Hello, again. This was suppose to be a one shot, for the BTR Plot Adoption Forum challenge...but it suddenly became a possible story? I don't know anymore, but this has been an idea I've been playing with for some time now. I've shared the idea with winterschild11 and she seemed to like it, so here we go! This story was majorly influenced by the manga/anime Black Butler. If you have never seen it, I highly suggest it! It's very interesting, involving the Victorian Era and a handsome demon butler! Okay enough fan girl rambling, onward! Please read, enjoy and don't forget to leave a review! Every piece of input I get only helps me improve on my writing! Thank you again, hope my dear readers haven't forgotten about me, and again enjoy! Disclaimer: I own nothing! This just an idea that came to me and I decided to spin with it, but I don't anything but the plot! I don't own Black Butler or BTR, though it would be cool right?! Also, there is a switch between first person and third person point-of-view in this piece, you will know when and who is talking! IMPORTANT NOTE: I will have my iPad with me while I'm out of the country visiting family; updates will take time, but will come! Thank you to everyone who is still supporting me! :)
He knew me before I was even born.
My dad, when he was still alive, had arranged for him and his mother to live with us. Brooke was really nice, a model employee. When my mom was pregnant with me, Brooke laundered her sheets and made her breakfast every day; she accompanied her when Doctor Wainwright (who afterwards became my and Katie's godmother) came over for check-ups while Dad was away on business; she took her out for walks to keep her active, measured out the portions on her plate for meals and tended to her midnight cravings. She did all that with me on the way, and cherished Katie just as much.
She was like a second mother to us, and like a mother protected us with her life when Mom and Dad had to leave on business.
She was the head butler of our family, the Knight Family.
And she herself had a son, who was to take over as head butler when me and Katie were older.
His name was James, and he knew me before I was even born.
-Page Break-
"Young Master, it is time to wake up." A deep, rich musical voice soon echoed in my right ear, followed by the rustling of curtains.
A soft flash of sunlight touched my face, a light groan leaving me as I tried to bury myself deeper away into the warm, silk sheets.
A sweet chuckle made heat rise to my cheeks before a gloved hand met my tangled hair. Even through the white cotton material, I could feel his seductive caress.
"Young Master, you and Miss Katie are so alike. Both are very reluctant to leave bed in the morning. With that said however, you must rise. Lady Knight is expecting you two for breakfast."
Lady Knight was the title he used when referring to my mom. Even though Mom has known him since he was little and loved him like another son, he simply refused to address her in another way that he might deem disrespectful.
He was always a gentleman, the perfect butler.
"You know it is impolite to keep a lovely dame waiting, Young Sir." He reminded me if a bit sternly, soon pulling the cocoon I was in apart by layers.
I groaned again but gave in, slipping out of bed and stretching.
"Is Mom meeting with someone today?" I asked, my bed made in seconds.
I rarely had to lift a finger to do things around my own room. I've tried convincing him to let me pick up my own slack, I was sixteen after all, but he always smiled and shook his head.
It was his job, he would remind me whimsically, and he didn't mind doing it to the T.
"I believe so, Sir. From what she briefly discussed with me, Mister Arthur Griffin is stopping by for dinner. He wishes to discuss the possible positions for you and Miss Katie in his theater troupe." I rolled my eyes.
This again?
"Sir, I understand your frustration but please do your best to pull through. I highly doubt he will continue to hassle the Lady about this; eventually he will withdraw the offer." I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders, my face meeting a strong, warm chest.
I closed my eyes and inhaled his spicy, cinnamon scent. I always felt safe around him; he's been at my side since I was a baby but it finally became official when I turned ten. He wasn't just my butler, he's taken care of Katie for years too, but we've always been close.
Some would frown upon this: a young Earl-to-be so close to a servant, a mere butler. But he and his mother weren't just extra hands around the house. Like the rest of the staff, they were treated like family.
No, they were family. My family.
"I know. Stay with me while he visits, though?" I pleaded, meeting his eyes.
His eyes normally were a deep, lively hazel-green. They often changed colors though, sometimes taking on a dusky gold or dark chocolate. It depended on the mood he was in.
And sometimes, they went a crimson red.
Right now, they were a light scarlet.
My train of thought was broken at the smile that touched his full, pale lips. He pulled away from me only to dip down into a deep bow, on one knee with his right, gloved hand over his heart.
"I will be with Young Master until the end. And even then, I will follow into the very depths of Hell itself to be with him."
He has said this line over and over, ever since I could remember. And never once has he gone back on his word.
He's kept his word ever since my dad passed away. And even with his mom passed away, too.
"Thank you." I whispered, that granting me another one of his kind, beautiful smiles.
"My dear Master, no need to say such words. I am to serve you, I am to care for and protect you with my life. Hell is my home, yet not that of my charges. Now, I must get you dressed and ready for the Lady. Would you be so kind as to stand still? It will just be for a few minutes. Leave this task to me."
-Page Break-
I willed my heart to stop its gymnastic routine as he dressed me. He unbuttoned my pajama top and properly folded it once it was off my shoulders, my pale skin tingling every time his gloved hands brushed my arms. He checked for wrinkles in the long-sleeved, dark blue shirt I was to wear today; once the inspection pleased him, he worked my arms through the sleeves and buttoned it in seconds, adjusting the collar once my black tie was done. From there he pulled a matching vest over my shoulders and buttoned it halfway, brushing away any lint.
I worked my long, lean legs into the pressed, black dress pants; once they sat comfortably around my hips, he buckled my belt.
I had my eyes closed the whole time, hoping my face wasn't resembling a tomato.
My dress shoes, polished to a shine, were on my feet soon afterwards, the ankle-length socks snug around my toes. He smiled and soon adjusted the heavy black eye patch over my right eye, giving me time to look at myself in the bathroom mirror as he went to the tea set on my bedside table.
"Earl Grey tea, sir?" He asked, the cup and plate in his right hand shining like a gem.
I use to hate Earl Grey tea, because of the smell. The taste though was to die for; most kids my age don't do tea, but I don't do alcohol or drugs. I prefer to be addicted to Earl Grey or Ceylon over pot and vodka.
"Yes, thank you." I replied, taking hold of the plate with a smile.
"Now it is time to meet Miss Katie and Lady Knight downstairs, My Lord." He said, offering me his hand. Well, the hand not balancing the silver tray he had used to carry the tea set up the stairs.
He smiled at me, eyes a richer, darker red now.
I couldn't say anything back, my only smart action being to take his hand and let him lead me out of the room.
-Page Break-
"There you are you two, it's about time! Geez big brother, you sure are a bum!" My sister Katie teased us as we entered the grand dinning room, her big brown eyes sparkling mischievously.
I stuck out my tongue, our mom laughing from the head of the table. "Says the girl who once took thirty minutes in the bathroom on a Sunday." I shot back, that making her go red.
"I thought it was Monday! My calendar was off, sue me!"
James got into a deep bow, though instead of a hand over his heart he kept his arms loosely at his sides this time. "Please accept my most sincere apologies, My Lady Knight. The Young Master was a bit cranky this morning, nothing a cup of freshly brewed Earl Grey couldn't cure though. I will serve breakfast now; My Lord, let me get you seated."
"James, you know you don't have to apologize." My mom said with a soft grin, he responding with a smile back as he pulled my chair out and tucked me in nicely once I sat down.
"Of course, My Lady. Still I'm usually punctual in these matters so please do excuse my tardiness. I have much to prepare for Mister Griffin's arrival in such a short amount of time. For today's breakfast I've prepared poached eggs with the family's choice of scones, muffins and pan dulce. I'll have morning tea out shortly." With another bow James left the room for the kitchen, our cook Logan's shouts bouncing off the walls.
"I swear, James is one faithful young lad." Mom said fondly, me unable to hold back the smile that soon pulled at my lips.
"Yeah, he is." Katie smirked.
"He has to be, if he can get you out of bed the first time around."
"Oh hahaha, funny baby sister." I stuck my tongue out at her again, she rolling her eyes in response. My mom didn't scold us for the teasing; unlike most brothers and sisters, Katie and I were thick as thieves.
Teasing/helping each other out with pranks was our way of showing sibling affection.
"Well calm down you two, and please promise me that you will be on your best behavior for Arthur today. Hopefully this will be the last time he pleas to me to reconsider his proposition." Mom began as James reappeared and began serving tea; Logan the cook, a raven-haired boy around my age but way smarter (not that I'm stupid), rolled the cart around the table to serve us our plates, he shooting me a wink as he did.
I grinned back and picked up my fork, busying myself with the heavenly-smelling food as Katie snorted into her steaming cup.
"Mom, the guy's a creep. All he wants is to marry you to become Earl, not to mention his brilliant idea on turning me and my big brother into circus freaks." She deadpanned, pouring milk into her tea and stirring counterclockwise. Mom sighed with an understanding gleam in her soft golden-brown eyes.
"I know honey, I know but eventually he will grow tired at the lack of response and drop the topic altogether. After all, it's not the first time he's tried to worm his way into my heart through those around me. Isn't that right, James?"
James refilled my cup with a flick of his wrist before turning to my mom with a smile, dark red eyes twinkling. "Yes, My Lady. I found it amusing: Mister Griffin offering me wealth and an arranged marriage in exchange for my loyalty. A true butler does not betray his family, as my mother use to say. Plus, I do not find his daughter pleasant in the slightest. Beautiful maybe, but intelligent conversation matters more to me than appearance."
"That, and that you don't like girls or guys period..." Katie butted in, getting a glare from me at this. James just laughed it off though, dark chocolate hair defying gravity in soft, short spikes.
"Miss Katie, demisexual doesn't mean I'm not attracted to neither gender. I wish to develop a strong emotional bond with someone, or someones, before any sexual desires come into play. In terms of a partner, I feel that absolute trust and faith is needed before other things; I also feel that such a thing, in this case sexual desires, can be put off until the time is right. Physical intercourse would mean nothing to me if no deep, immense emotional link is present." James has explained this several times over, ever since he "came out".
Katie feigned confusion all the time. For someone just becoming a teenager, she was more mature than most kids her age. She knew what demisexuality was, just like she knew what homo, bi, pan, and asexuality were. I was pan and she was okay with it, just like Mom. Our cook Logan was gay, so was our gardener Carlos and the two were a couple. Our house maid Lucy was asexual but in a romantic relationship with Camille, a butler-in-training under James's tutelage. Katie was the only straight person in the house apart from our mom, and they were not repulsed at all by the company.
She just loved teasing James about being a twenty-four year old virgin. Even though I was far from a virgin, mind-wise, I've never done "it".
There was only one person I fantasize about experiencing so many things with, but it was only a dream. A dream that would never come true.
My chest tightened painfully, though I forced myself to continue eating.
"Okay enough hounding James, Katie." My mom spoke up, a light blush gracing her cheeks. The aforementioned brunet chuckled again, suit jacket off and hanging from the back of my chair.
"It is alright, My Lady. I adore the Miss as if she was my sister." He said, leaving my side to press a soft kiss to Katie's forehead, wiping at her mouth for her with a smile.
Part of me wanted to laugh out loud as my baby sister's face went tomato red again, a glazed look now in her eyes. Another part of me, however, couldn't stop the blush that took over my face too.
The thing about James was, was that his presence was intoxicating. His voice was so smooth and rich that it could seduce a stranger at a party; his eyes were so deep, others would get lost in their hypnotizing depths; his face so perfect past guests have mistaken him, on several occasions, for an Earl or Viscount. He could make anyone swoon or flush at the sight of him, enchanted by his polite and charming demeanor. Even Carlos and Lucy have fallen for his antics a few times, and they were happily taken!
He rarely flirted with others, preferring to tend to his duties as the butler of the Knight Family. He was close to Carlos and Logan, Lucy and Camille; the six of us basically grew up together, best friends despite our varying social statuses. He found playing hockey with me, helping Katie with her schemes, and picking out mom's best dresses more entertaining than fighting off deranged fan girls only interested in having him in their beds. Of course not all were like that; Lily and Annie turned to be really cool girls, but so far only them.
And sometimes, I wished James wasn't so intoxicating. I really hate watching others go gaga over him; even though he and I weren't together, in that sense, part of me liked staking claim over him.
After all we've been together since before I was even born. We have something that some random face in the crowd wouldn't be able to forge with him; he wasn't mine, but I was his. No, I AM his.
I am his, that is something no one can take away from me.
"Go away, pretty boy." Katie hissed in James's face, rubbing at her burning cheeks. Even though I could tell she was trying to scowl, it looked more like she was pouting.
James merely smiled and kissed her again, only this time on her button nose. Logan muffled his snickering, dark brown, almost black, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"As you wish, Miss Katie. Young Master, is everything alright? You've hardly touched your eggs, are they not satisfying? Please forgive the grave discourtesy on my part if so, though I wonder if Logan did remember not to add salt and pepper to your dish..." Said raven-haired boy went pink around the ears, vanilla skin flushed a sweet strawberry.
"I-I, I'm sorry Young Master! I sometimes forget you don't like salt and pepper in your eggs!" He began blabbering nervously, clearly forgetting (or ignoring, like James did) that I didn't like being called "Young Master" or whatever by my friends. He fisted his apron over and over, ducking his head in shame.
I rolled my bottle green eyes and shook my head, winking at Logan. "Logan, calm down before you have a stroke. The eggs are fine, great as always. I was just thinking is all." The smart raven looked a little doubtful but soon took my words to heart and sighed in relief.
"Oh I see, forgive me, My Lord. Wait, I mean Kendall, s-sorry Kendall!" I snickered, normally Logan didn't get so easily shaken up but with James he lost his cool in seconds.
He had that effect on a lot of people.
"It's okay, Loges. No blood, no foul." I said, quoting my dad. It made Katie smile and Mom tear up. They were happy tears though.
"Got it, I'll get Lu to clear the table when everyone is done. Do not fret, we the staff will handle it! Please excuse me!" With a bow to my mom Logan left for the kitchen, smiling at us over his shoulder.
"My Lord, are you sure the eggs suit your taste? Would you like me to prepare a fresh batch? And My Lady and Miss, has the meal left you two so unsatisfied as well?" James's usually calm expression fell into one of concern, he getting down on knee at my side and taking both of my hands.
I felt my face, once again, turn a bright red. Katie snickered in the background and I could feel Mom's amused look burning into my flesh.
James's fallen angel-like face wasn't helping my case, either.
Damn it.
"James."
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Come with me upstairs." A sudden anger, frustration welled up inside me, me forcing my chair back as I rose to my feet.
The beautiful brunet's eyes soon went darker, the red the same shade as dried blood. A devilish gleam lit them up like a stray firework; a faint smile touched his flawless lips, yet the small of his back blocked it from my mom and Katie's view.
"As you wish, Young Master. If you will permit me to clear your spot, then I-"
"No, now. It's something important, we need to talk now." I said, adjusting the patch over my right eye.
"...As you wish then, My Lord. Please excuse me, My Dears. I will get to work on the meal for Mister Griffin once the Young Master allows me to. Please excuse me again and I do hope this morning has been pleasant."
-Page Break-
We were both silent as we walked up the stairs back to my bedroom. The still air was left untouched as we entered, I sitting down on my bed with my hands over my lap. James stood before me, posture perfect: back prostrate, hands folded politely in front of him, jacket back on over his black vest and white, long-sleeved dress shirt. His head was tilted to the side as if confused, eyes everything but their normal hazel-green.
My balled up hands began shaking, soft sniffles leaving me. James grew alarmed, eyes widening while his gloved hands lightly descended upon my shoulders. "My Lord, what's wrong? What is making you so distraught?"
But I didn't want to answer verbally.
I raised my head to glare coldly up at him, he clearly surprised by the confusion, already there, carving lines into his smooth forehead.
"My Lord?" I grabbed the front of his jacket, a tear leaving my visible eye before...I flipped our positions and threw him down to the bed, his body taking what was once my space.
He bounced once against the soft, cool sheets before everything went still again. His eyes were still wide, lost on my actions while I ripped off my eye patch and climbed on top of him.
"My Lord?" He said again, his eyes seeming to light up again, those pools of blood devouring me from the inside out.
I took a deep breath before I forced our lips together, prying his mouth open with my tongue and digging my fingers into his vest.
He made a surprised noise yet it was greatly muffled by our lips pressed together, I squeezing my eyes shut tight.
-Page Break-
The kiss was the most amazing experience ever.
James's lips were soft, extremely soft and warm and tasted like the way he smelled: hot, spicy cinnamon. The inside of his mouth was just as warm and delicious in a bittersweet way, the tip of his tongue grazing the roof of my mouth.
Trust me, it was more romantic and sensual than what I'm describing it to be. I'm not that good with words when it came to James.
He was stiff for a few minutes, probably still shocked at my actions. At first I was beginning to pull away, ready to let him walk out of the room...when his hands were soon messaging my hips.
His bare hands. He had removed his gloves.
And they were messaging my hips slowly, deeply.
My face was bright red at this point. Then again, when hasn't it been today?
A feral growl erupted from his torso, then suddenly I was the one pinned to the bed. I was struggling to breathe, my cheeks heavily flushed and heart ramming against my chest like a jackhammer. My vision was a bit blurry from the lack of oxygen, but once I took in a few gulps everything was sharp and focused. James's eyes were wide, wider than dinner plates and a deep burgundy red. He ran his tongue across his upper lip, teeth...sharper and longer than before. A long, crooked smile twisted his lips, but the gleam in his eyes was cautious.
"James?" I choked out, the mark on his right hand giving off a soft purple glow.
The Mark.
The Mark was of a five-pointed star. Strange words, in a language I couldn't read, around the star encased by a circle.
I gasped as my right eye began to burn, a soft purple glow reflecting off James's eyes. I could see, reflected against the surface of his burgundy eyes, the same five-pointed star encased in a circle with the same strange, powerful words. It was glowing, The Mark against his skin and The Mark within my eye.
The Mark of The Covenant.
What binds us together, the contract that was made when I was a baby.
When I was a baby...
-Page Break-
James and Brooke were demons.
Back when my dad was still alive, he was the Earl of the Knight Family. As Earl, he gained many friends but also many enemies. His life was always on the line, and the family the prime target his competition always had at the front most part of their minds.
After a failed assassination attempt nearly took my mom to an early grave, my dad turned to black magic.
He had a teacher train him in the art of summoning demons, an idea in mind: he knew he was going to die. My dad knew he was going to die, natural or unnatural, but he knew he was going to die. If and when he dies, his family would be left alone. The staff he's raised as his own children, his beloved wife and unborn son and daughter, everyone in the Knight Family bloodline would be near extinction.
And so, my dad decided to make a compromise.
He made a deal with Brooke, one of the most powerful demons in her realm. He made a deal with her: she and her son James would vow to protect the future heirs of the Knight Family. They were to guard the family with their lives, keep me and Katie safe, and if necessary eliminate any threat, big or small, to our mom. Brooke was to protect my dad in his last days and my mom; that left James to take me and Katie as his charges. That was how he was able to de-age and grow up with me, how he was six when I was six.
But also how I am sixteen while he is twenty-four. In reality, he was over thirty-thousand years old.
James, my best friend and perfect butler, was a demon.
And what did they gain from serving my family until the end? Well, that's an easy answer to give.
My soul. Katie's soul. The day I die, the day she dies our souls...James will devour them. In exchange for protection, our dad sold our souls. Not just mine and Katie's, but his and Mom's. Our souls were theirs to eat once we passed on.
But since Brooke died (it's hard to believe, but even demons could be killed) that meant that James would get to feast upon my mom's soul instead, hers and mine's and Katie's. Dad's soul, that had been Brooke's last meal.
Demons did services for mortals, but only in exchange for those mortals' souls.
Dad knew the price he had to pay for our safety. He didn't damn us to Hell, though. He did this to save us.
The only damned around here was James.
James...
-Page Break-
"Young Master, we shouldn't have done this..." James purred in my ear, a thin, warm hand stroking my lower back.
A soft whimper left my kiss swollen lips, my green eyes meeting his.
His eyes, they were a gentle hazel-green. The hazel-green I remembered meeting him with, the first time I met him as a baby.
"Why? Do you...regret doing this with me?" I asked, feeling a pang of pain enter my chest. James's facial expression softened and he cupped my face, nuzzling our noses together.
"Of course not, Young Master. It's just...you were pure, innocent and clean of all sin. But now, I fear I may have led you down the path of damnation. Sleeping with a demon, it's like breaking the Law of Man; you are meant to reach Heaven, to live the afterlife in a serene paradise."
"And if Heaven, my Heaven, is with you?" I whispered, my eyes going wide when he gave off a slow, deep thrust. A loud moan escaped my lips, he muffling it with his own as he claimed my lips, once more, in a sensual, passionate kiss.
"A demon such as I, did not deserve to be the one that took your virginity...Kendall." He picked up the pace at this point, sliding in and out with ease. I gasped, my eyes rolling into the back of my head; I threw my arms out, fingers bumbling for the sheets before I found his strong, powerful shoulders.
"Oh G-God...!"
"And yet, I find it hard to feel guilt over something I do not regret. Your soul has already been promised to me, the contract binds us exclusively despite your mother and sister's souls on the line as well. Your soul, your essence has been mine since the day you were conceived; your body, your heart though was what I did not possess and that irked me so. You belong to me, Young Master; those who have touched you will burn in Hell when their time comes. Hopefully the contract will allow me to be the one who leads them to Hell, for I rarely get a chance to feed on such vile souls.
My vision was blurred, spots of white dancing everywhere; he changed the position we were in, working one of my legs around his right hip while his free hand gently caressed my chest and lower stomach. I melted in his embrace, he making sure I was comfortable in his lap before he began thrusting again. I whimpered again and threw my head back, heart practically exploding in my chest when his lips and nose brushed the curve of my neck.
"I don't find vile souls to be filling but they do...alright to keep the glutton within at bay. I take great pride in my reputation, My Lord. I don't settle for less, and I don't take more than I can handle. The Diamond lineage doesn't produce a failure: we offer our services and complete them to a T, and our immorality and endless youth help us attract those of power and prestige. When your father, may he rest in peace, sought me and my mother out I was suffering withdrawal. Demons require a certain amount of souls to be satisfied; once that amount is reached, we can go for centuries without the constant desire on our tongues. Some however have trained themselves to live off of only lost souls: souls of those who have left lingering regrets. Souls we have come into contact with. My mother was famous for being one; I was training myself, testing whatever limits I possessed. I wished to devour the souls of only those I knew.
"I wasn't doing so well at first, I'm afraid. It's hard; so many souls for the taking, though only touch those you know? And at best, souls you know...or knew, well? Impossible I thought, how could my mother resist such temptation? But then...then came along you, Young Master.
Tears ran down my flushed cheeks, the pleasure so intoxicating yet I didn't want to pull away. James lightly bit at the skin below my left ear. "Such a fine soul, so sweet and innocent! I haven't seen a soul like that in years, and I've seen so many! And when Mother said that I was to take you as my charge...my heart, if only I truly had one, exploded! I wasn't going to go against the offer: your soul for years of servitude, I found it fair.
"But then...the simple desire for your soul grew to become the desire for your body. Lust isn't a foreign concept to our kind; I was the product of lust, you see. Of course to keep the blood pure, demons have sex with mortals merely for entertainment. Haha, you mortals have such interesting sexual fantasies. If another of your kind cannot take you to such levels of ecstasy, well us demons can happily fulfill the order. My father died days after I was born; in our realm, matriarchy is more common. Like the preying mantis, demon males are meals to their partners. I didn't have a father not because of fate; I didn't have a father because the patriarch, to our kind, isn't always what breeds clever, hard-working offspring. Some lineages do fall under a patriarchy, yet my mother was famous for being a lone wolf. She was strong alone, and strong with others. I was her only child.
James breathed in the smell of my skin, my body subconsciously pressing more into him. "She warned me about this, this...desire for a mortal. Demons, unlike most humans, do not pass judgement on each other simply for the gender of their significant other. She warned me that if I developed an unprofessional attachment to anyone, that I'd fine it difficult to remember what I am: a creature exiled by a supposed God. Creatures banned by such a force can't have the pleasures of humans. But I didn't heed her warning enough: I've done what she warned me not to do. Young Master...Kendall...I've fallen for the holder of my contract. The soul I was promised, is the soul I now wish to keep safe for all eternity. The soul I did not wish to condemn to damnation.
He gently cupped my chin, pressing butterflies kisses to every inch of skin his lips could reach, before our eyes were tightly locked.
His mouth was in an uncharacteristic frown, eyes soft and expression vulnerable.
"What have you done to me, My Love? You've made me take one bite, just one, of the forbidden fruit and now...I do not wish to stop tasting it." He whispered, he pressing a soft kiss to the skin below my right eye.
The eye that contained The Mark.
"Then don't." I whispered, running a hand over his bare, warm, hard chest.
"I beg your pardon, My Lord?"
"I said, then don't. Don't stop tasting something you like, especially when it's all yours." I nipped at his earlobe as I said this, snuggling my head against his shoulder.
A low growl left James at this.
"Is that an order or a request, Young Master?" His tone was playful, teasing. I nipped at his earlobe again, though applying more pressure this time around.
"Make love to me again, James."
I could feel him smile, even when his lips were brushing against my hair.
"As you wish...My Master."
-Page Break-
"Wow, I almost forget how far from home this manor is!"
Mister Arthur Griffin climbed down from his carriage and stretched his long, wiry arms above his head. He brushed off his expensive suit and adjusted his dark brown hat, one heavily-ringed hand gripping the top of his new cane.
"Daddy, why are we here again?" His lovely blonde-haired daughter, only daughter, Mercedes climbed down soon after him, making a face at the Knight Manor.
She hated when her father dragged her here.
Griffin chuckled and kissed his daughter's cheek, dark brown eyes twinkling. "Mercedes honey, we talked about this at home! If we can't get the two Knight children to join my theater then maybe an arranged marriage will seal the deal! The boy, Kendall I believe, is sixteen like you. He's next in line to be Earl, but if he marries you then we'll be family! That will buy me plenty of time to court Lady Jennifer; that will promise me the position as her husband, meaning that I will inherit the title of Earl over her snappy little brat!"
"Which one, the stumpy tomboy or the blond drama queen?" Mercedes sneered, earning another laugh from her father.
"You sure have a sense of humor, sweetie! But let's keep the comments between us, shall we?"
"Why Daddy, worried about Lady Jennifer catching on to your ruse?" Griffin's face darkened considerably.
"It is not her I worry about, dear. It is...that child pretending to be a butler."
"James you mean, why Daddy I dislike him so! How is he prettier than me, he's a man and I'm a woman! That is injustice!" Mercedes snapped, pulling out her fan.
"Yes, I do too my dear. He's always there, watching like a hawk. That boy...something is not right about him. He's been living with the Knights since he was a child, yet he's only twenty-four."
"Your point, Daddy?"
"My dear, my point is that that boy was a toddler when Kendall was born; the problem is however that when Kendall celebrated his tenth birthday, the age in which James officially became his butler, he was ten as well. How is it that they were both ten one year, but then the next one is eight years older?"
"Daddy, I think you're seeing things. That's impossible." Mercedes chided, looking lost.
"I know it sounds strange dear, even for me, but it's the truth. That boy...he's too perfect to be real. Every order he draws out to a T. He's gentle in the kitchen, yet extremely protective of the family. His mother, such a beauty, passed but he didn't seem so torn up. It was like he was expecting her death, but in the end was still caught in shock. Either way, that boy isn't right and once I'm Earl he'll be the first one to go to H-"
"Welcome to our home, Mister and Miss Griffin!"
Said two jumped as the Knight Family's gardener Carlos jumped before their eyes, some twigs caught in his tousled black hair. He was dressed in his usual clothes, a white shirt and plaid yellow bottoms; his light brown sandals stood out against the rich greenery, sun hat shielding his puppy brown, almost black, eyes from the intense rays.
"Oh pardon me, I didn't mean to startle you two! Mister James asked me to greet and walk you to the front door; the Lady has been patiently awaiting your arrival!" The hyper Latino exclaimed with an ear-to-ear smile.
Mercedes and her father wrinkled their noses in barely concealed disgust; none of them found the Knight Family staff pleasant.
"Of course, after you then."
"Right this way please, and let me take your coats and hat!"
-Page Break-
"Great, the circus is here." Katie whined as she spotted Carlos leading Mercedes and her dad going up the house front steps.
I hid a smile as James chuckled, adjusting the big, baby blue rose hair clip in her hair. "Do not fret, My Princess. It'll be over before you know it; now remain still, please. I'm just about finished with your dress...and done! Lovely Rose, you are ready!"
I turned away from my tea to see what my baby sister was wearing: a long dress with many ruffles along the waist, off the shoulders and frilly in a soft, baby blue that matched her hair clip. Her usually straight brown hair James had curled for the occasion, the soft twists framing her pale, heart-shaped face. Her gloves stopped at her elbows, black but with baby blue bows at the wrists. She had a choker with a matching bow around her neck, and her shiny heels were black.
She looked like a doll, so pretty and adorable.
And she absolutely hated it.
"I hate the fact that Mom's making me wear my best dress for creepy Griffin." She scoffed, crossing her arms.
I felt her pain, because I was wearing my best suit for Griffin, too. It was a long-sleeved button-up under a vest and crisp, form flattering dress pants. I had my usual eye patch on, the ring that belonged to my dad on my left index finger, and a trench coat pulled over everything. Apart from my coat, vest and dress pants, my shirt was baby blue; Katie and I matched.
We've never matched before in our entire lives. Well, until now.
"And despite that, you two look amazing. You'll see, this dinner will be over quickly."
"Did you poison Griffin's dish?" Katie asked, looking a bit hopeful. I rolled my eyes, though part of me was hoping for that too.
James chuckled, eyes a soft ruby. "No, My Princess. The Lady would have my head for that; that act would be a great discourtesy on behalf of the family. No, I just feel that everything will benefit us; I caught wind of Griffin proposing an arranged marriage once more, only this time Young Master is the lucky suitor for Miss Mercedes."
To others James seemed passive, but that glint in his eyes was everything but.
"How is that good?" Katie asked, the brunet turning back to her with a smile.
"I never said the Young Master WILL marry her. It's just a proposition; Lady Knight knows Miss Mercedes isn't a perfect match for him, all that matters to that...rich urchin is appearances. Please forgive me for my tone and poor language, I just dislike how they see the family." James added the apology when he saw Katie's surprised look, busying himself with pouring her a cup of steaming hot Ceylon (she liked it more than Earl Grey).
"Please pardon me, Miss Katie. I shouldn't have used such poor language around you and Master Kendall. If you will excuse me..."
"James, wait." I whispered, catching his wrist.
"Umm, I'm going to see what Lu and Cam are up to..." Katie said, putting on her shoes and leaving the room.
"Yes?"
"I love you." The words jumped off my tongue faster than my brain could process them. That didn't mean I regretted them, though.
His deep red eyes grew wide at this, he picking me up easily and cupping my chin.
"Love, a demon?" He asked. I leaned over and pressed my lips to his in a soft, gentle kiss.
"Yes, I love a demon."
And I had no regrets, at all.
"Do you have any regrets?" I asked, resting my forehead against his.
"No." I didn't doubt his answer. James has always been brutally honest: often a nice touch, others a pain in the ass.
But always honest he was.
"I promise to behave for them, James. All I ask, is that you stay close."
"But don't you want me to extend the finest courtesy, Young Master?"
"Yes, but please...stay close." He smiled once more and buried his face into my neck.
And said the words that sealed the deal.
"I will be with Young Master until the end. And even then, I will follow into the very depths of Hell itself to be with him."
~ To be continued? ~