One of the first things my father ever taught me about horses was that a good bond can take time. Trust did not develop overnight. It was a slow thing, like water carving out a canyon. So, I could not assume that this mare was going to feel my calm energy and melt into a puddle when I laid a hand on her. But the trust process started now.

"I usually wait until after..." Xion began, but I had already slung a rope halter over my shoulder and unbuckled the bridle. Sure enough, the mare threw her head up defiantly, all but spitting the bit out as soon as she was able.

I anticipated this and tossed a portion of the lead line around her neck, easing her down to my level until I could secure the halter. Once she was tied off, her prancing started. When she swung her back end towards Xion, he leapt out of the way as if he were avoiding a cannonball. When she swung towards me, I put a hand on her rump and shoved back. If this had been about strength, I would have never stood a chance.

"Have you always been a horseman?" I asked, already bending to loosen the girth.

"Hardly. I've had horses, yes, mainly for transport. And they have always been taken care of for me."

"And you decided that you wanted a trial so you purchased this horse for yourself? Keen to break her?" I challenged. When Devlin said that this conversation would be good for me, I didn't think he understood just how badly it would go for Xion. Through knowing what was good for horses, I had learned how to smell a bad horseman a mile away. Men and their egos had no place when it came to these beings.

"No. The man who sold her to me, a boy really, needed the money and I needed a horse. Told me this horse would carry me through anything. She must have been drugged because she is not the same horse that I bought."

I patted the horse's neck though she seemed to want nothing to do with me. I didn't think this horse had ever been drugged. From the way Xion was describing it, I could picture my father selling off a beloved steed. The horse would go with the new owner, they always did. Loyal to a fault perhaps. But then the stall would change, the handler would change, the food would be different, the tack not fit right. And that loyalty was lost. The ears that used to perk up would be pinned, teeth would flash.

Judging from the shape and the size of the bit attached to the bridle, tack certainly could be part of the problem.

"Pandora, please, we are trying to impress our guest," Xion sighed when she stamped a hoof dangerously close to my toes.

"Is that what you call it?" I mused, grabbing a brush and working it into her sweaty coat. She could very well throw a temper tantrum if she wanted. Intimidating would work with Xion, it would not work with me. "Where I'm from we don't impress people by trapping them in a library."

He at least had the decency to flush and step back. Whether he was attempting to give me space or steer clear of this horse, I wasn't sure. "Lark, I never meant to do that to you. I'm sure you must have been frightened."

"Please don't tell me what I am and what I am not," I said sharply. Pandora was settling a little now. Not much, but enough that I didn't fear for my life when I bent to pick her hooves.

"Right. Of course not. I am not trying to tell you how to feel, I'm just trying to explain or start explaining..." He let out a breath, his rambling ceasing just for a moment. He closed his eyes for a brief second as if calling on strength and said, "It's called bloodlust."

"What?" The hoof pick in my hand froze.

"Bloodlust," he repeated. "My intention is not to frighten you anymore than you may already be, but I feel that I owe it to you to be honest. So it was bloodlust that came over me. I was consumed by a hunger so fierce it drove me through the halls."

Suddenly keeping Pandora between us seemed like a great idea.

"You were looking for me. You were calling for me." My mouth moved on its own, my mind too filled with the thoughts of deliriously being taken back to my parents. How my father and mother- whom I had never seen pray before -- prayed for my life that night. What would have happened if Seraphina hadn't been with me and I hadn't known what that bell meant?

"Yes." Xion swallowed hard and glanced away. "A vampire always needs blood to survive. It is a simple reality. We can eat normal foods without issue, gain basic nutrients from them, but for survival, we need blood. Bloodlust can occur whenever a vampire is deprived of blood for too long and it has indeed happened to me before. However, when a vampire meets their mate, the blood of others no longer seems suitable. I made the mistake of thinking I would be okay for a few more days. I triggered my own bloodlust and because of that, an alarm was sounded as soon as my guards noticed. Seraphina barricaded you in and would have kept you safe facing any breach."

"You mean she would have protected me from you?"

"Yes."

I very suddenly wished that Seraphina was here right now or even Devlin. "But you are alright now?" I fought the urge to cover my jugular when I set down one of Pandora's hooves.

"Yes. Devlin had no trouble offering up a bit of his blood. He has been by my side for years. We have a very efficient system."

"One that involves clawing his face, it would seem."

Xion winced. "That was an accident in a fit. I have apologized a thousand times and will apologize a thousand more if he asks it of me. But no, that is not how I get the blood I need. He offers blood when he can under the watch of a local healer. I usually keep a small stockpile."

"Are you constantly drawn to my blood?"

"I suppose, in the same way you are constantly drawn to food or water. The hungrier you are, the more appeal it has. Now, I am sated and though you smell wonderful, I do not view you as a meal. I never have. It's something that is hard to put into words. But at the end of the day, you are my mate and I never wish to harm you."

"Unless you are hungry."

"Even then, I would not hurt you. Seraphina knew to barricade you in because I never want to take blood from you without consent. It is yours to give, not mine to take. And when you do choose to give it, it will not be painful. I will make sure of that."

"Is that so? Of all my years being forced into the bloodletting, I have never once been asked if I was okay with my situation, not by the men in my village or the vampire taking my blood. I was almost drained dry once. Did you know that? I nearly died. No one asked for my consent then. And if there was any confusion, your goons never asked once when they took me from my home." It was a lucky thing that horses had thick skin and strong muscles because, through my rage, I was pressing the brush hard into Pandora. Her head was still held high, like she wasn't sure if she should accept the massage.

"Bloodletting has been around since well before my ruling," Xion said carefully. "And I cannot speak to the men in your village, but I can apologize for everything after. I saw you during a Bloodletting, knew you were mine. I left though. I knew I could not bring you back myself, couldn't risk being seen by that many eyes. I hired men I thought were decent, but not too closely associated with the crown. Killing a vampire is hard. Killing you would have been easier and twice as devastating to me."

"There must have been other ways," I insisted.

"I can't think that you would have responded particularly well to a letter and you would have never agreed to a meeting. I can't fathom that most sane women would."

His reasoning was at least a little valid, though it certainly didn't make any of his actions right.

"So you aren't thinking about sucking blood from my jugular right now?" I pressed.

"No. I'm thinking of what I can say or do to make you forgive me. Frankly, I know I am coming up short, but you have the truth now. I think that is far better than any pretty lies, though you may disagree." He pulled the saddle off of Pandora, setting it on a rack. "Now, there is going to be a ball in a couple of days. It is in my honor which I know you may struggle with. If you don't feel like attending, you do not have to. But I would love to see you there. If not, I will give you some time and some space."

~~~Question of the Day~~~

Do you have any tips for saving money while traveling?

I always recommend finding local grocery stores and making your own snacks. I get food can be a part of the experience, but it can add up! Pick the places you want to dine at, allow yourself a few cafes and some treats, but don't be scared to bring your own sandwich.