Ellandor felt the full force of the vampire grabbing him around his waist as the world blurred around them. They materialised in a room he was unfamiliar with and fell onto a bed. Claude lay across the elf, still holding him, and Ellandor couldn’t control his fury.

“What the hell,” he growled as Claude straddle him, restraining his arms at the same time.

However, Ellandor was not having any of it and fought back. He bucked and twisted his body, trying to escape, but despite his small frame, the vampire’s excessive strength was too much for Ellandor. Claude clamped his thighs around Ellandor’s torso, hampering his escape.

Claude pressed his body against Ellandor’s, leaned down, and nipped at the elf’s ear lobe, breathing against his sensitive skin, as he murmured, “Is this so bad?”

A wave of pleasure shot down Ellandor’s spine, and he stopped his struggle. Still lying twisted on the bed, Claude now hovering over him. Neither displayed any signs of exhaustion, their breath still calm and their bodies relaxed.

Slowly, Claude released Ellandor and moved away from him to sit on the edge of the bed. Without turning, he asked, “How many have you been with before now?”

Ellandor rolled onto his back to stare at the top of the four-poster bed and gave a small huff, “That’s the last question you should ask on your first date.”

Claude gave a quiet laugh. “Is that what this is?”

Ellandor stared at the vampire’s back and noticed the formality in the way he sat. He moved to sit beside Claude, taking a moment to survey the room. Large ornate tapestries hung on the grey stone walls and deep red rugs lay scattered on the marble floor. The bed in the middle of the room was surrounded by sheer black lace drapes, each tied to one of the four posts. There were no windows Ellandor could see yet the room did not smell musty or damp. There was a clean, fresh feel although the dark decorations made the room appear menacing.

“Your room?” Ellandor asked.

“Yes. Sound proof. I would have taken us back to your room, but I’ve seen how elves live. Large open spaces, arched door frames, no way to close doors and windows.”

A smile tug at the corner of Ellandor's lips. “That’s what magic is for. No one would hear or see a thing if the right spells are used.”

“Of course. However, I thought under the circumstances it would be better if you came here.”

They lapsed in silence for a moment before Ellandor said, “This won’t work.”

“Why?”

Ellandor shook his head.

“Tell me what happened?”

Ellandor looked away. “I accepted what I am a long time ago and never consider a lover at all. I was happy to live my life the way I shaped it. However, eight hundred years ago I met another elf travelling through our lands from the east. He became my companion, and for many years we lived together as lovers.” Ellandor shook his head, wondering why he was telling the vampire this.

“What happened to him?”

“It was a lie. He was a fae, and when I realised... I was not kind to him. I banished him from my home, and later I learned he had died soon after.”

All went quiet, until Claude replied, “So your dislike of the fae is stronger than most because of this?”

“Yes. I will never trust them.”

“There was only the one lover?”

“Yes,” Ellandor murmured, “I’ve never been able to trust again.”

“At least you knew love. I have never had that pleasure.”

“You said there are those of your kind who accommodate you.”

Claude sneered. “Those who have serviced me within my clan do so for their own pleasure and never mine.”

“I’m sorry. It must be hard for you.”

Claude shrugged. “When I received the invitation to today’s session, I will admit I was a little excited about the prospect of maybe meeting others like me. I hoped...” He shrugged again.

Ellandor looked at the vampire and realised he differed from others he’d met in the past. Given the fact they were both immortal, having a relationship could work. There would never be the fear of cross-breeding—that was impossible—although there would still be many concerns if such a relationship took place.

Claude settled his gaze on Ellandor’s lip. Another shiver ran down the elf’s spine and he let his eyes travel down the vampire’s body. Before Ellandor could raise them again, Claude stood and turned to face him. He removed his jacket. Ellandor stared at the vampire as he dropped the jacket to the floor and set to work undoing the buttons on his shirt.

“I know my ivory skin may not be attractive to you. I know the dangers our making love entails. However, I will do anything you want if you might take me right now.”

Claude, by this time, had removed his clothing and stood naked and proud. Ellandor eyed every inch of Claude’s body admiring the man’s beauty. And as for his ivory skin, now naked, his entire body looked radiant.

Not a sound heard as both men stared at each other; then Ellandor removed the cord from around his torso. When free from his vest, he wrapped each end around his hands, holding them out. With several inches of cord exposed between each hand, Claude stepped forward and reached out. Ellandor placed the cord beneath Claude’s outstretch hands and wrapped it around the vampire’s wrists. He bound them tight before knotting off the ends, leaving enough to tie to the headboard. During the binding process, Claude’s body responded willingly, and Ellandor couldn’t help but admire the vampire’s erection, inches from his face.

Satisfied with the ties, Ellandor wove a binding spell to ensure the vampire could not break free. The elf knew too well a vampire’s strength was far superior to any other creatures. Ellandor moved back and led Claude to the centre of the large bed, dragging his arm towards the headboard where he secured the cord to the holes within the frame. Claude turned his body and lay down on his back, staring up at Ellandor, his arms behind his head.

The sight before him excited Ellandor more, and moving from the bed, he shed all his clothes until he stood naked before Claude.

“Beautiful,” Claude murmured, raking his eyes over the elf’s body.

Ellandor’s body responded to Claude’s gaze and climbing onto the bed made his way between the vampire’s legs, spreading them wider as he went. This allowed Ellandor a magnificent view of Claude’s body. Ellandor caressed from thighs to chest, teasing Claude’s erection as he went.

The pleasure alone pushed Claude towards a frenzied desire he had never experienced before. The nails on his fingers grew at an alarming rate, and he pulled at the enchanted cord, desperately wanting to tear it apart and pierce Ellandor’s skin. His teeth also ached as the need to taste the elf’s blood tantalised him. All these emotions were driving Claude wild.

Claude growled Ellandor’s name as his animal instincts took control. His body was on fire, and when Ellandor thrust deep within him, Claude arched his back and screamed out in a mixture of pleasure and pain. His screams were in time with Ellandor’s thrusts, and he pulled at the cords, fighting to be free. Claude’s entire being wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth into Ellandor and experience the ecstasy of the elf through his blood.

Claude thrashed and Ellandor thrust harder. As the elf fell forward, grabbing Claude’s shoulders, Claude’s instincts took over as he leaned forward and bit into the elf’s expose neck. As his teeth pierced Ellandor’s skin, a blinding passion like nothing he’d experienced shot through his body, forcing his release. The elf cried out as he emptied himself inside Claude.

Claude removed his teeth from the elf’s skin and Ellandor collapsed on top of him. He knew the effects of his bite would render Ellandor weak for some time, leaving him vulnerable to attack, but Claude would not allow that to happen. He pulled at the cord again and with the warm breath of Ellandor's murmur against his chest and the enchantment gave way.

Claude released his hands and took the non-responsive elf in his arms, holding him close. He stroked Ellandor’s long hair away from his damp face, and said, “My apologies. I did not mean to bite you. I could not control myself.”

The elf did not respond, but Claude knew he was listening.

“I will protect you. We can stay here until you are strong enough to move again. I won’t leave you alone.”

Claude meant every word. He didn’t know if the elf would freely give himself to him again. Therefore, he would enjoy the comfort of lying with a body beside him. Something he never experienced before.

He continued to stroke Ellandor’s hair and back as he held him close, waiting for the effects of his venom to be released from the elf’s body. As he comforted the elf, Ellandor slowly moved the arm he had draped over Claude’s shoulder and bought it down to wrap around Claude’s waist. Claude smiled as he placed a kiss on Ellandor’s forehead, and the elf gave him a small squeeze.

Ellandor was on a high making love to Claude. It had been so long, and driving himself into the vampire with such frenzy, he’d forgotten for a moment the surrounding dangers. Therefore, when Claude bit him, the combination of pain, venom, and pleasure around his groin gave Ellandor a feeling of euphoria he never imagined.

Ellandor held Claude as the vampire embraced and caressed him as he recovered. Ellandor felt a peace within himself for the first time in a long while. Although he should be alarmed by his current state, he couldn’t help but plan his next attempt at making love with Claude. The vampire proved to be a welcome distraction and Ellandor was eager for more.