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A Little Respect

By: LoveTheSun



"And what am I supposed to do with you?"

He looked down at me with a genuine glare of annoyance. I had been expecting a sneer at least, or a wild maniacal laugh as he gloated over my pathetic situation, but right at that moment it seemed as though I was more of an inconvenience than anything else. I was a little taken aback, forgetting my fear for a second as I watched him pace the cold flagstone floor of his private quarters, raising a hand momentarily to pinch the bridge of his nose in a gesture of pitiful acceptance.

"This was not my idea I can assure you," he continued, his long cloak swirling behind him- the second he stopped the folds of material rippling round his feet like a pool of turbulent water. "Now I can hardly let you go, but I am loth to kill you either. Why did you have to stray beyond The Border? You were lucky not to be killed on sight. Well speak girl..."

He hadn't really given me the chance as of yet, but I still obliged him.

"I was running away, sir."

He stopped his pacing and stood staring straight at me, arms folded.

"Why?"

"Because of the way they treated me, sir. I'd just had enough," I replied. 

It wasn't worth lying now. His Lordship was probably already devising some hideous form of torture for me in his mind and if I didn't speak truly it would probably be worse. There were so many stories about how he came to the villages around The Border's towns and murdered innocent people in their beds while they slept. Men, women, children- it didn't matter. 

I had heard some horrific stories in my time, (I was over twenty now) and the instant I had been captured I had been sure my life was over. But suddenly, face to face with the horrific monster created from village gossip and travellers tales, I began to wonder if it all hadn't been somewhat exaggerated. Sure, he was intimidating, but he wasn't a drooling, repulsive creature which looked like it had just crawled out of the darkest Hell-pit either. Something had most defiantly been lost in translation somewhere along the line. If anything- and I was trying not to admit it- he was actually rather attractive.

"I was a serving wench at a tavern," I continued, trying to block these thoughts from my mind. "The landlord, my master, didn't care much about me and neither did the customers. I was expected to do more than just serve drinks, and seeing as I had no home apart from the kitchen floor, I couldn't exactly say no either...to anyone."

"Your own people hurt you? Treated you like this?"

He seemed a little shocked at my statement.

"Yes..." I murmured, trying not to look into his darkly expressive eyes, or remember the pain I had suffered among some of my master's guests.

"And running away, with no food, money or weapons was better than a life with at least a roof over your head?"

"Yes. A lot."

He raised an eyebrow and looked back at me with a disbelieving air. With a shake of his head he leant down and pulled the cord which had kept my hands tied behind my back- the bonds which had been restraining me falling to the floor. 

When they had caught me they had tied me up, although why I wasn't quite sure. I was pretty tired from all the walking and I hadn't eaten much in days- which made me feel weaker than normal. I had no intention of running away or kicking out at anyone, least of all the man looming before me now- who, if the stories were even slightly true, could beat me down with little more than the flick of his wrist. No, all my hope had gradually been eaten away and I had been easy prey to His Lordship's guards who prowled his estate. But it had been worth the risk to get away from my life at the tavern. Trouble was, now I was here paying for it.

"There," he smiled, kicking away the thick twine. "I don't want to be thought of as being worse than your previous 'employers'."

He helped me stand, my hand dwarfed by the almost claw like fingers which wrapped around my wrist and gently tugged me upwards. I straightened my skirts and tried to look as determined as possible. I didn't want him to think I was scared of him.

"Well what do you want to do?"

I had never been offered a choice before and I just gaped back in shock.

"Do you want me to let you go, or do you want to stay here?"

"Why would I want to stay here?" I asked.

"Well...because I might like you to."

His hand, still on my arm, traced upwards, all the way to my shoulder, his fingers making my skin tingle. He leant in towards me and briefly touched my lips with his own, their cool softness a strange feeling. He cupped my cheek with his hand and we kissed in a way I had never been kissed before. Normally I suffered at the hands of the drunken regulars, their behaviour rough and painful, but this time I felt tenderness, a desire to please me emanating from the core of his being. I think he felt sorry for me.

He pulled away from the kiss and brushed my hair back from my eyes with tender fingers, his dark eyes smiling at me.

"I can see why the young men like you, but a woman should be treated with respect and allowed to make her own choices in matters regarding her honour."

He bowed extravagantly, sweeping my other hand up in his own and tenderly kissing the palm. As he looked up I was caught in his memorising gaze, his slick, dark features making me feel somewhat attracted to this sinister gentleman, as despite his manners I knew there was something lurking just beneath the surface which he was trying to keep in check. Strangely enough, I felt the same.

"Well?"

"I...I...I would like to stay...maybe for a while," I suggested, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in his smiling, persuasive eyes. "I can't go back...my old master would probably kill me for running away."

"You cannot come to my home and live here for free though...girl," he replied, his fingers tightening around my wrist. "You would have to work to earn your keep. And seeing as I am Lord and master here...you would have to do exactly what I asked of you."


I let out a little breath of surprise when I felt myself firmly drawn to him, my body pressed up against his own as he leant over me and softly bit at the skin of my neck, not hard, more like a soft pinch before kissing down to my collarbone where he stopped and glanced upwards.

"Tell me...are you frightened of me?" he asked and his breath was cool against my skin, his soft hair brushing against my own.

Of course I was. Everyone knew what lay beyond The Border; over the bridge I had crossed two days ago. The Winterthorn Estate was legendary. No one, not even one of our hunters had come back from the place, at least not all in one piece. They had all gone to slay the creature that lived there, the very one I was with now. I was supposed to be scared of him. It was the way things were, the way I had been brought up. After all, he was a vampire Lord and I was dinner - at least that's what I had always been told. Yes, he was a creature of darkness, one of the undead, a heartless, bloodthirsty vampire.

"Yes,"I whimpered, all bravado leaving me as I expected the next moment to be my last. I closed my eyes. 

"I'm very frightened."

"So you know who I am? What...I am?"

I nodded.

"Speak, girl."

"Yes, my Lord."

I felt a tingle of excitement rush through me as I said that, which shocked me through to the core. I was supposed to be a quivering wreck. But with him I felt a willingness to be his servant, (mainly because he hadn't hit me yet), but there was something else, something that made me like him. I think he knew that the simple tavern wench had always dreamed of being seduced by a handsome young man who would claim her for his own and take her away from all her misery- rather than suffer at the hands of reality where she would be manhandled by a sweaty, drunken brute who would leave her with bruised ribs, an aching body and no hope of escape. 

"Are you sure you want to be mine?" he asked, and I felt no spell on my mind, no fogginess. He wanted me to be sure I was making the decision for myself. I almost melted. No one had ever been that kind to me before. 

"I can easily arrange a carriage for you. You will be dropped, unharmed, on the edge of my land, free to go on your way. I know I should not, and I would probably regret it - my reputation would suffer a huge knock...but for you..."

He smiled sanguinely, not needing to finish his sentence.

I paused and wondered if I really should be scared of him, if this was all part of some clever trick, and that in moments I would be lying bloodied and lifeless on the floor to his chambers. But as if sensing my ill-ease he pressed his mouth against the side of my neck, close to my ear and held me a little more tightly, as if reassuring me by his presence.

"I would never harm you," he whispered. "I promise you- whatever choice you make. There's no need to be scared."

I smiled.

"Then I'd like to stay," I replied. "I have nothing to go back to."

He straightened and nodded curtly, as if the moment of tenderness had never occurred, looking down at me almost coldly, but now I knew it was all just part of his act- and I was beginning to like it.

"I'm glad that you have chosen to stay," he said demurely, running a hand beneath his chin for a moment, as if sizing me up, "It would have been a shame if I could not have got to know you a little better...a little more intimately."

In a second he had grabbed me and I felt his strong body move against mine, holding me, as if trying to posses me on the very spot. 

"And I want to show you that not everyone is going to hurt you."

I leant up and held his head in my hand. He smiled back for a moment and I saw a kindness I had never seen before in a man's expression. It was all the reassurance I needed and without any further thought pressed my lips hard against his own, kissing him passionately and deeply, my tongue curling over hips lips and pushing them apart.

He was a little surprised that I could be so dominant in such a situation, but didn't seem to mind at first, returning the kiss just as passionately, before wrenching me back and glaring down at me, his eyes narrowed.

"That's a little bit forward for a servant...don't you think?" he asked.

He knew. He knew this was what I secretly wanted and I began to feel my body tremble with desire.

Still, he threw off his cloak, the long garment falling at his feet, and tossed off the sword which hung in its scabbard around his waist, the belt coming off too. The cloak had hidden most of his form, but now I could clearly see the well defined outline of his body. He was toned and muscled, but not overly so, his hair long, thick and dark. I wondered what it would look like against his bare shoulders and chest.

"Turn around," he ordered and I obeyed instantly, looking out of the window at the beautiful night outside, seeing the far side of the estate with its blazing wall-torches shining like beacons out into the darkness. His own private quarters were luxurious enough, although until then I had hardly been paying much attention to my surroundings. A roaring log fire graced the furthest corner, by which was a large pile of furs. There seemed to be no bed, but then he probably didn't need sleep anyway. The stone walls and floor didn't seem as cold as they should have been, decorated with tapestries and rugs, and in one corner was a long table with chairs by it, an impressive candelabra gracing the centre, small twinkling candle lights casting pretty patterns across the room.

I was engrossed, never having seen such luxury before. I felt a tingle of excitement shoot up my spine- but no sooner had I felt it, another strange sensation took hold of me. It was a hand...a cold hand...and it was tightening a round my neck.

"My Lord... I murmured, almost turning round.

"Trust me," he whispered, his fingers- instead of strangling me- beginning to slowly massage the nape of my neck, tenderly working across my shoulders.

"Relax," he encouraged, reaching up and pulling the pin from my hair so that it fell in tumbling auburn waves across my back.

"Hmmm..." I murmured softly, feeling almost drowsy under his skilful massage, my eyelids flickering. He was very good. Very...good...

Finally I began to relax.

"Good girl...that's much better..."

He ran his claw like fingers over my back and down to the lace of my tightly strung corset, beginning the normally unenviable task of unlacing the restitching garment. But instead of it being the arduous routine it usually was, it suddenly became a sensuous act as each loop was slowly unfastened and loosened, his quick fingers working teasingly to relieve me of my clothing. It wasn't fully unlaced when he suddenly ripped it off, the movement unexpected as he pulled me close to him, one hand on my now naked back, the other cupping my head. He leant in close and pressed his lips against my own, my breasts squashed against his chest, feeling the warmth of his clothes. 

His slick tongue pushed its way into my mouth and I felt a fire ache inside of me as he kissed me more passionately than I had ever been before. His hand had strayed to my breasts and I felt his fingertips caress me, his touch softer than I had imagined, but firm enough to prove he meant business and that I was not going anywhere. Not that I wanted to.

He drew away from the kiss to looked down at me, a slick leer creasing his face. This was the dark vampire Lord I wanted and he knew that only too well. 

"Well you are a willing little slave aren't you?" he murmured, making me all the more lustful, finding he had now worked his way down to my skirt and was unbuttoning that as well.

"Answer me," he drawled, a slick smile gracing his lips. 

"Yes, my Lord," I replied, feeling the sharp tug of his hand at the base of my spine, the long length of fabric that had been my skirt falling at my feel in a pool of rough hewn material. I allowed him to touch me- he seemed to like roaming his hands across my now naked body, across the rise of my hips, my pinched waist, my buttocks and finally between my breasts, teasing at my nipples and cupping my ample bosom in his palms.

"So warm..." he murmured. 

Hah. Now it was his turn to be in awe.

Although his cloak and jacket already lay useless on the floor, I continued to feel that it was a little rude for him to be able to see me completely undressed, yet be denied that pleasure for myself when it came to him.

I smiled, taking this opportunity to reach forwards and unbutton the first of the many clasps on his shirt. He said nothing and watched as I eased each one open, revealing his smooth chest, my hands inching inside the shirt and running themselves over his cool toned stomach.

"I believe you are taking advantage of me now, girl," he said, looking down at me, his dark eyes glistening, gripping my wrists and removing my hands from his person. He held me just that little bit too tightly so that it was erotically painful and I could feel the blood pumping heavily through my veins. I think he could feel that too and seemed to be as turned on as I was.

"We can't have that now, can we?"

He smiled widely and I gasped as I saw for the first time, the slight rise of his fangs appearing in his mouth, his smooth white teeth having lengthened into points which made me a little apprehensive. He went to kiss me but I pulled back slightly, making his grip around my wrists loosen, knowing I didn't like what was happening.

"Come back here..." he commanded softly, noticing I had taken a step away.

I shook my head.

He sighed and shook his head too, mimicking me. "Very well," he uttered, swiftly removing the rest of his clothing so that he stood before me totally undressed. Now we were equal I saw that he was very similar to any other man I had been with. Maybe a little more physically attractive, and certainly paler, yet when he reached out and took my hand, I knew he had patience and also forgiveness- and wondered if having pointy teeth was really so bad after all. "Happy now?" he asked, and I said I was.

He led me towards the pile of furs, the warmth of the fire already inviting. I tried not to look at his body, but I could hardly help myself. It was so creamy and perfect, and his hair did look gorgeous curled over his firm shoulders and across his chest. It made me wonder why he was interested in me, tired and weather beaten, my figure fuller and more curved than the other serving girls who I envied, but for once I sensed that he liked my shape. I glanced down as he walked. Well, he certainly liked something about me, that was for sure.

We stopped the second our toes brushed the warm fur beneath our feet.

"You're beautiful," he said, almost as if he had been reading my mind and wanted to cure me of my apprehensions. No one had ever told me that before, but then beauty wasn't always what my other 'suitors' had been interested in. "An angel in disguise..." he uttered and held his arms open to me.

I willingly went to him, I didn't care any more, and my fears seemed foolish as our bodies entwined perfectly together. My legs began to feel weak and soon I found myself sinking into the warmth of the rugs, my skin warmed by the fire, caressed by the heat of the flames and the skilled sensuous hands of the vampire Lord who held me and whispered comforting words though my mind without even opening his lips. Against his body I felt strangely safe, even when his hard tongue began tracing the contour of my neck and up to my lips. We kissed softly and he allowed me to run my tongue across his fangs, my fingers brushing his cheek.

"You can touch them if you want," he murmured, after my initial reluctance to kiss him the first time.

I gazed silently back at him. His voice had been gentle, coxing, but understanding too. For the moment he was taking his time with me.

"I won't bite you," he replied, rolling his eyes, which made me laugh nervously.

I lifted my fingers to his mouth and ran the tips over his teeth, the rise of his fangs strangely mesmerising. He smiled as he bit my finger, not hard, certainly not enough to draw blood, and instead sucked it, curling his tongue around one very lucky digit.

I liked the feel of him doing that, it was incredibly suggestive, his mouth surprisingly warm.

"Lay back," he murmured, pushing my hands away from him so that I sank back into the furs, arms bent just a little over my head. He started at my lips, a few kisses over my face, then worked down my throat, across my collarbone then down between my breasts. I squirmed in pleasure as he took one plump nipple into his mouth and softly nipped at the tender flesh, the pain gone in a moment, but highly arousing.

I dared not move. I didn't want to either, as he continued to suckle on me, paying my breasts more attention than they ever had been before. Then I suddenly felt his kiss fall a little lower, making me squirm as he licked his way down over my belly and towards my groin, his sharp teeth raking over my skin , driving me wild. My fists clenched spasmodically.

Then he did it. 

It was the briefest of touches but I felt his long rough tongue lap across my most intimate of parts. I almost fainted. He was now kissing my legs, the tops of my thighs, caressing every inch of my skin- that teasing little flick of his tongue leaving me begging for more.

I saw his eyes flick up, their dark depths having gained an almost unearthly quality, reflecting so many colours, as for a moment they sparkled back at me. He knew what he was doing.

His hands were now massaging the balls of my feet, something I found most delightful as he continued to mouth wet kisses across my hips and the inside of my leg. I could feel his hair brush up against me, and again I shuddered, the lightest of touches across my now engorged and yearning skin.

"Please..." I murmured without even realising it. "Stop teasing me."


A Little Respect Ch. 02



Author's Note: I would just like to thank everyone who read the first installment of 'A Little Respect'. It was supposed to be a one off, but after having such a positive response, I have decided to continue with the characters and develop their situation into more of an actual story. I just hope everyone enjoys it! Thanks for the comments too, any kind of response to my work is always appreciated.

Thanks and hugs.

LTS xxx

*

I awoke with a start and sat bolt upright, my mind somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. For a second I could not remember where I was and everything looked strange and distorted. It seemed like I had been lying facing the window, and through my hazy eyes I could just make out the setting sun, its rays casting a pool of muzzy light across the stone slabbed floor and onto me. For a moment my skin tingled.

As my eyes adjusted, I realised there was also a figure by the window, leaning on the sill, looking out. His entire body was perfectly still, a long dark coloured cloak draped around his broad shoulders, a swathe of thick black hair falling to just below his waist.

"Awake, at last," the figure said in a smooth treacly voice, slowly looking round before walking over to another window and unlatching the heavy wooden shutters that had been pulled across, revealing another section of sky. 

Instantly I was struck by the beauty of the sunset, of its colours; the deep purples and blues, vivid oranges and reds which looked as if they had been splashed across the sky in streaks of wet paint. "I like to rise early, but you looked so peaceful just lying there...I didn't want to disturb you."

He made his way over to me and knelt down beside the pile of furs I had been sleeping in, cupping my cheek in a hand as he planted a tender kiss on the crown of my head.

"I've sat watching you sleep for over an hour," he admitted softly, and his handsome face broke into a thin smile.

"Aenerin," I murmured, still a little sleepy.

"At least you remember who I am," he replied. "That's always a good start."

His hand moved to my neck, brushing away my hair before running his claw like fingers down the curve of my spine and across my back, my bare flesh tingling beneath his sensuous touch.

"I don't normally go back to bed once I have risen," he commented, his deep eyes fixing my gaze into them. "But with you, I may be willing to break that particular habit."

He leant into me and placed a soft kiss on my lips, the ends of his fingers digging into my back as he pressed his face against mine.

Memories of the night before all came flooding back to me and I sighed, letting his sharp tongue part my lips, allowing for a kiss which left me feeling weak. He was everything I could ever have wanted, caring, funny, attentive, yet with a darkness which only made him all the more irresistible.

I ran my fingers through his soft hair and traced the muscular outline of his chest and shoulders through the light material of his clothes, remembering what he looked like without these coverings. I wanted to melt into him, press myself against that creamy firm body of his and be wrapped up in his essence...but something stopped my dreaming. There was more than just my new lover in my life now, and he should be made aware of that.

"You would deny me from seeing the rest of my new home, My Lord?" I murmured, my voice raising to turn my statement into a question, pushing Aenerin gently away from the kiss, finding a new strength possessing me, as well as a desire to tease him. After all, I didn't want him to think I always enjoyed being bossed around.

"As My Lady commands then," he said and bowed his head, before swiftly standing up. He offered me his hand and I took it, but instead of raising me up slowly, as a proper gentleman should, he hauled me up so fast I had no chance of keeping hold of my coverings and before I knew it I was standing completely naked before him, my sleep tousled hair messily curled around my shoulders, my mouth contorting into a little 'o' of shock.

"I'm sorry, but I can't resist you," Aenerin smiled wickedly at his own trick and swept his arms around me, holding his cloak so that I was instantly wrapped in tight to his chest, the soft velvet material rippling over my skin.

"Unhand me," I snapped at him playfully, although all of a sudden I did feel a little lightheaded. At first I thought it was simply because I had risen too quickly, but when I felt my legs suddenly give way from beneath me, I knew something was defiantly wrong. Luckily Aenerin's reactions were instantaneous and he swept me up in his arms, my head resting on his chest, as he carried me over to a long softly padded seat where he sat and settled me against him.

"You need to drink before we think of anything else," he said gently. "My apologies, I forgot what it is like in the beginning. You are still changing...adapting to what you are now. Your strength is not as it should be. Here..."

I watched as he bit into his wrist, two small pools of blood forming on his skin.

"Drink," he coaxed, holding his wrist close to my lips. I closed my eyes and sucked slowly, feeling the coppery tasting liquid drip down my throat, my hesitation only momentary as I felt a biting hunger gnawing in my stomach and through every nerve of my body. I knew I had to feed. I was just glad it was on him.

A few moments later I felt the strain of my gums splitting, allowing my own fangs to emerge, allowing me to bite a little harder into his skin, a somewhat stronger flow of blood now coursing down my throat. But Aenerin made me take it slowly and whispered soft encouragement and advice, making me feel as if I was doing well. I think he knew that for a young woman who had been human only a day before, it would be fairly frightening otherwise.

Yet as I drank more competently, I felt one of Aenerin hands slip slowly inside the folds of the cloak which he had wrapped around me, and begin to smooth his fingers over my body. I didn't quite notice at first, until he started to play them across my chest and neck, sometimes touching my gullet as I swallowed. It was certainly pleasurable and I shivered slightly at the almost electric touch of his hand on my bare flesh, feeling his other arm holding me tightly.

He said nothing, but I imagined his eyes glinted with the enjoyment of giving his blood to me. He had liked it when I had drunk from him before and as I suddenly felt his thick fingers creep underneath me and brush between my legs, I knew this had to be the case. 

I murmured a little moan of pleasure between feeding as I was massaged in slow, tingling circles, his middle finger dipping smoothly inside me as he worked up the pace. I felt aglow, not only from the blood which lined my throat like a good brandy and left my mouth wanting more, but deep inside my belly where my arousal was beginning to take over.

I parted my legs a little and raised my hips, despite already being in this rather strange cradled position in his arms, but it still felt good, if not a little different, as he continued to toy with me, being careful not to hurt me, as clawed fingers were not always ideal when trying to pleasure a woman. 

"Darling, I'm trying to eat," I smiled up at him, licking his wrist clean of blood, the wound my own fangs had made, already healed.

"Well, your table manners are appalling," he laughed darkly, licking a smear of blood from my cheek before pressing his mouth close to my ear and whispering, "my dirty little wench."

He moved a finger up inside me so I squirmed against his palm, my neck craned up so that I could kiss the length of his neck, making sure to graze his creamy skin with my own fangs. 

"You're so distracting," he uttered, pushing his hand hard into me, meeting my thrusts back at him, as with a thumb he caressed other sensitive parts of my body, parts I never even knew were supposed to give me that much pleasure. 

"Aenerin," I moaned, slicking his hand with my wetness, the way I was held not enabling me to return any real form of affection, nor be able to move away from his eagre, teasing fingers.

I tingled with want, my nerves buzzing every time he brushed over my engorged and sensitive skin. I felt my insides clenching as I began to build up, the smooth, repetitive thrusts causing me to build higher and higher...

"Please," I uttered, "don't stop..."

"Stop?" he echoed, pretending he had heard incorrectly, withdrawing his hand from between my grating thighs. "As My Lady commands."

"Noo..." I almost cried, grappling with him to continue, little shivering pulses of lust running through my body.

"It's alright, I understand," he said sadly, yet had that annoying glint of playfulness in his eyes. "A Lady shouldn't be given pleasure in such an undignified manner."

He sat me up in his arms, in a more conventional position, and I could immediately feel the gentle straining from his lap. I smiled at him as I teasingly ran my hands across the bulge.

"I'm going to make you suffer now," I told him, as I straddled his lap, easing my hands slowly up his chest, making sure to stretch so that my pert breasts strained teasingly up at him, grinding my naked hips against him, knowing full well he could feel me beneath his clothes. 

"If this is suffering, please, go on, torment me further..." he purred, "Although if you take too long I may just have to..."

But he never finished what he was about to say as a torrent of knocking rained down upon the outside door.

"My Lord! My Lord."

Aenerin near enough growled, his fangs bared, "Go away," he snapped. "I thought I said I was not to be disturbed."

"My Lord, The Estate is under threat. Three of your guardsmen were found dead near north-east border. As for the Southern Outpost, it has been set alight and we think hunters are on the way from the Outlands. Torches and banners have been spotted, and the guards who were killed all had their left hands missing. That's the mark of Lairne and his followers."

Aenerin's face had dropped and he was very still while the words sank in. 

"Give me a moment, I will be straight down," he replied, his voice soft yet still commanding.

"Yes, My Lord."

I heard the footsteps of the messenger gradually fade, but from outside the sound of high pitched voices had already begun to waft up into the night air as The Estate was informed of the frightening news.

"You will stay here," Aenerin said, softly setting me on my feet, although I could see he desperately wanted to finish what we had just started. It made being torn away from him all the more painful. 

"We will have time to continue this later, when I get back," he nodded and tried to smile reassuringly at me.

"But I heard what he said. It was Lairne!" I uttered, quickly going to the cupboard where I pulled out a long robe to cover myself. "His band of mercenaries are well known for their butchery, and for killing...for killing..."

"Vampires, yes, I know," Aenerin finished for me. "I am quite aware of his reputation, but he has killed my men, and he will have to pay for breaking the laws of my land. This is an unprovoked attack and an example needs to be made of him."

"But..."

Aenerin sighed and stroked my head tenderly, coming to my side so smoothly I never even saw him move. "Do not worry, Caroline. I have faced far more frightening men than Lairne in my time. My Estate is well protected, and I have friends who will aid me. I will be quite alright, and you...you will be safe here. I promise. Besides, we still have unfinished business, both in The Estate...and in here, and as a man of my word, I swear I will be back to take care of it."

He raised my chin with a gentle claw.

"Be brave. I will think of you."

I kissed him passionately and almost didn't let him go, but Aenerin prized me away and ordered me to wash and dress and to amuse myself in whatever way I wished until his return. He knew from the look in my eyes that I would worry, but he had to leave quickly, his cloak billowing out behind him as he sprinted off down the steps and out of my sight.

The night was cold and there was still enough human in me to feel it. I saw one of Aenerin's tunics on the wall so pulled it down and slipped my arms through it, his scent tinging my senses as I pressed my face into the soft material, thinking of my lover as I padded over to the window. It looked down into a courtyard where I could see horses being led out to be bridled, and young men being issued with weapons. 

There were also a number of women, they were slinging on quivers of arrows and testing bowstrings, strapping daggers and dirks to any part of their body there was room. They all looked bold warriors and all wore the mark of the vampire Lord they served under. I was proud...but I wished I was going with them.

I looked frantically about for any sight of Aenerin, but could not see him. The sky was darkening and the wall-torches had been lit. Soon the colour would drain from the sky completely, just as it had done from my face, and night would be upon us. I hoped this would give Aenerin the advantage, after all, he was a vampire. 

I glanced down at my hands and sighed. He was a vampire, but then so was I, and yet I still felt so human. Human and vulnerable.

Suddenly I heard a noise and turned my head East, as below, in the other courtyard, the huge wooden gates were swung open, allowing entrance to a man on a horse, who rode in and pulled the exhausted looking beast up hard. He jumped off and strode directly into a nearby building. He was obviously familiar with the place, but he didn't wear a uniform like others who worked on The Estate. I didn't have time to think too much on this however, as a few moments later I saw him re-emerge. He was accompanied by Aenerin who had a long-sword now strapped across his shoulders, and was speaking seriously to the stranger, a concerned look on his face.

"My Lady...please come away from the window..."

I span around, not realising anyone had entered the room. So much for my vampiric powers of advanced perception. I also imagined I should have snapped back a reply like 'And who do you think you are, entering the bedchamber of a Lady without permission? Do you know who I am?!' But that wasn't me and instead I actually did as the other asked, my body feeling slightly numb from what had just happened.

"It will be alright," my visitor said and came into the room, noticing I was hardly going to stop her. She stopped a few feet before me and curtseyed. "My name is Risha, I am your maidservant, Lady Caroline. His Lordship wished for me to serve you and to help you adjust to living here as our new mistress."

She was a pretty girl, I noticed, and a flush of envy washed over me immediately. I imagined Aenerin had already had his fair share of mortal lovers, and thinking that if all of the maids here were as pretty as Risha, I would end up having to share when it came to Aenerin's love and affection. I knew it was wrong, and all the girl had done so far was try to comfort me, but I was so full of emotion and confusion I just couldn't help it, and I began to cry.

"My Lady!" Risha exclaimed, kneeling beside me and grasping my hand with a childish gentleness. "Please don't cry."

She extracted a handkerchief from her apron and dabbed it at my eyes. I was horrified to see specks of blood on the clean white linen, realising that these stains were being caused by my own bloody tears.

"Get away from me," I sobbed, trying to push her away gently, yet with my strength found that I had shoved her hard onto the floor, where she looked back at me, a little dazed for a moment. This just made me cry even more and I wondered what kind of monster I was becoming.

Luckily it took more to phase my maidservant than an emotional fledgeling vampire, and she got back to her feet and fetched in the bowl of warm water she had kept outside.

"Now wash your face, My Lady," she said, her words more like a command, which I suppose I should have reprimanded her for, but as I said before, I wasn't like a typical aristocrat, for one I hadn't had the training, and right then, I actually needed someone to tell me what to do.

So I washed my bloody face and hands, a warm towel pressed into them by Risha who let me dry my pale skin as she fussed around the room, tidying a few things here and there.

"I...I'm sorry," I finally said, again, not sure if a Lady was supposed to apologise to servants, "I didn't mean to knock you over."

She turned to me and smiled. "That's quite alright, My Lady, I know you didn't mean it. But please, try not to worry yourself. The man I love is also fighting alongside His Lordship, and I know he will come back safe. You have to be positive, My Lady."

This made me feel a little better, and at least I now knew Risha wasn't a threat. I felt really awful for even thinking it now. The poor girl's lover was off fighting and there was me thinking the worst of her integrity...and Aenerin's.

"Call me Caroline," I replied tiredly. "I can't be doing with this Lady thing. I'm not well-bred and I don't like ordering people around. You might as well know the truth about me. I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not."

Risha laughed and then checked herself.

"What?" I asked.

"It's nothing...well...I mean it's just that we have never had anyone like you here at The Estate before. You're...really normal, if that's not insulting to you, My Lady."

"Caroline, and yes I am normal...well...I was...you do know what I am now, don't you?"

"You're a vampire," she replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Yeesss..." I replied. "So shouldn't you really be screaming in terror or something?"

"With the others I would have been. They would have admonished me greatly for being so outspoken, but not you, Miss Caroline."

"Others..." I echoed hollowly. This was what I didn't want to hear. 

I knew it...I just knew that an attractive vampire Lord like Aenerin would have a cadre of previous lovers, all probably beautiful, rich, perfect...so unlike me. The only thing that really worried me though, was where they all were now. Had they been human like me? Had he just got bored of them and then had them killed or thrown out? Or worst still, fed off them? My mind slapped me. No...not Aenerin...He wouldn't do that, it said. But I still felt funny inside.

Risha, being the bright little mind she was, knew exactly what had just crossed my thoughts and attempted her best reassuring smile.

"There's nothing to worry about, My Lady, but I will explain everything, if you would like me to, seeing as that is my job now...but would you not like to wash first? I have had the bathing room prepared for you."

"Very well, then," I nodded, allowing Risha to lead me through into an adjoining room, just down the corridor.

As I stepped through the door, my eyes lit up in shocked pleasure. There was a bathing pool which had been filled with steaming hot water. It looked deep enough to sink all the way up to my neck in, and across the surface floated crushed herbs and rose-petals; the aroma intoxicating and inviting.

"Ohhh...this is amazing," I breathed, walking over to the edge, dipping a finger in. It was the perfect temperature.

"His Lordship enjoys bathing," Risha told me. "My father is his personal steward, that's how I know," she quickly added, thinking I may get the wrong idea. Bless her, she really was a sweet child.

"How old are you, Risha?" I asked, the girl in question looking away as she held my robe for me, so that I could slip into the warm water.

"Eighteen," she replied. "I was surprised to get this position, there are lots of other girls who would love to be the Lady of the Estate's maidservant. They are all very proper and dignified and don't drop things and...well...you know. I'm a bit outspoken, my father says I talk too much...but if I am ever disrespectful, My Lady..."




A Little Respect Ch. 02



"Caroline. And no, you just keep on being yourself," I sighed, letting the hot water sooth over my body, the scents filling my senses as I splashed a little water over myself, almost playfully, and paddled around the large circular indoor pool.

"As you command," Risha replied, and as I watched her, she began to light little candles all the way a round the room, their glittering flames glinting on the water splashed tiles, creating a wonderful cosy atmosphere.

"I could get used to this," I said, grinning as I ducked under the water to wet my hair, coming up again and blinking profusely.

Risha was already there and had a towel for my eyes. Really, having a servant was actually quite useful.

"Yes, we were informed of your previous position. We have a lot of respect for you, My Lady."

"Caroli...oh never mind. Yes, I used to be a tavern wench. It was a pretty hard life, but seeing as where I've ended up now, I'm glad, in a way. If I hadn't hated it so much, I would never have run away."

"All the other suitors who have come here have been of noble birth," Risha commented, passing me the soap as she sat on the edge of the pool and dipped her feet in. I imagined the other servants would have looked at her with horrified contempt at this point, had they been watching, expecting me to smote her down for her brazen disrespect. But I looked at her and all I saw was her willingness to serve me, there was no disrespect, she just treated me like one of her friends, and to be honest I was so glad of that I could have hugged her. She wasn't making me feel like I was someone I was not. Aenerin had made a good choice for my new confidant.

"So there have been a few?"

"I don't want to upset you my Lady, but there have been a few, but then His Lordship is over five hundred years old."

"Alright, I understand that," I answered begrudgingly.

"From what I know," Risha said, as I continued to sudd myself, wiggling her toes in the water, "Lord Aenerin has never been wed, even as a mortal man, all those centuries ago. In fact, from what I know, he is not very good with women in general."

I couldn't see how that could be true and frowned.

"I didn't mean he couldn't attract a woman," Risha continued, "I mean that he usually ends up offending them so much that they leave."

I almost choked with laugher.

"How?!" I exclaimed, finding the thought amusing.

"Well, His Lordship has been searching for a Lady to help him run his affairs here for many years. He has wooed many women, both mortal and otherwise, but all of them were frightfully horrid, and although His Lordship believed he could change them, he could not.

The human women he tried to befriend were either too scared of him and returned home sobbing to their wealthy fathers, or were so conceited, they would have caused all of us- his staff- to leave. I remember this one woman, she managed to insult my father so much that Aenerin picked her up himself and threw her into a coach, ordering his coachman to take the 'pedantic old sow' back to her own estate."

The thought was highly amusing and I sniggered, finding I felt a little better about my lover's past relationships, especially if there were all like this.

"He really cares for all of us," Risha said, and I believed her. "He isn't the fiend people believe him to be. The stories are all made up by those who don't know better or have been attacked by one of his kind who are not as nice. Like humans, vampires can be either good or bad, it's just people forget that."

"That makes me feel a little better," I smiled. "So what of the vampire women, Aenerin tried to woo?"

"Unfortunately, some of his own kind were just as bad as the humans. They tended to have these little whims and needs, all which had to be met and catered for. These women were terribly hard work and of the ones who had the riches and the land- like His Lordship- not one of them was like him in any way. In fact there were so stuck up their own backsides they..."

"Risha...language," I scolded her, but she looked back at me with such an amused look, we both ended up laughing and splashing each other with water.

"Hehehe," she giggled, "Yes, they always wanted humans to be scared of them, I don't recall one who actually was very nice. Some were better than others, but out of everyone, there was not one suitor who I think actually ever loved His Lordship. They were just after his title and property."

"You mean," I said, being a little more serious now, "that despite their beauty and money and everything, all he wanted was someone who would actually love him?"

"It's probably not my place to say, but I think so, My Lady, even if it does sound like romantic nonsense."

"And," I said slowly, "was I the first person he turned?"

"As far as I know. His Lordship doesn't take a human life lightly. We all know he feeds from our kind, but some of us offer our blood freely to him, so long as he doesn't bite us, we won't die. When there are no wars for him to fight in, he has been known to drink animal blood, and many of his kind look down on him for that. But he will not take innocent life, the thought disgusts him and makes him angry."

"So I'm not innocent then..." I uttered before I could check myself. I mean, what if I had changed my mind? It was a bit late now.

"Did he ask your permission to turn you?"

"Well yes...I guess so..."

She just looked knowingly at me. I half expected her to poke out her tongue and say, I told you so.

"Come on, I'll do your hair," she said, thankfully changing the subject, as I felt myself being lathered with something that smelt of lavender. We didn't say anything for a while as she washed my long hair and combed it through. I just let myself relax, and found having her skilful fingers running across my scalp was actually somewhat erotic and I felt myself tense and harden again. I was a little shocked. I didn't go for other women, although back at the tavern I had been required, for certain customers, to be a lot more friendly with some of my fellow wenches than I would have liked.

Argh, I thought to myself, I really am missing Aenerin, aren't I?

"Did you see the man on the horse come into the courtyard?"

I flinched, I had been a long way away.

"Sorry," Risha replied, rinsing my hair through.

"Yes...Who was that?"

"That's Caith."

She blushed so much at saying his name I thought she might faint.

"I take it he's your lover?"

"Welllll..." Risha replied a little awkwardly, "does it count if I'd like him to be?"

I just raised my eyebrow at her.

"Look, we have had a few drinks togther, gone on a few rides in the forest, you know, that sort of thing. He always looks for me when he's visiting, I haven't seen him with any other girls, although they do crowd round him...but..."

"But?"

"But he won't say to me what he wants, nor will he stay. He lives in the forest north of here, I don't know where, he seems a bit of a loner. He's never shown me where he lives, but he comes and goes from The Estate quite a lot. He's close friends with Lord Aenerin, they always hunt togther and bring back more game than we can cook for a week. They both handle a sword like no other and we see them practising a lot in the courtyard."

"Maybe he's just shy."

Risha pulled a wry face. "Believe me, he's not shy." She then blushed again, and I guessed what she meant. He had taken his way with her, but that was about as far as it went.

"I don't know what more he wants from me," she muttered, cleaning off her hands. "I have given him everything he needs to know that I'm willing to be his..."

"Has he said that he loves you?"

She nodded. "I don't understand men."

"Does anyone?" I smiled and reached up to squeeze her hand, trying to reassure her.

"OWW!" she yelped.

"Er...sorry," I murmured. "I haven't quite got used to being so much stronger than I was before. I didn't mean to hurt you, and well, look, if this Caith gives you any problems, just you let me know. I'll sort him out...I'll shake his hand and cripple him...or something."

Risha giggled and agreed that she would let me know. I had finished washing and wanted to just lay and soak for a while, so my maidservant agreed to leave me to it, her duty now to go and fetch fresh warm towels, showing me, before she left, how to top up the hot water in the pool by pulling on a little chord.

I hadn't realised how much my body was still throbbing from thoughts of Aenerin until I was left completely alone, not distracted by anything. I could smell him on the robe which lay on the side of the pool, and for a moment it was like he was actually still there. Having someone else wash me had also been quite a new experience, even if it was Risha and there had been nothing at all sexual about it. I was quite definitely a woman who just wanted one man, and from what I could tell, Risha was the same, it was just...I couldn't describe it. Being dragged away from Aenerin had almost sent me over the edge, both emotionally and sexually. 

I leant over and breathed in his smell- rustic and coppery with a hint of woodsmoke. The water soothed me too, the steam rushing up as I pulled the chord and a fresh batch of scented steaming water filled the pool, the overflow splashing down the sides. I let out a little moan of delight, my skin caressed by the steam and scents of the herbs and flowers, and before I knew it I was touching myself. 

I imagined my hands were Aenerin's, his skilful fingers mounding my breasts and running over my thighs, my entire being, putty in his hands. Whether it was the hot steam or the fact I was almost asleep with this wonderful sensation, I began to let my mind wander into the realms of fantasy.

A slight smile hovering on my lips, I ran my hands slowly over my own slight stomach and down between my legs, uttering a little gasp as I began to feel myself responding to my own caresses, my eyes flickering softly closed. I sank into the water, all the way up to my neck and took a deep breath. My mind began to focus on a scene similar to this, and I began to fantasise fully. I could picture Risha, my faithful maidservant, rubbing me with scented oils in the shallow part of the pool, making my skin gleam in a slick scented way. 

Thinking we were in complete privacy I would be topless, at least, and would not expect Aenerin to suddenly enter the room, a surprised look on his face as he would stare at me, surprised to find his delicate little Caroline looking so radiant, the hands of another woman smearing her body with oils and salves. He would be completely naked, having only come here to soak himself, not knowing that his private pool would be occupied. I smiled to myself as I imagined the look on his face and how he would stand there and slowly become erect, unable to hide his excitement. His eyes would fix mine and he would grin wickedly, his tongue running over the slowly lengthening points of his fangs. I too would feel the darkness rising in my own body and whisper seductive ideas into his mind without even moving my lips. 

In reality I found myself uttering a moan of unrestrained pleasure and felt almost embarrassed. I had never really indulged in my own fantasies before and this was actually quite fun, even though I knew it wouldn't really happen. For one, I was enough of a prude not to allow Risha to smear me with anything, and Aenerin didn't seem the type to wander around in the nude, but it was actually turning me on and my hand drove deeper. I spread myself with my fingers, and finally relaxed again, wondering what I might think of next, my slender digits massaging my slowly dampening circle, my lips thick and rosy from both the heat and my own indecent thoughts.

Well, now Aenerin would probably wade out into the water and order me to go to him, unable to wait any longer. I would shake my head and send Risha instead, ordering her to tease him. She would be all timid and human, just like I had been my first time. He would look at me and I would nod, allowing him this indulgence as he would caress her breasts, smaller than my own, yet rosy and fleshy pink, his mouth sucking kisses along her neck. It was almost like watching myself...maybe that's why I liked the idea. Then I would come up behind them and press myself against Aenerin's back, sandwiching him in-between our two soft female bodies. We would rub and grind ourselves against him as he would try to satisfy both of us with his kisses and the caresses of his wonderfully rough yet skilful hands.

Aenerin would be so lustful by this point he would need to take me, sending Risha away, knowing only I could possibly give him the satisfaction he required, my body now able to withstand the full force of his lovemaking. I imagined him turning round sharply and grabbing my body, lifting me up by the hips, before pulling me roughly down and onto his hardness without any warning. He'd easily slide inside me, grinding me down hard onto him as he scratched my neck and shoulders with his long, dripping fangs.

I would grip his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh as I would cry out in ecstasy, water lapping round us, his strong body crushing me to him in needful strokes. Each plunge would send shuddering waves of lust through my heightened senses and I would curl my fingers into his long hair, my back arched as he drove himself deep inside.

My face would be contorted into a wince of pleasure, legs wrapped round his waist, water splashing everywhere. I would crane my neck back and he would have to close his eyes to stop himself from biting down into me as I reached my peak, screaming out his name as he thrust, clenching round him with pleasured contractions. I would be delirious, relaxed, as he would then withdraw from me, sliding his length out with a slowness that would do nothing more than make me ache to feel his shaft inside me yet again.

"Don't think I've finished with you yet," he would say in a slightly growled tone of voice, as he would pick up my pleasure wracked body and throw me over the side of the pool, half out of the water, and unceremoniously spread me with his hands. I wouldn't have time to be embarrassed by his animalish behaviour as he would press his face between my legs and lap long, rough licks across the bud of my pleasure.

There would be nothing gentle left about him now as the assault would continue, his tongue diving deep inside me, exciting sensations that would once again make me ripe for his bidding. Moaning and squirming, my breasts held firmly in each of his hands, I would be unable to escape, Aenerin making sure to cover every inch of me with his mouth until I was so slick I was dripping. 

Ready once more to be the willing participant of his dominant mating, he would flip me over and mount me, easily pushing his firmness deep inside my writhing body, this time feeling as solid as an iron bar, thick and long and perfect. I would gasp, feeling his slow and teasing thrust in and then out, dragging his hard member back so that I felt every single contour rubbing inside of me.

"No...Aenerin..." I would almost drool, utterly delirious. But he would ignore me and take my hands firmly, gripping the wrists, and begin to slowly and rhythmically plunge himself into my clenching, throbbing cavern, this time knowing he'd bring us both over the edge together. 

Back in the real world I was vaguely aware of my surroundings, I was so on edge. I knew it wouldn't take long before I hit my peak. My fingers were buried deep inside me now and the cool, bloody taste in my mouth meant that I was baring my fangs as I snarled and writhed, willing myself to climax hard and fast. 

I visualised Aenerin's hard length penetrating me, parting me and consuming me like he had the first time, his firm buttocks clenching as he gouged in hard from behind, squashing me beneath him. Relentlessly he would take me, not let me move away from him until he had pleasured himself within my wet insides. He would snarl, his darkness consuming the room as he would force my head up and bite me hard, just above the shoulder at the base of my neck. 

I would struggle but he would just continue to drink from me, unlike the gentle supping he had engaged in the previous evening. This would be lustful, needy and thoughtless. The pounding of his hips would match the gulps he took from me, my body overcome with these conflicting sensations as he would reach under and rub the nub of my pleasure, forcing me to push back onto him as I bucked, his length stretching deeper and deeper inside of me.

"Don't tell me you don't like it rough," he would snarl and nip bite marks along my neck and back before pressing his head against my own, our cheeks brushing each others. I would be able to smell the blood and start to shake, my senses in overdrive as he would force my head sideways and kiss me, biting his own lip so that I could suckle from him as we kissed.

"Now come with me," he would utter and I would feel him tense, his shaft buried deep within me, moments later pulsing though my entire body as he released, clutching me to him, needy and brutal. Our blood shared, I would feel his pleasure and it would cause me to clench so hard I would be worried of hurting my lover as rippling waves of intense pleasure would wrack my new vampiric form. We would be almost as one entity as our minds and bodies were joined so tightly, our groins locked together, a desperate thrusting causing us to kiss and snarl and moan, utterly caught up in the moment.

I couldn't take this fantasy any more and my eyes flicked wide open, my fingers brushing a part deep inside of me that I rarely found, but when I did...

I moaned out in pleasure as my entire body shuddered, squeezing round my fingers, still moving and stroking my tight insides. I bit my lip, not realising that my fang had pierced it, until the tang of blood hit my tongue and I was sent into another shuddering climax.

I wanted to scream, but Risha was only in the next room. I didn't want to bring her in as I was in the throws of the most intense orgasm of my life. It just continued as I brushed against my palm, my thrusts perfect, as I knew exactly how I wanted this to feel.

"Aenerin..." I uttered, imagining the pleasured look he gave me when he was satisfied, one last lingering thrust, tipping me over the edge again, leaving me panting and swooning from both the heat of the water and the slick tingling satisfaction between my legs. My word...I was good.

"My Lady...would you like me to bring your towels in?"

I vaguely heard the voice from the other side of the wall. It took me a few seconds to compose myself before I called back, and allowed Risha to come in and drape the fine cotton towel around my body.

I almost felt ashamed looking at her, after all, she too had played a small part in my fantasy and that was slightly strange, so I refused to let her dry me. I had never been like this before. Usually I kept my desires in check, but then she had been the one who had started all this with the compulsory servant/mistress hair-washing.

"Are you alright, My Lady? You look a little flushed."

"Yes...fine..." I uttered, rubbing myself dry, my skin feeling so electric, it was almost painful to dry myself. Maybe some of my vampiric senses were beginning to kick in after all. "The water was just a little hot, I would imagine."

"Don't worry, My Lady," she smiled sadly. "I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Yes," I smiled back, realising she thought the look on my face was from my worries about Aenerin. "Look, why don't you go and fetch me a dress, something nice, colourful. We'll show the rest of The Estate they should keep their hopes up for their loved ones who have gone off to fight."

Risha veritably beamed. "Yes, My Lady! Right away!"

"Caro...oh never mind," I laughed lightly as she trotted off to do my bidding. She didn't realise it but she had cheered me up in a way I could never thank her for. When I was fully dressed I would have to ask her to tell me more about Caith...he sounded like a good man, and one good turn deserved another. Besides, I wanted to keep my mind off Aenerin, I hated thinking of him fighting or being hurt in any way. 




A Little Respect Ch. 02



I busily finished rubbing myself down until I was completely dry, wrapping my hair in a smaller towel.

"All ready?" I called.

"Yes, My Lady," Risha replied. 

I smiled softly to myself. I had a good feeling we would become firm friends. I would have liked to thank her for inspiring me, but we weren't quite that close just yet. No, that could wait, although when Aenerin returned, he might get a few surprises if we ever took a bath together. And seeing as I was his 'dirty' little wench, I guess I could argue that a lot of bathing would be required.

I smiled properly for the first time since Aenerin had left. I was going to enjoy being the Lady of Winterthorn Estate. That was for certain.

To be continued...



A Little Respect Ch. 03



I am REALLY sorry about how long it has taken to get this next part up online. I know so many people have mailed me, asking for more, but things have really been tough recently (life's like that sometimes) and I've not had much time on my hands for anything, let alone writing. Still, here it is, I hope you like it and I will try and be a little quicker with Part 4, as from the responses I have had so far, I think people want me to continue. Anyway, cheers to all my readers for being patient and supportive. This is for you :D

LTS xx

Walking round The Winterthorn Estate was not a job for the fainthearted, but while Aenerin was away I felt that it was somewhat my duty to familiarise myself with the place, as well as reassure those who had loved ones off fighting that everything would be alright. I had a lot of faith in my new lover and knew that he would protect his followers just as fiercely as they would fight for him. Everyone that I had met so far had been pleasant and polite, maybe a little too polite, as being called 'My Lady' and being bowed at every five minutes was a little strange, but it didn't seem forced in any way, and I got the feeling these people were generally pleased that I was here. Now I just had to make sure all this business of being a lady didn't go to my head. 

I had seen Ladies before- at the tavern where I used to work. Some of them travelled with their husbands and generally kept very quiet, watching the girls like me with utmost disdain- Whether it was our social standing or our youth they didn't approve of I wasn't sure, but the older ones especially were always quick to make a scathing comment to our master which would get us whipped later. Maybe it was because they knew that when their husbands travelled alone, it was usually a girl like me they would end up with. We were ordered to dress provocatively to attract the clientele into purchasing a little more than just food and lodging for the night. It honestly wasn't anything against these prim and proper women with their silk handkerchiefs, fur trimmed coats and expensive perfumes. If I had my way, I would have gone about my daily duties in something a lot more practical than tight laced corsets and high cut skirts, but back then I had very little say in the matter. They didn't seem to understand though, and I still bore the scratch mark from where once such 'lady' had thought I had been paying too much attention to her husband while I worked one of the late shifts. My job had been to pay attention to men, but it didn't mean I wanted any of them, and that evening I had never had any intention of doing more than serving the pair and getting off to an early nights' rest.

I sighed, watching as Risha guided me through yet another set of corridors that all looked the same. Aenerin's estate was huge- I had heard tales about it- but never known nor expected there to be any truth to the stories. I knew it would take me a long time to remember my way around, and would probably end up getting lost a fair few times, especially when my mind was hardly focussing on remembering directions. I missed Aenerin, and as much as I liked my dear maidservant, I wished it was my lover that was actually showing me around my new home, just like he had promised. To be torn away from him had been the worst pain I had experienced in a long time- probably because I had not allowed myself to love that deeply and so quickly before. I longed for him to return to me, to press his hard, cool, body against mine and take me where I stood. When he had possessed me, turned me into one of his own, I had never felt so complete, but now, it was almost as if something was missing from my soul itself.

"And there are the kitchens...I doubt you'll really be interested though."

I glanced across at Risha, who had probably noticed my daydreaming, and had all the subtlety of a brick. She stood gesturing across the courtyard at a longish building which had many tall chimneys from out of which soft grey smoke poured; the smell of cooking meat and wood-smoke filling the air.

Normally I would have been drooling at such a smell, but I felt nothing inside me that even hinted at that kind of hunger now. Instead it had been replaced by a different kind of craving, but luckily that was hardly even a flicker after feeding earlier, but if Aenerin didn't return, I wondered what I was supposed to do. We hadn't quite discussed the whole 'drinking blood' thing, and I doubted asking Risha would be advisable. She wasn't scared of me at the moment and I wanted it to stay that way.

"I suppose you're right..." I murmured, still feeling a little bitter about never being able to eat anything ever again. Yet I didn't have the heart to admonish Risha, even though I suppose I should have done for being disrespectful, but then I had been ignoring her, thinking of Aenerin's lips caressing my-

"Err, let's continue onwards shall we? I imagine there is a lot more still to see," I said, a little hastily, trying to wipe all thoughts of my lover from my mind -for now- as we walked past the kitchen and out into the yard at the back of the estate, near to where the animals were kept. 

"Lady Caroline?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry," Risha apologised, looking over at me with her large girlish eyes. "I didn't mean to say what I did. You are...suffering just as much as any of us, if not more."

"No, it's alright," I smiled gently. "I understand. I imagine you are worried about your own young man, am I not correct?"

Risha went a bright shade of crimson. "He's not MY young man," she uttered through gritted teeth.

"That wasn't the impression you were giving me earlier," I smiled, teasingly, making the poor girl blush all the more.

"No one really knows about us," she whispered back rather harshly. "If my parents knew what you did, I would probably get thrown out of our home. They think that a young woman shouldn't...you know what...until they're married."

"They would probably hate me then," I admitted, telling Risha quite freely about my past life. She listened intently, quite fascinated by my story. She couldn't believe that there were people like my old master who would subject a young woman to such a depraved way of living.

"Some enjoyed it," I said, remembering some of my old colleagues. I called them thus, as friends was far too strong a word for the other women who worked alongside me, some of which who shared the same small section of floor which we slept on by the kitchen hearth and had called home since most of us could recall.

"Lord Aenerin would never allow that kind of thing to happen here. He believes women should be respected and treated well. All the men here have to go to him to ask for permission before they are allowed to marry. He knows every single person here on this estate. I guess he's a bit like a father to us all. He could probably be our grandfather, he is very old."

I found this funny and laughed a little, Risha not quite sure what she had said to cause my reaction, but seemed glad it was a humourous one in any case.

"Your young man-" 

Risha glared at me.

"Alright, Caith," I corrected. "He seems to be good friends with Aenerin," I then continued, remembering back to when all the troops were gathered in the main courtyard and the man on the horse had ridden in, a very urgent air about him as he had dismounted and strode off to find Aenerin. He had also been very cute, in a rather dishevelled way. It was easy to see why Risha liked him- and I was a hard woman to please. Heck, it had taken a vampire Lord with a very nice body to make me happy.

"Yes, I told you they hunted together."

"Maybe I could ask Aenerin when he comes back if Caith...has any intentions towards you?"

"Oh, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that!"

"That's why I'm offering, silly," I said, noticing for the first time that Risha seemed almost embarrassed. She normally seemed totally unfazed by other's opinions of her, but at the thought of knowing what Caith really felt about her she had turned to mush right in front of me.

"I...I don't know if I want to...well, you know, 'know' what he really thinks and if he doesn't like me, well, what then? And I have only been with him a few times, and there are probably other girls and-"

"Please, take a breath!" I exclaimed, Risha having just gushed her words out without even stopping to think if she was making sense or not. "I am sure that this Caith is just as much a gentleman as my Aenerin. He seems to be a good judge of character."

"Gentleman?" Risha echoed, almost shocked, pulling at the sleeve of my dress to drag me over behind one of the empty stable stalls. "He's no gentleman."

"Why?" I asked, my eyes bright, noticing a cheeky glint in the other girl's eyes.

"Well, I don't think I should say, you are my mistress after all, and a lady now. You probably shouldn't hear such talk."

"Yes, because I am such a delicate wallflower, aren't I?" I mocked. "Tell me, we're friends now, aren't we?"

"Well..."

I hit her playfully on the arm, making sure not to bowl her over like last time, and she frowned, still looking unsure whether she should say anything.

"Your mistress commands it," I tried, which seemed to work, as Risha couldn't help but giggle at my very bad impression of a severe mistress. I guess even being a vampire didn't help my cause much, but then I had been quite sure not to show off my fangs just yet- nice as they were- Aenerin probably would appreciate them more than Risha.

The girl looked around herself to make sure that we were truly alone before leaning in close to my face. I could have told her that I could hear the washerwoman's heart beating from the other side of the stable yard, but I didn't want to ruin the effect.

"He's a bit strange."

"How so?" I asked, intrigued. Personally all men had their little quirks that made them a little bit different, but from what I could gather so far, this wasn't the average case of shouting out a certain phrase or liking to be touched somewhere they just never admit to actually liking should you ask them later.

Risha looked around again.

"Well, I guess he is a gentleman in some ways. He always makes sure I end up enjoying 'events' just as much as he does, and he is very polite..."

"For some of the men I know, that is strange," I commented, but Risha just rolled her eyes, telling me to let her finish.

"Look, sometimes I wonder if...well...maybe I'm doing something wrong."

"I'm sure you're not."

Risha looked down at the floor and scuffled her feet in the dirt, not immediately replying- which made me feel bad, seeing as my comment had been an attempt to make her feel better.

"Look," I attempted again, "you can tell me. You are my maidservant after all, what is said between us will stay between us. I promise. Vampire's honour."

Risha gave me a doleful look and sighed. "Okay...It's just hard to explain as he's so good, so attentive, but there's this really distant look in his eyes sometimes. And he makes funny noises when he...well you know."

"Oh, that's normal," I nodded knowingly, wondering if my new vocation, as well as being the new Lady of Winterthorn Estate, should be agony aunt to young girls in need of some relationship counselling- I mean, I had the experience...

"Yes but he...grunts."

"Grunts?"

"Yes...like he has something bad in his throat."

"Maybe he should see a healer."

"I don't think anything's wrong with him...he's just a little strange, and he likes me stroking him behind the ears."

She mimicked the way a person would bend over and scratch a well behaved hunting dog that had just brought home a brace of pheasant without so much as a bite mark.

"I...really don't know what to say," I admitted, although in my mind I was having the ever so slightest suspicion that the reason her young man ran off quite a lot and was rather handy when it came to hunting, was nothing to do with her. He was also close friends with my lover, and from what I knew of Aenerin, his acquaintances were always a little bit different. Looking down into Risha's face though, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the young woman, so didn't vocalise my suspicions and instead told her to go and take the rest of the day off. She seemed pleased at being offered such a rare treat, but refused. She wanted to finish showing me around the estate and said that I looked like I could do with the company, as she certainly could. I laughed at her bold manner, the one I was becoming so fond of, and did not deny her request. 

We spent the rest of the tour in the typical way, with Risha explaining everything she knew about the place, and me, desperately trying to remember it all. I was listening, I honestly was, but as the hours wore on and dawn began to approach, I became all the more restless and kept glancing up at the sky. Already on the horizon, a soft tinge of purple smudged the sky, and what looked like heavy grey clouds hung low over the hills.

Those around me suggested to each other that it might be rain, but with my enhanced eyesight and sense of smell I knew better than that. Somewhere in the distance something was burning and those clouds were not clouds at all but smoke. The bitterness in the air hit me, even from this distance away. 

I couldn't go back to my quarters and sleep after seeing such a sight and refused to go anywhere until the light of the sun would force me to seek refuge in the darkness for yet another day. I thought I had at least another hour left before I had to go, so made myself useful by taking watch on one of the towers with some of the guards who had been posted. They were both stony faced and grim looking, cold from having spent the night standing on watch. For the first time I felt as if my presence was not especially wanted or needed in any way, so I watched silently, not getting in their way, and not saying a word when one of them began to doze, his red, bloodshot eyes flickering closed- at least I said nothing until I thought I saw the smallest of dots upon the horizon.

"Look," I uttered, the sleeping guard almost jumping out of his skin, "Isn't that something out there, coming along the north road?"

They both looked, leaning out over the stone tower and squinting hard. By now I could see horses and banners and dogs, but the light made it hard even for me to see clearly, and a craving had begun to gnaw away at the bottom of my stomach, which amde it even harder for me to concentrate. 

'I shouldn't be hungry', I thought, 'I fed from Aenerin before he left', yet as this group of figures moved ever closer, I caught another smell in the air- it was the heady twang of fresh blood.

"It's them," I said quickly, excitedly. "They are returning."

I almost pushed the two guards out of the way to get a closer look, my sharp eyes now able to make out the insignia of Aenerin's forces. They were marching back- they were coming home.

"Light the beacons and send word to have healers down in the courtyard," I commanded, the two men doing nothing more than nodding their heads in complete subservience. "We will need bandages and fresh water, get as many who are left as you can to boil the large kettles in the kitchens. Have food brought out for those who need it, and plenty of strong wine and liquor."

"Yes, my Lady," they replied and scampered off to do my bidding, leaving me there looking out across Winterthorn towards the brave troops trudging homeward. I didn't look too hard as I had already noticed the numbers of those returning were slightly lessened than those who had left. I preyed in my heart that Aenerin was amongst them, as from my brief glance, I could not see him, or his horse.

Suddenly the estate had come alive once more. As I made my way back down the steps and into the courtyard I had to stand back for there were people rushing everywhere, some carrying fresh clothes and blankets, other setting up tables and makeshift beds, pots of salves and medicines being brought out to treat the wounded as soon as they arrived back. The huge gates were swung open and welcoming torches were taken out to guide the troops back in. I could sense everyone's fear and anticipation, but tried to keep calm and composed myself, directing those who seemed a little lost and suggesting tasks to anyone who appeared not to know what to do.

When the first of Aenerin's forces trudged in, they were the flag bearers, those not so badly hurt and were immediately ushered inside to tell all and take off their bloodied tunics and lay down their armour. Next came those who were still able to walk, some carrying their friends and comrades who had fallen, the bodies wrapped in cloaks, horse blankets- whatever they had on them. They would be taken to the chapel and laid to rets there until a fitting burial could be prepared for them. Right now the priority was the living.

As I saw more and more men and women traipse in, some more injured than others, I began to get a sick feeling rising inside of me. Where was Aenerin? I was too busy helping deal with the injured to actually ask anyone, but one eye was kept constantly on the gate, my entire being just hoping and longing to see the face of my lover come through it.

Then, quite unexpectedly, I saw a man, some way behind the others, walk slowly into the courtyard, blood coating his body, his whole demeanor drawn and tired. I saw Risha's face contort into one of pain and also relief as she saw that it was Caith, for although he was badly hurt, he was still alive. She ran out to him, calling his name in her pretty, soft voice, her skilful yet gentle hands instantly feeling for his wounds, the basket on her arm full of healing salves and bandages. I noticed the look of relief on his face as he saw her, glad she was there for him, glad that she cared. Risha immediately took his hand and led him over to the nearest room which had been prepared for the wounded and disappeared inside, helping him with all her strength, for although she was only a slight girl, she was by no means weak, both emotionally and physically. I could tell that he cared deeply for her, but there was also something else which he seemed to be shielding. I could not pick up on it. He had very guarded emotions, as even against my new vampiric powers I could not quite tell what secrets lay in his heart. At a more appropriate time I would certainly ask Aenerin about him. I owed that to Risha at least.

Yet as my mind was momentarily elsewhere, I failed to notice for a second that another figure had entered behind Caith and now stood, caked in blood and looking ready to fall over, in the middle of the courtyard. If I had been still alive, my heart would have missed a beat right then, for as my eyes settled on this figure I realised that this really was the man I had been praying for. Aenerin had returned to me- just as he had promised.

If I was being honest, I wanted to run to him- fling my arms around him and welcome him home. But I knew my place, and that was not how a Lady should act, besides I was right in the middle of bandaging someone's arm after a rather nasty arrow wound. Still, my heart almost broke as I saw Aenerin look around, his head hardly moving, and upon not seeing me, trudged slowly up the cold stone steps towards our quarters, utterly exhausted. He knew he would heal of his own accord and needed no human medicine to get better, so simply kept out of the way, not wanting to disturb anyone.

It hurt, but I stayed and did my duty. I had no training when it came to healing, so left that to the more experienced women, but after a while there was little left to be done except continually fetching water and fresh bandages- nothing the others couldn't handle- and I just had to get to him. So picking up my skirts I slipped away, almost tripping up the steps to our quarters, just wanting to be near my lover. I stumbled down the corridor, heading past the bathing room and up towards the very top of the tower in which we slept, and where Aenerin's other rooms were.




A Little Respect Ch. 03



"Aenerin..." I called, running into the bedroom, looking frantically around, only to be met with an animalish glare, the blood and the fighting having awakened something quite feral and frightening inside of the man before me.

"What?!"

He was hunched over on the floor and had been seeing to the vicious cuts which still bled underneath his clothing, his face covered in red smears, his fangs painfully pronounced as he snarled at me, not seeming too pleased at being interrupted. 

I was a little scared at first, but on realising it was me, his eyes softened and he encouraged me to come over to him with the motion of his clawed hand.

"Sweet Caroline," he uttered, his voice rough and pained, "I'm sorry. I promised you I would return, did I not?"

"Yes...yes you did," I said, walking over to him, kneeling by his side and cupping his cheek in my hand. 

He closed his eyes and sighed, my touch comforting to him.

"Let me see to your wounds, my love," I uttered, forcing him to sit down properly, rather than just crouching on the floor.

I touched his shoulder gingerly, which was where the worst cut was, and was about to undress him when I realised his hand was gripping my arm, his claw-like fingers crusted in dried blood.

"I do not want you to see..."

"But, I can help you," I protested.

"No..." he replied gently. "Had I been mortal I would have been killed seven times over, and although my body is already healing itself, you would not want to see the injuries I have. My armour is probably the only thing left holding my body together."

He attempted a smile, but winced instead.

"Then at least allow me a kiss," I begged, trying to hold back my tears.

"A kiss can be granted," he replied and we touched lips softly before I nuzzled my face against his neck, softly licking away the bloody marks that covered his skin.

"I am flattered you missed me so much," he whispered against my hair. "But then I knew you were the one for me. My beautiful, delicate Caroline."

"I just wanted you back safe," I told him, my eyes closed as I just held him, breathing in his familiar scent and feeling his cool skin against my face.

"I know," he smiled back, "And now I will be here for as long as you want me to be...my enemy is no more."

I was relieved to hear this and cuddled Aenerin close to my chest, his head resting on my breasts as he at least allowed me to wipe the blood from his face with a cloth and some water, which a maid and silently brought in for us. 

I decided that the best thing for my love was to try and put him to bed, but he would not hear of it until he had bathed, so I let him alone, as that was what he seemed to want, and went to inform the captain of the guard that everything was well- well, as well as it could be. When I came back he was beneath the layers of furs we had on our bed. I made sure the shutters on all the windows were tightly closed, as was the door, and blew out the candles which had been gently lighting the room. Aenerin had bandaged himself, it seemed, and when I got in next to him, was sure not to disturb his slumber and not hold him too tightly. I simply placed my hand on his shoulder and fell asleep beside him. I was exhausted too, but he was with me now, and I could pretend everything I had just been through had simply been some horrific nightmare.

I was unsure how long we slept for, but it seemed like an age. It was dark when I awoke, but I could feel something I had not expected- it was Aenerin's hands and they were inching round my body, my back pressed up against his chest. I didn't move at first, letting him slide his rough claw-like fingers over my legs, past my thighs, lingering at my hips, before trailing smoothly up to my shoulders and then back down across my breasts.

I let out a contented sigh and finally turned round under the covers so that we faced each other. 

"Be gentle with me," he whispered with a smile, taking my hands by the wrists and guiding them to his chest where I could feel hundreds of tiny scratches and cuts which were now scabbing over and healing. His entire body was scarred and torn and I whimpered at the thought of what had been done to him.

"Hush..." he replied, stroking hy cheek, "My love, don't cry...I am well. Really, you are so fragile. My body is healing well, better than even I had thought. There is no need to be upset."

"I just don't like the idea of you being hurt," I said, sniffing, not wanting him to think I was being stupid about this.

He laughed softly, pulling me close to his body, nuzzling his face up under my chin so that I craned my neck upwards. He kissed me just beneath my ear, then gently bit at the lobe, his movements delicate and soft.

"I want to make love to you," he purred, nibbling at me, his face pressed up against my neck. "I want to feel myself inside you again. All I can think about is you."

He slipped his hands around my back and pulled me close against his chest. I slipped my legs around his own, entwining my body with his, feeling that he was already aroused as his hardness brushed between my parted legs. It was strange. Every time he moved I could feel the scars on his body rub against my own soft skin- a slight scraping that made me realise how lucky I was to have Aenerin back with me. To have lost him after only knowing him for two days would have broken me apart.

I smoothed my hands through his hair as he took a firm hold of my hips, bringing me up so that he could softly suckle against my breasts. He enjoyed taking his time with me here and lapped like a cat might at a dish of full-cream milk- across my tender nipples until they stood up, hard and pink. He tweaked them between his teeth, not roughly, but enough to make me squirm, my gyrations causing him to lower me back down against him so that his now fully aroused shaft lay against my belly, letting me see the instrument that had brought me so much pleasure both the other night and in my lustful fantasies.

I curled my hands around his shaft and softly pulled, its thickness meaning I could not circle it fully in one hand alone. His skin here was softer than anywhere else, fleshy and moist. From my days as a tavern wench I could never remember any male companion I had been forced to sleep with ever being this well formed, or as hard. They had always been drunks who had spent no more time with me than was needed, but with Aenerin I felt like even an eternity would not be enough for us to explore each other.

"Why are you smiling so?" he asked silkily. "Am I amusing you?"

"No," I smiled back at him. "I was just thinking some very sentimental thoughts- silly thoughts."

"Were they about me?"

"Yes," I nodded, stroking his length right to the tip, and then smoothly back down again.

That made a small gasp of pleasure escape from my lover's lips. He lay back fully into the soft warmth of the furs and closed his eyes, letting me work at him, my skilful fingers drawing out moan after pleasured moan from his body. 

"Ah...I need you Caroline," he uttered as I brought my head down and licked him ever so lightly across the tip of his shaft, before dancing my tongue across his inner thigh, teasing him into almost losing control.

He reached out with a movement I barely noticed and took both my hands, pulling me up with the strength only a vampire could have. Yes, all the way up his body so that I sat upright in his lap. He settled my hands on his shoulders and looked deep into my eyes.

"You're beautiful..." he said, kissing me delicately on the lips. "Your look alone could heal every scar I have ever suffered."

"Now you're being the soppy one," I complained, but he shook his head and leant in for another kiss. This time he held it and I felt his fangs lengthen as he pulled me down flat onto the bed with him, the faint taste of blood in my mouth as he softly bit my lip and sucked on it.

I rolled with him as he positioned himself on top of me and I knew that this was it. I was already wet for him, simply the look in his eyes and the feel of his body against mine had aroused so many feelings, I could not help myself becoming slick and expectant for him.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes," I nodded, and he smiled.

It was almost as if I melted onto him. There was no resistance between us and as he pushed forwards, he parted me with a single stroke. I began to slide up and down his body while he held me around the waist, guiding me onto him. Slowly and tenderly we moved against each other. 

Everywhere tingled, his slightest movement sending electric shivers through my body. I was slick with lust, but not a lust that wanted him to be rough or dominant. This time I wanted to feel every thrust, every slow rhythmical parting of my body as he buried himself deep inside me, withdrawing and then slipping back in, his smooth length gripped tightly inside my body, almost as if I didn't want him to let him go.

I moaned out loud as he grasped my breasts and moulded them with his claw-like hands, pinching my nipples again softly, before raising his head and sucking at them, grazing them lightly with his teeth. 

"Uhhh," I cried as he bit carefully into the soft flesh of my left breast, a faint trickle of blood oozing out into his waiting mouth. He sucked at me a little harder, his face buried in my chest, licking and nipping at me while I drove my hips harder against him, wanting to feel all of him as far inside me as I could manage.

"You taste like fire," he moaned, licking across my neck now, his fangs grazing my throat. I felt his hands inch around my firm backside and draw me onto him as he raised his hips to meet my own downwards thrusts, and with that he speared deep inside me, going further than he had before, further than even I thought was possible.

"You are so tight, so slick..." he uttered against my neck, while digging his claws into my soft skin, which did nothing more than make me push even harder against him as he thrust back out, then drove straight back in again.

I whimpered something unintelligible as he bit into my throat, his fangs piecing my neck with an effortless grace, my blood oozing from the small puncture wounds and across his teasing, sucking lips. I felt as if he were drinking my very soul as he clung onto me, pleasuring me as he satisfied his thirst.

"Aenerin, I am so close..." I muttered, but all he did was bite deeper into my skin, so softly and with so much gentle passion I began to sob as I climaxed around him. It was just a tingle at first but it began to build and build until I didn't know where the pleasure had began, but all my body was quivering with orgasmic contractions. My hands bunched up into his hair and my legs squeezed round him, my insides contracting and shaking and releasing a warm wave of wetness that made Aenerin's shaft feel even better inside me. 

Normally after such an intense moment I could never even think of climaxing again, it normally hurt a little, in a way I couldn't quite describe, but this time I just wanted to keep going.

"That felt good," he growled deeply against me, nuzzling up under my neck, licking the wounds so that they healed. "I felt like your entire body was drawing me inside you, that you were consuming me, sucking me in."

He pushed me flat onto my back and levered his weight down on top of me so that I could look up at him through his cascading mass of thick black hair.

Whether it was the fact that I was not thinking properly due to what had just happened or that I hadn't fed since the day before, the sight of his bare neck was too much for me to take and I pulled him down onto me and sank my fangs hard into the flesh just below his collar bone, my head pressing against his chest.

He moaned, as with my new found strength and lust, I hauled him close to me, pinning his arms so that he couldn't move. Crouched over him, I drank, while ever so slowly lowering myself up and down onto his straining member.

Aenerin cried out something my blood hazed mind couldn't make out, but it sounded as if he was enjoying it, so I grasped at him a little tighter, licking his wounds better before bringing my lips to his ear where I began to whisper.

"This time you're the one who won't be getting away," I uttered, grazing my fangs down the side of his cheek, planting little soft kisses across his face where I nicked the skin. "I'm going to make sure I give you everything you desire, and you won't be able to stop me. I'm going to make you feel like you have never felt before."

"Why? What are you going to do to me, oh mistress?" he smiled, playing along.

I smoothed my hands across his body, admiring, even with the scars, the wonderful contour to his chest, which led down to his tight, smooth belly and the thick swathe of dark hair across his groin, the rest of him hidden by my own body. I pushed his hair back from his eyes and smiled, loving the way my own face was reflected in his intent crystalline eyes.

I said nothing, but smiled wickedly, pulling up and off of him and rolling him over so that he faced down into the furs. I immediately began to rub his back with my own delicate fingers, massaging his body and tracing his outline with more love than I had ever felt for another being.

"That feels nice," he murmured, growling a little as I began to massage him with the rest of my body. I slid up onto his back, pressing my breasts against his skin as I writhed almost painfully slowly over him, my hands everywhere, teasing and caressing.

"Please, let me turn over," he begged, but I wouldn't let him, my own strength allowing me to hold him down for as long as I wanted. He complained immensely, but I knew he was enjoying it really. Finally I let him turn back over, and when he did, I took another long teasing massage of his body with my own, touching everything apart from his most sensitive of parts, this time using my mouth as well, starting at his head and working my way down to his toes. 

Kissing his body made me want him even more, especially when I got to his thighs. I nipped at the inside of his legs and he almost exploded right there.

"Just get on top of me," he ordered, his fangs glistening as he growled out his order. "I want you to feel this."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head as I leant in and took his shaft fully in my mouth, running my tongue across the tip and swirling it in soft, pleasurable patterns. I held onto the base with my other hand, tugging softly as I worked him hard with my mouth. His back arched immediately and he had to hold himself back from thrusting into my wet mouth. He had always been a gentleman in this respect and never treated me roughly, as the thing I hated the most was being forced to do anything which made me gag. Still, he rested his clawed hand lightly on the back of my head, running his fingers through my hair, muttering encouraging words to me as I kept sucking his very hard member.

I changed positions and felt him pull my legs closer to his face, running his cheek up my leg, biting the soft flesh of my inner thigh.

"Let me pleasure you too," he purred, and I couldn't resist the invitation.

So I straddled him, our heads opposite ends to each other, yet as I took all of him in my mouth I felt the softest of licks across my own, still throbbing, lips. I quivered in pleasure, letting him ever so lightly run his tongue across my opening, each touch as light as a feather and all the more arousing, as all I wanted right then was to suddenly turn around, jump on top of him, and feel him slide back deep inside of me. But I waited. I waited and concentrated on giving him pleasure, although through my own it was becoming all the more difficult. I began moaning around his shaft, the vibrations from my throat causing Aenerin to harden even more and grasp a clump of my hair in his hand. He was certainly enjoying this.

"Caroline," he moaned, "I'm so close..."

"So am I," I replied, pulling off of his shaft before oh so slowly clamping my lips back around him and inching my way down until he filled my throat.

"I have to have to be inside you," he moaned, thrusting his tongue deep within me, as if by mimicking what he would feel like, it would persuade me to do as he asked.

"Please, Caroline, I need you."

He hardly needed to beg. I was so lustful to feel him inside me again I rolled off of him and looked down into his pleasure wracked face.

"My love," I smiled, kissing his lips, and running my tongue over his sharp fangs.

"Now, Caroline, stop your sport..."

I couldn't resist and slid on top of him, straddling his hard, straining member, one leg either side of his. I slowly lowered myself down onto his tip, feeling him part me and prize me apart. I was wet from my first time round and slipped slickly all the way onto him, his shaft engulfing me.

He grasped my breasts and thrust his hips hard up at me, slipping and sliding against my damp flesh, the wet sound only adding to his desire. He flung his head back, mouth open as he suddenly shook, his body quivering as he released into me, so warm and hard, the feeling tilting me over the edge and I enjoyed the very first occasion when I have ever been brought to climax twice in very close succession. The feeling shook me from the very core of my being and I held my lover's wounded form so tightly, for a moment I must have blacked out, as the next thing I remember is Aenerin laying beside me, stroking my hair back, a very satisfied look upon his face.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently, placing a delicate kiss on my lips. He tasted faintly of blood and I licked my tongue across the spot he had touched me with his mouth.

"I think so," I smiled. "You're not a dream are you?"

"No...I am quite definitely here," he replied, pulling the covers up over us both, as he seemed to know- even without me telling him- that although I no longer truly felt the cold, I still enjoyed snuggling down into the warmth of the furs on our bed. It felt so nice, the softness of our coverings and the strong, firm body of Aenerin so close to me.

"When I'm with you I almost feel as though I am alive again," he said quietly. "When I was away, I just longed to return, but I knew that if I did not fight off this menace to my lands, you along with every other person who lives on my estate might suffer. I had a reason to fight...you just helped push me on...and come home in one piece...well...relatively. It may be some time before I heal completely. The enemy was not stupid and brought silver plated weapons with them. Every time I was injured it felt as though I was being branded with a red hot poker. This is something I must warn you about in due course. Some things can be fatal to ones such as us."

"What about this?" I asked, planing a long, sensual kiss on the side of his neck.

He looked down at me and raised an eyebrow. 

"Deadly," he replied, "You have no idea what affect that has on me."

"Oh, I think I do," I grinned, smoothing my hand down across his chest and then further to where his still slightly hardened shaft lay.

"I think you may wear me out. I'm not as young as I used to be," Aenerin replied, trying to look all serious, which was something I found so appealing about him as it never worked and he just looked incredibly cute instead.

I touched the side of his face with my hand, running my fingers across his smooth, cold, skin.

"Maybe we should just give orders for everyone to have a day off tomorrow."

"An excellent idea, my Lady," Aenerin nodded. "I think the estate will be able to cope for a day left to its own devices. It will also make you very popular, if this is the first command you make as my lover."

"I was thinking more that we could spend the whole day in bed than anything else."

"Typical."

Aenerin rolled his eyes, but still turned round so that he could put both his arms around me and bring me in close to his chest.




A Little Respect Ch. 03



"Since when did a little bit of sexual healing hurt anyone?" I questioned.

"I did not disagree with you," he replied with a laugh. "I just said typical. I know what you wenches are like- you find some handsome young lord, seduce them, and then spend the rest of your days using your feminine guiles to seduce them into doing whatever you want."

"You seduced me!"

My lover sniffed disdainfully. "That is a matter of opinion."

I said nothing to that and instead nuzzled my face up against Aenerin's neck. He cupped my head in his hand and played softly with my hair, ticking my nose with a few stray wisps, making me giggle and bat at him playfully, complaining at him to stop. Everything was back to how it should be and I was glad. I wanted to ask Aenerin more about the battle, about how he managed to kill one of the most famous vampire hunters in the land, but that could wait for a little while. He needed to rest- both his body and his mind.

"I will arrange for us not to be disturbed, and give orders for everyone to take some time to themselves tomorrow," I said, looking up into Aenerin's handsome face.

"As you will," he replied languidly, stretching hid body testingly, only to wince a little at a wound still not quite closed up yet. "Just make sure you hurry back, you know daylight isn't good for you now and I believe it must be light by now. Besides, I get cold without you."

"You're dead, you're always cold."

"It was worth a try," he shrugged.

"You're silly," I smiled, rolling over and getting up, pulling a nearby gown over my arms and around my figure. "Is there anything else you require?"

He shook his head. "Not that I can think of."

"Alright," I replied. "I will be back soon."

I headed swiftly towards the door, but then stopped, a sudden thought crossing my mind.

"Aenerin..."

"Hmmm?"

"I have a small question to ask you. It was just something that crossed my mind earlier, when I saw you riding off..."

"What is it?" he asked, turning to face me.

"How do you know that young man, Caith?"

"We have been friends for some time. I can't remember how long exactly, but long enough," Aenerin mused. "He does not live in the estate, as you probably worked out, but out on the outskirts of the forest to the north of here. He likes to keep himself to himself, but often visits me for hunting. We enjoy a trip out together every now and again."

"And is he...normal?"

Instead of answering straight away, Aenerin's eyes flashed as he looked hard at me, wondering what I meant by that particular statement.

"My, you are observant," he replied slowly, thinking I had noticed Caith's slight strangeness of my own accord. (I mean, I wasn't going to tell him the real reason - that I was trying to find out on the behalf of my maidservant, so remained silent, letting him speak.)

"No...he is not entirely normal, but he is a most loyal and trusted friend."

"Oh," I exclaimed, "I never doubted that."

"Good," my lover nodded. "He just has his own little ways, and I can assure you, to those of this estate he means no harm at all. He has learnt to control it now."

'Control what?' I thought, not wanting to push Aenerin more than I had already, as he may become suspicious. Caith obviously wasn't a vampire, I would have known, and I was pretty sure Risha would have noticed the whole pointy teeth thing if he was. He didn't look dead, so that ruled him out of being a zombie or a ghost or some kind of spirit...

"And he's really good at hunting?"

"I'd say so...Why do you ask?"

A grimace crossed my face, although now with my back turned towards Aenerin, hopefully he didn't catch it.

"Oh, no reason," I said, going over to the door an opening it. "I...just wanted to find out a little more about your friends, that's all. I'll be back soon, alright."

"Very well."

I slipped out of the room as Aenerin settled himself down more comfortably into the covers. I didn't plan on being long as the sun would soon be rising anyway. However, I did just need a few moments to myself to think about everything I had been told about the mysterious Caith. I had a very bad feeling that his secret was a little worse than Risha had imagined. The next time I saw her I knew I would have to ask one very important question- 'had they ever been together on the night of a full moon?'

"More complications," I sighed to myself, going to find the estate steward to issue my orders to, but that and all other things could wait until tomorrow had come and gone. Nevertheless, I still smiled a happy smile, content in the knowledge I had a very attractive vampire waiting for me back in bed. Putting my life, or rather, un-life in perspective, things could be a whole lot worse.

I ran my tongue across my short fangs, knowing that my future was a lot more promising than it had been only a week ago, and now I was a mistress of an entire estate and supposedly an evil creature of darkness. So yes, I grinned to myself, things could be a whole lot worse.

End of Part 3



A Little Respect Ch. 04



Apologies for the length of time it has taken for me to complete this next installment of my story. I hope that part five will not take as long. Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoy the continuation of Aenerin and Caroline's tale.

LTS xxx





A few days had passed since the return of Lord Aenerin and his troops- this brave army of men and women having set out to vanquish the well known vampire hunter Lairne, refusing to return home until the job was done. I had found out from some of the other women who acted as my maidservants that Lairne had been a plague on the Winterthorn Estate for many years and after the incident on the estate's border, Aenerin decided that the time had finally come to make a stand. No one cared much for the man who would happily kill innocents, just because they consorted with a vampire, who was probably more humane in his treatment of mortals than the hunter himself.

Although we had all been expecting the repercussions to be severe- so far no one had come seeking vengeance for Lairne's death and all had been peaceful in and around the estate. Maybe the other hunters were scared now, as Lairne had been somewhat of a legend in these parts, believed to be invincible, but clearly that was not true. Even my dearest Aenerin wasn't as invulnerable as I had at first believed- coming home barely in one piece, all covered in scars, which had taken some time to heal. 

Being a powerful vampire, like he was, Aenerin's strength soon came back and he felt well enough to resume duties as Winterthorn's Lord and master, issuing his orders and making his commands in the same way he had been doing for years. But every time I looked at him I saw in my mind's eye that injured, blood-drenched body, and knew how lucky I was to have him back safely, the memory of that horrific day still staining my memory and making me cherish every moment I could spend with the one I loved. Goodness, for a vampire, I really do sound soppy, don't I?

Anyway, Aenerin, I found, hardly seemed to complain at my constant presence, always wanting to be within his company, and included me in all the duties he had to perform, teaching me patiently about life as a noble, and the responsibilities that we both had in running the estate. He was very interested in all aspects of life at Winterthorn, from the men working the fields, to the rotation of the crops in the fields for a better harvest, right down to the farrier who shoed the horses, and the visiting healers who would come and treat our sick if we had any. Every little aspect of life was Aenerin's concern, which amused me slightly, seeing as he had not been a living, breathing, man for many, many years.

However, now that I was part of the estate as well, I found myself taking on a number of tasks that Aenerin seemed only too glad to be rid of. I was far better at dealing with disputes than he was- I had always been a patient girl who could listen well, and seemed to settle most arguments with ease. I was also approached by the women on more personal matters, and in the case of my maidservant Risha- lots of girl-talk and advice. I think she had already forgotten that I was only a few years older than her, and despite being a vampire myself, had only the wisdom I had picked up from my short time as a mortal human being to guide me in all my decision making.

Luckily Risha's problems were ones I could just about deal with, mainly because they tended to involve a certain young man, and men, well, they were one thing I knew quite a lot about. I did not complain, for her company always amused me and kept my feet quite firmly on the ground. Still, it was nice to be alone with Aenerin when time allowed, even if he was working and I was just sitting in the room with him, reading or practising my embroidery, two skills I had not been able to indulge in when I had been a humble tavern wench. 

So it was quite accurate to say that I was content, well, as content as I could be, for I always feared my past would catch up with me one day, and all this would be taken away. I had never had any luck until now, and everything seemed far too good to be true. If I thought about it too long, it scared me even though I knew that if my darling Aenerin could deal with a vampire hunter, he could most certainly deal with the tavern owner who had once treated me as his property. But still... it made me uneasy.



"What are you thinking about?"

I glanced over at Aenerin, who had been sitting writing at his desk by the window, his quill pen poised in mid air as he looked at me, a concerned frown on his ever handsome face.

"Nothing much," I smiled, rising and walking over to him, encircling his torso with my arms. 

He laid his pen down and swung me into his lap, which caused me to whoop in surprise as I landed perfectly in his arms, my head brought towards his in a tender kiss.

"I will not have my lady worry so," he replied, looking up into my eyes and holding my gaze. "Yours is meant to be a trouble free existence from now on."

"I will always worry about you," I replied with a tiny smile, tracing the scar that still remained above his left eye. "But I like doing that."

He laughed and set me back on my feet, saying that he had better get his work finished. After that he would gladly take a walk with me around the estate grounds, as it always looked so pretty at night. I nodded, agreeing to meet him in the square in about an hour's time. The sun had only just set and I was very much looking forward to our evening together. 

Since the fighting, Aenerin hadn't really spoken to me much about what happened during the battle with Lairne, but I had learnt enough from the estate's best gossip-monger- namely Risha- that he fought like a demon and had taken down almost double that of anyone else. His bravery had really spurred his outnumbered men on, and when Lairne had been cut down by Aenerin's own sword, they had managed to drive back the remaining fighters and return home victorious.

However, as always, there are some who do not return home, and for one young girl especially, it had hit her terribly hard. Bother her parents had been killed in the fighting- a tragic loss as she had been left alone, with no other brothers or sisters or relatives of any kind. She and her parents had moved to Winterthorn to escape persecution in a neighbouring kingdom and had been allowed to stay, thanks to Aenerin's kindness. A child of only ten years, the estate's latest orphan was old enough to understand loss, but not quite of an age to know how to deal with it, and despite a kindly family having taken her in for the moment, there was little comfort that could be given, and everyone was concerned about her. 

As for me, I had never been especially good with children, nor ever wanted one, mainly because of who I had been at the tavern, and back then all I had seen a child as being was simply an extra mouth to feed. I would have hated to have been put in the position where the landlord, my master, would have either forced me to bring up the child, only to watch him or her suffer the same life as myself, or give the poor thing away. At worst he may even have had it killed, for a whore with a child was not something that he wanted to promote to his clients- the more gullible ones being told that some of us were virgins, making them pay three times the price for the honour of deflowering a poor woman who had, in reality, not been a maiden for many a year. Someone who did seem to be the more maternal type was Risha, and when she had been washing my hair the other evening, had told me of the poor girl's situation, and how her own mother was keen to adopt the child full time.



"It would be nice to have a sister," Risha had smiled, running a long toothed comb through my hair as I splashed warm fragrant water over my body. "In a family full of brothers, I have always wanted to have someone to tell secrets to and braid their hair, and share my dresses with."

I tried to imagine one of Risha's tough looking brothers in a frilled dress and the thought almost made me burst out laughing.

"And your mother is quite prepared to take another child on? I would have thought having you was already enough hard work!"

"Hey!" Risha had exclaimed, yanking my hair in a playful fashion. "Be nice. I'm no worry to my mother at all, and she loves children. Six isn't really that much different to five, and I think she has an idea about me possibly finding a dwelling of my own soon enough. I am of the marrying age, and I think she knows that I'm seeing someone."

"Just not that it's Caith..."

"Well no," Risha replied, "I haven't got the courage to tell her, as she's rather strict about the men I'm allowed to associate with. But to be fair I don't think even Lord Aenerin would be good enough for me in her eyes."

"Good, 'coz he's taken," I had grinned back.

"I know, I know," my maid servant had tutted, making me stand before wrapping me in a warm fire-toasted towel.

She had left me to dry myself, going to the other room to lay out my dress for that evening and find whatever jewels she thought would look suitable. Aenerin, it seemed, had a vast selection of jewellery, gifts, he had said, from rich friends which he had turned into pretty necklaces, earings and bracelets in anticipation of his love, so that he may adorn her with stunning, expensive presents. I'd already given Risha a diamond hair slide, and had thought to give a few other items away as presents to other loyal staff, as being unused to such finery, having this much made me feel a little uncomfortable.

When I had brought the matter up with Aenerin he had not been angry as I had first expected, but said they were mine to do as I pleased with- so I saw no harm in distributing the items to those I cared for. I knew they would be treasured rather than melted down and sold, and that made me happy.



Anyway, stories of orphans aside, and allowing my dear Aenerin to continue with his important work, I went to make my way outside, slipping on one of his coats on as I descended the stone staircase out into the courtyard. I loved wearing Aenerin's clothes, even if they were a little big on me, and snuggled my face into the collar, holding the rest tight to my body.

The candles had been lit and a warm amber glow warmed the night. From across the yard, the sound of cheerful voices could be heard, drinking and carousing, the victory celebrations still going on even some days later. I smiled to myself as I swept past the open windows like a wraith and out to the other end of the estate where I fancied a walk in the gardens and grounds. Every now and again it was nice to just be alone, and right then I wished to be accompanied only by my thoughts and contentment.

The fine silk of my dress brushed against my bare legs as I took hold of the large wrought iron gate and swung it easily open, slipping through it and out onto the soft grassy path that led either to the fountain and gardens or the forest. I decided that I actually fancied the forest, for the smell and the way the moonlight dappled through the branches of the trees above always pleased me, and made all memories of my suffering go away. I guess it made me feel free.



I skipped down the path, as if I were a child again, my feet sinking deep into the loamy forest floor, enjoying every moment. I walked for some time, looking up at the brilliant night sky and the fluffy clouds that rolled happily on past. I was hardly paying attention to anything in particular- I believe the correct term is 'away with the fairies', and I felt at one with the night, my vampire senses allowing me to see amazingly well, and I took in all the wondrous delights that only nature could provide.

However, something stopped me dead in my tracks, as from up ahead my sensitive ears heard a sound. It was a rustle of leaves, and not one made by the wind, but a quite definite movement, as if a body was pushing its way through the low shrubs and plants and fallen leaves on the forest floor.

"Who's there?" I called, my voice wavering slightly.

There was no reply.

"Show yourself!" I tried again, this time a little fiercer, as I felt my fangs lengthen slightly, my body tense and on edge. My mind flashed me images of vengeful vampire hunters, and other horrible possibilities. I bit my tongue, trying to be rational and force my fears into the background.

"I'm warning you!" I veritably snarled. "Come into the light!"

It was only then that I saw it- a black shadow, darting between the trees. I span around quickly, knowing that whatever this thing was, it was not slow, and nor was it human for it moved too close to the ground to be any mortal being.

I narrowed my eyes, listening for any slight sound- although it was not a sound that made my senses jump, no, it was the sight of two piercing amber eyes that stared out at me through the darkness. A body followed, a sleek black form slinking out of the night, the fur that covered the creature's back shimmering in the moonlight. It was a wolf, but not any ordinary wolf, for as I looked closer I noticed two things. One, his eyes were intelligent, he was not scared of me, and knew that if he behaved in a non threatening manner, I would not either. Two, in his mouth he carried something- a wrapped package that he had grasped between his vicious wolfish fangs as gently as if he were carrying a wayward pup.

"Hello Caith..."

I don't know why I said it, I just did- I just knew that this creature, lurking so close to the estate with his soft and thoughtful eyes, and his gift of some kind, just had to be the mysterious man who my maid was in love with.

The wolf looked a little shocked, but padded closer towards me, intrigued. He placed the package down gently before looking up at me. I knelt down, not at all afraid and placed a hand softly on the creature's head.

"Yes... I know who you are," I replied, "And I imagine you know who I am."

He inclined his head in a kind of nod.

"Do not worry, your secret is safe with me. I simply guessed...no one has told me about you, only Aenerin and even he did not say more than that you were his closest friend."

I couldn't help but scratch the wolf softly behind the ear, and to my surprise his eyes closed and he growled softly at the back of his throat contentedly.

"Risha cares a lot for you, don't you think it's time you shared your secret with her as well?" I said softly, realising this might be one of the few chances I got to speak with Caith alone, and after the kindness Risha had shown me, I wanted everything with her and Caith to work out for the best, even if he was a little afraid what her reaction may be. "You are a good man, there is no shame it what you are."

The wolf turned his head away, almost shamefully, his furred shoulders sagging as if heavily burdened by the truth of his existence. 

"I think she would understand."

Caith's soft amber eyes met mine, and I could see from them alone how pained he was. This was obviously something that worried him as well. He was far from being a monster, in much the same way Aenerin was hardly the vampire from folk law and fairy tales, but to overcome what has already been ingrained into societies minds was something that was easier said than done. I imagined he thought that either Risha or her parents would not approve, or worse still, be scared of him.

"I'm sorry," I apologised. "I shouldn't have just blurted out my own thoughts, when really this is nothing to do with me... it's just... I have come to care for Risha myself, and I would like to see her happy."

My apology was obviously accepted as a soft muzzle pressed against the palm of my hand, reassuring me that I had not been seen as rude or interfering. Obviously being unable to speak in the form he was in, it was a little hard to understand how Caith truly felt about the whole situation, but I believed that he did care, and did want to set things straight. 

"If there is anything I can do to help, come seek me out in the estate. I know of a private place where we could talk, if you so wish."

Caith hesitated for a moment, but inclined his head slowly, fixing his honest wolfish eyes with mine, in a way that suggested he would think seriously about taking me up on my offer.

"If that is something for Risha I will happily deliver it for you..." I said, pointing to the small wrapped package.

The wolf padded over to where he had left the item and picked it up softly in his mouth, pacing back towards me before dropping it in my open palms. I promised I would not open it and would deliver it safely into Risha's hands. A genuine look of relief sparkled in Caith's wolfish eyes. 

"I had better get back to the estate now," I said, "Aenerin will be waiting for me."

I imagined just over an hour had passed, for the moon was now in a different part of the sky, and I hoped that he would not be too annoyed at having to wait for his wandering Caroline to return, especially after being so inclined to spend as much time with Aenerin as I could.

"I hope to see you soon."

The wolf shook his shimmering fur, stretching out his clawed paws into the soft loam of the forest floor before giving me one final look and bounding off into the darkness once more.



I pursed my lips. So it was true. The mysterious young man that had stolen Risha's heart was none other than a werewolf. Now, I knew little about such creatures despite having heard much about them from drunkards and wandering bards in the tavern where I used to work. However, like my previous knowledge of vampires, I doubted all that I had heard was entirely true, and certainly in Caith's case he was not some mangy salivating monster that had no independent thought and simply wanted to rip the throat out of wandering innocents. He seemed intelligent, aware, and almost pained at what he was. I also had been under the impression that such creatures could only appear by the light of a full moon, and glancing upwards I noticed that it was only a crescent, so that put paid to that theory. I would have to ask either Caith himself or Aenerin, who I was sure would answer my questions now that I knew about his friend.



So with many questions spinning round my head, I turned and began my journey back along the path and towards the shining beacons that lit the outer walls of my beloved Winterthorn. But I had not been walking too long when I heard yet another sound up ahead of me, but this time it was a voice, so I strained my ears to hear what was being said.

"Caroline? Caroline is that you?!"

Someone was calling my name! I listened harder and then to my shock and pleasure realised that it was Aenerin's. He had obviously tired of waiting and had come looking for me.

"I am here my love!" I shouted back. "I am sorry that I lingered so long out in the forest, please do not be angry with me."

His thick laugh wafted towards me on the still night air.

"I could not be angered at you for talking a walk, my sweet silly girl," he replied, his form appearing out of the darkness. He smiled fondly at me and held out his hand for me to take.

"I am glad," I smiled, a little sheepishly. "It's just I do not want you to worry."

"I do not worry about you in that sense, my dear," he replied. "As I created you as one of my own, I know exactly where you are most of the time, I simply have to think of you and I am connected with your presence, your spirit as it were. It is something you will learn in time, and be able to connect with other beings too."

"Oh," I replied, "so you were watching me?"

"No!" he laughed, "I am a vampire not a seer! What do you expect of me next to be able to turn into a bat?!"

"Do not mock me so," I complained, reddening on my cheeks. "It's not fair."

"You are full of human beliefs still, but do not worry, we can change that soon enough." He smiled, planting a tender kiss on my lips before I could complain again. I forgave him instantly and pressed my body close up against his own, the soft moonlight shimmering through his long loose hair. He was not dressed as smartly as usual, this casualness I found quite appealing though, for he looked more at one with the night, his open shirt showing off his well muscled chest, as his long cloak billowed out behind him as a cool breeze whipped past us.




A Little Respect Ch. 04



"I think we are in for some rain," he remarked. "We should really head back closer to the estate."

"I don't mind," I replied. "In fact I like it, probably even more now as I know I won't catch a chill from being out in it too long."

This made Aenerin laugh, and nod, saying that if I wished to continue my walk with him, he knew of a few places he would like to show me. I agreed, eagre to be shown around by my handsome vampire Lord, who also seemed to take delight in acting as my guide, holding me close to his side, my arm entwined in his own.



We walked down to the river, where there was a small bridge being built over the narrowest part. Normally during the day there were all sorts of birds and animals here, Aenerin told me, the women enjoyed bringing their children here in good weather and let them paddle in the shallows. He seemed sad that had never witnessed the joy of a summers day, or at least could not recall one, so I squeezed his arm, telling him that sometimes things were just as beautiful in the moonlight. This seemed to cheer him, as he nodded, and suggested that we follow the river and down to the old ruins of his former estate. 

"I never knew there was a previous estate."

Aenerin looked at me and nodded. "Yes, before I built the one we live in now, there was a much smaller estate just to the south. It could not house all my staff and the people I took on to work the land, so I had another commissioned. However there was a terrible storm one night and the old buildings which I had made into houses for use of the farmers, caught fire. Lightning had struck and ignited something, today we do not know how it started, needless to say it was a great tragedy, and left what remained after in ruins."

"Did any loose their lives?"

"Luckily no," Aenerin smiled. "There was a feast at the new estate that evening and all attended. I sometimes think it was fate, but there was not one loss of life that evening, and I am most glad. I did lose a precious old home though, it is sad, but I suppose we all have to move on eventually. A new bride and a new home."

"Yes, I suppose we do have to-" 

I had stopped mid sentence, the fact that he had just said bride preventing my mouth from working. I made a strange strangled kind of noise and just gawped at Aenerin like a fish out of water.

"Are you feeling quite well, Caroline?" Aenerin asked, noticing how pale I had become, even more so than usual, oblivious to what had cause my reaction.

"B-bride?" I stammered. "But I've only known you a few days!"

"You let me give you the gift of immortality, relieving you of your human life and yet you balk at the thought of marriage- my sweetest Caroline, what a strange creature you truly are!"

He laughed, but when he saw how upset I looked, instantly stopped and took my hand, firmly in his own.

"I had thought you may be pleased that it is my intention to make you my wife... I had even hoped that you may have realised that has been my wish all along."

I just started at him blankly, all my thoughts having turned to mush. I suppose I had known of his intentions. It was absurd for any girl, no matter now naive to think that a vampire like Aenerin might just want a fling, rather than a full blown relationship, and what about all the things Risha had told me about him wanting the perfect Lady for his estate. She didn't mean lady as in the status or rank, she had meant a lady as in his wife, his partner. 

"I... I..." I stammered, still unable to speak.

"I should never have mentioned it, I knew it was too soon, but after so many years... so many hundreds of years..." Aenerin hung his head ashamedly. "Forgive me, my love, I was not acting appropriately, I understand if you are angered with me... mortals go about this ritual in a much different way, am I not correct? I... have a ring back in my chambers if that is what you wish for... I..."

"I'm not angry," I interrupted, placing a finger on Aenerin's lips to stop him from speaking. "I'm just shocked...and... and..."

He had turned his head away at my touch, so I lifted it back up with my hand, forcing him to look at me.

"...elated," I said.

"You... are?!"

His eyes lit up.

"Well, it's the best offer I've had in a while," I replied, playful mockery in my voice.

"Ah, so will I do for now?" my lover asked, pretending to be hurt by my words.

"I should think so," I replied, and kissed him.

He held me close and I could feel relief running through his body and into mine. He had been scared I might have said no... I was amazed.

"I will let you make arrangements as soon as you feel comfortable," he said. "If you are unsure, I will not force you."

"I know," I replied, "And yes, I'll do it in my own time... seeing as we've kinda done the honeymoon part first."

He laughed. "I cannot help it if we enjoy spending the daylight hours in bed together."

"That's your excuse," I smiled and he cuddled me close to his body, wrapping me in the folds of his cloak as if I were still human and he were afraid I would feel the cold.



Suddenly a spot of rain fell on my nose and I blinked as another splashed my brow as I craned my neck upwards to look up into the velvet depths of the cloudy midnight sky. In moments sheet rain plastered down, small droplets bouncing across the ground like miniature pearls, the water glistening in the pale moonlight from up above.

My hair instantly stuck to my face and I felt the cool caress of the rain over my skin. It was a wonderful feeling, and I couldn't help but skip a few paces ahead of Aenerin, brining my arms up in the air like a child and dancing around as I was soaked through to the bone within seconds. 

Nature was all around me and I could smell the thick scent of the grass, the metallic twang of the rain on my tongue and see the warm fires from the estate glowing in the distance. And it was mine. This land was now mine to live in, I was free, no longer confined by a wicked master, and for the first time in what I could recall of my life I think I was truly happy.

I reached out and grabbed the rather bemused looking Aenerin who seemed a little reluctant to act in such a foolish manner, but as he saw the glint of true happiness in my eyes, he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me up, as if I were as light as a feather, and span me round so fast I lost all sense of direction. 

Screaming in laughter I raised my face to the night, exhilarated and feeling more alive than, well... when I had actually been alive. I was in love, and even though I was not one who liked romance all that much, probably because I had never believed in it, I could not have wished to be anywhere else right then, except in the arms of my Aenerin.

He eventually lowered me down, my senses throbbing, a stupid grin plastered all over my face.

"This is why I love you, Caroline," he whispered, holding both my hands, water dripping down us both as he drew me closer towards him, his lips finding the spot on my neck that I loved to be kissed in. It always sent shivers down my spine, the way he was being so gentle, the soft scrape of his teeth on my skin, and the knowledge of what he was and what he could do to me, even now as one of his own kind.



I closed my eyes as I felt his hands lift the coat from my shoulders, the wet garment falling to the ground. I stood there in my gown, every part of the fine linen sticking to my bare skin beneath, exposing my flesh beneath it, feeling Aenerin's skilful hands begin to caress my body. I shuddered in delight as he traced the outline of my frame from shoulders to hips, the sodden material of my clothing rippling underneath his touch.

"Aenerin," I whispered, his name sounding so right on my tongue.

"Caroline," he replied, hooking his claw-like fingers beneath the shoulder straps of my dress before, with a sharp tug, pulling upwards, ripping straight through the fabric like a knife through hot butter.

I murmured a little gasp of surprise but did not object as he peeled the now pointless garment from by body until it was simply a crimson pool at my feet, my total nakedness causing Aenerin to hesitate for a moment before reaching out and cupping my cheek in his hand.

"You are a true child of the night," he replied, his vampiric eyes glistening in admiration of me. "Your beauty is unsurpassed."

"You're not too bad yourself," I smiled, reaching up and unbuttoning his shirt, till I could peel it from his arms in return. I loosened his belt also and he stepped from the remnants of his clothing until we both stood there like newborns, naked, and willing to experience all the joys of life. I felt my insides churn and between my legs I felt the first stirrings of lust.

We sank down into the long grass, the coolness of every blade touching my bare skin as nature enveloped us. Up in the sky, soft clouds graced the heavens and a liquid moon shone down upon us, bathing our bodies in silver light. Aenerin's own form shimmered, his hair streaming across his back like water as he inclined his slender neck forwards and pressed his full lips to mine, kissing me tenderly.

I opened my mouth, my tongue sliding across his lips and teeth, his taste wonderful. His gentle hands began caressing my legs, pulling me gently closer towards him so that we could feel the form of each others bodies, our skin on skin. 

I just wanted to posses him, to experience every inch of his being, and in return be consumed by his presence, to comfort me in the way no other man ever had before, to reassure me that he did indeed love me and that the pleasure he gave would never be reproduced by another.

Laying on top of me I felt his hard shaft brush my opening, teasing me as it passed over my tingling skin, Aenerin nibbling at the side of my neck with his cool fangs. I groaned, my body writhing beneath his slick yet solid weight, lust beginning to take over.

"Not yet," he hushed me, drawing my hands above my head, so I could not interfere with his exploration of my form. I was passive tonight and let him do as he wished, his soft head lowering to my chest where he kissed across my breasts, sucking my rosy nipples until they stood erect, all the while soft rain splashing my bare skin like a million tiny fingertips all at once.

He slowly moved his way down my body, avoiding any more intimate places, yet placing wet, nibbling kisses across my thighs and stomach and the insides of my legs, making me almost beg for him to touch me in the place I wanted. I bit my tongue with a fang and closed my eyes in ecstasy as he caressed my calves and ankles, massaging my skin in slow sensuous circles, not leaving any inch untouched.

The sound was hypnotic, the rain pounding the ground and our bodies as I felt Aenerin lift my hips and slide firmly inside me, my willing body parting for him as I was unable to move, my hands still held firmly, my body stretched out underneath my lover as he slid in so deep I thought I may faint on the spot.

We did not speak, and if I had been a living, breathing mortal, my heart would have been pounding for each sensation spasmed through me like lightning, the length of Aenerin's shaft pulling from me before plunging in again. I widened my legs to accommodate him, water between us making each motion slick and cool, my hair sticking to my face as my mouth opened in a small 'o' of pleasure and delight. I looked up at Aenerin, noticing how sleek his neck was, how perfectly formed his chest was as his body rocked on top of mine. 

I felt possessed, giddy, high on nothing but rain, the heady smell of the earth beneath us and sex, my lust for him making me squirm beneath his firm thrusting hips, forcing him onto me, trying to enclose every inch of him in my flesh. I wrapped my legs about his back and held on, every ridge of his shaft noticeable as it rippled across my insides, my moans growing louder by the second.

I scored my own sharp fangs down his creamy neck, the blood shimmering in the moonlight as it dripped into my mouth. The first taste of blood that evening drove me wild, and I moaned out loud, hardly able to move yet somehow feeling my spirit soar high above.

Aenerin lowered the wound closer to me, so I was able to sup from his neck more easily as we pressed our bodies even closer together and became completely as one.

My senses afire I could feel the buzz from my tongue all the way down to my parted legs where every thrust drew me closer to my release. Aenerin's pace was perfect, rhythmical, consuming, and I wished that this moment would last for ever. I wanted him in me, I wanted to please him and be pleased by him, and as we rolled in the grass, joined together, I could not think of anything else but how close I was to screaming out his name.

"Aenerin," I uttered. "Aenerin..."

I felt his hand slip between us and slowly start to rub at the nub of my pleasure. He was always careful with his sharp claws, but their smoothness only helped ease on my orgasm. The coolness of his fingers and the heat from his shaft was driving me insane and just when I thought I couldn't get any higher, without warming he thrust my head to the side and bit me hard.

I had not expected Aenerin to ever do this, and as his fangs slipped through my skin I came so hard I thought I was exploding inside.

"Yes, oh yes," I shrieked, pulling his face hard into my neck with my now free hand as I contracted around him, holding on so tight I lost sensation in my legs, but luckily no where else. Ripples of pleasure shot through me as I came and I whimpered as Aenerin grasped hold of my buttocks with his other hand and drew me in hard onto his shaft as I felt him tense and then shudder as he came deep within me.

It was as amazing as ever, our two slick bodies entwined within each others as we came slowly down from the peak of joy that we had ascended to.

Every move Aenerin made was intensified tenfold and I shuddered as I felt his shaft ease away from me and leave my body, the same when Aenerin's fangs slid from my neck, my wounds instantly healed, and my senses buzzing.



"Why do you feel so good?" I asked him, holding his firm chest hard against mine, licking the raindrops from his collar bone and breathing in his musty post-sex smell that simply made me wish to take him again.

"I guess it's a skill," he shrugged, smiling down at me. "And yet you seem almost eagre to go again... do I not satisfy you enough?"

"No, you do, you do so much," I assured him. "It's just I love the feeling of being so close to you. Your skin is so soft and when you are inside me, I melt away, it is the most amazing feeling in the world."

"Such praise, I do not think I am worthy," Aenerin laughed, looking up at the sky, the darkness all around us, caressing us.

"I can assure you, you are."

"Hmmm. Well then, let's see..."

I wondered what he meant at first, but then suddenly I felt him run his hand down over my pelvis and slowly slip the tip of his clawed finger into my sensitive, still throbbing channel. I moaned in unexpected pleasure.

"Does that feel good?" he breathed.

I nodded, unable to move.

He began to gently rotate his finger inside of me, the softest of movements around my wet tunnel. I had only just orgasmed and yet here he was building me up again. I did not think this was possible, but what with the rain and being outside, it had all had simply made my desire run wild. So I let him pleasure me, his other hand caressing my breasts and the underneath of my neck, softly scraping at my skin.

I hoped that no one would find us like this, as it would be a little embarrassing, but that feeling soon passed as I found myself lost once more, contracting round his finger in tight spasms of my second release, moaning and writhing like a mad thing. So when he leant his head down and flicked his tongue between my legs, just to finish me off, I almost fainted.



"You really do want it tonight don't you?" Aenerin whispered to me, holding my bucking hips down as the remnants of my orgasm faded and I lay speechless gazing up at the moon.

"I think I should take you back to a proper bed and maybe see to it that you are satisfied there as well.

"No more..." I said shaking my head. "Any more and I think I would explode."

"I thought you just did," my lover replied, raising a cheeky eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes at him, yet smiled contentedly as he snuggled me up under his arm and held me close.

"What do you think we should say when we get back?"

Aenerin looked at me, confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, you ruined my dress for one, and we are completely wet through and covered in mud. I don't think we leave much to the imagination."

"Ah yes," he replied, obviously not really having thought of practicalities in the heat of the moment. "I... suppose we will just have to make sure no one sees us. There is a back way into the estate, we can use that, but we might have to make a run for it to get across to the tower."

I giggled thinking about two partially clad, muddy people running across the courtyard, and how if anyone did see us, how confused they would be.

"I suppose I can still put your coat on...let's just hope the wind doesn't watch up too much or I really will be embarrassed."

See, that was the thing people never told you. It was all very well being a couple in love, but as soon as things got a little bit frisky and there was no way to stop the inevitable, who was there to kindly remind you that the world went on after your tryst, and you somehow had to get home or cover your tracks?

I smiled. It was all worth it though, and I was sure I'd laugh when I looked back on the moment in days and months to come.

"Come on then my muddle little angel," Aenerin said, standing up and offering his hand down to me, which I took as I hauled myself back onto my feet. I looked a complete mess. Luckily Caith's package still remained undamaged, hidden in the inner pocket of the coat I had been wearing, nice an safe. I would be interested to see what it was, yet thought that handing it to Risha myself would be unwise, as then I would have to explain to her how I was given it, and that could just lead to an untold number of problems. Instead I would leave it somewhere I knew she would find it. That wouldn't be hard as she stuck her nose into everything.



"Ready?" Aenerin asked, helping me gather up out clothes and struggle into whatever we could to maintain our dignity.

I smiled up and him and kissed his cheek. "Yes, but I want a nice warm bath run when we get back."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," my lover replied, linking my arm in his.

It had certainly been an interesting evening, but I was looking forward to getting back to the estate now. It really was starting to feel like home, which I suppose was a good thing, seeing as... well, seeing as I would be spending a lot of my time there for many years to come. However as we began the trudge home, a thought entered my mind that made my mind begin to churn.



"Aenerin?"

"What is it?" he asked, noticing a sudden frown had swept across my face.

"I just had a thought," I replied, pursing my lips and looking up into the vampire's concerned eyes.

"Yes..?"

"After what we were talking about earlier... I just wondered..." I paused for a second, just to let the reality of our situation sink in. "Does that mean that we're now... engaged?"

"What do you think?" Aenerin asked with a slick smile.

I suppose it was a silly question, but I hadn't really thought that when I came home that evening I would be an engaged woman. I was going to be getting married...

Me...the tavern wench from the border lands was going to marry a rich and handsome vampire lord. I thought that this kind of thing only happened in fairytales, and that the girl involved was usually a princess, and the hero was a good, noble prince on a white horse. Not that it mattered to me really, this was going to be my own dark fantasy, and to me it would be perfect... Yes, I thought to myself. I'm going to get married and it's all going to be perfect. 




A Little Respect Ch. 04



"I love you," I said to Aenerin and nuzzled my head into the crook of his shoulder.

"I love you too," he replied, and I quite honestly knew he meant it.

I had never been happier. 

But unfortunately, as in many cases, that is not the end of my story. Let me tell you why...



To be continued...

End of Part 4



A Little Respect



"Quiet," he growled back. "You do not order me, girl."

I felt his claw like fingers dig into me and I yelped in pain. He knew just when I wanted him to be rough with me and when to be gentle and coaxing. He amazed me.

He roughly pushed me down, spreading my legs a little wider than they had been before. His fingertips trailed little patterns across my skin, distracting me for a moment as he leant his head in close and ran his tongue slowly between my legs. I bucked but he held me down hard, and instead of licking me again, took most of me in his mouth and began to suck. I could feel his fangs pressing into the short soft curls of hair on my mound as he lapped and sucked at me, my hands scrunching deep into the furs, fingers balling into fists once again.

"Ahh...ahhh," I moaned as he moved a little lower, my aching lips suddenly prized apart by his intruding tongue. It was slow and sensual, teasing and erotic as he circled my tunnel with warm wet licks, thrusting deep inside with rhythmical movements, bringing me almost to the edge.

I wanted to grab him and press him into me but refrained, just, and instead I ventured to run my hand across his back and over his hair, enjoying every lingering second as with a clawed hand either side of my hips he rocked me into his mouth. 

I cried out in pleasure. I had never felt this good before, but I wanted it to last and just as I was reaching the moment of release, I felt him pull away. Obviously he felt the same way too. My body was knotted, tense and on edge. I was wet too, and could feel the slipperiness between my legs. He smiled at me, running his tongue across the front of his teeth before pulling away and sliding his body up and over mine so that he sandwiched me between himself and the floor.

As he did so I felt something very hard and rigid run over my stomach, pressed flat between us. I had been nervous to look, but obviously his arousal of me had also had the same effect on him.

I curled my hand down over his back and tried to slip it between us. He obligingly moved onto his side, pulling me with him, allowing me free access to the long firm shaft which strained up at me from between his legs. I tightened my hand round it, the skin soft and a little damp at the end. I began to pull at him, running my other hand over his smooth chest. But I wanted more. I just kept looking at his perfect member, rigid and unsatisfied and without warning plunged my lips over the end, taking him in my mouth. He had not been expecting this either and had to steady himself, but was soon moaning encouraging words to me as I pushed him deep inside my warm mouth.

My tongue flicked the tip of his shaft, circled it and teased it.

"Dirty little wench," he snarled at me, which just made me more lustful to satisfy him.

Little did he know my expertess in such matters, as it was usually the quickest way to get rid of unwanted attention, and I had learnt the art well enough to bring almost any man to his limits in only a few minutes. It was also empowering, to see him at my mercy, giving him the pleasure he wanted, and giving it well. I had free reign over him and went at my task with all gusto, imagining what might come next.

I felt him squeeze my breasts, so I cupped his heavy balls and caressed them, letting his shaft slide from my mouth and across my cheek as I set to work on those instead, nipping at the skin. "Enough, girl," he commanded, pulling my head away, but before he said anything else was kissing me passionately, biting my lip as he slid me over, his hardness skimming over my already engorged lips, the tip sliding past but not entering as he levered his entire weight on top of me. Oh yes. I was good, and he couldn't wait any longer...but neither could I.

"I'm going to take you now. I'm going to part you and claim you and you will let me," he whispered, his rigid hardness between my legs. I opened them wider to accommodate him, but he was teasing me again, brushing over my sensitive skin again and again, but not quite entering me. So I lifted my legs up and wrapped them around his back, pushing myself onto him.

"Eagre little wrench," he leered, still holding me back from my pleasure. "Is this what you want?"

Finally. 

He pressed up against my opening and parted me smoothly. I was slick with my own desire for him and it took little work on his part to slide fully inside me, my hungry flesh clamping down around him as he pushed his hips towards me. He moved slowly on top, gliding in and out, coating himself in my juices, his hardness penetrating my yielding, willing flesh as I moaned for him to stop. It was too good.

"You're here for my pleasure and I will have my way with you, girl," he snarled, his lips close to my ear. His body wasn't heavy but it was enough with him lying on top of me to make sure I stayed the willing participant of his affections.

"You are not getting away. You're mine now."

I moaned a little as he thrust harder into me, as if emphasising his words.

"What do you say?" he demanded, his breath on my neck, my eyes straining round to see his fangs close to my sensitive skin.

How did he know this was turning me on? 

"Yes," I drawled through feelings of ecstasy. "Yes, my Lord."

"Good girl," he uttered as I felt his entire shaft enter me, out groins locked together as he pressed himself hard down on top of me.

"My slave knows her place. Well that's good."

"My place will always be beneath you...my Lord."

His slick leer broadened and I felt him grip my arms incredibly hard.

"Well, that decision is entirely up to me," he replied, and before I knew what was happening he had hauled me over so that he was now lying on his back and I was on top of him, straddling his body, with him still inside me.

He pulled my hands down and placed them on his shoulders.

"I'm all yours."

The roles suddenly reversed I wasn't quite sure what to do. Now I was on top and looking down at him, his long hair curling under his head like a pillow. He helped me a little by pushing his hips up and I uttered a little exclamation, the sensation entirely different now that I was in this new position.

Lifting my body I began to get myself into a slow and steady rhythm, rocking backwards and forwards on his body, finding I had total control over how much of him I allowed inside me, and how quickly. He closed his eyes and moaned when I really took my time, sliding myself right off of him before piercing myself with his hardness, from tip to base, squeezing my muscles tingly around him. His hands roved freely across my body, grasping my breasts and teasing my nipples.

A little less intimidated I began to enjoy my power, riding him a little harder and faster- aggressively. He seemed to like it and I was enjoying it more than I had thought I would.

"Are you liking that?"

"Yes," I moaned.

"Yes what?" he snarled.

I eyed him with measured defiance, "Just yes."

Suddenly his arms snaked up and pulled my down flat on top of him, sharply and roughly, almost knocking the wind from me.

"Know your place," he growled, taking my face in his hand and tilting my neck up ever so slightly.

He pushed me over so he was once again on top, pressing hard inside me, his hips working at a rhythm which made me want to cry out in pleasured abandon, his body crushing us together. My neck was bared to him and I felt him lick me then mouth wet sharp kisses along my throat. We kissed and his fangs were painfully hard as I ran my hungry tongue over them.

"Do you wish to be mine?" he asked between kisses. "Always...forever...mine...?"

"Yes, my Lord," I breathed.

He watched me closely for a second, almost as if trying to gaze deep into my soul to make sure it wasn't just the passion talking- the heat of the moment blurring my sanity. But it wasn't and my heart screamed out at him to take away the pain of my life; the life in which I had been scarred and wounded so many times. I knew what he was going to do, but I wanted it. I wanted it now and I wasn't afraid.

"I want you to do it."

"I know you do," he drawled, raising his head for a second to look at me. There was a sincerity in his eyes and I trusted him despite knowing what I had just agreed to.

"I won't hurt you," he murmured softly, before without warning he plunged his mouth over my neck and bit hard into my skin, his fangs sliding effortlessly into me.

I cried out, but not in pain, feeling my hot blood run into his mouth, a small dribble escaping down my neck. The feeling was incredibly strange, but he hadn't lied, I was not uncomfortable in anyway way and it was more pleasurable than painful. Maybe by being a willing donor I was allowed my own version of his ecstasy.

Suddenly I felt a surge of something run through my body- adrenalin- as I gripped him tighter, running my fingers through his hair, his head bent in towards my own. His arms held me tightly, firmly and with every beat of my heart I could feel my blood pumping into him, a part of me flowing inside of him. We were both joined in a way that was now inseparable, my body on fire with his heat as he forcefully drank from me, his hips thrusting hard as I moaned in sheer abandon and lust.

He drew his bloodstained lips away from me and gasped, his eyes blazing, fangs bared. His fingers held my cheek as he ran his tongue across the wound in my neck, licking away the bloody marks. I felt light headed and faint but still I was alight with his passionate lovemaking. He said nothing but looked down into my face, tenderly kissing my lips, crushing me to him.

I could taste the blood on his lips and in his mouth -my blood- and I felt aroused. I began to lick his lips and he laughed in that thick, wonderful voice, guiding my head towards his own neck.

"It's time you drank," he ordered, scratching a line across his skin with his sharp claw like nails.

I greedily pressed my face to him, licking and suckling the teasing dribble marks. There was barely enough to satisfy this new hunger that had awoken in the pit of my stomach, crying out from the very core of my being. But I quenched the thirst with what I could, feeling the cool wet liquid coarse down my throat. 

I coughed, and almost gagged, my body suddenly repulsed by what I was doing, but he held me tightly and encouraged me softly, stroking my long hair and holding me tight.

"Bite me," he urged slickly. "Go on..."

"I can't," I murmured. "I'm not like you."

"Oh no?" He asked pressing a thumb against my lips, parting them, and pressed his finger against my teeth.

I gasped. I hadn't even felt it happen, felt myself change, but I tasted the bitter twang of blood in my mouth where he had just cut himself on my fangs.

"I...I can't be..."

"I bit you and you have tasted my blood. You're going to be like me now..."

There was dull throbbing all across my body. It caught me completely unaware and I felt my entire being shudder and burn. Something was happening me, something I had no control over.

"Drink," he ordered and I obliged immediately, biting him hard, passionately, feeling my fangs slide into him as I hungrily sucked at his skin. 

"Argh!" I moaned between mouthfuls as he began to work at me once more as I hung clamped to his neck, his thrusting hardness long and satisfying. 

I felt so consumed by him, utterly possessed in every way as my heartbeat which had been hard in my chest slowed and slowed. There was nothing painful about this death though, it seemed more like a passing, through a threshold to something new and wonderful. I clung onto him, my fingers sinking deep into his skin as I pulled my mouth away from him and cried out, sobbing in pleasured moans.

I felt my head drawn towards his own and kissed him feverishly, the sweet blood which still lingered in my mouth, shared, as we entwined tongues, nipping at each other with our sharp eyeteeth.

My body alight, I wanted this feeling to last forever, but I was building so high, I knew there would be a release soon. He was tense too, beneath me, his thrusts brining me to the cusp of consciousness, plunge after plunge of shuddering pleasure. And then I screamed.

I broke away from the kiss and screamed, my body wracked with shuddering pulses of emotion, lust, love; together an exquisite pain- my climax. I clenched around him, drawing him deeper and deeper into me. The sensation made him flinch before I felt him shudder and release into me, both still grinding hard against each other, solid and brutal in our lovemaking. Desperate. Needy.

He cried out as wave after wave of pleasure shook him and I was carried along too, my body responding and sending me into another shuddering plateau. He raised his head and gasped, the light reflecting down his beautiful fangs. I probed my tongue over my own and felt myself shiver. I liked the new feeling, it made me feel empowered and I snarled at him, grabbing him behind the back and thrusting my body onto his. He snarled back and without warning bit me again just above my breast, my heaving chest in his face.

I screamed, my body consumed by pleasured feelings as he satisfied himself within me until he could hardly move, the look on his face being one of sheer satisfaction.

"Ehhh," I murmured, his thrusts slowing now- just a slow rocking over my tingling skin. He sucked at me a little, licking the wound, already healed, and he slowed some more, his hands caressing my chest and the sides of my legs.

I was exhausted and just lay there, satisfied. I could hardly move.

"You were good," he murmured, and I just about managed a smile.

"So were you...my Lord."

"Hmmm," he replied, giving me a chaste kiss on the lips, once again the tang of blood filling my senses. "I always am."

I lay beneath him, my body aching. Then finally I felt him slide out of me, his shaft cool and spent, my insides still hot and very wet. He cradled my head in the niche of his shoulder and hugged me to him, our bodies still pressed close together. I was amazed at how nice it felt as he pulled a fur over us and we nestled down into the unconventional bed of ours.

Ours...

He smiled down at the young vampire he had just sired and wiped the remainder of his blood from my lips, like a mother would a messy child.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Good," I replied, still drowsy from loss of blood.

"Would you do it again?"

I nodded.

"I'm pleased," he replied, kissing me softly on the forehead. "Because if you're staying, there will be a lot more of it."

"I'd like to stay now, very much...my Lord."

"Even if you couldn't call me that any more?"

I looked at him quizzically.

"This estate needs a Lady to run it and my staff are tired of me getting all those finer details completely and utterly wrong. You would made an ideal mistress of the house - not a servant. That's what I really want you for...why I wanted you to stay. Would you consider my request?"

I smiled and snuggled up against him. Why had I never slept with a vampire before? Normally I was lucky if my previous partners had stayed the night. This was almost a full on marriage proposal.

"I'll take the silence as a yes," he replied, tracing the outline of my body with his hands. I bit him playfully and he pretended I hurt him, but then a wash of worry crossed my face. I couldn't kill anyone. I wasn't like that. How could I ever be a vampire? I looked panicked as hundreds of awful thoughts bombarded my already tender mind.

"You still think I'm a bloodthirsty monster?" he asked, hurt in his voice.

"Well...I...but you must drink and I..."

"Do not believe your people's stories," he sighed. "Those who have lost their lives here are only those who would try to bring an end to my own. These lands are hostile and I am not the only one of my kind here. While I cannot speak for others, I personally take great care not to take any more human life than I must. But enough of that, there are many ways round what we must do, and you are always more than welcome to come to me for absolutely anything you should require."

I knew what he meant as his eyebrow raised at the end, but he had put me at my ease.

"I don't really even have servants," he muttered, almost embarrassed. "My staff do serve me, but there is nothing keeping them here and they are treated well, as it just seems so much easier to employ those who are willing to work and are happy to do it. Being a servant of kinds yourself, I knew instantly that you would understand them and be a good and kind mistress."

"I'll do my best," I replied.

"And you will never have to go back to that awful tavern again. Unless you want to...and you would be the one having the drink."

I smiled. I liked the sound of that.

"Now for sleep," he said. "Tomorrow I will show you your estate, My Lady."

"Caroline," I said, "That's my name."

"Aenerin..." he replied, and there had been yet another intimate exchange.

Gathering me in his arms, we entwined ourselves together and closed our eyes, my hand softly brushing my neck and chest, but no trace of the bites could be felt. All that remained was the slightly longer than normal feel to my teeth, and the strength that I could feel growing inside me. I squeezed my new lover tightly. By taking it, he had given me a new life. 

I kissed his neck sleepily.

Yes, I thought to myself, no one would dare hurt me or order me around now.

Well, not unless it was night time and I had specifically asked his Lordship for a repeat performance of the evening he seduced a now more than willing tavern wench. Then I certainly wouldn't mind taking orders.

"Sleep, girl," I heard his mind snap at me, then laugh softly, tenderly.

"Yes, my Lord..." 

Finally I had found a little respect.

THE END