[i]“I’m sure I have some kind of documentation of this in my archives. I’ve heard of vampires sharing telepathic connections and soul ties, but that’s the blood bond—this is different. It’s all-consuming. The scholar in me wishes to work it out, like an equation. We’ll do our research. We’ll figure it out.”[/i]
Lyselle seemed to note the comment with a light, thoughtful smile before she continued with her own words, leading up to Ren's next reply.

[i]“Regardless of this link between us, my feelings for you are [b]insatiable[/b].”[/i]
Nothing short of the sweet kisses lining her chin had ever posed such a strong reaction, but the words felt like they echoed into eternity itself, filling her core with honeyed liquid that gently swirled. And as sweet as it was, it also forced her body to react in another way—one she was still getting accustomed to. Her cheeks, her nose, and her ears flared with a deep scarlet as she felt the heat of the blush bloom across her skin without so much as a plea. It was daring enough to send shivers down Lys’ neck, goosebumps rising along her arms, becoming very obvious.

She had no time to reflect just yet, though, as the ancient vampire had more to say.

[i]“These feelings, they’re making me soft,”[/i] her blossoming love turning a normal chuckle into a musical melody that was like candy to her ears.
[i]“It almost feels as if being this bonded to you is making me feel closer to my human spirit. I feel protective—over you, over your happiness… It’s quelled my thirst for you completely. When I hear your heartbeat, I don’t want to rip it from you. When I smell your blood, nothing within me feels compelled to drink. You’re changing me, Lyselle…”[/i]

Her mind raced, and with the earlier invitation she had given Ren—one she did not rescind—it would be all too obvious to sense the layers of gears turning like a motor. The truth spoken by her darling vampire struck a chord with the scientist inside her and set ablaze her beating heart, warming their connection as if it were wrapping around them in approval. With her face still flushed red, she glanced up at Renaissance with genuine wonder and amazement, compelled to speak in return.

[color=#9BA7C3][b]“I… I don’t know how to describe how you make me feel… I feel so fiercely protective of you, and yet to come when you call seems as natural as breathing to me. It’s confusing, I must admit—I’ve dated before…”[/b][/color]
The human swallowed gently, her eyes sliding downward to watch their synchronized pace and their joined hands, reminding her of pictures and old films of long-married couples.
[color=#9BA7C3][b]“But [i]never[/i]… never like this. I… I’m shocked that the bond quiets your thirst so completely. All the while, I’ve felt a certain level of—not comfort, but normalcy—in what you have to do around blood… even your magic.”[/b][/color]

The young human laughed softly, unsure whether she should feel embarrassed, thrilled, happy, nervous—or all of the above. Her free hand lifted to comb through her raven hair while an idle thumb gently stroked her lover’s hand.
[color=#9BA7C3][b]“…you already know some of my darkest fantasies…”[/b][/color] she added in a bashful murmur, the bond humming playfully as it allowed flashes of being pinned and bitten to drift toward the other woman.
[color=#9BA7C3][b]“You’re changing me too. Sure, I questioned before—but it feels like in just a single day, you’ve turned my entire life upside down. I mean, fuck… now that I’ve had a moment to breathe like this, a new feeling keeps urging me that the real place I have in this world is [i]you[/i]—and only ever will be you.”[/b][/color]

Then, as she leaned a little closer and looked back up at the vampiress, she asked,
[color=#9BA7C3][b]“Do you think this is permanent—what’s happening to us? I’ll be the first to say that I genuinely hope it is. Life before you came into it was all a blur, dark nights filled with training after training in some attempt to earn love. But with you, I… I don’t feel that pressure. It’s scary, and it’s a relief.”[/b][/color]

It was true—this was the first moment the pair had truly gotten to pause and reflect. And here Lyselle was, pouring her heart out to an ancient undead being who preyed on humans.