Finally Flame Song returned, carrying a bowl filled with something. The smell of it ought to have been enticing, but instead it smelled utterly unappetizing.

“What’s that?”

“Stew. Lon found a bit of this and a bit of that, and Brianna put it all together. It’s not the best I’ve ever had, but it fills up the empty spots. Speaking of which, how are you doing?”

“Wishing I could stomach that,” said Aidan. “I’m starving again, I think being injured is making it worse, but that stuff smells awful.” Aidan could smell what he really needed, the blood scent was practically pouring off of Flame Song. He tried to put it out of his mind. After all, they had the amulet and they were on their way back. Three more days at the most would see them off of this world. Surely he could hold out that long.

Flame Song finished the stew and put the bowl down. “You really don’t look so good. I think you need some help in order to heal up.” And before Aidan really registered what she’d said she’d pulled out her little dagger and nicked herself across her wrist. Aidan went wide-eyed. How could she just do that? I can stand the sight of blood just fine, especially now, oh yes… but I don’t think I could a knife to myself like that.

“Flame! What are you doing?”

“What do you think? Here.” She held out her wrist to him and he stared at it, fascinated almost against his will. He could smell her blood, rich and inviting. The scent overwhelmed all thought, leaving room only for action. He took her wrist in his hands and brought it to his lips. The warmth of it flowed through him and the pain in his head gradually faded away.

This time he managed to stop before Flame fainted. It was still difficult, but it seemed to be getting easier. Flame Song smiled at him and put her arm around him. He smiled back, and all of the sudden everything that had happened seemed to catch up with him at once. Before he knew it he was sound asleep.

“Wake up you two.” Aidan opened his eyes to see Brianna standing over him. “The sun has been down for hours and we’ve got to get moving.”

They reached the ship well before dawn. Flame Song practically dragged Aidan down to the little cabin and once they were inside she slid the bolt across, locking the door.

“What are you doing? Lavasida…”

“Can take care of himself. There are plenty of places where sunlight doesn’t reach on this ship. We haven’t had a real moment alone since we left the northlands.”

It was true enough. And Aidan knew that when Flame made up her mind about something there was little chance of convincing her otherwise. Besides, he thought, why would I want to?

“Sounds like a good idea, but the sun is coming up pretty soon. I’m worn out and then some, so I’m afraid all I’m going to be doing for the next few hours is sleep.”

“Fine by me,” said Flame as Aidan lay down on the narrow bunk. She sat down next to him and gently stroked his raven-black hair. Aidan relaxed completely, dozing off contentedly to her gentle caress.

He awoke precisely at sundown, feeling more refreshed and relaxed than he had in ages. Flame Song was sitting on the floor next to the bed with her head pillowed on her arm. She seemed to be asleep. Aidan softly said, “Flame?”

“Hmmm?” Flame yawned and raised her head.

“You awake?”

“I am now.”

“Anything interesting happen while I was out?”

“No, thank heavens. We could use some peace and quiet.”

Aidan sat up and stretched and Flame got up and sat next to him. For a long time they just sat there, holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes like a pair of lovesick teenagers. Well, lovesick anyhow, thought Aidan. I’m not exactly a teen anymore, even if I still look like one. Twenty-one, and almost three years married. There are times when I still can hardly believe it. Aidan smiled warmly at Flame and put his arms around her. Flame returned his embrace with interest. He could smell the sweet scent of her, hear her breath quicken and her heart begin to race. She nibbled on his ear, and his own kisses moved down her neck. Aidan felt her pulse pounding beneath his lips, and that’s when things got away from him. Without consciously thinking about what he was doing, he found the spot over the vein in her neck and broke through her skin with his teeth. For a moment, as Flame’s blood welled up in his mouth, he was filled with intense pleasure. This was different from the other times he’d taken her blood, far different. Her blood was heated with passion, and his own passion rose to match it. Then the soft cry she’d made as he cut into her registered on his mind. Realization hit him like a physical blow and he quickly broke things off.

He pulled away from her, putting some space between them and giving him time to calm down. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just… I lost control,” he said, sick with the thought that he’d caused her needless pain.

Flame Song’s eyes were wide and she was breathing hard. She raised her hand tentatively to the tiny wounds Aidan had made. Her fingers came away bloodied. It was a long moment before she finally calmed a bit and to his surprise replied, “It didn’t really hurt at all. Quite the contrary in fact.”

“Huh? How could my biting you not hurt you?”

Her expression turned thoughtful as she answered, “I’m not sure, but I think sharing blood makes some kind of emotional link. The other times I’ve been oddly aware of how you were feeling. It was kind of funny to be able to feel your hunger, and the pain when your head was inured.” She shook her head. “Maybe this time because you weren’t actually hungry and because of the way we were feeling…” she trailed off before finishing the thought, but Aidan understood what she was getting at.

“I guess that makes sense. I could feel what you were feeling, which is kind of logical, but it’s kind of odd that it goes both ways.” He looked into her clear green eyes. “You’re sure I didn’t hurt you?”

She nodded with a rather dreamy smile. “Anything but.”

Aidan smiled back and leaned in toward her, lowering his face to her neck. She took a deep breath as his lips touched her skin, then let it out in a long, slow sigh as he gently kissed away the thin trickle of blood that oozed from the marks he’d made. He drew back for a moment and with a twinkle in his eye said, “This definitely calls for further experimentation.”