The InkWell Writing Challenge

Prequel to Blood and Bronze

Series Title: Sanguine and Steel

Week #1: Lifeblood
Week #2: Metal Enhanced
Week #3: Crimson Shutters
Week #4: Cold As Steel

I could sense Ely's buzzing excitement as I drove along the cliff-side that overlooked the vast ocean beyond, “Beautiful.” I heard him mutter almost reverently and made a quick glance at him, just as he turned his focus from the window to look at me, “Like your eyes, mistress.”

Feeling an embarrassing flush start to form on my face at his earnest words, I swiftly turned my attention back on the road ahead as I managed to say, “Ely! What did I tell you about calling me by my name??”

“Yes well... Leonardo did mention that I was to be 'yours', didn't he? I just thought--” Hearing him stop mid-sentence, I worriedly glanced at him as he shook his head in response, choosing to lean back in his seat and return his gaze back to what the window held beyond.

For the first time since I had met Ely several days prior, I noticed how his clear blue eyes lost their sharp focus as he let himself lose to his thoughts. Deeming that as the end of our conversation for now, I continued driving as my own thoughts seemed to play at the back of my mind...

“You're leaving??? For how long? And what about Ely--??”

“I told you cara mia, it's only going to be another 'finding myself among men' kind of deal, alright? I'll leave you some basic 'care instructions' but Ely will be completely yours from now on.”

“Leonardo! How do I even start to explain this to Vlad--?!” I was stopped mid-questioning as Leo suddenly put his big hands on my shoulders and leaned down to look me straight in the eyes.

“Don't let that brother of yours think otherwise.” The seriousness in his golden gaze disappeared as fast as it came and before I could swipe at his grinning face, he had already jumped back a couple of feet away from me.

“If you don't claim him as yours, some others might not use him for good reasons. Remember, Envy is only one of our kind's sinful traits, cara mia.”

Leo's last words kept echoing in my mind as I drove nearer towards my family's territory, stopping just outside the ridiculously extravagant gates of what used to be my childhood home, I couldn't help frowning at myself. Money is just a crop for my kind; a seed to be sowed while waiting for higher stakes, and we had lots of time in our hands too. Lifetimes, even.

I risked a glance back at Ely to gauge his reaction to this minuscule detail of my world, only to find his clear blues looking back at me, seeing the sharp attention and curiosity behind them, I couldn't help the sudden surge of protectiveness I felt for him. If he was to be mine from now on, then I'd have to ensure nobody thought of ever taking him away from me.

“Well Ely, welcome to my world.”