Elena was quickly becoming accustomed to the lay out of her new surroundings. Although it did take some getting use to having Ezra follow her around this new residence at all times unless in the bedroom or bathroom, where he would wait both patiently and silently outside the door. Ever since the day that she had tripped on the winding staircase certain she would fall to her death only to have her fall broken by Ezra, she had become quiet fond of her usually silent friend. She had chosen to look at him as a friend instead of a prison guard. Her own personal bodyguard and she owed him both her and her unborn child's life for breaking the fall, which surely would have ended both. Often she tried to engage him in conversation, but he was a man of few words. She had learned that he had been raised to be a bodyguard, and came from a long line of bodyguards that had stemmed back to guarding royalty. He took his duties very seriously and did so with much pride. To fail in his job would not only let down his ancestors but would disgrace him to the point that he would take his own life. He had told her this without so much as a blink, as if this was a completely normal occurrence, in such situations.

Because of this, she would have been lonely without him there.

Each day she found herself eagerly awaiting Markus's return although she hated to admit it. She told herself it was because she missed having someone to have a conversation with. Markus was good at conversations it seemed there was nowhere he had not been. Listening to him was almost as good as going to the places herself. She learned more history and geography from him, than all her years in school.

She took great care in looking her best when he came home, as he was always full of compliments, which she enjoyed. Today however Markus was late. She found herself pacing back and forth wondering where he could be, or if something had happened to him? Whom do you call in the Dark Dennison for a missing vampire? Is there a creepy hospital? She had actually asked Ezra about this, and his only reply was "No one can know you are here." He did not elaborate, other than saying "It is for your safety."

"What if he never returns? What if something has happened to him, would you set me free?" She asked him, more just to be talking because she was worrying, and it always helped to calm her, than out of real curiosity.

"The Master will return, you belong to him." is all Ezra replied. Not the answer she was hoping to receive. All the anxiety she had building up from worrying she took out on poor Ezra.

"I belong to no one! I am not just a piece of artwork added to his mass collection!, What does your so called "Master" do anyway, and if you are so honorable why would you participate and help him not only abduct a woman, but keep her prisoner, in this dungeon!" She screamed at him.

Ezra looked at her as if dealing with a child throwing a temper tantrum, and cocked one eyebrow and said, "dungeon? owns the nicest place in all the land, and being his is an honor little one."

Elena was shocked, unsure how to proceed she contemplated this newest info. Valestora, this was the first time she had heard Markus's last name. Feeling a bit embarrassed by her sudden outbreak and yelling at poor Ezra whom clearly was not the guilty party, Elena apologized. "I'm sorry Ezra, I don't mean to take it out on you, and I know you are just obeying orders, but I'm frightened. I do not want to have my baby here in this place, so he or she will also be a slave. I know you have been kind to me, and take care of my every need, but this is not my land, and I need to go home, or at the very least find a way to get my child home, if this has to be my fate."

With that, Elena started to cry.

It was then that Markus walked in. She was unsure how much he had heard. "What's going on here Princess, have you been hurt? Did Ezra do something to you, why are you crying?" He asked, all at once.

All Elena could manage to get out was "Where the hell have you been!" Ah was someone worried about me, and my safety" Markus replied with that stupid sexy grin he had.

"No not at all, I was just hoping something terrible had happened to you, so I could be free of you, since I'm only here because you force me to be!" Elena instantly regretted her words, as she saw what almost looked like pain in Markus's eyes, which was quickly replaced with his steely look, and his grin was gone.

"I had business to contend to, sorry to of disappointed you by continuing to live. I thought you might enjoy going outside with me today, since I knew you had been inside the whole time you have been here. Maybe I was wrong."

With that, Markus turned and started walking briskly away.

"Wait, wait" Elena called after him as she tried to hurry and catch up with him, but he showed no sign of slowing down and did not reply.

I'm sorry, I'm sure I just need some fresh air." Still he continued walking.

Elena tried again, "I think fresh air would do the baby good. She silently wondered if the red sky could be considered fresh air.

No sooner had the words left her mouth when Markus halted in his tracks. Grabbing her hand, he led her to the door and walked outside practically dragging her behind him. Elena had to almost run to keep up.

Once outside she looked at the almost barren land. Everything was red, just like the sky.

"I miss the green grass of home." Elena said as a tear slid down from her disappointment,

"You haven't seen it all yet" Markus replied still pulling her along. What appeared to be a long circular green house came into view as they rounded the castles bend,

Markus led her inside it.

Elena gasped at the beauty within, The flower were just as the ones she seen in the nursery. The fragrance filled her nostrils, and she could not help but notice the large patch of black roses. There were so many different flowers, and many exotic ones she had never seen before, it was obvious someone had a green thumb. Markus had stopped pulling her hand, and allowed her to explore while he leaned lazily against one of the door jams arms folded across his chest just watching her.

"They are so beautiful, did you do this?" Elena asked, sure he must of had a dozen slaves working on it around the clock to be able to keep up the maintenance.

"I come here to relax." was all he answered. As Elena kept rounding the bend, she saw in the middle a picnic basket laid out on a blanket. Wine glasses already filled, with a bottle chilling, which she assumed was black rose wine.

She could not help but giggle in glee. A picnic was just what she had needed, actually, she could not remember the last time she had, had a picnic. "Is this for me?" she sheepishly asked feeling like a jerk for the way she had jumped him when he had first come in.

She knelt down and opened the basket in which she found sandwiches, and cheese, and cantaloupe, and even a few slices of chocolate cake. Her mouth started watering just looking at it. She quickly took it all out of the basket and started in on the chocolate cake. Her mouth still full with chocolate cake she closed her eyes and said, "ummm, this has got to be the best cake ever!" Markus laughed at her and strolled over, and stretched out on the blanket propping himself up on one elbow, he studied every inch of her face again.

"What?" Elena said feeling self-conscious, "I'm eating for two" she huffed with her pretend pout, but quickly broke into a smile again. As she looked up from him, she noticed something in the distance. "What's that" she asked and pointed as she arose and started walking over to it.

There was an easel there, and someone had been painting pictures of the flowers, not missing one delicate stroke. Elena was in shock at the elegance of the half-done painting. On the floor around, she also saw charcoal sketches. This was the work of a true artist.

Markus now lying on his back with his arms folded behind his head, answered her saying "I told you I come here to relax."

"You're kidding right, you didn't really do these did you?" she asked. "Yes" Markus replied, "I did. It's just a hobby". The more Elena looked the more it started to dawn on her, that he had painted all the flowers she had seen on the nursery walls. She felt a lump in her throat as a tear slid down.

Markus could see with his bird-like vision from where he was lying that tear. Confused he jumped up, and came to her. " What wrong? Are you hurt? Is it the baby?" Before she could even answer the first question, he had swooped her up in his arms like a bride, ready to rush her into the house.

"No, No and put me down", she croaked out. He did as she asked, but still held her to him, as he searched her face for answers. "Then why are you crying? You aren't lying to me are you?

"I...I... Just felt overcome with emotion, I don't know why, it must be a hormone thing, she answered him. However standing there in his arms, she was starting to feel overcome by a completely different feeling. She realized she was hoping he would kiss her. This frightened her and she quickly turned in his arms so her back was to him, and she was again facing the artwork.

"I wish I had a talent like this," she said. "Oh you have many talents" Markus replied while nuzzling her neck. He had not missed when her look had changed to one of lust. Elena was glad she was no longer facing him, so he would not see how much she was enjoying it.

Markus reached past her and flipped up the page leaving before them a blank page. He placed his hand over hers, and led her to pick up the paintbrush. Once they had dabbed some paint onto it, he guided her hand, and began to paint. Elena was amazed how fluidly and softly he led each stroke, even though the paintbrush was in her hand, he was clearly in control. He whispered into her ear for her to relax, and she did so. She watch as this beautiful flower started to appear, from the center out, as if it was blooming before her eyes. She was mesmerized. The soft slow strokes with him in charge were almost hypnotic. She found herself completely leaning her back into him. His scent now seeming to surround her. Her mind completely at peace. She was so caught up in the moment; it was not until using her hand he set the paintbrush back down. Before her stood, a flower within a flower, that's beauty could outshine even the finest works of art at the best museums. His chin on her shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her, so that his hands directly lay on her belly.

Almost as if in answer, the baby started kicking. She giggled, "Did you feel that, I think he likes you." and guided his hand to the newest spot the baby was kicking in. The baby started kicking as if it was doing its own little tap-dance. Markus quietly laughed which felt and sounded like a low rumble in Elena's ear. "What can I say, she has good taste", he teased her.

"She? What do you mean she I think it's a he." Elena giggled and turned to face him so he could see the oh-so serious look she was trying to pretend to have.

Which was exactly what he had been expecting her to do, she realized to late, when his lips claimed hers.

She wanted to protest...truly she did, but some things are just to good to pass on she told herself, as she parted her lips to allow him entrance, and curled her arms up behind his head, until she no longer knew who was kissing whom. Once again, he swept her up, only this time laying her gently down on the picnic blanket, which he had managed to clear with just one swoop of his arm. Causing Elena to giggle.

" Damn, do you have any idea what you do to me" He said looking down into her lust filled eyes. Or was it something else he was seeing in her eyes.

"No she said teasingly, "show me."