There was stunned silence that nearly screamed through the air around the vampire. Cassie's face was filled with surprise, her oh so kissable mouth slightly open and her bright, blue eyes wide. "Wait a minute, she's your daughter? Since when did you have a daughter? I mean, there's nothing in the history books about you having a daughter before your death..."
Mircea chuckled softly and shook his head, dark eyes drifting down to his lap. "No dulceata," he replied softly. "I did not have a daughter before my curse."
Cassie snorted. "You actually expect me to believe that a vampire had a daughter?"
"It does happen, dulceataI. They are called dhampir, the product of a vampire and a human. I must admit that I have gravely neglected my duties as a father. In that day and age, men were not much involved with children and even less so with daughters."
He watched his little blond vixen as she mulled over the information he gave her. Her brow creased and she chewed on her bottom lip again. Her blue eyes went distant like she was Seeing something, but as she did not go ridged in the tub, he knew she was still firmly rooted in the here and now. When her eyes came back to his, he saw suspicion still lingering. "Have I ever lied to you, dulceata? I admit that I have omitted certain information, but have I ever actually lied to you?"
Again, those teeth pulled at her lip. "No, you've never lied to me, Mircea, but you can understand where I'm coming from, right? I've never even heard of a 'dhampir' and I've been in the vampire community all of my life."
"They are very rare, this is true," he conceded. "I was more than slightly surprised when I heard myself."
"So you're not with other women?" It was phrased as a question while she looked at him through that doorway of blond curls.
"No, I am only with you. I only want to be with you."
"But you're with me because the Consul wants you to be, right?"
"No." He said it firmly, his eyes going slightly hard and his jaw clenching while something twisted in his chest. The very notion that he was using her made him almost sick to his stomach. He'd never had these types of feelings for a woman, even when he was human. At first, he'd been concerned that it was just the geis so he'd attempted to not give them much thought. However, over time after the spell was lifted and the feelings lingered, he knew it was more than a simple spell gone airy.
That frown still lingered on her face but the suspicion faded from her eyes. She still seemed confused but she tilted her head and regarded him with some other emotion flitting through those brown orbs. Mircea found himself desperately hoping that she returned his feelings, but found he was too afraid of admitting his own, let alone asking her. His eyes glanced down to his mark on her neck, his unique brand claiming her for his own. It gave some comfort knowing that vampire kind recognized it for what it was, but he found himself insecure where it came to that bloody mage and it made him crazy. An insecure Master vampire. Who would have thought it could be possible.
The sound of sloshing water drew Mircea out of his thoughts and he found Cassie moving toward him to rest her head on his thigh again. He smiled softly and inwardly sighed. A peace settled in his heart that he had never realized was in turmoil. She believes me.
"Will you wash my hair, Mircea?" she asked softly. "My arms are sore and I'd really like the help."
"Of course, duceata," he replied gently. Dispite the fact that it wet his thigh from hip to knee, he wetted those tight curls while she sat propped against him. His fingers moved from scalp to neck, feeling tension there that had nothing to do with mistrust. A pang of guilt hit him. It had been selfishness that made him talk about potentially painful subjects while Cassie was so tired, tense and wounded from battle. His hands worked shampoo to a thick lather while his fingers tangled in the curls he adored and she gave him contented sighs. He rinsed her hair and she started to move away. One hand on her shoulder kept her where she was. "You need a conditioner, dulceata, and I have ordered one specifically designed for you."
The bottle was actually labelled "Cassandra" and the same shade of blue as her eyes. He'd had herbalists and mages working together to find the best formula to make her already soft curls into something like satin and give her the ability to keep them in some sort of wild organization. The concoction was slippery in his hands while he worked it through her hair. Much like other things, he thought to himself with a wicked grin. Warm water rinced it out a few moments later, just in time for a soft knock on the door.
"Master?" Rafe's voice called and Mircea slouched slightly. He'd rather hoped that he'd have more time alone with his Cassie, but he knew she needed soothing. He bid them enter and Rafe smiled when he took in the sight. A short, dark haired mage entered behind him, female and very round in shape. She was older, wrinkles across her face and hands. "This is Mage Angela Termane. She will be able to heal any wounds on our dear Cassandra."
Mircea bent at the waist and laid a gentle kiss on Cassie's brow and moved away. She gave him a frown and a soft sound of disappointment. He smiled softly, "I will be just outside, dulceata, but the healer will work easier if I am not here." With that, both vampires took their leave and shut the door behind them.
"Pardon me, Master, but Mage Pritkin is at the door," Rafe said reluctantly. "He insists on seeing to Cassie's wounds himself."
Mircea rolled his eyes and covered his face with his hands. That damned mage had a death wish, he was sure of it. However, after his discussion with Cassie, he felt himself much more relaxed and the fact that she was currently being looked after by a talented healer made him calm. He would speak to Pritkin and he would do it patiently this time.
"Take me to him," he sighed. The two made their way through the apartment quietly and quickly, finding both Pritkin glowering in the foyer with a very displeased Marco glaring at the blond man. "Mage Pritkin, I did not expect to see you again so soon." It was a greeting, even a polite one, but he couldn't help the slight growl that leaked into his voice.
The blond man straightened and his hands dropped to his sides, balled into fists. He squared his shoulders and Mircea smirked. The man was preparing for a fight. "I demand to see Miss Palmer," he said unnecessarily loudly.
"So I heard, however, Cassie is indisposed at this moment. She is in a much needed bath with a healer attending to her. I'm sure you've met Mage Termane before."
Pritkin frowned harder. Recognition flitted through his eyes, telling Mircea that he did indeed know the healer. "I should be the one healing her. I was not with her and it caused her to become injured. It is my duty."
Mircea's gaze turned hard and cold. "Reminding me of your folly is not exactly safe, Mage Pritkin," he growled. "However, you are important to Cassie so I will not punish you... yet. Cassie is in need of rest and your presence is not required. Call on her again in the morning for I will not let her see your demands until then."
"You can't keep her locked up like a slave," Pritkin hissed. He nearly yelped as Mircea was suddenly pinning him to the wall with his power, holding his entire body still with only a thought.
Mircea glared at the mage, his lip curling in a snarl. "Be very careful, mage," the vampire growled fiercely. "Cassie cares for you, yes, but my patience is not limitless when it comes to her care. You will give her time to recover or you will finally begin to see my anger." With that, he pulled back his power and watched Pritkin slump to the floor, gasping for air. "Cassie is no more a slave than you are. She is a young woman that needs looking after and as it is obvious that you cannot or will not do it, I will gladly oblige her. Now go, Pritkin, before I ask Marco here to escort you with all the strength of a vampire." Not giving much of a damn either way, Mircea turned and walked slowly back to the bedroom.
When he pushed the bedroom door open, he saw Cassie laying on the large bed, curled onto her side and smiling softly to herself. He couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips after he nodded his thanks to the old woman when she walked out of the room. He closed the door behind him and slid the lock into place before he began to walk slowly to the bed, removing his clothes while he moved. Her eyes flew open at the sound of his shoes carelessly thumping the floor. Instead of reluctance, he found her grin and the heat in her eyes exhilarating while she took in every detail of his body. Yes, he was going to look after his lovely Cassie. He was going to inspect every inch he could, inside as well as outside, as thoroughly as he could and make her writhe for him.
