A Dark Courtship (Karth and Erato)

[karthanian]

As the moon silently beamed down onto the earth below it a hooded figure, occasionally visible via the bright globe in the sky and the softer lamplight, effortlessly strode down the empty streets as his silent footsteps lead him on his way. In fact the figure was utterly noiseless; his cloak did not rustle in the harsh mountain wind, his breath inaudible, not even the sound of chattering teeth floated out from under the hood as the figure continued on with his personal duty. In many ways anyone who would have been out that night, walking the same streets as the silhouette, might have considered looking twice, unsure of what they saw out of the corner of their eye was real.

Walking round a corner, a woman, dressed ridiculously for this time of night, let alone parading round the streets, stood in front of him, a smile upon her face.
“Um... excuse me sir... Did you need some company tonight?” A shy voice asked as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.
Pushing his hood back from his face, the girl averted her eyes as the male gazed at her with his green eyes as if with his stare he could pierce her soul and see her true nature. It had become more common as the years went on for young girls to sell themselves on the streets, even though rumours of mysterious deaths had been occurring of late.

Before the man could give her his reply she gripped his hands pulling them to her chest as she tried to press herself against him, trying with all her might to make some cash, most likely to feed her family or whatever offspring she had been unlucky enough to conceive so early. At the touch to her bosom, the males head exploded with thoughts, with wants, primal urges, but even with the scent of her skin so close to his, the sweet sound of her voice as she tried to coax him into bed, the feel of her heart beating wildly against her chest with hopes, with fears, he had to turn her down.
“I am deeply regretful my young lady but I have already satisfied myself tonight and I cannot tarry anymore...” His voice told her, as smooth as milk, charming her all the way to her soul.
“But please keep off the streets tonight... Do not let yourself become a victim to any man this eve.”

With this the male reached into his cloak, and placed two gold coins into the females hand before wrapping her fingers around the precious metal. Looking up, tears filling her eyes as she looked up to the face that had acted so kindly to her, her view misted as she could make out his shoulder length black hair, his eyes imploring her to move and the way he held himself, like he was royalty of some kind. Turning on her heel she smiled broadly to him, all sense of fear abandoned now as she started rushing down the street only to turn back and shout loudly.
“Thank you kind sir!” Her footsteps becoming quieter and quieter as she disappeared from view.

Pulling the hood back over his head the figure continued on, his mind wandering to whether he had truly spared the girl out of kindness or for the sense of guilt to what he had done to the girl he had met earlier tonight. Either way, money was no problem to him, so he could spare the coin, and furthermore his mind quickly focussed itself to the task at hand. Turning another corner he entered the shadows but did not appear from the other side, as far as anyone who would have been watching would have seen, the hooded man had disappeared from view.

 

[Erato]

It had been a source of contention between herself and the nursemaids who still fussed over her like hens after all these years, her strange fixation with leaving the window open at night unless it was raining heavily or they latched it shut after giving her a sleeping draught.
They said it was bad for her health, but then, so were many other things and the man she loved was simply no exception to say the least.
Which was perhaps why tonight she wore a shawl over her night dress while sitting in her bed quietly reading even though she knew her caretakers would scold her for wasting the oil in her lamps on such a ridiculous pasttime.
But Adora loved to read, had been fond of the written word ever since she could remember.
Books reminded her of the happier times when her mother's laughter filled the halls of the house and her brothers were off with their father, leaving the two to bond closer.
From her mother, she'd inherited not only her addiction to reading, but the woman's firey red hair, green eyes...and unfortunately her poor health.
When Adora was only six, her mother suddenly died and no longer did the halls echo with laughter, but rather heavy boots as her father's men packed away all their belongings, burned the books that were deemed 'whimsical' and whisked the family away to this remote mountain village.
Not that she'd complained once she learned that her presence was only missed by the older women who were left in charge of her care as she'd slip out via the hedges of the garden and run wild through the woods like a crazy thing.
Of course, she'd be found much later by one of her father's men or one of the household keepers, stripped out of her soiled clothing and scrubbed raw as punishment for such disobedience.
Lord Reginald H. Rubins had no time to raise a daughter who'd much rather spend her days chasing after birds and butterflies, reading books with no real educational value or getting into fights with peasant children like some ragamuffin.
Her brothers were clearly of more value and merit, thus why he spent more time with them than herself; that suited her just fine..most of the time.

When the clock struck on the hour, she nearly jumped out of her skin as her green eyes searched the night sky as a vagrant breeze pushed the curtains a bit, as if the very wind were sighing in slight disappointment.
He was late. Could something have kept him? No! Better not to tread that path. He would come, he always came if only to touch and go.

 

[karthanian]

During his life, the man had no real purpose, no real aim, but things had changed, things had been different to what had been his past life. No more did he follow orders like some drone, no more did he let others rule how his life should be. He was a free man now, and with that freedom, he lived what life he could to the full.

Through the darkness ahead of him, the man could see what he had arrived for, the moment his still heart felt like it would burst into song again, to once more prove to him that he was living, that this carefree existence was not a dream, but as always his heart would forever be still, no matter how much he wished for her to reawaken it.

Silently and with no effort, Alexander was inside her room, making no sound as he enter, only the soft light of the lamps flickering and the curtains moving more in the wind as he was by her bed between the time it took her to glance between the window, the clock and back to the window again. His hand gently reaching out to touch her hand as the other pulled back the hood, his smile radiating as he looked over her.

“I have missed you Adora...” His voice whispered into her ear. “Each second apart feels like a lifetime to me...” He knew his sudden appearance would most likely scare her slightly, but he could not hold back his want to feel the touch of her skin again, the warmth that radiated from her body.

 

[Erato]

And how could her heart not quicken? Her pulse race, thrum with the life that literally filled her veins as her eyes rounded slightly then turned upwards to stare into His face.
If startled she'd been, it quickly passed as she shut the book and set it on the small table beside her bed, then turned slowly so that she faced him more.
"I was afraid something had happened to you."She confessed, reaching up as he drew back his hood to touch his face with pale fingertips.
Her father, in one of the rare occassions he came to see her, had often mentioned that some day she'd be married off. And as of late, whatever conversations they did share always seemed to gravitate towards that subject which frightened her far more than the immortal man she'd fallen in love with.
Still, these were happy moments to her; slivers of light in what could have been an otherwise dreary and grey existence.
After patting the bed to invite him to sit, she withdrew from the thick duvets and pillows to shut the window lest someone below catch the sound of their conversation before returning and sitting beside him.
"I'd commit all my days to you, Alexander."She boldly whispered even as a blush stole across her cheek.

 

[karthanian]

As he placed himself upon the bed, the male's eyes followed the figure of the girl, drinking in the sight of her as he felt the wind suddenly stop in the room. At the feel of the bed shifting slightly as she placed herself next to him, Alexander smirked at her blush, a reminder that at least one of them was truly alive, that one of them had life itself still pumping through their body.

If Alexander's heart could of beat, it would have quickened at her comment. "I would gladly accept all of your days Adora... But I feel that it would be the night-time where we could both be truly in our element." The fact that he could feel the warmth of her skin made him all the more attracted to her.

Leaning towards her tender frame he let his lips briefly brush over her cheek, not daring to trust himself if he went any further, the fear of his urges taking over, killing her in the height of emotion a constant battle fought within his mind. Worse still, if he decided to turn her, forcing her to the life he had been forced to live. Although it was not bad, it was not something he would ever have wanted to give to anyone.

"If I have your days, then I want you to have everything in life I can provide."

 

[Erato]

Every time he drew close to her, no matter how chaste the kisses were, she could feel it.
Feel the Beast inside of him, almost hear it howling, raging to be set free and dear God...she wanted to let it rip into her if only to quiet the malestrom.
Gently now, she cupped his cheek and let out of a soft sigh while letting her head turn just a little bit in silent offering. Or, temptation, whichever the case may be.

"You've given me love, Alexander. How could I want for anything more? I only wish that I had more days to give to you."She smiled almost wistfully as her hand fell away and her eyes stared at the clock.
Never before had she felt the sands slip down the neck of the hourglass more than when she'd met him, wish that she could reclaim each grain and press them to his hands for safe keeping.
"You always hold yourself back, darling."She commented, suddenly rising to her feet and offering her backside to the vampire as her shawl fell away carelessly.
"Call me a silly child; a besotted fool if you will, but I'm not afraid of you. I love you, and to that, I mean all of you."As she turned to look at him from over her shoulder.
"Can't you see that I want you to not be afraid around me? I am not so delicate a flower that I will wilt in your hand should you press me a bit, beloved.."She chuckled as one hand reached up and began to toy with the buttons that held the fabric over her bossom closed.

 

[karthanian]

Every touch she made against him sent shivers over his body, the want, the need to touch her back just as carelessly, to let his hands gently wander her frame, his fingers gently sliding over her skin, only letting his fingertips brush the smooth surface of her body as he let his mouth press to hers... His mind wandering slightly, Alexander could feel himself falling deeper and deeper into lust for her.

Green eyes followed her as she stood up in front of him, teasing him, wanting him to be more intimate with her. In truth Alexander wanted to as well, his instincts telling him he is a fool for just sitting there, his mind wanting him to stop her before he lost all control... To feel the warmth of a woman again, someone who truly loved him, that would be as close as Alexander would ever achieve to being alive again... Yet with every moment he feared more and more of the young girl, barely a infant compared to the years he had over her, though his appearance would disagree.

In a single heartbeat he was standing behind her, his hand holding hers still as he rested the other around her waist on her stomach, feeling her whole torso move with each breath she took.
"I do love you... And I also want what you currently desire..." His lips softly moved to her neck, the lure of her heartbeat nearly taking over his urge to keep her from harm. "But even though you do contain the beauty of a flower I do not think you so weak... Though I fear that even though a fully grown oak cannot be pushed over by hand, a mighty wind will still rip it from it's roots. You have not seen me as I can be, and for that I am thankful... And only if you truly feel you can withstand the primitivity within me, to withhold the storm that may come out, then, and only then, will I ever risk giving myself completely over to you..."

 

[Erato]

The way he moved so quickly would never cease to amaze her as she paused, listening and feeling to everything he said and everything he did.
Ah, but there were worse ways to die, however much saying so would be far from romantic as she closed her eyes and weighed the words he uttered.
"I'm not a mighty oak, beloved."Wondering what sort of plant to liken herself to before continuing.
"I'm a lily who has grown most of her life in the darkness, if only to blossom under your care and devotion. Even were you mortal, I would likely expire before you."As she now grew bold enough to turn and face him calmly.
The Beauty craved her Beast, yearned to slip the collar and leash from his throat and let him run free even if it meant he'd bury his talons and fangs in her delicate flesh.
Far better to express her love that way than to someday allow her father to wed her to some boring and passionless man who would only use her as a brood mare. And God help her, she dared to dream for more out of life than merely a comfortable prison where her laughter would only grace the halls for a time before she left her children with only memories.
"It isn't fair to you."She insisted softly as she pulled a pin from her crimson locks and let the tip pierce her throat just so a tiny crimson drop welled up to the surface.
"You think so little of yourself, but I trust you. I know you have better control than you think...don't you...want to taste?"

 

[karthanian]

As she faced him, the blood slowly welling at her neck, though the cut was small, he could sense it, smell it in the air, near enough taste it on his lips. Gently, reluctantly he leaned towards her, his lips touching her neck softly as he let her tongue gently run over the small wound, resisting the urge to bite down and drain her of what he took, or, far worse, to leave her full of blood, only to slowly transform into what he had become with a single bite.

"I understand your fear of death... To feel your mortality to slip through your fingers as each day passes, to know that you can never be what you were ever again..." Alexander knew she was dying, something he had always sensed with his new life, to tell the health of a person from their heartbeat. "A lily must never be stained with red though... And I don't want to ruin your perfection with the taint of my life..."

His lips moved forwards to touch hers, pressing their mouth close in a brief moment of passion as he let his hands run up to her waist pulling her close to him. "It may not be fair on me my beloved, but what I could do will never be fair on you..." He whispered softly against her lips.

 

[Erato]

The windows of her soul closed and she held her breath only to sigh moments later when his tongue swept clean the meager droplet or two she'd offered up to him if only to have the sound muted when he kissed her.
Eyes still closed, her arms wrapped around his form even as he held her close to him. She knew she was dying, faster than her brothers and her father..even the elderly women who saw after her during the day.
How many years did this lily have before her colors faded and she left a dried out husk of what once was?
"And what is that?"She ventured to ask. "A death far kinder than the one that would await me? A chance to feel passion at it's height? All these books I read, the tales my mother told me, speak of things I want a chance to experience before I die, Alexander. Am I so foolish and delluded to dream so large?"She inquired before kissing his lips once more.
"Do I dare squander my youth with daydreams and nightmares of a chance not taken when my father some day marries me off to a man he deems worthy to take his useless child as a bride? Lay beneath my husband and wish that his hands were yours as he takes what I would so freely give to you, consequences be damned."She insisted as her heart beat faster.
"I don't want to lay on my death bed and mourn a lost opportunity, my heart...far kinder you run me through with a sword or throw me off the balcony than damn me to such."

 

[karthanian]

Feeling her lips against his own from her won free will, Alexander sighed contently. What she spoke was true, they did both hold feelings for each other, they did both want the same thing, only Alexander seemed reluctant to give her what she wanted, to fulfil his own needs. What was he truly afraid of, that he would kill her, or that he would become too close and watch her die like he did to every other woman he had loved, yet the feelings he held for Adora... something he thought he wouldn't be able to feel after he died.

"But what if I ended up turning you into something like me, something that has to kill to survive, to taint their lives in death only so they may live for a few more days, that you will be doomed to a life where everyone you have ever known, ever loved grows up to die in front of your eyes..." His voice was full of emotion as he talked to her, full of fear, of disgust at what he had become, though at the same time he was grateful, that he was given a second chance at life, that he could in fact have eventually met Adora, the fates were both kind and cruel in their own ways.

"How could I ask you to risk a life worth living for one so empty? Or even force you to go where I shall never be able to follow you...?" Alexander knew he was being selfish deep down in his heart, but this time meant so much to him, something that once in his everlasting life, was worth living for.

 

[Erato]

Did he think himself as empty? She couldn't believe her ears as she let a soft chuckle escape her lips.
"One so full of emotions, passion and even love could hardly ever be empty."She corrected him gently as a single tear slipped down her cheeks.
"My mother was the only other person besides you to show me love and she's gone. My father finds his sick girl child worthy only of marrying off to someone else if only to make a few coins in the process. My brothers certainly won't miss me."She whispered, closing her eyes as her fingers returned to the bossom of her gown and continued to unbutton the fabric.
"I just want to taste it once, the rush of being in your arms and letting you give into your urges. Should you turn me, then we'll deal with that as best we can. If you kill me, darling I can only thank you for so kind and merciful a release."
Pulling the fabrice away to expose the pale skin, she opened her eyes to look up into his face while blindly searching for his hands to draw them up and cover the skin she bared so boldly for him.
"The first man I have ever and will ever love; please...accept my gift."

 

[karthanian]

Watching the young woman before him bare herself so easily to him, Alexander felt as if some dream like trance. The beauty of her body, usually hidden behind the soft materials of clothes, was slowly being revealed to him, the soft curves of her body, the smooth skin. Without a word his hands complied to her own, being pressed against the warmth of her bosom as he leant forwards, kissing her lips softly.

"If you are willing to accept whatever consequences, to love me more than I felt I could ever be loved in this world, then I will take you this night..." He whispered softly to her.

His arms slowly wrapped round her gentle frame, pulling her close to him as he let his lips lock fully with hers, his body wanting more physical contact with her as he pressed their bodies gently together, his hands softly wandering over her back, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin against his own. His body taking over now as he let himself slip into the bliss that was to be truly loved by someone.