Note from the author: Oh dear, oh dear....this has a mighty suggestive theme in it. I'm terribly sorry, but I was watching Bram Stoker's Dracula, and then I wrote this scene....I'M SORRY! D=
Healing
Little could be said if Mesalx was not at all worried about Julie. Her absence troubled him, yes, but he was far from worried. He trusted that she would be able to protect herself from danger, but he was more concerned about why she had not returned. Julie's failure to contact him even after he had asked her to troubled him, troubled him so much that he made the long trek to Nosgoth to see what the hold up was.
'Why is it that she can't follow a simple request? She's too damn rebellious!" Mesalx grumbled to himself, jumping up onto a cliff before looking down at the small clearing below him. The moon was hanging high in the sky as he shifted into a shadow, making his careful descent to the ground. Mesalx never was fond of leaving the Arithanid Realm unless it was absolutely necessary. This was one of those rare times that he ventured out, and he was more than determined to let Julie know that he was not too pleased about it either.
Reaching into his cloak, Mesalx pulled out a small P.D.A. and tried once more to contact Julie. He waited patiently for her to answer, half listening to the song that Julie had set as her away tone. Once it had ended, Mesalx angrily snapped it closed, shoving it back into his cloak pocket. So help me, if she's doing this on purpose, Mesalx thought to himself, finding an overhang and crouching down on it's edge, assessing his surroundings carefully. This had been the first time that he had been in Nosgoth, and he had absolutely no idea where to start.
Looking to the west, he could see billows of smoke in the far horizon. Though it was pitch black save for the light of the moon, Mesalx could see everything as though it were high noon. Being a Salx came with its advantages. Mesalx, who was one of those Arithanids that hated to draw attention to himself, knew that smoke was a sign of civilization, and he quickly chose not to head in that direction.
To the east was a high mountain range, something that he was not surprised to see. He could see that they were covered in snow, and Mesalx knew that if he chose to go to the east, he would risk being caught in an blizzard or worse, an avalanche. He shook his head slightly at the thought of being caught under a blanket of ice and snow, and turned his attention to the north.
There, standing pristine and beautiful against the sky, were nine tall and beautiful pillars. Mesalx found himself staring in mild awe as he saw how the reached to the heavens, the very tops disappearing into the atmosphere. There's simply no way that a human hand could have constructed those edifices, Mesalx thought, a gloved hand reaching to his chin. He remembered something that his father had once told him as a young boy about large structures; where ever there was a landmark, there was information about where he was.
'That's where I'll start," Mesalx mumbled to himself, standing and shifting once more into a shadow.
'I know well why he did that," she whispered, staring out at the garden before them. 'I saw that look in his eyes when I told him that I could see two minutes into the future. Something tells me that he got jealous and decided that if I wouldn't tell him his future, then he would find out about it himself. He just wants them for his own selfish needs!" she finished. Vorador listened carefully, laying one of his hands on Julie's in an attempt to keep her calm.
'Julie," he started, choosing his words carefully. 'Much of what you are telling me is of no surprise. Kain is arrogant and selfish with no desire for life. He only believes in one thing; Vae Victus."
'Suffering to the conquered," Julie finished. Vorador nodded.
'I wouldn't doubt that he would use those powers for his own benefit. It would be a surprise if he used them for other reasons." he couldn't help but add. Julie sighed slowly, looking up at the moon and the stars.
'It's that reason that I cannot get close to any male. Each time they learn of my powers, they either run in terror, or they lean in all interested, wanting me to tell them what they're thinking, what I saw in their past…either way, it's always the last that I see of them.
'But if that doesn't send them running, then my half brother will. He's so overprotective of me and demands that I tell him where I am every minute of the day. I wouldn't be surprised if he came to Nosgoth himself just to be able to keep tabs on me." she explained, feeling a bit better that she had finally let out some of her frustration. Vorador didn't know what to say. His own sire, Janos Audron, had been protective over him as a fledgling, but not overly so. Julie, on the other hand, seemed to loath being under someone's wing, being forced to live under the watchful eyes of a man.
'Is that why you have hardened yourself against all?" he inquired, his ears standing up a little. Julie thought for a minute before she answered.
'Not entirely. I hardened myself so that I wouldn't break, that I would be able to look danger and death straight in the face without showing fear. Furthermore, I hardened myself from past experiences; years of being hunted have taught me very well. I've been imprisoned, tortured, nearly killed, and much more. I couldn't stand to look in the mirror and see a weak girl anymore." she replied, not minding at all when Vorador walked behind her, laying his hands on either side of her.
'You have every right to have taken such action." he murmured, nuzzling his head against her neck and jaw. Julie still did nothing as she let him draw her back to him, wrapping his long arms around her protectively. 'I cannot stand seeing a girl like you in such pain. No one, Arithanid or vampire, deserves to suffer."
Julie turned her head to look at him, not entirely sure what he meant.
'Julie," he whispered, turning her to face him as he rested his hands on Julie's hips. 'I hate thinking about what has happened to you. I hate knowing that Kain wants you just so he can have some of your powers. It…enrages me to know that you have been tortured on false charges and even had to see those that you love die before your eyes." Vorador murmured before he could stop himself.
'What are you saying?" Julie implored as she was drawn even closer to Vorador. Golden eyes stared deep into her own before he nuzzled her neck once more, growling slightly into it as he nipped and licked her soft flesh slightly. Julie's eyes slid closed as he did this, relishing in this show of affection.
'I want you," he finally said in a husky voice, giving her neck a parting lick as he drew to stare in Julie's half lidded eyes. 'I want you as mine! And mine alone! With me, you would never have to worry about the Sarafan taking those that you care for away! With me, you would be treated as an equal, and with me…you would have anything you want," Vorador continued with a groan, kissing her once more as he tangled his claws into her silky hair. Julie sighed into the kiss, allowing her body to mold into his as they kissed. One of Vorador's hands traveled to the shirt that Julie was wearing; a lovely light pink shirt that was strapless, and allowed one of his talons to easily cut through the material, starting from her belly and ending just below her breasts.
He slid that same claw into the small valley between her small breasts, noting that her heart was racing as they kissed. Vorador withdrew his claw and drew back from Julie, staring deeper into her eyes as he caressed her face.
'You cannot possibly imagine how long I've waited for someone like you," Julie whispered, almost inaudibly. 'You've made me feel as I did many years ago before my heart was hardened." Vorador couldn't help but chuckle at this as he kissed her forehead.
'Strange. I too have waited for someone like you, Julianna Dashara."
'Please don't call me Julianna."
'I'm sorry…"
'No, it's alright. It just… pains me to hear it."
'Might I ask why?"
'Mother… Mother used to call me that…" Julie whispered, glancing out to the moon, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Vorador brought his hand to her face and slowly wiped away her tear before closing his hand suddenly, almost as though he was about to drop something. Julie glanced to him for a moment, suddenly confused until he opened his hand.
There, resting in the very center of his hand, was a heart shaped diamond strung on a silver chain. She gasped in awe, looking at it in amazement. The diamond twinkled in the moonlight, casting a rainbow of colors on Julie's flawless face. She looked up at Vorador, her eyes shining in amazement. He smiled gently down at her before he clasped the neck about Julie's neck.
'A beautiful girl such as yourself should own something that reflects her beauty." he murmured, kissing Julie's neck affectionately.
'Thank you," she whispered, touching his face gently as she looked back up into his eyes. 'Thank you so much."
'You're very welcome," he replied, wrapping his arms about her and pulling Julie's hips back against his. Though Julie blushed a little when she noticed this, Julie couldn't help but feel that he was growing aroused. She smiled slightly and pressed herself harder against him, taking care to graze her breasts against his chest, teasing him. Vorador growled once more, and this time Julie could hear the desire in it.
'Julie," he groaned nipping at her bare shoulder. 'I want you. I'm sure that you can sense that."
'I do," Julie purred, stroking Vorador's chest lightly, eliciting another deep rumble from the vampire. 'I want you too." she admitted, hoping that this was the beginning of something more between them.
'Will you….be mine, Julie? Would you be my release to my damnable isolation?" he asked tentatively, touching his forehead to hers. Julie said nothing for the longest of times; she knew that there would be dire consequences if she said yes to him. The last time that she had fallen for a vampire ended tragically. Would this time be the same? And then there was the thought of what Mesalx would do to her. She had no idea what would go through his mind if he found out. But she had been ruled over long enough, and all she wanted was to be free-
'If you truly want me," she began looking up at him with complete trust in her eyes. 'then take me." Vorador smiled down at her holding her close to him for a moment before sweeping her off her feet. Julie smiled back at him, allowing her arrogant persona to fall from her. He carried her to his room, as a husband would his bride, laying her down on the bed slowly. Upon their entrance, Julie noticed that several candles lit up smokeless, casting dim lights across the room.
'Are you sure that you want this?" he asked, his hands on either side of her face. Julie nodded, staring deep into his eyes. Slowly, he leaned to her, pressing his lips against her. Julie froze for a brief moment, and then found herself giving in to his kiss, welcoming his tongue into her mouth as her hands found their way into his shirt, feeling his strong back and shoulders.
Julie purred in pleasure when Vorador's lips trailed to her neck, nibbling it gently before he pulled away. She almost wanted to cry out in protest, but she noticed that he was only taking his shirt off. Julie gazed at him, running her hands over his chest before he pulled her once more into a kiss. It was more passionate this time, and Julie found herself becoming more and more in love with Vorador. His hands slowly cut away the rest of Julie's shirt, letting it fall away as he continued to kiss her.
She held him to her, feeling him remove her skirt finally before tossing it to the floor, leaving Julie in her silken underwear. Vorador pulled away, guiding her further back onto the bed so that Julie rested against the large pillows, her face flushed with passion, her eyes burning with lust. His golden eyes reflected that lust, and soon they were kissing again, Julie's slender legs wrapping about Vorador's waist. She moaned into the kiss, running her tongue over his long fangs, Vorador chuckling darkly as he forced her back onto the bed, kissing her neck gently and hungrily.
Julie sighed, arching her back to press herself more fully against him, Vorador's arms pulling her closer as he licked her neck, feeling her pulse surge through her as he ground his hips against Julie's.
'Vorador," she whispered, kissing his shoulder softly. She purred when his claws slowly and softly trailed over her lower back, his fangs purposefully gliding across her skin.
'This might hurt a little, Julie," he whispered, running one of his hands through her hair. Julie nodded weakly, running her fingers over the large dragon tattoo on his arm. Vorador kissed her neck once more before baring his fangs, a small lick to her neck serving as her only warning for what he was about to do. Quickly, but as gently as he could, Vorador sank his fangs into her neck, a loud cry erupting from Julie.
Tears rolled down the sides of her face, Vorador's long fangs digging deeper into her neck as he took a long drink from her. Julie had known that it would be painful, but this…this was just excruciating. She held tightly to him, trembling as Vorador stroked her hair, trying to calm her.
As he drank, Vorador couldn't help but catch himself reading her thoughts, looking into her past as he saw all that she had spoke of to him. He saw her mother the day that she had died, saw that Julie had seen her be raped by the Sarafan. And then that fatal moment that Amidista ran up the hill to be with Julie… He blinked his eyes, and yet another vision flew through him. He saw Julie fighting against a man with long black hair and pale skin. They were fighting over a child…but it wasn't Julie's. Julie was a virgin, but the man accused her of sleeping with someone else. It ended with Julie falling into darkness, the man laughing darkly at her.
And then he saw Julie with another man. He could feel happiness in her mind, which led him to believe that he was her lover. But, like Julie's mother, he was killed, murdered by the man in the previous vision. Once more, Vorador blinked, and saw Julie escaping from the Eternal Prison. All he could see was darkness, and then there was a bright light, almost like the sun.
Julie's moan brought him back to her, and Vorador glanced down to her. Julie's cries had long since stopped and her eyes were slightly drooping. Slowly, he drew his fangs away from the bite, drawing back to hold her closer to his chest.
'Julie…forgive me," he whispered, kissing her softly. Julie said nothing for a moment, trying to keep her eyes open.
'What is there to forgive? I chose this Vorador, no one made you change me." she whispered, nestling herself against Vorador's chest. As much as he didn't want to believe her, Vorador found himself smiling down at her, kissing her once more before gently forcing her back onto the bed.
'You do know that you will have to sleep for three days before you are a full vampire, don't you?" he questioned, stroking her hair softly. Julie nodded, touching his hand with her own. 'Then you also know that if anyone touches you, they will be insulting me?" Julie nodded once more.
'I understand it, Vorador. Believe me, I do." she replied with a small laugh. Vorador lowered his head back to her neck, licking the blood off affectionately. Julie held him to her neck, sighing slowly before her eyes closed once more. Vorador's golden eyes glanced to her for a moment before drawing away slowly. Gently, he touched her face, causing Julie to open her eyes once more.
'I know that you want to sleep," Vorador began, laying down atop her once more. 'But there is something that I meant to ask you before you slept. Are you… a virgin?" he asked slowly. Julie knew that he would ask her that, and she was prepared to answer her.
'Yes," she replied without hesitation. Vorador nodded, nuzzling her neck gently.
'When you wake up, would you like to start your new life as a girl or a woman?" he asked once more. Julie thought for a long moment after he had asked this; in her culture, Arithanid women were expected to remain virgins until they were married. Julie didn't wish to be married, but in that moment, she felt that she was already married to Vorador; the mark on her neck was the ring, her trusting smile and kisses her vows. She looked back at him, her eyes shining with absolute adoration and love.
'Your woman," she managed to whisper. Vorador smiled down on her, touching her face softly.
'Very well then," he replied with a purr in his voice. Julie kissed his cheek lovingly, finding it harder to keep her eyes open long enough to hear what he said.
'You alone are worthy enough to be my love and my equal, my Julie Dashara. And as my love, no one will come between us," he whispered, kissing her neck softly before Julie whimpered softly, the marks on her neck still burning. But Vorador misread this, and he raised a clawed hand to her face, caressing her cheek softly.
'Oh shh, shh, quiet now, little one," he crooned, nuzzling her cheek lovingly. 'There's nothing to be afraid of. I will feed you the sweetest bloods from my pantry while you lounge in my bower. I'll take good care of you so you never have to worry about a thing, and as my lover, you'll never have to be afraid of being injured; as a vampire you'll heal so much faster." he whispered, the tip of his tongue touching Julie's ear softly, causing a shiver of delight to shoot through Julie's body. 'I'll let you sup deeply from me tonight so that all your scars and pains will be taken away." he finished, kissing her once more and drawing back, Julie weakly reaching for him to return to her. Vorador laughed softly and reached down to pull her to him.
'You needn't worry, my dark angel," he whispered, kissing her forehead. 'I won't leave you and you won't leave me. In fact, you'll never leave me." With this statement, he held Julie in the crook of his left arm while one of his talons on his free hand cut the sensitive flesh of his chest, blood trickling to the surface as Julie watched him with half lidded eyes.
'Vorador," she whispered before he silenced her with a kiss. Slowly, he painted her lips with his blood and then raised her to the cut, coaxing her lips to his wound. Julie was frightened for a moment, but she soon understood what she was supposed to do once Vorador applied gentle pressure to the back of her skull, talons gently scratching her scalp. Slowly, she pressed her lips to the wound and began to suckle, Vorador purring and rumbling in pleasure as her tongue caressed the wound, stimulating the blood to flow. Julie felt a wave of euphoria wash over her as she drank deeply of Vorador's blood, feeling a sense of peace surround her in a comforting embrace. A low moan escaped her as she held Vorador closer to her, suddenly feeling herself being drawn into this intimate sharing of blood, the blood that tasted like rich, succulent chocolate to her.
Vorador growled lightly as Julie started to pull away, his claws forcing her head back to the wound. She looked to him, blood dripping from her lips, feeling slightly annoyed that she was being forced back to drink more of his blood.
'Vorador," she started. 'If I take anymore from you-"
'You don't have to worry about me, my Julie." he interrupted, his hold on her head letting up a little. 'I will be fine. Now drink," he added, guiding her lips back to his chest. 'Drink deep, my dearest love, so that you may be bound to me, and me alone." Julie sighed mentally, but she followed his command without protest, and commenced to drink.
Jenna, as she usually did, entered the ruined Sanctuary once more, only more cautious than she was before. She knew well that Kain would be angry with her for not going to Julie, but it was the figure that accompanied her that gave her courage and strength to sneak back into her room. It wasn't really her room, just one that she liked to be in to get away from everyone.
'I don't understand. If the Reaver was forged for you, then why the hell does Kain have it?" she questioned Raziel as they entered her chambers, one of her hands releasing her long purple hair from its tie. Raziel shrugged as he closed the door behind him, memories of when he was a vampire flooding into his mind. He stopped as he watched Jenna shake out her hair, watched as it shone even without light on it. The smell of lilacs filled the air as Jenna turned her head to look back at him, a small enigmatic smile crossing her lips as she caught him watching her.
'Raziel?" she asked lightly, mischief ringing in her voice. Raziel shook his head lightly to clear it of the thoughts he was having of Jenna.
'That I do not know," he began. 'That is why I must find answers, Jenna. And I cannot allow myself to be distracted by anything else." he replied. Raziel instantly felt a pang of guilt when he said this. You're doing it again, he scolded himself after seeing the hurt look in Jenna's eyes as she turned away to pull her hair back into a tight ponytail. You continue to push her away even when you know that she may be the only vampire that can help you.
'Jenna, I didn't mean you," Raziel started. Jenna's eyes widened slowly when he said this, apparently shocked that he actually said something like this. She turned and looked him squarely in the eyes, suddenly growing frustrated.
'Do I distract you?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest. Raziel was lost for words for a moment; he knew that when Jenna crossed her arms like she was now, either she was angry, or she was waiting for you to say something that would anger her.
'No, of course not!" Raziel said quickly, hoping that he had said the right thing. 'I meant being distracted by other tasks like… um…"
'Like being with me." Jenna finished, her violet eyes narrowing. Raziel had no answer; he had always marveled at how Jenna could catch him off guard when he least expected. She soon sighed and turned away, walking out onto the large marble balcony slowly.
'So, in other words...you're leaving again…aren't you?" Jenna suddenly asked, leaning against the handrails of the balcony, her purple eyes starting to cloud with tears.
'What?" Raziel asked, blinking slowly. Jenna took a breath and looked out to the horizon, watching as the snow began to fall once more.
'You're going off on your own again to accomplish your goals without the help of anyone else…just like you always did." Jenna began, trying to keep her voice even. 'I know that this is your fight, but you don't have to fight it alone! I mean, I know I'm not always the brightest person ever, and all I'm really good at is shifting into a wolf, but I can help you! I really can!" Jenna blurted out, turning to face him once more. Raziel stared at her, not entirely sure why she was telling him this.
'Jenna," he started gently. 'I know that you wish to help me break free from my fate, but I must do this alone. I am grateful that you are willing to be of service, but I don't want you to be in danger. You know what Kain will do if-"
'Hell with Kain! He means nothing to me! All he cares about is conquering everything he sees and killing everyone! I hate him! I hate what he has done to Nosgoth, that he condemned everyone to decay. But most of all, I hate what he did to you!" Jenna argued, tears now rolling down her face. 'You didn't deserve to die because of the way you evolved! It wasn't your fault! I can hardly call the gift of flight an example of treachery! He's just a jealous, selfish, cold hearted bastard!"
Raziel didn't know what to say as Jenna said this; he had no idea that she felt such rage, such hurt that he had been wrongfully cast.
'Jenna, what are you saying?" he asked, sensing that there was a hidden meaning behind all that she had said. Jenna trembled slightly as she stared at him, her violet eyes trying to pass on what she wanted to tell him.
'Raziel," she started, choking on her words as she threw herself once more into his arms, hugging him close to her as she let her tears fall from her face, sobbing uncontrollably.
'Raziel, don't you understand? I don’t want him to hurt you anymore! I don't want Kain to find you and do something worse to you!" she cried, her tears soaking the drape across Raziel's face. He didn't know whether to hug her to him or push her away when she said this, but her next words took Raziel by complete surprise.
'I would die a thousand deaths at Kain's hands if it meant his sparing you," she whispered, kissing the front of the drape where his lips should have been. Raziel's eyes widened as she did this, his mind whirring as he tried to remember the last time that someone had shown him affection such as hers.
'Jenna," he started, watching Jenna pull away slowly from him with a strange look in her eyes.
'Can I finally tell you what I have wanted to say for so many years?" Jenna asked tentatively, laying her hands on either side of his face. Raziel started to say something, but when he saw the desperate look on Jenna's face, he nodded slowly. Jenna took a deep breath as she closed her eyes for a moment.
'I know…that our kind shouldn't be involved with one another… but I don't care about what we are and are not supposed to do anymore. Raziel… I… I love you. I've loved from the moment that I saw you for the first time..." she whispered, her cheeks turning to a bright crimson. If Raziel could smile, he would have done so right then.
'Jenna, is that all that you were wanting to tell me?" he asked, his voice sounding a bit happier now. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked up at Raziel, seeing that his eyes were smiling down at her.
'Yes," she said, tears starting to roll down her face once again. 'I'm sorry if it seems strange to you-"
'What makes you think that I find it strange?"
'Are you saying…that you don't think that I'm strange for loving you?"
'Of course not, Jenna. I don't think of you as anything of the sort. There is nothing that you could do or say that would make me think you strange." He replied honestly. Jenna stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise and understanding. Raziel moved his hands to her face, touching her forehead with his.
'I never knew…" he whispered, white eyes closing for a moment and opening slowly. 'I never knew you felt so strongly about me, Jenna. Why didn't you tell me before?" Raziel asked. Jenna started to say something, but couldn't. Her throat felt as though it had been sealed shut.
'I was afraid…" she finally said, hugging Raziel's destroyed body to her once more. 'I was afraid that Kain would kill you and me both if I told you."
'You know quite well that I would never have let him hurt you Jenna. I sincerely hope that you believe me." He replied, stroking Jenna's hair softly. They stayed like this for many moments, neither moving away from the other. Raziel caught himself looking out to the horizon, feeling the wind blow gently on both him and Jenna.
His mind took him back to before he was cast, to the times that he often stole away to Jenna's retreat just to check on her, to make sure that Zephon or Turel were not trying to harm her in any way. It was one of those times that he came to her that he took her away to Meridian, both of them flying above the city as the stars twinkled above them.
'Jenna," he started, remembering his ruined wings. She looked up to him with her gorgeous amethyst eyes, drawing Raziel in as he glanced back down to her. 'Do you…remember when I flew with you over Meridian?" Jenna nodded, smiling as she remembered.
'Why do you ask?" she pressed, brushing her hair away from her face. Raziel chuckled quietly and threw her onto his back as he ran to the edge of the terrace, Jenna hanging on tightly.
'Raziel?! What the hell are you-" she yelled as they both began to fall some feet. 'DOOOOINNG?!" Her eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly opened as she looked down, seeing that they were thousands of feet above Nosgoth. She was lost for words as she looked about them, wondering how it was that Raziel could fly. Looking to what used to be his wings, Jenna could see that he was holding the tips in his claws, using them to glide through the air effortlessly.
'Raziel…" she breathed, feeling the wind blowing gently in her hair. Raziel looked over his shoulder at her, laughing at how she had been so afraid.
'Surely you're not frightened, Jenna!" he said jokingly, eliciting a giggle from Jenna before they both began to laugh together, Jenna's heart feeling as though it would burst with love for Raziel.
'Why should I be? I'm just flying thousands of feet above the ground!" she added. This caused another great laugh from Raziel as they continued to soar above Nosgoth, Jenna pointing out several things that she found interesting. Raziel would look in its direction and tell her about something similar that he saw on his travels.
The ground below them began to grow increasingly close, but Jenna could see where Raziel was heading once she recognized the beautiful white marble; the nine Pillars of Nosgoth. Raziel glided straight into one of them, and began to scale it effortlessly with his sharp claws and feet. Jenna held on tightly, not daring to look down below them.
'Where are we going?" she asked as she realized that they were nearing the top of the Pillar.
'I want to show you something," Raziel replied. 'It's something that I never got to show you before." Jenna was confused, but she said nothing as he finally reached the top before reaching around to pull her protectively in his arms. Jenna looked up at him, touching his face once more. For a brief moment, Jenna thought that she saw his vampiric face before her, his dark lips smiling down at her as he held her in his arms.
'I love you," she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder. Raziel nuzzled her head with his, feeling happier than he had in a long time. I love you too, my sweet Jenna, he whispered into her mind.
Jenna smiled broadly as he held her, Raziel nuzzling his head against her cheek, his way of kissing her. Jenna nuzzled him back, giggling softly as he held her tighter. For the first time since they had been separated, Jenna could honestly say that she was happy.
