So it is officially Friday at 12:04a.m.
This was the last angst-less chapter. Chapter 4 takes on a mighty twist that I guarantee you will not expect. Stay with me.
Recap: Eric kept his promise and did not harm those the lady sent in the rowboat. She made herself drapes to separate her area of the room. hehe
Captain's Log - The Following Night
I had never allowed anyone to know where my concealed daytime resting place was, but I knew that 'twas only a matter of time before the Lady knew the whereabouts of my hidden chamber beneath the floor.
As I lifted up the hatchway in the floor I peered around the empty room. I had known the room lay vacant because her sweet fragrance had dissipated. The first thing I noticed were her silly drapes that fastened along the bedpost to keep out my prying eyes. I chuckled to myself, for with such keen senses it would take much more than sheer curtains to keep out my roving eyes.
She was not in sight, but I could tell from the steady rhythms of her heart that she was close. Extracting my body from beneath the floor, I prepared myself, body and mind, for the coming evening.
Fully dressed and cleansed, I set to rights my hidden chamber and sought the company of the maiden that put the brightest star in the sky to shame. She was not just any star, but a shooting star firing its brilliance to illuminate my darkened existence. I would be fooling myself if I claimed that I could deny her company.
Opening the door leading to the wardrobe on the other side of the wall, I stepped into the next room. Poised on a cushioned chair, her back to me, she sat perfectly still as I slipped silently into the room.
Her mind seemed distant as I approached.
"Hast thee slept well?" I said, beckoning for an interchange, as I moved into her view.
She jumped in fright, gripping her bosom before regaining her composure. The beats were mesmerizing like the tantalizing efforts of a drummer boy preparing to enter a losing battle. Each swift pump of her pulse made my mouth water in anticipation, hoping that tonight would be the night that I may persuade her to let me taste. 'Twas only a fantasy filled with mockery, for such a taste would come with a price. Since she could resist my glamour, she would have to know the truth.
As her heart rate slowed she exclaimed, "I hath lost track of the hour. It shan't happen again."
She stood, elevating herself to my position, as she stared into my eyes awaiting my command. The Lady was bold in her stance, for not many daring to look me in the eye. Her posture unnerved me, creating an uneasy feeling within my chest, for I hath not wanted another wench to do my bidding. Her fire was what I desired and I never wanted to see her flames extinguished. I gestured for her to sit, for I did not expect this woman to stand in my presence. If anyone should stand it should be me, for she was a Lady more regal than a queen.
I fixed myself beside her; curious as to what such a confounding creature would do next.
Knowing that words of conduct must be expressed, I began, "Though thou art a special guest of mine, certain expectations must be rendered. Within these private walls thou may speaketh as thou wishes, but anywhere else the fruitage of thy lips will not spill forth. For if thou speakest out of turn, challenging me, then thou shall suffer the consequences like any other aboard with one and ten lashes. Have I conveyed my meaning clearly?"
"Yes Monsieur, I hath been taught well and know my place. I bartered my soul and shan't go back on my word." Her speech disturbed me, for she did not know the full meaning of a bartered soul. Centuries ago I had bartered my soul, giving up my humanity and the sunlight for the darkness and immortality. '
Twas not the same, I assured myself, for I had saved her from an arranged marriage and offered a comfortable place for her to rest her head.
Though I was pleased that she heeded my words so well, I chose a lighter subject, "Art thou in need of refreshment?" I asked.
"I am satisfied Sir, for your first mate brought me much needed sustenance."
At a loss on what else to say to the woman, I stood and bid her a good evening, but as an afterthought extended her an invitation. "My services are needed elsewhere aboard this vessel. Would thou wish to accompany me? Perhaps a tour of my ship?"
Politely she declined and answered, "I am quite weary from the late hour and shall retire. Perhaps another time when I am well rested."
Bowing slightly, I answered, "Of course, my Lady. 'Twas callous of me not to consider such a thing. Adieu." Tamping down my disappointment, for I wished such beauty on my arm tonight, I left the outer chamber, securely locking the door behind me.
Tomorrow night, I reassured myself, tomorrow she shall join me at the helm.
Captain's Log- (14 days later)
The maiden has been aboard the ship a fortnight and every night I hath extend the same offer. Every night she declined. No one had ever dared to defy me so. For appearances she was my guest, but every night that she rejected me, my instincts burned to persuade her to oblige. My blood wept in pain, desiring to force her hand through the expressed torture of others, for I well knew her kind heart would never allow such treatment. Could I devise such a plan? Would she not hate me even more?
Glamour, 'twas something she was resistant to, for I would have coerced her to bend to my will if I were able. Alas, it grieved me that I must stoop to such courteous measures to attempt to gain favor. But hath I been able to procure the lovely maiden by my side under such pleasant advances? No, she sat in my quarters night in and night out refusing all of my attentions.
Each night my invite, and her refusal was quickly followed by my departure. Her heady scent, somehow sweeter and more delicious, consumed me almost as punishment for spoiling her lot in life. The gods dangled such an untouched creature before me laughing and mocking me with every breath they took. 'Twas punishment or recompense, the reason unclear, for all the grievous sins I had committed in my long, immortal existence. Scorned for my unholy deeds the fruit of the perfect maiden was forbidden unto me. I felt like the fabled Adam, the forbidden fruit tantalizing, just outside my grasp, but knowing that to partake would result in eternal damnation. Though I had never been a Christian, still my gods would surely punish me for sullying one so pure.
Confidence I lacked naught, but the maiden had me questioning myself. Every evening after she rejected me, I endeavored to sate my thirst for her with an oafish wench whose fetid stench soured my lungs. The odor of carnal pursuits, stale ale, and heady perspiration from days without a bath masked by cheap oils hath not troubled me before, for such scents were necessary evils for survival. Stale, putrid sustenance was not appeasing my instincts any longer, for I had been spoiled by fresh, deliciously unsoiled blood awaiting in my chambers ripe for the tasting.
My carnal frustrations grew, and as I pounded my manhood into some nameless wench's willing flesh, my mind called on sweeter images. I imagined my virgin Lady under me, moaning my name exposing her ample breasts for my touch. This wench was buxom enough, but her skin was calloused from hard labor. The voice moaning my name was distastefully hoarse, and as I sank my fangs into the wanton flesh, the taste was laced with ale. I longed for the purity of my maiden.
I glamoured the wench, so she would have no memory of the brief interlude. Feeling more frustrated than before, and even less sated, I positioned myself at the helm of the ship. The fresh sea air whipping my hair to and fro calmed me naught.
Wolfgang approached me, engaging me in idle conversation. "Sir, thou seems troubled. Dost the Lady still vex thee?"
Bedding a wench had never been an issue, save for one, the maiden in my chamber.
Growling with frustration I decided his advice was what I sought, for who better to understand the mind of a human woman than a man who mixed company with such.
"Her scent is as intoxicating as the finest wine, and my instincts craved to be quenched by her blood. Her rejection fuels my desire to claim her, bending her to my will, but such action would not warm her to my advances. The more I display my affections towards her, the less yielding she becomes," I confessed, believing that Wolfgang may hold the solutions to my troubles.
"What hath ye done to warm her affections?"
I explained, "I gave her the wench Miriam as a handmaiden, for she had no attendant to help her dress. I offered her jewels to adorn her neck which she refused to accept. I hath given her a place to lay her head, yet she remains unappreciative. I hath offered her a turn about the ship, but she hast refused my company as well. For what else can I offer such a stubborn woman?"
"I hath noticed that she remains saddened by her plight as I bring her a meal each night," Wolfgang began.
Interrupting him, my eyes narrowed at his statement, I asked, "For what purpose must thee bring her food? I hath provided Miriam to do such work. What means do you expect to accomplish by this?" Had my first mate set his sights on my prize? For what other goal could be accomplished? To what end would one take on such a menial chore as to bring a woman sustenance?
"Forgive me, Captain, for I hath no ill intent. I came to thy quarters with important documents for thee. I spied the Lady silently crying and could not ignore such distress, for I had known ye wished to please her. I thought that I might be of assistance to thee if she confided to me what vexed her so. The wench Miriam, she is one of thy frequent bedmates, is she not?"
I nodded encouragingly for him to continue.
"Miriam had been quite forward with the Lady regarding her trysts with thee. The Lady fears that ye will tire of waiting, and take the one gift she has saved for a husband.
Be patient with the Lady, for she dost not desire to bed ye-" I glared at him menacingly, for what woman did not desire me as a bedmate? I was formidable in passion, and no one could compete with my skills.
"-What I meant was, she dost not know she wishes to bed ye yet. You must find a way to reach her heart. The life she led will be no more, taken by thy own hand. Let her see the likes of ye, not the tyrant she perceives. Show her the man we know ye to be."
His statement perplexed me and I responded as such, "I am no man."
"Nor I, but we live among men. There is humanity in ye, but ye must search for it."
"How shall I proceed?" I asked, longing to find a way into her body and soul.
"Give her something she values; not a trinket, fine gold, or silver, for what worth are they to an angel of such beauty? As I greet her each night with her sustenance, she sits at the dining table with her aged quill and parchment. Why not offer her thy desk and fine writing utensils for her pleasure? Persuade her to feel that the space she occupies is not just for thee, but for her comfort as well."
I found his words agreeable to my senses. My thoughts strayed to another direction hoping to find other ways to please the Lady. I asked, "When do we dock for supplies?" As first mate 'twas his task to take count of necessities for the breathers aboard, for I had no need for trivial things as human food. When sustenance dwindled aboard, we docked at a nearby supply port. The men carried on debauchery, squandering their riches and releasing their seed into any maiden who would spread their legs. These stops boosted morale and allowed me to shed my human façade, releasing my nature, hunting in the night freely. The nights allowed me to purge and sate the inner demon I carried within.
But, tonight my thoughts were far adrift from hunting and calming my loins. My mind traveled to the maiden in my quarters who appreciated embroidery and loved to sew. Perhaps she desired material to design a new frock?
Wolfgang answered, "Not for another fortnight. Perhaps when I return from my moonlit run we shall need to dock a few days." It took a moment to recall the question for my thoughts were lost upon me. He continued, "I hath noticed the Lady altered her frocks to lace up the front so as to not need assistance from Miriam when dressing. Accomplished women hold a thorough enjoyment for netting a purse, music, singing, drawing and dancing. Such things in their finery may cause the lady to rejoice."
"Accomplished women? What dost ye know of them?" I taunted mercilessly.
"Hath thee forgotten that I was fostered by nobility? Proper etiquette was taught to my sister from birth. Such measures were taught to me as well, until I changed and dishonored my adopted family. Hath thee not met accomplished women and observed the air of confidence they exude?"
"I hast bedded many such Ladies, but never hath I conversed with one. In fact, I distinctly remember a rendezvous with the Boleyn sisters. To think, poor Anne was beheaded for adultery while her only real crime was falling victim to my glamour. Alas, at least her legacy ended well, for her child, favored by Henry VIII now rules England," I replied without compassion.
Wolfgang, perhaps shocked by my admission remained silent.
My thoughts returned to his previous words, and they held merit. The Lady needed to feel like a treasured companion rather than a prisoner aboard a ship. Her regal spirit tamed my deadened heart into desiring to offer her luxuries that I had not given to any maiden before. No other beauty had received such attentions from me, but alas, no other beauty besides her deserved even a second glance.
The sea was calm giving me a moment of inner peace to plan my next course of action. 'Twas unlike battle where every move was calculated like a game of chess. Her heart was tender as mine was cold, considering how to mesh the two seemed more difficult than I imagined. She was not like other women who threw themselves at my feet ripe for the taking. She was like a blossom that lost its way to the sun, looking for light so it could bloom. Somehow amid the darkness I had to find the light, so I could be the sun she needed most.
With a sigh, I retired before the dawning day, bidding the crew goodnight, for I had much to contemplate.
Alas, as I stepped into my outer chamber I knew she had also retired for the night. Her perfumed oils lingered in the air assaulting my senses. Opening the wardrobe I entered the secret chamber where she lay asleep behind the concealment of drapes. I disrobed and hung my clothes in the wardrobe flush against hers hoping that one day our bodies would lay as close beside one another. Her scent permeated the air as I inhaled the heady fragrance from her dress.
Stepping closer to her bedside I fondled the drapes with my fingers moving the fabric aside to watch the rise and fall of her breasts. "Soon," I breathed quietly so as to not wake the angel. Such emotion that I had not felt before filled me as I took in her delicate form. This feel was strange, dredging up a time from my human life that was long since forgotten.
Her golden locks and sun-kissed flesh was the morning to my evening. She completed a circle that I had not known was broken in my soul. The unexplained feeling vexed me, for emotions were lost with a vampire turning. Somehow this woman had unearthed long buried feelings, making me a slave to my thoughts.
Sighing again, I resisted the urge to take her in my arms. Closing the drapes, I returned the flimsy fabric to its place.
Knowing that her comfort resided in the outer room I gallantly moved, with great care, the desk into the outer room. For what good was a gift if she did not content herself to use it?
The desk barely fit through the opening in the wardrobe, but with some maneuvering, success was with me. My personal papers I removed leaving only parchment, ink, and quills behind.
Observing where she sat each day, with her back turned away from the secret door in the wardrobe, I positioned the desk facing the main entrance to the room.
Blowing out the candles in the room I returned to the inner chamber. I opened the hatchway under the rug. Peering at the Lady one final time, I observed her carefully, memorizing ever movement. Blowing out the final dimly lit light I lowered myself into the hatchway, my eyes never leaving the Lady until the door was completely shut.
Opening my log I proceeded to record the events of the day and set aside a plan to woo the Lady's heart.
A/N: Thank you to my beta BathSheba Rocks. She makes the world of thee, thou, and thy make sense.
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