Instead, a sweet bodily scent so rich it made his throat sticky filled his lungs.
The overly dense stimulation blurred his thoughts for a moment. It felt as though senses that had long since rotted away were awakening all at once.
Struggling to shake off the strange feeling, he carefully raised his head and saw her shoulders hunching tightly, uncomfortable with how close he had come.
Pretending not to notice, he asked in an even tone.
“Do you perhaps have a fever?”
Pulling the blanket up to her chest, she answered bluntly.
“I'm fine. I just accidentally fell asleep.”
“Have you eaten properly?”
“I ate a little while ago.”
She gestured toward the tray beside the bed.
Looking down at the dishes still filled with food, he frowned.
There was barely any sign that she'd eaten. Most likely she'd only swallowed some honey wine and a few pieces of fruit again.
Feeling the strange sensation that had been disturbing his nerves abruptly transform into irritation, he roughly ran a hand through his hair.
Talia observed him carefully.
The sight of her fidgeting only made his nerves grow sharper. It would probably be better to stay outside until she fell asleep again.
He turned toward the entrance of the tent.
“You should rest now.”
“Va... Varkas!”
At that moment, a frantic hand reached out behind him.
Turning around in surprise, he saw Talia clutching the sleeve of his coat tightly. Her eyes darted nervously before she forced out a cracked voice.
“My... my leg hurts.”
When he showed no reaction, Talia swallowed dryly and continued with difficulty.
“Give me my medicine.”
Blinking blankly, Varkas lowered his gaze to her lips.
The swollen red flesh looked like crushed pomegranate seeds.
He remembered the sensation of taking them into his mouth and sucking on them. The feel of the soft, moist flesh wrapping around his tongue returned vividly.
Suddenly, a burning thirst rose in the depths of his throat.
He slowly walked over to the shelf and picked up a small glass bottle.
Holding it in his hand, he sat down on the bed, and deep anxiety appeared on her face.
As though testing her, he held up the bottle.
“This?”
A rosy blush spread over her skin, so translucent it seemed light could pass through it.
Her ears and the back of her neck flushed red as her eyes wandered before she gave a small nod.
He immediately opened the bottle and filled his mouth with the thick liquid.
Wrapping a hand around her slender neck, fragile enough to break, he felt her rapid, powerful pulse.
It reminded him of holding a small bird in his hand. Just as he had felt the vigorous heartbeat pulsing beneath its soft, delicate flesh, an anxious feeling washed over him.
Cradling her exquisitely sculpted chin, he brought his lips to the plump flesh that looked as though it had been fashioned from drops of blood.
As he slipped his tongue through the slightly parted opening, a moan like the whimper of a sick cat tickled his throat.