent was Marked by Darkness, wasn't he? That's why you both left the Academy."