A/N: Well my cry for help(Those lovely reviews) was answered and I'm back in the writing mood. :)
I fixed the little mistake Chibi Cherry Blossoms pointed out(Thank you very much ^.^) and added a little note about PMing me and helping out with a problem(something to do with my next project after I finish Demon Days) in the bottom AN of the last chapter.
The next night I dreamed myself yet again to the outskirts of Vermillion where I had said farewell to Rhykon. However, he was nowhere to be seen and I looked around in confusion. A whinny came from behind me and I immediately spun around with delight. I would know that sound anywhere. Rhykon was patting the nose of a magnificent white stallion and a black mare was trotting over in my direction. She butted her head gently into my hand and then raised her head to blow in my face. I had spent a lot of time around horses as a child and absolutely loved the majestic creatures. With a giggle I blew back into her nostrils and she nudged my shoulder.
I reached out a hand to rub her velvet fur as she searched my attire for any sort of treat. I took the moment to observe her more fully. Her coat was an unblemished midnight sky broken only by a lone white star in the middle of her brow. Her dark eyes looked up at my mournfully as she could not procure any food from my dress. Rhykon had been silently watching the horse and I get acquainted and now he spoke.
"Do you like her?" he inquired. I stroked the mare's pelt and smiled contentedly.
"I love her. She's absolutely beautiful. What's her name?" Rhykon shook his head.
"This is a dream remember? She's a product of imagination. But you may name them both if you wish," he offered. I stood in thought for a while, contemplating. Then a stroke of inspiration struck me.
"I think the name Ebony suits you perfectly," I announced with a brilliant smile. Then I turned to eye the pure white stallion. He returned my gaze steadily and with slight curiosity. He snorted and pawed at the soft earth.
"You'll be Ghost," I announced firmly to him. As a response he snorted and looked at Rhykon questioningly, almost disbelievingly. "What? You don't wish to have a name?" I asked the animal incredulously.
"Its alright, boy. Let her have her fun," Rhykon told Ghost, amused. Though he couldn't understand the words Ghost seemed to get the gist of what he was saying. Ghost flattened his ears and glanced over at me stubbornly. With an equally determined glare I stared him down and he seemed to give it up for the moment. Then I started laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
"I'm having an argument...with a horse," I chuckled. Rhykon shook his head solemnly.
"It happens to the best of us," he assured me seriously before grinning. "I take it you've spent some time around horses," he noted. I nodded absently and went back to stroking Ebony.
"I've been riding since I was a small child. I have a beautiful chestnut mare by the name of Stella in the stables. I fear I've been neglecting her of late though," I mused and promised myself I would visit her tomorrow.
"Wonderful! Well follow me then. I've got something to show you." With that he climbed effortlessly onto Ghost and the horse started to walk in the direction of the forest. I mounted Ebony and urged her to follow them, however she still seemed slightly resentful that I didn't have anything for her. With the promise of a treat she started to trot after them with a snort. We took a winding path that led up to another cliff, this one much smaller than the one on the night of the first dream.
After we dismounted Rhykon gestured near a tree and a bench formed from the tree roots. Amazingly, it was extremely comfortable and I settled into it to look around. The forest and view from the small cliff was undoubtedly beautiful, there was a glittering lake in the distance, but couldn't see what he had brought me here for.
"You'll see why I brought you here soon enough," he promised at my curious glance around. "We just have to pass the time for a few minutes." Technically he could make the time pass quicker so I assumed that he wanted whatever it was he was waiting for to happen on its own.
Rhykon came over to sit next to me and Ebony followed him to look at me expectantly. Rhykon chuckled and an apple formed in his hand. He offered it to me with a flourish and I gave it to the awaiting mare. She took it delicately, before trotting off to flaunt her reward in from of Ghost. He gave an irritated snort and turned his back pointedly on her. I giggled but abruptly stopped as an unhappy thought hit me.
"They seem so real that it's sad to believe they're a dream," I commented.
"If it makes you feel any better, they really don't realize they're not alive. Horses' minds work differently from ours and when those two are in existence they're happy. They don't think ahead to the inevitable time when they return to darkness," he explained.
"Still..." I sighed sadly. "Well, I suppose its not good to dwell on unchangeable things." Rhykon nodded in agreement. In the silence a question that had long bothered me came to mind. I hesitated to ask, for I wasn't sure I wanted the answer but plunged ahead anyway.
"Rhykon? I've been wondering...how do your people...with the truce between our kingdoms and the limited humans in Archaon how do you..." I trailed off uncertainly; not wanting to finish.
"Eat?" he finished for me. I nodded nervously. Amusement danced in his eyes as he responded.
"Haven't your parents educated you on our kingdom?" he inquired. I shook my head.
"They do. But they don't approach any of the subjects I really wish to know about. Mother thinks I'm too delicate. Shouldn't one know about how the other kingdom functions if you wish to even attempt to live in peace with them?" I asked exasperatedly. He laughed under his breath.
"Well, it's probably for the better as they would paint our kind in a bad light," he reasoned. "I don't wish to give the illusion that were are heartless monsters but neither will I withhold any truths about our kind. I believe in honesty, even in cases where a lie would be more sensitive to a matter," he explained. I waited for him to answer my question and he seemed to sense he was getting off topic for he smiled apologetically and continued. "We really don't harm anyone. There were human villages and tribes in our territory long before the vampires conquered it. Those humans are required to donate blood in return for protection. Sometimes a human will have a certain protector, the only vampire able to take their blood. Normally it is simply a general agreement with a village or tribe. Of course, servants in the wealthy vampire homes are payed extra for donating or are required by contract. No one is ever killed because the humans still outnumber us and there are plenty of willing volunteers," he explained gently.
I let out the breath I had unconsciously been holding in. I don't think I would have been very comfortable around Rhykon anymore if he had admitted to his kind killing humans.
"Why don't you tell me what you did with your life after-" In my haste to think of a different topic of conversation I had forgotten that the loss of his brother was probably a painful memory. As I realized my lapse in ensitivity I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.
"After Nicki?" he finished calmly. If he was upset he didn't show it. "It's alright Camille." He uncrossed his feet and leaned forward to stare off into the distance. "Well, I left the city of course. I had no notion of where they had taken him and realized it was dangerous for me to stay. I traveled the kingdom for a few years, never staying in one place long enough to form roots. One day I came across a troupe of performers. I'm sure you've seen some as you've toured the cities correct?" he inquired. I nodded in confirmation.
"I love watching the marvels they pull off. The illusions seem so real." Then I laughed as I thought about what I said. "But then again, so does this one," I admitted. He smiled and a faraway look came into his eye.
"Well if you've been amazed by what human performers can do then you would be captivated by the things vampires accomplish. Our speed and strength come in very useful. Anyway, as I stopped for the night in a town I saw their performance. I immediately saw a chance to make a profit and asked to join them. These vampires had no love of the rules against abilities either. Several had special skills of their own and they immediately welcomed me."
"I'm sure that they were ecstatic when they found out what you could do," I commented. He grinned.
"Of course they were. They saw the potential to make a large profit as did I. At first it was a matter of convenience for all of us but we soon became close friends as we traveled together. It may not have been a very respectful job but I could hardly do much else at the time. And I did it because I enjoyed performing. Our little group soon made a name for ourselves and began to reel in the gold. Vampires came from all over to watch us."
"But wasn't that dangerous?" I asked, confused. Certainly someone must have noticed.
"We were very careful to move constantly and never stay in one place. Besides, much of our performance could be explained away with props and effects if someone became suspicious. The government had much more to worry about then a few performers," he explained. "After a while we all became quite wealthy though we chose not to stay anywhere and buy an expensive house. It was too dangerous and we enjoyed traveling."
I was smiling widely at this point. "It all sounds so grand from my point of view. I hate all the formalities and rules and such that come along with being who I am. Sometimes I wish I was born to some other parents and had a life so adventurous as yours," I sighed. Rhykon grew serious.
"I know it sounds like fun Camille but parts of it were quite nasty. Especially if there was no cover on the road from the rain. Sometimes we would be attacked by robbers and have to fight them off. You should be grateful that you have a safe and warm place to call home," he said gently.
"I know that! But I'm sick and tired of people telling me what I should do. I'd like to run my own life thank you! And I'm also sick of everyone telling me I should be grateful to be the princess. It's rotten that's what it is!" I shouted as I stood up and stalked over to a tree. My back was turned and Ebony let out a questioning whinny. I fought back the frustrated tears and sniffed. "I'm all right darling," I reassured her.
In an instant Rhykon was beside me with a hand on my shoulder. He gently turned me to face him. "I understand that Camille and I wasn't trying to upset you. I only meant to say that you shouldn't take the good things in your life for granted. Your mother for instance. At least you have one that loves you. Do you know what happened to my mother?" he asked softly. Quietly I shook my head.
"When we were relocated from our house our mother was far too sick to move. The vampires responsible for moving us were impatient and decided she was too worthless to keep around. They decided to put an end to it. We were on our own until Nicki was taken and then it was just me," he offered tightly.
My mouth hung half open as I tried to think of something to say. What could I say? That he would have to suffer through that as a child was horrendous. To have my own mother killed in front of me...I couldn't imagine it. Rhykon reached out to brush a corkscrew away from my cheek and trace my jawline. "I just think that you should enjoy the little things in your life that are pleasant," he said softly. I closed my eyes, attempted a smile, and nodded slowly. When I opened them I gasped.
"Rhykon look behind you!" I exclaimed delightedly. He gave a secretive little smile as he turned to face the horizon.
"This is the best place in the kingdom to watch the sunset," he told me. I stood in awed silence as we watched the sun start to sink beneath the hills. The clouds were streaked with orange, pinks, red, and yellow so that they resembled the feathers of an exotic bird. The glimmering lake reflected the different hues and turned the water to stained glass. I'm not sure how it happened but as I turned to thank Rhykon for this lovely gift I found myself caught in his ice blue gaze. He looked dazed and almost helpless for a moment, as f he couldn't look away from my eyes. I'm not sure who moved first. But then his lips pressed softly against mine and I plunged headfirst into the inevitable tide.
I didn't fight it and let it sweep over me, pulling me deeper. I'd never been kissed before but instinct led the way. I parted my lips and tilted my head in an attempt to get closer. This is wrong one part of my mind whispered to me. And yet how could it feel so right at the same time? My lips moved against his desperately and his hand found the tender curve of my hip to pull me in. I let out a small whimper as his tongue worked wicked magic on me and my fingers reached up to entwine in his hair. Oh how could something like this be wrong? I wouldn't believe it and pushed the final thoughts of hesitation away. I would never regret something like this.
As my fingers tugged at his hair he made soft, delicious sounds that sent a flash of heat from my head to the tips of my toes. I felt his fingers trail down my spine and I couldn't help the tremors that ran through my body. I pulled away to gasp for air but I wasn't ready to end this so soon. Rhykon reached out a hand to cup my chin in his hand and whispered my name. And then we kissed again against the painted sky.
A/N: Ugh I'm such a hopeless romantic. I'm smiling stupidly at the computer as I'm reading through this again xD
Anyhoo yes, it was another filler. But this whole story is really going to focus on Rhykon and Camille's desperate and complicated relationship. Because oh boy there are going to be complications. I mean its going to be peaches and cream in the beginning but just you wait until later :P This chappie was like this because I'm going to build their relationship up before everything starts to fall apart. XD