He lowered himself next to her and gently lifted her on his lap.

She lifted her blue gaze to his and said huskily, “How did you find me?”

He ignored her question. The truth disturbed the hell out of him and he pushed it at the back of his mind. He ran his gaze over her face and frowned.

“What is wrong?” he asked abruptly, fear making his nape tingle. “You look weak, paler.”

She licked her lips. “I…I need to feed.” She glanced over his shoulder and squeezed her eyes. “Dammit, you scared the fox away.” She winced, gasping in pain.

“Eve, what is it?” He tightened his hold on her and shook her gently.

She gasped for breath. “If I don’t feed…I will die,” she said faintly.

He grimaced and lowered her gently to the ground. He looked around wildly. Dammit, he could have helped her if only she’d come to him. The cooks always had fresh meat being slaughtered and prepared in the kitchen for dinner. They were always washing blood off the counters and floor.

Deeply concerned, he glanced at the open field. It was barren. The forest was nearby, but he didn’t want to leave her alone while he searched for an animal. There was only one thing left to do. Grimacing, he looked down at her. All he saw were her daggers, her sword and a knife. Where the hell was her stake?

“Are all of your weapons made of silver?” he asked.

“What?” She blinked away her confusion until realisation lit her face. “No, you mustn’t. Let me…let me die.” She closed her eyes. “Please…I beg you…just take care of my daughter.” She groaned as she clutched her stomach.

He shook her. “Answer me!”

“Yes.”

“Your stake,” he said roughly. “Are you carrying it?”

“Be…behind me,” she said weakly.

Without saying another word, he lifted her and felt behind her. The stake was strapped to her back. He pulled it free and laid her down. His heart hammered in his chest as her breath came out in short rasps. Clenching his jaw, he drove the stake through his wrist, twisted it to make a deep cut and pulled it out, tossing it behind him.

Blood poured from his cut.

Quickly, he leaned over her still form and placed his bloody cut over her mouth. “Feed,” he said hoarsely.

Her eyes flickered and she shook her head.

Drago pressed his wrist on her mouth. “Eve, feed on my blood,” he said thickly. “You will die if you don’t.”

She opened her eyes and stared at him, her expression horrified. “I don’t…feed on…humans,” she said, her voice growing fainter.

He grimaced. “You forget I am not human. Now, feed.”

She squeezed her eyes. “Dear God, forgive me,” she said and grabbed his arm, pulling his wrist closer to her mouth as she began to drink his blood.