Merry Christmas! And happy new year and winter to all of you that don't celebrate Christmas! I own nothing excpet for the ten members of the Romanian coven minus Vladimir and Stefan! Please review!

Warnings: Naked people, burned heads


"Stefan, lace my cape tighter. It's too lose."

Twenty-two year old Stefan smiled and walked towards his lord with ease, tightening the lace on his cape. "You're so fussy, my lord," he teased lightly, knowing full well Vladimir didn't care. "Are you never pleased?"

"Hmph, I'm pleased when things are done correctly."

Stefan smiled even wider. "And how often does that happen?"

"Not enough."

I am the servent, and you are the king

Stefan just shook his head, noting in the fact that he was almost Vladimir's height. Just an inch or two below. It seemed like only yesterday that he was a scrawny child plauged by the dream of dying. Not that he didn't dream of that, but he liked serving Vladimir. He felt important when he did. He laced the cape and then faced Vladimir. "There you go," he said briskly. "All fixed."

Vladimir nodded. "I see," he said. "I'm glad you know your job, oh and one thing..."

"I know," Stefan interrupted. "I'm not to leave the room when neighboring vampires come visiting. Honestly, I'm not a child."

Vladimir nodded. "Well you haven't disobyed me yet, so I will be leaving now," he said and he left the room, leaving Stefan behind. Stefan sat down on the bed that Vladimir let him have. He stretched out, placing his hands behind his head and closing his eyes. He knew that in evenings while he was sleeping, Vladimir would be reading, or watching him sleeping. He used to be creeped out by that, but now, he was used to it.

"Stefan! Stefan!"

Stefan turned to see the twins running to him, smiles on their faces. He smiled at his friends and nodded to them. "Aurelius, Antonetta, what is it? Surely you know we can't leave our master's quarters while they're busy with political affairs. It would spill trouble."

Antonetta pouted. "But we're bored and besides, I don't think Lady Anica and Lord Vladimir will mind if we spend the day together."

Aurelius nodded. "Besides, they don't want us to cause trouble. Not that we do, but you know what I mean."

Stefan shook his head. "You guys can stay here, I have things to do anyway," he said, pulling out some of Vladimir's clothes and laying them out, deciding which ones Vladimir would like to wear that evening. He decided on a black shirt with intricate patterns and regular black pants. He sighed and ran a hand through his curly hair. He turned to his friends. "So, do you want to help me?"

The twins left at the word help and Stefan laughed. He knew the twins hated work and shook his head. Looks like he would have to do all the work by himself. Oh well, no way around it. He made the bed and cleaned the dust off the book shelves of his room. He had lots of books and Stefan hadn't even finished one shelf. After his work was done, he pulled out a book and settled himself down on his bed, flipping through the pages.

"Stefan?"

Stefan looked up to see Vladimir standing the door way. Stefan jumped up, throwing the book down and rushing to his master's side. He looked at him. "What is it?"

"I'm done and I want to bathe."

Stefan nodded and followed Vladimir down the corridors. They stepped into the bathing hall and Stefan helped Vladimir strip, trying to ignore the feelings of doing so. It started when he was twenty and whenever he undressed Vladimir, it was exciting. Vladimir would never let him touch his pants, but Stefan didn't care. He knew the dreams from the circus still affected him.

"Stefan? Are you coming in?"

Stefan nodded and stepped in, looking at Vladimir's back side and feeling heat rise to his cheeks. He tried to lower his heart beat, knowng the vampire would be able to hear it. He scrubbed Vladimir's back and the vampire lolled his head back and rested it on Stefan's shoulder. "It feels good, knowing all that tension is off my shoulders. Egyptian vampires can be bothersome."

Stefan nodded. "I would imagine so," he said slowly. "They keep wanting to expand their territory."

"Amun is certainly a pain, always watching us like a hawk."

Stefan thought for a moment. "Then you should have others watch their moves, see what they're doing."

Vladimir nodded and they stayed in that position for a while, neither of them moving. When they eventually did move, Vladimir sent Stefan back to his room, going back to his coven mates. Stefan walked back quietly, watching the setting sun. He stood in front of the pillars for a moment, thinking of his family. He wondered how they were, or if they were even alive now. It had been nine years now. Katrina would most likely be married.

Stefan leaned against the pillar, his curls falling against his face. His gray-brown eyes looked golden in the sunlight. He was not a bad looking human, that was for sure.

"Hello there, young one."

Stefan turned to see a man walk towards him, a coy smile on his face. He took Stefan's hand; kissed it and looked into his eyes. "What's a human like you doing in a place like this? Haven't they killed you yet?"

Stefan frowned. "Lord Vladimir will not kill me. He has kept me for six years and has no intention to do so."

"You sure about that?"

Stefan nodded. "Quite sure."

The vampire laughed and gave a bow. "Alas, my name is Amenei, from the Egyptian coven."

Stefan nodded. "I'm Stefan."

Amenei smirked and took Stefan by the arm. "I do not know you that well, but I must say; if Vladimir has kept you this long, then he must really like you."

Stefan's face redened. "Oh no, he just likes that I do job well."

Amenei smirked and he brought Stefan's hand to his mouth. "If you think that, I won't tell you wrong," he began sweetly. "But you're a good catch. I wouldn't mind having you around down in Egypt."

Stefan pulled his hand away, feeling slightly nerveous. "That's very flattering, but.."

He felt the man put his lips to his ear, tracing the shell with his tounge. "You intrigue me, Stefan," he whispered. "I wouldn't mind seeing more of you." He let go of Stefan and walked away, trailing his fingers good bye. Stefan shivered and hurried back to his quarters. He laid down on his bed, closing his eyes. What was wrong with some vampires? Why wouldn't they leave him alone?

He was awoken when he heard the door slam open and Vladimir stormed in, pulling Stefan up and then slamming him down, red eyes looking as if they could kill. "Who was that man you were speaking to? Tell me!"

Stefan raised an eyebrow. "His name was Amenei? Why?"

Vladimir got up and stormed out of the room, but not before saying, "It doesn't concern you,"

Stefan shook his head, trying to calm his speeding hearbeat. What was that about? Why would Vladimir care if he had spoken to another vampire? It's not as if Stefan didn't speak to others. His heart beat even quicker when Vladimir came back, blood on his clothes. Stefan raised an eyebrow, but his face paled when he noticed the head in Vladimir's head.

Amenei's head, to be specific.

Stefan took a step back, covering his mouth in horror. "What..what did you do?"

Vladimir chucked the head into his fire place, grinning as the head burned into ashes. "I took care of a problem. No one will be bothering you anymore."

"He wasn't bothering me! He was flirting! That's all!"

Vladimir pulled Stefan by the throat, slamming him against the wall and staring at him mercilessly. Stefan glared at him, becoming annoyed by this behavior. Vladimir glared back, his lips trailing down Stefan's neck. "He touched you, and no one touches my property."

And for the first time in six years, Stefan felt afraid.


Review please! I got stitches in my toe yesterday and it wans't fun! What a great way to celebrate Christmas T-T