I grit my teeth as York sinks her fangs into my wrist. I was getting more used to the pain each time, but it still hurt like hell. She immediately pulls back, grabbing a bottle and positioning it under my now bleeding wound, collecting the viscous red liquid.

It had been a couple of days since we had discovered that York could drink bagged blood, as long as it was mixed with a fair quantity of my own, freshly squeezed from my body. And this was the system we had devised.

Each morning I would head to York's room. She would bite me, but not feed, collecting the fresh blood to mix into the bagged blood ready for her morning feeding and her canteen. This way, it only took a couple of drops from me in the morning, and she had access to drinkable blood throughout the day.

Then, come evening, I would head back to her room, and she would feed directly from me. We had done it twice like this, and it seemed to work well. I would feel a bit weak but swiftly recovered.

My wound slowly stops dripping, and York takes the liberty of licking it, cleaning it with her tongue. I shudder at the touch and the warmth of her care. Then she places a gentle kiss on top of it, before covering the gash with a band-aid. "My thanks… O' generous Commander."

She flashes me a smile of appreciation before walking over to the small kitchen area in the room, pulling open the fridge and fetching a blood bag out of it. She then reaches above her, opening the cupboard and pulling out a wine glass. She turns and calls over her shoulder. "Tea?"

"Do you have coffee?" I get the feeling I know the answer.

She makes a face, lips curling in distaste. "I am a lady of the Royal Navy… what an irksome question… I shalt repeat mine question, Tea?"

I laugh and agree, I was happy with either really. Due to having to come to her room early, so that she could feed before our official duties began, I hadn't the chance to grab breakfast or a beverage for myself.

The battleship pulls out a mug and sets it next to her wine glass, flipping the kettle on at the same time. She then takes the blood bag and empties it into her glass and finishes it off by taking the bottle of my blood and adding half, and the other half to her canteen.

"Milk, no sugar, one assumes?"

"Yep, thanks." She was now accustomed to some of my tastes and my preferences, now that I had been over a couple of times for her feeding, and being my secretary for a handful of days. It felt oddly pleasant… her knowing such things.

She makes my tea and brings it over, swirling her own blood-red glass before sipping on it. "Hmm… tis not particularly distasteful… I am getting used to it… slowly."

She smiles at me. "Although… it still doth not compare to thy blood straight from thy body… The pleasure that provides…" She shudders while licking her lips.

I chuckle and sip my drink. "Have thou consumed any breakfast?" She asks. I reply in the negative.

She downs the rest of her glass, making sure to clean her lips of blood before waltzing over to the cupboards and browsing through. "I am afraid I only have meagre supplies. Toast?"

"I'm quite happy with anything." I reply honestly.

"I would not be a good host if I did not ask, Commander. Tis the least I can do." I felt… weird to have somebody make me a tea, offer breakfast this early in the morning. And stunning women no less. I was used to living alone, dragging myself out of bed and sorting myself out at the last minute.

Yet here I was, sat in a women's abode early in the morning. I didn't even really know how to classify our relationship though. Friends? Perhaps. But her feeding on me… The occasional kiss and touch she gave me as thanks… that felt like more…

But we were hardly lovers... I hadn't tried to go any further since she had lightly scolded me for trying to touch her while kissing. And I felt that if I tried, that was unfair to her. I was literally her lifeline. I didn't want to make it seem like I was taking advantage of her dependence on me.

York breaks my thoughts by handing me a plate with lightly buttered toast on it, and I look up to find her munching on her own. It tickled me, the refined noblewomen, speech like silk and a luxurious taste in both clothes and food to match, was eating a piece of toast standing up with not an ounce of refinement to be seen.

She notices my amusement, narrowing her eyes at me. "Something thou would like to share?" I shake my head.

"It's nothing…" I try my best to wipe the grin from my face to avoid angering the stern vampiress.

"Are you ready for the party tonight?" I ask.

"Worried I shall leave thee hanging dry? Lonesome and humiliated? Worry not, forsooth, I am prepared. Any noblewoman worth her salt should be ready to attend a ball at any time."

We were talking about a party organized by the Royal Navy, which was due this evening. They tended to host them quite frequently, at Queen Elizabeth's request. I was always expected to attend, and it had become something of a tradition for me to bring whoever my secretary was at the time as my partner, seeing as I had no significant other in my life.

Some ships had been fantastic partners. Hood had put me to shame, being a far better ballroom dancer than I, and Bismarck had been courteous and polite with every other guest upon her turn. Others… had been less so. I still remembered the time Akagi had been my partner, it went without saying… that night had not ended well.

I pull myself from my thoughts and smile at York. I could see her making a great partner and she would no doubt take the lead while dancing. She was also Royal Navy, so was aware of all the formal etiquette behind such events and would hopefully stop me making a fool of myself.

"Doth thou wish to admire my dress?" I shake my head.

"You can surprise me tonight with it."

"Good choice, O Commander. It is sure to set your heart aflame with passion, I assure thee."

My cheeks heat up as I imagine York in some luxuriously silky thin dress, barely holding her curves in and showing off an ample amount of flesh.

I quickly distract myself, finishing off my toast and heading for the door. I was due to start at the office soon, so needed to start walking now. "Halt thy movements, Commander. I shalt be quick." Obediently I stop and wait for her. She quickly finishes her toast too, and chucks her cloak on, attaching it around herself.

"Let us be off into the fresh morn air. There is work to be done, and fun to be had." She walks by my side as we both head to the office and the official duties that await.

I check my watch and hum to myself. I was standing in my office waiting for York. We had finished work for the day, and she had gone back to her room to change, as I had had in my own room. I was currently clad in an expensive black tuxedo.

Personally, I didn't care much for the fancy garment, it felt too similar to my uniform in a way. But I knew it was expected of me to make an effort, besides all the girls always dressed up so nicely, it wouldn't be fair.

Where had York gotten to? We were expected at the party soon, and she was still nowhere to be seen. I wait for a couple of minutes, then decide that I better go check on her. However, the second I do, she lithely steps into the office with a flourish and a smile on her face.

I feel like I've had my breath knocked out of me. She… good lord… she looked stunning. I mean, she always did, whatever she wore, but that dress was something else…

She wears black heels, making her even taller than she already was. Then to my surprise, she has fishnet stockings running up her legs, ending at her thigh. I never took her for to type to wear such an item, but it really did compliment her fair skin and long legs well.

The dress itself isn't too far off what I had dreamt of earlier. Long and black, split for her thighs and intricate lace patterns adorning her wrists and chest. A lighter see-through material with said pattern is placed strategically on her stomach and running further up to her cleavage, showcasing her curvy chest lewdly.

Then the outfit is topped off with a lacy black choker that connects to her dress, running between the valley of her breasts. The whole ensemble left little to the imagination, and the pitch-black lace contrasted with her pale skin beautifully. It truly was a dress fit for a seductive vampire like York.

She giggles at my clearly shocked reaction, choosing to give me a twirl, showing me the open back to the dress. Good god… I was meant to dance with her… I think the experience would kill me. I had been flustered whenever I had danced with others, but with York… my heart might not be able to take it.

"Thou art enchanted by mine own visage? I am a pretty thing, am I not? A veritable goddess of beauty… Aphrodite incarnate. Thou art a lucky man, O' Commander"

She preens herself with compliments, but she deserves each and every one. And she is absolutely right, to spend the night with her as my partner was a true honour, and I tell her as much.

She smiles coyly, then holds out her hand. "I trust thou is ready to partake in the festivities. Doth thou wish to accompany me to the ball?"

I take her hand gently, and bend down, giving it a light kiss on her knuckles. "Of course, my lady. Anything for such beauty…" I try my best mock high-class accent and she laughs at my attempt. She then clutches my hand closer and we walk out of the room together, towards the ball hand in hand.

As Commander, I seem to attract a lot of attention at these balls. A lot of the girls tended to approach me to ask me questions, or if I would like a dance. I'd typically decline, opting to dance with whichever partner I had for the night.

I get into a conversation with Haruna, who was wearing a lovely red dress, about a recent Sakura Empire exercise, and her performance within it. She had simply wanted some tips and advice, which I happily gave. It was good to see ships wanting to better their skills and taking the initiative to do so.

However, when I look around afterwards, I find that York has disappeared from my side. I scan the busy room but fail to notice her distinctive hair or pointy ears.

"Was thou's gaze forlorn at mine absence?" Her familiar voice from my side makes me jump. She had appeared from absolutely nowhere. I suppose vampires in fiction were meant to be stealthy creatures.

She hands me my second drink of the night, and I realise that she must have visited the bar for refills. She herself holds a wine glass full of red liquid and my eyes widen in surprise. Was that? Blood? Was she bold enough to drink it in front of everyone?

She laughs at me. "Doth not fret Commander. Tis wine…" She sips it and hums in approval. "…and high quality at that. I did tell thee that I do like wine too, doth thee remember?" I nod, embarrassed that I had just assumed such because of her nature.

Before long, after finishing our drinks, she pulls me to the ballroom floor. Light classical music is playing and she gives me a fanged grin, followed by a question. "Can thou dance?"

I blush but reply truthfully. "A bit… Hood taught me the basics. But I'm still not very good…"

"Then thou are not fit to helm this ship? Worry not, I shalt lead. Just follow my beautiful movements and thee shall avoid looking cumbersome."

I give her my thanks as she leads me by the hand onto the ballroom floor. Several other couples are dancing. Cleveland is fumbling along with Helena, struggling to keep pace with her blue-haired wife, two staff members I recognize from the repair department and Jean and Massachusetts. Jean looks distinctly unhappy, I suspect her other half, Massi, may have pressured her into the dance.

I feel a bit more comfortable knowing that at least there were others dancing who were just as bad as me. Although the fact they were all romantic couples makes me a bit self-conscious about my own relationship with York. I mean, I suppose technically, I was kind of like her thrall? That didn't sound especially romantic, or even friendly.

I'm jarred back to reality by York wrapping an arm around me, taking my other hand and stretching it out to the side. Her feet move with complete grace as she steps back and to. She whispers to me under her breath. "Thou must clutch me closer, tis the waltz Commander, hast Hood taught thee correctly?"

I blush deeply. Everything Hood had taught me has already flown completely out of my head. I gingerly wrap my arm around her back and bring her closer to my body. She grins, then pushes herself closer still, and her large breasts mush into my chest.

How was any man meant to concentrate with this in his arms? I struggle to follow her footsteps as best as possible, trying to focus solely on my rhythm. I try to ignore the feel of her arm gripping my back tightly, the soft heat from her chest, or the sweet scent of her perfume, all of which is driving me mad.

I kick myself, come on. Get a grip. I'd managed to dance with Akagi, as she whispered incredibly lewd things in my ear, trying her best to tempt me. I could do this. I search my memory for what Hood had taught me about the waltz. It was slow, you needed to stay close to your partner, within their embrace, and your feet needed to be parallel as you spun.

I adjust my stance and my grip on her back, straightening my own back and timing my movements with hers. There's an immediate improvement in our gait as we twirl as one to the slow music.

York gives me a warm smile and her fangs peeking out from under her lips. "Hmm… much better. Perhaps Hood did instruct thee well…"

Then, she leans inwards into our embrace and whispers in my ear as her hair cascades over my chest. "…but I can still hear it… thy fluttering heartbeat. O' nervous one. Your blood burns with thy lust, correct? You should concentrate on thy dance, not mine own body…"

Then, she flicks her tongue out, just catching my earlobe as she retreats. I can't help but let a groan of need out of my mouth. Maybe she was a succubus, not a vampire… was the song over yet? I couldn't take this torture much longer…

After a few minutes, my wish is granted as the music comes to a halt. However, instead of letting me go as I anticipated, York gives me a mischievous smile and pulls me along by the hand. I have no choice but to follow her as she practically drags me along.

Where were we going? She exits the main room and heads down some corridors. I struggle as soon as we turn the corner and I realise her destination. The lady's bathroom.

She pushes me against the wall just outside and puts a finger to my lips. "Shhh… Stay."

I gulp down my complaints as I regard the fire in her eyes. Her irises were a deep red, unlike her normal soft turquoise. She darts inside the room for a second, and while I debate running, I'm obedient and stay as I was told. I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in where exactly this was going.

She returns and gives me a sultry smile. "All clear…" She grabs and pushes me into the room. What in the world was she doing?

"Thy lustful heartbeat… It was intoxicating. I want… to feed." She pushes me against the marble counter full of sinks, but stops there, not coming any closer as she watches me with hungry eyes.

I'm a little disheartened that she hadn't dragged me here for, how would she put it? …a more carnal experience. But her request doesn't really surprise me. She stands, just watching me intently, almost begging me with her eyes. It takes me a second to realise what she's waiting for. Permission.

"Someone could come in at any time…" I protest. Her smile widens.

"Doth that not excite thee further? Ye shall be faithfully rewarded for quenching my thirst…" She licks her lips for effect.

I couldn't resist. I didn't even know if I could by this point. Maybe I was actually her thrall? The thought of denying her felt… alien… wrong, somehow." I nod eagerly and she gives a delighted laugh.

"O' my Commander. What a good man thou art."

She lithely glides towards me until she's pressing me against the counter with her body. "This once. Thou may partake of my fair skin. As a gesture of my gratitude. But do not push thy luck…understand?"

She was going to let me touch her? I nod immediately. She cups my face with her hand and brings me in for a kiss. Her tongue easily slips into my mouth and ravishes it. She hums into the kiss and it sends fireworks off in my head.

My hands roam her sides, appreciating her curves and the thin material which hides them. I explore southwards, running my hand up and down her thigh, slipping my hand through the gap in the dress to touch the bare skin and she mewls approvingly. My fingers brush her fishnet stockings as I caress the skin with a tighter grip.

I can feel my body heating up, my nether region hardening at the displays of affection we are giving one another, and I try my best to position my body to hide my arousal. She continues to kiss me, deeply, passionately and it is absolutely heavenly. Before I can stop myself, my hand runs up her side once again and I do what I've wanted to do ever since I saw her. I grab one of her breasts and mush it gently.

She groans, then bites my lip slightly, suckling away the meagre amount of blood it provides. "O' Commander…" God that beautiful refined British accent calling me… it drives me nuts and I get rougher with her breast, pulling and pushing it like dough. Then, my urges get the better of me and I pull down one side of her dress exposing her naked mound and its pert nipple standing to attention.

Immediately she pulls away with a light growl in her throat, scolding me. "Commander… I do believe I told thee to not push thy luck… undressing me without my consent is incredibly uncouth." She eyes me with those red eyes in mild annoyance as she fixes her dress, hiding the breast I so desperately wanted to view.

I gulp nervously. "Sorry… I didn't know how far was too far…"

Her annoyed stare quickly morphs into a playful smile. "Consider thyself forgiven. But I find myself curious, would thou like my consent…to go further…?"

I'm sure this is some form of trap and shake my head quickly. She gives me an odd look but opts to resume her sweet smile. "How conservative O' Commander. Brevity tis an admirable trait. But now for my part in our little dance."

Before I can protest, she has picked me up and put me back down, so I'm sat on the marble countertop, with her standing in front of me, my knees split either side of her. From this height, she is perfectly level with my throat, which I'm sure was the intention.

She holds me steady as I once again bear myself to her. She sinks her fangs in slowly, piercing the skin as I let out a gasp of pain. Her arm rubs my shoulder slowly, her touch bringing me some comfort. I close my eyes, awaiting the pleasure that comes with her feeding.

Indeed, it floods my senses within seconds, and I groan. I didn't know what was better, the feeling of running my hands over York, her sweet delectable kisses of affection which sent shocks of pleasure straight to my core, or this overwhelming wave of pleasant energy that I drowned in.

She sucks and sucks, keeping a consistent pace, then breaks away after 30 seconds or so. "Thou tastes extra bountiful today… I can taste the alcohol thy consumed on my tongue. I wonder… shall I get drunk from thy blood?" She chuckles to herself, then resumes feeding.

I close my eyes to the world, sighing in relief as I'm re-enveloped in that bliss. Then, I hear the door open to the bathroom and my eyes immediately shoot open scared to my bones.

There stands Monarch in her pristine white dress, her eyes wide with surprise as she regards us. It probably would have looked like we were making out, perhaps making love even, if it wasn't for the fact that York, upon hearing the noise, breaks from my neck to look, and my blood drips from her teeth onto the pristine floor as she does so.

"Sister!?" York exclaims before wiping her mouth on her wrist. Monarch looks horrified by the scene before her.

"Sorry for the interruption…" She mutters before twirling on the spot and dashing out of the door.

Shit. Nobody knew about York feeding on me. It wasn't exactly a secret per-se, but I was worried what the other ships might think of it. And if Akagi or Taihou got wind of York draining me of blood… I shudder at the thought.

I quickly stand up, wincing slightly at my sore neck. Me and York both exit the bathroom and are surprised to find Monarch waiting for us.

York looks just as surprised as me. "Sister? You await us?"

"It would be rash of me to judge prematurely. I seek an explanation first. But not from you. Him." Her eyes fix on me intently. Oh dear…

York nods in understanding, she wraps an arm around me. "Be sure to satisfy my sister's curiosity, my Adonis…" She says it loud and clear, so that Monarch can hear. Adonis? She had never called me that before, I didn't even know what that meant?

However, it appeared it was not for my benefit, but Monarch's, as her jaw drops slightly in surprise at the word and she fixes York with a look of disapproval as she passes her by and leaves.

"Are you and her…?" She immediately starts interrogating me the second York leaves our sight.

I grimace at the awkward situation I've found myself in but tell her the truth. "She feeds off me. And it's completely of my own volition. She had some issues with her normal feeding… now she needs me to sustain her. That's all it is."

The redhead eyes me suspiciously. "You seemed incredibly close in there… in one another's arms… but whatever… that is not my business."

"What is my business, is the health of my Commander… If it is of your own consent, then I cannot argue with you. But I would highly suggest keeping away from my sister. I love her… but you may well end up hurt."

She turns, clearly unwilling to continue the awkward conversation herself any further. I call out.

"Monarch… can you… keep this to yourself? Please? It would be troublesome if others knew. And York… feels judged enough already…" I plead with her as she regards me plainly.

She sighs and graces me with a sweet smile. "Very well, seeing as it is you who asks me. But be warned, secrets never stay hidden, they rot and degrade those that keep them…" She speaks ominously, but I give her my thanks for promising to not tell anyone.

With anyone else, I might be unsure whether they would keep that promise, and not actually gossip the first chance they got. But I knew Monarch was certainly not the type for that, thank god she had been the one to walk in.

It doesn't take me too long to find York, sipping another glass of wine in a corner of the hall, looking unusually forlorn. As soon as she see's me she brightens slightly, but her face still shows worry and concern, a contrast to the confidant woman who had left me mere moments ago.

"Did thou please my sister's queries?" She asks concerned.

"I did, but why did you leave, you could have stayed?"

She gives me a half-hearted smile. "My sister's business was with thee… and I knoweth my siblings dislike talk of mine own nature at the best of times, my presence simply makes matters worse. 'Twas easier for me to make myself scarce. I trust she will not blather about us?"

"She won't… but York…" The words get stuck in my throat. I want to ask: "what about us? What are we exactly? Who am I to you? Who are you to me?"

But I lack the heart, the bravery to ask such questions, for fear of the answers. I can imagine them now… We are nothing, just a fleeting rendezvous on the wind… I'm simply a means of survival to her… and something she can toy with at the same time…

Do I truly believe she would answer that way? No. But my twisting heart will not allow me to ask, on even the fleeting chance that she could…

Our relationship seemed to have developed so quickly… from essentially nothing. Only last week, if I had seen York in the corridor, I would swiftly walk in the other direction, fearful of getting anywhere near that dark aura… and those deadly fangs.

And now… whenever I saw her it brought a warmth to my chest, her graceful smile, her sculpted figure. The way she laughed. It was all intoxicating to me. Even her bite… something I had feared, dreaded for so long, I now craved. Not just the pleasure it provided, but just the opportunity to be close to her…

I was too afraid to ask for a straight answer. Hell, I was too afraid to even answer my own question: Who was she to me exactly?

Just a secretary? A ship in need that I was helping, allowing her to feed for her own survival?

But I knew… deep down… none of that was quite the truth… I craved her touch… her affections far too much to view her as simply another kansen.

And she was far more than just a vampire. She was a refined noblewoman and a kansen, who I suspected disliked her nature, or more accurately, what others thought of her and her nature. She feels like her sisters do not truly accept her, and that others are scared of her. She hides it… but I see it, through slips in her façade.

My thoughts spiral the more I delve into my thoughts on the beautiful ship girl at my side. I clear my head, pushing the thoughts aside. I fake a smile. "I… It was nothing… doesn't matter. Why did you call me your Adonis before? What does that mean?"

She gives me an odd look, and her neck flushes slightly before she covers it with a sweet fanged smile. "'twas nothing, as thee said. A simple tease. Think no more on it."

I don't want to push my luck, so simply smile in return. "Care for another dance, madam?" I bow and put on my best high-class British accent. She laughs… that sweet, refined laugh that is music to my ears, and takes me by the hand as we both head for the ballroom floor once more.